It was the night of the engagement gala. Rose stared at her reflection in the mirror, giving herself one last look over to make sure everything was in place. She wanted to look her best for Jack. She wanted to make all of the sacrifices he was making worth it. She wore a red and black gown that reached to the floor. It was adorned with thousands of black crystals and had been handmade especially for her. She had been waiting for the right time to wear the dress and that night was the night. She wanted to be beautiful for Jack. Her hair was also done up perfectly in the style of the day, lifted off her shoulders and held in place by silver jewelry that she had purchased last month for an occasion such as the coming gala.

"Rose," Ruth appeared in the doorway, also dressed for the gala. She wasn't smiling but pride did shine in her eyes as she looked at her daughter. Finally, Rose was becoming the lady that she had worked so hard into molding. She didn't know the reason for this compliance, but she was grateful for it. "Are you ready? This is rumored to be the event of the season, so I do hope that you remember all that you had learned."

Rose resisted the urge to roll her eyes and forced a smile instead. "Of course I remember mother. It hasn't been that long ago."

Ruth gave a wistful sigh as she looked at her daughter's reflection. "You look lovely, Rose. It is too bad that Cal and Edward can't get along. It'd be good for Cal to see you like this."

"Cal was not invited, mother. But Jack Dawson was. Maybe Cal not being there will be more beneficial," Rose gave her mother a tense smile, hoping that she wasn't giving too much away. She just didn't want her mother pining for Cal instead of seeing how Jack was so much better.

Ruth had inwardly hoped that Cal's appearance the other day would make Rose realize what she had, but her daughter seemed to still prefer the attention of Jack Dawson. Ruth would have been all for the pairing, but she was also a realist. The Hockley pairing was a hopeful tactic to hang on to their own station. There was at least a possibility of Nathan Hockley rescuing them from ruin. But the Dawsons….well they were a reach for the stars if there ever was one. She didn't dare to even dream that a family of the Dawson's standing would be so kind. If only she could get Rose to see things the way she did.

"I am glad that you are making friends of the Dawsons dear, but do let's remember our own situation and that it's not wise to put all of our eggs into that basket...one that is so high above us," Ruth cleared her throat, before turning to the door. "Let's be on our way now. The car is here. The driver will not wait forever."

Rose sighed, not knowing how to take her mother's words. Was her mother warning her that she had no intention of even considering Jack an option? Or was it some lack of confidence that Jack would even be interested in her? It had to be some lack of confidence. She just had to make her mother see that for them both to be happy, the future was with Jack, not Cal.

…

The Henshaw estate was lit up with bright lights and orchestra music filled the ballroom. Men and women were dressed in their finest. Couples waltzed to he beautiful music while other party-goers were just standing around talking to one another, either discussing business matters or gossiping about whatever scandal was dotting the society section of the newspaper. Jack took it all in with wide eyes, wishing that he could draw it all on paper.

"Isn't this lovely?" Emilie happily glanced around the room, admiring the latest fashions and hairstyles that her peers were sporting.

"It's...interesting. I've been to livelier parties," Jack smiled, remembering the birthday party that he had taken Rose to not too long ago.

"Of course you have," Emilie rolled her eyes and gasped as she spotted Edward Henshaw and his fiancee approaching. "Louise!" She opened her arms in greeting and embraced her former classmate.

"Emilie! I can't tell you how happy I was to receive your rsvp!" Louise pulled away and gasped in delight. "It's been ages and you look so lovely!"

"I must say, I was a little surprised to receive an invite, but I am glad that I did. It's been a while since I've been to an engagement gala. Lucky for me, my cousin Jack here was available to escort me," Emilie stepped back to stand beside Jack, who was looking a little out of place.

"Oh yes, the Dawson heir. The pages were talking about how you had returned home," Edward Henshaw chuckled, offering a hand to Jack. "I am Edward, one of the guests of honor at this...soiree."

Jack accepted his hand and nodded his head in greeting. "I'm John Dawson, but my friends call me Jack. Yes, I had spent past year here in Philadelphia, getting to know the less fortunate."

"But it was time to return home and take his rightful place. Just in time to escort me here to help celebrate my friend's engagement," Emilie giggled, just as Rose came through the door, right behind her mother. She quickly nudged Jack and nodded towards the entrance. "Why isn't that Rose Dewitt Bukater? I was hoping that she'd be here."

"Oh, I am so glad that she had made it. Dear Rose usually hates these things," Louise gave a little wave as Rose and Ruth were greeted by Edward's parents. "I am glad to see her tonight. It's a wonder she had made it. I was afraid that Ruth would insist on skipping the party since Nathan Hockley had made it known that his son was back on the market."

"Caledon Hockley? Word had it that they were engaged?" Emilie blinked, completely taken aback by this news. She gave a warning glance at her cousin, hoping that he didn't look too interested in this piece of news.

"Oh, she is still a prospect. Don't get me wrong there," Louise chuckled.

"Poor girl. She had almost gotten lucky," Edward snorted.

"I take it that you don't like Hockley," Jack was suddenly interested. He had assumed that maybe this Edward would be just as horrible as Caledon Hockley, but so far he liked the man.

"The man is an arrogant ass. He's horrible to everyone he comes across. I can only imagine how he treats a lady like Rose," Edward took a sip of champagne. He chuckled as he noticed how Jack's gaze kept drifting over to Rose. It looked to him that Hockley had some competition. "Judging by how you can't keep your eyes away from the girl, Hockley may have some competition."

"Maybe," Jack took a distracted gulp of his own champagne.

Emilie resisted the urge to slap Jack upside his head for being so obvious and kept her attention on Louise, wanting to get some more information about the Hockley situation. "Forgive me, I don't understand. Is he and Rose engaged or not?"

"According to Nathan Hockley, they're not. Oh, Rose is still a consideration, but she wants his son to have...choices...more...palatable choices. Rose is beautiful, but she's smart and opinionated. Not to mention her family's finances are in question. Not a well-suited match in the elder Hockley's eyes."

"I take it that Dewitt Bukaters are not aware of this," Emilie wondered. It looked like Nathan Hockley had just done Jack and Rose a big favor. Hopefully, Ruth will think the same thing when she saw more of Jack and Rose together.

"Of course not! Ruth would not let such a slight go silently. This is why it is a good thing that Edward detests Cal and didn't invite him. He would have surely shown up here with someone else on his arm and it'd be a big scene. The gala would have been ruined."

"And you thought me rude at first," Edward chuckled.

"Louise! Edward!" Ruth called out, approaching the small group with a bright smile. Rose silently followed her, trying to not look at Jack too much. It was a hard feat, especially with him looking so handsome in his tuxedo and his blond hair brushed back in the style he had worn it in at the Boston gala.

"Ruth! Rose!" Louise greeted, giving each woman a short hug. "I am so happy that you had made it. I was afraid you wouldn't. I know how Rose hates these things."

"I do, but I couldn't miss out on your big moment, dear. What kind of friend would that have made me?" Rose smiled, trying to slip into the role of giddy socialite the best she could.

Jack watched Rose closely as she interacted with her peers. At first glance, she

was everything that a well-bred lady should be. Gracious, kind, and sociable, but at a closer look, one could see the same restlessness that plagued him. An awkwardness that said that he didn't belong, not really. A sense that he was meant for so much more...that she was meant for so much more. If he wasn't convinced before, he was now. Rose and he were indeed kindred spirits.