A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews. They mean a lot to me :-)
Cal and his father were discussing their plans concerning the business in the next months, but Nathan all at once changed the subject to Rose. He hadn't seen her much lately and barely spoken to her, but surely his son, as her fiancé, must know what was going on with her. He remembered his own time of engagement and how he hadn't wanted to be apart from Katherine for one second. Even, if it had been an arranged marriage both had made out the best of it, eventually really falling in love with each other. His heart still ached, when he was reminded of her death and that he would never be able to see her angelic face again or hear her wonderful voice.
Not even her declining health and her hair slowing falling out, had stopped him from thinking that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Katherine had laughed at him on their last day together, telling him that now he could stop with the lying.
'I'm not attractive anymore. I'm looking like a scarecrow,' she had joshed her giggles being drowned by her coughs.
These had been her last words.
He had kissed her hand, told her that to him she didn't look a day older than at the time, when they had first met. Her body had become limp and it hadn't taken long for Nathan to realize that she had stopped breathing and he would now have to face the world alone. Along with his wife a part of him had died too.
Up until Rose had come into their life, he had thought that no one would ever be able to replace Katherine as matriarch of the Hockley family. However, this girl fitted perfectly.
"Father, I still don't think it'll be a good idea to go against the government."
"Forget the government," Nathan interjected.
Cal had been at University, his first year, when his mother had died and although he didn't say it out aloud, Cal had always felt like his father had secretly accused him of being at fault for his mother's passing. His birth already hadn't been an easy one and in addition Katherine's own mother had died from cancer too at the age of fifteen, his mother was even younger.
Cal asked himself what was going through his father's mind. He didn't seem to be very interested in steel business at the moment.
"But shouldn't we…?" Cal started unfolding the plans for Pasadena on the table "…at least speak about the factory?"
Of course they should. The workers down there were doing their best and so was Mr. Stevens, who supervised everything, but even he could only work with what he had and not achieve any miracles. The truth was, they had to sell either part of their business or make some new deals, if they wanted to finish it up in time. Nathan was unwavering about it that they didn't take up another credit.
However, now it looked like they didn't have another choice.
"At the moment I would like to know something else," Nathan began making his way over to the couch, motioning for Cal to join him.
"Father, you know that…"
"Cal, for once let's not talk about the business. Alright?"
Cal nodded dimly aware of what he father was applying to. Surely this meant he wanted to discuss the marriage contract and he yet to tell Rose about it. He simply couldn't bring himself to mention it to her – not only out of fear that she might freak out, remember something about Dawson maybe, but more so, because he didn't want to hurt her. Rose had been literally throwing herself into the arms during the past days and he had no intention to risk their slowly built up relationship. After all Rose was the woman he had to spend the rest of his life with, so he better get to know her soon and don't provoke her any further.
On the day after his meeting with Daphne he had been at her home, having asked Tracy for her address – luckily she was very outspoken about everything. Her father had opened the door, not looking happy at all at when seeing him. Mr. Gilman was obviously not very much of a fan of him and didn't think much of people in his business as a whole. He had barely told him that Daphne was away with her mother and certainly hadn't mentioned a word to his daughter.
For sure Cal hadn't realized that Mr. Gilman had much been more concerned about Daphne making a wrong decision, as he had sensed something Cal himself hadn't admitted to himself so far – he was visiting Daphne, because of Daphne and not because of Rose.
"How's your fiancée?"
"Fine, you know she's a bit edgy about the wedding and everything, but I guess that's normal. She's been through a lot lately."
He knew his father had a soft spot for Rose, but he doubted he would agree with her affair and general behaviour in the last months, but luckily he had no idea about it.
"Has she gotten her memory back by now?"
Cal shook his head.
"I'm sure she will in no time. Though I've heard that it can take years too...but well, I guess it's not utterly important that she recalls everything."
You can bet on this, father - Cal thought bitterly.
"I've done many things in my youth as well that I would rather forget now...," he laughed. "Ruth lately told me that she's already remembering something about her childhood..."
"Anyway Rose, is like a very rare diamond. I hope you're appreciating her. And if there's anything I can assist you with on the marriage just name it. I'd be glad to help. I mean, I'm sure Ruth and Rose have everything under hand, but I don't want you to think that I don't care…and after all leaving everything to the women sometimes isn't healthy too, right? We got to spend too much money. Isn't it?" he laughed.
Cal grimaced. Actually he had something he really wanted to talk about with his father.
"In fact there is something we…I….would like to…," he stammered
"The honeymoon? Cal whatever you and your bride want will be fine with me. Nothing is too expensive. Just name it and…"
"No, it's not…the marriage contract…I can't…"
Nathan's mood changed the second Cal had spoken the words.
"There's nothing to say here. I believed that I had made myself clear lately. Either you sign this contract and Rose does too or you two can forget your life in luxury."
Though his father had made this threat before, Cal still doubted he would go through with it. After all he was his father's only son and as evil as Nathan might be sometimes, Cal knew that nothing stood higher than his family for him.
Who should inherit the Hockley Company anyway, if not him? Did his father plan to make in an announcement in some newspaper? Would he really risk the articles in the papers? His reputation being shattered?
But still Cal was alerted and didn't want to try it out. His father may be old and ill, but he certainly was no insane fool. He had surely thought about the papers too, before making this treath.
"I mean it, Cal. So you better tell your fiancée about it soon, if you don't plan on living in poverty."
Cal had trouble holding back the anger and hatred he felt for this man at the moment. This was supposed to be his father. He should support him, not put any more obstacles in his way. If he really loved Rose like a daughter, as he always claimed than why would he even risked for her to be residing on the streets?
For Nathan on the other hand the topic was over and to emphasize this he walked back to the desk, sitting down in Cal's working chair.
"Father I…"
"No, it's over. Tell me, when you've made up your decision and for your sake I suggest you don't take too much time. Remember the wedding's in a few weeks."
As Nathan walked out of the room, he came face to face with Tyrell Jenkins, who appeared annoyed and unbalanced, like he had gotten some very bad news.
….
Daphne and Tracy were going out with Jack and Sally on an occasional meeting. Jack wasn't in the mood to talk and rather listened to Tracy speaking about her latest affair.
"Tyrell is so sweet. Here see what he bought me," she showed a necklace to Daphne and Sally, who both tried to look interested. "Hey, what's the matter with all of you? Your faces look as long as a fiddle."
Jack gazed at Sally, who shrugged her shoulders and Daphne remembered Cal, Ruth and her blackmailing, something of which she still hadn't told anybody.
"Alright, if you don't want to talk about it, I might as well just the read the paper."
"I wonder, if they' already have something about the process," Daphne spoke up grabbing the newspaper, before Tracy could.
"Hey," she protested, but still led back in her chair looking at Jack.
If only he could see that she and he would be the perfect match. Though she realized it could never be, but at least one could dream about it. She gazed back at Daphne, who was thoroughly searching for something.
"Matthew told me it should be in one of next editions."
"What?" Sally felt like she needed to say something, not liking the silence at all. "This Matthew is your fiancé right?"
Daphne nodded.
"He has found out some things about…," she stopped herself reminding herself that Tracy was sitting there too. She motioned for Sally to lean in closer to her, before whispering "…Tyrell Jenkins…"
Sally simply nodded her head knowingly. She had heard much about this man. He was as famous and rich as Caledon Hockley, but obviously even more dangerous. Daphne would've loved to discuss the matter further with Sally as she seemed to be very interested and trustworthy as a person, quite the opposite from Tracy, but she knew it would be better for now to keep her mouth shut.
"His paper is searching for some new illustrator. They need some to do drawings at court."
"Which court?" Tracy asked, but Daphne chose to overhear her comment.
"Jack, hey, wouldn't this be something for you?" Sally wondered.
Jack, who hadn't paid any attention to their conversation until now, looked at Sally tiredly. He really hated his work at the café, but they needed the money and it didn't seem like he would find anything better at present.
"What?"
Sally and Daphne laughed simultaneously, both thinking the same.
"Are you good with drawing, Jack?"
"He isn't only good, Daphne. He's the best."
"Why drawing? What's going on here? Are you making plans for me again, Sally?"
The girls giggled again, Sally pinching him slightly. Jack was so funny sometimes.
"Well, Jack, my fiancé...I mean the newspaper he's working for the Philadelphian Gazette...they need a new illustrator and now your friend here thinks you'll be the right one for the job," Daphne winked at Sally.
Jack thought at first that he hadn't heard right. Surely sketching cartoons or whatever they needed him for wasn't what he had dreamed about of making out of his talent, but it was some beginning and he knew that many of the great artist had also started out small.
"Woah…I…that would be…of course I would be interested. But do you think I'd have a chance? I mean surely there'll be a lot of concurrence and…"
"Of course, you get it."
"Yes, Jack's the best for this job."
"I'm sure about this and Matthew will interfere on your behalf. His boss is strict, but very nice and I'm certain that you'll enjoy working for him."
Jack thanked her still not able to fully comprehend what had just happened. Daphne explained that it wouldn't be a nine to five job, but depended entirely on the applicants – meaning he wouldn't get a wage rate per hour, but would be paid for every drawing that the magazine chose to publish. Jack was nontheless happy about this chance; after all he still had the job at the café, if this one shouldn't work out.
Tracy, who got bored with the constant talking about work, excused herself, which gave the others the opportunity to discuss some matters more openly. Daphne almost told Jack and Sally about her meetings with Cal, but then remembered their history and thought it better to keep quiet.
"Do you think that Mr. Stevenson will allow me to take some days off?"
"Certainly, if you're honest and tell him why you're staying away…Mr. Stevenson is no devil. He's actually a very sweet man."
"I thought, because of what happened with Alejandro…"
Jack remembered not seeing him for two weeks straight and surely a simple fever would be cured by now. This could only mean that he had been fired and would be replaced by someone younger.
Daphne raised her eyebrows not really getting what he what he was getting too.
"I mean, because he's obviously been fired."
"Ah this…now I understand your latest enthusiasm for your work, Jack. No, he didn't fire him, because he was ill. I…I've promised not to say anything…"
"I won't mention it to anybody. I swear," Jack held up both hands to show her that he hadn't his fingers crossed.
"Alejandro had repeatedly taken money out of the cash desk. Mr. Stevenson wanted to be absolutely sure, if it was really him so he waited half a year to be able to observe him and when he finally could prove it, he was still reluctant about the step, because of his son and wife…Mr. Stevenson is no bad person…," she added.
"How come that you know of everything?"
"I've been helping with the accounting and of course I noticed the inconsistence too. I confronted Mr. Stevenson and he told me...making me promise not to talk about it with anyone else. Well, I guess I've broken that promise."
"No need to worry."
Jack reassured her again that he wouldn't say anything. He was much more interested in the job offer of this newspaper. He didn't even mind, if they didn't pay much – though surely it would be more than ten cents per piece, he was so happy that finally he would be able to really a get chance to show everybody his talent.
Maybe he could at last meet somebody, who had a say in this matter. Daphne gave him the address and telephone number of her fiancé so that he could contact him and also told him something about the paper itself in case they would ask any prying questions. Jack would go to Mr. Stevenson as soon as possible and ask him for a few hours off, now being certain that he'll get them.
…
Ruth had thought about since yesterday. Something definitely had to be done about the girl. There was no question what would happen, if she did behave as outrageous during her wedding as she had done at their shopping trip. They could never host a serious party or charity occasion, if her daughter continued to have her tempers.
She looked through her address book wondering, if there was anyone she could call, who would be able to talk some sense into her daughter.
Maybe Lucille? Rose seemed to have gotten on well with her. So why not try it out? But, no…she didn't want to bother anyone with this problem, mostly so because she didn't want anyone to know that she wasn't able to control her daughter. It was bad enough already how she had played tricks on Mr. Hockley and her on board the Titanic.
Speaking of Mr. Hockley she hadn't seen much of him lately and doubted that Rose had either. There wasn't anything wrong with the wedding? She still recalled their heated discussion about the marriage contract and wondered what he had done about it. Rose didn't seem to know.
"Good morning, mother," Rose interrupted her thoughts.
She looked pretty in her dress, but then again beauty would vanish and Ruth realized now that she had better spent more considerations on her daughter's education. Surely Amy Jenkins would never behave like her daughter had done. She always knew how to hold a polite conversation.
Rose made her way into the kitchen preparing herself something to eat, Ruth following her.
"Rose, honey…about yesterday…"
"It was a nice day. Don't you think?" Rose smiled at her.
Quite obviously her daughter hadn't changed overnight. Well, it would've been a miracle anyway. Rose calmly sat down and started eating, while Ruth remained standing leaning against the kitchen counter. She hardly ever spent time in this room, after all it was for the servants, but she couldn't bring Rose to see the difference. Rose had always liked to provoke her, not only on this ill-fated ship.
"You know that it wasn't right what you did, Rose."
Rose gazed up at her. She wasn't prepared for such a talk in the early morning. Her mother had such an awful habit of lecturing people. Rose wondered, if she had always been this way or was just like this, when being around her daughter.
"Running off alone Rose…telling nobody…god knows what could've happened…Philadelphia is no little city…"
"Are you concerned about what might've happened to me or about my behaviour? Because I think nothing is as important to you as me becoming a real lady."
"No, Rose, that's not true, but you've to understand that certain thinks are unacceptable in our society. You're not just anyone Rose. You're going to marry a man of high importance in a few weeks. I realize that you're not that kind of girl, who likes small-talk and are sometimes uncomfortable with…and probably even bored in this…environment. But guess what Rose? I'm bored too sometimes, I'm uncomfortable sometimes…I'm stressed and…I sometimes too would rather read a book or sleep or do any other things, but to listen for the hundredth time to someone telling me how his dog fell ill or how his wife bought herself a necklace."
"Mother, I don't understand," Rose got out.
"Of course you don't...since you never attempt to listen. You don't like this kind of life? Fine nobody is forcing you to do so. But at least pretend that you do. You don't have to join in the conversation, but smile politely, nod…look like you're interested. Most people don't know the difference anyway."
Rose couldn't believe it. Her mother had nerves. Pretending? Nodding politely? Maybe even saying yes, when really meaning no…it was simply her personality to question things…she couldn't just give up her personality…the talk with Mr. Dawson had been bad enough already, but this nonsense here really hit the cake. Rose asked herself, if she was probably living in an asylum for the mentally insane with her as the sole normal person in it.
"You mean to become like you, mother?" she hissed her eyes showing her disgust.
Ruth simply couldn't take it anymore and for the first time ever maybe forgot about her status, her upbringing and everything she had learned since childhood about proper behaviour and snapped. She leaned forward resting her weight with her arms on the table.
"I'm really unnerved with you, Rose. I'm your mother not your enemy. If you want to do something with your life…do it…nobody is stopping you. Nobody says that you can't help Mrs. Gilman and your friend Daphne with their charity…once more Rose you're of privileged birth…you don't have to worry about the next food for instance …," Ruth raised her voice really angry now. "But in return you need to display a certain behaviour."
Rose noted that she had overdone it, while Ruth marvelled if she had gotten through to her. She dreaded living on the streets with all those disgusting people. Mr. Dawson had given her a pretty good idea about them. They were all uncouth and bad-mannered. But she had noted already how her daughter was thinking differently and allowing her to spend some time under the watchful eyes of Marion Gilman would presumably be better than forbidding it all together.
"Mother, I…I'm sorry…I didn't know it was this important to you," she followed her outside.
Ruth shook her head. It wasn't about her. She dreaded the day, when Rose would remember the days on Titanic. Their fortune was scattered and frankly she wasn't keen on living on the streets and doubted that Rose would be. Ruth didn't really care about Mr. Hockley as a whole or about his family. They were just as well as any other rich family. The only good thing was that her daughter's relationship with Mr. Hockley seemed to have grown slightly in the past weeks.
Hopefully it would continue to do so. Ruth couldn't care less about her daughter's real feelings. She also hadn't been in love with Rose's father and had had to cope with his constant affairs and she had survived too. Rose would be supported and taken care off and wouldn't have to worry about money as long as she lived. Being a little unhappy was indeed a small price to pay for the comfort she would receive in return.
The doorbell rang and Betsy went to open it. Of course though having listened to their talking she would never have interfered. It simply wouldn't have been right for a servant.
"Mr. Hockley?" Betsy was stunned.
"Is Rose here? I've to speak with her."
Cal had decided to tell her about the contract. He couldn't wait another week. Being certain that she would throw a tantrum he would need time to explain everything to his father. He really didn't want to lose his wealth.
….
Rose listened attentively to her fiancé. The talk with her mother had already taken a toll on her and now her betrothed was telling her something about a marriage contract she needed to sign and if she refused that the wedding wouldn't happen.
"Believe me, Rose, I've tried to talk to my father…but he doesn't listen. I told him that he could trust you and…," Cal stopped suddenly at a loss of words.
Now she would lose it. Surely, she would slap him or shout at him or both. He instantly prepared himself for the blow, but nothing like this happened. Instead of a slap he felt Rose kissing his cheek and looked up at her surprised – noticing her smiling down at him.
"Cal, it's no trouble, darling…I'll sign it."
"You really…are you sure?" Cal was flabbergasted.
What had happened to the old Rose?
"Yes, I'm. I mean we love each other and that's all that matters. Some stupid contract shouldn't stand in our way," she grinned leaning in towards her fiancé.
He was sometimes so unsure of himself and even more of her love for him, it was almost laughable. Rose knew she had to prove him wrong and make sure he got her point.
Before Cal knew what was happening she had moved her lips closer to his with one hand drawing his head towards hers. The kiss probably wasn't the most romantically or passionately, but it was enough to make Cal feel pangs of conscience and for Rose to believe that he truly loved her.
