Chapter fourteen: I Want To Belong to You

Later that same day,

Rose glanced in the mirror of the living room and pinched her cheeks slightly. She wore no make up but her hair had brightened and curled just how it used to now that she had given it a good wash and comb and the dress she wore felt a little tight but she felt good. Tonight she was meeting a friend of Jack's, she felt a little nervous for some reason as though it was his family she was about to meet. Jack appeared behind Rose in the mirror and he said nothing, he placed his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. He glanced at her reflection in the mirror and she stroked his hands tenderly. A knock sounded at the door interrupting the moment, startling Rose so much she jumped. Jack smiled to her, letting her go he went downstairs to answer the door.

''Good evening Jack.'' Keith stepped inside the door, he removed his hat and hung it on the pegs which were located just inside the hallways. In his hands he carried two paper bags, which he thrust into Jack's hands. ''The wife sent chicken slices and some gooseberry pie.''

''Thank you.' Jack took the food graciously. 'I want you to meet Rose.''

Slowly she emerged from the living room, her hair curled and loose to below her shoulders, she wore no make up but her beauty was natural. She stepped forward to Keith, holding out her hand.

''Mr Levitt it's a pleasure to meet you. Jack told me all about you.''

''Oh he did now, well he didn't tell me just how lovely you are. Kept that one quiet Jackie.'' Keith shook her hand, he was stunned with this young woman Jack had fallen in love with.

''I told you, you had to see for yourself.'' He grinned, he turned towards the kitchen to heat some dinner up for himself and Rose.

''Say well, just how did the two of you meet?'' Keith asked, not preparing himself for the silence which fell upon the three of them. Rose's eyes darted to Jack's. She didn't know what he knew or if he wanted Keith to know anything deeper. ''Have I said something I shouldn't?'' He laughed nervously.

''No, no. I just...Jack and I haven't been asked that question before, and to be honest it has quite a long answer.'' Rose told Keith. ''To cut a very long story short, we met on board the Titanic.''

Keith stuttered for a few moments. Of course he had heard all about the sinking, read the papers and the chilling accounts, the survivor stories and knew there was a court hearing which was continuing in New York at the moment but never in a million years did he think Jack would have been on board the ship. ''For heavens sake Jack, why didn't you tell me this earlier?''

Jack placed the chicken on the counter in the kitchen before stepping towards Rose, he placed his arm around her shoulder. ''We haven't told anyone Keith. We cannot even bear to think about it.'' Tears shimmered in Rose's eyes and Keith regretted even mentioning anything.

''I'm so sorry.''

'Don't be, we have to talk about it sooner or later.'' Rose told him. ''Perhaps you would join us for a drink?'

Over the next two hours, Jack explained to Keith exactly how he had met Rose. He went into detail about the horror of the sinking resulting in Rose breaking down in tears, the memories of the tragic night still obviously very fresh to her. Rose told Keith of Cal and how she had left him in Paris and now he was looking for her. He was her biggest fear, she couldn't imagine ever returning to her mother and to Cal now that she had found Jack but she trusted him more than anything else in the world and knew that he would keep her safe no matter what.

''Don't worry Miss. If I hear anything I shall divert him in another direction. I won't hear of a man looking for a young lady like yourself. He sounds like absolute-'' He was about to swear and then realised there was Rose present.

''That's why I want to get things moving as soon as possible for us. I need to get Rose somewhere safe.''

Keith drank the last of his wine before heading towards the door. ''You know me Jack, I will keep my word.'' He tossed his hat onto his head. He glanced towards the living room where Rose was sat but lowered his voice, indicating for Jack to come closer.

''I do suggest you marry her before you move to Santa Monica. If her ex fiancé does turn up here, he has no right to have anything to do with her then.''

Jack glanced into the living room at Rose, she sat limply on the sofa, she was worn out. ''I will marry her when she is ready Keith, I cannot rush these things with her.''

''I will do what I can about sorting out a place in Santa Monica as soon as possible. Something small and simple you said?''

''Yes, somewhere we can be happy. Somewhere simple so she can have the kind of life she always wanted.''

Keith saw the way young Jack looked at Rose. He readjusted the hat on his head. ''You love her don't you?''

''Yes. I do.''

Keith sighed. He had known Jack a number of years and watched him go from a very unsure young boy, an orphan and then live a life of luxury with his Uncle who he was sure he had truly looked upon as a second father just as Eric doted on Jack as the son he never had.

He nodded taking one last look at Rose before opening the door to the house, letting the evening chill inside. ''Take care.'' He nodded before leaving the house. Jack crossed his arms, feeling just how cold it was.

''I'll see you later.'' He called after Keith.

Rose was quiet, she felt numb and tired. Jack touched her hand gently and she turned to him, her eyes red and teary.

''What were you two whispering about?'' She asked, her voice barely audible. Jack didn't know she had heard their quiet talking.

''Just business, you wouldn't be interested Rose.'' He leant forward to kiss her but instead she quickly got to her feet. She felt irritated at Jack, he sounded just like Cal used to when he was with his 'business friends.'

''What's wrong?'' Jack reached out to her.

''I'm not stupid, I know you two were talking about me, I saw Keith looking.'' She burst. ''And all of this business stuff, you sound just like Cal.'' She began to walk away from Jack, but he quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. He had never seen her angry before.

''You really want to know what we were talking about?'' He had wanted to keep it a secret but realised it would be harder than he thought. He felt terrible lying to Rose even though it wasn't a huge lie.

''If it was about me then yes.''

Jack sighed for a moment. ''I am selling the house Rose. I'm finding us somewhere in Santa Monica so that we can move within the next month.''

''Jack…you…you cannot sell your house.''

''I can and I will.'' Jack grabbed her hands in his. ''Don't try to talk me out of it Rose.''

''Not for me.''

''Rose, I would die if it meant making you happy.'' He told her, he could see the tears shining in her eyes. ''Look, I just want us to be happy. To live the life we talked about on Titanic.''

''Jack…'' Rose attempted to speak but she couldn't. Shock had overcome her, words failed her.

''I want that life, Jack. But you cannot just give up the house. This is something which you had before me, with your Uncle. This is a family home.''

''And you are my family now.'' He touched her face. ''I have nobody else, Rose. Nobody. I meant it when I said it would be me and you.''

Rose closed her eyes. She realised just how much he had thought of this. She wouldn't change his mind. She calmed in that moment when she realised just what he was doing for her.

''I'm sorry, for what I said.''

''Its all right, you were right. I shouldn't have lied about it. There should be no secrets.''

Rose agreed with a shake of her head. Jack tilted his head to kiss her just once.

''Keith said that I should marry you so if Cal ever came here then you would be mine legally.'' Jack told her. ''But I don't want you to ever belong to anyone except yourself. I want to marry you Rose, but I want it to be perfect and nothing short of what you deserve.''

Rose leant against Jack, overwhelmed once again. ''I see his point, but I the thing is I want to belong to you.''