Heyy guys! I'm back from vacation and I've managed to get all the way up to Chapter Twenty. Just so you know, it's getting really intense, now. I hope I didn't lose too many readers due to my long absence, but just leave a reply, let me know you're still reading. This chapter's a little short, but I promise I'll be uploading longer ones really soon. Thanks and enjoy!

~Jillianna

Disclaimer: Chapter One.

Mid-May, 1912

"I don't get it… Where are you taking me?" Jack had Rose's hand and was leading her down a sandy path between the beach and a row of houses in a quiet Santa Monica neighborhood. "Oh! I know… We're walking down this lovely street, full of expensive houses that I think we could never afford so you can break the news to me that you've been a millionaire all along and I can pick out any house I like!" Rose pretended to sound excited, as though she actually believed what she had just said. "Ha. You'll see," he said, grinning before pulling her closer so he could wrap his arm around her.

"You enjoy being married to me, don't you, Mr. Dawson?" Rose leaned her head on Jack's shoulder as he scoffed. "What makes you say that, Mrs. Dawson?" Rose smiled to herself. "Well, seeing as though your hand is resting on my butt, and it probably wouldn't be if we weren't married, I'd say you're enjoying being able to call yourself my husband."

Without looking, Rose could tell Jack was blushing. "Well, your butt is my property, now that we're married. I feel entitled to rest my hand on it." Rose couldn't help but laugh. "Then I suppose all of your body is my property, then. I feel entitled to put my hands anywhere on your body, now."

Jack stopped short and Rose was suddenly aware of the beautiful ocean view in front of her. "It's beautiful," she breathed, reaching for the hand that wasn't wrapped around her waist. She pulled it to her heart and listened to the crashing waves as the sun set over the horizon. "It is beautiful," Jack agreed, before turning Rose so that she faced the house they stood in front of.

"How would you like to watch it every night from this front porch?" he asked, taking her hand and leading her up a set of wooden steps. Brow furrowed, she hesitated. "I don't understand… and I don't think the owner of this beautiful house would want us on his front porch every night." Jack grinned, sitting down on the top step and pulling Rose into his lap. "I'm sure he won't mind…"

"Why, you know him?" she teased, readjusting her body so she straddled him with her arms wrapped around his neck. Jack's grin grew as he placed his hands delicately on her hips. "I am him." Rose's eyes widened as she comprehended what he was saying. "You… are him…? You mean… We…" Jack nodded, loving the expression on her face as she tried to piece together what he was saying.

A squeal of pure joy erupted from her throat as she pushed him back onto the deck, taking him off guard and kissing him wildly. "Are you serious? It's really ours? Really?" Jack laughed as he tried to sit back up, but Rose kept him pinned down to the wooden flooring with her hands pressed on his shoulders. "I didn't say ours—I just said that I own the house. I mean, if you'd like to live here, I'm sure I could work something out-"

"Jack Dawson!" she cried, moving her hands from his shoulders to the center of his chest. "You tell me right now that this is our house. To live in." Jack laughed, finally finding the strength to sit back up. "Rose Dawson, this house belongs to you and I. On all of the official documents and everything." Rose looked up at the house behind him. "How did you afford this?" she whispered, utterly shocked by his words. "I know a guy… Besides, I have a job to pay it off and…" he trailed off as she gazed deeply into his eyes.

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you, Mr. Dawson?" Jack shrugged, trying to stand up, only to find that Rose wouldn't let go. He finally managed to stand, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist and her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her legs and his fingers touched her inner thighs, sending a ripple of pleasure through her body.

"When did you set this up?" she asked, resting her chin on his shoulder as he gently pushed open the front door with his foot. "This morning, while you were asleep at the hotel, I met up with a few friends of mine from when I was fifteen. My best friend who lives here made me an offer for this house I couldn't refuse and then I applied for a teaching job at the school down the street… They hired me on the spot."

While he was talking, Jack had carried Rose up the stairs, down a hallway and into a room, which Rose was just beginning to realize was a bedroom. The bed was made, candles were lit and rose petals were sprinkled throughout the room. "… Then I came here and set all this up for you," he whispered, gently setting her down on the bed. She looked at him in disbelief, wondering how one man could be so amazing.

Jack crawled onto the bed and kneeled in front of Rose, who was lying on her side. "I've never met anyone so wonderful in my entire life," she breathed as he leaned down and kissed her, his nimble fingers finding their way to the buttons on her dress. "I've never met anyone so beautiful in my entire life," he whispered into her ear, giving up on the buttons and pulling her dress over her head.