The Flower's mansion was a huge estate that sat upon a hill overlooking the town of Chippewa Falls. It was probably the fanciest house in town. At least it was the fanciest one that Rose had seen so far in the small town. It almost reminded her of the grand mansions of the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers. She couldn't help but wonder if Mrs. Flowers threw as many balls as the Vanderbilts did and what would Mrs. Rockerfeller make of it. Would she even go? Or would she consider Mrs. Flowers another Mrs. Vanderbilt? New money trying to make an impact. Was Mrs. Flowers new money?

"I'm glad that we decided to leave Lily at home. She may become overwhelmed," Jack whistled, unable to believe that he had forgotten how huge the Flower's estate was.

"She would definitely get lost in the halls of the place...that is if I even accept the job here," Rose chewed on her bottom lip, beginning to worry. "Jack...do you think that Mrs. Flowers read the society papers? According to Sarah, the news of my death had traveled far and wide. What if she recognizes me?"

Jack squeezed her hand that was tightly holding on to his. "Don't worry. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Who would she tell anyway? I doubt that she even knows of your mother. As for Cal...well I think it's inevitable that he'll show up. He'll be looking for his sister. We'll be ready for that, I am sure. Besides, he can't do anything now. We're married. You're my wife."

Rose simply nodded in agreement, even though she still felt apprehensive. Jack didn't understand. The society pages were like nationwide entertainment. It's how everyone kept preoccupied. There was nothing better than a scandal, or some other news that would cause gossip. Her running away from Cal to marry Jack, would be entertaining for months if not years and it would bring the wrath of her mother down on them for sure since she had allowed her mother to believe her dead for all this time.

"We better ring the bell. We don't want to be late. This is a job interview as well as dinner," Jack sighed.

It was Rose who pressed the doorbell since Jack's free hand was holding a bouquet of roses and he was not about to let go of Rose's hand it seemed. Judging from how sweaty it was, he was nervous.

"I should be the nervous one here, not you," Rose giggled, giving Jack's cheek a quick kiss. "Relax."

"You're not the one that avoided a childhood friend over something that wasn't even his fault," Jack sighed, his voice dripping with guilt.

"You'll make it up to him."

Just then, the door was opened by a tall grim looking butler. Jack recognized him immediately.

"Jeeves! You're still working here?"

The butler winced in dislike. He had never cared much about the Dawson boy. He had thought that the boy was too low in social status to even be an acquaintance of the young master. But the young master's parents deemed the friendship acceptable. Something about wanting their son to be aware of how the other half lived by having friends from said other half.

"Young Mister. Dawson. What a pleasure to see you again. You are expected. Follow me," Jeeves directed, not even giving Rose a second glance. He just expected the pair to follow him, no questions asked.

"Yikes. He's even worse than Lovejoy," Rose whispered as she and Jack entered the house.

"It doesn't help that he probably remembers the grief Harold and I had caused him when we were boys," Jack chuckled.

"Oooh, you two probably got up to no good. Boys are so mischievous. I do hope that our son will have more manners."

Jack stopped for a second at the mention of their son, wondering if there was something he should know, but then continued walking, telling himself to discuss it later when they were alone.

The couple followed Jeeves to the sitting room, where Mrs. Flowers and her daughter were sitting, working on an embroidery it looked like.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dawson have arrived, Madame," Jeeves announced.

"I can see that, Jeeves. Please take their coats. I am surprised that you hadn't done that at the door," Mrs. Flowers frowned, wondering if perhaps it was time to find a new butler. Poor Jeeves was up in age and seemed to be getting more forgetful in his duties each year.

"I am sorry, Madame. I will collect their coats now," Jeeves held his hand out as Jack and Rose took off their coats and gave them to the waiting butler.

"Thank you, Jeeves. You may go now. Oh and tell Harold that our guests have arrived."

The butler just nodded his head and left the room.

"Bonjour, Madame Dawson. Bienvenue chez moi," Violet Flowers greeted happily as she stood up from her chair.

Rose smiled. "Very good, Violet. Merci pour l'accueil. Votre maison est très agréable."

"Violet has been practicing nonstop, wanting to impress you, Mrs. Dawson," Mrs. Flowers chuckled, her hands lovingly stroking the girl's hair.

"She is very impressive," Rose smiled, thinking of Lily. She would love to have the girl's red curls to nervously ruffle at the moment. But Lily wasn't here and she didn't think Jack would let her play with his perfect head of silky blond hair.

"Darling, you may go play with your dolls now. Hannah will be up to help you bathe in an hour," Mrs. Flowers directed.

Violet just nodded her head in acceptance and went to do what her mother had directed.

"Violet is not joining us?" Rose asked, surprised. She thought that this dinner was to see how she interacted with the little girl.

"No, she is not. Just now was the test of how you and my daughter would interact and I do say that I am pleased," Mrs. Flowers explained. She looked around with a look of concern in her eyes. "Dinner will be ready soon. I wonder where is that son of mine? He is the one that wanted this reunion."

"So you have known Jack since he was a young boy?" Rose decided to make conversation, maybe even getting some more insight into the man she loved. Not that Jack was hiding anything from her, but she had to admit, she loved hearing other people tell stories about the young Jack Dawson. There was always something new to learn.

"Oh yes, I am quite familiar with the Dawson family. Especially since their son kept getting mine into trouble," Mrs. Flowers huffed. "I don't know why I allowed the friendship to continue."

Jack wanted to state that the woman allowed the friendship to continue because Jack was really Harold's only friend and would stand up for him against the neighborhood bullies that were jealous of his wealth, but Jack kept his mouth shut, especially since he had yet to see Harold again and explain why he hadn't come to see him upon his return home.

"Because Jack was my only real friend in this town. People either hated me because of my money or wanted to use me because of it. But not Jack," A good-looking young man about Jack's build with ebony hair and brown eyes stated, appearing in the doorway. "Really, Mother. I was hoping that you'd make a better impression on our guests."

"Harold. It's about time that you joined us. Dinner is just about to be served," Mrs. Flowers scolded.

"I am sorry, Mother. But the family business had to be tended to, especially now that father is gone. I am here now, and just in time it looks like."

"Well, I suppose it is understandable," Mrs. Flowers sniffed, still wearing her indignation like a cloak. She turned back to Rose and waved a hand at her son. "May I introduce my son Harold? Harold, you know Jack of course. This young lady is his wife Rose. She may be over your sister's new French tutor if she decides to take the job."

"Jack. I heard that you've returned. I was hoping that you would have been by long before now," Harold's eyes drank Jack in as if he was a man in the desert and Jack was a cold glass of water. "You look well."

"Hello, Harold. I know, I should have come to see you a long time ago...but I wasn't really in a state to see anyone. It's a long story."

"One that you'll have to tell, surely," Harold smiled, giving a sense that all was forgiven. He turned to Rose with a more reserved smile and nodded his head. "And you're Jack's wife. You look awfully familiar."

Rose nervously smiled. "Hello, sir. I am told that I have one of those faces. It is a pleasure to meet you. Jack has told me a lot about you."

"Is that so? All good things, I hope."

"Oh yes, of course," Rose gave an awkward smile, noticing how the man's eyes seemed to drift back to Jack.

"Well, let us all head into the dining room. I am certain that the servants will be ready to serve the meal," Mrs. Flowers smiled, leading the way, assuming that the others would follow.

Jack and Rose simply smiled and followed Harold into the dining room, not really knowing what to expect.

….

The dinner wasn't too bad. Harold didn't interrogate Jack too much about why he hadn't come to visit for a full year. He just talked about how his father had died the year before last and how the business had kept him busy. He really hadn't had the time to visit like he would have wanted to, so it was just as well that they reunite now, when everything was calming down. Harold also clued Jack in on the going ons of High Society Chippewa Falls. Rose couldn't help but be fascinated. Life was so different here in Chippewa Falls. Even the culture of the rich was different from how it was in Philadelphia.

Jack and Rose hadn't talked much. Rose mostly talked about herself to Mrs. Flower, finishing up the interview process for the offered job. Jack just listed to Harold talk. By the end of the evening, Jack and Rose were ready to go home.

They were at the door, saying good night to their hosts, when Harold took Jack's hand and held it in a way that made Rose arch a brow in suspicion.

"Don't stay away too long, this time Jack. It was so so good to see you again. I've missed you terribly. When you left after your parents died...well...my world turned into a world of grey after that," Harold blushed.

"Um...I'm sorry. I should have said goodbye...but I just had to leave. But it was all for the best. I got to see the world and I met Rose."

"Right," Harold cleared his throat and finally released Jack's hand after another few seconds had passed.

"Rose, I do hope you accept my offer. Please let me know by telegraph as soon as possible," Mrs. Flowers spoke up, seemingly oblivious to Rose's own suspicions.

"Yes ma'am," Rose nodded, more than ready to leave. "I will send word. It was a pleasure to meet you, Harold. Good night."

Both Mrs. Flowers and her son nodded and Jack and Rose headed back for the car that Jack had rented for the evening. They drove back in silence. Jack's attention was on the road, while Rose's thoughts were on what she had just witnessed. She cleared her throat once they were almost back to the house.

"Jack...um...how long have you known Harold Flowers again?" She asked.

"Since we were boys. Well, teens actually. He started school with us when we were all thirteen years of age. He was always getting picked on and I had to step in several times to make the bullies stop."

"Hmm," was all Rose said, a small frown on her lips.

"Why?"

"Well...I was just wondering. Jack...when you were boys...had you two ever...experimented?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean...well...when I was thirteen...I had this friend. She and I got along so well. It was rather...intense. More intense than most of my friendships. One afternoon, she was over for tea. We were laughing and talking and then suddenly...she kissed me. Like...in the way you kiss me. Romantically...mother of course came in at that moment and threw a fit. Kicked her right out and I was never allowed to see her again. I was sad about it because I had lost a friend...but I also wanted to let her down gently, because...I did not feel that way about her...you know what I mean?"

Jack's frown deepened. "I think I know what you're getting at and no. Harold and I never did anything like that. I knew some guys in Europe like that, but I made it clear that I only liked kissing girls. They were good sports about it. But Harold never acted that way…"

"Really?"

"Rose...what are you trying to say?"

"Well…forgive me, but...I do believe that Harold Flowers has a crush on you."

Jack nearly slammed his foot on the brake and turned to look at Rose with wide blue eyes. "What the hell, Rose! What are you talking about? You can't be serious!"

"I am! I mean...didn't you notice, how he looked at you a little too long. In fact, he really couldn't take his eyes off of you all night. Then when he said goodbye...the way he took your hand and held it in his for so long...Jack no handshake lasts that long! I can't believe that you haven't noticed!"

"But...but that's impossible! I mean...he never gave me any hints…"

"Not that you would notice."

"When we were boys, he never ever made any moves on me."

"Why would he? He was probably afraid to lose his only friend."

"Even if he had a crush on me when we were kids, it should be over it by now, right? We haven't seen each other in years!"

"You never get over your first love," Rose sighed.

"Really? May I ask who that is?"

"You, of course. Cal was the first man to court me, but you were the first man I've ever loved."

Jack blushed and he smiled. "Damn, Rose. You're mine too."

Rose gave him a look that said that she didn't believe him.

"You are! I've never felt for anyone the way I feel for you. This makes me sad for Harold...because I can never return his feelings. Not only am I not into men...but I've already found the love of my life. You. Not to mention...Chippewa Falls is a small town and there are probably laws against such relationships. He's never going to be truly happy. Even if he finds some girl to marry. He'll never be able to live as who he really is."

"That is sad. I wish that there was something I could do...that wasn't giving you up, of course."

"Not that I would let you," Jack chuckled, then his voice turned grim. "There's nothing much that we can do. Perhaps he'll find his true love someday."

"Just as long as it's not you," Rose gave him a quick kiss.

Jack just rolled his eyes and laughed. "Not to worry, Rose. My heart belongs to only you. That's the way it will always be."

"You jump, I jump," Rose smiled squeezing the hand that was tightly holding hers.

"Always," he happily smiled, thinking that life couldn't get better than this. He was one lucky man. He had his wife, his friends, their daughter, and the prospect of having the family he had always wanted to have. He could only hope that Harold Flowers will find his happiness too somehow because no one deserved to be miserable. Except for Caledon Hockley of course.