The small church wasn't too far away from Lake Wissota, so Jack and Rose decided to walk, hand in hand. Rose's eyes widened when they came up on it. A small square building with a steeple on top. It was absolutely charming from the outside and when they entered, it was everything Rose wanted for her wedding. So different from the huge cathedral that her mother and Cal had arranged.
"Jack, it's perfect," Rose gasped, looking around, picturing flowers hanging off the wooden pews and a pretty wedding arch on the alter up front. "I think this is it. I feel it. Plus it being the place where your parents got married..."
Jack smiled and nodded, tears in his eyes as he too felt that this place was meant to see him married, just as it saw his beloved parents 20 or so years ago. "I agree."
"May I help you young people?" A elderly pastor hobbled out of his office, noticing the young couple walking along the aisle, looking around. The young man looked familiar, even though he had never seen the young woman before.
"Um, yes sir. My fiancee and I would like to book your church to get married in," Jack explained, tightly gripping Rose's hand in his. "My family has a history here. My parents were married and had their funeral here. It just feels right to follow in their footsteps by getting married here as well. Plus my Rose loves it here."
"It's so charming," Rose kept looking around.
"It's not a big wedding. Just family and a few friends," Jack reassured.
"What is your name young man? You look awfully familiar."
"Jack. Jack Dawson. My parents were Irene and Albert Dawson."
The man gasped. "Oh I remember them clearly! They were a lovely couple, so in love and I had the honor of marrying them! Such a shame what happened, them dying in that horrible fire. They had a rather mischievous son, but he was a good boy...oh you are him! Oh my, you have grown."
"And he's still a good boy," Rose adoringly smiled up at him.
Jack just blushed. "Yes. I've been away awhile, but I've come back. This is my fiancee Rose. We want to marry, as soon as possible."
"Well let me take a look at the schedule and pencil you in for the earliest opening," The pastor smiled, hobbling back into his office, beckoning for Jack and Rose to follow. "Come, follow me. I would bring the schedule out there, but my poor legs aren't what they used to be."
Rose and Jack followed the elderly man into the office at the right of the alter and took a seat in the leather chairs situated in front of the desk, while he sank down into the chair behind it. He opened up a drawer and pulled out a thin notebook. He opened it and his fingers slide down the pages until he came to a stop. "There's a opening two weeks from now. At three in the afternoon. Is that too soon? Or do you want a later day?"
"That's perfect," Rose gasped, nodding her head. She wanted to become Mrs. Jack Dawson as soon as possible. "We'll have to start arranging everything right away, but I think it's doable."
"Are you sure about that, Rose?"
Rose nodded. "I mean, I'd like to have some flowers on the pews and everything, but, if that doesn't happen, that's fine. The most important thing is the vows."
Jack gently stroked her face, a small smile lighting up his eyes. "I love you."
"No charge. You parents were married here and it'd be an honor to marry their son. The least I can do is eliminate one of the expenses you are sure to face for this wedding," The pastor smiled, touched by the genuine adoration he saw between the two young people.
"Sir, you don't have to," Jack tried to object, but it was waved away.
"Consider it a wedding gift from a family friend, young man. I just wish that I could bring your parents back to see the happy day."
Jack's smile was sad. "I do too." He would have loved for his father to be here with some sage advice and his mother, sitting in the pews, crying to see her only son wed. At that moment, he missed them so much and it hurt that they were gone.
Sensing his mood, Rose squeezed his hand, sympathy in her green eyes. She couldn't help but think of her father, who she would have loved to be there to give her away. He would have liked Jack, she knew he would. Things like money and social standing had never mattered to Ralph Dewitt Bukater. He always looked a the heart of people, which was something that he had in common with his future son in law.
"Two weeks from now will be great, sir," Jack nodded, his voice a little somber, his thoughts full of his parents.
Once everything was settled, Jack and Rose walked out, heading for his house to announce the engagement and wedding to his family. Jack was in more of a somber mood than earlier, his mind still lost in memories of his parents. Rose spotted the small graveyard before they left the premises. She stopped, pulling on Jack's hand.
"Rose?" He frowned, coming to a stop as well.
"Are they buried here, Jack?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah. Would you mind if..."
"Not at all."
Keeping her hand tight in his, Jack walked towards the graveyard. He kept walking until he was in front of two flat grave stones with his parents name engraved on them with the dates of their births and deaths and beloved mother or father between the name and dates. He sniffed, knowing that Charlie was the one that had taken care of everything. Making sure that his parents were buried...that they had the proper gravestones and that their graves were well cared for. He didn't know how he'd ever be able to repay his cousin. The family hadn't been close when his parents were alive, but Charlie came through for them when they had died. He probably would have taken Jack in if he had stuck around long enough.
"I still can't believe they're gone," Jack bowed his head, kneeling before the graves. "They should be here, Rose."
She knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "They are here, Jack. In spirit. Just like my father was with me. I'll always believe that it was him that sent you to me that night I tried to jump off of Titanic. And someone was obviously looking after you when the ship went down."
"You think it was them?"
Rose simply nodded. "I do. What were the chances of that door being in the water, just waiting for you? And you somehow knew to stay on the ship as long as possible and to hang on to the stern."
"And made sure that we'd end up back together after a long separation," Jack smiled. "You're right. My parents and your father were definitely looking out for us. Probably still are."
Jack touched the headstones, tears in his eyes. "Mom, dad. I'm sorry that it took me so long to come here...to accept...that you were gone. But I'm here now. With Rose, my new fiancee, soon to be wife. I'm finally giving you the daughter you always wanted. I just wish that you were here to meet her. You both would have loved her. You probably do. You're probably in heaven right now, telling Mr. Dewitt Bukater what a lovely daughter he has.
"I miss you mom and dad. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and what you would think. I hope that you are proud of me and that I continue to make you proud. That I do nothing to make you ashamed. I know that you're up there looking out for me and I hope to honor you always."
He got to his feet, pulling Rose up to a standing position as well. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. "I bet they are proud of you Jack. You're such a warmhearted soul, there's no way that they're not."
Jack smiled at her and leaned down, claiming her lips in a chaste kiss. Pulling away, he smiled. "Thank you for being here with me. You didn't have to come."
"Hey, I'm your soon to be wife. I wanted to come," Rose smiled. "Now I want to go to your house and ask Hope to be in the wedding."
"Charlie will probably load me down with good advice," Jack chuckled, leading the way out of the graveyard, this time really starting down the street that will lead them to the Dawson house.
…..
Lily greeted Jack and Rose as they came up the front steps hand in hand. The child was in Jack's arms immediately talking about dolls and butterflies and thinking that she saw a fairy. Rose watched in amusement as Jack patiently listened to it all as he carried her inside, with Rose trailing behind. She smiled, thinking of what a wonderful father he was going to be someday. Which made her wonder, what kind of mother was she going to be? She didn't exactly have the most wonderful role models to base herself on.
Hope came out with flour covered hands, being in the midst of making an apple pie for dessert that night. She smiled as she saw Jack carrying Lily inside, with Rose right behind them.
"Lily, you weren't laying in wait for them again, were you?" She chuckled.
"I wouldn't call it laying in wait," Jack grinned. "I'd call it waiting to greet her loyal subjects."
"Jack being the most loyal," Rose giggled. "I think he deserves to be knighted."
"Don't give her any ideas," Hope laughed, wiping her hands off with a dishtowel before taking her daughter from Jack.
"Where's Charlie? We have an announcement to make and I want all three of you here," Jack grinned.
Hope gave Rose a look, asking if this was about what she suspected. Rose just smiled in answer, not wanting to give away Jack's surprise.
"I'll go get him," Hope walked to the back door and called Charlie inside. Two minutes later, the older man came rushing in, his blond hair damp from sweat and his blue eyes curious.
"What is this all about?" Charlie asked,
Jack took Rose's hand and pulled her to his side. For some reason, he felt even more nervous now than he did when he proposed to Rose earlier that day. "Rose and I have an announcement to make. We're getting married."
Hope's squeal of delight gave no room for any shocked silence, if there was one. Judging from Charlie, there was no surprise. It seemed like the older couple knew that this was coming.
"Congratulations!" Hope rushed over to hug Rose, happy to have another woman in the family, besides Lily.
"I can't say that I'm surprised," Charlie smiled. "So when is the wedding? Tomorrow I assume?"
Jack laughed. "No. It's two weeks from now. We're going to have it in the same church mom and dad got married in. It's not going to be anything big. Just you guys, Maybe Matthew and George. Lisa and her mother of course. And I think that's it."
Rose nodded. "Yes. Nice and small and as soon as possible."
"Why the rush, though? I mean, not that I have a problem with it being so soon," Hope questioned.
"We just want to join our lives as soon as possible. We've waited as long as we could...we just can't any longer," Jack smiled at Rose, all the love in the world in that one gaze. She smiled back, wrapping both arms around his waist.
"Yes. I want to be a Dawson as soon as possible. I'm getting tired of people wanting to write down my name," She giggled.
"Well congratulations, you two. In fact, you can have the reception here in the backyard with so few guests. I can make the food. We'll order the cake though. The bakery downtown has the most delicious flavors and decorations. We'll go there tomorrow, Rose. That is if you like."
"I'd love to. In fact, I was wondering if you could be my matron of honor."
Hope gasped. "Oh my god, I'd love to be! This is going to be so much fun, we'll even get Lisa in on it as well! And Lily can be a flower girl!"
"She'll be adorable," Jack smiled, looking at Charlie. "I suppose you know what I'm going to ask you, right?"
Charlie smiled. "Like there's any other answer than yes?"
Jack grinned and went over to pull his cousin into a hug. They may not have been close before Jack's parents had died, but they certainly were close now. "It's up to you to make sure that I don't make a fool of myself upon that alter."
"I won't let you down," Charlie chuckled.
Jack smiled, inwardly feeling a little sad, knowing that if things had been different, if Fabrizio had survived, he would have been the one to stand up for him on his wedding day. But he was glad to have Charlie. Honestly, if it hadn't been for Charlie and his family, he didn't know where he would be now. They had pretty much saved him from himself upon his return to Chippewa Falls. "I owe you so much, Charlie."
"How so?" Charlie chuckled, confused.
"I was so lost when I showed up here all those months ago. I was hardly myself, but you were here and you took me in and made sure that I was okay and didn't drown in my own misery. Then there was your daughter...she was the sunshine in a world of darkness. You and your family saved me."
"Oh Jack, we're family. Of course we would take you in and we were so relieved to see Lily bring you out of your shell. You took such good care of her," Hope smiled.
Rose had to wonder just how bad off Jack was. It hurt her heart to know that he was in any kind of pain, she loved him so much. She shuddered to think where they both would be now if she hadn't found the strength to run away from Philadelphia.
"Does this mean that Rose is going to be my cousin too? Like Jack?" Lily asked, her eyes wide and innocent, full of curiosity.
"This is exactly what it means, sweetie," Hope ruffled the girl's hair.
"Will Rose come live with us? Can she sleep in my room?"
Hope laughed. "She probably will, but I'm pretty sure that she's going to want to sleep in Jack's room since they are going to be married."
"Mommy, what does married mean?" Lily asked, full of questions.
"It means when two people love each other very much and want to live together forever."
"Like you and daddy?"
Charlie smiled, walking up and lifting his daughter up in his arms. "Yes. Just like me and Mommy. How about we go get you and Mr. Bear set up for a tea party, huh? Would you like that?"
Lily just nodded her head. Hope sighed in relief with a little laugh. "So many questions."
"Ah, that's a good thing. She's curious about her world," Jack smiled. "I'm afraid it's a Dawson thing. I remember asking my mom about everything under the sun."
"That figures," Hope rolled her eyes. She grinned speculatively at Rose. "You've been warned Rose. When you have a little one, be prepared to answer 1001 questions."
Rose nervously chuckled at the thought of having children once again wondering what kind of mother she would make. She was almost scared. Scared that she'd be like Ruth. Cold, distant, unloving. Always ready to degrade or complain. Unable to praise her for anything. Rose squeezed her eyes shut at the thought of her mother. It still hurt when she thought of how she was nothing but a bargaining chip to her mother. A way out of a possible life of poverty. She hoped to god that she was different. That she would never treat her children in the same manner, especially if something should happen to Jack.
Jack of course noticed her change in mood. "Are you ok?"
Rose nodded, forcing a smile, not wanting him to worry or to know that she had her own doubts on being up to the task of being someone's mother. It's not that she didn't want to be, she was just afraid that she wouldn't be a very good one.
"I'm fine."
"You seem tense," Jack squeezed her hand, wanting to reassure her and take any nerves she may be having. There was no reason to be nervous. It was just him and his family and they loved her just as much as he did.
"I'm okay, Jack. Was just thinking," Rose tried to soothe away his concern, but she knew it didn't work. Jack still had the ability to read people, and surely he read her clearly.
"We'll talk later, alright?"
Rose just nodded, grateful that he was willing to let it go for the moment. She really didn't want to talk about her deficiencies to being a mother in front of Hope, who she admired and looked up to.
"I hope you guys know that Charlie and I are willing to help pay for everything. The church, the dresses, all of it," Hope returned to kneading the dough for the dinner rolls she was preparing for that evening's meal.
"Hope, you don't have to do that. I have plenty of money from what I've pawned off..."
"Money that you might want to use for something else. Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning to take over your own plans, Rose. In fact, it being so simple, it won't be a big cost anyway."
"Which reminds me, the pastor isn't charging us for the church, so that's one expense we don't have to worry about," Jack grinned, himself beginning to feel excited.
"Which leaves food, dresses, and decorations...I don't know Hope. I couldn't possibly let you take care of all of it on your own," Rose frowned.
"Well...how about this then. Let me take care of the food. I'm right here to do the cooking, which I love to do anyway and the only big expense will be the cake. I'll let you and Jack take on everything else."
"I think it's a good deal," Jack grinned at his bride. "What do you think?"
"I can live with that. Now I don't feel like I'm taking advantage of you," Rose chuckled.
"You're family. There's no such thing," Hope came over and pulled Rose into a hug. "We Dawsons always have each others backs."
Rose felt tears in her eyes, feeling a part of the family already, something that she had never felt before. It was a warm, comforting, secure feeling. Looking at Jack, she felt grateful for having not only met him on Titanic, but for finding him again, along with a family to accept her.
After dinner was over, Jack was slowly walking Rose back to the boarding house, hating that he had to again bid her good night, but reminding himself that soon, he wouldn't have to leave her side ever again. It was just a matter of patience.
"So, it's just the two of us now," Jack smiled, nudging her a little as they walked. He had been concerned about her for the most part of the time they had spent with his family. He didn't want to go into it with his cousins around, so he waited until they were alone.
"Yes it is," Rose sighed, resting her head against his shoulder. "It's been such a lovely day and wonderful evening."
"But you've been worried."
Rose sighed. She had hoped that he had forgotten her earlier mood, but obviously he hadn't. He had just been waiting.
"A little bit, yeah."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Rose shrugged. "It's probably just me being silly."
"Hey, nothing you may say or feel can automatically be considered silly. At least I don't think so. Come on, tell me what's on your mind."
Rose sighed. "Well...I saw you with Lily earlier and the talk about children...it made me realize that I have no idea on how to be a good mother. You've seen the mother I had. She's not a very good role model. Growing up with her was horrible. She was cold, distant. Wouldn't let me run and play and because of her, I barely had any friends. It was all about being the perfect little lady, with all the best things money could buy. But love and friendship. Obviously no child needs that."
Rose knew that she sounded bitter, but she couldn't help it. Her mother had totally ruined her childhood and had almost trashed her adulthood as well. If Rose hadn't taken matters into her own hands, she probably would have. "It was a miserable childhood...and I'm afraid I'll be just like her."
"Rose, no," Jack stopped walking and made Rose turn to face him. "You are nothing like your mother. There's no way you would do what she had done with our children."
"How can you be so sure, Jack? You are a natural with kids. I've seen you on Titanic with little Cora, rest her soul, and I saw you with Lily. Children flock to you."
"I know this, because I know you and I've seen how your mother behaves and that's just not you. I'm surprised you even come from that woman. And children flock to me? Lily is constantly talking about you, wanting to spend more time with you and you are way better with her than some of the women I've seen. You'll be a great mom. Plus I'll be there to help you."
"I don't know, Jack. I'm scared that some of my mother is hereditary. Maybe there's a bad mom gene and I have it."
Jack knew that he shouldn't laugh, but he couldn't help it. He had never heard of anything more absurd than that. "Oh Rose, there is no such thing as a bad mother gene. Look, when we do have kids, which I doubt will be anytime soon anyway, we still have too much to do...but when we do...just ask yourself what your mother would do and do the exact opposite. That way you'll know that you're not doing things the way your mother did them."
Rose nodded. "That sounds reasonable. I'm sorry Jack. I'm such a spaz..."
"It's not like you don't have good reason to be with all you've been through in life. I would be to if I grew up with a mother like yours," Jack pulled her into his arms and held her tight, kissing the top of her head. "You are going to be a great mother, Rose. No worries, alright?"
She smiled, feeling more relieved and sure of herself. Jack was right. She was being silly. Everything was going to be alright, just as long as she had him. "Alright."
"Now let's get you back to Mrs. Rainers so you can share our happy news with Lisa, but please refrain from the squealing until I leave. I think my eardrums have had enough for one night," Jack laughed as Rose playfully punched his arm
…..
Jack had left fifteen minutes ago and now Rose stood in her room, along with Lisa, who she had pulled inside as she walked pass with an armful of towels.
"Rose, what is it?" Lisa frowned, a bit taken off guard by being pulled into another room without warning.
"This," Rose held out her hand, showing off the silver band with the diamond on top. Rose giggled as Lisa's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Really?"
Rose's giddy grin said it all. Towels flew everywhere as Lisa released them with a happy squeal and hugged her friend tight. "Oh my god, was it romantic? Did he get down on one knee? Have you set a date yet? Oh my god, give me all the details!"
Lisa pulled the smiling Rose over to her bed, where they both sat, the towels that Lisa was supposed to be delivering to the washroom forgotten.
"It was so romantic. He took me for a picnic on the lake and after we were finished eating, he pretended that there was something behind me, so I turned around to look and when I looked back, there was the ring and he gave me the most romantic speech..."
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" Lisa laughed happily. "It's about time we saw some real romance in this town! So what happened next?"
Then we started talking about arrangements and dates and he took me to this little cozy church where his parents had wed, and there we set a date. Two weeks from now."
"What? Rose, that's no time? I mean, this is the event of the year by Chippewa Falls standards!" Lisa gasped.
"Not really. We're keeping it small and simple. Only a handful of people will be invited. Jack's family, you and your mother, maybe the guests here, and a couple of old friends of Jack's," Rose shrugged. It's not going to be big at all, and the reception is going to be at the Dawson's."
Lisa gasped. "Oh Rose, so many people will be disappointed. The Dawsons may not be rich, but they're pretty well respected. But then again, Jack really doesn't know a lot of folk anymore, and it wouldn't make sense to invite a bunch of strangers to your wedding...oh ignore me! This is your wedding. Make it as big or as small as you want it, just as long as I'm invited!"
"I don't want it to be like the wedding my mother had planned, Lisa. She had all of Philadelphia society invited, people I didn't even know. She pretty much took over the whole thing. My wedding to Jack, I want it to be everything that my mother wouldn't dream of doing. Small, simple, romantic."
"And it will be. Oh, I'm going to have to tell mother. She's going to be so sad to see you move out, Rose. You were like, her good daughter."
Rose laughed. "What?"
"She's always saying how you're so polite and proper and have manners, unlike me. I'm brash, loud, and can give two figs about anything."
Rose chuckled. "Believe it or not, my mother would probably disagree with yours, complaining about how rebellious I am. Your mother has been kind to me, ever since I came here, though. I was so lost and lonely and she took me under her wing. There's no way I could ever repay her and you for your kindness."
"Oh Rose, there's no need. You've been a joy to have around. Like the sister I never had. Jack is lucky to have you in his life."
"I hope he still thinks that a year from now and won't be too sick of me," Rose chuckled.
"I doubt that will ever happen. Boys like Jack, they only come around once in a lifetime. They're the kind that loves fast and forever. So you hold on to him, you hear?"
Rose smiled, liking that description of Jack. "Fast and forever. I like that."
Giggling, the two girls sat up for the rest of the night talking about the upcoming wedding and making plans to go shopping for dresses. Rose was about to go on a whirlwind of an adventure where this wedding was concerned. It was going to be one adventure of many.