Wednesday, April 24th, 1912
The train arrived in Eau Claire around noon the next day, and Jack and Rose quickly got their belongings and departed, ready to get to Chippewa Falls. Rose started to get nervous – what if this small town didn't like her? She tried to ignore her nerves as they got off the train.
"We'll have to get a carriage to take us to Chippewa Falls," Jack informed Rose as he took her by the hand. "Oh, look! There's one over there."
Jack and Rose approached a man with his horse and carriage waiting by the train station. "Hello, sir. My wife and I would like a ride to Chippewa Falls, please."
"Sure, hop in. It should take about thirty minutes to get there, so just enjoy the ride," the man said.
Jack and Rose hopped into the carriage with their belongings. They only had two suitcases – they didn't have many belongings as they had only stayed in New York for a few days. Just their clothes, Jack's art supplies, a little bit of money and food, and the Heart of the Ocean. They were both grateful that Jack's old house would have furniture, dishes, and most of the things that they would need – it meant they could save their money for other things until Jack found a job.
As the carriage moved along towards Chippewa Falls, Rose stared at the countryside surrounding her. It had been so long since she had been anywhere other than a big city that she had forgotten how beautiful rural areas could be. The fields around her seemed to go on forever, with the occasional farmhouse sitting in the middle of one. Everything was so quiet and peaceful – completely different from the high society she was used to – and she loved it. Wisconsin would be a beautiful place for her and Jack to start their lives together and have a family. She knew she could be happy here – happier than she'd ever been. As Jack put his arm around his wife, she sighed contently and rested her head on his shoulder. She couldn't believe how her life had changed in the matter of two weeks. If she hadn't met Jack, she would be marrying Cal any day now. She would be living in Philadelphia, among the obnoxious snobs in high society that Rose couldn't stand to be around. She was so lucky to have her wonderful Jack in her life.
"Where in Chippewa Falls would you like to be taken to, sir?" the man asked, interrupting Rose's train of thought.
"Do you know where the old Dawson farm is?" Jack asked in reply.
"Why, yes I do. I believe Charles and Lilly Dawson are living there right now. You know them?"
Jack was quite surprised to hear that his cousin Charlie was living in his old house. Jack's dad and Charlie's dad were brothers, making the boys extremely close when they were younger. Jack didn't mind that Charlie was living in his old house – in fact, he was happy about it. It would definitely be nice to have some family around to help Jack and Rose get adjusted in the town.
It had been years since Jack and Charlie had seen each other. Charlie's parents – Jack's aunt and uncle - had moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa when both boys were around 13. Jack wondered what could have made Charlie move back to Chippewa Falls, but he was excited to see his cousin again.
"Yes, I do, actually. Charlie's my cousin. I haven't seen him since he left Chippewa Falls with his parents when we were teenagers," Jack answered. Rose listened intently to this exchange. Other people were living in Jack's house? This did not upset her, however. She was excited to meet some new people, especially family of Jack's. Maybe her and this Lilly – Charlie's wife? – could become friends. Rose knew she could definitely use a friend in her new environment.
The man nodded. "I see, well, here we are. That'll be one dollar, please."
Jack handed the driver a dollar and helped Rose out of the carriage. "Thank you very much, sir."
Jack and Rose carried their suitcases up the sidewalk to the door of the Dawson residence. The house was absolutely beautiful. It was a white, two story house with four bedrooms – perfect for a big family, Rose thought. The house wasn't near the size of the mansion Rose was used to living in, but she absolutely loved it. It was quaint and peaceful, with lots of farmland surrounding it. A beautiful garden full of flowers was planted right in front of the house, the colorful flowers popping out against the white siding of the house.
As they stepped on the front porch, Jack squeezed his wife's hand for reassurance before he knocked on the door.
"Are you nervous, Jack?" Rose asked, concerned.
Jack didn't realize it, but he actually was a little nervous. He hadn't seen Charlie in years – what if they weren't close anymore? And Lilly, who he assumed was his wife – would she be nice, especially to Rose? All Jack wanted was for Rose to feel welcome in his hometown. What if Charlie and Lilly didn't want to share the house – where would Jack and Rose go?
Jack pushed these thoughts out of his mind. "Only a little, but it'll be okay. I think you're going to love my cousin, and knowing him, his wife will be as kind and welcoming as he is."
Rose smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."
Jack finally got the nerve to knock on the door, and it swung open, to reveal Charlie standing there, shocked to see his cousin for the first time in seven years.
A/N: Short chapter, I know, but I wanted to leave a bit of a cliffhanger for ya'll! What will Charlie and Lilly be like? Will they be welcoming to Jack and Rose? Read and review please!