Jack sighed in relief as he exited his father's office. He had just spent the past hour listening to his father lecture about what was to be expected of him now that he was taking his place as the heir. He inwardly winced, remembering his father's stern words.

"There will be no more doing whatever you want whenever you want, son. Your art is nice and I am so proud and impressed by how talented you are, believe me, but it can no longer be the main and only thing you do with your life. You are going to have to attend more meetings pertaining to the family business. You are going to have to be more serious and take things more seriously. You are going to have to associate more with your peers. I know, you rather spend your days with Fabrizio and Emilie...but as the heir you are expected to associate and be friends with young people that are on the same level as you. You know, young men of your stature..."

Jack loved his father. He knew that when it came to high society fathers, his was the best to have, but still...the lecture just didn't sit right with him. It confirmed what he had always known. That once he returned home, his days of absolute freedom and just being himself were going to be over. He certainly was giving up his freedom...

But Rose Dewitt Bukater was well worth it. She was worth everything. A smile curved his lips at the thought of the beautiful redhead. Rose was everything he liked in a girl. She was smart and artistic, and kind, and she had this fire that just drew him in. She deserved someone that would stoke that flame, not stamp it out.

"Jack!" Emilie called out as she approached with a card clenched in her hand. Jack couldn't help but notice the light of excitement dancing in her eyes.

"Hey, what's going on?" Jack asked, his father's lecture already beginning to fade from his mind.

"I have news from Rose! Or rather her mother that is!"

His own excitement began to fill Jack's chest! Judging from Emilie's reaction, the news was good. "The answer is yes?"

Emilie's smile grew even wider. "The answer was yes!"

"Woohoo!" Jack whooped, picking Emilie up off her feet and twirling her around in the air.

"Jack Dawson! Put me down right now!" Emilie laughed, happy to see her cousin happy. All the joy and happiness had seemed to have left Jack since the gala had ended and her Uncle had begun grooming him. It was good to see the happiness return. Even for a few moments.

Jack did as asked and pulled her into a happy hug. "This is great news!" He released her and rubbed his hands together, feeling restless. "Rose and me at Coney Island, all summer long! I could not ask for more! Now one question...what do I do next? I feel like I should be doing something more...like maybe a visit...would that be too forward?"

Emilie thoughtfully chewed on her bottom lip, mulling over the suggestion. "Maybe it'd be fine if you were in town for something else...with me along of course."

Jack frowned, trying to think. What could bring him back to Pbiladelphia so soon, besides a visit with Rose? What would be a good excuse? His father didn't have any business dealings there at the moment and the only people he knew were people that probably did not want to hear from him anytime soon.

"Wait...I know. I heard that Uncle Albert wants you to start making more high society friends. That gives us a great excuse! I know just thing that gives you a chance to please your father and see Rose at the same time!"

"What would that be?"

"The Henshaws of Philadelphia is throwing an engagement gala for their son Edward and I have been invited! Edward is our age and one of the creme of the creme of Philadelphia high society! Rose probably knows him and is invited to that gala herself! Tell Uncle Al that you are going to do me a favor and escort me to that gala and introduce yourself to not only Edward but other young gentlemen of your age! Not only will you be making him proud, showing that you're taking him seriously, but you'll be on your way to seeing Rose again."

"That may just work..."

"It will work and it will get Uncle Al on your side when it comes to marrying Rose! You are going to need his support, believe it or not. The best way to gain that support is by showing him that you're taking the family business seriously."

"Okay, so let me go talk to father about escorting you to Philadelphia and you go send a telegraph to Rose and answer that invitation," Jack again rubbed his hands together, feeling like everything was coming together perfectly...almost too perfectly...

"This is going to be so much fun," Emilie smiled, her eyes bright with excitement. She was loving her part in helping her cousin win the girl of his dreams. It was going to be a great story for the future cousins she was sure to spoil.

"I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you Emi. I don't even think I would have gotten this far if it hadn't been for you."

"You're darn right you wouldn't be," Emilie laughed, giving his arm a playful punch. "Just be sure to name one of your kids after me. That's all the thanks I'll need."

Jack just gave an amused snort and watched his cousin start off to complete her errands. Hopefully things will go as planned and this time next year, he'll have Rose free and clear from her gilded cage.

...

Rose had just recieved Emilie's telegraph, informing her of the new plans to come to Philadelphia with Jack in tow. She couldn't help the tingle of excitement that filled her from head to toe! Jack was coming back to Philadelphia! She was going to see him again soon! That was more than she had ever hoped for! She reread the note again and again and couldn't help the squeal of excitement just as her mother walked pass her bedroom door.

"Rose? Was that you who made that unseemly noise?" Ruth questioned, sticking her head into the room, her mouth pressed into a small frown.

Rose blushed, having the sense to be embarrassed. She usually kept her emotions under better control when her mother was around. She always admonished Rose whenever she revealed too much happiness, anger, or sadness, always stating how unladylike it was to let people know exactly what she was feeling. Rose disagreed, thinking that it was dishonest to hide one's true feelings, but she kept herself in check in order to avoid any arguments with her mother. Now was no different.

"I had just recieved a telegraph from Emilie. Her cousin Jack is going to escort her here to Philadelphia, where they will be attending the Henshaw engagement gala and hope that they'll have time for a short visit."

Ruth was still reluctant to even entertain the possibility of a match between her daughter and the Dawson heir, but this news still peeked her interest.

"Let me see that," Ruth held her hand out for the letter.

Rose handed the letter over to her mother with no argument and watched as Ruth read. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she twisted her hands, feeling nervous. What if her mother found this inappropriate? What if she was still holding out hope that Cal would show up and continue his attempts to court her?

Finally Ruth looked up with eyes filled with their own excitement. "Why this is quite the surprise! We must get the house ready! I want to make a good impression on the Dawsons! Oh, that gala! Louise did invite you, yes?"

"Of course," Rose nodded. In all honesty, she hadn't been planning on attending the gala. She and Louise weren't as close as they once were anymore. The invitation had just been a formality, but that was obviously going to change now.

"You'll need a new dress and a stylist. We may be on the brink of ruin, but we don't have to look like it," Ruth began to lecture.

Rose just rolled her eyes and watched her mother go off to give the servants orders to ready the house for visitors. She was both excited about the coming visit and full of nerves as well What if she messed this all up somehow? What if Jack changed his mind and realized that she wasn't worth giving up the freedom that he hadonce enjoyed? What if her mother insulted Jack and Emilie somehow? What if Cal showed up? Caledon Hockley hadn't shown his face since the visit from his father, but that could always change.

She hoped it didn't. She was not ready to have Cal intrude on her hopes and dreams to spend some time with Jack...not yet anyway. She knew that it will probably have to happen someday, but for now, she was happy to forget that Caledon Hockley had ever existed and give all of her attention to being with Jack.