June 12, 1912
Coney Island, New York
Dawson Summer Estate
Jack and Emilie stood on the porch, both were brimming with excitement. They had been at the family summer estate for a week already and finally Rose was going to join them! Jack stood on the porch looking out towards the edge of the driveway, looking for the car that would deliver Rose back into his world. It had been a good two months since he had seen her last, but he had kept in touch by letters and through Emilie who had gone to visit with Rose a few more times so that Ms. Dewitt Bukater would keep them in mind. So far, according to Rose and Emilie, with Cal now seemingly being forced to court other debutantes he was looking more and more palatable to Ruth Dewitt Bukater. Suddenly, Cal wasn't the sure thing. Jack was, and that's the way Jack liked it.
"How do I look?" Jack questioned, feeling the butterflies fluttering around in his stomach. He wanted to look his best for Rose. He ran a nervous hand through his blond hair, not for the first time wishing that his father hadn't made him trim it.
"You are as handsome as ever. Don't worry," Emilie laughed. "Really, you should worry about how Rose looks. She may not be as beautiful as you remember."
"That is impossible. Rose is a natural beauty and stop teasing. God, I just want this vacation to go well. I want us to be engaged if not outright married by the end of the summer."
"You're very ambitious."
"I just know what I want. I want Rose. She's the reason for everything."
"You really are in love with this girl, aren't you?"
Jack simply nodded, knowing that any other answer would be a lie. "She's the one, Em. We fit together so perfectly. I have never felt like this for any girl before, much less a first-class girl. I just have to get her."
"You will. You already have," Emilie smiled, giving Jack's hand a reassuring squeeze. It was interesting to see her normally confident cousin so anxious over a girl.
Jack's parents and the servants step outside just in time for a shiny Renault town car to make it's way up the paved driveway. Jack forced himself to stand in place as the driver got out and opened the door to offer his had to first, Ruth Dewitt Bukater, who took everything in with a satisfied smile. Then came Rose, who wore a purple pinstriped dress and white gloves. Her hair was pulled up into a bun and she wore a large hat with a bow tied around the brim. Her make up was immaculate and Jack wanted to just sit there and stare at her forever.
Ruth leads the way up to the porch, where the Dawson family and their servants waited.
"Welcome to Coney Island," Ralph Dawson announced with a warm smile and a friendly nod. "We are so pleased that you were able to accept our invitation. I am sure that you ladies will enjoy your stay."
Ruth happily nodded her head in greeting. "We are happy to be here, Mr. Dawson. Both Rose and myself thank you again for your kind invitation. I do hope we aren't too much of a bother."
"Nonsense. Having such lovely guests is a treat and we all look forward to the company. My valet will take your belongings to your rooms if you don't mind and I am sure that Jack and Emilie "will be happy to give you a tour of the premises after you're all settled in and rested."
"Oh, of course, that would be grand," Ruth took off her white traveling gloves and handed them to Trudy. "Our girl will help retrieve our bags, if you do not mind."
Tired of standing in one spot, Emilie walked up to Rose and gave her a tight hug. "I am so glad that you're here at last! Come, Jack and I will show you where you'll be sleeping and then we can show you the rest of the house. Especially the beach!"
"Emilie, do not be rude! Rose may want to rest after such a long train ride, as well as her mother!" Irene Dawson gasped, embarrassed by her niece's forwardness.
"Oh it's alright. Rose has been a bundle of energy since we had left Philadelphia and is in need of younger company than my own. I am afraid that it is I that is in need of rest," Ruth chuckled.
"I'd love to see the premises," Rose nodded in agreement, her eyes leaving Emilie to meet Jack's, who simply winked at her with a happy grin of his own.
Emilie happily hooked her arm through Rose's and lead the way up onto the porch. "We are so glad that you're here Rose! We are going to have so much fun! Come Jack. We have to show her the beach!"
"Emilie, where are your manners!" Irene gasped, taken aback by her niece's behavior. "Allow our guests to rest and decompress first. There will be plenty of time to show Rose the beach."
"Oh...you're right, Aunt Irene. I am sorry. I'm just so excited to have Rose here and so is Jack. I just can't wait for all the fun to begin."
Jack chuckled and held his arm out for Rose to take. "How about I join you two in showing Rose the house and where her room is. We'll save the beach for later on. It's too hot right now anyway and I'm sure she rather get into something more comfortable."
Rose took Jack's arm and smiled up into his sparkling blue eyes, becoming mesmerized already. "That would be lovely."
"Okay, that's the plan. We'll join you in a minute, Aunt Irene," Emilie nodded, leading Jack and Rose into the house, leaving the elders outside to converse with each other. She tsked as she leads the way up to the second floor. "Jack, can you be any more obvious? It's clear why you're so eager to show Rose to her room. Let me remind you that Aunt Irene and Uncle Ralph are not about that life. They expect you to be a gentleman at all times."
"I have no idea what you are talking about Em. I am always a gentleman," Jack snorted.
"Almost," Rose grinned, finally taking off the hat that had an annoyance for hours now. "Please tell me that we don't have to wear these silly hats? I find them so silly."
Emilie giggled and shook her head. "Well...it's often recommendable that we wear them, but it's not a requirement. They do help with the hot sun in the summertime. I'll tell you what. We'll go shopping for something that would suit you more than that large cumbersome thing."
"It was mother's idea. She thought it'd make me look more distinguished."
"It makes you look like you're in hiding," Emilie giggled. "Anyway, this is your room. My room is right across from yours and Jack's room is right next to mine. I hope that you enjoy the accommodations."
Rose opened the door to the room and gasped. The room was all lavender and lace. From the curtains to the canopied bed. There was a sitting area and a walk-in closet and a vanity table and a desk where she could sit and write. "Oh my...I love it. It's gorgeous."
"Jack said you liked lavender. I'm glad that he was right for once," Emilie chuckled.
"You remembered?" Rose stared at Jack, astonished that he actually remembered that small detail about her.
"Of course. I remember everything we've ever talked about," Jack blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. Rose had no clue how much he truly cared about her. He'd do anything for her. "I hope you'll be happy here with us, Rose."
"Believe me when I say that I already am. I have a feeling this is going to be the best summer."
"Oh, we plan for it to be," Emilie winked, taking Jack's arm. "We'll let you get settled in. Meet us downstairs in an hour. We'll show you the rest of the house."
"Wait," Rose suddenly grabbed Jack's hand, needing to do one thing first before she was left alone again.
"Rose?" Jack looked at her and was surprised when her lips connected with his own in a lingering kiss. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her back.
Needing to breathe, Rose pulled away with a slight blush. "I know. That wasn't very ladylike, but I was going to scream if I didn't get to kiss you soon. It's been too long since we've even been in the same room together."
"I know...I felt the same way. I'm crazy about you, Rose," Jack grinned, feeling exhilarated. He definitely had a good feeling about this summer, indeed. If that kiss was anything to go by, Rose was already his. He just had to make it official.
"You both are crazy. Come on, Jack. The sooner she unpacks, the sooner you two will be together again," Emilie laughed, pulling at her cousin's arm.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming," Jack chuckled, leaning into one last kiss before following Emilie downstairs, leaving Rose to unpack and settle in to what will be the summer that will change her life.