Later that day

Jack looked at the pocket watch that Rose had given him and sighed when he saw that it was already five o'clock. The play started at six, and he didn't think there was anyway he could get there on time at this rate. He had been distracted all day at work, worrying about Rose. How could he make it up to her that he wasn't going to be able to be there tonight? Jack felt so guilty – he was the one who had encouraged her to audition for the play in the first place, and now he couldn't be there to support her in her acting debut. He fiddled with his wedding gift from Rose, flipping it over and running his fingers over the words that were engraved. You jump, I jump. Right under those words was their wedding date. Had it really been almost four months since they had gotten married? Four months into their marriage and they had never gotten into a fight until last night. Jack felt like it was all his fault, but he knew that he couldn't defy his boss and lose his job. He just hoped that Rose would forgive him.

Jack's thoughts were interrupted when his boss, Mr. Miller, walked in.

"Jack!" Mr. Miller's loud voice echoed through the room. "What the hell is wrong with ya, boy? You're one of my best workers, and you come in today all sorts of distracted. You've barely gotten any work done!"

"Oh, uh, Mr. Miller, I'm sorry. I've just got some personal stuff going on at home is all," Jack responded nervously. Was he going to lose his job after all?

"Well, what's wrong?" Mr. Miller genuinely cared about the workers at his factory, even though he rarely showed his soft side. He simply had to be harsh sometimes to keep everything and everyone in line.

Jack was surprised to hear such concern in his boss's voice, but decided to tell him what was going on. "Well, you see, my wife.. her dream is to act, and she got the lead role in the play that the local theater is putting on tonight. It's her first time acting, and when I told her I couldn't be there because of work, she was so hurt and angry.. I'm just worried about her, is all. I hope she'll forgive me."

"Well, Jack, you should have told me you had such a commitment! I would have scheduled someone else. You go run along to your wife, show her how much you support her. I'll have one of the men on the evening shift finish this work here."

Jack looked at his boss, shocked and grateful at the same time. "Thank you, sir. Are you sure?"

"Yes, Jack, I'm sure. I'll see you back here early Monday morning."

Jack nodded and left the factory, eager to get home, change, and get back to the factory before the play started.

"Ah, young love," Mr. Miller chuckled to himself as he watched Jack leave.

Jack looked at his watch as he walked uptown towards the theater. It was five forty-five, meaning that he had just enough time to stop by the flower shop and get Rose a bouquet to surprise her with after the play was over. He couldn't wait to see the expression on her face when she looked out into the crowd and saw him sitting by their friends and family. Hopefully, she'd forgive him.

Rose looked herself up and down in the dressing room mirror, nervously trying to decide if she looked okay or not. Her small baby bump was hidden by her dress, and her long red curls were loose and full. She had ten minutes until she had to go out on stage, and she was incredibly nervous. She was still upset about her and Jack's argument – oh, how she regretted the things that she said. Rose could only hope that Jack would be waiting at home when she got home after the play, and that he would forgive her for being so selfish.

Mrs. Barnes popped her head into the dressing room, interrupting Rose's thoughts. "Rose, it's time to go on stage."

Rose nodded and followed her director out of the dressing room.

Jack arrived at the theater at exactly six o'clock. He roamed the aisles, looking for Charlie, Lilly, Anna, and Paul. He finally found them sitting right in the front row. "This is perfect," Jack thought. "Rose will definitely be able to see me from here."

"Hey, guys!" Jack whispered, making his friends all turn their heads at his voice. They were shocked, as they hadn't expected Jack to be able to make it. "Got room for me?"

Charlie nodded and pointed to the seat next to himself, which was empty. Jack hurried and sat down next to his cousin just as the curtains opened.

"Jack, what are you doing here?" Lilly whispered, somewhat concerned that Jack might have left work and gotten in trouble.

"My boss let me off early," Jack said, grinning. He was so happy that he was going to be able to see his wife show off her acting abilities tonight. Lilly smiled, too, knowing how excited Rose would be when she saw her husband in the front row. Jack's presence would definitely calm her nerves.

When Rose walked out on stage for her first scene, she was so nervous she wasn't sure if she would even be able to speak. She bit her lip as she looked out into the crowd, scanning it for familiar faces. As her eyes came upon the front row of people, she was shocked to see Jack sitting with their friends. "He made it!" Rose thought to herself. "He doesn't hate me for the things I said!" Jack, noticing that she was staring right at him, gave her a huge smile that showed how much he supported her. Rose immediately felt her nerves calm down and her lines started to come naturally to her.

As Jack sat back in his seat and watched the play, he couldn't believe how great Rose was at performing. She fit the character of Juliet perfectly, and she perfected every single one of her lines, never missing a beat. He was so grateful that he was able to see his wife's first acting experience. How could he have ever considered missing it?

Cal arrived at the theater at eight o'clock, just as the play was starting to wrap up. He snuck inside and took a seat in the back row, where he wouldn't be noticed. "That's her!" Cal thought to himself as Rose walked on stage for her final scene in the play. She looked exactly like she did the last time he saw her. Cal was so shocked to see her in real life that he gasped, causing the people sitting near him to turn around and stare at him, wondering what had happened. Cal ignored their stares and continued to watch Rose as he wondered what his next move should be. Maybe he could find her after the play before Jack or her friends did and force her to leave Chippewa Falls with him. Then, nobody would ever know what happened to Rose. She would just disappear after the play, without anyone knowing where she was.

After the play was over, Rose retreated to her dressing room to change out of her costume. Once she was back in her normal attire, she decided to try and find Jack and their friends. Before she could leave the dressing room, however, she heard a knock at the door. When she went to go open it, she was surprised to see Jack standing there with a huge smile on his face, holding a big bouquet of red roses.

"Jack!" Rose exclaimed as she threw her arms around her husband. "I'm so glad you came! I'm so sorry for what I said to you, I was being so selfish... I'm so sorry.. please forgive me."

Jack held Rose tight as he rubbed her back soothingly. "Rose, it's okay. I understand. I'm the one who should be sorry." Jack pulled out of her embrace and held out the bouquet of roses. "Here. These are for you, sweetheart."

"Oh, Jack. These are beautiful," Rose whispered softly. "How did you make it here? You aren't in trouble at work, are you?"

"My boss noticed how upset I was today and asked what was wrong. I told him that I wasn't able to make it to your play tonight, and I knew how disappointed you were about it. He let me leave early, and I got here just in time to see the curtains open."

"Oh, Jack. Thank you for being here tonight, and thank you for the flowers. You're amazing."

"I thought you'd like them. You did wonderful tonight, Rosebud," Jack said as he smiled at her. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," Rose said before giving Jack a kiss on the lips. When Rose pulled away from her husband, she was shocked to see who was standing right behind him. How did he ever find her? And why now, of all nights?

Jack noticed the worried look on his wife's face. "Rose, what's wrong?"

Rose went completely pale, and forgetting that she was holding a bouquet, dropped the flowers on the floor. Before she could try to say anything, Jack and Rose both heard a familiar voice coming from behind them.

"Hello, there, sweetpea. I see I've finally found you," Cal said.

Jack turned around, completely shocked to come face to face with Caledon Hockley for the first time in almost four months.