A/N: Sorry for the lack of update!! School has been very hectic on me. I had a project to do, plus homework and all that boring stuff. Now that the holidays are nearing, I might have more time to update (after xmas of course!) Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!! Keep them coming!! Okay, I'll stop babbling now and let you read the new chapter...
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A month had passed since Jack and Rose had returned from their honeymoon. It was already the tenth of June in the big city, as Jack had come home from the park. A month earlier, the day after they had come home from Santa Monica, Jack and Rose gone over to their bank, finding over two million dollars deposited into their account. Jack and Rose were surprised that Cal was actually telling the truth; that he was actually willing to let Rose go. Jack had been surprised to see that much money in their bank account, for he had never seen two million dollars before in his life. Rose, on the other hand, wasn't as shocked as Jack was, for she had lived on money for all of her life.
Jack climbed the steps that would lead to their apartment, with his portfolio tucked under his arm. He was whistling, seeming to be in a happy mood. Reaching their apartment door, Jack twisted the doorknob, until it opened, allowing for Jack to step inside. As he did, an aroma filled his nostrils, as a smile came across his face. Setting his portfolio on a side table, Jack walked towards the kitchen, as he found Rose making his favorite dish-pasta with Rose's homemade sauce, in which she learned to prepare with Katherine's help. Rose looked up, smiling as she found Jack leaning against the doorway that separated the kitchen from the parlor room.
"So, how was your day at the park?" Rose asked, as she lifted the wooden spoon, to taste the sauce.
"It was fine," Jack said, walking towards her. "Can I get a taste?" Rose smiled and handed him the spoon, watching him taste the sauce that she had prepared for their dinner. "Mmmm, delicious." Jack complimented. "You're beginning to become an amazing cook, Rose." Rose smiled.
"Well, I'm a quick learner," Rose said.
"It seems that you are," Jack said, taking a seat on one of the chairs beside the kitchen table. "So, how was your day?"
"Fine," Rose said, covering the pot with a lid, and shutting off the flame. Rose turned and looked into Jack's eyes, as she felt her heart quicken for she had some news for him. Swallowing the lump that formed in her throat, Rose took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to speak. She went to the doctors earlier, to find if her suspicions were true. A week earlier, she had realized that she hadn't received her monthly cycle, and Rose began getting nervous. She had managed to make an appointment for this afternoon, a few days earlier, to make sure that everything was in order. Rose still remembered the doctor's words after he found the results.
Rose stepped into the doctor's office, after her name had been called, and found a thin gown placed on top of the examination table. The doctor had told her that he would be with her in a moment, and told her to dress into the gown. Sighing, Rose began removing her dress, and her undergarments, and slipped on the thin gown, as she sat on the table, waiting patiently for the doctor to return. A few short minutes later, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man, with soft gray hair in a white doctor's coat, holding a clipboard in his arm.
"Good day, Miss Dawson," The doctor smiled as he closed the door behind him. "I'm Dr. Thompson," Rose gave him a small smile as she watched him flip through the records. "How are we today?" Dr. Thompson asked.
"Fine," Rose muttered, as her heart began to quicken at the curiosity that was building up inside of her.
"Well, you say that something's wrong, right?" Dr. Thompson asked, looking at her.
"Yes," Rose said. "I was supposed to receive my monthly about a month or two ago, and I never received it."
"I see," Dr. Thompson said, going towards her. "You're married, right?"
"Yes," Rose said, with pride. "I am."
"Good," Dr. Thompson smiled. "Did you have any sexual intercourse with your husband?" Rose blushed at the question, but couldn't find her voice, so she nodded, a soft pink shade appearing on her cheeks. Dr. Thompson smiled. "Well, I'll examine you and make sure everything's fine, all right?" Rose nodded. "Now would you please lie down for me," Dr. Thompson said. Rose did as she was told and allowed for the doctor to examine her. About ten minutes later, he finished. He had a smile across his face. "Well, Mrs. Dawson, I did find something that's causing for the lateness of your monthly cycle." Dr. Thompson said, as he got up, to wash his hands.
"What is it?" Rose asked, as she sat upright, hoping that nothing's wrong.
"Well, Mrs. Dawson, I have to say that your husband is going to be one happy father," Dr. Thompson said, taking the clipboard from his table and scribbled something down. It took a moment or two for Rose to finally figure out what he meant.
"A happy father?" Rose said to herself. Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she stared at the doctor. "You mean, I-I'm…"
"Pregnant?" Dr. Thompson finished for her. "Yes, you are. About two months along I should say." Dr. Thompson looked up from his clipboard. "I'm assuming this is your first?" Rose nodded, still trying to sink in the news. To finally believe that she's going to be a mother. A smile came across her face as she looked up the doctor.
"I'm going to be a mother," Rose said, smiling brightly, finally getting her wish.
"Yes, you are, Mrs. Dawson." Dr. Thompson said. "I should say you'll be expecting morning sickness for the next few weeks. I want you to come here every month for a check-up, just to make sure everything's going to be all right,"
"Okay, I will." Rose smiled, as her eyes shone happily.
"Very well then," Dr. Thompson said. "I'm going to leave you alone, so you could change back to your original clothes." Dr. Thompson stopped and turned around. "Congratulations, Mrs. Dawson. You're going to be a wonderful mother." Rose smiled.
"Thank you," Rose said, watching as the doctor left the office. Rose got off of the examination table, and took the gown off, as she began redressing in her original clothes. As she did so, she thought of becoming a mother. Once she finished dressing, Rose looked down at her abdomen and felt the small lump that was forming. "I'm going to be a mother," Rose whispered to herself as a smile came across her face. A few moments later, Rose left the doctor's office, to go home so she could think about motherhood. All Rose hoped was that Jack would be just as thrilled as she was to become a parent. She wouldn't know what she'd do if he wasn't.
"Is something wrong, Rose?" Jack asked, noticing that Rose began to grow nervous. He looked into her eyes, as he found that she had something to tell him. Something that would change their lives forever. "Do you have something to tell me?" Rose looked up at him and nodded. "Well, go on and tell me," Jack said, getting prepared to whatever she was going to say. Rose took a deep breath as she got ready to tell him.
"Well, Jack," Rose said, as she looked into his eyes. "I went to the doctor's today—"
"Is everything all right?" Jack asked, beginning to get worried. "Are you okay?"
"Jack, relax," Rose said. "Everything's fine, it's just that the doctor found something that I would suffer through for the next seven months,"
"What is it?" Jack asked.
"Well, Jack," Rose said, her heart beating rapidly, growing nervous by the second. "I know you're not ready to become one, but unfortunately, you are."
"Not ready to become what?" Jack asked, confused. "What are you talking about, Rose?"
"I'm pregnant, Jack," Rose said, getting to the point. "You're going to be a father, and I know you don't want to be a father yet, and-" Tears began to well up in Rose's eyes, as she covered her face with her hands and let the tears out, hoping that Jack wasn't going to let her go through this alone.
"I'm going to be a father," Jack whispered to himself, as he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her towards him. Rose looked up at him, tears already fell down her cheeks. A smile came across Jack's face, as his eyes glowed. "That's wonderful!" Jack said, as he embraced his wife. "I'm going to be a father!" Jack shouted happily. Rose was surprised that Jack was happy to become a father.
"So, you're not upset?" Rose asked.
"Of course not," Jack said. "Why would I be upset?"
"Well, when Jonathan asked you when we would get kids of our own, you said that you weren't ready, and that you wanted to experience marriage first." Rose said, not taking her eyes away from his.
"Rose, that was then," Jack said. "This is now, and if I'm going to be a father, then I'll be willing to experience fatherhood. Rose, I love you, and I would do absolutely anything to make sure that you're happy and loved." Rose smiled as she threw her arms around his neck, bringing him to a tight embrace, as she buried her face in the crook of her neck, allowing for tears of joy slide down her cheeks and fall onto Jack's shirt.
"I love you," Rose muttered as she held him close to her, feeling the warmth of his body transfer to her own, making her feel warm and loved as their embrace tightened.
"I love you too, Rose," Jack said, gently stroking her curls. A smile came across her lips as she breathed in his scent. Her hands brushed against Jack's shirt, as she could feel his muscles that was formed on his body. She could feel Jack's lips press against her head, as he planted a kiss against her curls. The soft beat of her heart assured her that she was loved and cared for by the one man who always had his arms around her, who always understood her, and loved her no matter what the situation was. Rose pulled away, just enough to look into his blue eyes. Smiling, Rose tiptoed, to plant a much loving kiss onto his lips, enjoying the warm feeling as their lips brushed against each other, as their kiss grew intense and passionate, with their tongues intertwining and putting more depth into their loving kiss. A knock on their door was what had brought them back to reality, causing for them to pull apart. Rose smiled up at her husband, as he smiled back, causing for her to grow more weak and loved every time she looked up at him. He let her go, as he walked towards the parlor room, to answer the door.
Rose stood there, watching as Jack left to answer the door. A smile appeared on her face as she realized that Jack was happy to become a father, just as she hoped he'd be. A tender hand stroked the small bump that was forming from inside of her. Looking down, tears began to well up in her eyes, as the reality of becoming a mother sank inside her, as every wish she had had come true. She almost felt as if she were in a dream, fearing that she'd wake up any moment, back to her old, first class life. But looking at the surroundings around her looking down at her fourth finger on her left hand, she knew she wasn't dreaming. She was in reality. Married to the one man she ever loved, and pregnant with his unborn child. To her, it was a dream come true, having almost every wish she made come true. She heard voices come from the parlor room, as her thoughts were occupied with her unborn baby. Rose smiled and gave her abdomen a final stroke, before head towards the parlor room, where she found Jack speaking with her mother. Smiling Rose made her way towards Jack, and slid her arm through his. Jack looked down at her and smiled.
"Hello, Rose," Ruth smiled, as she looked at her daughter up and down. "My, do you look beautiful," Rose smiled, as she stared at her mother with loving eyes.
"Thank you, mother," Rose smiled, as her eyes glowed.
"Why, don't you seem cheerful today?" Ruth said, her eyes locking into Rose's.
"Well, come on in, and maybe then, we'll tell you." Rose said, moving aside, to allow for her mother to come inside. "Have a seat, will you?" Rose said, closing the door. "Are you thirsty? Would you like anything to drink? Tea, coffee maybe?"
"My heavens, Rose, calm down!" Ruth said, smiling. "I'm fine, truly. Now, will you two sit down and tell me whatever you have to say," Rose and Jack made their way to the sofa, and took their seats beside each other. Rose sat down, and placed her folded hands on top of her lap. She looked up at Jack, and gave him a smile, then she looked over at her mother.
"Well," Rose began. "Mother, I-Jack and I-we have something to tell you," Rose said, her eyes looking into her mothers.
"Well, tell me, then, if you must," Ruth said.
"It seems that I came late on my monthly cycle," Rose said, her heart beating at a fast pace, as she found it difficult to tell her mother the oh-so-quick news. Her eyes managed to glance over her mothers, and she suddenly found them wide.
"Rose, you're not…" Ruth began. "…are you?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, I am," Rose said. A smile crept to her face, as her hand held Jack's in a firm, but loving grip. "Jack and I…we're going to have a baby!" Rose announced, tears already welling up in her eyes.
"A baby?" Ruth gasped, as she placed a hand over her mouth, to hide away the shock. "I'm going to be a grandmother?" Rose nodded happily, as she watched her mother smile brightly. "Oh my dear Lord, that's wonderful!" Ruth said, throwing her arms around her daughter. "When did you find out?"
"This afternoon," Rose said. "I went to the doctor's to make sure,"
"Oh my God, I'm going to be a grandmother!" Ruth smiled. "I never thought that I'd live to see the day," Rose laughed.
"Mother, you're not that old," Rose said. "You're only forty-six."
"Well, still, my dear," Ruth said.
"You're going to be a young grandmother," Rose added. "Usually women become grandmothers at their late fifties." Ruth smiled, as her eyes began to moisten.
"Rose, you've made me the most happiest woman alive," Ruth said, her voice choked over the tears that were threatening to fall.
"Oh, mother," Rose said, a tear sliding down her cheek. She wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a tight, but loving embrace. "I love you." Ruth was taken aback, to what Rose just said. Rose hadn't said those three words to her, since she was a little girl. Tears welled up in Ruth's eyes.
"I love you too, sweetheart," Ruth said, stroking Rose's back gently. Ruth stared into Jack's eyes, finding them warm and loving. Something she hadn't seen in a man, since William died of leukemia. Ruth gave him a small smile, as she pulled away from the hug. Ruth placed her gentle hands on Rose's face, and smiled down at her. "You've got a wonderful husband, Rose. I know that Jack would take good care of you." Rose smiled as she looked over her shoulder, finding Jack smiling down at her.
"I know he will, mother," Rose said.
"Oh, bless the Lord, Rose, you're going to have a baby!" Ruth smiled, as she looked down at her daughter. She placed a tender hand over Rose's abdomen. "Before you know it, you're going to hold your son or daughter, just as I have, when you were born."
Rose looked up at her mother, and smiled. But deep within her, she was scared of becoming a mother. The reality had sunk in, when her mother said that she would soon be able to hold her son or daughter in her arms. Inside her, there was a small creature, who was going to live inside her for the next seven months of its development. She felt a smile come across her face, as she thought of what her son or daughter would be like. She could picture a small baby, with soft blonde curls and pure blue eyes, with her smile. Rose closed her eyes for a brief moment, as she took in a deep, relaxing breath. Rose opened them, to be welcomed by warm green eyes. Rose smiled at her mother, finding herself feel love towards the woman that sat before her.
"I'll finally get to understand what it feels like to be a mother," Rose said, a warm, loving smile pasted across her face. Ruth smiled back.
"Don't worry, Rose," Ruth said. "You're going to be a wonderful mother. Especially with your adventurous spirit." Rose smiled, as she looked down at her hands. "Every time I look at you, I see William." Ruth said, her eyes moistening.
"William?" Jack asked, his face wrinkling in confusion.
"My father," Rose said, a hint of sadness heard in her voice.
"Oh," Jack said, feeling dim-witted at the moment.
"He used to do everything with me," Rose said, looking up at him. "We used to always ride on horses and go to the lake. There was a special rock that my father and I would sit on and talk, tell jokes, do all sorts of things." Rose looked up at him, finding his blue eyes locking into her own. "You remind me of him. He loved me, for who I was and treated me like a normal person. Like I was the only girl in the whole world that he would ever be with." Rose looked back down at her hands, playing with the two rings that were on her fourth finger on her left hand. She felt tears moisten her eyes, as she held back a sob. "I loved him, so much. He was the only man that I ever knew, that treated me like a real person. As if I was actually worth something. But, on my sixteenth birthday, he lost his battle of leukemia and died, leaving me fatherless." Rose's voice was choked as she talked, finding that both Jack and her mother were paying close attention. "He told me to keep a promise. He made me promise that I marry my one true love, and live my life with him and love him, just as I loved my father. He wanted me to be happy and not marry someone I didn't love. He wanted me to find my soulmate, and now, I finally fulfilled that promise." Rose felt a single tear escape from her blue-green eyes.
"Rose—" Jack began, bringing his arms around her shoulders.
"I kept my promise to him, Jack," Rose cried, looking up at him. "And I'm going to keep your promise, just as I have with my father's."
"I know you will," Jack said, gently stroking her arm, as he gazed into her eyes. Rose held back her tears, preventing them from falling, for she was tired of crying. Taking a deep breath, Rose relaxed her nerves, and looked up at Jack, finding him staring down at her, with warm, loving eyes. Rose couldn't help but smile back. She looked over at her mother, finding her in tears.
"Mother, why are you crying?" Rose asked, concern heard in her voice.
"Oh, nothing," Ruth said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief that she pulled out of her pocket. "It's just that, seeing you happy, makes me happy, and now that you're expecting, I-"
"Mother, I'll be fine," Rose assured her mother. "I am happy. More happy than I've ever been in my entire life." Rose said, placing a gentle hand over her mother's. "And I know that you're going to be there for your grandson or your granddaughter. I know my child is going to be welcomed to this world in open arms." Ruth just stared at her, with loving eyes. "It's awkward saying this, but I'm glad that you forced me to get engaged to Cal." Ruth looked at her, perplexed.
"Rose, what are you talking about?" Ruth asked. "You couldn't have possibly been happy to be engaged to Cal, when-"
"No, mother," Rose interrupted. "I wasn't glad that I was engaged to him." Ruth looked at Rose with confusion. "You see, mother, if you hadn't forced me into that engagement, I wouldn't be married to Jack, nor would I be carrying his child." Ruth gave her daughter a small, loving smile, as she looked into her eyes.
"I'm just glad that you have kept your promise to your father," Ruth said. "There's nothing that could mean more to me than your honor." Rose gave her mother a small smile, as she listened to her words. "That's why I'm glad that you turned out like him, and not more like me."
"Mother—" Rose began.
"No, Rose," Ruth said. "All I've done to you in your childhood was treat you as if you weren't my daughter, when you are my daughter. Never have I even uttered the words 'I love you', nor have I even showed my love towards you. All I can say for myself Rose, is that I've been a bad mother to you, and I do apologize for that. If I could take it back, I would."
"Mother, I know you meant well," Rose said. "You wanted me to live my life in first class, and I understand-"
"Rose, the only reason I wanted you to live in first class, was so that you wouldn't have to worry about money, so you could have everything you would ever want." Ruth said, sighing as she looked down at her hands. "I wanted you to be happy. I didn't mean to make your life miserable."
"I know you didn't, mother," Rose said, placing both of her hands over her mother's. "You just wanted me to be happy, just like any mother would want their child to be. But mother, I don't really need money to be happy. I never did. I could careless if we had no money whatsoever, but if I have your love, then I'll be the happiest daughter in the whole world." Ruth smiled and pulled Rose into another embrace, closing her eyes to cherish the moment of feeling her daughter's arms around her. Never before had she felt welcomed or loved since William passed on. Ruth felt a single tear slide down her cheek as she gently stroked Rose's curls, feeling the warmth of her body transfer to her.
"I love you, Rose," Ruth whispered, as she pulled away. Rose smiled, feeling her tears come to her eyes.
This is a dream come true, Rose thought, as she looked up at her mother. My life is everything I've ever wanted it to be. "I love you too, mom."
"You haven't called me that in years," Ruth breathed, as she stared down at her daughter.
"Well, I figured that I could start acting like a daughter to you, and appreciate you for who you are," Rose said, smiling.
"You're suck a wonderful woman, Rose," Ruth said. "I just regret treating you like I did in the past. I hope you could forgive me."
"But mother, I already have," Rose said. "I forgave you the minute you hugged me on the Carpathia a month ago." Ruth smiled and allowed for her tears to flow down her cheeks. Rose lifted her hand to her cheek, as she wiped every tear away. "There's no need for tears, mother. Everything will be fine now. We're all a family. Maybe a small family, but we're still a family nonetheless."
"I know we are," Ruth said. "And I sure am glad to be a part of this family." Ruth gave Rose a warm smile, as she caught Rose's stare, finding her eyes shining brightly. Silence lingered in the air for moments, until the soft chime of the grandfather clock that was in the parlor room had brought all three to reality. Rut looked up, finding that it was already noon, seeing that they've been talking for more than an hour. "Dear heavens!" Ruth gasped, getting up from her seat. "We've been chit-chatting for an hour straight, without realizing that the days going. I nearly forgot that I've got to attend the Sunday services, which starts in another hour, and I haven't even gotten ready!"
"Mother, calm down," Rose said. "You may go on up and change if you have to. There's no need for you to get worried over nothing."
"You're right," Ruth said, calming down. "I guess finding out that I'm going to be a grandmother sort of got into my head, didn't it?"
"It seems so," Rose said, giving out a short laugh.
"Are you going to attend the services?" Ruth asked.
"Maybe next Sunday," Rose said. "I'm quite tired, and besides, I'm still kind of shocked that I'm going to be a mother.
"All right, then," Ruth said. "I suppose that I'll see you two later, then."
"Suppose so," Rose smiled, as she saw her mother to the door. "I'll see you later, mother."
"Of course, my dear." Ruth smiled, as she left their apartment and went up to her own, which she shared with her good friend, Patricia Andrews, the woman who was nearly the same age as Ruth and had a son who lived in Maine. Once her mother was out of sight, Rose closed the door and turned.
"Well, I guess we are completely alone now," Rose said, heading towards Jack, where she sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I still can't believe that I'm going to be a father," Jack said, his eyes glowing, as his hand landed gently on top of her stomach. Rose smiled up at him, placing her hands over his.
"Well, believe it, because seven months from now, we're going to be parents," Rose said, as her eyes filled with tears of joy.
"Rose, I'm glad that you're married to me," Jack said, staring down at her blue-green eyes, which shimmered brightly whenever she looked up at him. "That you're always there for me, when I need you the most, and-" Rose placed two fingers over his lips, stopping him.
"Jack," Rose said, looking up at him. "I'm just as glad as you are. There's no need for you to say anything. When I look in your eyes, I see the truth. I see that this is where I belong-in you arms. I can't see myself anywhere else, besides with you." Rose placed her hand onto his cheek, allowing for her thumb to caress the masculine texture of his cheekbone. "Jack, I love you, and there's nothing in this world that would ever take me away from you. I promise." Jack smiled and pulled Rose close to him, as their lips connected into a passionate kiss. Rose's palm landed at the back of Jack's neck, as Jack's hand went to the small of her back, as he shifted into a more comfortable position, to make the kiss more deeper, and more passionate. Rose played with the strands of hair, that was at the back of Jack's head, as their lips brushed against each other.
As they kissed, Rose thought of her unborn child. She pictured Jack and herself walking down a park, with a little boy or girl running down ahead of them, laughing, as the summer breeze crashed against their bodies. This caused for her to make the kiss more intense, as she tightened her grip on Jack, holding him as close to her as possible, that a sheet of paper couldn't go between them. Both tried to get air through their noses, as their lips continued to stay connected, devouring each other with the strength of the love that they held within their hearts. With their arms wrapped each other, and their lips brushing against each other, the lovers were oblivious to the world around them, both forgetting that they had to get dressed for church. Moments later, they separated from their kiss, catching their breaths, as they stared into each other's eyes. Rose grew weak to the knees when she looked into his blue eyes.
Those eyes, Rose thought, as her eyes were locked into his. They always seem to make me fall in love with him all over again, Rose smiled up at him, as she held his hand in hers, giving it a firm, loving squeeze, as she gazed into his blue eyes. Whenever she looked into them, she feels loved and cared for. From all the pain they have been through for the past two months had caused for their love to grow stronger. Never before, had Rose experienced such intense love with a man. She always thought that it would only happen in a fairytale—something that would never happen to anyone. But Rose now knew that love really does exist, and when she was beside Jack, she knew that was where she belonged. Rose looked down at the hand she was holding, and caught a glimpse of his wedding band. Rose gently ran her thumb over the ring, as she stared down at it. This ring had symbolized their love for each other, moreover, it confirmed their vows. This ring told other women that he was taken and also showed that he loved someone. Looking up, she found that his eyes were gazing at her for quite some time. Smiling, Rose cuddled closer to him, enjoying the warmth of his body, as she felt his arm go around her body, protecting her from the dangers of the cruel world that was ahead of them.
Jack and Rose sat on the sofa, both cuddled up against each other, as they were completely oblivious to the world around them. Jack gently stroked Rose's hair, as her head rested on his lap. Rose felt relaxed at Jack's motions, and within minutes, her eyes closed, bringing her into a deep sleep, as her exhaustion took her over. Jack stared down at his sleeping angel and smiled. Not wanting to disturb her, he sat back, as his eyes were beginning to grow heavy as well. He had to admit, that he was exhausted after the walk to central park and back, which was five blocks away from their apartment building. Within a few moments his eyes closed, as he was brought to a dreamless slumber.
A sudden knock on the door, caused for Jack to awake from his hour worth of sleep. Blinking a few times to focus his eyes, he stretched and let out a short yawn. Looking down, he found that Rose was still asleep. Smiling, he carefully slid out of the sofa, in attempt to not awake Rose, in which he had reached his success. Scratching his head, he walked towards the door to answer it. When he opened the door, he found Annie smiling brightly up at him.
"Well, hello, Jack," Annie greeted. "Is Rose home?"
"Uh, yeah, she is," Jack said, looking over his shoulder, still finding her in her slumber. "Only, she's sleeping."
"Oh, she is," Annie said, letting out a sigh. "Okay, then. Just tell her I stopped by." Annie turned to leave.
"Wait, is it important?" Jack asked. Annie turned back around to face him.
"Well, I just wanted to talk with her," Annie said. "There's something I need to ask her."
"Well, then, I'll wake her up for you," Jack said, stepping inside his apartment. "Hold on."
"Oh, no, Jack you don't have to," Annie protested.
"It's fine," Jack said. He went towards Rose, shaking her gently. "Rose, Annie's here." Rose mumbled something and turned around, ignoring Jack. Jack smiled and leaned his head closer to her, where he pressed his lips onto hers. He felt a response from Rose and he pulled away, smiling.
"Jack?" Rose asked, her voice hoarse from just having woken up from her slumber.
"Yeah, it's me," Jack said. "Annie wants to talk to you."
"Annie's here?" Rose asked, sitting up, as she noticed that Annie was standing out in the hallway. "Oh dear, I'm a mess!"
"Nonsense," Jack said, smiling. "You look fine."
"He's right, Rose," Annie said. "You look amazing." Rose looked up.
"How could I?" Rose asked, as she lifted a strand of curl out. "Look at my hair!"
"Rose, your hair's perfectly fine," Jack said. He looked up, finding that Annie was still standing out in the hallway. "You may step in, you know." Annie smiled.
"Good," Annie said, going inside the apartment. "I was beginning to think that I'd be out in that hallway forever."
"So, Jack said that you wanted to speak with me," Rose said, as she looked up at her friend.
"Well, yes, actually," Annie said. "I need advice."
"I'll be glad to help," Rose smiled, as Annie sat beside her.
"Well, it seems that you don't need me now, so I'll head over to the park to draw," Jack said, heading towards the bedroom to retrieve his portfolio. As he returned to the parlor room, he went over to Rose to give her a tender kiss before leaving. "I'll be back before seven." Jack said, disappearing into the hallway. Rose smiled, as she gazed at the now closed door, where Jack had just left from.
"Rose," Annie said. Rose blinked and looked over at Annie.
"Yes, Annie?" Rose asked, ready to help her friend.
"Well, Michael had asked me out on a date tonight," Annie said.
"That's wonderful!" Rose said, smiling.
"It is," Annie said. "But, I'm not sure of what to wear."
"Well, you've come to the right place then," Rose said, getting up. "I've got plenty of dresses for you to choose from.
"Thank you so much, Rose," Annie said, smiling. "You don't know how much this means to me." Rose smiled.
"Well, I'm glad I could be of help, Annie," Rose said, as she led her to the bedroom. She pulled out a light blue lace dress and a lavender sequin dress. "Well, I believe these two will suit you best." Rose said, laying out the dresses on the queen sized bed. "Now it's up to you to choose the one your prefer."
"They're both beautiful," Annie said, heading towards the dresses, as she let each hand caress one of the dresses. She examined both closely, until she had come with the decision. "I prefer the lavender. It's more exquisite."
"I have to agree," Rose said, taking the lace dress, and placing it back into the closet. "Anything else you need for me to do for you?" Rose asked, as she gazed into Annie's eyes.
"How do you know when you're in love?" Annie asked.
"It will come to you," Rose said, smiling. "You'll know when you find the right man in your life. You may not realize it at first, but in due time, you'll be able to find your one true love." Annie gazed over at Rose, with a curious face on.
"How did you and Jack meet?" Annie asked. "If you don't mind my asking." Rose smiled, and walked towards Annie, as she motioned for her to sit at the edge of the bed.
"Well, it all started, after I had lunch in the first class dining saloon," Rose said.
"First class?" Annie said, eyes wide.
"Yes," Rose said. "Hadn't I told you on the Carpathia?" Rose asked, as she looked over at Annie.
"I'm not sure," Annie said. "You did mention that your mother was first class." Rose nodded.
"Well, I was traveling first class on the Titanic," Rose said.
"That must've been wonderful," Annie said, smiling.
"Well, up to a certain point, it was," Rose said. "But I never liked being a first class lady. Or moreover, I didn't like being a first class debutante."
"A debutante?" Annie said, surprised.
"Yes, and trust it, it wasn't as wonderful as you'd imagine it to be," Rose said. "I had to attend four years worth of finishing school, until I became a proper lady, then my mother had to find me the richest bachelor in town to marry."
"So, you were going to have an arranged marriage?" Annie asked, looking over at Rose with a shocked expression.
"Well, that's how first class life was," Rose said. "The parents usually chose their daughter's husband or sometimes chose their son's wife. It's in the matter of who has more money." Annie nodded, understanding. "Anyway, Bruce Ismay, the one who came up with the creation of Titanic, and all he could blabber about was why he had named her Titanic, and how it has to deal with the size of the ship, and how that means stability, luxury, and in his words, 'strength', which was proven wrong four days into her maiden voyage."
"It would've been nice to see that ship in person," Annie sighed. "It's too bad that she sank."
"I know," Rose said. "But I have to admit, she was beautiful."
"I'm sure she was," Annie said. "Well, continue."
"Oh, yes," Rose said. "After I made a statement, which was quite improper for a first class lady to mention in front of a few grown gentlemen, I went out to get some fresh air on deck. That's when I first laid eyes on him. He was down in third class, with two of his friends, as he gazed up at me, seemingly have noticed me before I noticed him. Once our eyes locked, I knew I loved him."
"That's a wonderful way to meet someone you love," Annie said. Rose smiled and nodded.
"Unfortunately, my ex-fiancée had come to ruin my moment, so I stormed off. That night however, when we were having dinner, I felt trapped," Rose said, looking down at her hands. "I felt as if I was screaming at the top of my lungs, and nobody even looks up or notices me. It was the same mindless chatter, the same old shit, as Jack would say, over and over, never ending. It's as if I lived my life already, as if I was reincarnated to another person, who was living this first class life."
"Wow," Annie said, smiling. "I would never think that you would say such harsh words." Rose smiled.
"Well, I'm not your typical first class girl anymore," Rose said, the smile still placed upon her lips. Annie nodded, a smile on her face as well.
"You sure are something, Rose," Annie said. "I'm just glad to have you as a friend."
"Me too," Rose smiled. "Anyhow, I went to my stateroom, claiming that I hadn't felt well, and just trashed everything. I couldn't stand it anymore. I wanted to die right then and there, so I ran towards the stern, preparing to jump off, only to be stopped by Jack, who saved me. I should say that Jack is my hero, and always will be. From that moment on, I was completely in love with him. We've been through everything together. Nothing could ever separate us. Not even the Titanic."
"He saved you?" Annie said, her eyes wide in surprise. Rose nodded. "You have a wonderful husband, Rose. You do. Take good care of him."
"Don't worry, Annie. I am," Rose smiled.
"Thanks for sharing the story with me," Annie said. "I know you're not prepared to say the rest, so I'm not pressuring you. I know when the time is right, you'll be ready enough to share me the whole 'Rose DeWitt-Bukater Story'. As of now, I should thank you for your advice and get into this dress of yours."
"Well, I'm glad to be of help," Rose said. "And thank you for listening."
"It is my greatest pleasure, Rose," Annie said, standing up from her seat.
"If you ever need me for anything," Rose said, standing up as well. "You know where to find me."
"Of course," Annie said. "Thanks again, Rose."
"Not a problem at all, Annie," Rose said, smiling sweetly at her friend. "I hope you have a wonderful time tonight."
"Thanks," Annie said. "I hope so too." Rose smiled as Annie went over to her to give her a warm, friendly hug. "I'm glad to have met you, Rose."
"Me too, Annie," Rose said. "Now go run along, before you forget to get dressed." Annie laughed and left the bedroom, as she headed towards the entrance door, opening it.
"Thanks again, Rose," Annie said. "I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't have to, now go," Rose said, giving Annie a gentle push. "I'll talk with you later." Annie smiled.
"Of course," Annie said, as she headed towards her apartment door. Rose smiled and watched as Annie disappeared into her apartment. Sighing, Rose closed the door quietly and went to sit on the sofa, where she let out a soft sigh to clear her thoughts. She looked around the parlor room, finding absolutely nothing to do, with Jack out.
Looking down at her stomach, she realized that she was hungry, so she got up and went to the kitchen to prepare a sandwich, to satisfy her hunger. After five minutes passed, Rose had finally prepared her small lunch and walked towards the parlor room and sat down on the sofa as she began eating the sandwich she had prepared. Fifteen minutes passed as she ate her lunch peacefully. When she finished, she found that she had satisfied her hunger, no longer hearing the grumbling that had been playing earlier. Smiling, she placed a hand over her abdomen, as she closed her eyes, still proud that she was going to become a mother. She never would've thought that she'd end up where she was today. Married to the man she loved and carrying their first child, after all the pain and heartache they had suffered through. Rose knew that their love was strong, and she hoped that it would stay like that for as long as they could breathe.
A/N: Hope you liked it!! Please review!!!