A/N: I'm so sorry for the long delay. It's just that school is really stressful, and within a month, I'm gonna start reviewing for the regents, so I will have NO time to update...but in the summer, if I pass all my classes, I will be able to, so please bear with me...I hope you guys like this chapter...:D
Chapter Forty-Six
January,21,1913
A week had quickly passed by since the birth of Jack and Rose's son. One week old William John Dawson was sleeping soundly in his basinet, covered in a warm blue blanket with a hat placed upon his head. Rose was dressed in a dark red dress, which was velvet in texture, and whose skirt fell down to her ankles. The sleeves were long, and the front of her dress was low-cut. Her stomach was now flat, making her feel empty, for she had grown accustomed to a baby wiggling inside of her. She was packing up the belongings that Jack and Rose had owned in the apartment, for they were to move to Santa Monica in the next three hours. It was recently ten o'clock in the morning.
Jack was out, talking with Michael and Fabrizio, at a small café nearby. Jack had packed up the other belongings, only leaving the clothes to be packed, which Rose had just finished doing. Rose set the luggage by the door, as she went to the bedroom, to retrieve her son. She lifted the basinet and took it to the parlor room, where she set it on the coffee table, as she watched her son sleep. A small smile came across her face, as she reached over, slipping her forefinger into his clenched fist. He whimpered under her disturbance, but had not awakened from his slumber. A soft knock on the door had brought Rose out of her trance.
She looked over to the door, as she got up, took one glance at her son, then walked towards the door, where she opened it, revealing her mother. Ever since they had told Ruth that they would be moving, Ruth had been emotional. She had begged for Rose to stay or to bring her with them, but nothing would convince them.
"Hello, mother," Rose said, a gentle smile spread across her face.
"Rose, are you sure you want to leave?" Ruth asked, looking into her daughter's eyes. "I mean, you just have given birth to William, there, and…"
"Mother, I'm fine!" Rose reassured. "Willy is only a week old, and I promise you he'll be under good care with Jack and I. Besides, I am his mother."
"I know," Ruth said. "And I'm yours."
Rose sighed, as she stepped aside to let her mother go inside the room.
"Mother, you have to remember that I'm eighteen and married," Rose said. "I'm no longer the little girl that you thought I was. You can't control me anymore, mother. I'm independent, as is Jack and little Willy here."
"I know that, dear, but…" Ruth said, sighing. She headed towards the coffee table, where William slept in his basinet. "…I'm just going to miss you three so, so much. Especially my grandson."
"We'll, write, mother," Rose said. "And we'll visit. And sure enough, you could visit as well. It's just that, I'm getting tired of New York, and I don't want William to grow up here. I want him to grow into more of a safer environment, and California just seems fit."
"But why that far?" Ruth asked.
"Because…" Rose began, as she glanced over at her mother, who held a gloomy expression on her face. Rose let out a soft sigh. "…because that's where Jack and I have fulfilled our promises…because Jack and I have talked about it on Titanic, and that's where I feel that Jack and I will fulfill our dreams. Mother, you have to understand how important it is for us to move there. I know it's far, but…Santa Monica is the only place I could ever think of moving to. Besides, Jack had promised me on our honeymoon that we would move there, and now…he fulfilled his promise to me."
"You married a good man, Rose," Ruth said. "A good man, with a good heart. I'm just glad you haven't listened to me."
"That was the past mother," Rose said. "Let's just leave it there."
"I'll try to," Ruth said, her head hanging down.
Rose walked towards her mother, and placed a secure hand on her shoulder.
"Mother," Rose said, watching as her mother lifted her head, to gaze into her eyes. "I'll always be your daughter, no matter what happens. Please, don't think that I'm leaving you, because I'm not. There will be more times that we'll talk with each other that, I assure you, it'll feel as if we have never left."
"Where has the time gone?" Ruth asked, her eyes watering with her tears. "It seems like yesterday that I have held you in my arms, now look at you—married with a new son. I just wish I were a better mother to you before…"
"Mother…" Rose said, her throat choking from her sudden tears, as she pulled her mother into a sweet hug. "You have been a good mother to me. Even those days before I have met Jack. I know you have wanted what was best for me, but you saw the wrong ways, that's all. Otherwise, you have been a great mother."
"And you have been a great daughter, Rose," Ruth said. "I'm just going to miss you…"
"Oh, mother…" Rose hugged her mother yet again, allowing her tears to flow, as she felt her mother sob within her embrace. "I'll miss you too."
Ruth held her daughter close to her, as she placed a motherly kiss upon her cheek.
"Take care of William, here, will you?" Ruth asked. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to my beloved grandson."
"Don't worry, I will," Rose said, smiling.
"And I want to thank you for naming him after your father," Ruth added. "It was sweet of you."
"It is my pleasure, mother," Rose said. "There was something inside of me that told me that William was the perfect name for my firstborn son."
Ruth stroked Rose's cheek lovingly, as she placed a tender smile upon her face.
Just then, the door opened, as voices were heard, one of which had belonged to Jack. Rose smiled and stepped towards the door, finding Jack dressed in his casual clothes, with a smile on his face.
"Jack!" Rose said, smiling, as she went towards him, kissing him with much love and happiness. Even when he was gone for two hours, she missed him deeply.
"Mmmm…" Jack said, after they broke from their short kiss. "Missed me, didn't ya?"
"Too much…" Rose admitted.
"I was only gone for two hours, and you missed me?" Jack asked, stepping inside the room, followed by Fabrizio and Michael.
"Well, I'm in love with you," Rose said. "What can I say? And I'm sure you missed me as much as I have missed you…admit it!"
Jack chuckled and nodded. "I admit it, I have," Jack said, giving Rose a tender kiss on her forehead.
"I knew you would," Rose said, smiling sweetly, as she watched Jack head over towards the basinet.
"How's my little boy doing?" Jack asked, glancing over at the sleeping infant.
"Well, he's sound asleep," Rose said. "And let's just hope it stays that way. He kept me up all night last night."
"Awww, you could've called for me to help you," Jack said, looking over at Rose.
"I just couldn't wake you up," Rose said. "You look so adorable when you're asleep."
Jack grinned and let out a heartwarming laugh.
"So, I'm the one that's adorable, huh?" Jack asked.
"Well…only when you're asleep," Rose said.
"Mamma mia, che bel bambino!" Fabrizio said, as he looked at sleeping William. "You two are very lucky."
"Thanks, Fabri," Jack said, patting him on his back.
"I'm 'a gonna miss you," Fabrizio said, looking up at Jack. "You like a brother to me… tu sono mio fratello, no?"
"Of course we are," Jack said, a gentle smile pasted upon his face. "You're always like a brother to me."
Fabrizio held something in his hand, that had been given to him by his father, Guiseppe, before he died, and something that he had treasured since then. He had worn it when he had met Jack, and when they won the poker game, in Southampton. He had worn it on the Ship of Dreams, and held it deep inside his pockets during the dreadful sinking. It had gotten damaged, but he had taken care of that, and since then, it held more memories and more value than it had before. The item that he had held in his hand was none other than the Italian hat that he had always worn. The hat that he was proud to wear, and the hat that was always placed upon his dark head.
"Jack, I 'a have something for you," Fabrizio said, his accent thick.
"Hmmm?" Jack said, looking into Fabrizio's warm brown eyes.
Fabrizio looked down at the hat one last time, before he exposed it to Jack.
"This is 'a yours now," Fabrizio said. "I give it to you."
"Ah, no, Fabri," Jack said, shaking his head, as he looked down at the hat, then back up at him. "I couldn't take it. It belonged to your father, and besides, it's your favorite hat."
"No, no," Fabrizio said, refusing Jack's protest. "Mio papa, is in my heart—just like your mama e papa are—but, this is my gift to you…so you remember me, and keep me in your heart."
Jack's eyes filled with tears, as he looked down at the hat that was now in his hands. He knew how much Fabrizio loved this hat, and for him just to give it to him, meant more to him than anything. It was as if Fabrizio was giving him a part of himself to remember by. Jack knew, however, that he would never forget Fabrizio. He was his best friend—his brother. He was always there for him when Jack had needed him the most, and had encouraged him to go back to America.
"Fabri…" Jack said, looking over at Fabrizio. "Thank you. It means a lot, and I promise, I will never forget you."
Fabrizio smiled, and threw his arms around him, in a brotherly hug. He felt Jack return the gesture, as tears were beginning to brim at the corner of his eyes, but held them back, to stay strong and brave. He was, after all, a man.
"Addio, Jack," Fabrizio said, patting him on his back. "Take care of little bambino, e la bella Rosa."
"I will," Jack said, giving Fabrizio a brotherly pat. "And I'll remember to write."
Fabrizio smiled and nodded his head. He knew he would miss Jack, but he also knew that Jack had a life to live, and a family to take care of. He knew how much California had meant to Rose, and knew how Jack was willing to fulfill her on her wish. He knew Jack too well. After all, he had hung around him for a little more than two years. Fabrizio turned to Rose, and smiled, still amazed at her beauty. She still held that fiery glow in her hair, and the love shining in her eyes. He never failed to know just how much Rose was in love with Jack.
"Rose," Fabrizio said, stepping closer. "You are a good woman, and I know how much you love Jack. Jack loves you—he tell me lots of times, before. When we were on the ship. Before everything happen, he always tell me how much he loves you."
Rose smiled sweetly, knowing that Jack would soon be heartbroken to be separated from his best friend…a brotherly friend. She placed a gentle hand upon his cheek.
"Fabri, I'm sure that you and Angelina will have the same affection towards each other as Jack and I have," Rose said. "And I'm sure that Helga will be in your heart always, no matter what. She's watching over you, Fabri, I know it. Just as my father is watching over me."
Fabrizio nodded, his brown eyes looking down, then back up at her eyes.
"I'll 'a write to you the best I can," Fabrizio said. "Learning to write in English is hard, but Angelina is teaching me little by little. In no time, I could write you a letter."
"And I'm sure that Jack and I will be delighted to read it," Rose said, her eyes shimmering in her tears, as a broad smile was spread across her face.
"Va bene," Fabrizio said, smiling as well.
Rose smiled and leaned in, pressing her lips gently upon his cheek.
"You've been a good friend, Fabri," Rose said. "And I'm sure that someday, you'll be a good husband, and a father."
"Someday," Fabrizio said, as if he were certifying her statement.
"Well, am I gonna miss you, Rose," Michael said, standing beside her.
Rose turned her attention towards Michael, and couldn't help but smile.
"As am I," Rose said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Take care, Rose," Michael said. "Be sure that Willy is safe, and that Jack is sane. He goes crazy without you."
Rose laughed, and looked over at her husband, who was having a small chat with her mother.
"I'm sure he does," Rose said. "Just as I do when he's not around."
"Well you're both in love," Michael said. "I can't blame ya."
"Just as you and Annie are," Rose added. "When are you thinking of proposing to her?"
"Soon," Michael said. "Probably 'round next month or so. I want to find the perfect timing…like Valentine's Day."
Rose nodded her head, smiling softly.
"Just remember to invite us to your wedding," Rose added. "I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world."
"I'll be sure to," Michael said. "I'm sure Annie would love to have you there—probably as part of the wedding."
"And I'll be happy to be there," Rose said.
"Aw, come here…" Michael spread out his hands, and let Rose embrace him. He held her close, and placed a soft kiss upon her cheek. "I'm gonna miss ya, Rose."
"Me too," Rose said. "Where's Annie?"
As if on cue, the door opened, revealing Annie in an evergreen colored dress, with her soft brown curls cascading down her back. She held a saddened expression upon her face, as her soft blue eyes glanced towards Rose.
"There you are," Rose said, smiling softly, as she made her way towards Annie.
"I'm going to miss you, Rose," Annie said, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.
"So am I, Annie," Rose said, pulling her into a friendly hug. "You've been such a great friend."
"So have you," Annie said. "I'm just going to miss having you around. And I'm going to miss little Willy here."
Annie looked over at the basinet, where the young infant slept. She looked over at Jack, who smiled at her, and then returned her attention back to Rose.
"Remember that we're going to write," Rose said. "And we'll visit on various occasions."
"I know, but it still wouldn't be the same," Annie said. "You'll come, then you'll go. No difference."
Rose sighed, feeling her heartbreak at the farewell that she was making to her best friend.
"I'm sorry, Annie," Rose said. "It hurts me to leave here too, but…I always wanted to live in Santa Monica and…I'm sure you could visit as well. It'll be wonderful to have you as a guest."
"I will, Rose," Annie said. "I'll probably come visit for Easter, maybe."
"And I'll be waiting for you," Rose said. "You've been like a sister to me. A sister that I have never had, and I really appreciate having you as a friend."
Rose smiled. "Me too,"
At that moment, she heard soft whimpering coming from the basinet, so Rose turned, finding that her son was waving his fists around, as his face scrunched up and his mouth formed a wide circle, as he let out a sharp wail. He kicked his feet and moved his head around, as he cried to be picked up.
"Aw, it's okay, buddy," Jack said, bending down to lift his son from the basinet. "Daddy's here…shhh…everything is all right now."
Jack looked down at his son, and rocked him back and forth, as his crying stopped, and was now whimpering softly, looking up at Jack with wide blue eyes. Jack smiled and looked over at Rose, who was smiling brightly at him. Jack winked at her, then blew her a kiss.
Rose blew Jack a kiss as well, and smiled, as she turned her attention back to Annie.
"We'll be leaving within a half hour," Rose said. "So we could reach the train station in time."
Annie nodded her head. "I hope you three get there safely,"
"We will," Rose said. "I'm sure we will."
Rose looked over at Jack, who was cradling their son, and smiled, for she knew that her life, so far, was more than anything she had ever asked for.
A half hour came and went. Fabrizio, Michael and Jack were taking the luggage down to Michael's car, who will drive them to the train station. Rose was cradling her son, as Annie held the baby bag that had the necessities needed to care for William while they're on the train. Rose looked at her mother, then back at Annie, finding that they both held the same expression upon their faces. Rose pressed her lips together, as she glanced down at her son.
"Well, I guess we better head downstairs," Rose said, looking up. She looked over at her mother, who had tears sliding down her cheeks. "I'm going to miss both of you so, so much. Be sure to write."
"We will," Ruth said, her voice choked up from her tears. "Goodbye, Rose."
"Bye, mother," Rose said, walking towards her, giving her a one arm hug. She had done the same to Annie. "Bye, Annie."
Annie looked down at William, and smiled.
"Bye, Willy," Annie said. "Aunt Annie is going to miss you so much, you know that."
William was slowly drifting off into a light nap, as his head rested against his mother's chest.
"Bye my darling grandson," Ruth said, looking over Rose's shoulder, down at her only grandson. "I'll be missing you so much. Grandma Ruth is going to write and send you gifts, you know that, right?"
Rose smiled, and held back her tears, as she saw her mother say goodbye to her son. She knew that they would see each other again. More times than needed, probably. The door opened, as Jack peeked his head in.
"Are you ready, Rose?" Jack asked, looking over at her, then at Annie and Ruth.
"Yes, Jack," Rose said, looking down at her son, and wrapping the blanket tightly around him, since it was chilly outside. She also took a blanket from the baby bag and placed it over her son, so he wouldn't be too cold. Besides, he was one week old.
Rose walked towards Jack, who had placed an arm over her shoulder, leading her out of the apartment for good. Annie and Ruth followed right behind them, as they headed down the stairs, and out of the apartment. They greeted the chilled breeze, and Rose clutched onto her son, pressing him gently towards her chest, as Jack took her to the car, where he opened the backseat, letting Rose slide in first. Annie and Ruth stood by the front entrance of the building, hugging themselves from the cold of the wind. Rose waved to them from inside the car, as she watched Jack step into the car. Fabrizio sat on the front seat, beside Michael, who started the car. Jack pulled the door closed, and looked out the window, at his mother-in-law and at Annie, who waved to them, tears spilling down their cheeks. Jack waved back, having a small smile spread across his face. Just then, Michael pulled of the curb, and drove off to the train station, leaving Annie and Ruth to stand there, until the car disappeared from their sight.
Minutes later, they had reached the train station, and Jack opened the door, helping Rose out. Rose gripped onto William, as she stepped on the sidewalk, while she turned, waiting for Jack to stand beside her. Fabrizio and Michael stepped out of the car as well, heading to the trunk of the car, to retrieve the luggage. Jack carried two valises, while he nodded his head towards the door, where Rose went inside the train station, followed by Jack, Fabrizio, and Michael. Rose found that the train station was filled with passengers who were waiting to board the train that would take them westward.
There was a man pushing a luggage cart, and he stopped in front of the four.
"Would you like for me to put your luggage on the train?" The man asked.
"Sure," Jack said, handing the man the two valises he held, as did Michael and Fabrizio.
"Thank you," The man said. "Name?"
"Dawson," Jack said, nodding his head.
The man scribbled down his name on a piece of paper and placed it on top of the valise's that had belonged to them. He then pushed the cart towards another passenger.
Jack had his arm around rose's waist, as they heard a loud whistle coming from the upcoming train. His hair flipped and flapped from the wind, as the train finally came to a halt, while the passengers who were aboard it disembarked.
Rose had her hand over William's ear, to muffle out the loud noise, and leaned against Jack, to be protected by the arms of the man she loves. She felt someone place their hand upon her shoulder, and Rose looked over, finding that Fabrizio was smiling sweetly at her.
"Be safe, la bella Rosa," Fabrizio said, pulling out his handkerchief, and ran it over his eyes, wiping the sudden tears that had managed to escape his brown eyes. "And take 'a care of little William here. He deserves love from you."
Rose smiled. "Thank you," Rose said, softly. "And I know he deserves all the love he could get. Especially with a father like Jack."
"Arriverderci, Rose," Fabrizio said.
"Goodbye, Fabri," Rose said, tears glistening over her eyes. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too," Fabrizio said.
Fabrizio gave Rose a tender hug, as he placed a friendly kiss upon her cheek.
Rose smiled and looked over at Jack. She watched as Fabrizio walked towards him, to say a final farewell. Rose moved away a bit, to give them their privacy, so they could say their goodbye's.
Michael walked towards Rose, his hands in his pockets.
"Guess this is goodbye, huh?" Michael said, looking over at Rose.
"Guess so," Rose said. "But remember that we'll always write."
"And so will I," Michael said.
Michael gave Rose a gentle hug, and looked down at the bundle in her arms.
"Uncle Mike is gonna miss you, buddy," Michael said, running his hand over William's gentle blonde hair. He bent down and placed a kiss upon his forehead. "Be good to your mother. She's a wonderful woman."
Rose smiled, and looked over at Jack, who was smiling tenderly at her. Just then, the whistle blew, indicating that the passengers should board, so Rose took one last look at Michael and Fabrizio, before she rushed off to Jack's side, who had placed a secure arm around her shoulder, as he helped Rose onto the train, pulling himself up right behind her. He turned, and waved to his friends, with a smile pasted on his face.
Rose went inside their assigned cabin, and sat down on the bed to the left. She looked down at William, with a motherly smile upon her face. He squirmed under her arms, and was beginning to whimper. Rose knew that he was hungry, so she pulled down the sleeve of her dress, and exposed a bulged breast, as her son drank up the milk provided. She looked down at her son, and smiled sweetly. She looked up over the window, finding that Fabrizio and Michael were waving, and she smiled.
Jack went inside the train, and went into the cabin that was assigned to them, and pulled open the door, finding that Rose was breastfeeding their son. A content smile came across his face, as he closed the door behind him, and looked out the window, giving Fabrizio and Michael a final wave, before the warning whistle blew, where minutes later, the train began moving. Jack continued to wave to his good friends, until they were out of sight, and once they were, Jack looked over at Rose and his son, and sat beside her.
He looked down at his son, and smiled, as he found that being a father was something that meant as much to him as being a husband to the woman he loved. As the train sped through the tracks, he gave Rose a kiss upon her cheek, as he walked over to his bed, at the opposite side, and pulled out his portfolio from the bag that he had carried for Rose. He opened the cover of the portfolio, and turned to a clean sheet of paper, as he pulled out a piece of lead pencil, and began to draw Rose nursing their son.
Fabrizio watched as the train moved away from the station, and he felt a piece of his heart break, for he knew that he probably would not see Jack for awhile. Jack was indeed, like a brother to him, and as he watched him move away from him, he felt his whole life change. He pulled out the handkerchief that was tucked inside his pocket, and dabbed at his eyes, wiping away the sudden tears that were brimming at the corner of his eyes. He sniffed, and placed the handkerchief back into his pocket. He knew Jack and Rose would live a happy life together, in Santa Monica, and maybe someday, he would move to Santa Monica as well. Someday.
He turned to Michael, who just gave him a smile, and patted him on his back.
"Don't worry, buddy," Michael said, placing a hand in his pocket. "He'll be all right. I'm sure of that."
"I know…" Fabrizio said, giving him a content smile. "I am 'a sure he is. He's a good man, and la bella Rosa loves him…a lot."
"He sure does," Michael said. "Why don't we go back, huh? I'm sure Angelina misses you already."
"I miss her too…" Fabrizio said, and with that, the two left, keeping the three Dawson's in their hearts, and hoping that someday, in the near future, that they would visit.
A/N: Review!