Jack stood in front of his father's office door, his hand poised to knock. His heart was in his throat and butterflies struggled in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't explain why he was so nervous. His father has always been a reasonable man. He always gave Jack the freedom he craved to be himself and never made him feel that his personal endeavors were silly or bad for the family brand. All in all, his father was a great father when compared to the likes of Nathan Hockley and other first-class businessmen. He had never been reluctant to approach his father about anything. So why the nerves about approaching him about marrying Rose? It didn't make any sense.

Emilie came up behind Jack, her arms folded and her eyes sparkling with mirth. "is my cousin finally afraid of his father? Interesting."

"Shut up," Jack hissed, not appreciating the teasing. "I'm not afraid of my father. I just don't know how to approach him about Rose. I've never done anything like this before."

"I don't know why you're so nervous. You're weren't when you had informed him that you wanted to take time off from high society and live life as a penniless wanderer. That was a lot more scandalous than informing him that you've found the woman that you want to marry."

"I know. It doesn't make any sense."

"Well suck it up, buttercup. Go in there, tell him how you feel about Rose and that you intend to marry her. I am sure he'll approve and tomorrow you can inform everyone of your engagement."

Jack chuckled. "If only it was that easy."

"It is! Look, I'll help!" Emilie swiftly opened the office door and pushed a sputtering Jack inside. "Hey, Uncle! Jack has something to tell you!"

"Emilie!" Jack stared, shocked at how forward Emilie was being.

Emilie just smiled in satisfaction and waved as she walked away, leaving Jack alone with his father, who was sitting at his desk, his hand on the telephone, staring at his son in shock.

"Jack? What was that what about? Do you want to see me about something?"Albert Dawson stared at his son curiously. He had to wonder what the Dawson cousins were up to this time.

Jack cleared his throat and rubbed his sweaty palms against the fine linen of his pants., hoping to dry them some. He hoped that he didn't look like the mess he felt like on the inside. He wanted to look completely calm, sure, and determined in his decision.

"Actually, yes. There is something that I would like to discuss with you father. Something very serious about my future."

Albert nodded and motioned for Jack to take the leather seat that positioned in front of the oak desk that he sat behind He gathered some papers into a pile and set them to the side, wanting to give his son his full attention. "Very well. Let's talk about what's on your mind son. What is this about? Your position at the company?"

Jack took the seat and took a deep breath. "Actually, no. This is about something different and has to do more with the family."

"Hmm, okay."

"Father...the thing is...I'm in love. I'm head over heels in love and I want to marry her. And I know this may seem sudden, you may think that she's more Emilie's friend, than mine, but I've grown to know her and she's an amazing girl...woman and she fits me so perfectly and..."

Albert couldn't help but chuckle as he listened to his son ramble on. He hated to interrupt, but right now his son was a mess of words and he understood none of it. "Son, son. Slow down. I'm not understanding a word you've said except that you're in love with this amazing woman. First I need to know her name. Who is this mystery girl that has captured my wayward son's attention so completely?"

Jack took a deep breath and licked his suddenly dry lips. This was it. After this moment, things should change and never be the same. "Rose Dewitt Bukater, sir."

Albert stared, a little shocked, yet he wasn't. He should have known. Ever since Rose's arrival, Jack was always found by his cousin's side more than usual. "Your cousin's guest?"

"Actually, she's more my guest, but okay."

Albert sat back in his chair, not knowing what to think or say. He had just gotten off the telephone with Nathan Hockley. It had been a strangely gossipy conversation that was unlike the steel tycoon. According to Nathan Hockley, the Dewitt Bukater family's finances were a mess. If nothing was done soon, the mother and her daughter would be out on the streets. Nathan had considered bailing the family out by allowing marriage between the daughter and his son but was now thinking better of it. Albert had simply dismissed the conversation as idle gossip. After all, the girl was friends with Emilie, and that was it. There wasn't an inkling of a clue that his own son may have an interest in the girl. But now that Jack was here stating his intentions, well now it as something for him to think about.

"Jack...about Rose, she is a nice girl and beautiful."

"She's a lot more than that father..."

"Of course she is. But I had just gotten off the phone with Nathan Hockley and he has informed of some things about the Dewitt Bukaters..."

If Jack could teleport to Pittsburg and do away with Caledon Hockley, he would! How dare they?! How dare they call his father and inform him about Rose's situation like that?! Wasn't that an invasion of privacy?! It was idle gossip at best! Jack wasn't fooled! This was Cal! This was Cal trying to stop Jack from making off with Rose! He thought that Jack was that easily controlled! Well, he had bad news for Caledon! He didn't really need his father's permission to marry Rose! This was just him going through the right channels so there would be fewer problems. He'll gladly take the problems of eloping if need be. In fact, he knew that Rose would prefer a quick wedding instead of some drawn-out ceremony!

"Father, wait. I know of their situation. Rose's father had left them in debt that's covered by a good name. Rose has told me everything."

"She has?"

Jack nodded. Looking at his father, he decided to take a leap of faith by telling the truth. "Father...I came home not because I was homesick. I mean...I did miss you and mother terribly. You know I love you so much. But the real reason I came home was for Rose."

"Wait...you knew the girl before?" Albert had to admit that it hurt not to be the reason for his son's return, but he was curious. How in the world had his seemingly penniless son got such access to a girl of high social standing?

Jack simply nodded. "What happened was, she went to a slumming party, got separated from her group, and I helped her out of a sticky situation. We spent time together and liked each other. The only thing was...she didn't know I was a Boston Dawson and she was to be engaged to Hockley, a man she doesn't love, much less like. I mean...you've seen how the Hockley's treat women."

"Yes. Women are nothing but decorative accessories to be seen and not heard. Shameful, really. I take it that young Hockley took after his father."

"Yes. Just like I took after mine. You taught me how to treat women and it got me the most amazing, most interesting, most...beautiful girl in the world! I had feelings for her and she felt the same for me. The only problem was that to her I was a penniless artist. That didn't matter to Rose, of course. She liked me without all the money...but we both knew that it couldn't happen. Not with the way I was then. Then when I realized that she was to be engaged to Hockley and how trapped she felt by both her mother and that idiot...I knew I could help her. It meant coming home and giving up my own freedom to do what I want, but it would be worth it. Because she's the one, father. I love this girl and I want to marry her."

Albert sighed and rubbed his face, feeling tired. His son's story did touch something in him...probably the part of him that had allowed his son that year of freedom. But there was still the smart businessman that told him to put the breaks on this thing between his son and this girl. That things were moving too fast and they both needed to slow down some. Some thought needed to be put into this.

"Jack...you like this girl. I get it. She's special, I understand that. But the girl's family finances have to be considered here. We can't just swoop in and..."

"It's not like we can't afford it."

"Of course, we can. But still, some thought needs to be had about this. I need to make sure that these debts won't negatively affect the Dawson brand itself. That despite the debts, this will be a good match for the family."

Jack wanted to scream! What did his father mean by how his marriage to Rose will affect the Dawson brand? What did that have to do with anything? What did that matter?! He loved Rose and Rose loved him! That should be all that mattered! "What are you saying here?"

"I need time to think about this, Jack. I like Rose, I do. She's a good girl. But you are my heir. Who you marry matters. I know that this is not the answer you wanted, but it's the answer I have to give. I'll. think about it. Give me to the end of the summer. Let me observe Rose and her mother. I'll give you my answer then."

His face set in stone, Jack got up from the chair and walked to the door. He turned to his father, almost telling him that he was going to marry Rose regardless of his approval or not, but he decided against it. Instead, he turned to face his father head-on.

"I'll tell you this, now. Emilie likes her. Mother likes her. She's smart, funny, adventurous, kind, compassionate. Her mother may be materialistic but she's not. She was mad at me when she found out I was a Boston Dawson. She liked me more when she thought I was penniless, so you know it's not the money she wants. She just wants me. Me and her freedom from being sold to the highest bidder. That's all. And I love her. That right there, about me loving her, that should be what moves your decision most of all."

Having said all that, Jack turned and left the room, disappointed not to have the approval he wanted, yet still hopeful that by the end of summer, there would be a wedding to plan.