Chapter 33: His Return

"Rose darling? Are you decent?"

Rose rolls her eyes and sighs to herself. "Yes, mother please come in…"

Ruth comes in to see her daughter in front of the vanity mirror, putting her red curls up into a simple bun.

"Rose, really, you should have Wendy do that for you…"

"Yes mother, I understand, but she is busy with her other chores and I don't want to bother her. Anyways, I can manage"

"Regardless…" Ruth begins but decides to leave it.

Ruth looks skeptically at her daughter. She was pleased that Rose's behaviour had changed significantly, making her seem like a proper lady and she seemed to have forgotten that third-class boy. She seems much more focused than ever before on their "situation" and yet…she is still showing signs of undesirable behaviour, especially in her words and her time spent in the kitchen and with the new maid. She has been told by Rose several times that she is simply learning what it takes to be a good housewife, but Ruth is still skeptical. That is the whole purpose of maids and servants; her daughter should be focused on looking gorgeous on her wedding day and becoming a high society lady.

"Anyways, the boutique just called, your dress has been shipped to the store. They would like you to try it on the day after next, as well as get the bridesmaid's dresses fitted. I will have Wendy place the calls to those in the party and we will make a day of it."

Rose forces a smile. Her stomach is threatening to become upset again, this baby was certainly active. But she knew she had to keep composed for her mother's sake. "That sounds lovely mother. What colour did we agree on for the dresses?"

"Royal blue, which will match the ties of all of Caledon's groomsmen as well as the Heart of the Ocean, Caledon insists you wear such a magnificent present on the best day of your life. I have spoken to the tailor and he will make sure everyone matches accordingly, I have also added white rose corsages to all the suits so they match the venue."

"Thank you mother," Rose says. "I really appreciate you doing all this."

This was the truth but for a different reason. As long as her mother was busy, Rose could continue preparing for her escape and helping Wendy with her schooling. However, Rose did feel some guilt in deceiving her mother into thinking that she was looking forward to the wedding, so much money was going towards the ceremony. She then reminds herself of Jack and it was only money going into the wedding, with no love or care and it especially did not feel like it was "her" celebration, only her mother's. This was not her life; she truly was "mailed to the wrong address" as Jack had put it.

Ruth smiles proudly. She had taken over most of the planning for the wedding, but it was the least she could do for her daughter as she recovered from the trauma of the disaster. Titanic had deeply affected Rose and Ruth was surprisingly understanding. Not only had they lost their beloved maid, Trudy, but apparently, the sinking had made Rose afraid of Caledon, for reasons only the two of them knew. That is why Ruth had suggested Caledon take some time away to allow Rose to re-cooperate and move along. Life did not stop simply because a ship went down.

Organizing for the ceremony also distracted Ruth from the disaster, which she was also traumatized from, many good people were lost aboard that vessel and she had much sympathy for the widows, especially Madeline Astor, who now carried John Jacob's heir and would be forced to raise it by herself. She herself had been a widow for quite some time and understood their pain, but again, life goes on and Ruth soon had much more to worry about learning of her husband's debts. She was working hard to ensure their family name remained intact and that Rose was taken care of. Ruth knew that she would not be around forever, her husband's death taught her that, so someone had to watch over her little girl and make her happy.

"I am sure you are," Ruth says smiling. "I will down in the library if you care to join me."

"Thank you mother," Rose says.

When her mother leaves, Rose races to her bathroom and empties her stomach. The discomfort had become quite overwhelming that Rose wasn't sure if she could hold it in any longer. She was nervous, the stress of hiding the pregnancy was getting to her, she knew that soon Wendy and her mother would suspect something. Wendy was someone she could trust with a secret, but Rose wasn't ready to share. This would lead to an explanation of her carrying another man's child. A man she actually loved.

…

The following day, there is a knock at the door. Rose is walking through the upstairs hall when a booming voice echoes into the house.

"Hello there, young lady, Would Ruth and Rose Bukater be in residence?"

Rose's heart leaps. She races down the stairs to be greeted by the big brown eyes and warm smile of Molly Brown. The heiress is dressed in a large hat with a feather and lovely blue coat which was unbuttoned due to the warm weather.

"Molly!" Rose says. She goes over and embraces the woman.

"Hello darling, how are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm…I'm good," Rose says as earnestly as possible.

"You most certainly are, you look well, you're practically glowing!"

Rose blushes. She knows the pregnancy was contributing to that. She turns to the maid. "Thank you, Molly. Wendy can you please go and inform my mother of Mrs. Brown's arrival."

"Yes, Rose…" Wendy says and disappears into the house.

"Quite formal, I assume you two are becoming friends?" Molly asks. Rose nods solemnly and takes Molly's coat to hang it in the closet.

"What do we owe this honourable visit?" Rose asks, trying to keep the mood positive.

"Well, my son had some business to tend to here and I thought, hey, I'd tag along, pop by and visit the DeWitt Bukater girls."

"Well, you are most certainly welcome," Rose says earnestly. She missed Molly a lot. She assumed that her mother had denied the two a visit since the disaster because Ruth saw Molly as a bad influence. Molly was a free spirit, an independent thinker and much to many people's shocks was from "new money" something that did not fit with the generations of ancestors handing down their fortunes to their children. But Rose likes Molly, she was so positive and warm that Rose wished that she had been raised by her instead of Ruth. Rose knew that she would've thrived under Molly's care. What added to Molly's resume as a socialite was that she was an advocate of Women's Rights, something that Emma had been passionate about as well. It was quite often when Rose would pick up the paper and see something about Molly doing fundraisers or organizing speeches for women's right to vote and have jobs. Jack had also told Rose that Molly had helped him prepare for the dinner on Titanic. For that, Rose would be forever grateful.

Ruth comes down the hallway and does her best to hide her disappointment of seeing Molly Brown on her doorstep. It is true Molly was her friend, but the woman was too strong for Ruth's taste and would definitely corrupt Rose's current behaviour.

"Margret Brown! What a wonderful surprise!" Ruth says, forcing a smile.

"How are you, Ruthie?" Molly asks.

"I am fine to thank you, to what do we owe this visit?" Ruth asks, trying to hide her disgust at the nickname.

"I was in the neighbourhood and thought I would stop to visit,"

"Well that is quite wonderful, why don't we go to the library and Wendy can bring us some tea?"

"Sounds good, I haven't eaten since this morning."

Rose and Molly walk together to the library, Ruth leading the way. Once among the vast array of books and titles, Molly makes herself at home on one of the velvet couches, Rose sitting next to her and Ruth across the way.

"So…Molly, what brings you to town?" Ruth asks.

"Well, my son had some business to attend to and I had to talk to some of my fundraising supervisors about the formal dinner we're having next month in New York and I'd thought I'd stop by,"

"Well, your timing could not be more perfect," Rose says. "We were going to go to the boutique tomorrow to try on my wedding dress and I was wondering if ..." Rose wanted someone she actually liked to be at the fitting.

"Rose!" Ruth interrupts. "I'm sure Molly has more important things to do than to come to a fitting…"

"I'd love to!" Molly says happily as Wendy brings in the tea on a tray. Molly helps herself to a cup and pours some for the Bukaters as well. "I'm not going back until Thursday and I'm not meeting the gals until Wednesday night so I'd be happy to tag along."

Ruth bites her lip firmly. The last thing she wanted was an uninvited guest to "tag along" to the fitting, but Rose seemed insistent, plus it would be good to get another society woman's opinion.

"Alright then, we will be leaving tomorrow at nine o'clock."

The phone suddenly rings. Wendy answers it in the hallway. She knocks on the library door.

"Sorry to disturb you Mrs. DeWitt Bukater, but the telephone is for you."

"Excuse me, ladies," Ruth says, feeling relief to be excused.

"That's quite alright Ruthie," Molly nods.

When the door closes, Molly turns to Rose. Her expression suddenly serious.

"How are you, Rose?" Molly asks.

"I'm fine Molly," Rose murmurs.

"I don't buy that for a minute, the last time I saw you, you were running off with that child, back into a sinking ship to rescue that young boy…how are you?!"

Rose looks at Molly confused until she understands. She can feel her emotions begin to boil up, but it might just be the baby hormones. Tears fill her eyes.

"Oh, darling…" Molly says gently. "I'm so, so, so sorry. He was such a fine boy,"

Rose leans into Molly, who welcomes the girl with open arms. Rose is permitted to cry, finally able to have the comfort of someone who cares about her feelings. All the feeling she had buried in order to keep up her façade for freedom, come up to the surface, plus the stress of carrying the baby.

"But Rose, what are you doing here? Back where…" she drops her voice. "Back where you are miserable, I have nothing against your mother of course, but I can see that you are special, you don't deserve this world, you deserve more…"

Rose nods and wipes tears from her eyes.

"I'm working on that Molly," Rose says in a hushed voice. She looks around. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course child,"

Rose swallows hard, nervous about sharing her secret with anyone, but Molly was someone she could trust, maybe could even help her.

"I plan to run away, sometime soon, the only problem is that I'm still on lock down with my mother, constantly being watched, so I have to act the way my mother wants, just until I can get enough money to get out on my own and she'll stop having me monitored. I don't care what you may think about me Molly for running away but I just need to get out of here. I can't live my life as a caged bird."

Molly is silent for a moment and then puts her arm around Rose. "I think you are the bravest woman I've ever met Rosie,"

"You do?"

"Indeed, I do, You're young Rose, you have talent, you have gifts. I definitely don't want you stuck with a man you don't love; in a world, you don't belong in. You're something special and you deserve a chance to be free. I'd never look down on a woman who's trying to do her best."

"Really?"

"Yes,"

"So that is why I'm suffering through cake tastings and dress fittings, just until I can find the time to escape."

"Well honey, at least let me help you with that…"

"No thank you, Molly, I need to do this on my own, plus what if word got out that you were helping someone's daughter escape, your reputation would be ruined,"

"Darlin' haven't you learned anything by now, I don't care about any reputation,"

"Still," Rose says. "I can't live off of someone my whole life, I need to make it on my own."

"Rose honey I insist you take some money…"

"No thank you, Molly," Rose says just as insistently. "I have many paintings to sell and my jewelry is worth a good amount too."

"Are you sure?"

Rose smiles and nods. Out of everything that has happened to her, Rose is more sure that she's ever been. She needs to make it on her own. It's what Jack would've wanted for her and their child. She suddenly gets an idea. "You said you were having a dinner next month in New York?"

"Why yes…"

"Will there be a silent auction?"

"That is the plan."

"Do you mind if I donate some of the paintings for it?"

Molly looks surprised and yet pleased. "If that's alright with you…?"

"Yes and then the money can be donated to survivors who need it,"

"How about half goes to survivors and the other half goes to you?" Molly suggests.

"Molly I couldn't,"

"You need something, Rose, at least let me help you indirectly"

"But…"

"Rose DeWitt Bukater take it now or I won't let you donate the paintings."

Rose sighs. Molly was as stubborn as she was and the extra money couldn't hurt her. She just thought of those widows and survivors, who never had fancy things to sell for money in order to get by after the disaster.

"It's a deal." Rose nods and they shake hands.

"I'll call you soon about it…"

"About what?" Ruth asks, coming into the room.

"About your generous daughter donating some of her paintings for my dinner in New York next month,"

"Oh, my Rose…" Ruth says rather surprised but also pleased that her daughter was moving on from her art obsession she'd had previously. "That is very generous of you."

"It's the least I can do for Molly," Rose says, hoping her mother is buying the bait that she's changing to become a proper lady.

"Well, that is certainly okay with me, now how much are these paintings going to go for? I am sure Caledon would be happy to make his money back for buying those things in the first place."

"MOTHER!" Rose gasps in embarrassment.

"It's quite an alright Rosie. Well, Ruth, it will all depend onIndeed, but they should go for a very handsome sum."

"That is quite good to hear…"

"I'd like to add that your daughter insists that half of the money made be given to survivors of Titanic…"

Ruth opens her mouth to protest but then reconsiders. She thought of the widows who lost their husbands that day and how many did not have beautiful daughters to marry multi-million dollar tycoons or fabulous things to sell. She did not want to seem cold-hearted and at least Rose was giving away her paintings and they were making some money from it.

"That is…alright with me," Ruth says. "It is very generous Rose,"

"You've got a generous daughter with a wonderful heart here Ruthie," Molly smiling.

"Indeed, I do," Ruth smiles as warmly as she can.

…

The following morning, Rose walks with her mother towards the boutique, accompanied by Molly Brown. The young woman resents that she's going to try on a wedding dress she's not even going to be around for, but such is the price to be free.

At the boutique, Rose is greeted by several of her friends from finishing school. Mary, Elizabeth, Lillian, Edith, another girl named Rose and Esme, all who gather around her and begin overwhelming her with questions about the Titanic and about her fiancé. Many of these ladies Rose hasn't talked to in years. All of them were in the wedding party, picked by her mother not her. Rose never particularly liked any of these ladies; they were all the same, talking about local gossip, discussing whose husbands made more money and the latest styles. Today, however, the girls seemed genuinely concerned for Rose and asked her how terrible the disaster was.

"Alright, alright, ladies, let's move on to happier things," Molly interrupts, much to Rose's relief. Rose knew then that she made the right choice in inviting Molly.

The stylist at the boutique is very happy to see everyone. Rose had seen this woman before Titanic, she was a famous French designer that her mother simply "had to have" for the wedding. The woman was an artist, but she was frustrated with the family in general about Ruth wanting the dresses one way and Rose to want them another way. Rose could see a pinch of discomfort in the stylist's face as she brought the dressing rack over with all the bridesmaid dresses.

"D'accord, d'accord Mademoiselles, s'il vous plait, can you please proceed to le Vestiaires to try on votre belles robes maintenant. Your names will be on votre robes. Merci'' *(Alright, Alright ladies, can you please proceed to the changing rooms to try on your beautiful dresses. Your names will be on the dresses. Thank you)

All the girls check the rack for their dresses and then move into the back rooms. Ruth and Molly take a seat on cushioned, velvet chairs and Rose sits with them. One by one, the bridesmaids come out in their gowns. They twirl around, giggling and posing like models in their long, flowing, royal blue dresses. Rose has to admit, they are quite beautiful, the flowery tall necklines and the added shine to them, along with the fact that the colour matches the Heart of the Ocean perfectly. Rose looks over at her mother, whose eyes seem to well with tears, most likely from the pride of picking the dresses herself. Even though they look lovely, Rose still would have preferred them in lavender, her favourite colour.

"Elles sont belles," the designer says happily. "Magnifique!" *(They are beautiful, Magnificent!)

"I like them," Molly says. "They look like works of art."

"Of course, you like them, they are the very latest in Paris right now." Ruth says."They are simply gorgeous, don't you think Rose?"

Rose forces herself to smile. "They are beautiful."

"Tant que la mariee aprouve, Je suis heureux," the designer says. "Maintenant, nous allons passer a la mariee." *(As long as the bride approves, I am happy. Now, we move on the bride)

The bridesmaids smile once more and talk amongst each other as the designer goes to get Rose's gown

"You'll like this dress, Molly, I had the material shipped all the way from Switzerland, hand crocheted and everything" Ruth brags to Molly.

"Je suis pret Rose," the designer calls.*(I am ready Rose)

Rose goes behind into one of the dressing rooms. The designer helps her out of her current clothes and into the dress. Her mother really went all out with this dress. The entire dress was made of lace, it reached up to her throat and down past her shoes. There was a train of lace that dragged behind the dress as well. Each layer of the dress had different flowery designs on it and the entire dress hugged her curves beautifully...until the designer tried to zip the dress up.

"C'est bizarre, je ne peux pas la fermeture eclair la robe." the designer says. *(That is odd, I cannot zip up the dress).

The designer tries harder, but cannot make it fit. Rose knows this is due to her baby, but she doesn't say so.

"Je suppose que je vais devoir faire quelques adjustsments . En attendant, allez montrer à tous" *( I suppose I will have to make some adjustments. In the meantime, go show everyone)

The designer adds a tiara and veil before sending Rose out in front of everyone. The room becomes very quiet when Rose steps out in front of everyone. They all stare in awe at the gorgeous sight they see before them. Rose turns to look at herself in the mirror. The girl staring back at her looks like a doll, prim, and proper. She likes the overall look of the dress, but it doesn't feel like her. It feels like her mother, plus the thick veil makes her look like she has a puffy marshmallow on her head. If Jack saw her like this, he'd laugh.

"Oh, my dear..." Ruth says, tears welling up in her eyes again. "You look so beautiful."

Rose forces herself to smile. All the other girls are staring daggers at the dress, jealous that they couldn't wear it. Rose may look amazing but she doesn't feel amazing, not by a long shot. Molly looks skeptical, frowning, reading Rose's expression. Molly knows the girl hates it and knowing what the others do not, Rose will never wear it, at least not to Caledon's wedding.

"What do you think Molly?" Ruth asks.

Molly swallows and looks past Ruth to Rose who gives her the facial expression not to raise a fuss.

"It's downright pretty that's for sure," Molly says through gritted teeth.

Rose lets out a sigh of relief.

"What is wrong here?" Ruth asks, looking at the open back where the designer couldn't zip up.

"Il ne convient pas parfaitement . Je vais devoir faire quelques ajustements , mais il faudra du temps." the designer says. *(It does not quite fit. I will have to make some adjustments but it will take time.)

"But that's impossible!" Ruth cries. "I sent you her exact measurements less than a month ago."

"Maybe you should've doubled checked before you sent it away," Molly points out.

Ruth glares at Molly but then composes herself. "I suppose," she turns to the designer. "Combien cela coûterait-il pour qu'elle so it modifiée?" *(How much will it cost for it to be modified?)

"Environ 200$" is the answer. *(Approximately $200)

"Very well..." Ruth sighs. "We will have it fixed. Go and change Rose."

Rose goes into the back and strips herself from the lacey horror. She knows the weight gain could make her mother suspicious, but for now, it simply looks like she had a big lunch. She knows she'll never hear the end of it once they get home. Rose changes back into her regular clothing. She positions herself to the side, checking. There was a little weight gain around her hips and waist, but she knew that soon there would be a bump.

...

That night, Rose is reading in the library. She felt sad that Molly had left, but relieved that she had shared her secrets with someone, someone whom she could trust. Almost all of her secrets, she knew that even Molly could judge her harshly for having a child out of wedlock and all she needed right now was Molly's trust and support. Molly left soon after the dress fitting, saying goodbye to Rose and telling them they would be in touch about the auction. Rose was then forced to endure a horrid day of shopping and luncheon with women she barely knew and her mother. She forced herself to be interested in the conversations, keeping her facade, praying for freedom once they returned home.

There is a knock at the door.

"Rose darling?" Ruth says. "There is someone here to see you."

"Send them in," Rose says, happy to put down a dull book about nothing in particular.

The dark-haired tycoon comes into the room. Rose gasps and stands up. She can feel her heart pounding and angry tears coming to the surface. She had been glad to be free of Cal these past few weeks, allowing her to breathe, but now he was back again, most likely orchestrated by her mother.

"Good evening," Cal says softly.

Rose doesn't speak to him. She takes a few steps back.

Cal sighs. "Still, won't speak to me..."

"What do you want Cal?" Rose asks gruffly. The sooner he leaves the better.

"I wanted to talk to you..."

"Okay talk."

"I know you've been afraid of me since the sinking and I certainly understand why. My actions were inexcusable and I regret it deeply."

Rose crosses her arms. She knows this is bullshit that Cal made up in order to win her forgiveness. She knows that he has probably rehearsed this speech several times before coming here. She knows her mother is hoping to iron over the tension and force them back together. She notices he has something behind his back.

"What is that?!" she cuts in. She steps back, remembering the knife and pistol he had on the ship.

Cal looks down and reveals a red velvet box.

"I meant to give you this after my apology... but"

He opens the box to reveal another necklace. Rose wanted to roll her eyes in frustration. Once again, Cal was attempting to win her back with shiny things. The necklace is nice, very nice, sterling silver with several diamonds made into the shape of flowers that would hang loosely around her throat, but Rose knows the truth. This was just like the Heart of the Ocean all over again, offering her a gift in exchange for her love.

"What do you think?" Cal asks.

"You think you can buy me back with presents?" Rose snarls.

"No...but I was hoping that you would accept my apology and then I would give you this as a peace offering."

"It's not working..."

"You're stubborn Rose and I cannot understand why, but what I do know is that we love one another, I love, all of you no matter what happens to us."

"I wish I could say the same about you," Rose snaps. "But what we had is not love and never was."

"And what you had with the gutter rat was?" Cal snarls. Rose can feel his temper rising. She walks towards her father's old desk and grabs a letter opener to protect herself. This time, she would not be caught off guard.

"Whatever it was, it was better than what we had..." Rose says.

"I'd like to change that..." Cal says, more gently. "I want us to have a bright future, one filled with success and love, but you pulling away will not help this."

"I don't want a future with you..." Rose says.

"But you need it to don't you with your father's debts and all?"

Rose's mouth drops open. how long has he known? Maybe he just asked a few questions at their lawyer's office, but it didn't matter anymore. She would not be blackmailed any longer.

"I don't care about the debts, I value my safety over money."

"But you will be safe, with me, free from starvation, free from the cold weather, free from the dangers of the streets, free from all harm."

"I'd rather have all of those instead of you." Rose snarls.

"Do you really think you've fooled me with your "good girl" act?" Cal asks, angrily. He takes a step towards her. "I know you are simply pretending to be a lady to gain that freedom back, but unfortunately, that will not happen again." He gets closer to her, like a tiger approaches his prey. "I will have tabs on you at all times, till the day we marry and then you are mine."

Rose clutches the letter opener tightly, she's against the wall again, her heart pounding and tears threatening to surface. She had to show courage, it was the only defence she had against Cal.

He slowly grabs her shoulders and squeezes.

"Don't fight it Rose..." he hisses. Rose gasps for air, her breath filled with panic. "You cannot escape what you were destined to do...become my wife."

Rose closes her eyes and wishes that she was anywhere else in the world. She feels as if she is slowly being strangled by a python, it's grasping wrapping around her tighter and tighter, leaving her breathless and sucking the life from her body. Her grip tightens even more on the opener. She fears for her life and the life of her child. She wants so badly to disappear, keeps her baby from harm and feels safe once again.

"Goodnight Cal," she whispers.

Cal looks at her confused. He slowly lets go of her shoulders.

"Your resistance will weaken eventually," Cal mutters.

"Goodnight Cal," Rose repeats herself. She takes a step forward with the letter opener.

"You cannot threaten me, we will be married and you will be my wife," Cal says, as he starts to walk towards the door.

"Goodnight Cal," she says insistently with a hint of finality.

Cal sighs and turns to leave.

"Goodnight Rose," Cal says before shutting the door behind him.

Rose collapses into a chair and begins to cry.