A/N: Again, I apologize for taking long to post this. Only one thing kept me from doing so--school. I'll try my best to post as often as I can...thanks for all the wonderful reviews!! Keep them coming!!
Chapter Twenty
Jack and Jon were talking in the dining room, seated beside each other, as they enjoyed each other's tales on their childhood. They hadn't noticed that the time had passed quickly, and that it was already evening, with the sun about to set. They heard the front door open, and heard Amanda talking.
"Mommy, Sarah said that she coming over tomorrow." Amanda said, in her childish voice.
"Okay, so I guess we'll have to bake cookies for tomorrow, huh?" Katherine said, smiling.
"Yay!" Amanda said, cheering. "Can I help?"
"Why, of course!" Katherine said. "What would cookies be, if my Mandy bear isn't there to help me?" Amanda smiled. "Uh-oh, it's time for Mandy bear to go get ready for bed."
"Okay, mommy." Amanda said, heading towards the dining room, to kiss her father goodnight. She walked up to Jonathan.
"Hey, Mandy bear!" Jonathan said lifting her daughter, so she could sit on his lap. Amanda smiled up at him.
"Night." Amanda said, as she pressed her lips on her father's cheek.
"Night, Mandy bear." Jonathan said, as he kissed her round cheek, before setting her down. Amanda walked over to Jack.
"Night, Jack." Amanda said, climbing onto Jack's lap, as she planted a kiss onto his cheek. Jack was taken by surprise. Amanda didn't climb off his lap. She just stared at him, as if expecting to get a kiss from him as well. Smiling, Jack leaned closer as he planted a soft, gentle kiss onto her round cheek.
"Night, kiddo." Jack said, setting her down, as he watched her run out of the living room.
"Wow, I never seen her act that way with guests." Jon said. "She's usually shy."
"Well, I suppose she likes me." Jack said, smiling.
"Suppose so." Jon said, smiling back.
Rose saw Amanda come back from the dining room, with a big smile on her face. Rose smiled at her as she crouched down. Amanda threw her arms around Rose's neck, as Rose got up, holding Amanda close, so she wouldn't fall. Rose followed Katherine up the stairs, as she led Rose to the bathroom, where she turned on the water, for Amanda's bath.
"Mommy, can Rose give me my bath?" Katherine asked. Katherine looked up, staring up at Rose.
"I'll be fine with it." Rose said, as she looked at Amanda, smiling.
"Well, I don't see any problem with that." Katherine said, smiling.
"Yay!" Amanda said, clapping her little hands together, happily. Amanda smiled, as Rose set her down. Rose crouched down as she began unbuttoning the back of Amanda's yellow dress, as she slipped it off. Taking off her underclothes, Rose felt the temperature of the water with her hand, and finding it warm enough, she set Amanda in, as she poured soap bubble powder into the running water, as bubbles began to form, making Amanda excited, as she began splashing. Rose laughed, as she got splashed, moving back slightly. Setting the bottle down, and turning off the running water, Rose began to rub baby body wash onto Amanda's skin. "Rosie, are you a mommy?" Amanda asked, as she watched Rose bathing her. Rose looked at her and smiled.
"No," Rose said. "not at the moment."
"Oh." Amanda said, playing with her rubber duck that was floating in the tub full of bubbles.
"But don't worry. I'm hoping that I'll have some soon." Rose said, smiling. Amanda smiled. Rose took a bottle of baby shampoo, as she squeezed some onto the palm of her hand. Rubbing her hands together to mix up the shampoo, she brought her hands towards Amanda's blonde head, as she began lathering her hair, gently. Amanda laughed as Rose did this, since it tickled her scalp.
"That tickles!" Amanda said, laughing. Rose laughed as well.
"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to clean your pretty hair!" Rose said, smiling, as she continued to lather her hair. Amanda continued to laugh, as she got Rose wet from her wild splashing. "Ah!!" Rose laughed as she stepped back from the water.
After a few minutes of lathering Amanda's hair, and getting more and more wet every time she does so, rinsed off her hair and pulled out the plug, allowing for the water to drain. Rose grabbed a towel, as she wrapped it around Amanda's small body, picking her up as she done so. Rose grabbed another towel and placed a towel over her head, to dry it off. Amanda wrapped her arms around Rose's neck, lying her head at the top of Rose's shoulder, closing her eyes. Rose exited the bathroom, as she went towards Amanda's room, which was two room from the left of the bathroom. Rose went towards the small bed that was by the window, and carefully set her down. Rose smiled sweetly as she found her sleeping soundly. Rose took the towel, and carefully dried her, trying not to wake her. Rose carefully slid on her underclothes. When she slipped Amanda's undershirt on, she held her head carefully and slid the undershirt over head, and slipped her arms through the arm loops.
Rose then grabbed her pajamas, beginning to slip them on her, carefully. All the while, Amanda had been sound asleep, oblivious to the fact that Rose was dressing her. Rose took the brush, and sat Amanda down, as she began to brush her hair carefully. Once she was finished, she placed Amanda under the covers, kissing her round cheek as she done so. Rose got up and walked out the room, turning off the light as she had done so. She closed the door, leaving it open slightly, to let some light go through. When Rose turned, she was staring into a pair of light blue eyes. Rose smiled as she found Katherine standing before her.
"Wow, Rose," Katherine said, smiling. "I have never seen Amanda take in on people that easily. You'll make a great mother, Rose. I know you will." Rose smiled.
"Why, thank you." Rose said. "I adore children. I especially adore Amanda. She's such a sweetheart. You have a beautiful little girl, Kat."
"Thank you." Katherine said, smiling. Rose looked over her shoulder, as she found the door. Smiling, she turned towards Katherine.
"I hope that someday I'll have a beautiful little girl as your own, or even a handsome little boy." Rose said, smiling at Katherine.
"Don't worry, Rose," Katherine said, putting a reassuring hand on top of Rose's shoulder. "when the time is right, you two will create the most beautiful child that this earth will ever have." Rose had tears shining in her eyes.
"You really believe that?" Rose asked, smiling.
"I do." Katherine said, smiling. "By the way you two look at each other, I wouldn't be surprised to find lots of little children running around your feet." Rose laughed. Katherine smiled sweetly at Rose, as she looked down at her dress. "My goodness, Rose, you're all wet!" Rose looked down at her dress and smiled.
"Well, I suppose your daughter had a fun time splashing." Rose said, laughing.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry--" Katherine began.
"Don't be." Rose said, smiling. "I don't mind."
"You can't just walk downstairs, all wet. You can borrow one of my dresses, while that one dries." Katherine said.
"Oh, no, I couldn't--" Rose began.
"Nonsense." Katherine said. "It'll be my pleasure. Besides, I have enough dresses to last a lifetime, and some of them don't even fit me anymore." Rose smiled. "Now, come on and change into cleaner clothes." Katherine led Rose to the master bedroom, where she went over to the closet, looking through the various dresses she had. Katherine smiled as she took out a white summer dress, with short sleeves, that went off the shoulders, and was low-cut. The dress was knee-length, and had beautiful flowers printed all over the dress. "This is what I wore on my honeymoon with Jon. It doesn't fit me anymore, but I believe it should fit you." Katherine walked over to Rose, with the dress.
"It's beautiful!" Rose said, as she let her fingers run through the soft fabric of the dress. Katherine smiled.
"Well, then, you may have it." Katherine said, handing Rose the dress. Rose looked up at her, wide-eyed.
"Oh, Kat, I couldn't take this." Rose said, looking down at the dress. "It's what you wore on your honeymoon."
"Don't you worry about it. I have something just like it in the closet." Katherine said. "Besides, I want you to have it. Take it as a wedding present from me." Rose smiled, as she looked down at the dress that Katherine gave her.
"Thank you, Kat." Rose said, smiling. "I really appreciate it."
"No problem." Katherine said, smiling. "You may change in here. I'll be downstairs if you need me, okay?"
"Okay." Rose said. Rose watched as Katherine left the room, leaving Rose alone. Rose sighed, as she took off the red dress she wore, placing it on the bed, as she slipped on the dress Katherine gave her. She walked over to the full-length mirror as she looked through her reflection. She took the sash of the dress, as she tied it behind her back, making a professionally made bow. Once she tied the bow, she ran her fingers through the skirt of the dress, feeling the soft fabric pass through her fingertips. Smiling, Rose turned to the side, as she noticed the dress show off her figure. Every curve of her body was noticed. The low-cut dress made her body stand out, but made her look as if she were a wife...as if she were married to the most handsome man that was ever made on earth. Smiling, Rose made sure her hair wasn't in the wrong place, and made sure that everything else was in the right place. Once she got everything fixed, she walked over to her red dress and picked it up, draping it over her arm, as she left the room.
Jack and Jon were sitting in the living room couch, as they waited for their wives to come downstairs. Jack stared at the window, beside the front door, as he noticed that it was evening, the sun would set in the next half hour or so. Jack ran his fingers through his hair, as he wished for Rose to come down already, for he wanted them to ride the horses under the sunset. He heard footsteps come from the upper level of the house. Jack immediately got up as he looked at the top of the staircase, only to find Katherine walking down the stairs. He sighed, as he looked down, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Rose should be down in a minute." Katherine said. "Amanda wanted her to give Rose to give her, her bath. Seems that she sort of splashed onto Rose's dress, so I let her have one of mine to change into." Jack smiled. "You really love her, don't you?"
"I do." Jack said. "I love her so much, that it hurts to be without her. She's my world...she's my life...my soulmate." Jack said. "Without her, I wouldn't be happy as I am now. God knows where I'll be right now, if I weren't married to her."
"I'm glad you have her, Jack." Katherine said. "She deserves you. She really loves you."
"I know." Jack said, smiling. He looked over her shoulder, as he found Rose standing at the top of the stairs, smiling lovingly down at him. Jack smiled, as he walked towards the bottom of the stairs, as he waited for her to descend the stairs, so he could hold her in his arms. Once she was at the last step, Jack wrapped his arms around her waists, as he began to twirl her around, as his lips gracefully pressed against hers, bringing her into a passionate, yet loving, kiss.
"Missed me already?" Rose asked, once they pulled away from their kiss. "I've been upstairs, for what?...an hour and you've missed me?"
"Well, of course." Jack said, smiling down at her. "You're my wife. I can't live without you, you know that." Rose smiled up at him.
"I know." Rose said, as she ran her fingers over his shirt. Jack kissed the top of her head, as he held her close.
"I love you." Jack whispered.
"I love you, too." Rose said, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"My, I haven't seen anyone act that way, besides us." Jonathan said, holding his wife close to him. Jack looked at him and smiled.
"Well, what do you expect?" Jack asked. "We're in love." Jack looked down at Rose, smiling.
"Rose, let me take your dress." Katherine said. "I'll be willing to wash it for you."
"Oh, you don't have to. I can manage." Rose said.
"Nonsense." Katherine said, heading towards her, as she took the dress from Rose's arm. "I'll give it to you tomorrow, all clean and washed." Rose smiled.
"Okay, we are staying in the hotel, by the Santa Monica pier..." Rose said.
"Why are you staying there?" Jonathan asked. "We have plenty of room right here in this house. Why don't you two stay here, until you have to leave?"
"No, Jon, we wouldn't want to intrude--" Jack began.
"You're not gonna intrude." Jon said. "You're my friend. You deserve to stay here, instead of in a crappy hotel room."
"I dunno, Jon..." Jack said, looking up at him.
"C'mon!" Jonathan encouraged. "It'll be fun, having you around. Besides, I wouldn't want you to waste your money on staying in a hotel for what?...two weeks? That's a lot of money to waste, Jack. What do ya say?"
"All right, we'll stay." Jack said.
"That's the Jack I know!" Jonathan said, smiling, as he patted him on his shoulder.
"We'll be here tomorrow morning, okay?" Jack said.
"Not a problem at all." Jonathan said, smiling. Jack smiled back. His eyes then darted towards the grandfather clock, which was behind Jonathan.
"Well, we better get going." Jack said. "It's already half past seven, and I wanna show Rose how to ride like a man, before it gets dark."
"Well, okay then." Jonathan said. "See you tomorrow."
"You bet." Jack said, as he led Rose towards the front door. Jack opened the door, as he let Rose go before him. He looked over his shoulder and waved to Jonathan and Katherine, as he went out on the porch, closing the door behind him. "So...you ready?" Jack asked, as he looked down at his wife.
"I'm more than ready." Rose said, smiling. She slipped her hand into his, as both made their way down the steps, and out of the Michael's front yard, as they closed their gate. Jack and Rose walked towards the beach, where there was a horse stable nearby. Jack and Rose made their way towards the stable, as they spotted a middle-aged man brushing a horses mane. Jack walked towards the man as he watched him tend to his work.
"Uh...hi, my name is Jack Dawson." Jack said, extending his hand, for the man to shake.
"Henry Thompson, nice to meet ya." Henry said.
"Are you renting horses by any chance?" Jack asked, praying that he is.
"Well, I dunno, Mr. Dawson, it's getting dark, and--" Henry began.
"Please?" Jack begged. "Just for an hour...or a little more." Henry sighed.
"All right." Henry said. "It's fifty cents an hour."
"Great...thanks a lot, Mr. Thompson." Jack said, smiling.
"Okay, I'll give ya good ol' Buttercup, here." Henry said, as he took out a beige colored horse out of the stable. "She's a good horse...she'll cooperate, and she isn't as wild as the others. Well, you may bring her back at nine thirty...you may give her back ten minutes later if you wish, but do bring her back before ten."
"No problem." Jack said, as he took the reigns, as he pulled the horse out of the stable. Jack held onto the reigns as he turned to face Rose. "Okay, all you have to do is place your left foot into the foot slot there, and swing your left over, as you do the same to the right foot, okay?" Rose nodded, as she smiled at him.
"Okay." Rose said, as she slowly walked towards the beige horse, holding onto the saddle, as she slipped her foot into the slot, as she swung her other leg over the horse, as she held onto the reigns. She looked down at Jack, smiling brightly. She hadn't felt this alive before in her entire life, besides the bow, where Jack taught her how to fly-how to be free, and face the world with open arms-something she hadn't been able to do, since her father passed; since her life has changed, and molded into a life that she loves; a life where she would share with the one man she loves. When she looked into Jack's eyes, she saw happiness and love shine, as if he was the happiest person in the world; as if nothing in the entire world would ever come between his love for his wife, as if he knew that their love will last forever; no matter the circumstances. The gentle breeze ran through their hair, causing Rose's fiery red curls to fly behind her, as Jack's tousled blonde hair blew against the wind, parts of his hair going on his face. Jack walked towards her, as he, too, climbed onto the horse, behind her.
Jack took the reigns from her, as he gently kicked the side of the horse, to get her to walk, and once he did, the horse began to slowly walk through the beach, as Rose leaned against Jack's chest, feeling the warmth of his body onto her own, as the gentle breeze played with their hair. Jack led the horse towards the ocean, as the horse walked onto the water--right on the surf. Rose shrieked happily, as the water gently sprayed against her face. Jack smiled as he kept the horse moving, against the shore. A couple of feet away, Jack stopped the horse, and looked over the ocean--over the horizon. Rose followed his gaze, as she smiled. The bright, big, orange sun, was beginning to set, as the glow was reflected onto the ocean, as the sky turned to multiple shades of purple, red, orange, and dark blue. Jack's arms went onto Rose's waist, as she looked up at him, smiling happily.
"It's beautiful..." Rose said, as a distant look came upon her face as a memory overcame her. A beautiful memory, yet a painful memory.
It was close to evening on April,14,1912, as Rose was sitting at a table, beside her mother, the Countess, and Madam Aubert, as her mother was discussing her arranged marriage, although, she told them, that she had chose Cal--not her. Rose looked over a table, a few yards away from her, with a little girl, who looked to be about six or seven years old, sitting slumped against the chairs. Rose noticed how the mother taught her how to sit like a proper woman--something Rose was taught in finishing school. Rose's face showed no expression, although thoughts of Jack sneaked in her mind every so often. Suddenly, Rose realized what she was getting herself into. She looked down at her hands, as she saw the big, solitaire diamond engagement ring lay on her left ring finger. She looked up, as images of Jack's smiling face appeared into her mind, as his piercing blue eyes shone with happiness, and his artistic hands holding her, preventing her from falling, and his blonde hair, in which always fell over his eyes. From that moment, Rose knew she couldn't marry Cal. From that moment, she knew she was deeply in love with Jack Dawson.
"Mother, may I be excused?" Rose asked, as she looked at her mother, with a small smile.
"What is it now, dear?" Ruth asked, looking over at Rose.
"I want to get some fresh air." Rose said, hoping that her mother would allow for her to go. Ruth sighed.
"Fine, go." Ruth said. "It's no use in having you here, anyway." Rose looked at her mother, with hurt eyes. Rose nodded, as she got up, and walked out of the dining room, with elegant footsteps. Once she was out of the dining saloon, she quickly made her way towards the third class entrance.
Rose opened the gate, as she looked over her shoulder, making sure no one has seen her. Once she made sure nobody was following her, she descended the white steps, as she came across a corridor. Rose looked frantically around her, trying to find where exactly Jack was. Suddenly, she heard lively music. The moments from the previous night came to her, as she followed the sound of the music. Once again, Rose went inside the third class dining room, where she found many people dancing. Her eyes roamed around for Jack, but finding no sign of him anywhere. She caught a glimpse of the Italian fellow she had met previously. Rose quickly made her way towards him, in hopes of finding exactly where Jack was. When she made her way towards him, she cleared her throat. The Italian looked up at her, with a small smile.
"Buonasera, signorina." The Italian said. "My name is Fabrizio."
"Hi, Fabrizio." Rose said, as she placed a warm smile on her face. "Is Jack around?" Rose asked, as she looked up at Fabrizio, her eyes begging.
"Uh...sì, he 'a said he was 'a going to the bow." Fabrizio told Rose. Rose smiled.
"Thank you, thank you very much." Rose said, as she quickly exited the room, leaving the third class premises. Rose walked towards the first class entrance, as she slowly opened the gate. She walked through the promenade deck, as she reached the outer deck. Opening another gate, Rose walked out of first class, and headed towards the bow.
Jack leaned against the railing of the bow, as he looked down at the ocean-blue water, in which Titanic glided through, as she headed towards New York. The cold breeze hit against him, as his hair blew in the wind. His face shone in misery, as images of Rose, once again, played in his mind. He admitted that he was in love with her. Deeply in love with her. A love, that he had never shared with another woman in his entire life. When Rose told him to leave her alone, at the gymnasium, it broke his heart, knowing that she wouldn't be willing to escape the trap that Cal was preparing for Rose. He hadn't wanted her to be miserable for the rest of her life--she deserved so much better than that.
Rose's smiling face had entered his mind as he heard her gentle laughter at the party, the previous night. Jack's love for Rose was something he had never experienced in his life. Rose, was his first love. His one and only. He loved her so much, that he could even describe the feelings he had for her. There was something about Rose, that made his heart feel warm every time she was mentioned. Jack's eyes shone with sadness, as he knew that he would never have a chance with Rose--that he would never get to spend the rest of his life with her. That he won't be the one to be able to free her from her misery, that he won't be the one that would love her, as much as he does. He knew Cal didn't love her. If he did, he didn't show it. He longed for Rose to be in his arms again, but knew that it would be impossible to see her again--knew that his life would never be the same without Rose.
His heart ached every time he thought of her smiling face. She stole his heart, and wasn't willing to give it back. He only wished that Rose would love him back--just as he loves her. But he wasn't going to force her into doing something she wasn't willing to do. Moreover, she told him to leave her alone, and he was willing to respect her wishes. His mouth formed a thin line, as he wasn't in the mood to smile. He wasn't going to show happiness, when he wasn't the least bit happy. His heart was shattered.
"Hello Jack." He heard a familiar voice say. It took him a moment or tow, to realize that it was Rose. His one true love. Jack turned, finding her stand there, with a smile on her face. "I changed my mind..."
When Jack heard Rose say that, a smile came upon his face. She had changed her mind. She was willing to give him a chance, and not marry Cal, who would only make her life worse. Jack's heart began to beat rapidly, as it gained its strength, realizing that Rose just about loved him, as he did her. A warm feeling began to overtake his body, as he didn't feel the cool breeze hit him. Jack's eyes shone with happiness as he smiled at his love. Her cheeks were pink, from the cool breeze, and her curls were bouncing in the wind. The dress she wore, was flowing behind her, as her eyes sparkled.
"They said you'd be up here--" Rose began, as Jack placed a finger against his lips.
"Shhh." Jack said, as he extended his hand. "Give me your hand." Jack watched as Rose smiled, and slipped her hand into his, walking a few steps closer to him. She looked up at him, as he looked down at her, his hands on her waist. "Now, close your eyes." Rose looked up at him, confused. "Go on." Jack urged. Rose smiled, as she obeyed. "Step up..." Jack said, as he let Rose go in front of him. "Hold onto the railing...keep your eyes closed, don't peek." Jack said, smiling.
"I'm not." Rose said, her eyes closed.
"Now step onto the rail." Jack said. Rose did as she was told. Jack stood behind her, as he balanced himself onto the rail, as he held onto her waist. "Hold on..." Jack said, as he made sure that she wouldn't fall. "Hold on... keep your eyes closed. Rose let out a short laugh. "Do you trust me?" Jack needed to make sure that she trusted him, that she was going to know that he wouldn't hurt her.
"I trust you..." Rose said. Jack smiled, as he held onto her wrists. He slowly began to spread them to her side. Rose's head moved, in confusion, but let it pass. Once Jack had Rose's arms spread out, he let her arms go, as he placed them onto her waist, to steady her.
"All right," Jack said, as he smiled. "open your eyes." Rose slowly opened her eyes, as she saw nothing but the ocean in front of her, as if Titanic wasn't under her at all. She felt as if she was flying.
"I'm flying, Jack!" Rose said, as a smile appeared onto her face. Her arms were still spread out. She felt Jack's hands on her own, as they intertwined with each other. Jack leaned closer to her, bringing his face to hers. His cheek was against hers as he smiled. Rose just looked at the beautiful sunset before her.
"Come Josephine, in my flying machine, going up she goes...up she goes." Jack sang in her ear, as their hands continued to intertwine. A smile was spread across her face, as Jack's voice rang in her ears, bringing great warmth throughout her body. Jack slowly brought her arms on her waist, as his arms held her close to him. Jack looked down at her, as Rose's head craned up to look up at him. Jack brought his face closer to Rose's as he pressed his lips onto hers. Rose opened her mouth slightly, as she welcomed Jack's soothing tongue into her mouth, placing a hand at the back of his neck, to make the kiss deeper and more passionate. Jack's arms held onto Rose's body as he kissed her, under the sunset. As their lips brushed against each other in a true love's first kiss. Their kiss completed their trust for each other, as the Titanic glided through the ocean, as the two lovers shared their first, passionate, loving kiss.
"You're beautiful." Jack said, as he looked down at her. Rose was pulled out of her trance, as she looked up at him, smiling lovingly up at him. Jack leaned closer as his lips were over hers. Jack's arms were wrapped around her, as Rose leaned her back against his chest, as she kissed him back, with much love and passion. Once again, they kissed under a beautiful sunset. The gentle breeze hit them, as their hair flew in the wind, with their kiss growing more intense and more passionate, as the sun sank lower, until stars began to twinkle beneath the dark-blue sky, as the two lovers shared their love for each other.
A/N: Well, here it is. Did you like it? Please, let me know!!