Chapter Four

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary – Catholic Church.

Rose placed the mantilla over her head.

The following Sunday, she drove with Jack and his two boys' in their new vehicle to the Catholic Church. It was a fine morning and as she stepped out, Jack was the one who took her by the hand. He gently escorted her out before he let his sons' step out. Both were finely dressed in their Sunday best and Rose liked seeing them like this. The week passed along to her knowledge, smoothly and William was at his best manners and John too. The family meals were spent in silence and though Rose was yet to expect a letter from her uncle, she was there for John when he returned home from school. Both boys' attended private Catholic schools, though Jack insisted later William would be attending a public school once he graduated. But for now: he was in the private one as well as John. The Congregation were making their way inside when Rose felt a small pull on her sleeve.

"Can I sit beside you?"

Glancing down, Rose knew it was John. The little boy was stared up into her eyes with plea expression and instantly she was touched. Ignoring the rest of the Congregation, who were making their way inside, Rose crouched down and smiling, answered.

"Of course, John! I would be honored."

He politely nodded before she Rose and taking her hand, John and her walked inside as the organ started to chant a Gregorian song as the Latin Mass would begin. It felt strange to be there as Rose genuflected, with John following her pursuit.

Once she pulled the pew out, she waited for John to sit beside her. Or in this instance: on the pew as he swung his legs back and forth. Noticing this, Rose turned and gently gestured for him to do what she was doing. He eyed her before he settled down and stared up at the Crucifix which was above the altar. Jack and William were to arrive because John's father been asked a question at the back. This was a relief for Rose as she made the Sign of the Cross and little John followed. As she bowed her head, closing her eyes, she heard John whisper.

"Mama never used to teach me that, Rose. She always scowled whenever papa took her to Mass and William seemed to follow her."

Rose heard this and opened her eyes. Her heart gave a slight leap when she reached over to place her arm around John's figure as he started to fidget. She never heard this about Jack's wife and this was a piece of information she never known about Rachael. She'd known the woman was the love of Jack's life but she never even taught her son how to make the Sign of the Cross? Even reluctantly attended Mass with Jack? She would have to think about that later as William and Jack entered and Rose felt John slide closer to her when William sat beside him. Over the course of the week, William was silent but Rose spotted he wasn't treating his younger brother any better than he did that night when he'd thrown that piece of bread at him. Feeling the little boy slide close to her, Rose felt a wave of motherly protection as she still was holding him. She was unaware that a few of the parishioners were watching from behind.

Then the bell rang and Father appeared with the altar servers. Rising, Rose turned her attention to the Mass as the Latin Mass began. As she reached over to read her Latin Missal, Rose felt John wrap his arms around her upper body as he whispered.

"I want to stay by you because William just pinched me."

Peering over at the other brother, Rose spotted William hid his hand in his pocket. The part she disliked most was Jack barely noticed as Mass started. She would have to brace this problem with him; otherwise: John would be at the mercy of his older brother. This set the tone of her Sunday as Mass progressed.

Rose made sure John was well in her possession as the two exited the church. Throughout Mass, Rose kept an eye on William; making sure she would embrace this topic with Jack, she calculated when would be the best time to speak with his father about this. William was well inclined to hide how he was acting but she also noticed he continued to sneer at his brother. Feeling her temper heat, Rose glanced over at John, who only hid himself behind her dress. She was thankful the sky was clear and the air was fresh as she heard John whisper.

"See? All William's been is mean to me!"

"I can see that." Rose replied as she held his hand. She couldn't believe William was acting in this manner as he stepped from the steps as he held his Mass books to his chest. To her, Rose spotted he was proud of himself; possibly triumphing against his younger brother and away from everyone's knowledge. This was something she'd seen in her younger years and Rose learned a few things about how children treated other children. But she wondered why William was treating his own brother in this way. Remembering John mentioned another boy's name of Kingston, Rose would ask Jack about this but avoid William. Sunday Mass was finished and Father blessed the Congregation and expressed all would have a grand week but Rose kept her mind on informing Jack about how William was treating John.

She felt John hiding behind her when a vehicle appeared and he poked his little head around her.

"Papa's car! I want to honk the horn!" John screamed and before Rose could stop him, John rushed from around her skirts and bounced towards the vehicle. The butler drove and when John made it, he ran around and using his hand, opened the door as he shouted.

"I want to honk the horn!"

The butler, surprised at John's movements, recovered himself and to avoid the embarrassment from the parishioners, he turned and spoke to John.

"My good sir: I wouldn't suggest raising your voice so! You are aware there are eyes watching?"

Here, Rose rushed over as the hairs on her back Rose. She disliked being watched as she made her way over and holding her arms out, asked if she could take John aside. But Jack's son was already ahead of her. He jumped inside the car and before either Rose or the butler realized it… John started honking the horn. Rose felt her heart beat when a few of the parishioners' walked by and laughed as John shouted.

"I am going to be a race driver when I grow up!"

The sound was similar to the Church's bells as they chimed. Rose wondered where Jack was as she peered around and spotted the boy's father. He was staring at John as his son's cries were booming on a repetitive manner. When Rose met Jack's eyes, he only frowned as she gestured for him to rush over and take care of him. Throughout Mass, Rose noticed Jack was silent and ignored John which permitted William to harass John throughout Mass. And Rose seen this and couldn't tolerate it anymore. Then Jack's figure stood before her as Jack called.

"John? That is enough!"

"How was it the butler didn't stop him from blowing everyone's eardrums out?" Another voice asked.

As Rose turned, she met the eyes of William, who had his arms folded while a brow was raised. Feeling her temper heat, Rose was about to scold William when John shouted.

"Papa! I want to honk the horn!"

"And I've seen enough embarrassment in my life to take care of you!" Jack replied as he took hold of his squirming son, who only fought with his tiny fists. Rose felt a pump of energy when she watched as William scowled at his brother and she found the words she never thought she possessed.

"William? Would you care to be a little more courteous to your brother?"

His eyes were fierce when he replied.

"You're not my mother. You don't tell me what to do."

"William Jack!" Jack's voice exclaimed as he struggled to take hold of John.

"I'll take him." Rose spoke and she watched as William narrowed his eyes more on her. John, relieved he was out of his father's hands, fell into Rose's arms as Jack spoke to William.

"You'd best say you're sorry to Mrs. Mayfield and listen to her. I have some piece of information which I will speak about with you," he turned and Rose met his eyes, "later. A letter from your uncle arrived yesterday but it wasn't addressed to you."

Holding John to her heart, Rose felt her throat dry when she heard this. When Jack shooed William to the back of the car, he returned his attention to her as he spoke.

"I'll speak about what he wrote when we return home."

Jack felt warm under the collar when Rose entered his office.

Placing his hands on the desk, he waited for her to close the door. When she finally turned and their eyes met, he heard her ask.

"Mr. Dawson? What was it my uncle wrote? And how was it not addressed to me?"

Jack sighed as he straightened himself. He felt the mustache itch a little. The feeling of warmth increased and he swallowed. Feeling his Adam's apple bounce, he tugged at his collar and he struggled to find the right words. He'd received Rose's letter from her uncle and the contents surprised him. But what was written made him wonder exactly how she would react to what her uncle wrote and what was being asked of him. Walking around the desk, Jack reached down and after opening one of the drawers, he retrieved her uncle's letter and answering Rose's question, he replied.

"Your uncle wrote that he will not be able to receive you. Something happened and he wrote he wishes you marry me so I can keep you safe."

"Excuse me?" Rose's voice exclaimed.

Jack knew this was coming. Raising his eyes, he stared at her as he replied.

"Yes, Mrs. Mayfield. It was by urgency he wrote I marry you."

"And that is the reason for him not addressing it to me?" her voice asked and he nodded. Feeling more like the businessman he was, Jack tucked the letter in his Jacket pocket as he answered.

"He asked that we wed in 6 weeks. For goodness knows why, I don't know! But he explained I would have to marry you otherwise deadly results would take place."

The woman before him narrowed her eyes as she took a step forward. Jack was accustomed to employees who acted like Mrs. Mayfield. He wasn't imitated though his heart beat when she asked.

"I am to marry you in 6 weeks? Otherwise if not deadly results will follow?"

"That's what you uncle wrote." He replied in a matter of fact tone.

"When did this letter arrive?"

"Friday."

Jack watched as Rose nodded. He knew she was one to be stubborn at times but he also knew her before she was married to Edward Mayfield. He never informed her he still felt attracted for her when he first saw her on the Carpathia.

But it was Rachel he'd married and he focused his attention on her. Yet after she passed, Jack closed his heart against all hope that perhaps Rose would feel the same way she'd felt for him years ago but when he read her uncle's letter, asking that he marry his niece in six weeks, he was blown away. He also didn't inform Rose that another letter came to his possession and this one was from an anonymous writer. He hoped Rose wouldn't notice he was trembling when she turned and meeting his eyes, spoke.

"Then I should plan on a wedding dress. Did my uncle mention anything about bridesmaids' and a reception?"

"He didn't. All he requested was I marry you in 6 weeks."

"Have you told your boys?"

Hearing this, Jack remembered how Rose took care of John earlier. His heart squeezed but he kept this in when he answered.

"No."

Then he was surprised when Rose lifted her upper chest and took in a deep breath. He kept his composure when she squared her shoulders and again: staring at him in the eyes, blurted.

"Mr. Dawson? Your son, William, has been bullying John since my arrival. John also informed me William's been spending time with some other boys' after school. And he's told me this has fed how he's been treating him. I don't understand how such a pleasant boy such as William would treat his brother like that. I wanted to embrace this topic with you because I watched him do this at Mass earlier."

Before Jack could recover from the news, the door burst open.

Two figures rushed in and Jack braced himself when a small body wrapped itself around his legs when John's voice shouted.

"Papa! William pulled my hair!"

Jack turned and stared at his elder son who stood at the center of the private study. His sneer was evident and Jack knew he was asked to take over. Feeling John's hands cling tightly to him, Jack drew himself up and gesturing over towards John, Jack asked.

"William? Is this true?"

"He says so." William replied but Jack spotted a smirk in those eyes. Remembering what Rose mentioned that William was bullying his brother, Jack felt John's hands grip tighter when his brother shouted.

"He's lying! He pulled my hair!"

"I believe him." Rose spoke and she raised her eyes.

"Whose side are you on, Mrs. Mayfield?" William clashed and Jack's temper sparked.

"Mrs. Mayfield? Take John, would you?" Jack slowly asked as he reached down and gently released John's hands from his legs. The little boy was silent when Jack took him into his arms and handed him over to Rose, all the while, staring at his elder son with eyes which didn't leave his.

"Gladly." Rose replied.

Turning to William, once John was safely in her arms, Jack strictly spoke to William.

"You will no longer address Mrs. Mayfield like that again, William Jack Dawson! From here onward: you will call her mama."

"What?!" William barked and out of the corner of his eye, Jack watched as John turned and placed his head on the crock of Rose's. For once: he was pleased to feel his son had a second mother to stand beside him. Watching as his elder son's face started to turn red, Jack nodded as he answered.

"Yes, William. Mrs. Mayfield is going to be your new mama. 6 weeks from now she and I will be married."

"I get to call you mama?!" John exclaimed as he drew back and stared at Rose. Jack kept his attention on William, who continued to red, as Rose answered.

"Yes, John. You will be able to call me mama."

"And keep me away from meanie William?" John asked.

"Oh, you idiot!" William barked but Jack reached out and grabbed his son's hand before he could lay a finger on his youngest boy. When Jack watched as William sparked his own temper, Jack took action. Stepping in between Rose and his son, Jack placed his hands on William's shoulders as he asked.

"Who have you been spending time with after school? I want to have an answer and I expect it now!"

Here, William did something Jack didn't expect. Staring into his eyes, William spat on Jack's face and this caused Jack to step back. Releasing William, he wiped away the water but was too late to catch William. He sped out of the room and slammed the door behind him, while in the process, nearly bumping into the butler who was carrying a pile of wood for the fireplace in the living room. John's voice was heard.

"Papa! William's going to run away!"

"Only to his room." The butler called and Jack felt a sense of relief. But he wasn't as relieved when John added.

"He's been spending time with Richard Kingston! But everyone calls him Rick!"

"Kingston." Jack thought aloud as the butler stepped away from the door.

"You know the last name?" Rose asked.

She was still holding John who was more than happy to be in her arms. When Jack straightened himself, he nodded as he answered.

"Kingston. It's a name which long ago has caused tension in our family, Rose. I told that boy never to spend time with that family and now I'm hearing he's been disobedient?!"

He made a fist as he turned and walked back to the desk. Opening the main drawer, he pulled out the letter from the anonymous writer as he re-read what was written. As he scanned the sentences, Jack heard Rose ask.

"Should we take care of William or leave him?"
"Let him pout in his room. I'll see to his attitude later." Jack replied as he continued to scan the sentences. When he was finished, he turned to Rose as he finished.

"Our marriage will take place in 6 weeks from this Saturday. Do you have any relatives or friends you'd like to invite to the wedding Mass?"

"We're going to have a wedding?" John interrupted and Jack watched as Rose turned and smiled at him. He kept his feelings in when he followed as she raised her hand and gave his nose a little pinch. The squeal which erupted from John eased the tension when his son asked.

"Can I be one of the boys on the altar? Please, mama? I want to!"

"You can arrange all that with your papa, young sir." Rose answered as Jack returned the letter back to the desk. When he turned, he returned his attention to his son as Rose finished.

"I'm sure you will do a splendid job as an altar boy!"

Jack cleared his throat. When Rose met his eyes, John paused in squealing when Jack spoke.

"Best set an appointment with Father Anthony because 6 weeks is fast. Starting Saturday, I need to arrange the wedding with my own relatives. Some of whom I believe you know well, Mrs. Mayfield?"

He spoke to her as Mrs. Mayfield because Jack wasn't about to step on the boundaries where her feelings were for him lay. The history of the two progressed well in their youth and Jack felt embarrassed when he remembered he was the one who introduced Rose to her first husband, Edward. He wasn't sure if bracing to her how he felt would be appropriate so he kept this to himself as he waited her answer.

"The Dawsons as well as a few others, I take it?" Rose asked and Jack nodded.

"We'd best compose our lists separately and then tell Father how many we plan on having attend the Mass. Your uncle informed me he wanted to make sure it was a public ceremony and to invite however many witnesses are needed."

"Sounds fine with me but what was the urgency?"

"He would let us know after 6 weeks." Jack replied as his Adam's apple bounced. When Mrs. Mayfield met his eyes, still holding John, Jack finished.

"That's what he wrote in the final sentence, Mrs. Mayfield. 'After 6 weeks of engagement, I will write to you why the urgency is so grave, Mr. Dawson. I trust you will take care of Rose as her husband would have wanted her to be taken care of.'" Jack repeated the words Mr. Williams wrote to him to Rose.

Jack watched as Rose nodded but lowered her eyes a bit. Knowing her, he knew she was doing this to accept what was asked of her. But he knew too that hiding something too much from her would not do well for her feelings. He added.

"I'm as much as surprised at his request as you are, Mrs. Mayfield. I know too that with the loss of your husband, including…" he muted himself for a moment… remembering Rachel… her very image was in John as the little boy bounced his eyes to and from the couple… but Jack recovered himself when he finished.

"We'd best contact our relatives as soon as possible so Father has a count, Mrs. Mayfield. You may take John to Heather and she will see to him. I know a light breakfast will be ready for everyone but I wanted to embrace this subject with you before the day was over."

"Thank you, Mr. Dawson. I understand. I will take John." Rose replied and she bowed to him before she turned and walked out of the private study, carrying John with her.