A/N: Sorry it took so long to post this...been kinda busy, plus I was still writing this chapter. Well, hope you like it...and DON'T forget to review...please??
Chapter Fifteen
Three days had passed since Jack and Rose had boarded the train. They were getting closer to Santa Monica, and were going to arrive in the next hour or so. Rose was sleeping on his shoulder, as Jack looked out the window, watching the scenery pass by him. It was about five o'clock in the evening, on the twenty-third of April. Jack ran his fingers through his hair as he wished for them to get there already. He was getting tired of sitting in the train, doing absolutely nothing but wait for three days to pass. Before he met Rose, he didn't mind sitting in a train for more than three days, since he would hop on it, while it was moving. Back then, he had no money to afford a ticket, so that was the only way he'd get to places.
But now, he had a wife and didn't really look forward to sit in a train for three days, waiting to arrive to Santa Monica as the train made its way through the country. Jack looked down at Rose's sleeping face. Her arm was draped over his waist, as his was over her shoulder. Her head rested on his shoulder as she slept like an angel. Jack smiled and kissed the top of her head. He then rested his head on the headrest and closed his eyes for awhile, hoping that when he wakes up, they would be in Santa Monica.
An hour had passed by, and the train came to a halt. Jack quickly opened his eyes and looked out the window. There, he saw the train station in Santa Monica. He smiled and looked down at the still sleeping Rose. Jack gently shook her, and she opened her eyes. She then sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Are we here?" Rose asked. Jack nodded. She smiled up at him. "Finally." Jack laughed. Jack got up and took the wooden box from the seat across from them and held out his hand. Rose gladly took it and followed him out of the train, and into the train station. "So, this is Santa Monica?" Rose said, looking around the station.
"Yep. The good old Santa Monica." Jack said, smiling. "Come on. We gotta stay in a hotel."
Jack led Rose out of the train station and led her to the nearest hotel. When they finally found one, they went inside and checked in as they received the key to their room. Jack thanked the man and took Rose's hand as he led her upstairs and to their assigned room. Once he found it, he opened the door and went inside with Rose behind him. In the room, there was a queen sized bed in front of the window, and two nightstands on each side. There was also a bureau to the left side of the room. Rose smiled and leaned on Jack's shoulder. He looked down and smiled. He kissed the top of her head and put the wooden box down beside the bed. Jack then stretched and yawned.
"I think we should get some rest, so tomorrow we could start looking around Santa Monica." Jack said. Rose smiled and went over to him.
"I love you." Rose said.
"I love you too." Jack said, smiling. He leaned down and kissed her, laying her on the bed as he hovered over her. Once they pulled away, they stared at each other lovingly.
"Take to the stars again, Jack." Rose said, looking at his piercing blue eyes. Jack smiled.
"My pleasure." Jack said, as he kissed her once more. Both stripped out of their clothes and Jack threw the covers over them, as they both visited the stars once more.
It was two o'clock in the morning, and Jack and Rose were cuddled together as they slept. Rose's head laid on Jack's bare chest, as he arm was draped across her shoulders. Suddenly, Rose began breathing heavily, as if she was frightened and tears began running down her cheeks as she slept. She stirred, causing Jack to wake up and she began shaking.
"Jack...Jack, no...Jack, please come back, don't die...Jack...please...I love you, don't leave me...Jack...please Jack, don't die." Rose cried in her sleep, tears running down her cheeks. Jack sat up and gently shook her.
"Rose...Rose wake up." Jack said, trying to wake Rose up. "Rose, wake up, I'm here! Rose!" Jack said. Rose opened her eyes, then sat upright, fright shining in her eyes. She looked down at her left hand, where her engagement ring and her wedding ring stood on her ring finger. Slowly, she turned to face Jack and more tears came to her eyes. She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him close, as she cried on his shoulder, saying his name over and over. "Shhh, I'm here. I'm here, I'm not leaving you...everything will be all right. I promise." Jack said, hugging her close and rocking her back and forth to calm her down. Rose pulled away and looked into Jack's worried eyes.
"Oh Jack." Rose cried, covering her face with her hands as she sobbed. Jack hugged her once more.
"What happened?" Jack asked. Rose looked up at him.
"I had a dream about Titanic and what we've been through...but it was different. When we were on the water, you were...you were...oh, Jack." Rose cried, clinging onto him, afraid that he'd disappear if she didn't hug him. Jack suddenly knew what she dreamt about and hugged her close.
"I'm here Rose. I'm not going anywhere." Jack said, wrapping his arms around her bare back. "Everything will be fine, I promise. I'm not going anywhere." Jack said, burying his face into her hair. Rose cried and just held him close.
"I love you." Rose cried, holding onto him. "I love you."
All Jack could do was hold her close. She probably had a dream that he had passed away, and that must've frightened her. Jack gently caressed her bare back, to sooth her and calm her nerves. He hated to see her cry, it broke his heart. Jack kissed her head and just let her cry. It was all he could do. Titanic was something they both experienced, and would haunt them for as long as they lived. A single tear slid down his cheek as he realized he was close to death on that night, and he would've left Rose alone...to mourn over him. Jack hugged her close and buried his face in her fiery red hair, breathing in the scent.
"I love you, too Rose." Jack whispered. He caressed her hair lovingly. "I will always love you." Rose just hugged him close and cried on his bare chest, letting the hot tears fall down her face and fall onto Jack's chest. Jack then pulled away, and held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. "I just want you to remember that I'll always be with you, no matter what. I'm never leaving your side. I promise." Jack said. Rose looked up at him and kissed him.
"Oh, Jack. What would I do without you?" Rose asked, hugging him once more. Jack smiled weakly and hugged her back.
"I don't know, but I do know is that I wouldn't be able to live without you." Jack said. Rose smiled and kissed him with all the passion in her. When they broke apart, they laid back down, cuddled close together, and just fell asleep into a dreamless slumber.
It was now close to eight o'clock in the morning as Jack and Rose were still sleeping. The sun had crept into their room from the window above them, causing Jack to squeeze his eyes shut from the bright sun. Jack rubbed his eyes and sat up, yawning. He turned and noticed that Rose was still asleep. Jack got up from the bed and put on his under shorts which were thrown on the floor from the previous night. When he did, he scratched his head and remembered Rose waking up at two o'clock in the morning from a frightening nightmare. He sighed as he watched her sleeping form. She clung to the sheet, covering her naked body, and her red curls were spread on the pillow. Her mouth was partly open as she was taking shallow breaths from her relaxed sleep.
Her eyelids were closed, preventing Jack from seeing her emerald green eyes which he enjoyed to look into. Jack smiled and put on the rest of his clothes that were thrown on the floor, before they had made love. When Jack had dressed himself, he took some money and left the hotel, to buy them a decent meal to eat for breakfast, since this hotel doesn't have room service. Jack walked fast, so that he could return before Rose would wake up. He didn't want her to cry just for finding that he was missing. When he exited the hotel, he turned the corner, and went into a café.
Rose's eyes suddenly fluttered open, awakening her from her dreamless sleep. She sat up slightly and looked around her. She then stared at the spot beside her, finding it empty. Rose held the sheet close to her, as she tried to remember what happened. After awhile, she remembered. Rose closed her eyes and sighed. She had had a nightmare of the ill-fated ship that both herself and Jack and been on, while it was sinking. Rose looked around, hoping to see Jack come out of the bathroom, but the door didn't open. She got up, and covered herself with the sheet. She stood in the middle of the room, confused.
"Jack?" Rose called out, her voice shaking. No response. Where had Jack gone? Did he leave me? Oh, dear God, please tell me that he didn't. It would break my heart, knowing that he doesn't love me anymore...does he love me? Was it right to marry Jack so soon? Oh, dear Lord, please help me. Bring Jack back to me, don't let him leave me, not after what we've been through, please! Tears suddenly welled up in Rose's eyes, as she thought of Jack leaving her. She closed her eyes, to keep the tears from falling down her delicate cheeks. Rose suddenly burst into tears, and fell to her knees, holding onto the sheet. "Oh, Jack, why? Why did you leave me?" Rose cried, covering her face with one of her hands, as the other held onto the sheet.
Jack had just exited the café, holding a brown bag filled with two cups of coffee, two pastries, and two freshly made muffins. Jack had walked back towards the hotel he was staying in, and went inside. He then climbed the stairs and reached the hotel door that Rose and himself were staying in. Jack was about to open the door, when he heard sobbing. Perplexed, Jack opened the door, and found Rose on the floor, clinging onto the sheet, crying. Her back was facing her, and her body shook with sobs. Jack closed the door quietly, and placed the brown paper bag on the bureau, beside him. Slowly, he made his way towards her, and knelt down beside her, wrapping his arms around her.
Rose jumped, as she felt a pair of strong arms around her body. She turned, and found Jack looking at her, worriedly. A smile appeared on her lips, as she threw her arms around Jack's neck, crying on his shoulder. Confused, Jack wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. The sheet Rose was clinging onto before, had fallen down, showing off her breasts, but covered her waist. Rose hugged Jack tightly, not letting him go. She had thought Jack had left her, only to find that he didn't. Jack pulled away, and looked into Rose's eyes.
"What happened?" Jack asked, concerned and worried for Rose.
"I--I thought you left me." Rose said, looking at Jack, with tear-filled eyes. Jack just chuckled sweetly.
"Leave you?" Jack asked, as if she was out of her mind. "Rosie, I would never leave you. I married you, didn't I?" Jack saw Rose nod, as she looked down. "Rose, if I married you, I'm going to live with you, love you, until the day death tears us apart. I'm true to our vows. I'll love and cherish you, if you're sick or not, if you're rich or poor, until deaths tears us apart. Rose, it doesn't matter to me if your rich, poor, sick, healthy, or whatever. What matters to me is, that I love you. And what made me fall in love with you was you. Not your wealth, but you, Rose Dawson, you made me fall in love with you." Jack said, caressing her cheek with his thumb. Rose smiled, and held his hand that was on her cheek, and closed her eyes, as tears of happiness began to fall down her delicate cheeks. "Rose, I want you to know that I love you, and I would never leave or hurt you, okay?" Rose nodded. "Trust me on this, Rose. I love you. And for what we've been through together, I'll be sure to protect from all the dangers in the world."
"I trust you." Rose said. Jack smiled and brought her face to his, kissing her lovingly.
"C'mon." Jack said, getting up, and holding out his hand. "I got us some breakfast." Rose smiled and took his hand and allowed him to help her up. Rose brought the sheet over her chest as she stood up straight. Jack smiled at her. "So, you're planning to wear the sheet all day?" Jack asked. Rose laughed and shook her head.
"No." Rose said, smiling. "I'll be right back." Rose turned and went to pick up her underclothes that were thrown on the floor, and put them on, as well as the dress she had worn. Once she was fully dress, she went over to Jack and sat on the bed, beside him, as he was taking out the coffee, the pastries and the muffins. He hand Rose her coffee, pastry and muffin, as he set his coffee cup on the floor and placed the pastry and the muffin on his lap, as he placed the brown paper back on the bed, behind him. Rose took a sip of the coffee, and placed the cup on the floor as well, since they didn't have a small table. She then began devouring the pastry, enjoying the simple taste of it; more better than the food she was used to when she was in first class.
Rose looked over at her now husband and smiled as she watched him devour the pastry as well. Rose continued eating her pastry, until she had eaten all of it. She then picked up her muffin from her lap, and began eating that as well. Once she finished the muffin, she picked up her coffee cup from the floor and slowly drank the hot fluid. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Jack doing the same. After ten minutes passed, both had finished their breakfast, and began disposing of the trash that was left over. Once they were finished, Jack smiled. Rose smiled back, and went to stand in front of him, wrapping her arms around his masculine waist. Jack smiled and leaned down, placing a passionate, loving kiss onto her lips. Rose craned her neck up, so the kiss could go deeper, and brought her hands to the back of his neck, running her fingers through his hair.
Jack placed his hands on the small of her back, as he gently pushed her close against his body. He then lifted her up, lips still connected, and spun her around. Rose let out a shriek as they kissed and laughed lovingly, holding onto Jack. Jack let out a laugh as they kissed, and continued spinning her around, holding onto her waist, so she would fly out and fall. Shortly, he put her down, but was still kissing her. Rose was the first to pull away. She looked up at him and smiled.
"So, what are we going to do today?" Rose asked, still having her Philadelphia born accent. Jack smiled.
"Well, first, we'll go to the pier, and drink cheap beer, then we'll ride the roller coaster 'til we throw up and ride horses on the beach...right on the surf, just like we've talked about on the Titanic." Jack said, smiling. Rose smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. She threw her arms around him, as she hugged him with pure love and adoration.
"We're going to head out for the horizon, aren't we?" Rose asked.
"I promised you, didn't I?" Jack said. "You know I don't break my promises." Rose smiled and looked up at him, bringing her lips towards his, bringing him into a passionate kiss. "C'mon, let's get going." Jack said, holding out his hand. Rose smiled and took his hand, allowing him to lead her out of the hotel. Jack hailed for a cab, and both went inside.
"Where to, miss?" The driver asked Rose. Jack and Rose looked at each other, remembering when Jack had said that the last time. Jack smiled, as did Rose.
"To the Santa Monica pier." Rose said, trying not to laugh. The driver drove off, wondering why the couple were suddenly acting weird. Jack and Rose interlocked hands as they stared at each other lovingly. Less than fifteen minutes, the cab arrived at the Santa Monica pier. Jack reached in his pocket as he pulled out the money he took from the bank. He then retrieved twenty dollars and handed it to the man. The man was about to give him his change, but Jack shook his head.
"Keep the change." Jack said, smiling. The driver smiled as well and thanked him. Jack and Rose left the cab. Rose stopped and looked at the pier in awe. A few feet away stood the amazing roller coaster that Jack was talking about and a couple of meters away, was the beach. Rose smiled and looked up at her husband. "So, Mrs. Dawson, are you ready to head out for the horizon?" Jack asked, looking down at Rose, a playful smile on his face. Rose looked up at and smiled.
"Of course, Mr. Dawson. I'm ready, when you're ready." Rose said. Jack smiled and kissed her, holding her close to him. He then led her towards a pub that he once went to the last time he was there. He opened the door for Rose, and let her go in front of him. The place was dimly lit, with only five individual lights hanging from the ceiling, to light the room. Rose could see about ten tables around the pub, and some men on the tables playing poker, drinking beer, smoking, talking--everything that men usually do in Santa Monica. Jack placed his hand on her waist, bringing her closer to him. He then began walking towards the bar, where there were individual stools waiting to be sat on. Jack helped Rose sit on one of the stools, as he too, sat on one beside her.
"Two beers, please!" Jack said, banging on the counter, to get the bartenders attention.
"Coming right up." The bartender said. Jack recognized the voice and smiled.
"Well, if it isn't good old James Anderson!" Jack said. The bartender stopped, and looked up.
"Well, I'll be. Jack Dawson, where in the hell have you been!" Mr. Anderson said, smiling.
"Here and there." Jack said, smiling. "Oh, I would like for you to meet my wife, Rose Dawson. Rose, this is James Anderson, I would always come down to this pub after I draw my portraits and drink beer here. We turned out to be good friends." Rose smiled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Anderson." Rose said, smiling, her Philadelphian accent noticeable.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Dawson." James said.
"Oh, please call me Rose." Rose insisted.
"As long as you call me James, I'll call ya Rose." James smiled. Rose smiled back.
"Seems fair to me." Rose smiled. James then began pouring the beers into two glasses and handing them to the couple. Rose took the glass and began drinking it, shocking James.
"Well, I never seen a woman drink that much before in my life. Jack, you got yourself some strong, free-willed wife there. Take care of her." James said.
"Don't worry, I will." Jack said, smiling. Rose set the glass down, as her chest was heaving from gulping the beer without taking a breath. Jack smiled and took a sip of his beer. Jack turned and looked around the pub, remembering the last time he was here. He had met two people here, two people who had helped him when he needed help. Jack glanced around the pub, finding men playing poker, drinking beer, arm wrestling, fighting, or just talking. He then came to a table, with two men sitting across from each other, talking. To Jack, they looked familiar. One of the men had brown hair, with matching eyes, as the other had dark brown, with the same eyes as the other had. Jack squinted, and realized that the two men were the men who had helped him the last time he had been in Santa Monica. Those two men were Jonathan Michaels and Charles Stephens. Jack smiled and set his glass down, as he got down from the stool and went over to the table they were sitting on, leaving Rose alone on the stool.
When Jack had reached the table where he saw his friends, he smiled. He just stood their, watching the two men playing poker and talking. Jack turned, finding Rose looking at him, confused. Jack just gave her a reassuring smile, sending her a message from his eyes, that everything will be fine. Rose smiled back and took a long sip of the beer she was holding in her hand. Jack smiled and turned back to his friends, who were now staring up at him. At first, they didn't acknowledge him, but a few minutes later, their eyes widened and both stood up, hugging Jack. Jack smiled, hugging both of them with his free arms.
"Jack, where have you been!" Jonathan had said, looking Jack over.
"Yeah, man. You've been gone for two years...where have you been, exactly?" Charles asked. Jack just smiled.
"I've been everywhere. New York, England, France, Paris, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Norway...you guys name it, I've been there." Jack said, smiling happily.
"Wow, you're some traveler." Jonathan said.
"Well, I'm Jack Dawson. Jack Dawson is a traveler." Jack said. "Although, I may cut down on all the traveling."
"Why?" Jonathan asked, his face wrinkled in confusion.
"Well, I'm settling down." Jack said. "I got married."
"M--married?" Charles said, eyes wide in shock. "The Jack Dawson, who wouldn't let any women touch him, got married?" Jack nodded. "When?"
"Four days ago. We're on our honeymoon." Jack said.
"Where is she?" Jonathan asked.
"Over there, sitting by the bar." Jack said, looking over.
"The blonde?" Charles asked. Jack turned and found that a blonde woman was sitting beside Rose, having a small conversation with her.
"No...I don't know the blonde." Jack said, smiling. "The red-headed beauty."
"How'd you two meet?" Jonathan asked, curious. "I mean, there has to be some reason you two have met. A woman that beautiful...with you? I mean, come on."
"It's a long story, a story I'm not yet ready to tell, but I'll tell you that I met her onboard a ship." Jack said, placing his hands in his pockets, trying to keep his nerves at bay. He hadn't mentioned Titanic, but the mere thought of it, made his body chill.
"Can we meet your little wife?" Charles asked. "I mean if the Jack Dawson I know got married, I have a right to know who married him." Jack smiled.
"Sure." Jack said, leading them towards Rose. Rose turned and stared up at Jack, with a loving smile. "Rose, I'd like you to meet two men I've met when I was in Santa Monica. This is Jonathan Michaels and Charles Stephens. Jon, Charles, this is my beautiful wife, Rose Dawson." Jack introduced his friends to Rose, who was smiling brightly.
"It's good to meet you, Rose." Charles said. "It's good to know Jack had married a beautiful woman." Rose smiled, as a shade of pink entered her cheeks, as she blushed as his kind words.
"It's good to meet you, as well, Mr. Stephens." Rose said, still having her upper class language.
"Please...call me Charles. Mr. Stephens was my father." Charles said.
"Okay...Charles." Rose smiled.
"If Jack ever causes trouble," Jonathan said, glancing over the beauty Jack had married. "You call me, and I'll take care of him." Rose laughed.
"Don't worry, Jon. I think I have him under control." Rose said. Jon smiles, as well as Jack and Charles. Jack glanced over at Rose and gave her a loving smile. A smile that he only gave to Rose--his wife. Rose smiled back, and her eyes shined as she did so. Jack leaned closer and kissed her, not caring if people were watcher, nor the fact that his friends were in front of him. All that mattered to him was his love for Rose. A love that he cherished with all his heart. A love that was found aboard a doomed ship, from two different people, from different classes. As Jack parted, he stared into the beauty of Rose's eyes and smiled. Jack moved a piece of red curl that was in Rose's face and placed it behind her ear, caressing her cheek as he done so. He stared at his wife, with such love and care shining in his life, knowing that she was the love of his life and that she had deserved to be happy--deserved to head out for the horizon, as they once talked onboard the 'unsinkable' ship. Rose deserved to fulfill her dreams, here in Santa Monica--just as they had talked about. Jack smiled and moved his hand down to her lap and cupped her hand in his, holding onto it tightly, but with much love. He knew that now, Jack and Rose Dawson would start their lives and head out for the horizon...whenever they felt like it. Both smiled at each other and kissed once more, enjoying the presence of one another. Enjoying on being husband and wife for the first time, enjoying to be in their honeymoon, in Santa Monica--the place of Rose's dreams.