Two weeks later…

Boston...

Rose sighed happily as she helped Trudy unpack her belongings. After two weeks of being Jackless, the drought was finally over. If only Jack was available at that moment, Rose would be by his side instead of in what was to be her room for the next few days, helping Trudy unpack the clothes she had brought with her, all newly brought at Philadelphia's best boutique. Ruth had insisted on new clothes, wanting to keep up appearances as much as possible, especially now that Rose was marrying into such a prestigious family.

"There you are," Emilie entered, giving a bright welcoming smile. Jack was not the only one who had missed the redhead. Emilie had missed her as well, plus she was hoping that maybe Rose had news of one Tommy Ryan. She was hoping that maybe the Irishman would attend the coming gala, with him being Jack's friend and all.

"Emilie, come in. I was just helping Trudy unpack," Rose beckoned her friend in.

"Isn't that Trudy's job?" Emilie arched a brow, not meaning to give Rose a hard time. In fact, she shouldn't be surprised. Jack always helped Fabrizio with his job when he had the chance and with the couple being such kindred spirits, of course, Rose would help her lady's maid.

"Yes, but it was I that decided to lug all of this stuff here. It's only right that I should help unpack it. Oh, come look at my dress for the gala!" Rose pulled Emilie over to the closet and unzipped the hanging bag that contained the dress.

Emilie gasped at the vision of green silk and black sequins. Looking at the dress, she knew it would bring out Rose's beautiful green eyes. "This is gorgeous Rose!"

"Do you think Jack will like it?"

"Jack will love it. Heck, you can wear rags and you'll still be the most beautiful woman there."

Rose simply laughed as she zipped the bag back up, hiding the dress from view. "I never thought I'd be this nervous when it came to my engagement gala. I want to be especially beautiful for Jack. If only I can see him right now. Will he be in meetings all day?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He was so angry when Uncle Ralph told him that he wouldn't be able to be here for your arrival. I had to promise him on my favorite cat's grave to make sure you had a good time while he was busy with the family business."

"Oh, I don't want you to go into any trouble. Just show me to the library and I'm good until dinner at least."

"How about we go do some pre-gala shopping? I'm sure that there must be something that you had forgotten to purchase or pick up before the big party."

"Sadly, mother and I had done all of our gala shopping in Philadelphia. I can't think of anything I haven't purchased yet…"

"How about that new Parisian hair ornament, or...a journal of some kind. Jack did say that you liked to write…."

"Or something for Jack? An engagement gift. I know he'll have one for me…"

"Of course!"

Rose felt herself give in. Why not go out for a day of at least window shopping? It would be better than sitting inside with her mother, waiting for Jack's return. "Oh, alright. Let's go. But to the art shops. I want to pick something out that Jack may have use for."

"Oh, we can go to his favorite art store. That's where he gets all of his supplies. The clerk can even help you since he's familiar with Jack's taste and styles."

"That would be most helpful," Rose grabbed her purse. "Should we take Trudy?"

"How about giving her the day off? My Violet should be enough help for the both of us."

Rose simply nodded and left a note with Trudy to give to her mother, telling her where she was and that she and Emilie should be back by dinner.

…..

Night had fallen. The girls had returned from their shopping trip hours ago. The reunion between Jack and Rose was a happy, but chaste one, the couple well aware of their elders and how they were expected to behave around one another. Jack was willing to be more affectionate, but Rose was still a little hesitant, not wanting to give Jack's father a reason to call off the wedding.

But that night, Rose couldn't help herself. She had brought Jack a wonderful gift and wanted to give it to him in private. Sadly, she never got that chance to get him alone. So once she was sure that everyone had gone to bed for the evening, she got up out of bed, grabbed the shopping bag that contained Jack's gift, and slipped out of her room.

She looked up and down the hallway, making sure that there was no one about to catch her. She knew that what she was about to do was highly inappropriate and would cause a scandal if one of the Dawson staff should wander by. Hoping she had the right door, she made her way to the door across from hers and lightly knocked.

"Come in," Jack's voice came from inside, sounding distracted.

Rose silently entered to find Jack sitting at his desk, sketching something on a notepad. He was so involved in what he was doing, he didn't even look up. "Jack…"

Jack's eyes widened when he looked up to find Rose standing there in what was her nightgown, her red hair flowing down her back and over her shoulders, holding a shopping bag in front of her. Her eyes were wide but sparkling and her pink lips were begging to be kissed. She was a vision and he fell for her all over again.

"Rose," Jack got to his feet, rubbing his palms against his pants, hoping that they weren't sweaty and weren't covered with the ink from his pen. "What is it? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just...I wanted to see you...alone," Rose blushed, knowing that she was definitely underdressed. "I probably shouldn't be here, but...I wanted to see you…"

"Hey, you're welcomed here anytime," Jack slowly approached her. "Inappropriate or not. Heck, it won't be inappropriate for long. We'll be married soon, so this room will soon be yours. Maybe I should give you a tour."

Rose smiled. "Well, it's a very cozy room. I like it."

"It can use a feminine touch, though. Right? Is there anything you'd want to be changed?"

Rose looked around. Jack's room was all blues and white. Blue bed coverings, white wallpaper, curtains, blue carpeting. She really couldn't think of what she would change. Besides, the vision of Jack standing before her in the most private of settings was demanding all of her attention.

"I can't think of anything right now...but room décor is not why I'm here. I wanted to give you this," She held the bag out to him, a nervous smile curving her lips.

"You got me something?" Jack gently took the bag, touched by her gesture. He hadn't been expecting her to get him anything, really. Her presence in his life was enough.

"Yes. I...I was thinking about you...I've been thinking about you a lot really and, I wanted to get you something that would be useful to you."

"I think a lot about you, too," Jack confessed as he returned to the desk to rummage through the bag. His eyes widened when he saw the new leather portfolio, along with all the other artist supplies that Rose had purchased. "Rose...this is all for me?"

"I got everything right, didn't I? All of those are things you can use for your art?"

"Yes. Everything is...perfect. I...I don't know what to say, thank you," Jack opened the portfolio to find a card attached to the inside cover. He took the card and read, "To my beloved Jack. You have no idea how much you've saved me. I love you more than anything in the world. You jump, I jump. I promise to never let go, just as long as you don't either. Love Rose…

"Rose...I don't know what to say…"

"You don't have to say anything. You don't even have to like it really. I just wanted to do something for you...to show you how much you mean to me."

Jack felt tears in his eyes. No other woman had ever been so considerate, so loving towards him. Looking into her eyes, he could see the emotion and love there. She didn't want to be with him just to get away from Cal. She wanted to be with him because she truly did love him just like he truly, deeply, madly loved her. He placed the items down and walked to her and gently cradled her face in his hands, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Thank you. Not only for the gifts but...for how you love me. I've never felt this way for anyone before and I've never been loved like this…"

Rose found that hard to believe. What woman wouldn't adore a man like Jack Dawson? He was stunningly handsome, kind, compassionate, and talented. She had desired him the moment she had seen him and that desire grew and developed into so much more the more she got to know him.

"How can I not love you? You're everything I've ever wanted. We girls, we always dream of being swept off our feet by a prince charming and being so deeply in love with this guy that appears out of nowhere, this guy that is supposed to match us, heart, body, and soul...but that doesn't happen. Not for real...except this time it did. It happened for me...you're my prince charming, Jack. You're real."

"So you don't mind me sweeping you off your feet and taking you to live in the castle in the clouds?"

Rose just laughed and shook her head. "I welcome it...even though can you share your secret with me? I mean, how do we reach the clouds? And how does a castle manage to stay up there?"

"I think it all has to do with magic," Jack grinned, wrapping arms around her and pulling her close to his body. "The magic of our love…"

"Jack…"

"Because I love you, Rose. I do, I love you more than anything in this world. I would do and give up any and everything to be with you."

Rose felt the tears leave her eyes as she did the one thing she's been wanting to do since she stepped into his room. She leaned in and pressed her lips against his in what started to be a chaste kiss. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as he deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping into her mouth to mingle with hers. Enjoying the taste of him, she began to lose herself, her hands sliding from his shoulders then down his chest, playing with the buttons of his shirt until they became undone.

Jack for his part tried to keep his senses together, but the scent of wildflowers and the feel of her soft body in his arms was causing him to lose all train of thought as he moved them over to the bed. He didn't even realize that he had lowered her down onto the soft mattress until he felt her warm body beneath him.

They would have remained like that, on his bed, lost in each other if it wasn't for the need to breathe. It was Jack who pulled away to stare into her beautiful eyes. "Are you alright?"

Rose simply nodded, her hands rubbing his bare chest. "I'm fine...I just need you…" Her hand slid down, grasping the waistband of his pants when he grabbed her hand, stopping her from going any further. She frowned, looking up at him with confused eyes. "Don't you want me, Jack?"

Jack looked at her as if she was asking him if the sky was blue. "Of course I want you. More than anything."

"Well then, why are you stopping me from going any further?"

Jack sighed, rolling off of her and laying on his back. He kept her hand linked with his, not wanting to stop all contact. "It's our first time. I want it to be more special than this. When we make love for the first time...I want to wake up next to you the next morning. I want it to be pure... scandal-free. No chance of anyone finding out that you snuck in and we did it before marriage. You know what I mean?"

Rose sighed. Of course, she knew. That was the reason why she had been so careful when she decided to come to see him. "I understand. I want that too, I guess. I just...I never felt like this before. I desire you, Jack. I want to be...as close as I can possibly be to you."

"I want the same, Rose. But let's wait. It won't be that long."

Rose sighed, giving in. "Okay. We'll wait, but I need to be Mrs. Dawson as soon as possible Jack. I don't know how much longer I can last like this."

Jack couldn't help but chuckle, feeling amused. This girl was definitely different from all the other high-society girls he had ever met. "Like what?"

"You know. I want you to put your hands on me, Jack. But you're making me wait."

"Hey, it's not easy for me either. I want to put my hands all over my uptown girl. But Tommy's right. You're a goddess beyond mortal man. Which means, you deserve this to be special. Rose petals, candlelight, satin or silk sheets, soft music…"

Rose blinked as she again felt tears in her eyes. "You care so much about making this good for me, Jack. I don't think Cal would have ever been as considerate and loving as you. He wouldn't care about making my first time making love romantic. But you do…"

"Well, as you can tell, I'm not Cal."

"No, you're not. You're a true gentleman. I love you."

"I love you too, Rosebud." Jack smiled, kissing the back of her hand.

"I guess I better head back to my room now. Take myself away from temptation."

"You don't have to go yet. You can stay for a few more hours if you like."

Rose was tempted to. Laying here next to Jack, feeling closer to him than ever before, his body right there for her to explore...she wanted to stay. Which was why she decided to go. He was too tempting. "I better go."

Jack sighed and got up off the bed and pulled her onto her feet. "I'll walk you to the door, then."

They walked in silence, then stood at the door, their hands clasped together. "Good night, Jack."

"Good night, Rose. Thank you again for the art supplies."

Rose smiled one more time, before kissing Jack again, this time keeping it chaste. Then she slipped out of his room to head back to her own, leaving Jack drowning in the scent of wildflowers, looking forward to the night when he would never have to let her go.