Jack walked back to the Waldorf-Astoria, bags in hand, ready to show Rose everything he had gotten. He loved her so much and was glad that he could support her for now. He was so worried that they would have to be sleeping outside at first, and while that was good enough for him, he would never put Rose through that. He loved her too much.

-

Jack knocked on his and Rose's door, surprised to see Molly answer it. "Hey, Jack! We were just having lunch. Would you like some?"

Jack didn't realize it until now, but he was starving. He hadn't had anything to eat all day. "Sure."

Rose got up as soon as she saw Jack and gave him a huge hug. "I missed you this morning! I was so worried until I saw your note."

Jack smiled. "Oh, Rose. I missed you too. I went out and bought us some things today." He pulled his clothes and a few dresses and shoes that he had purchased for her out of the shopping bag. "I hope you like these.. I knew you needed new clothes. If you don't like them, we can return them." He wanted to wait to give her the ring until later, when they were alone.

"Jack, this was so sweet of you! I love them, especially knowing that you picked them out for me! Thank you!"

Jack beamed. He was so happy that Rose liked the things that he had purchased for her. "I know they aren't as fancy as you're used to, but.."

"Oh Jack. I didn't even like the dresses that mother made me wear. These are perfect. Thank you." Rose couldn't believe he had taken time out of his day to buy clothes for her. She had really needed some, of course. Jack was so good to her. Cal would never have done something like this. Rose gave Jack a big kiss.

Molly looked on at the happy couple. "Hey, I'm still here kids!"

Rose and Jack pulled apart, laughing. "Oh, I'm sorry, Molly," Rose said.

Molly laughed, "It's fine. I think I'll be going back to my room now that I've finished lunch. Do you guys have anything planned for the day?"

Jack was hoping to take Rose to Central Park. He could show her around the area, maybe do a couple drawings, and present her with the ring. "Well, I was thinking I would take Rose down to Central Park. We could walk around, spend some time together, and get dinner. That is, if Rose wants to. What do you think, my love?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea! Maybe you could do some drawings to replace the ones you lost on the ship," Rose suggested.

Molly smiled, "That sounds like a great idea. Have a nice day, you two." Molly walked back to her room.

-

"Oh Jack, it's so beautiful here!" Rose exclaimed as they walked hand in hand through the park. They both looked great, wearing the new clothes that they had purchased and huge smiles on their faces. Both Jack and Rose were just happy to be in each other's company for the day. Rose watched in amazement as pigeons flew throughout the park. People were walking their dogs and enjoying the fresh air. "I just love animals. Do you think we could get a dog someday?"

"I'm sure we can, once we get our own place to live." Jack kissed Rose on the forehead. "Rose, why don't you sit on the bench over there? I'd like to draw a picture of you in the park. The pond will be right behind you, it's good scenery."

Rose smiled. "Of course, Jack." Rose felt so horrible that Jack had lost all of his drawings in the sinking. He had worked so hard on them, and they held so many memories for Jack. She was especially upset about the drawing of herself that was lost. That drawing held so many memories… the first time they kissed, the first night that they made love. Rose would have to ask Jack to draw her like that again someday. They still had the necklace, after all.

Rose sat down on the park bench, her legs crossed and her long red hair flowing in the wind. She looked absolutely beautiful.

Jack sat on the grass across from her, drawing his beautiful fiancé. He couldn't believe he had gotten so lucky. First, to win a ticket on one of the grandest ships in the world, and then to meet the love of his life. He only wished that his best friend, Fabrizio, could be here with him to share all the excitement. Fabrizio was a strong believer in true love and was so happy for Jack and Rose. When Jack told Fabrizio about how Rose rejected him in the gym, Fabrizio told Jack that she'd be back. He'd seen the love in both of their eyes at the steerage party. Fabrizio was right. Jack only wished he could be there to see the wedding. He tried his hardest not to blame himself for his best friend's untimely death.

Jack drew and drew, continuously amazed by Rose's beauty. Her red hair flowed in the wind and her flawless skin looked beautiful in the sunlight. After awhile, his drawing was finished. He held it up and admired it in the sunlight. Rose got up off of the bench and came up behind him. "It's beautiful, Jack. You have such a wonderful talent."

Before Jack had a chance to respond, a man walked up to him and Rose. "Are you an artist?" the man asked.

Jack smiled. "Not really, I just enjoy drawing. I've drawn a lot and I've sold some of my pictures before, but only for a dime a piece." He showed the man his drawing of Rose.

"Well, you have extraordinary talent! Would you mind drawing a picture of me and my young daughter, here?"

Jack looked at Rose. "Do you mind? It shouldn't take very long."

Rose smiled. "Of course not. I'd love to be able to watch you draw."

"Well then, sir, I would be happy to draw you and your daughter." The man and his daughter reminded him of Bert and Cora Cartmell. It broke Jack's heart when he didn't see either one of them on any of the survivor's lists.

"Thank you. I'm Charles."

"Jack Dawson." Jack smiled. Now, if you'd like to sit on that bench, that would be a good location, unless you would like to be drawn somewhere else.

"No, the bench is fine. Come on, Emily," Charles said to his young daughter. She couldn't have been much older than five or six.

Jack started to draw Charles and Emily while Rose watched. Rose was simply amazed at Jack's talent, the way his hands moved across the page as he drew. The way he was able to perfectly sculpt and shade. His drawings were so realistic and so beautiful. He had a gift, he could see people.

Jack finished the drawing and handed it to Charles, who gave him a quarter. "Thank you, Jack. This drawing is beautiful."

Jack smiled. "I'm glad you enjoy it. Have a nice day."

-

Jack and Rose continued to walk through the park hand in hand after Charles left, discussing the park and Jack's talent for drawing. Finally, Rose changed the subject to something that she had been thinking about and wanting to bring up.

Rose looked up at her beautiful Jack. "Jack, where are we going to go? We can only stay at the hotel for so long. Should we stay in New York?"

"Well, Rose, where would you like to go, my love?"

"What about Chippewa Falls? I would love to see where you grew up."

"Actually, Rose, that might not be a bad idea. My house is still standing, so we could stay there without worrying about a place to live."

Rose smiled. She was so happy that Jack liked her idea. "Your house? I thought your parents died in a fire."

"They did," Jack frowned at the memory. "It was in our barn. A lantern tipped over and set the whole place on fire. My dad ran into to save my mom, but it was too late."

"Oh Jack," Rose was upset at herself for bringing the topic up. She put a comforting arm around her love. "I'm sorry I asked."

"No, Rose. You have a right to know, we are getting married after all. I don't know about you, but I'm starved. How about dinner?"

"Dinner sounds wonderful, Jack." Rose smiled. She was so happy to be spending the day with her soulmate.

-

Jack led Rose to a small, quaint Italian restaurant near Central Park. He had come here a couple times during his stay in New York, after he first left Chippewa Falls. The owners, an older Italian couple named Marco and Lucia, were kind and welcoming. They had let Jack stay in the apartment above the restaurant for a couple weeks before he had decided to move onto Europe with his travels. Jack had quickly made friends with the older couple, and was sad to leave them when he did.

They walked into the restaurant, which wasn't at all crowded – only one other couple was there eating. Jack spotted Marco cleaning up a table. "Marco!"

Marco came closer, squinting through his glasses. "Jack Dawson? Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me! I'm in New York with my fiancé, Rose." Jack gestured to Rose, who smiled and waved slightly. "Where's Lucia?"

"Oh, she's in the kitchen. Lucia! Come look who's here."

Lucia walked out of the kitchen, her black hair tied up in a neat bun. A warm smile came across her face as she recognized who was in her restaurant. "Jack!" Lucia gave him a welcoming hug. "I'm so glad to see you! And who is this lovely lady with you?"

Rose stuck her hand out. "I'm Rose, Jack's fiancé."

Lucia smiled. "Oh, aren't you a beautiful young lady! I'm glad to see young Jack here is settling down. He was traveling all over the place when we first met him. Where did you two meet?"

"We met on a ship coming back from Europe. It was love at first sight," Jack smiled. Neither of them were ready to discuss the Titanic yet. In fact, they had tried to block most of it from their memories to prevent it from consuming them.

"Well, I'm glad you decided to stop by and visit. Here, have a seat!" Marco lead the young couple to a small table with a checkered tablecloth and a candle. He handed Jack and Rose both a menu. "I'll be back when you're ready to order."

Rose took Jack's hand in hers from across the table. "Thank you for taking me here,
Jack. I love meeting friends of yours. They seem so kind." Rose was always amazed by how kind lower class people seemed to be. The people that Ruth Dewitt-Bukater surrounded herself with tended to be snobby, uppity, and obnoxious, with a few exceptions. When Rose went down to the steerage party with Jack, she realized that the people who had so little were so happy and had so much fun. Jack was right when he told her that she had been shipped to the wrong address. Being with Jack and the types of people he loved made Rose happier than she had ever been.

"I thought you would like it here. Lucia and Marco make absolutely delicious food. You'll love it." Jack loved making Rose happy. She was the only thing in the world that mattered anymore to him.

-

After finishing their food, Jack decided that he was going to present Rose with the ring he bought her. He got up out of his chair and got down on one knee, and pulled the box out of his pocket. "Rose, I know I already proposed, but I wanted to do this the right way. I love you, Rose, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Marry me?" Jack opened the box to show the simple gold band with a small diamond.

Rose's jaw dropped. She was shocked. When had Jack gone out and bought her that ring? It must have been when he purchased the clothes in the morning. Jack was so wonderful. The ring was beautiful – it was simple, but gorgeous. It was a million times more beautiful than the ring that Cal gave her. "Oh, Jack! Of course I will!" Rose stood up and pulled him into a huge hug.

"Rose, look at the inside of the ring."

Rose looked at the inside, surprised to see that it was engraved. Make it count. "Jack, it's beautiful. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ring, or a more perfect man to share my life with. You didn't even have to get this. I would marry you in rags."
Lucia and Marco looked on, smiles on their faces. They started clapping for the couple as Jack slid the ring on Rose's finger.

"I thought you two were already engaged?" Lucia asked, curiously.

Jack smiled as he put an arm around Rose. "We were, but it happened so fast that I didn't have a ring. I wanted to propose to her properly, and I thought this would be the perfect place to do so."

"Well, congratulations, Jack! We're glad to see you happy. Dinner is on us." Marco said.

Jack shook his head. "Oh, no, that's not necessary! You guys deserve payment for the amazing food you cook."

Marco smiled. "Consider it a wedding present from us."

"Thank you both." Rose couldn't believe how generous and kind these people were. "We better get going, it's starting to get late. Thank you again for dinner. It was wonderful to meet you."

Lucia and Marco both smiled. "It was great to meet you too, Rose. Take care of our Jack," Lucia said before looking at Jack. "And Jack, don't be a stranger. Stop by when you're in the area, and bring back some babies with you!"

Jack laughed. "Will do. Thank you!"

-

Jack and Rose walked back to the hotel, hand in hand. "Jack, thank you for such a wonderful day. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"Rose, I love you. I love doing things to make you happy."

Rose rested her head on Jack's shoulder as they walked. "Jack, when do you want to get married?"

"How about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?! How will we prepare?" Rose was shocked at the suggestion.

"Well, I can borrow a tuxedo from Molly, and you can borrow a dress. Molly can be our witness."

Rose thought this over. Jack was right. They didn't need fancy outfits, or a huge reception, or a fancy church. Rose just wanted to be married to Jack, to be able to call him her husband, and to be able to start a family together. "Okay, let's get married tomorrow!"

Jack was surprised Rose agreed to this. He knew that her wedding with Cal would have been a huge affair, and he thought she might want their wedding to be like that. He was glad to see that a huge wedding wasn't necessary. "We can tell Molly in the morning and go find a church."

-

When Jack and Rose got back to the hotel, they both laid in bed immediately, exhausted from their day. "Jack, I'm exhausted. Today was wonderful."

Jack leaned over to kiss her passionately. "I'm glad you had fun, Rosebud."

Rose started to unbutton his shirt as he kissed her. Jack was surprised.. they hadn't made love since the night of the sinking, and he thought she would want to wait until they were officially married. "Rose, what're you doing?"

"Don't you want to celebrate our engagement? Take me to the stars, Jack."

"Of course," Jack smiled as he pulled himself on top of her.

Author's Note: Well, there's chapter 4! I hope ya'll are enjoying the story so far. I'll try to update frequently, because I know how much I hate it when I read a story and the updates are slow. I'm going on vacation soon so I'll try to get one more chapter in before I leave. Please read and review! I love writing and would love to hear ways that I can improve. Thank you! J