Chapter Seventeen
Jack had led Rose to an art gallery, a block away from the pub that they had been in earlier. They stood in front of the art gallery, hand-in-hand. Jack looked up and smiled. It was The Johnson's Art Gallery. Jack used to always go into this art gallery, where he would sell his drawings and buy blank sheets of paper, whenever he ran out. Jack looked down at his wife and smiled. She smiled back at him as they entered the art gallery.
A bell sounded when they went inside the gallery and the man behind the counter looked up. A smile was placed on the man's face as his eyes went wide. Rose looked up at Jack and saw him smile as well. Rose looked back at the man and saw him walk towards them. He wore dark blue trousers with a white short sleeved shirt. The man had black hair, combed back, with a few grey strands at each side of his head. His eyes were green and his smile grew brighter.
"Well, if it isn't good ol' Jack Dawson!" The man said. "Where in God's name have you been?"
"Ah, here and there." Jack said.
"I haven't seen you for two long years, Jack. I started to think that you were killed or somethin'." The man said. "Well, who's this pretty lady?" Jack smiled and looked down at his wife.
"Well, Frank, this here is my beautiful wife, Rose Dawson." Jack said. "Rose, this is my good friend, Frank Johnson. He owns this gallery." Rose smiled and held out her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Johnson." Rose said, smiling. Frank took her hand and kissed her knuckles sweetly.
"The pleasure is all mine, m' lady. But, do call me Frank. Mr. Johnson was my father." Frank said.
"As long as you call me Rose, Frank." Rose said, smiling.
"I don't see any problem with that." Frank said, giving her a smile. Frank then turned to Jack. "So, are you here to stand here all day, or are you gonna buy something?"
"Nah. I just wanted to introduce you to Rose." Jack said. "We got lots of things to do later on." Jack looked down at Rose and smiled.
"Ah, c'mon, Jack. Look around, maybe you'll reconsider." Frank said.
"I dunno, Frank..." Jack began.
"Jack, you know I don't like that. Just look around, find something you like. I'll give it to you in a low price. What do ya say?" Frank said. Jack looked down at Rose and saw that she smiled up at him, nodding her head.
"Ah, okay, Frank. I'll look around." Jack said.
"That's the Jack I know." Frank said, patting him on his arm.
"Jack, I'm going to look around as well." Rose said. "I want to see if I can find something that could suit the apartment." Jack smiled down at her.
"Okay. I'll be over there if you need me." Jack said, pointing to the back of the gallery, where there were paintings hanging on the wall.
"Okay." Rose said. Jack leaned down and gave her a loving kiss on her lips before heading towards the back. Rose tip-toed up, making sure Jack went to the back. Once she saw that he did, she went towards Frank. "Uh, Frank, do you have leather portfolios?" Rose asked, looking back every second, to make sure that Jack didn't notice her.
"Of course I have leather portfolios. This is an art gallery, isn't it?" Frank asked. Rose smiled.
"Would you mind if I ask you to set up a gift?" Rose asked.
"Why, certainly. It won't be no problem at all. Just tell me what you need, and I'll set it up for ya." Frank said.
"Great." Rose said, smiling.
"Follow me." Frank said. Rose followed him towards the counter. He went around the counter and took out a brown leather portfolio, almost similar to the one Jack had on the Titanic, only, it had two ribbons that could be tied together, to prevent the papers from falling out. Rose smiled and ran her fingers over the portfolio.
"I'll take it." Rose said, smiling.
"Anything else?" Frank asked. Rose turned her head, and saw that Jack was still looking at the paintings.
"Um, yes." Rose said. "I would like you to get a load of blank sheets of paper, along with a pouch, where it holds all the artists' tools."
"No problem. Comin' right up." Frank said, as he picked out the items that Rose wanted and placed them on the counter. Rose opened the pouch and found the same exact tools that Jack had used when he drew her. Rose smiled. "Uh, you know, you could get the portfolio engraved." Frank said. "Just write here the message you want me to engrave onto the portfolio." Frank said, as he handed her a blank sheet of paper. Rose smiled and took the pen that he had handed her. Rose leaned over and began writing her message. Once she was done, she handed Frank the paper and the pen. Frank took it and read over what she had written. He smiled and nodded. He went to the back and began engraving.
Rose kept a watchful eye on Jack, making sure that he wouldn't come towards her, and ruin the surprise. This was going to be her wedding gift to Jack. She knew Jack loved to draw, and he hadn't drawn anything since the fourteenth of April--the day the Titanic struck the iceberg. Her eyes wandered towards a painting that looked familiar. Rose went over to it and examined it. A smile played upon her lips as she realized that it was Jack's favorite artist--Monet. Rose picked up the painting and walked over towards the counter with the other items she was going to purchase. Just as she made her way towards the counter, Frank had returned from the back. Frank smiled and showed her the engravings. Rose read it and smiled.
"Thank you Frank. You don't know how much this means to me." Rose said, smiling up at him.
"No problem, Rose. Anything for Jack Dawson's wife." Frank said. He began adding up the prices.
"Would you mind if you gift wrap these items?" Rose asked. "It would make me more happier if you do."
"No problem. No trouble at all." Frank said as he took the items and went to the back, again, to wrap the items. Rose slipped her hand into her pocket and took out a hundred dollar bill. She turned her head towards the back of the gallery and found Jack looking through more paintings. Minutes later, Frank came out of the back room with a wrapped package. "Okay, that'll be forty five dollars." Frank said, as he read from the calculator he used. Rose handed him the hundred dollar bill. Frank took and examined it. "Well I'll be. I never seen a hundred dollar bill in my entire life!" Rose smiled.
"Well, I guess you did, now." Rose said. Frank smiled and gave her the change. She took out ten dollars and handed it to him. "Your tip. Just don't tell Jack about anything I've bought. I want to surprise him." Rose said.
"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." Frank said. "And thank you for the tip." Frank said as he placed the money in a safe.
"No problem." Rose said, taking the wrapped gift.
"Uh, would you like for me to give you a bag?" Frank asked. "So Jack wouldn't notice as much, you know?"
"I'd like that. Thank you." Rose said, handing him the gift as Frank put it in a bag, before handing it back to her. Rose took the bag by its handles and held it to her side. Frank smiled at her. Just then, Jack returned to Rose's side.
"So, what have you two been up to?" Jack asked, eyeing both Rose and Frank.
"Nothing, really." Rose said. "I just bought a few painting for our apartment. And a few other things, but other than that, we've been up to nothing." Jack laughed at Rose's nervousness.
"Why are you so nervous about, Rose?" Jack asked. "You think that I'm gonna be mad at you if you bought a few paintings?"
"It's not that. I'm just afraid that you won't like them as much as I do." Rose said. Jack smiled and shook his head.
"Rose, whatever you bought, I'm sure I'll like it. There's no need for you to be nervous about anything, okay?" Jack asked, looking at her straight in the eye. Rose smiled and nodded her head. Jack kissed her at the top of her head and held her close. "Well, Frank, I guess we better go. I still have to show Rose the rest of Santa Monica. Well, at least the places I've been through."
"No problem, Jack. Be sure to visit more often!" Frank said.
"Don't worry. We will." Jack smiled, waving to Frank before exiting the gallery, with Rose.
Jack led Rose to the nearest restaurant, where they could have their lunch, since it was a little past noon. The restaurant they went into was Mario's Italian Restaurant. Jack led Rose to a corner by the window and helped her sit down, before he took a seat. Rose set the bag beside her as she looked up at Jack, smiling. Jack smiled back and winked at her. Rose smiled and blushed. Jack took Rose's hand from across the table and held it in his own. He then looked into her emerald eyes, smiling lovingly at her.
"You're beautiful." Jack whispered, causing Rose to blush even more. Just then, a waiter came with two menus.
"Buongiorno, what would you two like today?" The waiter asked, his accent noticeable. Jack and Rose looked up at the waiter, as he handed them the menus. Jack and Rose both opened the menus and skimmed though it, trying to find something that they would enjoy to eat.
"Uh, I would like to purchase one big plate of spaghetti and meatballs with white wine." Jack ordered. Rose looked over at him and smiled.
"Are you planning to eat that all on your own?" Rose asked.
"Of course not. You're gonna help me." Jack said, smiling. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all." Rose said, closing the menu. "I was about to order the same as well." Rose smiled as she placed the menu on the table.
"Okay, then. Your order will be ready in ten minutes." The waiter said, with his heavy accent. The waiter took the menus and walked away, leaving Jack and Rose to their peace. Jack and Rose just stared at each other, with smiles on their faces. Just as they were about to lean over for a kiss, they heard someone walk towards their table. Both stopped what they were doing and looked up. Jack got up from the chair and stood in front of the one enemy that he has. The one person, who always tried to ruin both his and Rose's lives. That enemy was none other than Caledon Hockley.
"What are you doin' here, Cal?" Jack asked, angrily.
"Relax, Dawson." Cal said, holding both his hands up in defense. "I just came here to have a word with Rose."
"For what reason?" Jack asked. "You know she's married to me, so you back off!" Cal chuckled, as he ran his fingers through his dark hair.
"Listen, Dawson, you can say whatever you want, but nothing is going to stop me from speaking with Rose, now if you'll excuse me," Cal said, pushing Jack away from him as he took his seat across from Rose. "I have to speak with Rose, privately." Cal said, glaring at Jack, challenging him to talk back. Jack sighed and walked over to the bar stools, at the front of the restaurant. He sat on one of the stools and turned, keeping a watchful eye at Cal and Rose, making sure that Cal doesn't do anything to hurt Rose.
Rose stiffened as she saw Cal smile at her. Her breathing began to quicken, as she toyed with her engagement ring, as well as her wedding ring, reminding herself that she's married to Jack, the man she loves, not to her enemy, which sat in front of her. For a brief moment, Rose closed her eyes and took a deep breath before reopening them, only to look into dark, hopeful eyes. Something she had never seen with Cal before. But Rose wasn't fooled. She knows how Cal could be at times like this. He would just pretend that he's hopeful or trustworthy, but he was never those things. At least, not with Rose.
"Rose," Cal said, looking straight into her eyes. "I'm really sorry for what I've done the last time you saw me."
"Cal, I--" Rose began, but was interrupted by Cal.
"Rose, listen. I was just jealous. I was jealous that Jack had you and that I didn't. I was just jealous that you loved Jack, but not me." Cal said. "Rose, you're beautiful, you always were to me."
"Cal, please, you--" Rose began.
"Just listen to what I have to say, please." Cal said, looking at her with soft eyes, but stern eyes, which made Rose close her mouth and listen to what Cal had to say. "I know I have been a jerk to you for the past year, and I apologize for that. I haven't realized what I was doing, until I lost you a week ago. Rose, trust me on this, I know I hurt you, both physically and emotionally, and I wish I could go back in time and change that, but I can't. I know I can't." Cal said. "Then you met Dawson, and I--I just got furious, knowing that you were engaged to me, and having an affair with another man. Not just a man, a gutter rat."
"Cal, he's not a gutter rat. Please understand that." Rose said. "You have to get to know him first. Don't judge him before you know him." Rose tucked a strand of her red curls in her ear and looked up at him. "And do address him by his name. He's not garbage, you know. He's a human being, just like you are. Sure, he's not as rich as you, but he is a gentleman. True to his word, and has a caring heart. That's the only reason I fell in love with him." Her eyes filled with tears, and Rose closed them, trying her best not to let them overflow. "Cal, I love him. I love him with all my heart, and if you hurt him, you are hurting me, too. Cal, I'm not sure if I'll find the strength or courage to forgive you yet, but, if you promise me that you won't hurt Jack, and that you'll address him by his name, and treat him as a gentleman, maybe I'll forgive you for all the wrong doings you've done. Also, you must promise me that you won't try to break us apart, no matter how much you love me. You have to try to realize that Jack and I are a married couple, and we love each other with all our lives, and if you try to ruin this for us, you're going to break my heart." Rose said, as she felt a single tear slide down her porcelain cheek. Rose quickly wiped it away. She looked back up at him and continued. "I could be friends with you, I'll give you that, but if you're only going to make our lives miserable, then I don't have any other choice, but to throw you out of my life." Rose saw Cal looked down, with hurt eyes. "Cal, if you only promise me to not do anything wrong to Jack and myself, and to accept that we're married, then I could accept you with Jack. If you don't, then I don't know how I could be your friend."
Cal looked at Rose, and looked deep into her eyes, finding that she was serious. Nervously, he ran his fingers through his dark hair and let out a heavy sigh, thinking it over. Should he promise to treat Jack as a normal gentleman, instead of treating him like trash, as he always did? Should he promise to accept that Jack and herself are a married couple, both deeply in love with each other? Should he risk becoming Rose's friend instead of a lover? Cal knew the answer from the moment she finished. Cal set his hands down on the table and began tapping his fingers on the table, trying to find the courage to tell Rose his answer. He looked over his shoulder and noticed Jack taking a sip from a glass of beer. Jack's eyes was on him, as if keeping a watchful eye on his doings. Quickly, Cal looked back at Rose and sat up straight. He thought it over, and only hoped that this would make Rose happy. He sighed and finally found the courage to tell her.
"I-I promise, Rose." Cal said, with meaning. "I promise that I'll treat Jack as a gentleman and to accept that you two are a married couple."
Rose felt the tone in his voice, and knew that he was telling the truth. She looked up at him and gave him a weak smile, but was still a little uncomfortable with the fact that Cal had finally accepted that Jack was her husband, and that she loved Jack and Jack only. Rose looked into his dark eyes, and for the first time, saw light and hope for her to be able to forgive him for what he has done to her life for the past year. Rose looked down at her left hand and smiled as she saw the diamond shine in the light. She then straightened her back and looked at Cal, in the eye.
"All right, Cal." Rose said. "I forgive you." Rose looked at Cal and noticed that he smiled.
"Oh, Rose, you don't know how much this means to me." Cal said, his eyes shining with tears. Rose smiled back and just nodded her head. Rose looked over at Cal's shoulder and found Jack staring at her, perplexed. Rose just motioned for him to come, and he did, with his glass of beer. Rose got up and stood beside him, smiling up at her husband.
"Jack, Cal has something to tell you." Rose said, staring down at Cal. Cal nodded and got up.
"Jack, I apologize for all I've done since we first met. I had no right to treat you like that, and I hope you could forgive me." Cal said.
"No." Jack said.
"What?" Cal asked, perplexed. Rose, too, looked at him confused, wondering why Jack had refused Cal's apology.
"You heard me." Jack said. "I'm not gonna be fooled by you again, Cal."
"Jack, what's wrong with you?" Rose asked, looking up at him, sort of upset that Jack was acting this way.
"What?" Jack asked, looking down at Rose. "You're actually believing this worthless crap?"
"Jack, we just had a talk." Rose said. "He promised me that he'd treat you like a gentleman, and accept the fact that we're a married couple. Why can't you accept his apology?"
"Rose, c'mon, don't act like this." Jack said. "You know what he's done to us onboard the ship. How could you forgive him now?"
"Because...because he promised me, that's why. He promised me that he wouldn't tear us apart, and that he'd accept that we're married." Rose said, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes, disappointed that Jack was acting this way. "Jack, why can't you just give him a chance?"
"Why should I?" Jack asked. "And why are you on his side? You're married to me aren't you? Shouldn't you support your husband?"
"Why are you acting like this?" Rose asked, her voice choked up from her upcoming tears.
"Why am I acting like this?" Jack asked, his eyes wide, and a confused expression on his face. "You should be the one talking."
Rose looked at him with wide eyes. Had she heard Jack right? Was this her husband? Was this the same Jack that she had met almost nine days ago? She didn't understand why Jack had acted this way. Why hadn't he forgiven Cal? Most of all, why hadn't he accepted Cal's apology? Couldn't he see that he has changed? And that he was willing to leave Jack and Rose to their marriage? She just stood there, looking up at her husband, wondering why he was being so stubborn.
"What's gotten into you?" Rose asked, looking up at him, here eyes shining with hurt tears. Jack looked down at her.
"I just don't understand why you're on his side." Jack said, pointing at Cal with his half empty glass of beer.
"I'm not on his side, I'm just trying to get you to understand that Cal has changed." Rose said.
"Rose, people like Cal don't change." Jack said.
"If you give him a chance, maybe he will." Rose said, as she walked away from Cal and went towards her seat to retrieve the bag with Jack's gift. "As for now, you won't be expecting me to sleep on the same bed with you." With that, Rose stormed out of the restaurant and back to their hotel room, where she put her gift away and fell on the bed, crying.