It was the night of the gala. Rose stood in front of the floor-length mirror staring at her reflection. She was the very picture of glamour. Her red curls were done up in an intricate style. Her dress was emerald green silk with a black sequin overlay. Her hands were encased in white gloves that reached her elbow and a tiara-like headpiece was what held her fancy hairstyle together. Her green eyes sparkled with happiness and her porcelain skin glowed. She was the very picture of a girl in love, ready to be engaged to the man of her dreams!

And Jack was the man of her dreams. Handsome, kind, compassionate, adventurous, and above all loving. He encouraged her hopes and dreams. He listened to her rambling thoughts and kissed away her tears when any were spilled. His arms were her safe place, her home, and tonight he was going to promise to marry her and be her home forever.

The sound of the door opening and closing made her turn around to see her mother standing there, trying to look as stoic as always in her own evening gown.

"Mother? What are you doing here? The gala is about to start and we'll have to be down there to greet guests soon," Rose turned around to face her mother.

"I feel that we need to talk. We didn't get a chance to yesterday and this may be the only chance."

Rose frowned, feeling slightly suspicious. Yes, her mother had approved of Jack and had agreed to this marriage, but Rose couldn't help but worry that the woman may do something to ruin everything.

"What do we need to talk about? If it's about this marriage, I think we've already said everything that needed to be said."

"It is about yesterday...when you came to my defense the way you did. Doing so could have cost you all that you had worked for Rose…."

"But it didn't. Jack and the Dawsons understood and agreed with me. They booted that woman right out of here and made sure that she was not going to be able to return."

"But if it had been another family…"

"But it wasn't. It's not. What did you expect me to do, mother? Stand there and let her tear into you...into us and our family name like that? Sure, the Dewitt Bukater name may be a little damaged thanks to father's debts, but it still has a good legacy...a legacy that Grandfather Bukater worked hard to build and I will not let that woman dishonor it. It is too bad that father didn't have the same respect. And I was not going to let her disparage you, my mother, the woman who gave me life if nothing else but that. Despite it all, mother I do love you. I care about what happens to you and how you are doing. I'm not going to let some busybody gossip whose family dreads her visits come after you like that. I know I was inappropriate, but I don't care."

"I just...I just want you to be careful, Rose. I don't want to be the cause of you losing everything. I just want to make sure that you're taken care of. That you won't ever have to worry about anything. That's all any mother wants."

"I know, mother. I realized that all that you've done, you did out of love. It may not be what I would have done or wanted, but it came from a good place."

"I know that my opinion is not worth much, but I just wanted to tell you that I am proud of you. You've done better than I had ever dreamed. You didn't let society box you in. You saw what you wanted and you reached for it, no matter how high it was," Ruth wrapped took Rose's hands, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears. "If I had my way, you would have been unhappily engaged to Caledon Hockley. Trapped at a status that you were way above. Instead, you saw where you belonged and went for it…"

"Mother, that is not why I'm marrying Jack. You know that. I don't care what status Jack has in society. What I care about is the person Jack is. I love him, mother, with all my heart and he loves me, and...that's what matters to us both. Not societies laws and bylaws and status levels. Love. That's what is most important to us both."

"Okay, I get it. I guess we better get ready to go down. They will be expecting us soon. Will Jack be escorting you?"

"Of course," Rose nodded, giving her appearance one more look over. She wanted to be her most beautiful for Jack tonight.

"Would you have given this much care and effort for Caledon?" Ruth wondered, eyeing her daughter curiously.

"The answer is no, I would not. Not only is Cal a horrible person, I never loved him. Not like I do Jack. I'm sorry, I know that you had preferred Cal, but Jack is the one I want to be with."

"I was just curious, Rose. That is the only reason I was asking. It's not a matter of preference."

"Right," Rose sighed, deciding to just let it go. She didn't want to argue with her mother. Not tonight, not about a moot point. Jack was the man she chose. Period. There was nothing else to say about it.

Once again, silence fell between mother and daughter until there was a knock at the door.

"Rose, it's time," Emilie announced.

Rose smiled at her reflection one last time. The next time she'd see her reflection, it would be as an officially engaged woman!

…..

Jack was waiting for Rose at the bottom of the stairs. He was gorgeous in his tuxedo, with his gorgeous blond hair combed back and gleaming in the artificial light of the chandelier. Smiling, he took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"I saw that in a nickelodeon once and I always wanted to do it," Jack smiled.

Rose just smiled and gave a little laugh in response. She took his arm and they headed for the ballroom together.

Rose felt everyone's eyes on her as they entered the room. There were some familiar faces, much to her surprise. Such as the newly married Louise and Edward Henshaw. Her mother must have made the calls and invitations. There were no Hockleys in sight, thank goodness. The truce that had been called with her mother would have been over if she had seen any sign of Cal's presence.

The music lowered as the Dawson butler announced, "Mr. Jack Dawson and Miss. Rose Dewitt Bukater!

"Oh my god," Rose leaned closer to Jack, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering around even more than before.

"Relax. They're here to celebrate us. They're our friends and family. They're here to congratulate, not judge," Jack reassured her, placing a hand over the one that was on his arm. "Remember, you jump, I jump. We're jumping together."

Rose simply smiled and nodded her head, relieved as the music returned to normal and everyone returned to mingling with each other. Now that she was no longer the center of attention at the moment, she felt more relaxed.

"Rose!" Louise called out, approaching her friend with open arms. "Oh Rose, I am so happy for you! I knew that you were miserable with that Hockley man! I'm so glad that you had met Jack and now you two are engaged! You are even glowing my dear!"

"I am so glad that you're able to make it, Louise," Rose happily smiled. "I sure do feel like I'm glowing."

"Word has it that you gave Hockley a good beating a few weeks ago," Edward patted Jack on the back, a big grin on his face. "I bet the old boy deserved it! Wish I had been there to help!"

"Believe me, he did deserve it. He and his fiancee were trying to steal from a little girl," Jack explained, not minding spreading the word about Hockley's misdeeds.

"Really? How absolutely appalling!"

"Oh Edward, there's Virginia Bailey. We must go say hi. Maybe we can get an invite to her winter estate this Christmas. That would be so smashing!" Louise gasped, pulling her husband away.

Rose could only chuckle. "Poor Edward. I love Louise, but she is a force of nature at times. He had no idea what he was getting into by marrying her."

"I think he enjoys it. Us fellas that like our women feisty tend to enjoy their feistiness."

"Are you saying that I'm like Louise, Jack?"

"Hmm...maybe a little. But that's ok, Rose. It's part of the reason why I love you so much."

"I love you so much Jack, I can barely stand it."

Jack simply just smiled and touched her face with gentle artist's fingers, making her feel like one of his creations. Beautiful and deep. Exquisite.

The sound of Ralph Dawson clearing his throat brought the lovebirds out of the trance they were in and drew their attention to the center of the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We are here tonight to announce a big event for the Dawson family. Our heir, Jack has finally found someone to settle down with. This girl is not only beautiful, but she's a perfect match for my son. Their personalities are symbiotic with one another and bring balance to their lives. They complement each other. It's the kind of relationship that I share with my wife Irene and I am so very proud of my son for finding the right girl for him, so let's toast my son Jack on his good fortune of finding the love of his life!" Ralph held up his champagne glass for a toast. Once everyone cheered and took a sip of champagne, he continued.

"Well, tradition says that a young man is to ask the young lady a very important question and present her with a token of his affection for her and a symbol of their promise to wed. So I'll step aside and let the lovebirds get to it. Afterward, the party will continue with not only dinner but dancing as well."

Ralph beckoned for Jack and Rose to take his place at the center of the room. He handed a small box to Jack as he stepped back.

Jack took a deep breath as he felt everyone's eyes on them. He spotted his Philadelphia friends, all dressed in their Sunday best. They looked a little out of place, but that was okay. He saw his side of the family and the people he had known in school. He saw Fabri standing with Helga, smiling happily and giving him a thumbs up. He saw Tommy standing next to a happily smiling Emilie. They were all there to support him.

Clearing his throat, he faced Rose, gripping her left hand in his right. His eyes met hers and the world then disappeared. Suddenly, it was only him and her and he was ready to open his heart to her and spill out everything.

"Dearest Rose, by beautiful petal. You have no idea how much you mean to me. I never believed in love at first sight, until you walked into my world and grabbed my heart with just a glance. I don't know if you had noticed me, but the sight of you, it had never left my heart….my soul. When I met you….you didn't know who I really was. Heck, I didn't even know who I was...not until I met you. Then we did meet and I got to know you and I began to love you even more and by the time I returned home, I knew that you were a part of my soul. I could not and will not live without you."

Jack swallowed down his nervousness as he got down on one knee, keeping his eyes locked on Rose's. "So that's why I'm presenting you with this ring that belonged to my Grandmother Anna Dawson. She told my father to give this ring to his son so he could give it to the love of his life...and that's you, Rose. You are the love of my life and with this ring, I am asking you to make me the happiest man on earth. Promise to join your life with mine. Be my wife. Rose Dewitt Bukater, will you marry me?"

The room grew quiet as everyone waited for Rose's answer.

Rose felt tears in her eyes as she listened to Jack's speech, which had left her nearly speechless. How could she respond to such a beautiful speech?

"Rose?" Jack stared at her as it took her a while to get over her emotions to respond.

"Yes. Yes, I'll marry you, Jack. I'll marry you today, tomorrow, and every single day! I will marry you," Rose smiled, her happy tears now flowing freely.

Applause rang out as Jack got to his feet and picked Rose up, twirling her in the air. Rose just laughed as Jack claimed her lips, sealing the promise with a kiss.

….

The proposal finished, Jack and Rose were whisked to opposite corners. Jack was with his father, talking to old family friends and business partners to discuss his future in the family business while Jack's mother guided Rose throughout the room, introducing her to old friends of the family, neighbors, and ladies of Boston high society. By the end of it all, both Jack and Rose were exhausted, but not exhausted enough to meet each other at the gazebo one last time, just an hour after the party had ended. Rose sat on the gazebo's stairs, staring up at the stars, feeling at peace. For the first time in forever, she felt rather satisfied with her life. She no longer had the urge to escape into some perceived form of freedom. She had just needed the love and faith of a good man and she had that in Jack.

"Hey," Jack smiled, approaching her. He sat down beside her and took her hand in his. "Are you okay? Did you have fun? Are you ready to run for the hills yet? Because if you are, just say the word and we're on our way."

Rose looked at him with bright laughing eyes. "There's no need to run for the hills anymore Jack. I don't feel that need for escape anymore. For the first time, I'm satisfied and happy. I have a wonderful fiancee who doesn't want to bolt me down and erase my own identity. A man that I love. A man that will help me reach any dream I may have. That's all that I wanted."

"I'm glad. Because I'm determined to help you become that moving picture actress if that's what you want. Or be Isadora Duncan, a wild pagan spirit."

"How about a trip to Santa Monica first? You can help me learn how to ride a horse like a real cowboy, right in the surf. And let's not forget about that roller coaster."

"Oh of course," Jack chuckled. He looked over at the house and noticed Emilie and Tommy in the ballroom, dancing to a song that only they could hear, obviously. Emilie looked happy and Tommy was enthralled. He smiled as he watched the pair share a chaste kiss. "I think Emilie and Tommy have found something tonight."

Rose followed Jack's gaze and smiled. "I'm happy for them. You know, it seems right. We've found our happiness and now it looks as if she's found hers. There won't be problems with her parents will there?"

"I doubt it. Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Jerry seem to like Tommy enough."

"Again, I wish I grew up with your family."

"Well, you're going to be a part of it soon. So, no worries, right?"

"Right," Rose sighed, letting her head rest against Jack's shoulder. "I can't wait until we're married, Jack. It's going to be hell going back to Philadelphia."

"I know. I want you to be here with me full-time. The wedding is too far away."

"I can't survive all that long without seeing you."

"I know...I don't think I can survive it either...which is why I have a suggestion for you, even though I don't know what you'll think about it."

"What?" Rose asked, eager to consider anything if it kept her in the same vicinity as Jack.

"My father owns a brownstone in town. He only uses it if he has a late-night business meeting and it's too late to head back home. Why don't you stay there? That way, we can see each other all the time! I had already talked to my father about it and he said that was a good idea. He even gave me the keys! How about it, Rose? Move to Boston. Plan our wedding here, not in Philadelphia."

Rose blinked a few times and swallowed. If it was only her, she would accept Jack's offer with no reservation, but it was her mother's choice as well. She needed to know what would become of her mother if she did decide to move to Boston. "Can you give me time to talk this over with my mother?"

"Of course," Jack nodded. "I know this is sudden. I really should have talked it over with you first, but I had gotten so excited, I couldn't help talking with father about it."

"I understand and it is exciting, but there will still be arrangements I'll have to make. What things to take with me. Whether to keep Trudy as my lady's maid or find someone from Boston itself, what to do about mother if she doesn't want to join me…"

"Oh, she'll want to join you. You should see this place. She'll thrive there," Jack chuckled.

Rose laughed and gripped his hands with his. "I'll talk to mother about it tomorrow, darling. I'll have an answer for you before it's time to go back."

"Hopefully it's a yes. Emilie will jump for joy if you were to move here before we marry."

"There are so many reasons for a yes."

"Yes, there is. I'll make a list for you if you need it."

Rose simply laughed and shook her head. "There will be no need for that, my love. Walk me to my room?"

Jack simply nodded, standing to his feet and offering his arm. "Of course."

High off the energy of the gala and ensconced in their love, Jack and Rose made their way back inside, looking forward to what the future held for them and their family.