Rose stood just out of sight of the sitting room. It was almost two o'clock. One more hour and she'll miss her meeting with Jack. If only her mother hadn't been having one of her many tea parties, that she always insisted for Rose to attend, if she could catch her out of her room or in the same vicinity. So far, she had been able to avoid her mother, by not leaving her room and waiting as long as she could to come out so she could start off to the park to meet Jack. If her mother caught her, even walking pass, there would be no meeting Jack. She would insist that Rose join her and her boring lady friends. Given a choice between going to Cora's party with Jack or staying here with her mother and her boring friends, the party with Jack won.
She just had to find a way to get pass the sitting room without any of the women inside noticing her.
"Miss. Rose? What are you doing? Are you joining your mother this afternoon? She is right inside," her maid Trudy came up from behind, curious why her young mistress was not going into the sitting room to join her mother for the tea party like she always did.
"No, Trudy. I have an appointment elsewhere. But mother doesn't know and it must stay that way. I just need to figure out a way to get out of the house without her noticing me," Rose explained. Trudy was more than a maid to her. She was her closest confidant. She could tell the maid anything and it would remain just between the two of them. Trudy knew everything about Rose, from her boredom with her life to her dread over the coming marriage to Caledon Hockley. She knew that Rose had ambitions that would cause her mother to faint if she knew. She knew that Rose wanted to be something more than to become some millionaire's wife. She didn't want to be a trophy on Caledon Hockley's arms. She did not want to be decorative.
Trudy nodded, understanding that Rose had other plans and did not want to join the women inside that room. She couldn't blame her really. She found Ms. Ruth's parties rather tedious herself and didn't know why the lady of the house insisted upon them. She took Rose's hand and tugged her towards the kitchen.
"Come Miss. You can use the servants exit in the back. She won't see you leave there."
Rose closed her eyes and silently thanked heavens for Trudy. She was more a friend to her than a maid. One day, she'll tell her about Jack, but for now there wasn't time. If she didn't hurry, she'll miss her chance to even see him again.
"Lead the way," Rose nodded, all to eager to follow the young maid.
"This way Miss."
Not saying a word, Rose followed Trudy towards the kitchen, where the cook was busy with that evening's dinner.
"Trudy, child? Is that Miss. Rose?" The cook gasped in surprise. It wasn't a regular thing to see either of the ladies of the house in the kitchen.
"Quiet Betsy. We don't want Mrs. Ruth to hear," Trudy hushed her co-worker and opened a door that lead outside for Rose. "Just walk towards the front. It'll lead you to the path that leads to the gate. Should I call a car for you, Miss?"
"That won't be necessary Trudy. But thank you, for everything," Rose hugged her friend, thankful for the help of escaping her house once again.
"May I ask where you are heading this time, Miss?"
Rose paused, wanting to tell Trudy everything. The slumming party, being rescued by the handsome Jack Dawson, spending time with the artist the day before, and attending a party with him today! But there was no time, unfortunately.
"I will tell you everything, Trudy. I promise, but now I must go. He probably thinks that I'm not coming at all by now..."
"He?"
"Later Trudy! Remember, not a word to mother!" Rose waved, quickly heading towards the path that will lead her to freedom.
Trudy watched Rose go, wondering what she had just helped her young mistress do. Hopefully it wasn't anything scandalous.
...
Jack looked up at the sun one last time, knowing that time was just about up. He had waited with baited breath for the beautiful Rose Dewitt Bukater to show up, hoping that she was able to get away from her family. Now time was almost up and was it pretty obvious that she had been unable to make an escape and he'll be attending Cora's party alone, with just the memory of the beautiful girl he had met just a few days ago. With a sad sigh, he closed his portfolio and got to his feet, ready to make his way to Cora's side of town.
"Jack! Jack, wait!" Rose called, running into the park, waving her hand to get his attention.
"Rose!" He smiled waving back, happy and relieved to see her. He really had thought that yesterday may be the last time. "I was afraid that you weren't able to get away."
"I almost wasn't, but my lady's maid Trudy helped me out. So I'm here and I'm ready to go to that party...that is if you still want me to."
"Of course I still want you to," Jack laughed, holding out his arm for Rose to take. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way," Rose accepted his offer.
...
The party was well underway by time Jack and Rose arrived at the Cortmell house, a small square structure that was painted navy blue and had a huge back yard, which was where the party was being held.
"Uncle Jack!" A small voice exclaimed as Jack and Rose were lead outside where the party goers were gathered. Cora ran over with her arms outstretched and a huge smile on her face.
"Cora!" Jack quickly handed the small package and his portfolio to Rose before scooping the giggling little girl up into his arms.
"You came!" the little girl giggled as Jack tickled her a little.
"Of course, and I brought the princess. Just like you asked and we brought you a little gift," Jack chuckled as Rose handed their gift to Cora's father, who placed it on a table piled with packages for the small girl to open later.
"We have ice cream and cake, Uncle Jack!" Cora exclaimed as Jack sat her down before taking Rose's hand so they wouldn't get separated. "Does the princess like cake?"
Jack laughed and glanced at Rose. "Well, I don't know. You have to ask her."
Rose just laughed and nodded. "I happen to love cake and ice cream."
"I guess even royal highnesses like yummy things," Jack winked.
"Boy-o!" Tommy called out from the other side of the yard, where Fabrizio stood next to him, talking to a pretty blond girl.
"Hey, Tommy and Fabri are here," Jack waved back and turned to Rose. "You remember them, right?"
"Of course," Rose nodded, lifting her hand in a small wave as well. How could she forget the kind men that had helped Jack rescue her from disaster.
Not letting go of Rose's hand, Jack lead her over to where his friends were waiting, leaving Cora with her parents.
"We thought that maybe you weren't coming," Tommy chuckled, slapping Jack's shoulder. His eyes widened in surprise to see Rose by Jack's side. "Ah, it's the lassie from the other day. I am surprised to see you again."
"Yes, I was in the park yesterday when Cora asked me to come. I couldn't refuse," Rose smiled, her eyes drifting towards Jack for a moment and then to the ground, her cheeks turning a light pink color.
Tommy just winked at her, realizing that it wasn't necessarily the little girl that Rose wanted to see again. "Ah, little Cora is indeed difficult to refuse. She's one of those people that just draw you in. Isn't that right, Jackie boy?"
"Yeah."
"Welcome bella Rose," Fabrizio gave his own nod with charming smile. "May I introduce you to Helga. She from Norway. She speak no English and no Italian, but we manage."
Rose smiled and nodded a friendly hello to the girl. She couldn't help but wonder how the couple communicated without knowing each other's language, but she supposed that they managed somehow.
"So lassie, how many slumming parties have you attended? I'm assuming that was how you met up with Jack again," Tommy questioned, picking up a beer from the nearby banquet table.
Jack frowned, not liking the direction that the conversation was going. It just reminded him that like Rose, he wasn't in his proper place either. That the life he had in this city was pretty much a lie that only Fabrizio knew of and that most likely Tommy would be pissed when he found out.
Rose didn't seemed too bothered though. She just smiled graciously with a small blush heating her cheeks. "That was the only one, actually. Yesterday I was taking a walk in the park when I came across Jack drawing Cora and her father. The little girl asked me to come and I couldn't refuse. She's so adorable."
"That she is. Not surprised to see the little lass has snatched herself another admirer," Tommy snorted, taking a gulp of beer.
"Uncle Jack," Cora was again by his side, pulling on his pants leg. "Uncle Jack, you promised to dance with me."
"That I did," Jack smiled, turning to Rose. "Will you be okay here with this mad Irishman?"
"Hey," Tommy frowned, acting as if he was insulted.
"I'll be fine. Go fulfill your promise," Rose giggled. She watched as the little girl lead Jack over to the space where people were already dancing to irish music. She wasn't surprised to see Fabrizio and Helga join them as well, leaving her alone with Tommy.
"Jack taking care of ya?" Tommy asked, deciding to make some conversation with the girl. He normally avoided anything having to do with the upper class, it always lead to trouble. But Rose seemed to be a nice girl.
"Yes. We spent time together yesterday. He's a really nice man," Rose nodded. "How long have you known each other?"
"Ah, for a good while now. He moved here with Fabri and I took them under my wing. Showed them around. I've been living in this city for a year now and I pretty much know my way around."
"Why did you leave Ireland?" Rose asked, then winced, realizing that it may be considered rude to ask such a question. "I'm sorry, you don't have to answer that. I don't mean to be rude. I just have a tendency to be curious and ask before I think."
Tommy just laughed and waved off any embarrassment. "Don't worry about it, lassie. It's not a rude question at all and there's nothing that I love more than talking about Ireland. I miss it sometimes. My family, the culture, the atmosphere and the pure beauty of it. Funny, your eyes and hair remind me of it something fierce. The only reason I left was to get a chance for a better life. Make my dreams come true and maybe even bring my family over someday. Life is not easy for the poor back home...not that it's any easier here...but here there's at least a chance to better oneself."
"I'd love to see it someday," Rose sighed, adding a visit to Ireland to the list of dreams that will never happen. Even if Cal had a business trip there, she doubted that she would let her join him and if he did...she'd be stuck in a hotel, seeing nothing of the land, nor experience the culture.
"Maybe you will. You're rich enough," Tommy chuckled, accepting a bottle of beer from Cora's mother, who was passing out brown bottles of the beverage.
"Maybe," Rose sighed, feeling her mood dampen a little, as she realized that none of her dreams were bound to happen. Not in the life she was trapped in.
Clapping and cheers rang out as the music came to an end. Rose smiled at Jack as he bent down and spoke to his dance partner, pointing towards Rose.
"I'm gonna dance with her now."
Cora just smiled as Jack left her side and headed towards Rose, his hand outstretched. "Come, dance with me."
"What?" Rose's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't be serious! She had no idea how to dance much less to Irish music!
Rose felt flustered as Jack pulled her onto the dance floor. She looked up into his eyes as he pulled her closer.
"We'll have to stand a little bit closer, like this," he placed a hand on the small of her back pulling her even closer than she already was.
"Jack, I can't do this," Rose stated as the music began to play.
"Just go with it. Don't think," Jack grinned, beginning to sweep her around the room in a fast waltz.
Rose at first was terrified, afraid that she would mess up the dance and make a fool of herself in a yard full of strangers. But the more she followed Jack's moves, the more she caught the hang of it and soon her terrified screams turned to laughter as she danced with Jack, keeping in time with the music.
Just as she was getting used to the dancing, Jack stopped and pulled her into a clearing where Fabrizio and Helga were dancing what looked to be a jig. Curious, Rose watched as Jack tried out the fancy footwork himself. She laughed, realizing that it didn't look hard at all. In fact, if Jack could do it, so could she, so when there was a short pause in the music, she tried the moves itself. It turned into a small competition and then Jack was spinning her around laughing along with someone else. It wasn't long when she realized that the other person's laughter was her own.
She was having the time of her life.
Once the song was over, Jack and Rose made their way back over to where Tommy was. Jack quickly grabbed two full glasses of beer and handed her one. Rose was thankful. All the dancing had left her feeling hot and her throat impossibly dry. She tried taking her time, but the minute the cool liquid hit her throat, she couldn't stop. The glass was nearly empty when she did stop drinking and Jack was staring at her as if he couldn't believe what he had just seen.
"What? You think a first class girl can't drink?" Rose asked, feeling the alcohol making her feel brave.
Jack just laughed, astounded by this girl. He had known a lot of first class girls, all dainty little things who sipped tea and wore gloves, and had perfect posture, but none of them were like Rose. "You can certainly put it away."
"Again!" Tommy yelled. Jack and Rose turned to see Tommy at a table, challenging a tall blond man to an arm wrestling match. A cigarette dangled from his lips as he stared intently at his opponent. Rose just rolled her eyes and walked up to them, the beer making her feel brave.
She took the cigarette out of Tommy's mouth and took a long drag off it. "You think you're big tough men? Let me see you do this."
Jack stood beside her as Tommy and his wrestling opponent watched curiously as Rose lifted herself onto the very tip of her toes and held the pose for a full five seconds before toppling over into Jack's arms, who easily caught her.
"Are you alright?" He asked as the men who were watching clapped, impressed by Rose's feat.
Rose laughed happily, looking up into his eyes. "I haven't done that in years!"
"You are crazy," Jack chuckled, helping her back onto her feet. He shook his head, not only impressed, but even more fascinated by this girl. She was like no other woman he had ever met. "You're not like other girls, Rose."
"Yes I am. I'm just more vocal than some," She shrugged, her cheeks heating up in a blush. "I don't know what it is...but with you I feel like I'm free to fully be myself. I haven't felt that way in a really long time."
"Well I'm glad. I always want you to feel free to be yourself around me, Rose," Jack smiled, getting why she would feel like she couldn't be who she was. All the rules and traditions of high society. Rules to tell you how to act, how to stand, how to talk...it was especially hard on women and he had never agreed with them. The way he saw it, Rose was a beautiful butterfly, aching to get free of her silk cocoon. Jack wanted to help free her.
"Hey, it's time for the cake!" Cora's father announced, holding his daughter in his arms. Everyone clapped happily as they gathered around a long table with a cake lit with five candles. Rose felt Jack behind her as Cora was set before the cake and the party guests sang happy birthday. They clapped as the little girl closed her eyes and blew out the candles with the help of her father.
"She's so adorable," Rose sighed, remembering being a little girl herself and how there was no one she had loved more than her father.
"She's very much loved around these parts, from what I've observed. Everyone came over together, according to Tommy and they had formed this nice little community. Everyone looks after each other. It's very admirable."
Rose frowned, confused. "I thought that you were from around here."
"No. I've only been here six months. Fabri and I, we usually travel around the country. Experiencing different places, especially now that we're in the states. But we had returned from Europe and found ourselves settled here in Philadelphia somehow."
"Where are you from originally, Jack?"
"Um...everywhere," he lied.
"Oh good, she's opening her gifts," Rose gasped, pulling Jack along as everyone gathered where the gifts were piled. She was happy to see Cora pick up their gift first.
Jack and Rose stood at front of the group and watched as Cora opened their gift as her father read the card.
"To Cora. Every princess needs a tiara. We hope that you enjoy yours and use your power for good only. From Jack and Rose," Burt read as Cora took out the comb.
"Daddy look! It's a crown! Just like in the fairy tales!" Cora happily exclaimed, holding the comb up for everyone to see.
"It's lovely, princess. Say thank you to Uncle Jack and his friend," Burt smiled happily.
"Thank you Uncle Jack and Uncle Jack's friend!" Cora ran up to them and gave them a hug before returning to opening her gifts.
Jack glanced over at Rose and smiled. He had to say, this had been the best party he had ever been to. He'd like to take Rose on more outings like this one. But he doubted it would happen after today. She'll go back to first class and his only chance to see her again would be if he decided to return to his life in Boston. He cared about Rose and wanted to get to know her better, but he just wasn't ready to take the necessary steps to make it happen. Not yet anyway.