A/N: Again, I'm sorry it took so long to post this....SCHOOL IS DRIVING ME NUTS!!! lol. Well, anyway, here is the chapter....
Chapter Twenty-One
The sun had already set as Jack and Rose pulled away from their kiss. Rose smiled as she leaned against Jack's chest, watching as the sun just disappeared in the horizon. The stars twinkled brighter as the waves crashed on shore. The breeze grew colder, as Rose's curls flew behind her. Jack led the horse away from the surf, stopping a few short feet away. Jack placed his hands around Rose's waist, as she looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness and love. Jack smiled as he brought his hand onto her face, his thumb gently caressing her porcelain cheek. The gentle breeze played with their hair, as they smiled at each other. Jack pressed his lips onto her forehead, before he got off the horse. Taking the reigns in his hands, he slowly led the horse back towards the stable, as Rose was still on the horse. Once they reached the stable, Jack stopped the horse, and went to Rose's side, holding out his arms, to help her down. Rose smiled, as she brought her arms to his neck, holding onto him tightly, as he got her off the horse, safely.
Rose was safely on the ground, as her arms were still around Jack's neck. Her neck was craned up, as she looked into Jack's piercing blue eyes. Jack's arms were on her waist, as he looked down at her, with loving eyes. Rose's hands went onto his cheeks as her thumbs gently ran over them, feeling Jack's skin against her own. Her eyes stared into his, as Jack held her body close to him, as if protecting her from all the dangers the world had to offer. Rose's fingers then ran through Jack's tousled hair, removing them from his eyes, as a smile appeared on his face. Rose smiled back, as she tip-toed to press her lips against his, as her hand went to the back of his head, her fingers gently running through every strand of hair. Jack's hand traveled up against her back, as he felt the breeze blow her hair to the side, along with her dress. Jack's hands held onto her body, as he pressed it against his own, feeling the gentle warmth creep through him, as their kiss grew more intense.
Rose's other arm went around his back, as their lips brushed against each other. They hadn't noticed that the moon rose up on the dark sky, giving them light as their kiss became passionate, loving, and intense. Rose's chest was heaving, as their lips grew closer together, when Jack moved his face closer to Rose's, enveloping his arms around her body, as Rose's arms came around his back. Rose's head was craned up, as their lips were connected. After a short minute passed by, both pulled apart, but were still in each other's arms. Rose's head was still craned up, and Jack was still looking down at her. Jack's hands gently caressed her back, as he smiled down at her. The moonshine illuminated her beauty, making him fall in love with her all over again.
As Rose looked up at him, she found that his eyes grew darker under the moonlight, which illuminated his features, making him more handsome than he already is. Rose felt her knees grow weak and her heart beating rapidly, as she fell in love with Jack again. Knowing, why she had fallen in love with him in the first place. A smile played upon her lips as her eyes gazed into his with love and admiration, as she was in his arms, protected and safe by the one man she will ever love. Rose felt Jack's hand caress Rose's red curls. His thumb gently pressed against Rose's cheek, as the rest of his fingers were on a fiery red curl, curling up against his fingers. Rose smiled, as she rested her head against his chest, as his steady heartbeat played onto her ear. A smile came across her face, as she listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat. She felt Jack's chin at the top of her head, as his arms wrapped tighter around her body as Rose's arms circled around Jack's muscular waist.
"Uh...excuse me..." Henry said, his face growing pink. Jack and Rose looked up at him, noticing his face pink from embarrassment. "Are y-you f-finished with B-buttercup there?" Henry stuttered, pointing at the beige horse. Jack smiled.
"Yeah." Jack said, slipping his hand in his pocket as he took out a dollar bill, handing it to him. "Here ya go..." Jack said, after he gave him the money.
"T-thank you." Henry said, smiling nervously.
"No problem." Jack said, smiling at him. He watched as Henry took Buttercup's reigns, and leading her back into the stable, closing the doors behind him. Jack and Rose could hold back their laughter any longer. Both of them doubled over in laughter, as they walked away from the stable, holding hands. "Did you see his face?" Jack said, as he laughed. "Did you see the way he looked at us?" Rose laughed with him, as she stopped in front of him, holding both of his hands in her own, smiling brightly up at him. Jack looked down at her, smiling at her as his eyes shone with love and admiration. Both stood quiet, as they looked at each other with their eyes shining brightly. Jack's hands came down to Rose's waist, as his face came closer to hers, bringing Rose into a passionate and loving kiss, as they wrapped their arms tightly around each other. Their lips stayed connected as the breeze hit against their body, causing for Rose's hair to dance in the wind, and for Rose's dress to flutter in the wind.
A short moment passed when their lips disconnected, when their faces were a mere inch apart, as their eyes locked into each other, in a loving stare. They could feel their breaths against each other's faces, as their chests heaved from catching their breaths from the kiss they had shared. Rose's hands moved onto his chest, as clutched onto his shirt. His hands moved onto Rose's shoulder, as he gently rubbed them, in attempt to warm her from the cool breeze that was blowing against them. The moon was high in the dark blue sky, as stars twinkled, glowing the night with beauty and light. They heard the waves crash on shore as it filled them with the noise of nature. Rose craned her neck up as she looked up at her husband, her ruby lips curving into a loving smile.
"Shouldn't we be heading back?" Rose asked. "It's getting dark." Jack smiled.
"I suppose we should." Jack said, as he held onto Rose's hand. Rose smiled at him, as they left the beach, heading back towards the hotel they were staying in. once they entered the hotel, they went up to their hotel room, getting ready for bed. Rose took off her shoes, as she placed them aside. She took off her dress, as she placed it onto a chair, by the window. Rose walked towards the wooden box they carried, and took out a nightgown. Rose slipped on the nightgown, as she walked towards the dresser, brushing her hair, as she untangled every fiery red curl. When she finished, she placed her brush down, as she walked towards the bed, going under the covers. Jack was taking off his heavy boots, as slipped his suspenders off his shoulders, allowing them to hang down his waist. Jack took off his shirt, as he showed off his muscular chest. He dropped the shirt onto the floor, as he unbuttoned his pants, slipping them off as well. Jack walked towards the bed, as he, too, went under the covers, beside Rose. "Goodnight, Rose." Jack said, as he kissed her, before lying down, onto his pillow. Rose smiled, as she, too, lay onto her pillow.
Suddenly, Rose remembered Jack's gift, that was lying in the closet. Rose sat upright, as she uncovered herself, and walked towards the closet, as she slowly opened the squeaky door. She heard Jack sit up, probably looking confused, as to why Rose got up so suddenly. Rose took the bag as she took out the wrapped package, walking back to her side of the bed. She covered herself, as she lay the package onto her lap. Jack looked at her, with a confused expression on his face. Rose just smiled at him. She looked down at the package, praying to herself that Jack would love it, just as much as he loved his old one. The one he had on the Titanic. She looked up at him, as her eyes met with him. She placed a warm smile upon her face.
"Jack," Rose said, as she found her voice. She leaned against the headboard. "this is my wedding gift, to you." Rose said, as she handed him the wrapped package.
"Oh, Rose, you didn't have to..." Jack began.
"No...I wanted to." Rose said.
"I didn't even get the chance to get you your wedding present." Jack said.
"You don't have to." Rose said. "You're all I need in my life. There's nothing in this world, that would ever make me as happy, as you do. You're everything to me, Jack. I don't need anything for you to make me happy."
"But, how am I--" Jack began.
"Jack, just open it." Rose said, smiling. "You'll love it...trust me." Jack smiled at her.
"I trust you." Jack said, as he looked at her once more, before ripping off the wrapping paper from the box. Once he did, he opened the box, as he came across a painting from his favorite painter--Monet. Smiling, Jack took the painting out of the box, as he looked at the magnificent color that Monet had used. Jack ran his artist fingers through the colors of the painting, as a small smile came across his face. "Rose, y-you didn't have to get me this..." Jack said.
"I wanted to, Jack." Rose said. "Besides, there's more."
"More?" Jack asked, looking up at her. Rose nodded.
"Look in the box." Rose said. Jack smiled, and did what he was told. He took off a thin sheet of paper from the box, as he came across a brown leather portfolio. Jack looked up at Rose with a small smile. He looked down at the box, as he took the portfolio away from the box. He found that the portfolio had a strap, where he could tie the portfolio together, and at the front, there was a string, where it holds the pouch of the artists' tools. Tears welled up in his as he looked up at Rose. He hadn't drawn anything since the night of April fourteenth 1912, where he drew Rose in the nude. The portfolio he had in his hands now, looked more better than the one he had before, and he treasured it more now, since it came from his beloved wife. He looked up at her and smiled brightly.
"Thank you so much, Rose." Jack said, his voice choked up from his upcoming tears. "You don't know how much this means to me." Jack said. Rose smiled.
"Look inside the portfolio." Rose said. Jack looked up at her, and smiled. He untied the two straps, as he opened the portfolio, finding blank sheets of paper, waiting to be drawn on. He smiled. He looked up at the inside the portfolio cover and found a message engraved onto it.
Dearest Jack,
Before I met you, I was miserable, trapped, and used. When I boarded the Titanic, I felt as if I was going to America in chains, in a slave ship. I felt as if nobody cared or even noticed me. When I first laid eyes on you on that morning, I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach, as if I knew from then on, that you'll be mine. That you'll be my one and true love. On the night, when I was at the end of the ship, I wanted to end my misery. When you came, I knew my life was about to change. From the moment I looked in your blue eyes, I fell in love you. From the moment I was in your warm embrace, I knew our love would last forever. I knew that you were the man I should spend the rest of my life with. When we shared our true love's first kiss at the bow, you completed my heart. You made my love grow stronger than ever before. From the moment you drew me in the nude, I knew your artistic talent drew me the way I felt on that day. The moment in the Renault proved to me how much you really love me--how much you were willing to love me, just as I loved you. Jack, I will never forget that night, for as long as I live. Your love for me Jack, means more to me than any jewel in this whole world. You are my everything Jack. You saw the best there was in me, and you lifted me up when I couldn't reach. You proved to me, that I am everything I am, because I knew that you loved me. Jack Dawson, you're my world. You're my life. Without you, I would be miserable, with a life not worth living. Jack Dawson, I love you with all my heart and soul. I love you so much, that I can't even describe the feelings I have in my heart whenever you enter my mind. Jack Dawson, you are my one and only true love. You are my husband, and I'm glad that you are. For I can't imagine a husband as handsome, as intelligent, as talented, and most of all, as caring and loving, as you are. I love you Jack Dawson, more than words can ever say.
With all my love,
Rose Dawson
When Jack finished reading the engraved words, he looked up at his wife, a smile placed on his face, and tears glistening up at the corner of his eyes. He scooted closer to her, as he placed his hand at the back of her neck, bringing her closer, pressing his lips against hers. Rose ran her fingers through Jack's hair, as she kissed him back. When they pulled apart, Jack caressed her cheek softly, as he gazed into her eyes with love shining in his eyes, as a small, loving smile was placed upon his handsome face. Rose smiled back at him as she ran her gentle fingers over his cheeks, before placing her hand at the top of her lap. Jack looked down at his gift, as he ran his fingers over the engraved words, before closing it, and setting it aside. Once he did, he turned off the side lamp, and pulled the covers over him, as he cuddled up against Rose, kissing her passionately. His hands fiddled with the buttons at the back of her nightgown.
Rose ran her hands over Jack's bare back, as she pulled him atop of her; their mouths still connected in their passionate kiss. Jack managed to undo the buttons, as he slipped the top part of the nightgown off her shoulders. Jack's lips left Rose's, as he kissed her cheek, and traveled down her neck, as he left soft, teasing kisses onto Rose's neck, causing for her to giggle. Jack's fingers gently brushed against Rose's soft skin, as he managed to remove the gown off of Rose's body. Removing his underwear, he threw the sheets over them, as they kissed once more, before making love with each other, both going up to meet the stars.
It was early morning, of April twenty-fifth 1912, when Rose had awoken from her dreamless slumber. Her eyes had fluttered open, when the sunshine had crept in their hotel room. Jack's arm was around her shoulders, as Rose's head rested upon his bare chest. Rose lifted her head, as she looked over the headboard, where the curtains flew from the gentle blow of the cool breeze. Slipping out of Jack's warm embrace, she picked up her nightgown, as she slipped it on, before walking towards the wooden box, to take out fresh, clean clothes. Once she had done so, she left the hotel room, to go to the bathroom, which was across the hall. She turned on the water, until it was warm enough for her. She placed the plug over the drain, letting the tub fill up with warm water. Once it was full enough for her, she turned off the running water, and took off her nightgown, as she slowly went in the tub. She leaned her head against the end of the tub, as the water went just over her chest. Closing her eyes, Rose felt relaxed beneath the warm water, as she felt the water sooth her body.
Suddenly, she felt a chill run down her body. She felt cold, as if she was back on the Atlantic Ocean. Her eyes shined with fright, as tears began to well up in her eyes. She knew Titanic would never leave her. She knew she would be stuck with the experience, for as long as she should live on this earth. Rose closed her eyes, as she dunked under the water, as air bubbles were formed. All of a sudden, she wasn't in the tub anymore. She was back in the North Atlantic Ocean, with more than fifteen hundred people floating close by...some dead, some alive. She laid on the driftwood, as Jack's frozen hand clutched onto hers at the side of the board. Stars twinkled high in the dark sky, as screams were heard of those who were still alive. The freezing water hit against Rose's body, as she looked down at her beloved, who wasn't breathing...
Rose opened her eyes as she lifted her head out of the water, letting out a frightened scream. Tears fell from her eyes, as she shivered against the warm water. She heard voices outside the door, one of a man, another of a woman, but neither were Jack. She heard running footsteps, and she heard banging on the door, and a masculine voice calling her name over and over. Her head shot up against the wooden door, as her eyes went wide. Her lower lip was trembling, as her eyes looked around frantically. She let out a sorrowful cry, as she brought her knees to her chin. She heard the doorknob turn constantly, as someone tried to open it. A few short moments later, she heard a key go through the key hole, as the door opened. Rose turned her head to the other side, preventing the person from seeing her. She heard the door close, as she heard his voice. Her head lifted up, as she looked up at the owner of the voice. There, she found Jack standing, looking down at her, with a worried expression on his face. Rose got up from the tub, dripping wet, as she threw her arms around Jack's bare back, hugging him close, as tears ran down her cheeks, her voice letting out a cry.
Jack's arms went around her body, as his face was buried in her wet curls. Her naked body was pressed against his. His had put on his underwear, when he heard Rose's scream. He hadn't bothered redressing himself with his other clothing, which still lay on the floor. Rose's body shook against his, as she clutched onto him, crying. Tears of despair fell from her eyes, as they fell onto Jack's smooth, but rough skin. Jack embraced Rose tightly, as his face brushed against Rose's curls. Jack could feel Rose's naked body against his, as he felt more of Rose's tears fall upon his skin, as she buried her face into his chest, holding him close.
"Oh, Jack..." Rose cried, her voice barely heard from beneath Jack's chest, as her hands caressed his back, her soft hands, brushing against his muscular body.
"Shhh," Jack said, comforting her, as he held onto her. "everything will be fine...I'm here...don't cry." Jack gently caressed her wet curls, as he breathed in the scent of her fiery red hair. Rose continued to cry beneath his torso, as he held onto her; in hopes of comforting her with his loving arms; to protect her from the past.
"Jack...oh, Jack..." Rose cried, as she lifted her head from his chest, as her tear-filled sapphire-emerald eyes shone with sadness, fright, regret, anger, and love; a mixture of feelings that dealt with the past, and with the present, as she looked into the eyes of her beloved husband. "I'm scared...I'm scared, Jack." Rose sobbed, as she looked at his piercing blue eyes.
From the look in her eyes, Jack knew what she was talking about. Deep down in his soul, he knew that Rose still dwelled on the past; dwelled on the part where they witnessed over fifteen hundred people dying in the freezing depths of the North Atlantic. Both had been there when the iceberg struck the ship, and both had been through the actual sinking; later suffering through the icy cold waters, that swallowed the Titanic. The shivering of her naked body, showed the aftermath of the sinking...that no matter how much they dreaded it, no matter how much they didn't want to think about it, Titanic will always be with them, for the rest of their lives, until they draw their last breath, and fulfilled their righteous vows, the tragedy of the Titanic will never leave them. Jack just hugged her closer to him, to revive her happiness; to make her smile again, to make her feel happy, and not dwell on the past. He wanted for Rose to realize that they were both alive, and that they still had the rest of their lives to live. He didn't want her to inhabit the past, and make her life more miserable, more depressing, and cause her to feel more hurt and remorse from what had happened eleven days earlier.
Jack pulled away, just enough to look into her eyes, and he saw her look down, her face scrunch up in despair. He ran his fingers through her wet hair, as he cupped her chin with his hand, to lift her face up. He looked into her eyes and found that more tears fell from her sapphire-emerald eyes; the jewels that would always look up to him for love. His thumb gently wiped away every single tear that managed to escape the jewels, as he looked down at her. He found that she was shivering, so he took a towel from the side of the bathroom and wrapped it around her. Lifting her clothes up, he wrapped his arm around her, as he allowed for her head to lean against his shoulder. Finding that Rose wasn't walking as normal, he bent down, as he placed his hand under her legs, as his other held her back, lifting her up from the ground. He slowly bent down, to open the door, and once he did, he found the hotel manager, four hotel guests, and the bellboy, looking up at him, with eyes that shone with curiosity. Rose wrapped her arms around his neck, as she buried her face in his chest, once again; as if she was a small child, afraid of the world; afraid of the world's surroundings, of the curiosity that shone in other people's eyes. Jack looked from one person to the other, as his eyes shot daggers at each of them.
"There's nothing to see here, please return back to your room, and do whatever you did before you came here." Jack said, as he tried walking past the small crowd of people. The hotel manager stopped them.
"Uh...excuse me, but don't you think you should send her to the hospital?" The hotel manager asked. "She doesn't look too good."
"She's fine." Jack said. "She'll be just fine. She just needs some rest, now if you'll excuse me, I have to head back to my hotel room, and get her into bed." Jack said, as he passed the crowd of people, and went back to his hotel room, kicking the door closed as he done so. Jack quickly made his way towards the bed, as he gently placed Rose onto it, bringing the covers over her. Jack gently caressed her face, as he looked down at her. "It's okay Rose...everything will be okay." Rose looked up at him.
"Oh, Jack...why won't Titanic leave us alone?" Rose asked, her eyes looking up at him, as her tears fell from her eyes. "Why can't we just forget about it?" Jack sat at the edge of the bed, his hand holding hers.
"Rose," Jack said, his eyes looking down at her. "no matter how much it hurts, Titanic will always be with us. We both experienced the tragedy, therefore, it will be stuck with us until the day we die."
"But it hurts, Jack." Rose cried. "It just hurts knowing that more than fifteen hundred people died on that night...that so many innocent people perished...most of whom I've encountered with...and knowing the fact that they died...it kills me. All those people...you could've been one of them...oh, Jack." Rose cried, as she covered her face in her hands, letting all the hurt and pain out with her tears. Jack removed her hands from her face, as he lifted her chin with his fingers, forcing her to look up at him. His eyes shone with love and concern, as his thumb grazed against her delicate skin, as her tear-filled eyes looked up at him.
"I know it hurts, Rose," Jack said, looking down at her. "but there's nothing much I could do about it, except to love you." Jack sighed, as he ran his fingers through his golden hair. "I lost my parents five years ago. They were everything I had, before I met you, of course. To me, they were the most loving parents any child can have. Then, the fire happened, and no matter how much I was hurt by their sudden deaths, there's nothing in this world that I could do to bring them back. Just as we can't do anything to change the fact that the Titanic had sunk. That's the past, now. We only look onto it as memories. Maybe some hurtful memories, but there are some that we might enjoy to look back at."
"Jack, it just...I don't know...it just hurts me deep down inside." Rose said, as tears escaped her eyes once more. "Every time I think about it...I feel pain, hurt, sorrow...and every time I do think about it..." Rose cried, as she looked up at him. "I see you, dying in the freezing waters, and no matter how hard I try to tell myself that you're alive, I still get haunted by the nightmare..."
"Oh, Rose..." Jack said, as he wrapped his arms around her naked body, with the sheet covering her. "I'm sorry you have to suffer through this pain. I wish I could take it away and make you feel happy again."
"Jack, the only thing you could do to make me happy, is to love me, the way you do now." Rose said, her eyes still wet from the tears. "There's nothing else in this world that matters to me the most."
Jack's eyes stared into her own, as she said this. He examined her face, which was all pale from crying, and her eyes were red. Her hair was still damp, as her body continued to shiver in the cool breeze from the window. Noticing this, Jack got up, and walked over to the window, as he shut it; to prevent the outside breeze to come inside. As he did so, he closed the curtains and walked back towards Rose. Checking the time, on the grandfather's clock, he found that it was only eight thirty in the morning. Sighing, Jack picked up the thrown clothes that were on the floor, as he began redressing himself. After he slipped on his suspenders, he took his boots from the side of the bed, and put them on, as he began tying the laces together. Once he completed his task, he looked up, finding Rose drifted into another world--as if she had a lot going on in her mind. Running his fingers through his hair, he watched as she stared off into space, her face expressionless, as she held the sheet close to her.
Rose was drifted into the world of her own. Unaware of the fact that Jack was staring at her, worriedly, and unaware that he had redressed himself in his outer clothing. Rose just held the sheet close to her body, as she gazed back to her memories. Back to her childhood-before Titanic...before Jack. Before anything that had changed her life. Before she had found the love of her life. Rose drifted back to her old life, as her childhood memories overtook her mind. As she revived the precious moments of her first class life. Of her rich childhood, of her father's recent death, of the traveling onto the Ship of Dreams with the one man she dreaded, but learned to forgive. She could say she missed her old life--her life in first class, but she swore to herself that she would never go back. That her love for Jack was much more stronger than any money that the world could offer. Even if she befriended Cal, she still wouldn't return back to her old life. Even though Michael Calvert deposited more than $100,000 into their deposit bank, she still wouldn't go back to her old life. To the life that ruled her for over seventeen years. The life that only gave her misery and hurt. To the life that would soon emerge into a life that she would enjoy. Into the arms of her beloved husband, in which she had met aboard the so-called 'unsinkable' ship. Her mind then drifted to her early teen years. From when she was thirteen, where her father took her horseback riding, out in Philadelphia, just outside their mansion.
It was early in the morning, on a wonderful day of June fifteenth 1908, and thirteen year old Rose DeWitt-Bukater and her father, William Bukater, were about to go horseback riding on the hills of Philadelphia, which was just outside of their big mansion that they lived in. Rose wore a lavender dress, which wasn't as elegant as the other dresses she wore, with a matching ribbon in her hair. She watched as her father took Brownie, Rose's brown horse, out of the stable, as well as Wisdom, his white horse. Rose's horse had a side-saddle on it, as William's had a normal saddle. William walked over to his daughter, as he helped her up onto the horse, Rose taking hold of the reigns. William smiled up at her, as he walked over to his horse, climbing on.
"So, Rosebud, are you ready?" William asked, his British accent quite noticeable. Rose turned her head, and smiled at her father.
"Yes, father, I'm ready." Rose said, her fiery red curls blowing in the gentle breeze. Her father smiled as he gently kicked his horse. Rose did the same, and both were riding through the pathway, that led to the woods. Beyond the woods, there was a beautiful lake, where Rose and her father would always spend time together, before Rose's mother awoke from her slumber. They knew the exact time Ruth DeWitt-Bukater woke up, which would be at nine thirty, the latest. Rose's father was a few feet ahead of her, as Rose laughed, trying to catch up. They went through the woods, as the horse's hooves crushed twigs, crunched on dry leaves and sped through the warm air, as they came to the end of the woods, to be greeted by a beautiful blue lake, with various flowers growing beside it. William stopped his horse, and got off, tying the reigns onto a branch, nearby, as he went towards Rose, to help her down.
Once Rose was on her own two feet, William tied her reigns onto a branch as well, as held her hand, as he led her towards a boulder, where both of them sat on, to watch the sunrise over the lake. Rose watched as seagulls made their morning call to the other seagulls, and watched as some had landed on the water, floating across the blue lake. Rose looked up at her father, and found him looking down at her, smiling. Rose smiled back, and leaned her head against her father's chest.
"Daddy..." Rose asked, as she looked up.
"Yes, Rosie?" William asked, looking down at his daughter.
"Are you going to walk me down the isle when I marry?" Rose asked.
"Why of course!" William said. "What kind of a father would I be, if I didn't?" Rose smiled at him. "Why would you ask such a question?" William asked.
"Oh, nothing." Rose said, looking at her father with smiling eyes. "I just wanted to know, that's all."
"Don't you worry, my beautiful flower, I'll be there when you marry. I'm not going anywhere, I promise." William said. Rose smiled and threw her arms around him.
"I love you, daddy!" Rose smiled as she held her father close to her.
"I love you, too, Rosie." William said, wrapping his arms around her. "I will always love you."
"How come mommy doesn't love me?" Rose asked.
"Rosie, your mother loves you." William said, kind of shocked to hear this from his daughter. "She loves you very much. It's just that...she...well, she just can't say it verbally, but she does show it."
"How, daddy?" Rose asked, sitting up straighter. "Mother has never said she loved me, like you do. All she cares about is the money." William sighed, finding it hard to debate with his daughter, since most of what she's saying is true. Ruth did care for the money, but he knew that she loved Rose, just as much as he did. He just hoped that Rose could see that...and that Ruth could actually tell Rose that she loved her.
"Rose, your mother...she just doesn't realize how much she loves you, to express her feelings towards you. You're very precious to us, Rose, and we would do anything to protect you from the dangers of the world." William said.
"I know, daddy. But I just wish that mommy would say those words to me. Sometimes I feel as if I'm a bad child to her. And daddy, I'm very nice to her, you know that. I listen to everything she tells me, and I even try to act the same way she does...I try to walk straight like her, and eat like her. I tried everything to make her notice how much I love her, but she doesn't see it, daddy. She doesn't." Rose said, looking down at her hands. William cupped her chin, as he lifted her head up, to force her to look into his eyes.
"My sweet Rose, I know your mother loves you. She has done anything to give you a happy childhood." William said.
"But daddy, I want her to say that she loves me." Rose said, getting up, and turning to face her father. "Don't you understand how important it is for mother to say that she loves me. I want to have two loving parents, not one. Sometimes I wish I never have a mother at all." Rose said, turning around as she crossed her arms, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
"Oh, Rose..." William said, getting up, wrapping his arms around his daughter, bringing her face to his chest, as she cried beneath his shirt.
"Oh, daddy," Rose cried, clutching onto his shirt. "I love her. I love mother so much. I'm just afraid that she doesn't."
"She does, sweetie." William said, caressing her red curls. "I know she does." William looked down at his daughter, who's tear-filled eyes shone with hurt. Sighing, he wiped the tears away with his fingers. "How about we return to the mansion, and I set you up some breakfast?" Rose smiled and nodded. "Let's go, Rosie." William said, leading her towards her horse, as he lifted her up and placed her on her side-saddle. William untied the reigns and handed it to his daughter, as he went over to his horse, untied the reigns from the branch, and hopped onto the horse, as he turned it, galloping away from the lake. Rose did the same, staying close behind her father, until they reached the horses' stable. Rose managed to get off her horse on her own, and put the horse inside the stable. Once she put Brownie in her own compartment, she left the stable, and found her father leaned against a tree, that was a couple of yards away. Rose smiled, as she made her way towards him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, as his went around her shoulders, while both walked towards their mansion to spend the morning together.
It was the morning of December twenty fourth of 1910, as Rose stared at her reflection. She wore a red dress, the sleeves off her shoulder, as the dress was floor-length. Her hair was down, and she had a locket around her neck. A locket that her father had given her when she was a baby. For the past year, her father was severely sick. He was in bed for most of the year, with maids tending to him, and the doctor visiting daily. Her father had diagnosed leukemia on February, and he had been bed-ridden since then. The doctor knew that he hadn't had much time to live, for his body was too weak to fight off the cancer. They were running out of money, with them paying off the debts of the medical bills. Rose knew the money was gone, but she didn't care about the money. She cared about her father's life. Nothing matter to her more than her love for her father. Tears welled up in Rose's eyes as she smoothed her dress with her delicate fingers. Her high-heeled shoes clicked onto the hardwood floor, as she walked away from the mirror, and went towards the window seat, where she sat down, looking out the window, watching the gardeners tend to the flowers. A single tear slid down her cheek, as she looked down at her hands. She had this feeling in the pit of her stomach, that something was about to happen--something bad.
Today was Rose's sixteenth birthday, and her mother was planning a big birthday party later today, but Rose wasn't really interested in going. She wanted to stay with her father, and talk with him, like they used to. Ever since her father became sick, he had gotten weak, and when he gotten weak, he hadn't had time to spend time with Rose, or listen to her, like he used to. He would sleep mostly for the whole day, only to wake up to use the bathroom, or to eat, otherwise, he was sound asleep. Sometimes, Rose fears that he won't ever wake up when he sleeps. That he would leave her forever, and never love her again. Rose wiped away the single tear that fell from her eye, as she took a shaky breath, getting up from the bench. The clicking of her shoes were heard as Rose made her way out of her room. Closing the door quietly, Rose passed her father's room, where she heard him call her.
"Rose..." William said, weakly. Rose stopped dead in her tracks, and turned, as she made her way towards her father's bedroom door. Slowly, she opened the door, peeking her head inside the room.
"Yes, father?" Rose asked, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes.
"Please...c-come here." William said, holding out his hand. Rose went inside, and closed the door, as she made her way towards her father, as the sound of her clicking shoes rang in her ears. Rose sat at the edge of her father's bed, as she took his hand into her own, finding it cold. Freezing cold.
"Daddy, you're hands are cold..." Rose choked, as she closed his hand with both of hers, in attempt to warm them. William gave her a weak smile.
"Rose..." William said, his voice awfully weak, as his breathing became shallow. "it's time for me to go." Rose looked at her father, with eyes that shone with hurt and sorrow. Her breathing quickened, and tears were beginning to form in her eyes.
"No, daddy." Rose choked. "You're not going to die...you still have to walk me down the isle...remember?" Rose said, her voice shaky from her upcoming tears.
"I-I'm s-sorry, Rosie." William stuttered. "I tried...b-but I-I c-can't hold on m-much longer..."
"Daddy, please!" Rose begged, as she felt tears fall down her face. "Today's my birthday, you can't leave yet! Besides, tomorrow's Christmas!" Rose cried.
"Rose...l-listen to me." William said, facing her, his face pale. "It's my time...the Lord says so...I-I know it's your birthday...t-that's why I sent y-you a present..."
"No, daddy. I don't want any present...I want--" Rose began, as she was cut off by her father.
"It's in the drawer, right there." William said, pointing towards the dresser behind Rose. Rose looked over her shoulder, as her tear-filled eyes landed on the fancy dresser that was in her father's room. "Go on...it's in the t-top drawer." Rose looked down at him, and let go of his hand, as she got up and walked towards the dresser, opening the top drawer with both hands. Inside the drawer, she found a perfectly wrapped gift, with a card on top. Rose took the gift out of the drawer, and walked towards the bed, setting the gift onto her lap.
"Daddy--" Rose began.
"Open it." William said, his breathing becoming more and more shallower. Rose felt more tears threaten to fall from her eyes, as she did what she was told. She took the card, and set it aside, as she began unwrapping the gift. Once she did, she opened the box, setting it on the floor, as she looked inside. She gasped as she took out a picture frame, which held a picture of her and her father when she was thirteen--at the lake. Tears fell down her cheeks, as she looked up at her father. She looked down at the picture, finding herself and her father smiling brightly at the camera, in which a passerby took. She felt his freezing hand land on her, as she looked up. "I love you, Rose...y-you mean the world to me. From the m-moment you w-were born, I have loved you with all my heart." William took a deep breath, as he was finding it hard to breath. Rose cried as she watched her father suffer.
"Daddy, don't talk." Rose said, placing a hand over his. "The doctor will be here in a moment...he'll make you feel more better..." Rose cried.
"N-no, Rose." William said, slowly shaking his head. "He won't help...I feel myself slipping away...there's nothing we could do..." Rose cried harder as she heard her father say this.
"Daddy, I love you!" Rose sobbed. "Don't leave me, please!"
"Rose...please listen...I love you with all my heart and soul...I-I'll always be with you n-no matter what. I-I'll b-be in y-your heart..." William said, placing a cold hand over her heart. "P-promise me, that y-you'll find your one true love a-and m-marry him. Share your life with h-him. I want you to learn to l-love someone e-else...j-just as you love m-me." Tears cascaded down Rose's cheeks as she listened to her father. "I-I want you to b-be happy. J-just as I was w-with y-your mother. D-don't marry s-someone y-you don't love. You'll b-be m-miserable, and I don't w-want you to b-be. I want y-you to f-find your love. Y-your soul mate. W-will y-you promise me?" William asked, as he looked up at his daughter. Rose nodded, as her eyes were red from crying.
"I promise, daddy." Rose cried, holding onto her father's hand with her own. William gave her a weak smile, as he looked up at her.
"You're s-so beautiful." William said. Rose let out a cry, as she tried to smile, but failed. "A-any man w-would b-be crazy about y-you."
"Oh, daddy." Rose cried, as she felt her heart break in two. She looked down at her pale father, as he took shallow breaths.
"It's time..." William said. Rose cried, as she buried her face into his hand. "I love you Rose. I always have...always will. You're my little angel. I love you..." Rose looked up at him as she heard him take his last breath. She saw his head fall to the side, and his limp hand hung at the edge of the bed. Rose's lower lip trembled as tears cascaded down her cheeks hastily.
"D-daddy?" Rose choked. She heard no response. "Daddy, wake up, please!" Rose cried, as she saw that he didn't respond. "DADDY!!!" Rose screamed, as she fell onto him, burying her face into his chest, as she clutched onto his shirt, letting her tears fall onto the fabric. "I love you..." Rose cried as her body shook with heart-wretched sobs. She heard running footsteps, and heard someone open the door. Rose hadn't bothered getting up. She stayed there, crying onto her father, as she felt strong arms go around her waist, pulling her away from her father. "NO!!" Rose screamed, her arms stretching out, towards her father. "Put me down!" Rose kicked her feet in the air, as she managed to escape the man's tight grasp. She went over to the bed, and picked up the picture frame, as she hugged it towards her chest. Tears were sliding down her cheeks, as she turned around, to face the person who pulled away from her father. He had dark hair, with matching eyes, and he stood to be at least six feet tall, or even taller. He had a fine suit on, with a bowtie, as the man looked down at her. Rose hugged the frame closer to her, as she cried and ran passed the man and out of the room, where she ran out of the mansion, letting her feet take her towards the lake that her father and herself used to always spend their time together. Rose went towards the boulder as she sat on it, tears constantly falling from her eyes.
Rose looked down at the picture frame, as she stared at the picture of her father, smiling. She then looked up at the sky, as the chill of the wind blew onto her. Clouds covered the sky, as snow began falling down from the sky. She felt the snowflakes fall onto her skin, as she felt the snowflake melt into water, once it landed on her skin. Snowflakes landed on her red curls as she heard distant caroling in the background. Rose looked down and just broke down, crying hysterically, falling to the ground, hugging the picture frame close to her chest. Her body shook against the chill of the wind, as she curled up into a fetal position. Rose brought her knees up under her chin, as the picture frame was between her chest and her thighs. Rose squeezed her eyes shut, as she let out a cry, tears falling down her cheeks as she did so.
"Why, daddy?" Rose cried. "Why did you have to die?" Rose's body shook with sobs and with the chill of the cold wind that was blowing against her. She suddenly heard footsteps coming from the woods. Sitting up, Rose turned towards the sound of the footsteps, grasping onto the picture frame. She kept taking steps backwards, not really wanting any company, nor wanting to put up a fight.
"Rose?" Rose heard a masculine voice say. "Are you here?"
"Leave me alone!" Rose said, her voice shaky. She saw the same man who pulled her away from her father stand before her. Rose looked down, not bothering to answer his curious look.
"I didn't have the chance to introduce myself." The man said. "I'm Caledon Hockley--"
"I could careless who you are!" Rose cried. "Just leave me alone, please."
"But you're shivering." Caledon said. He took off his jacket. "Here, put this on." Caledon walked towards her and put the jacket on her shoulders. Rose looked up at him, noticing him smiling down at her.
"T-thank you." Rose said, looking down. "I'm sorry I said that. I'm just not in a very good mood at the moment."
"I know." Caledon said, smiling down at her, as he placed an arm over her shoulders. "I'm sorry about your father..."
"Thank you." Rose said, her voice choked up from her tears.
"Come on, let's get inside. It's freezing out." Cal said. Rose managed to give him a small smile, as both went back towards her mansion. Once they went inside, Caledon closed the back door, as he rubbed his hands together, in attempt to warm them. Rose just walked into the parlor room, where she took off Caledon's jacket, and placed it onto a chair, as she went over to the staircase, slowly climbing up each step, with all the strength her legs can hold. The clicking of her shoes echoed down the living room, as she finally made the last step. She walked over to her bedroom door, and went inside, locking the door behind her. She went over to her bed, placed the picture frame onto her pillow, and just fell on the bed, burying her face into her arms, as she cried. Her body shook with her sobs, as tears of a broken heart escaped her sapphire-emerald eyes, as she mourned over her father, whom she loved with all her heart, but was taken away from her at a young age. A fatherless teenager, whom adored her father more than anything in the world. Her broken heart ached with hurt and sorrow, as she continued to cry; continued to grieve over the one man that she looked up to, the one man whom always cared and loved her as a father would love a daughter; a father whom spent all his time with her, no matter what day it was, no matter what time it was, he would always find a way to be with his daughter. Now, Rose had lost that one person. She had lost part of her life. She had lost her father.
Tears streamed down Rose's cheeks, as she cried for the loss of her father. For the one man, before Jack, who loved her for who she was, and cared for her with all he had. For the one man who would always be there for her whenever she needed him the most. For the one man who was the best father to Rose DeWitt-Bukater and always found someway to make her smile. Rose looked down at her hands as she let the tears flow down her cheeks. As she let herself mourn over her father; the person that was always there, the person that always cared, and the person that always loved her, no matter how upset he was. Rose's father was the best thing that could ever happen to her, before Jack, until he passed away on her sixteenth birthday. Rose hadn't noticed that Jack stared at her, with worried eyes, until she faced him. When she saw the look in his eyes, she covered her face in her hands and cried harder, feeling the hurt in her heart increase, as Jack went towards her.
Jack watched as Rose stared off into space, as if she was reliving the past. She stayed like that for the past fifteen minutes or so, not moving, nor saying a word to reassure Jack that she was alive. Suddenly, he saw tears begin to glisten in her eyes, as if she were about to cry. He watched as a single tear slid down her porcelain cheek, as her lower lip began to tremble. Jack had wanted to get up, and comfort her, but his body didn't budge, nor did he want to disturb her. He felt that Rose needed to let all her hurt out, and the only way she could do so, is cry. The one key that would soon make her feel better, once she has removed all the hurt that was locked up inside her, for God knows how long. Jack began to see even more tears cascade down her cheeks, as her eyes grew red, and as her body shook with her sobs. He found her covering her face with both of her hands, as her body shook with her heart wretched sobs. Getting up, Jack slowly walked towards her, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, as he brought her closer to his body, cradling her head in his arms.
"Shhh..." Jack whispered as he kissed the top of her head. "Everything will be fine. I promise...don't cry."
"I miss him, Jack." Rose cried. "I miss him so much." Rose clutched onto his shirt, as she buried her face into his shirt. Jack looked down, with saddened eyes. Had she met someone before Cal? Had she fallen in love with another man, before she had met Cal? Before she had met him? Swallowing, Jack pulled away, just enough for him to look into her eyes. Just enough to see the hurt in her eyes, as tears fell from the corner of her eyes.
"W-who?" Jack asked, getting prepared for the answer.
"My father..." Rose cried, as she looked up at him. Jack looked down at her, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders. Sighing in relief, he pulled her into his arms once more, as he allowed for her to cry onto his shirt, allowing her tears to fall onto his shirt.
"I'm sorry..." Jack whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, Jack." Rose said, her voice choked up. "It already happened...there's nothing we could do about it." Jack sighed, as he caressed her red curls.
"I know...I just wish that there is something I could do to help you." Jack said, looking into her eyes.
"There is..." Rose said, looking up at him, with her eyes shining with her tears. "you could love me." Jack pulled her into another tight embrace, as he buried his face into the crook of her neck.
"And I do, Rose. I do love you." Jack whispered, beneath her curls.
"I know you do..." Rose said, wrapping her arms around Jack's body, holding him close. "that's why I love you." Jack pulled away, just enough to see her face, as he pressed his lips against hers, bringing her into a kiss that enveloped their love for each other. As the kiss grew more intense, Rose began taking off Jack's clothes, as Jack kicked off his boots. As their lips were still connected, Rose removed his underwear, as well as his shirt, as hugged him close. Jack went under the covers with Rose, as he made love to her...as he took her to the stars, erasing all her hurtful tears that managed to escape her heart. The two shared their love for each other, as they grew as one.
A/N: Well, here it is...what did you think?? Did you like it? Not? Please review!!