Next Morning

Rose's Bedroom

Waking up in Rose's bedroom was something he needed to get used to.

An uneasy feeling washed over him, suddenly having flashbacks of the last time he was in this position and she was gone. That morning ended in an argument and years of estrangement.

Finally working up the courage to open his eyes, Cal noticed the morning sunlight streaming through the window.

He counted to three in his mind and turned over in hopes to see Rose still in bed with him.

Opening his eyes again, Cal felt momentous relief to find Rose still beside him, soundly asleep.

Without thought, Cal began toying with her long red hair, watching her sleep.

She must've felt his heavy gaze because she began to stir until ultimately opening her eyes. Cal felt the breath leave his lungs when she looked at him with a slight smile and shifted closer into his side wanting his arms around her.

Happily, Cal obliged her needs, taking her into his arms.

Sharing a few morning kisses, Rose laid comfortably but partially on his shoulder and chest. Their hands gently tangled together. Cal brought her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers.

"What does this mean?" Cal broke the heavenly silence with a weighted question.

He watched Rose carefully. Her brows gently pinched together as she thought of a reply then tilted her chin upwards to look at him.

"It means…" she began, "… that we finally forgive each other for... everything. And we'll give this marriage a real chance. One that it deserves."

Her words were music to his ears, Cal tenderly kissed her then touched his forehead against hers before opening his eyes and breaking another moment by asking, "What changed?"

Rose took a deep breath, trying to formulate years of her complicated emotional back and forth. "Your letters—maybe it happened even before than… but one day, I woke up and realised that I didn't need to feel guilty anymore. Loving you wouldn't tarnish what Jack and I had." She looked at him, "I gave him a promise that night and I tend to keep it." Rose cupped his cheek in her hand, "Ironically enough, I think you're my way of keeping it."

Believing her words, Cal closed the small space between their mouths and kissed her passionately until they both smiled.

Letting her smile weaver from her lips, Rose eyed him carefully and asked, "Can I ask you something?"

Tucking a piece of her red hair behind her ear, Cal replied, "Anything, my sweet."

"What happened?" She asked and immediately saw his confusion. "I mean, what changed? You changed in Paris and I don't know why… W-was it me?"

Silent for a long minute collecting his thoughts to explain himself and his sudden shift to abusive behaviour. Cal failed to see his rational reasoning, which seemed so present back then. He decided to tell her the truth. "After we spent that afternoon in Le Marais, we were seen being rather scandalous."

Rose remembered that day perfectly. She remembered kissing him and never wanting to stop. She remembered the exciting feeling of the wedding in three months when they returned from Europe. But then something happened the following day, Cal was completely different—unrecognisable.

Running a hand through his messy hair, Cal felt like a bastard all over again. "Father told me to straighten up. Get you in line and act like a First-Class gentleman because Hockley's aren't controlled by their women. We are better than that and I believed him. The way I acted towards you…" he felt the weight of his actions in those three months, he lost her completely because of them. "I hit you," his voice was filled with regret as he rubbed a hand over his face. "There are no amount of words that I could say that would express my sorrow and guilt for hurting you. But I am so sorry."

He looked down at her and cupped her cheek. "I am so sorry, Rose. I couldn't see it then because though I've always loved you, I pushed you away because of stupid pride. Dawson was the better man. He wouldn't be weak like me who folds when his father threatens him. In doing so, I lost the only woman I have ever truly loved."

Rose held her finger against his lips having heard enough. She sat up, bracing her weight on her elbow and looked at him fully. "That's enough. No more living in our past or agonising over our regrets. We're here and we're together, and we love each other. We're not going to get it wrong this time."

Cal sunk lower into the mattress in order to get to her eye level. He slowly leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. Smiling into their kiss, Rose released a snorting laughing and moved closer into him, to kiss him more deeply.

Rolling her onto her back, Cal pinned her down with his body and broke the kiss suddenly ordering, "Get your riding gear on. I want to spend the day with you."

"Uh, what?" Rose frowned as he began to move off of her. "Riding gear? What's gotten into you? I thought we can…" she cheekily winked at him.

Cal laughed waving his hand, "There's plenty of time for that." He got out of the bed, "Come! We've already spent too much time laying about on a gorgeous morning like today."

Laughing at his ridiculousness, Rose had no choice but to follow him. She got out of the bed and rang a bell that led to the servants quarters for Krüger to come up and help her dress.

Cal cupped her face in his hands and playfully kissed her. "One hour," he whispered against her mouth and took off haphazardly dressed.

Rose stood in the centre of the large bedroom wearing her silk kimono shaking her head at him as he whistled out of the bedroom.

Sometime Later

Cobbs Creek

Stable

Helping her onto the horse, Cal smiled lovingly when she instinctively sat side-saddled.

"No," Cal said, shaking his head, "the way we'll ride, you will have to swing your leg to the other side of the saddle."

Rose looked at him with uncertainty, "You mean like one leg on each side?"

"That's precisely what I mean. Here," Cal took the reins, "I'll hold her still, while you adjust."

As Rose adjusted her seating arrangement on the back of the horse a sudden memory flashed behind her eyes.

With perfect clarity, she remembered walking on the Titanic's promenade deck. The sky was painted orange, yellow, and red as the sun began to set on the horizon. She remembered standing next to Jack as he told her about rollercoasters and the ocean waves touching the sand at the Californian pier.

"Do you have it?" Cal's deep voice took Rose from her memories.

She pushed the hint of sadness that entered her heart away and looked down at her husband with a small smile. "Yes," she said with a nod, taking the reins from his hand.

Her eyes followed him as he went to his horse.

With an experienced grace, Cal jumped onto the horse. He looked at her and a slow smile tugged at his lips. "Heya!" Cal squeezed his legs and gently but firmly kicked the heels of his riding boots into the horse's side to make it run.

Rose frowned, "Cal!" She followed the same technique to make the horse take off.


Following him at a racing pace through the wooded area, Rose ducked under long tree branches and smiled with glee, enjoying herself for the first time in a long while.

"Can't catch me!" Cal shouted over his shoulder.

"Watch me!" Rose pushed her hips up forward on the saddle urging the horse to run faster. "Cal!" She laughed.

Exiting the woods, Rose looked around to the gorgeous green grassed area. She heard the soft waves of the nearby creek. Pulling gently on the reins, Rose took in her scenic surroundings wondering just where Cal had led her.

It was then she noticed large tents, boarded up kiosks, and a still Ferris wheel. A carnival was in town.

"I wish it was open," Cal said, walking the horse up beside her. "I haven't been to a carnival since I was a boy."

Rose glanced in his direction then turned her gaze back to the carnival. "Perhaps when it opens we can visit."

"Really?" Cal tilted his head slightly to the side.

Cocking a snobbish brow, Rose smirked, "As long as I get cotton candy."

Cal released a low chuckle than jumped off the horse.

He crossed over to her and tightened the leather straps of the saddle. Memorised by her beauty and the glow of the morning sun creating a halo around her head, Cal couldn't help but compare her to a Goddess. She was a vision bathed in sunlight with her white blouse sleeves rolled up her forearms and perfectly curled hair tied in a long pony-tail, which elegantly hung over her right shoulder.

Abruptly breaking the moment, Rose took off with the horse heading over to the water.

Laughing at her free spirit, Cal jumped back onto his horse and took off after her.

Splashing the cold water onto each other as their horse's stomped in the water, Rose came to a realisation. This is the feeling she was waiting for, for a long time. She had felt it with Jack until it was brutally taken away from her and she felt it now. She was happy.

Looking back at her husband, it felt like she was seeing him for the first time.

A large boyish smile covered Cal's face as he laughed at getting his riding jodhpurs breeches and boots soaked by the water. His dark hair fell from his neatly slicked back hair. His matching khaki sports coat was unbuttoned, the buttons of the white shirt he wore underneath the coat were undone, showing off his throat.

Rose watched as he walked the horse up beside her. Reaching out her hand, she touched the side of his clean-shaven face. Cal took ahold of her hand and brought it to his lips—kissing the inside of her palm.

Something in the distance caught his eye.

Rose noticed his change of expression and frowned. It was then, Cal jumped off of the horse again, landing in the water and ran across the grass to a man holding a Kodak vest pocket autographic folding camera.

Frowning in confusion, Rose watched as Cal and the man walked back towards her.

"Now, good sir," Cal turned to the photographer as he walked back towards Rose, "I need you to get the best angle of my wife. Might I suggest getting the Ferris wheel in the background." Cal directed the photographer.

"Yes, sir, a beautiful subject to photograph." The photographer said with an easy smile as Cal repositioned Rose and the horse she sat on.

Cal reached up and positioned a fallen curl to the side of her face. His dark eyes danced around her face before he unleashed a small smile of approval. "Absolutely beautiful," he nodded and stepped backwards, taking his horse by the reins to get out of the photographer's way.

"Okay, Missus, smile," the photographer said aiming his camera at Rose.

After a minute, the camera made a noise, indicating that the photograph had been taken.

"Would you like another, sir?" The photographer looked at Cal.

"Yes," Cal walked over to Rose and reposition her keeping the carnival in the background, "be sure to keep the carnival in the background."

The photographer nodded and readied his camera. He watched the pair carefully as Cal took the reins of Rose's horse.

She interrupted Cal when her fingers went through his dark hair, then slid her hand down the side of his face to touch the tip of his chin. Losing himself in her blue-grey eyes, Cal smiled as she bent down and touched her lips against his.

More than happy to return her kiss, Cal smiled.

Without them knowing, the photographer captured the intimate moment.