Chapter twenty-five:

Taking Jack's hand within her own to walk the corridors of the Titanic, where prying eyes were all over her to see felt rather exhilarating. Despite the current state of the ship. Despite the uncertainty of the future of everything else, the only thing which seemed to matter was Jack Dawson. Not just because what had transpired between them both but because of the goodness which she had discovered laid purely within his heart. Despite his pain; he was still coming with her to face Ruth.

Reaching the stateroom at B-52, the walls around Rose seemed to have closed in, slowly suffocating her as soon as she had stepped foot inside her own quarters. She felt as though she was a different woman. Damn, she was a different woman. She was a woman. Jack had taken her senses and divided them a million different ways yet they all seemed to come back together to create the one feeling which was all encompassing. The stateroom felt different, like a cage to her now, more than ever. It was as though she had once been kept there as a pet of some kind, now she had tasted the wild, it was hard to come back to the shelter. She craved Jack's open space of a life, the very one which he had described to her before leaving his own stateroom.

The sitting room was empty. Just hours earlier, Jack had drawn her, there, naked. Her cheeks flushed as the thoughts came to her and Jack seemed to take note, squeezing her hands to break her reverie and causing Rose to question that perhaps returning here wasn't a good idea. Her Mother could have gone to the lifeboats already, although something told Rose that wouldn't be the case.

''How is it such a circus below decks, outside people are about to evacuate the ship and yet, here, in the centre of the universe it is almost quite the norm.''

"Isn't that what society is, how they pretend to welcome change and despise it, too."

"Will you, despite the change with us?"

Jack was about to respond until Ruth DeWitt Bukater emerged, her skirts swishing at her feet until she stopped abruptly at the sight of her daughter, entwining her fingers ever so tightly about the man who she quite clearly loathed. Rose's heart calmed as she met her gaze.

''Hello, mother.''

Ruth tilted her chin upwards, not removing her eyes from Jack.

''I came to see you.''

Ruth nodded. ''I see.''

Silence fell between them almost as though they were strangers and not mother and daughter. ''I hear that we are in the middle of some sort of emergency and was about to attend the commotion.''

Rose stiffened.

''I shall wait in the corridor.'' Jack quietly smiled, sensing that the two needed time to speak alone. As soon as her hand was not within his, there was a frightful cold which overcame her but the steely determination remained. Once Jack had clicked the door closed, Rose turned to her mother, feeling every single scrutinising second and she was suddenly back beneath the microscope of her mothers eyes.

''I see that you are in a race to the very bottom.'' Ruth started, ''entangling yourself with a man like Mr. Dawson is foolish.''

''For you, not me, mother.''

''Mr. Hockley has already informed me that you have ended your engagement, without a single care in the world for me, perhaps the one who would suffer the most in your endeavours of seeking a love match with a man who barely has any credibility."

Ruth never said anything further of the drawing and so Rose remained quiet of the matter. Perhaps Cal would keep that little secret for himself.

''Yes, perhaps, but with me engaged to any person but Mr. Dawson, I should be the one who suffered the most, but I assume that was never thought of during my engagement to Mr. Hockley.''

''Rose, you were brought into this world, born into the most prominent families of Pennsylvania, that should set you up to wish to think highly of yourself.'' Ruth sharply eyed her daughter. ''To marry any other would assert your fall from grace.''

Calmly, Rose placed her hands within her lap as she took the weight from her legs upon the divan. The hues of pink within her dress, with stitched roses and lilies were a distraction from the rising anxiety which threatened to wreck her body. She kept her breathing at a steady pace, knowing that rising above it would be the better option. Many times, Rose's temper had caused her to become heed to a slipper from her father, or a strike across the cheek from her mother.

''It would harm your situation.''

''What situation would that be?''

''Oh, Rose, do not play the innocent.'' Ruth shook her head.

''I have come here, as a woman to try to reason with her mother, but it appears that you are beyond that.''

''There is no reasoning. You shall marry Mr. Hockley, if he sees willing to still seek you as his wife. God knows it wouldn't be surprising if he didn't, don't keep up this stupid farce which you and Mr. Dawson seem to have created between the two of you."

''Oh?'' Rose raised her chin. ''I see. It is a façade you believe?''

Ruth exhaled, calmly, about to go to collect a nearby purse when Rose stood from the divan couch. ''I will not marry Caledon Hockley, nor will I ever allow him to be near me again. He has nothing to offer to me, personally. He may have money to offer to you, for protection but I require none of it."

After hearing her mother's brain digest that information, Rose found the inner strength. The fear which had once flitted in the pit of her stomach was gone. When she watched her mother's lips part in such shock, she raised her chin, saying the words which she had wanted to speak aloud for what felt like an eternity. ''I am to marry Jack Dawson.''

Ruth leaned forward; her mouth still agape.

''Have you gone mad?''

''Perhaps so.''

''You will do no such thing. He hasn't even made his attentions made to me and nor would I accept them.'' The fury in Ruth's eyes flared. There had been no discussion, following the introduction of Rose to Society via her cotillion last year, it was obvious that only Mr. Hockley would be the one to solve their problems. To marry. Mr. Hockley had made his attentions clear to Ruth and she had accepted them, relaying them the next day to her daughter.

Now, of Jack Dawson. There was no attachment. They had danced together once and Ruth had been informed of his blood line and lack of prominence. What did he have to offer her? Yes, he had money, apparently, inherited. There was nothing else aside from the queer desire that he had to live as a gypsy.

''He has to me, and I have accepted them fully.''

Ruth placed her hands to her chest, clasping them together as though she tried to make some sense of these turns of events.

''Good Lord, you haven't?''

''Yes. My word is final.''

''You've gone utterly mad. There is no other explanation for it.'' Ruth shook her head. ''You stupid fool. You are promised to Caledon Hockley to marry him in May, the entire wedding is planned, booked.''

''No, mother. I never was. Not in my heart. For he is very little more than a bully. He is responsible for much more than you will ever know. He placed his hands upon me once, by striking my face, and he will never do so again for if he does, I will chop off his fingers one by one.''

''Rose!'' Ruth choked back a sob. Her daughter's vile demeanour was frightening. She pulled back quickly and as she got to her feet; she clasped her hand across her mouth. The notion of standing upon a burning, sinking ship was now long behind them both.

''I have been afraid for so long.'' Rose softened, sensing how upset her mother was. ''I truly believed that my father's debt would hold us forever in societies shadow. I feared that we would never truly be accepted but now, I find that I care not.''

''So, you wish to live on the streets like some animal?'' Ruth despaired.

''If I was happy, then yes.''

''Jack Dawson is not a man of fine social standing. He comes from common stock, those who were-'' Ruth stopped the words tumbling out of her mouth and clamped her mouth shut. Her anger had almost caused her to speak in a manner to her daughter which she would never dare.

''Who were what? What does it matter?''

Ruth turned on her heel to look at Rose.

''Cal has been good to us.''

''Yes, mother.'' Rose raised both of her hands to stop her mother from talking. ''That came at a price.''

''Yes, he spent money on you, on us, gave us luxurious things.''

''Using his father's name of credit.'' Rose cried. ''You have always called me naïve and yet, you refuse to believe the truth when it so plainly stares at you in the face. My father left us in nothing but debt, remember that, now what if that same fate fell to me, too? Once Cal had squandered away the rest of his father's money.''

Rose saw the stress fall upon to her mother, as though the weight of the world was coming atop her just as it had done the day her husband's debtors had eaten away at her. She stumbled back to her chair in the most unladylike manner which Rose had ever been witness to. The world was tumbling down on her once more and she couldn't see in a straight line at all.

''And, you believe the man who has promised you what? Love?''

''No, mother, he promised me nothing. If I am to marry for convenience then I should like to be convenient to me."

''You will be shunned from society. Doors will be slammed in your faces. You cannot live in the city.'' Ruth warned, her voice as sharp as a blade.

''Well, so be it. Perhaps, a country life would suit me. I should like a houseful of children and livestock."

''Idiotic.'' Ruth scoffed. ''Ludicrous. You shall be left with a dozen mouths to feed, very little figure left and no money. He will take what he wants and then leave you with nothing. Mark my words.''

''No, perhaps you should listen to me, just for once.'' Rose warned as she exhaled. ''I love you, mother. I understand the reasons why you were auctioning my hand to the highest bidder. Jack even insisted on paying the creditors' if he is able to.''

Ruth pitifully laughed. ''How mighty of him.''

Their talk was interrupted as the door clicked and then creaked open and paused on the threshold stood Jack. His eyes swept across Rose immediately and despite the breath been stole from her lungs, she managed a small smile. It seemed to have taken all of her might to remain seated at that moment and not run to him.

''I need to remind you that we have to move, for the both of you, it is unsafe for you to remain aboard for much longer.''

''We are finished.'' Rose told him, quickly. Their eyes meeting in a knowing look. What had transpired between them the evening before had quickly come back to them both. Just to be in the same room was stiflingly intense for the other, especially with the need to restrain themselves before her mother.

''I would have waited but I believe I had heard quite enough."

''You were listening into a private conversation?''

''Again, forgive me, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater.'

Ruth couldn't scold. She hadn't the will. Her face fell into her hands. She was exhausted and far beyond been able to comprehend the events of the early morning. ''Lord, help me.'' She prayed through her frustrations.

''Mrs. DeWitt Bukater, it is you whom I wish to address.''

''If you want my blessing then don't hold your breath.''

Jack stepped forward. He placed his steady hand at the back of Rose's coat. His finger tenderly tickled the nape of her neck and she held in a gasp. Never had she been touched like that in a formal setting. All rules seemed to be broken with just that one action. Broken and shattered to pieces and all she felt like doing was turning to him, seek his gaze and allow his intensity to seep through her.

Jack knew of Ruth's stubborn nature, but he continued on anyway. ''I might not have your blessing, ma'am. I may not have the qualities you feel would suit your daughter. I am never quite to be Mr. Hockley but for that I am grateful. Rose will never want for nothing. I will give her everything which she will ever need whether that requires money or not, for I have both.''

Slowly, Ruth removed her trembling hands from her face. Jack addressed her directly. His stance was tall and proud. He was not a man to be regarded in a foolish manner, she knew that much. He was handsome, his eyes soft and pleading. She raised her chin, feeling the tension there in her neck. She recognised that doe eye looks of her daughter, it was the look of most young girls as they watched the men, they believed to fall in love with them.

''I wasn't raised blind, Mr. Dawson. I know what notion of fairy tales handsome men give to the ladies of society. I know how it ends.''

''Is that so?'' Jack's lopsided grin infuriated Ruth. It was as though he held a secret to which she would never know. "May I ask you to speak with Mr. Hockley in regards to his finances, see what tale is spun."

"That is a vulgar topic to even consider discussing, especially with a—."

Rose placed her hand in the air for her Mother to cease speaking. She did so at once. Ruth was silent. Her eyes wide with unexpected surprise. Glancing between both her daughter and the man beside her, she felt the anger which was once raging with her stomach diminish little by little when instead it should have raged beyond meaning.

''I have never been spoken to by anyone the way you have spoken to me today.''

''Well, it is the only way of which one will listen to their daughter.'' Rose offered in return.

Jack remained quiet. His hand didn't move from Rose's shoulder. His offer of strength was there for her to draw from. He knew he would never have full acceptance of his love for Rose, but coming to some civil agreement would help all parties immensely.

''What do you believe Mr. Dawson could offer you that Cal couldn't?"

''Love.'' The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them. Her hand came to her face, she turned to Jack, silently pleading for forgiveness but he shook his head to dismiss it, instead he took her right hand in his left and gently squeezed the worry away.

''Love? You have known each other a mere week,"

''My affections.'' Jack told her, quietly. It was time that people knew the truth. There maybe feelings of love stirring within the pits of his stomach but he wasn't about to tell that to the Devil before he shared it with her daughter. ''Mr. Hockley seems to be a man devout of them.'' Jack watched as some sort of realisation settled in. ''You see, I have been acquainted with the family for some time and know that Mr. Nathan Hockley appears to have run up debts of up to twenty five thousand. I have been aware of this for many years, his business has struggled for some time and there's been pressure on Cal to marry a prominent name for some time. Both father and son are known to gamble away their fortune and what money they have made has been cleverly used."

Ruth blinked several times. The words of which he spoke were surreal and yet, seemed to be so real. She was silent, sensing there was more to come and patiently waited for his continuing converse.

''I tried to stay away from your daughter, due to my rivalry with Hockley, but once my attention was brought to the fact that he was to marry her, I had to make sure that was all right. It just happens, that in the process of it all, I feel more for her than I have known I could.''

The sincerity in his voice in contrast to the broad-shouldered man who spoke the words was startling. Ruth wet her lips and considered taking a sip of her cold tea but she knew better of it. His stance was straight backed, his composition calm. His person was steady and unnerving. He held no evidence of been a man other than who he stated indeed who he was. The thought of this entire charade possibly been true had crossed Ruth's mind more than once already. The whole situation was one which was unbelievable. What man, of Dawson's handsomeness would want her daughter for anything other than his own pleasures?

Rose felt him squeeze her hand tighter and in return she felt the butterflies take flight within her stomach. He stood beside her, with her, tall and proud of his feelings and his past. That was something worth commending.

''Your daughter has brought me such joy, that I haven't known ever existed."

Ruth snatched her breath for a moment, pausing as she examined his face. The sincerity frightened her. The pains in her head were tormenting her endlessly pulling at her brain as she tried to process titbits of the conversation. It was hard to hear any of it. Her pride had suffered already and now, as a woman exposed to a near stranger, she felt fragile as well.

''I appreciate you enlightening me on what you believe to be the situation. However, I find it very difficult for Nathan Hockley to be anything but credible. His reputation is as shining as his son and I shall forever be in his debt.''

Ruth studied them both for a moment, before taking stance on her rocky legs.

''Mother?'' Rose stood with her, as society called for it. Suddenly, her mother was pale, perhaps tired and she nursed her head frequently.

''I need to go on decks.'' She told Rose quickly, glancing between the two of them. ''I suggest the same for you, Rose. You look beyond exhausted and this morning has been too much."

''Yes.'' She nodded in agreement. It was true. "I hear the ship could founder."

''Oh, nonsense, we shall be back aboard by breakfast and I shall be reporting this, disruption to the White Star Line.''

''Will you not take any luxuries with you?''

''For Heaven's sake, no.''

Ruth paused on the threshold of the door, clutching her hands tightly to her chest and for the first time ever, she looked much older than her forty years. Decades older.

''At dinner this evening, I expect you to be there. While you still will reside under my roof, you are to accompany me. Your absence last night caused a stir already.''

Rose nodded, slowly. ''Yes, mother."

Ruth left, with Rose bewildered. Parting her dry lips, the world seemed to spin before she could speak.

''She believes none of this. It is almost as though she feels we will all wake aboard the ship and take breakfast together like we would each morning.''

''I fear she is very much in shock.'' Jack winced, his pain throbbing and Rose had to shake her head in order to process the affects of the evening.

''I fear that I am, too."

With Ruth, I just wanted her to be completely dazed and in shock of everything which happened about her. The fire and then learning of her daughter leaving with Jack just kicked her into some sort of unknown mindstate and I wanted to convey that in how she just expects them all back on the ship by morning (like many passengers did) and expects everything to rectify itself.