(A/N: Thank you for the replies, faves, and follows and for just reading the story. It really is appreciated:) Also, Derrick is older than Annabelle. She just happens to share a homeroom with Rose.)
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Jack had just returned home to change into more comfortable clothes than the ones he wore to school and to check in with his aunt and uncle before heading to Rose's house. He was just about to walk out the front door when Julie spoke up from the couch, where she was watching TV with his aunt and uncle.
"Where are you off to, Jack? Don't you have homework?"
"I'm doing it over at Rose's and then we're watching a movie together," Jack shrugged, deciding to tell the truth this time. There was nothing suggestive about doing homework and watching movie with a friend.
"Rose? Do we know her?" His aunt questioned.
"No. You never met. I never brought her over," He felt guilty for that. All of his friends were regulars at his house. His Aunt and Uncle knew them well, they even had a dinner every year at the beginning of school for everyone, so they could sit, relax and chat and enjoy a good meal as they embarked on a new year, and with this being senior year, the dinner this year was going to be extra special. Anyway, Rose should have already been invited over to meet his Aunt and Uncle. It was just that, with how Julie felt about her, it would make an uncomfortable situation for Rose, and with all she's been through...Jack didn't want to put her through that. But maybe Julie will behave herself with her parents there to keep her in check.
"Why ever not? This girl is obviously important enough to go visit her house and do homework with," Her aunt tsked. "You know, the big dinner is this Sunday. Rose is invited. I'd like to meet her and it'd be perfect."
Jack's eyes widened. He wanted to go and hug his aunt for the brilliant idea. Rose got to meet his family that weren't Julie, and Julie would be forced to behave herself, not wanting to embarrass her parents. "That would be perfect! I'll tell her! I'm sure that she'll be able to make it."
"Really, mom? That's for us and this year is going to be special. You don't even know Rose!" Julie protested, outraged by her mother's invitation.
"Yes, really Julie. This Rose is obviously important to Jack and I want to meet her. What better way then at the big beginning of the year dinner with the rest of your friends. I am sure this girl gets along with the others as well."
"Unfortunately, yes. They all seem to like her," Julie grumbled.
"Julie just doesn't like Rose because she comes from a wealthy background," Jack explained Julie's attitude, earning a glare from his cousin.
"Julie!"
"You don't know the kids from that school, mother! They're awful!"
"Not all of them and not Rose. Rose is great and you guys are going to like her," Jack cut in. "She's been through a hard time lately and she's coming through it amazingly. I really admire and like her and I can't wait for you to meet her."
"Well, tell her she's invited to the dinner on Sunday. We look forward to seeing her as well," His Uncle smiled. "Oh and don't stay out too late, young man. It's still a school night."
Jack smiled, happy of these new developments. "I won't."
Waving one last time at his Aunt and Uncle, Jack was out the door and heading for Rose's house. Fifteen minutes later, he parked in the huge driveway and jogged up to the door, book-bag in hand and ringed the bell.
It was William Dewitt Bukater that answered. "Hello Jack. Rose is expecting you. Come on in."
"Thank you sir," Jack smiled, feeling a little nervous. After all, this was his girlfriend's dad. He wanted to make a good impression. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"No, not at all. Kat and I will be going out for a few hours. Rose has permission to order a pizza if you both get hungry," William smiled at the young man, putting him at ease. He liked Jack. He had helped his Rose through the darkest time of her life and was good to her. He approved of any developments in the relationship between Jack and his daughter.
"Hi Jack," Rose came downstairs, following Katarina, who was slipping into a white jacket.
"Hello Rose."
"You two have fun," Katarina kissed Rose's cheek before joining her husband by the door. "We trust you to take care of the house while we're gone and not to throw any wild parties."
Rose just rolled her eyes as William laughed. "Who would we invite?"
"I don't know, I kind of know most of the school," Jack winked. "We can put Tommy's parties to shame."
"I rather have you to myself. I've already shared you with the school, now it's my time," Rose giggled, kissing Jack's cheek.
William and Katatrina waved one last time and walked out the door, leaving Jack and Rose alone in the giant house.
"So...it's just the two of us, huh?" Jack smiled.
Rose squealed happily and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "At last..."
Laughing, Jack wrapped his arms around Rose, pulling her into a deep kiss. He pulled away after a minute, needing to breathe. "You missed me that much?"
"Yes, I did. So, what do you want to do first? Are you hungry? I can probably put us some pizza rolls in the microwave. I know how to do that much at least," Rose took Jack's hand and pulled him into the kitchen, beginning to feel a little hungry herself.
"That'd be fine," Jack shrugged, placing his bookbag down on one of the chairs in the dining room.
"Speaking of food...do you have any plans Sunday?"
"No. My social life only consists of seeing you and watching TV now a days. "What's up?" She asked, taking a pack of pizza rolls out of the freezer.
"My Aunt Beth and Uncle Phil has invited you to join us for the big start of the school year dinner that they always have for the gang. It's pretty special this year, since this is the last year of high school."
"And they want me to come?" Rose looked surprised, having not expected a meet the parents moment, not with the way Julie felt about her.
"Yeah. They want to meet my new friend and feel that the dinner is the perfect time, which they're right. It is. You'll get to meet the closest people that I have as parents and Julie will be forced to behave herself or risk the wrath of my Aunt Beth," Jack chuckled. He then grew serious, thinking that maybe such a setting would be too much for Rose. "Of course, you don't have to come if you don't want to. I'd understand and so would they. I did tell them how awful Julie's been to you..."
"I'd love to come," Rose smiled after a little hesitancy. She was only hesitant, because this such a big move. These people, they were like Jack's parents and she wanted to make a good impression on them, but how can she when Julie had probably told them all kind of things that weren't true.
Jack grinned, hugging her tight. "They're gonna love you, Rose. Probably just as much as...," He paused for a second. Rose knew that he liked her, that he had feelings for her...but love was such a big word, he didn't think it was time to use it...not yet anyway. He didn't want to scare her off. "They love all of my friends..."
Rose smiled, hugging him back, glad that he couldn't see her face, so he couldn't see the disappointment when he didn't say that he loved her. Of course it wasn't love...not yet. This thing between them...it was too new. Too fragile for it to be love yet. He cared for her. Enough to hug and kiss her. To guard her against Cal...even to introduce her to the closest thing to a parent he has. But it wasn't time for I love yous...not yet anyway.
"Let me finish these pizza rolls," She gently pulled away, with a steady smile. Jack returned to the dining room and began taking out his books for homework and steady while Rose finished cooking the pizza rolls. He had everything laid out when she entered with the food.
Sitting the plate of treats on the table, she glanced over all that Jack had brought. "Let me go get my books and we'll get started."
"We're starting with English, right?" Rose asked, returning with her own books.
"Right.."
They spent two hours going over their homework together and studying. By time they were finished, Rose was definitely ready to just sit back and relax with a movie. She stretched her arms as she stood out of her chair.
"Why don't you order the pizza while I go sit up the movie?" she suggested, already heading into the entertainment room where her father kept a big screen television in front of a comfortable looking old white loveseat. Thousands and DVD's and Blu-rays lined the walls.
After ordering the pizza, Jack found Rose comfortably seated on the loveseat, having already stuck in the disk. Her sock feet were stretched on the table and she wore a small smile.
"So what are we watching?" He plopped down next to her.
"The most romantic movie ever!" Rose grinned.
"Ugh, not the Notebook..."
"Hey, I happen to like the Notebook. We should watch that one next time...but no not the Notebook. Ghost. It has my most favorite scene in it..," Rose sighed happily.
"Ghost is not bad. It has some funny parts in it. I love Whoopie Goldberg."
"I love the scene where she's doing pottery and he's behind her...and the song is playing...and their hands are all covered in clay and...," Rose stopped and stared at Jack, who was trying hard not to laugh, but the clear amusement in his eyes was obvious. "You find that funny?"
"No. Not at all. You're right. It is romantic," He smiled, trying to look as serious as possible, yet failing.
"You're lucky that you're cute," Rose pouted throwing a throwing a decorative pillow at him.
Jack just stuck his tongue out and turned to watch the movie. "The pizza will be here in thirty minutes by the way. I got a six pack of cola to go with it and a salad. I figure that your father would want you to have something green."
Rose stared at him. "You know, you don't have to kiss up to him. He already likes you."
"I'm not kissing up. Anyway, how do you know?"
"He calls you my young man and he doesn't frown when your name is mentioned," Rose smiled. "Plus he told Katarina that you're a fine young man and he thinks we go good together."
Jack chuckled, taking her hand in his. "He's right. We do go good together."
"I wish it was October already," Rose sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder.
"October will be here before you know it, sweetie. For now, let's just enjoy this with it just being the two of us. Because come October, we'll have Helga and Fabri wanting us to do couple things with them and Tommy will be teasing us...right now, it's calm and private and we have time to settle."
"What couple things?" Rose asked, now curious.
"Double dates. Weekend getaways, that sort of thing."
"Well, I don't mind, just as long as I'm with you," Rose smiled, sitting up and kissing his cheek. She turned her attention back to the movie, wanting to drown in it for a while.
Two hours later, the pizza had been eaten, and the credits were rolling. Rose found herself pressed up against Jack, sobbing against his chest as he held her, rubbing her back and trying to comfort her tears.
"It's so sad...he just walked into the light...and the I'll see you later...oh my god..." Rose sobbed.
"I know, Rose. I know...it's sad," Jack soothed, looking at the time, knowing that he'll have to leave soon, yet not wanting to. He didn't want to leave her in this state of upset, even if it was because of the movie.
She pulled away a little, sniffing back her tears. Her eyes met his and she immediately felt the butterflies in her stomach come back to life. "I'm soaking your shirt..."
"That's alright," Jack felt a little breathless, sitting there, holding her in his arms.
She had loved the movie before, she had never minded the tears...but to have someone hold her at the end, holding her close enough to feel their heart beat along with hers...it made it all the more special. She looked into his eyes that filled her whole world and she forgot all about the heartbreaking scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. Instead, her mind began wondering what Jack would do if she kissed him now.
She didn't have to wonder for long. Jack pulled her closer to him and lowered his head until their lips met in a tender kiss. At first, things were slow and tender. His lips were soft and sweet and she wanted more, so she brushed her tongue against them and he opened them, inviting her to deepen the kiss. Her tongue entered his mouth, gently pressing and sliding against his tongue as her arms wrapped around his neck.
Jack moaned, feeling the passion fill him as she leaned back, pulling him forward until he was leaning on top of her. He had only ever been with one girl, and that was back in Chippewa Falls, which felt like one hundred years ago. Of course, with him moving away amongst things, it hadn't worked out. But here he was again with a girl, on the brink of no return and it felt so natural, and right. He wanted to go further, show her how deeply his feelings ran for her, but a slight gasp as she pulled away, made him stop.
"Rose?" His voice was raspy and full of desire, he gently touched her pale cheek as she looked up at him with wide green eyes.
"I...I'm sorry...I can't...," She pushed him away and was up running out of the room, leaving Jack feeling confused and guilty as reality crashed back in on him.
He hadn't meant to let things go so far, but he had and now he may have ruined everything. How could he do that? How could he let his own desires take over, after all Rose had gone through with Hockley? He may have really sent her into a flashback. Him and his fucking carelessness!
"Rose!" He got up and went after her, following the sounds of her sobs out to the back patio, where she was seated on one of the patio chairs, crying into her hands. "Rose? Oh god, Rose, I'm so sorry..." He knelt next to her, but didn't dare touch her. He just wanted her to know that he was sorry and he was there if she wanted to talk.
Rose looked at him, tears still streaming from her eyes. "No, I am. I thought...I thought I was ready...that because kissing you didn't make me flashback, I was ready to go further...but I just couldn't...I'm sorry Jack. I'm sorry to have disappointed you...I tried...but I just...couldn't..."
Jack's heart broke at her tears and her apology. He gently wiped away her tears and placed his free hand on her knee. "Rose, sweetie. You did not disappoint me. Not at all. It's ok. We were moving a bit too fast anyway and it's good to slow things down and after what you've been through, it only makes sense that you're not ready for anything more than kissing."
"How can you say that when you obviously wanted more?"
Jack sighed. "I can't deny that yeah, maybe I did. But when you really care for someone, like I care for you, you're willing to wait until they are ready to go that far. Whether that's six months or six years. I'm with you Rose because I care about you, deeply. And...I want to spend time with you and be here for you and protect you and treat you the way you should always be treated. Not because I want to sleep with you. I can wait for that. Intimacy like that...it's special and we should wait until we're both ready. That means that I'm on your time table. If you ever feel uncomfortable with me, tell me to stop and I will. I'm not here to be another Hockley. I'm here to be the kind of guy you should have been with from the start."
"Jack...what if you get tired of waiting? What if I'm never ready?"
"I'll never get tired of waiting. And if you're never ready...that's fine too. Just as long as I get to be by your side, I'm happy."
Rose sniffed, leaning into his touch as he pressed his hand against her cheek. She placed her hand over his and smiled at him. "You're too good for me."
"Nah. It's you that's too good, but I'm here as long as you'll have me."
"Even if that's forever?"
Jack smiled. "Especially if it's forever." He leaned in and placed a small chaste kiss to her lips, just as William and Katarina returned, coming outside in search of Rose after seeing signs of the kid's presences.
"Jack, you're still here? It's past eleven," William looked at his clock, not that he wanted to chase Jack off, but knowing that the young man's family may be worried.
Jack's eyes widened. "Oh no, I should have been home a half hour ago...," He got to his feet, along with Rose, who looked at him sadly, hating to see him leave.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Rose sighed.
"Of course. I'll pick you up. Maybe we can do something afterward if I'm not grounded," Jack chuckled, giving Rose one more quick kiss before running inside to grab his book-bag. He turned to look at her one last time and waved. "Sweet dreams Rose. Thanks for the fun night."
Rose just smiled as he left. Jack was everything a girl like her needed in a boyfriend. She just hoped that she could really be everything that he needed and that her attack won't get in the way of their growing relationship.