Chapter Fifty-Three
May 10th, 1914
New York City, New York
And just like that, time moved on for Jack and Rose. Nothing ever came about with their encounter with the past. Nothing ever appeared in their mailbox. Nothing was ever printed in the newspaper. And nobody showed up on their door step. Life returned to normal. Rose marked day after day off the calendar hanging above her desk. New York City was swelling with warmth as they reached the cusp of summer. The days were full of cerulean blue skies, few clouds, and stuffy heat. Most days, not even the windows open created enough of a draft for Rose. But still, she worked diligently over her typewriter, eager to finish her story. The days drawing near to completion were coming and it sent tingles down her spine just to think about. She figured the story would be finished for final review by mid-June.
Rose had a meeting with Thomas that day in Manhattan. It was nothing formal and did not require the presence of Tim. She had spent the past four days re-typing the new chunk she wanted to present to Thomas for critiques. That morning, she was hunched over the island, using parcel string to tie it together delicately. She was intently focused on getting the knot just right. Jack turned from the coffee maker, placing two ready-to-drink mugs on the counter. He grinned as he watched Rose, her hair piled messily atop her head.
"You know, he's just gonna cut it off when you give it to him," Jack teased, taking a sip of his coffee.
Rose lifted her eyes, brushing a stray curl from her face, "We delicately wrap birthday presents just for them to be ripped open, too."
"Touché," Jack lifted his mug towards her.
Rose fidgeted with the string for a few beats more before sighing and reaching for her own coffee, "There. I think that looks alright. Now I just need to brush my hair and change and I'll look as good as that knot."
"You could walk in to my office just like that and I'd be blown away," Jack grinned boyishly.
Rose rolled her eyes, her smile never wavering, "Oh, if only you were my agent."
"Well, you'll do great today. You already have them eatin' out of your hand and you're not even making them money yet. I wish I could go with you, but Frenchie and I have two commissions to deliver today. One is all the way in New Jersey."
"Will you be back by dinner?" Rose asked, drinking her coffee and peering with her big green eyes over the mug at him.
"I don't know what time I'll be back," Jack shrugged, "How about I pick something up on the way home? I don't want you cooking something and letting it get cold."
"Would you take mercy on us and get a pizza?" Rose smiled sweetly, pressing her hand to her belly. Jack nearly melted at the sight.
"Of course," Jack stepped closer to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. He leaned in to her face, his lips hovering inches from her's, "I'm sure it's what Violet would want, too."
Rose let out a light airy laugh, shaking her head and brushing her curls against him, "It's James, you idiot," She said, before pressing her lips to his.
...
Manhattan, New York
As summer began to wane on, so did the family vacations. The train was much more cramped than Rose remembered, but luckily, a kind gentleman had offered his seat to her. It was stifling warm the entire way out and Rose's cheeks grew red. She resigned to putting her hair into a bun to prevent it from sticking to the back of her neck. She was swept off the train as many people got off at the same station as her. She nearly had to squeeze past everyone to get by on the street and it only made her feel large and insecure with her jutting belly leading the way.
Once she got into the cool lobby, she decided to seat herself and cool down. The receptionist kindly brought her a glass of water and Rose thanked her as she fanned herself, hoping to lose some color from her face before the meeting. After about a ten minute break, she felt rather refreshed and she took the elevator to the top floor. When the attendant slid the gold gate back, Rose was greeted by the usual loud, boisterous, and turbulent publishing office. The buzzing of typewriters, the sound of people's voices, the thunk of leather sole shoes to the thin carpeted floor. Rose was directed towards the usual meeting room, the one with the beautiful view of Manhattan. She let herself in and was content to know she'd be only for the next ten minutes.
Rose took her time arranging her things on the tables before she crossed to the window to take in the beautiful view. There were many small ant-like figures bobbing past on the streets. Even lots of cars and carts that day. She knew most of the crowd was probably flocking towards the direction of the river. Some may have even been boarding the train for the trip out to Coney Island. It was so beautiful out, it was the perfect day for an excursion. Rose grinned to herself as she considered the future of Jack's excursions with their little human in tow.
The door of the conference room opened and she was surprised Thomas was so early from his last meeting. She turned to greet him but stopped abruptly in place as she saw Tim closing the door and smoothing his tie. He gazed across the room at Rose, seemingly frozen in spot as well.
"Tim, what are you doing here?" Rose asked softly, "I thought it was agreed I could do this meeting on my own."
"It was," Tim nodded, slowly coming further into the room. He set his briefcase down on the ground and placed his hands on his hips, drawing his coat backwards, "I just... I wanted to see you."
"Why's that?" Rose tucked a curl behind her ear, "Was there something you needed to tell me?"
Tim licked his lips and sighed, lowering his eyes for a moment, "No, nothing like that."
"Then... why are you here?" Rose asked again, "You didn't come all the way to Manhattan without a cause."
Tim was quiet for a few beats, shaking his head, "I've missed you, Rose."
"Tim, please," Rose said, "my meeting is due to start any minute."
"I know and I'm sorry," Tim crossed towards Rose, "I can't just keep it bottled up inside me, Rose. I have to see you as often as I can. It's the only way I can feel better."
"I guess I just don't get it," Rose lifted her eyes to Tim's, "After everything, Tim... You still want me? You could have anybody in the world."
"I don't wany anybody else in this world," Tim told her.
"You know where this conversation leads to," Rose replied.
"I know," Tim sighed, "I just can't stop myself from wondering what would have been between us..."
"Like, if you had never taken me to that art show?" She whispered.
"Rose," Tim lifted his soft hand to gently cusp her cheek. She felt her heartbeat spike at his touch, "I understand and I respect your past. I know why things are the way they are to you. I know what you've been through. I see where you want to go. There's nothing more I want to see than you getting all things you want and deserved. I want to be there with you, every step of the way. I've never felt this passionate about anything or anyone ever before. And I'd be stupid to let it pass by me. You asked me once if we only ever got one shot at love. I'm starting to think we do, Rose."
"Do you think... fate is really that cruel?" Rose asked softly, her eyes glassy in the afternoon sunlight, "That it would only give us one shot in our entire lifetime, yet damn you to someone whose one shot... doesn't align with yours?"
"But I've never felt so sure about anything in my entire life," Tim whispered huskily, "The people of your past, the ones who had you trapped, I won't let them get to you anymore."
Rose's head throbbed as she suffered a wave of déjá vu.
"I don't care about what's happened, Rose, I don't," Tim insisted, stroking her cheek with his thumb, "I accept you in your entirely. I'll love you in your entirety."
"Tim, no," Rose said as firmly as she could, blinking away any tears stinging her eyes. She gripped his wrist, lowering his hand from her cheek, "I love Jack. If this baby I'm carrying or this ring on my finger isn't enough to convince you of that, I don't know what will. We can't change what happened in the past, no matter how much we want to."
"You are the most amazing woman I know," Tim told her.
"Find someone even more amazing, then," Rose said.
"I don't think I could. Even if I tried."
Rose shook her head, lowering her eyes. Gently, Tim brushed his fingers along her chin, making her tilt her head up. His lips mets her's. It wasn't forceful by any means. That sort of action did not exist in Tim's muscle memory. The kiss was shortlived, but Tim relished in every moment of it. As Rose pulled away, the conference door opened again and Thomas entered with his normal large grin.
"Sorry to keep you waitin'," His loud voice boomed as he carelessly kicked the door closed behind him. Rose held steady eye contact with Tim for a moment before she brushed past him, coming along the back of her seat and resting her hands on it, "Tim, I didn't know you were coming. Glad to have you, partner. I'm afraid it won't be a long meeting and it certainly won't be logistical. Sorry you felt like you had to come all the way up here, but Rose and I are just havin' a short chat. I see a pretty large parcel for me on the table!" Thomas smiled and pulled a seat out for himself, lowering down into it. Rose put on a grin herself and also joined Thomas at the table. Tim lingered for a moment, staring out the window. He felt totally gutted, but after a moment, his involuntary lawyer-self came through. He presented himself with a smile and sunk down into a chair beside Rose.
...
New York City, New York
Frenchie had ordered for a cart with two large horses to help with the deliveries. When Jack arrived, the two men loaded up the large paintings and draped them in quilts to prevent dust and elements from harming them. Jack sat on the back of the cart, his legs swinging back and forth. Frenchie clapped his hands together.
"So, I have good news for you," Frenchie said, putting his hands on his hips.
"Oh, what's that?" Jack asked, cocking his eyebrows up.
"There's some new office building being built on the north side of town. I guess they heard about us through some other channels and they would like us to paint a few scenic scenes to hang in their office," Frenchie told him.
"Hey, that's awesome," Jack grinned.
"But the bad news is, the big hot-shot who owns the place is apparently in charge of all aspects of the building. It's already taken awhile to finish the building itself due to the owner being rather flighty. He takes lots of excursions and is gone weeks on end on vacation. Yet he insists he gets the final word and OK's everything. I have to have a meeting with him to secure the contract," Frenchie explained, "And he sprung it on me yesterday that the only day he can meet is today."
"So... I have to take this cart and the paintings all the way to New Jersey by myself?"
"No, that would be dastardly lonely," Frenchie shook his head, "Iris offered to accompany you."
"Well, that will be fine," Jack shrugged, "It was gonna be our first road trip together, Frenchie. Really would have bonded us as brothers."
Frenchie laughed at this, "I think we've already crossed that bridge, Jack."
"Alright," Jack hopped down from the cart and stretched for a moment, "let's go get Iris. We need to get a move on. I have to get back before the pizza parlors close."
...
Once Jack and Iris got out of the city with the cart, they felt they could finally sit back and relax. They hadn't considered just how slow a carrt was and surely annoyed many car drivers on the road. Especially when they glanced over their shoulder to see the long line behind them, slowly creeping along, almost like a funeral procession. The large wooden wheels rumbled over the dirt path lined with trees, as Jack and Iris headed south, in the direction of New Jersey.
They found themselves rather bored after just an hour on the road. They both had their feet kicked up on the reign holder, gazing around at nothing in particular. Jack looked to the tall pine trees waving in the summer breeze. Occasionally, squirrels emerged from the bristles and leapt to another tree. Iris bored counted the amount of large smooth stones she saw. Her eyes hopped boulder to boulder, pertruding from the uneven earth just off the flattened path. She blew a whisp of hair from her face and tilted her head back, her cheeks flushing in the bright sunlight.
"How many hours was this trip again?" Iris asked, closing her eyes and focusing on the warmth radiating against her skin.
"I think five... maybe closer to six," Jack shrugged, allowing the reigns to dangle between his legs, "At the pace we're goin', I reckon six."
"And tell me why Frenchie didn't rent something with an engine in it," Iris grinned.
"Well, honestly, we probably wouldn't be able to get these paintings into a car," Jack replied, glancing towards the sunbathing Iris, "And it was probably way too expensive to rent a car, anyway. This is fine, though. This is how our ancestors did it."
"I could get out and walk faster than this."
"You're more than welcome to, if you wanna stretch your legs," Jack laughed, looking towards the path unfurling in front of them, "Looks like we're heading into some shade. That's good. I don't want to return you to Frenchie lookin' like a tomato."
Iris' cheeks had already grown rosy and she looked to Jack with a mockingly offended expression. Sure enough, the tree branches began to reach over the road, banding together to create a thick canopy, shading the path with only few slivers of light making it through. Even with the division of the unkept road, the forest would not allow itself to be parted from each other. The shade was a relief to the two, who hadn't realized how warm they were beneath the open sun. Jack took the time to roll the sleeves of shirt and undid his top button. Iris pinned her hair up above the nape of her neck. Again, they fell into silence, each gazing different directions into the densely grown forest.
"Oh, look, a deer," Jack nudged Iris, pointing to his left. Iris looked to where he gestured and sure enough, scampering among the shrubs, bushes, and bulging tree branches, was indeed a willowly deer. It zig-zagged between the trees rather gracefully, before disappearing behind a thicket. Jack grinned and glanced towards the horses for a moment, "It's amazing that just an hour north, it's the concrete jungle of New York City. But if you take a little time to get away from that, you find yourself in a natural world."
"People would rather go to the cinemas or beaches," Iris shrugged, settling back against the bench seat they shared, "They think seeing it in through a picture is the same thing as experiencing it. Sometimes I wonder if we are too reliant on the new technology we've created."
"So, it's probably a good thing we didn't rent something with an engine, huh?" Jack smiled. Iris sneaked a smirk at him before looking towards the end of the canopy of shade, "Where I grew up, nature like this was the only entertainment we could find."
"While you were skipping pebbles across the lake, I was attending carnivals on beach piers," Iris chuckled at the thought.
"Hey, I turned out alright even with a childhood like mine," Jack laughed openly, steering the horses to recenter the cart on the path. They rolled over a dip in the road, making them both shudder on the bench seat, "I didn't even see my first ferris wheel until I was eighteen years old and found myself in California."
"Eighteen years old! You poor deprived child," Iris teased, "The first time I rode a ferris wheel was when I was five years old. I remember being so scared. It was huge! Momma and Frenchie decided to stay on the pier and said they would wave to me and Papa from the top. When we finally got all the way up, it was just so amazing to look out from the carriage. I could see the entirety of the carnival and it was the most I'd ever seen of New York City at one time. Papa was pointing so many things out to me, I can't even remember what he was showing me. It was amazing and stuck with me for the longest time."
"Those are the good memories to hold onto," Jack nodded, squinting as they emerged from the shade and back into the blinding sunlight. Iris looked out into a clearing in the wood, watching the light stream through the foliage.
"You know," Iris lowered her eyes for a moment, listening to the cart rumble, "I never really got to tell you thank you."
"For what?" Jack furrowed his brow, turning the reigns with a curve in the road, "I haven't done anything."
"I keep thinking about my stupid rash decision I made back in February."
"None of that matters," Jack shook his head, "You didn't go."
"Right. But I keep thinking about how you were so determined to not give up on me," Iris said, staring forward, "That no matter how much attitude or push-back I gave you, you never once threw in the towel or got at all exasperated with me."
"Iris, I'm not the one who stopped you that day," Jack lowered the reigns and looked to his companion as they went over a bump in the path, "You did."
"Only because I could hear your every word echoing through my mind," Iris replied, "If you hadn't talked to me... maybe I would have gotten on that ship. But because of what you said, I stayed. And just to think... if I had..." She shook her head and lowered her eyes, "Frenchie would have been all alone to deal with our mother's passing," She now looked to Jack's bright blue eyes, "I wouldn't have been there with my mother in her final moments if you hadn't stepped in, Jack. Ever since you've come into Frenchie and I's life, you been the perfect weight to balance us out. You've always provided the equilibrium that Frenchie and I desired, but had no idea how to obtain. I want you to always remember how fond we are of you."
Jack grinned and looked back ahead of them, watching the horses heads bob up and down, "I'm quite fond of you two, as well."
Iris smiled at the comment and settled comfortably against the bench, propping her feet back up again. She tilted her head up into the sun and they were quiet again for a few moments before Iris said, "Damn, I should have brought a sun hat."
Together, they both chuckled, as they mosied down the path, kicking dust up in their trail.