Emilie's parents were the first to arrive that day. Jerry Dawson, Ralph's brother, looked very similar to his brother with greying blond hair and bright blue eyes that matched Ralph's and Jack's. He was tall and slender and was dressed in a grey business suit. His wife Rebecca was a good-looking woman who Emilie resembled the most, despite her blond hair and blue eyes. Rebecca was a pretty brunette with a heart-shaped face and a slender nose. She was in a white and purple striped dress and wore a huge hat with a bow on the brim. Rose had to admit, she loved the outfit and could see herself wearing it on a trip of some kind.
"Jerry, welcome!" Ralph went to hug his older brother. His smile widened when he turned to Rebecca. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "And it's a pleasure as always to see you, Rebecca. I swear Emilie has gotten all of her beauty from you."
Rebecca just laughed. "Now Ralph, judging from how good-looking that son of yours is, the Dawson genes have helped. Speaking of...where is that nephew of mine?"
"Right this way. He, Emilie, and Rose are entertaining some of the friends that he had made in Philadelphia," Ralph leads the way into the sitting room, where the three young people were talking about Jack's time in Philadelphia with Tommy and Helga. Fabrizio was off helping his father at the moment. "Jack, Emilie, Jerry, and Rebecca are here."
"Mother, father!" Emilie was the first to get up and approach her parents. She felt tears fill her eyes, realizing that she really had missed them both. She was in their arms before any more words could be exchanged.
"Darling, we are so happy to see you!" Rebecca Dawson ran slender fingers through her daughter's hair. "And look at you. You've become such a pretty girl."
"We have missed you. I want to thank you Ralph and Irene for taking care of her," Jerry smiled, releasing his daughter from the hug.
"She has been a pleasure, Jerry. She kept us from missing Jack when he was away. Speaking of, Jack come say hello to your aunt and uncle," Ralph beckoned for Jack to join them.
"Oh my goodness, Jack? Why the last time I saw you, you were a skinny kid not nearly as tall as me, but look at you now. Clearly, a full grown man," Jerry Dawson approached the young man with arms wide open for a hug.
Jack just laughed and hugged his favorite uncle. "Hello, Uncle Jerry!"
"Just as handsome as his father. Those Dawson genes sure are strong," Aunt Rebecca grinned, her eyes widened when she sat eyes on Rose. "And this must be the gorgeous creature that brought our nephew home!"
Jack smiled as he turned to watch his aunt and uncle meet his fiancee, who was gorgeous in her purple tea dress, her red curls pinned back and then falling down her back. He couldn't help but be proud. "Uncle Jerry, Aunt Rebecca, may I introduce Rose Dewitt Bukater...soon to be Dawson."
"Welcome to the family dear," Aunt Rebecca hugged the nervous, but smiling Rose. "Our Emilie has written us about you. She called you a kindred spirit. Is that the word?"
Emilie just rolled her eyes and laughed. "Yes. Rose has so much in common with Jack and me. We also were acquaintances in finishing school, but surprisingly, we became real friendly after Jack had met her. We were just talking about how much trouble we could have gotten into together if we had associated with each other more."
"I think it's good that I met her first," Jack chuckled. "Who knows what stories about me you would have filled her head with."
"At least she would have been well warned," Emilie playfully stuck her tongue out at her cousin.
"Sure. Show Tommy how childish you can be," Jack snorted, feeling satisfied when Emilie's cheeks grew red.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Rose quickly replied, wanting to defuse any tension that may arise.
"You sure are lovely. I am not surprised though. Us Dawson men have exceptional taste," Jerry winked, kissing the back of Rose's hand.
"And just as charming," Rebecca chuckled. "Welcome to the family Rose. We look forward to getting to know you better."
Rose simply smiled and went to stand next to a beaming Jack, who linked hands with hers.
"See, nothing to be nervous about. They love you already," Jack smiled, leaning down for a chaste kiss.
"They haven't met mother yet," Rose whispered, letting her head rest against his shoulder. "But they weren't the ones I'm so nervous about."
Jack sighed and shook his head. "Don't you worry about her. I'll handle it. She won't get within ten feet of you."
"Mother, father," Emilie approached her parents again, this time Tommy was beside her, clutching his bowler hat in his hands. Jack and Rose both grew quiet and watched, hoping for the best. "This is Thomas Ryan. He's one of Jack's friends from Philadelphia."
"How do you do, ma'am. Sir," Thomas nodded his head, trying to be as proper as he possibly could be. He had been surprised when Emilie had stated her interest in him and even more surprised when she talked about introducing him to her parents. He was a bit reluctant at first, but he reminded himself that this was Jack's family. Maybe they won't be as bad as expected. He definitely realized that he couldn't paint all high society people with the same brush. There were also good people in the upper classes. People like Jack and his father.
"How do you do, young man," Jerry Dawson nodded, looking at his daughter and then at this young man. "You're a friend of Jack's?"
"Yes sir. I met him in Philadelphia, where I own a pub that does really good business. It's not a gentleman's club, but I make enough to support a family you can say."
"Tommy is a well-proper gentleman," Jack spoke up, wanting to give his support.
"Thank you, Jack," Emilie nervously smiled at her cousin. "Um, father, mother. I've heard that you were concerned about me choosing a suitor and...well I wanted to introduce you to the one person I'm interested in. I'm not saying that we want to get married, but I do want to get to know him better. Perhaps, something more can grow out of friendship. After all, mother. You said one should always be her mate's friend, like you and father."
Rose and Jack watched as Emilie's parents greeted Tommy and began asking what his intentions were toward their daughter. Tommy didn't stammer or stutter as he explained that he too wanted to get to know Emilie better and list off reasons why he could be considered a viable choice for Emilie's hand sometime in the future. Rose had to admit that by all looks of it, Emilie's parents had no real objections. Maybe things weren't as set in stone as Emilie had feared.
"That's going well," She leaned in and whispered to Jack.
"I thought it would. Uncle Jerry and Aunt Rebecca aren't so caught up in money that they don't want their daughter's happiness. If Tommy is who she wants, they probably won't object. It also helps that Tommy has his own income and can support her."
"I wish I grew up in your family. If I had, you wouldn't have had to leave your friends to save me from a life with Caledon Hockley."
"If you had, there would have been no threat of a life with Caledon Hockley," Jack snorted. "But all things worked out well. We met, I came back, and I stole you away from that bastard. Now we have a happy future to look forward to. You are happy, right? I mean, I know it's still high society and…"
"I'm happy wherever you are, Jack. It doesn't matter to me if you're poor or if you're rich. Just as long as you're you," Rose smiled, gently touching his cheek. "I love you more than anything. That's something that I never thought I'd feel about my future husband. You gave that to me, Jack."
"I'm going to give you a lot more than that my Rose. I promise," Jack kissed her again and again until his father cleared his throat.
Both Jack and Rose blushed as they pulled away.
"We all enjoy the sight of young love," Aunt Rebecca chuckled. "Let's not disturb them."
"Come, Jerry and Rebecca. I'll show you to your wing. We have much to discuss. Let's leave the young people to themselves," Ralph winked at his son before leading his brother and sister-in-law out of the room.
"Jack, your Aunt Karen will be here soon. Keep an ear out will you?" Irene turned to address her son. She wasn't surprised when he rolled his eyes. "Is there a problem?"
"Did you really have to invite her, mother? You know how she is and I don't want Rose and my friends to have to deal with that. I rather she is not here. For the Gala or my wedding."
Irene sighed, understanding how Jack felt, but there were still some protocols that shouldn't be avoided. Such as, inviting all family members to important family events like engagement galas and weddings. "You know there is no choice in the matter, Jack. I'd rather that my sister not be here as well...but some things cannot be helped."
Jack sighed and just nodded, preparing himself to be embarrassed in front of not only his friends but his fiancee as well.
"This is going to be awful."
"Look, just have Stewart bring her to us in the parlor. We'll handle her from there," Irene advised, sad to see the trepidation in her son's eyes. She was going to do her best to keep her sister away from Jack's friends and away from Rose.
"Yes mother," Jack nodded, watching his mother leave to join everyone else.
"So there's no avoiding your Aunt Karen," Emilie frowned, grateful that the woman had no real relation to her.
"I guess not. Not for me anyway, but do me a favor. Try to keep everyone out of her line of sight, alright? I don't want them thinking that my family is anything like that woman."
"Jack," Rose placed a hand on his shoulder, wanting to take his mind off of his unpleasant aunt. "How about a walk in the garden. That always seems to relax us both."
"That's a good idea," Jack sighed, keeping his hand linked with hers as they headed for the garden. He led her over to the gazebo and they sat on the bench close to each other. Jack sighed, feeling his body relax as the fresh air and scent of roses washed over him. "You know, I used to love daisies...but I think roses are my new favorite flower."
Rose just laughed. "Daisies just so happen to be my favorite. They just bring to mind happiness and joy and sunshine, you know?"
"That's exactly why I liked them too," Jack had to laugh. He had so much in common with this girl, it was ridiculous. "What else do we have in common?"
"I thought your new favorite were roses?"
"Only because their beauty is close to yours...but you even outshine them," Jack smiled, kissing her hand. "Every time I see a rose or smell one, you come to mind. So of course I'm going to like the flower that reminds me of the woman I love best."
"How many women have you said something like that to? I bet there's a Daisy somewhere and that's why you liked them?"
Jack laughed and shook his head. "No. I never knew any woman with the name Daisy. Only the flower."
"There should be a flower called Jack," Rose happily smiled, her eyes moving up to the blue sky, noticing how beautiful a day it really was. A perfect day to spend just sitting and talking for hours with the man you love.
Jack just laughed and shook his head. "Nah. No flower can fit me...well...maybe a daffodil. Because I'm so daffy...or at least that's what Emilie would say."
"Speaking of Emilie...her parents seem to like Tommy. I'm happy for her."
"Me too. I knew they wouldn't be a problem. Not if she really likes him. I hope it works out. It'd be great if Tommy became related to me. That way, he can never avoid me again."
"I don't think he'll do that again. Even if it doesn't work out with Emilie. He really cares about you. That's why he was so hurt."
"I care about him too. He's like the brother I never had, just like Fabri."
"I wish I had that. I mean...yes, I have friends like Louise, but we're not close like that. But I am growing closer to Emilie...so maybe I'm on my way to having that."
"You are...and I'm glad. I'm glad that you two have become so close."
"Irene!" A loud voice called from within the house. "Irene I have arrived!"
"Oh no…," Jack groaned, covering his face. His worse nightmare has arrived.
"Is that her?" Rose frowned, the lightness and ease she was feeling were now beginning to feel like a heavy blanket weighing her down.
"Unfortunately yes. You don't have to go in if you don't want to. You can wait out here…"
"No. You jump, I jump. We'll face her together."
"Rose…"
"No, Jack. We are to be husband and wife soon. Partners. When one has to face hard times, the other should too. We are united in all things, Jack. That's the way we have to be. Besides, I'm tired of being the damsel that needs protection."
"There it is. That fire I love so much about you. Let's see if we can burn that old woman with it."
"Lead the way, my love."