A/N: Sorry for the long wait! The xmas vacation kinda blew me away! Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR!! And I hope you like this chapter!!
Chapter Thirty
Jack and Rose were now sitting on Annie's couch, facing each other as Jack held Rose's hands in his own. A few minutes ago, he had managed to calm her down.
"Rose," Jack said, his voice soft and sincere. "Are you okay?"
Rose tightened her grip on his hands, as she looked down, catching a glimpse of his wedding band. The gold wedding band that she had placed on his fingers almost two months ago, that gave proof of their marriage. She ran her thumb over the gold band, feeling the smooth texture of his ring. Looking up at him, she gave him a reassuring smile, holding his hands in a loving grip. She nodded her head, the smile still pasted on her face.
"I'm fine," Rose said, feeling Jack's thumbs caress the back of her hand.
"Are you sure?" Jack asked, a hint of worry and concern shining in his face. "I'm worried about you."
"I'll be fine, Jack," Rose said. "Really, you worry too much."
"How could I not?" Jack asked, his hand moving towards her face, where his fingers brushed against her skin. "I love you too much to not worry about you," Jack said, feeling her soft curls brush his fingertips.
A broadened smile appeared on Rose's face. "I love you too, Jack. I love you more than I could ever imagine. I couldn't picture my life without you. My heart would be incomplete," Rose said, feeling her heart flutter by the mere glance of his piercing blue eyes.
"Without you by my side, my heart is incomplete as well," Jack said, leaning closer as his lips brushed against hers, bringing her into an intense kiss, that enveloped her with warmth and love.
Rose brought her hand to the back of his neck, as Jack's hand gently ran down her back, and towards the small of her back, all the while, sending loving shivers up her spine. Rose's chest rose up and down as their kiss intensified and grew more and more passionate, while their mouths were making love in their own way. Fingering Jack's blonde hair, she pulled him closer to her, as if to make the kiss more deeper and more fervent. Moments later, they pulled away from their kiss and gazed into each other's eyes, with their foreheads only mere inches apart. Their breathing were irregular from their intense, loving kiss, but a smile managed to come upon their faces.
Jack held Rose's hands in his own, and ran his thumb over the back of her hand, feeling her soft skin upon his rough fingers, which gave a gentle, loving caress upon Rose's skin. He looked into her eyes and smiled when he saw them twinkle happily as she looked up at him.
"You're so beautiful," Jack whispered, his hand going upon her cheek, where Rose's fiery red curls brushed against his fingertips, leaving a smooth touch upon them. Rose closed her eyes, as a gentle smile came upon her lips.
Jack looked down at Rose, finding her eyes closed. His thumb gently ran over her closed eyelids, and found her smile broaden at his touch. Next, his fingers went over her eyebrows, which was shaped perfectly, and smooth to the touch. He watched as her eyelids opened, revealing her emerald-blue eyes, which shimmered with love and happiness. Jack leaned his head closer, as he pressed his lips onto her smooth forehead, and moved down to her cheeks, then down to her neck, where he heard her breathing grow heavy, and felt her grip tighten around his hand, which still held hers. His free hand went down her forearm, leaving a gentle rough touch upon her skin. His lips left a trail upon her skin, as he traveled up to her ruby red lips, as he brought her into yet another kiss which grew in intensity and in love as his hand went to the back of her neck, where his fingers brushed against her curls, as their lips shared a kiss that only the two shared.
A sudden knock on the door caused for their kiss to break. Their hands still held onto each other, as their heads lifted at the door. Then, they looked into each other's eyes.
"Should we answer the door?" Jack asked, as he looked over to the door, then down at her.
"I'm not sure," Rose said, as there was another knock on the door. She looked over her shoulder, glancing at the closed door.
"Well, maybe we could see who it is, then tell that Annie's out," Jack said.
"Okay," Rose said, getting up from her seat. Jack got up as well and walked to the door, pulling it open. Mike stood outside the doorway.
"Hey, Mike," Jack said.
"What are you two doing here?" Mike asked. "I thought you lived across from here."
"We do," Jack said. "It's just that Rose came to visit Annie here, and she kind of gotten a little emotional over something, so I came to comfort her."
"Oh," Mike said, nodding his head. "Uh…is Annie around?"
"Um, no," Jack said. "She said that she was going for a walk in the park."
"Okay," Mike said, scratching his head. "Well, tell her I stopped by when she comes back."
"I will," Jack said, smiling.
"Thanks," Michael said, returning the smile, then heading back towards the staircase.
Jack closed the door and turned to face his wife, who stood in front of the sofa, her hands in front of her, as her eyes twinkled and a smile pasted on her face. Jack walked towards her and placed his hands on her forearms, leaving a tender touch upon her skin.
"Do you wanna go back to our apartment?" Jack asked, looking down at her. "Fabri is probably wondering where I headed off to."
Rose smiled as she looked up at him. "Well," Rose said, her hands going over his chest. "Maybe we should go back to our apartment. Besides, I need to freshen up. I could still feel my tearstains on my face."
Jack ran his thumb over her cheeks, feeling Rose's tender skin brush against his fingertips. "I just hope that I don't see you cry like that again. It breaks my heart to see you in tears," Jack said, his eyes boring into her own.
Rose smiled. "Don't worry," Rose said, gently caressing his chest. "I might not cry anymore. Besides, how could I cry, when I have you by my side."
A smile came across Jack's face. "Come on," Jack said, putting an arm around Rose's waist. "We shouldn't keep Fabri waiting in the parlor room forever."
Rose laughed as the two left Annie's apartment and headed towards their own.
Fabrizio has been sitting on the couch for about a half an hour, waiting for Jack to return. Getting up from the sofa, he walked towards a side table, where he found a framed black and white photograph of Jack and Rose on their wedding day. He picked up the picture frame and smiled as he found the love shining in both of their eyes. He saw Rose wear a simple, yet elegant white wedding dress, as Jack wore a tuxedo. The only time Fabrizio had actually seen Jack wear a tuxedo was when he returned from the first class dinner that he had heard Jack talk about. He could remember the way Jack talked about Rose. He remembered it as if it were yesterday.
April,13,1912
Jack walked down the staircase, returning to Third Class, after Rose had returned to her life. To the First Class life that she was born into. He walked down the corridor, until he reached a door which read G60— the cabin room that he was staying in for the remainder of the maiden voyage. His best friend, Fabrizio de Rossi, and two Swedish men were sharing the room along with him, and he knew at this time, they were sound asleep, or at least he hoped they were. Opening the door, he quietly stepped in, finding that everything was dark and quiet. He looked at the top bunk on his left, where Fabrizio lay, finding that he was on his side, and he looked at the other bunk on his left and found that the two Swedes were sound asleep. Breathing a sigh of relief, he quietly closed the door and was about to change his clothes, when he heard a voice.
"How was the dinner, Jack?" He heard a voice with a heavy Italian accent, and he stood up straight, finding that Fabrizio was awake.
"It was great," Jack said, a smile coming about his face.
"Did they 'a like you?" Fabrizio asked, his accent noticeable.
"I dunno," Jack said. "It seems like some did. Only two people didn't quite enjoy my presence."
"How about la bella Rosa?" Fabrizio asked. "Did she like you?"
Jack couldn't help but broaden his smile. "I-I'm not sure. But I know that something inside me is telling me that I like her," Jack said, pulling out the pure black suspenders that came along with the tuxedo.
"You 'a love her, don't you?" Fabrizio asked, a smile on his face. "You 'a love her more than la vita?"
Jack looked up at Fabrizio, his eyes shining in thought. Did he love Rose more than life? He had only known Rose for twenty four hours, and during those twenty four hours, he had grown to enjoy her presence. To enjoy spending time with the redheaded beauty. He saw how her eyes lit up when she talked to him and how her smile brightened her face. Out of all the women he had known, he had never felt any affection towards any, besides Rose. Rose somehow had caused for him to grow more and more in love with her. His heart was telling him something that he had not known before, nor had he ever felt before, since his parents died. His heart was telling him that he was in love with Rose. He was in love with the woman that he had rescued the night before. He felt a smile come upon his face. A smile that reflected love and realization. He knew he was in love with her and he knew he wanted to be with Rose.
"Yeah," Jack said, the smile still on his face. "I guess I do love her."
"Then why don't you 'a go and tell her?" Fabrizio asked.
"I dunno, Fabri," Jack said. "I'm not sure that she feels the same way. She's a rich girl, and I'm poor. How could she ever love me?"
"Jack," Fabrizio said. "I'm am 'a like a brother to you, no?"
"Yeah," Jack said.
"Then take mio consiglio," Fabrizio said. "Just 'a go to her and say you love her. If you no tell her now, she will never know. You want her to know, no?" With a nod from Jack's head, he continued. "Then just 'a tell her. Like my papa always say, se seguiato tu cuore, allora tu dove sapere la vita prende, or in English, if you 'a follow your heart, then you know where life takes you. Jack, tell la bella Rosa that you 'a love her, then maybe you will 'a know where life will 'a take you."
"Do you really think I should?" Jack asked, his blue eyes shining.
"S�," Fabrizio said, nodding his head. "Maybe then, you 'a might feel more better and stop wishing that you were with her, and be with her. I want you to be 'a happy. Tu è mio amico, I want 'a you to be with the one you love."
Jack smiled. "Thanks," Jack said, patting Fabrizio on his shoulder. "You really helped me there. I'll tell her tomorrow."
"Va bene," Fabrizio said, sinking down in his pillow. "Buonanotte, Jack."
"Good night, Fabri," Jack said, as he removed the tuxedo and changed into his regular clothes, setting the tuxedo neatly on the chair. He then went into his own bunk and smiled as he thought of what Fabrizio just told him. Hope was beginning to build up on him, and within minutes, he was fast asleep, with Rose dancing in his dreams.
A smile went across his face as he glanced down at the wedding photo. Fabrizio knew that Jack would follow his heart, and when he glanced at the photo, he knew that Jack had accomplished his wishes, and had actually married the woman he loved. Setting the picture frame down, he let out a saddened sigh as he slipped his hands in his pockets and walked over to the window, where he watched couples walking down the street, but neither showing any affection as Jack and Rose did. Shaking his head sadly, he went back to the couch, where he sat down and looked around the room.
"Dio mio," Fabrizio muttered. "Jack you are one lucky man."
Fabrizio heard footsteps outside the door and heard laughing. A smile came to his face when he recognized the laugh. The laugh had belonged to none other than Rose. The Rose that Jack had married. He heard the doorknob turn and within seconds, the door opened, revealing the two lovers, who had bright smiles on their faces.
"Hey Fabri," Jack said, as he allowed for Rose to go ahead of him, while he closed the door behind him.
"Ciao," Fabrizio smiled, nodding his head towards Jack.
"Hello, Fabrizio," Rose said, her hands folding in front of her, as a gentle smile came across her face.
"Ciao, la bella Rosa," Fabrizio smiled.
Rose's smile broadened. She glanced down at the lavender dress she held in her hands and slowly made her way towards the bedroom and went towards the closet, where she hung the dress back up in its place. As she did so, she closed the closet door and looked around the bedroom, finding the bed unmade. Shaking her head with a small smile on her face, she began making the bed, putting the sheets back in its place and made sure that the comforter was nicely put on the bed. Fluffing up the pillows and smoothing out the thin sheet she smiled as she finally completed her task. She then glanced around the room, making sure that everything was in its place. After finding that everything was in its place, she went back towards the parlor room, where she found Fabrizio and Jack sitting on the sofa.
"Would you two like for me to prepare you lunch?" Rose asked.
"Nah," Jack said. "I'm not hungry yet."
"S�," Fabrizio said. "I'm 'a still full from your breakfast."
"Very well, then," Rose said. She glanced up at the clock, finding that it was close to noon. "I'm going to go for a walk. Maybe the fresh air might relax my nerves."
"Would you like for me to come with you?" Jack asked, getting up.
"Um…no," Rose said. "I'd like to go alone, Jack." She saw his eyes plead, and could help but chuckle. "Jack, I'll be fine. I just want sometime to think…alone. I'll be back by one, and by then, I'll make lunch."
"Are you sure?" Jack asked, walking towards her, where he placed his hands on her forearms, his thumbs gently caressing them.
"I'm sure Jack," Rose said, a reassuring smile on her face. "I'll be fine."
"Okay," Jack said, as he pressed his lips onto her forehead. "Just be careful. You never know what might happen."
"I will," Rose said, tiptoeing to plant a kiss onto his lips. She then headed towards the front closet, where she took out a light shawl and a small purse. "I'll be back by one," Rose said, as she put the shawl behind her, as it hung on her arms. She opened the door and disappeared into the hallway.
Jack just stood there, staring at the closed door.
"Don't worry, Jack," Fabrizio said. "She will 'a be fine."
"I know," Jack said. "I'm just worried about her. The Titanic still haunts her, and I'm afraid that she might break down."
"She is 'a going to be fine, Jack," Fabrizio said. "Titanic will 'a haunt us all for the rest of our lives. We will 'a never get rid of it."
Jack nodded his head. "I know," Jack said. "It will always haunt us." Jack took a last glance at the closed door and sighed. "Well, we could just sit here and talk or whatever."
"S�," Fabrizio said, nodding his head.
Jack walked towards the couch, where he took a seat beside him, leaning his elbows on his knees and folding his hands as he dazed off into space.
Rose stepped out of the building and walked across the street, where she headed towards Central Park. She clutched her purse in her hand as she took small steps. Her fiery red hair fell down her back, as her face held a solemn expression. A few passerby's walked past her, as the men took second glanced at her, which had made her get nervous, as she held onto her purse tighter, he steps quickening. Turning the corner, she slowed down her steps and took a deep, relaxing breath. She walked with her back straight and her head up high.
Despite the fact that she hadn't lived in her old first class life for the past two months, she couldn't help but keep her mannerism that she had been taught in finishing school, nor could she let go of the elegancy in her steps as she walked. Reaching the end of the block, she took another turn and walked up a block, where she had finally reached Central Park. As she walked, the gentle breeze caused for her curls to flutter, and for her light, silk shawl to flow behind her, along with the pale green dress she wore. She walked towards one of the empty benches and took a seat, as she set her purse on her lap.
The sun was shining up in the blue cloudless sky, as birds flew over the horizon. The horizon. Something that Rose longed to see. Something that Rose hoped to see. She looked up at the sky, and closed her eyes, as she felt the soft breeze hit her face. Opening her eyes, she glanced around the park, finding couples walking together, and children playing around, and dogs chasing their owners. Something that made her body relax, seeing people enjoy themselves. Throughout her life, she was brought to expensive clothing and other various things that her mother preferred for her to have, and never had a chance to go to the park and have a stroll. Her mother probably would have despised her, and berated on how ladies don't go for strolls on the park and all the nonsense that Rose had been listening to ever since her father died. Sure, her mother was more understanding when her father was alive, but she still didn't show affection towards her whatsoever. The only time Rose had known that her mother had loved her, was on the day that they were on the Carpathia, where Jack was unconscious and where she lay beside him, waiting for him to awake from his slumber. That was the only time her mother ever embraced her. Ever worried about her in the way a mother should worry about a daughter.
Before Jack. Before Titanic. Before everything has changed, Ruth DeWitt-Bukater only cared about nothing but herself. Nothing but money and clothes and the wedding to Caledon Hockley. She has been determined for Rose to marry Cal…to marry him for his money, so they could save their name. So they could still be rich, after having to pay off her father's debts. Rose sure had proved her mother wrong when she had run off to save Jack from the sinking ship, when he had been framed by Cal for stealing the Heart of the Ocean. From the moment she saved him, she knew they were meant to be with each other. That they were made for each other. To live together for the rest of their lives, and to love each other for the rest of their days on earth. As her emerald-blue eyes gazed around at the park, she found a little girl, with caramel colored hair which went halfway down her back, with an angelic face. She looked to be about nine years old or younger. She had a light blue dress with a matching sash. She seemed to be lost, as she was searching around the park for someone. After a few minutes of watching her stand there, totally frightened, Rose got up and went towards her.
"Excuse me?" Rose asked, her voice polite, as the little girl looked up at her with tear-filled eyes. "Are you lost?"
The little girl nodded. "Y-yes," The girl sniffed. "I can't find my mommy or daddy…I'm scared!"
"Oh, I'm sure you'll find them," Rose said, watching as the little girl just stared at her, with her puffy red eyes. "I'll tell you what. I'll go and help you find them. Will that make you feel better?"
"Yes, please," The little girl said.
"That's a good little girl," Rose smiled, holding out her hand. She watched as the little girl slipped her small hand into her own. "What's your name?"
"Clara Peterson," Clara said, sniffing.
Rose took out a handkerchief from her purse and handed it to Clara.
"That's a pretty name," Rose said, smiling. "Well, Clara. My name is Rose. Rose Dawson, but please just call me Rose."
"Okay…Rose," Clara said. "That's a pretty name too…a flower!"
Rose couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, my name comes from a flower," Rose said, adored by the way Clara cheered. "How old are you?"
"I'm six!" Clara said. "I'm a BIG girl now!"
"Oh, my," Rose said, a bright smile on her face. "You are a big girl, aren't you? You seem to be a very beautiful big girl, too!"
"You are pretty too!" Clara said. "I love your red hair!"
"Oh, thank you," Rose said, crouching down. "I love your hair too. Very beautiful."
Clara smiled shyly, her tears gone. "Thank you-" Clara said, before they heard shouting.
"Clara!" A woman's voice rang through their ears. "Clara, darling, where are you!"
Rose and Clara turned at the sound of the woman's voice.
"MOMMY!" Clara shouted happily as a huge smile appeared on her face and her arms spread wide.
"Clara?" The woman called, as she searched for her daughter, until her eyes landed upon her. "Clara!" The woman ran towards her daughter, and took her in her arms, planting numerous kisses upon her face. "Oh, Clara darling, don't you ever do that to me! You nearly gave mommy a heart attack!"
"Sorry, mommy," Clara said, innocently. "I did not mean to scare you…"
"Oh, it's okay, darling," The woman said, her hands caressing her daughter's face. "As long as you're okay, mommy's going to be fine."
Rose stood up and smiled down at them, as she clutched onto her purse with both hands. The mother looked up at her, and smiled.
"Oh, I'm sorry," The woman said, getting up from kneeling down to her daughter. "I'm Ellen Peterson. I'm sorry if my daughter caused you any trouble. She just likes to run off, and gets lost occasionally. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to get a leash for this little one," Ellen said, looking down at her daughter.
Rose laughed. "No, it's fine really. She's adorable," Rose said, smiling down at Clara. "I just adore kids, and hope for my little one to be born healthy," Rose said, placing a hand over her stomach.
"You're expecting?" Ellen asked, a smile coming to her face.
Rose nodded her head. "Yes…it's due in January," Rose said, smiling.
"Well, congratulations!" Ellen said. "I suppose the father is thrilled," Ellen said, looking into Rose's eyes.
"Oh, he is," Rose said, smiling. "He's quite happy about it, actually," Rose said, her smile broadening.
"That's good," Ellen said. "Well, we better head off now. My husband is waiting for me over by the café," Ellen said, looking down at her daughter. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss…?"
"Oh, how foolish of me," Rose said. "Dawson. Rose Dawson," Rose said, extending her hand out. Ellen gave her a firm, but friendly shake.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Dawson," Ellen said. "And thank you for watching over my daughter."
"No problem," Rose said. "But do call me Rose."
"All right, then…Rose," Ellen said. "I'll be seeing you around now."
"Of course," Rose said. Rose looked down at Clara. "It was nice meeting you, Clara," Rose said, gently ruffling her caramel hair.
"Nice meeting you too, Rose!" Clara said, a bright, loving smile upon her face.
Rose couldn't help but smile as she watched Ellen and Clara walk away. She stood there, watching them disappear around the corner, as she thought of how her own child would look like. On how good of a mother she would turn out to be. Within minutes, she returned to the bench she sat on and continued to stare up at the beauty of the sky and just sitting there, thinking of how perfect her life was…on how everything turned out the way she wanted it to be. That nothing would ever ruin her relationship with Jack… or so she hoped.
A/N: Please...please!! REVIEW!!