Chapter Five
"Remember: to mind your manners and keep your smiles up." Rose spoke to John when she kissed him.
Standing outside of Transfiguration School, which was in New York, Rose made sure John's little uniform was well kept before she drew herself up a little. Yesterday she'd been told Mr. Dawson would be unable to drive his boys' to the school. And most of the maids, who were busy with household duties, were as well occupied. Rose, along with the family's butler, Rose early the following morning and after a light breakfast, set about to preparing John and William for their school. Though Rose noticed William kept his eyes away from her she knew he wasn't liking the idea she would become his "new mama" in 5 weeks. Already both she and Mr. Dawson composed their lists of guests and the total number was 175 people.
"Most of them consist of my relatives and a few friends." Mr. Dawson explained to Rose and this was the day before. Sunday consisted of counting how many men and women would be in attendance for the wedding party and Rose informed Mr. Dawson she only would have one of her friends be her maid of honor. She would write to her later once she finished dropping the boys' to school. When John met her eyes, he asked.
"Do I look alright?"
"You appear as fine as a gentleman." Rose replied as she held her hands in front of her. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as William walked up the steps, barely giving her a look to the eyes. Rose hoped William would resort to bullying John again but Mr. Dawson informed her he'd spoken to him about how he was acting. Trusting Jack was true to his word, as well as William, Rose ignored William as John squared his shoulders, hearing her praise, as he finished.
"Mama? I'll be a good boy and tell you everything after school's over!"
"Then don't let me prevent you from proceeding with your mission, young man!" Rose answered and she was amused when the little boy gave her a low bow. He was almost 6 and he was showing the features of a very fine gentleman indeed! If she'd been watching more, Rose would have noticed William stood to the door, scowling at the two but didn't voice his feelings. Once John was in line with the other children, Rose stepped back into the vehicle and waved farewell to John. Deep down, she hoped William would do the same but he only turned and slammed the door behind him. Even from where she was, Rose could tell he wasn't liking the "new mama" and for that matter, Rose wasn't too thrilled with it herself. Over the period of her time with Mr. Dawson, she was a reminder of the Unsinkable and she still held haunting dreams about her experience. At times: she would awake and stare into the ceiling… their shouts still ringing in her ears… the image of Edward's expression… leaning back, it ached her heart to remember how he'd kissed her… when he spoke those sacred words to forever be hers… until death would they part.
Feeling the pain of her separation, Rose turned and stared out the window. The Dawson's butler backed the vehicle out and soon drove onto the streets of New York but all Rose could think about Edward. His kindly expression, the way he would come running when she cried, when he responded to her cries he would answer… she swallowed when his last words entered her soul.
"Now, keep your hands in your pockets because the weather is very cold."
Then the sounds of the passengers' cries appeared and the replay of the Unsinkable returned and Rose felt a wave of nausea hit her. Leaning forward, she was able to keep it in when the butler paused in front of a red light. He seemed to notice she was uncomfortable so he asked.
"Mrs. Mayfield? Are you unwell?"
The world seemed to blur a little but Rose managed to shake herself out of it. Swallowing a bit, she inhaled and soon the feeling subsided. When she answered, she spoke.
"Perhaps a little, sir. I hope we will return to Mr. Dawson's soon. I need to continue with the rest of the wedding preparations. And maybe too it's been sometime since I drove alone in a car."
"Alright, Mrs. Mayfield. But if there's anything I can be of assistance with, let me know." The butler answered as the light changed.
"I will. Thank you." Rose replied as the drive progressed forward. But when this happened, she had to cling to the side of the seat when another nausea feeling surfaced.