Chapter 72

February 20, 1913

Jack finally receives the telegram from Jesse and Marion congratulating them for their birth of their baby. Jesse also told that work at their shop was also beginning to pick up again, and he was getting offers to go back to Europe, but this time to go to a well-known engineering school there in Germany, with all expenses paid, if he accepted a job there upon completion of his studies. Marion also wanted a honeymoon, so he would be going there first, and Santa Monica would come later. Jack congratulated Jesse back, as he sent a telegram to his way. He also stated they were going out for dress shopping for Rose, and possibly have the wedding on the Olympic. He sent the telegram from the train depot, as he wondered what the southwest would be like, as he began to wonder where to live, Albuquerque or Chippewa Falls. Or possibly, in California, near the pier. He remembered Rose wanting to become an actress, as he weighed the pros and cons of each cities until he decided he move back to his childhood home. He would spend some of the money Cal had given him to build his house, and he wanted Fabrizio and Jesse to help with the house construction.

The following week the entire family were in the downtown section of New York, as Rose tried in vain to look for her perfect wedding dresses, and her mother specifically had said no lavender, even though Rose had looked at the dress in the boutique with hungry eyes. She longed to buy the dress, while Jack and Jon were in the other side of town, looking for tuxedoes Jack could wear for his wedding. Jon decided to take the day off to help with the couples' special occasion planning, since Jesse and Marion's wedding. He fixed Jack's suit as he looks into the mirror, admiring himself, before tugging down at the jacket, which felt a bit tight on him. The clerk goes for another jacket, as Jack adjusts his tie. In the end Jack bought two tuxedoes, and he wanted to buy Rose's wedding ring at the nearby Tiffany & Company. He wondered how Rose's dress shopping had came along, as he had more success buying his clothes.

They entered the specialty shop, filled with dishes, jewelry, and other household items. Jack and Jon walked to the jewelry counter, as Jack looks in the display cases at the various rings. He looked at a small one that was encrusted with diamonds. The counterperson, thinking Jack would want to look at it even closer, pulls out the ring from the counter in a manner that he thinks he might lose it. He hands it to Jack, as he studies the ring. He also saw that the ring was gold, and encrusted throughout was diamonds, something he never saw up close before. He felt guilty, as he began to think about the money Cal had given to him, before he departed from their lives, after his father had passed on. He began to pull out the money, before he noticed an even simpler ring next to it. He hands the ring back, then points to the simple gold ring. The counter person takes the diamond-encrusted, puts it back, then pulls the simple gold band out, and Jack carefully inspects it even more. He looks into the band, as inside it was stamped 10k gold. The price was just about right for that weight of gold, and he paid for it. Jack was guilty he didn't get Rose a very special ring for her, but he knew his love meant far more than a piece of rock or precious metals.

Rose had even told him back on the bow, moments before the ship hit the iceberg, that he had all the love he could offer to Rose, and that she was most grateful for. He had given her everything that no amount of money would buy; respect, passion, care, and love, and that Cal would never take those away from them. She had also told him she doesn't care for all the possessions, money, or even power. She only wanted to be with him, even if they wound up somewhere in the streets or sleeping under bridges.

"You jump, I jump, remember?"

Jack smiles, as the clerk hands him the small velvet box. He also looked at a necklace, but he shakes his head, as he only needed a ring for his bride to be. He finally catches up to Jon, who was looking at dishes and other household items, as he knew their anniversary was coming up.

They catch up to the women, as Rose was tired from walking, her shoes were killing her feet, and from carrying Tommy around. Jack quickly pocketed the ring as he helps Rose into the back seat of the car, while Jessica holds onto Tommy, before giving him back to Jack. Jessica herself was tired, after chasing around Jack, and once nearly broke a vase back at that boutique. Rose knew Jack was already done with his shopping, and she sighed sadly. Both Jessica and her son manages to squeeze with the couple in the back as Ruth took the front, and Jon drove everyone home. Jack cuddles Rose and Tommy as the family and Ruth finally head for home.

...

Ruth began formulating a plan on how to make Rose's dress after that fruitless search back at the boutique. For many months since she was back with her daughter and soon to be son-in-law, Ruth began buying threads and fabrics, as she kept it a secret from the family, except Jessica, who was lending a helping hand, and knew that this day was coming. Ruth knew her earthly possessions were now gone at this point, as is her home, so she knew she had to practice for being a seamstress sooner or later.

Ruth looked back at the wedding magazines to see if she needed any motivations to make her daughter a special dress. Meanwhile, Jack missed his friends very much, and wanted to see them again. He was hoping Jesse and Fabrizio would take some time off to help him build his dream house back in Chippewa Falls, to build upon his original that burned down from that tragic fire. And now was the perfect opportunity, as Ruth began adopting policies of Jesse's grandmother that Jack must not see the dress, nor must he hear it. The weather was also starting to become warmer, as March was just around the corner. Ruth gathered her supplies, then moved into Jesse's room, turning it into a full-fledged seamstress room. The door was now equipped with a lock, before Jack removed all his belongings, and with Jon before leaving work, he headed to the train station, ready to head west once more.

Jack sits in the train by his lonesome, his suitcase on the seat adjoining him. He remembered all the times he had traveled back and forth to and from New York, to Philadelphia, to Albuquerque, and even to Santa Monica and all points in-between for those memorable times he spent with his new friends. Now it felt like the journey back to Jesse was slow, as he was riding by himself. He closes his eyes as he drifts into a tearful dream, as he remembered the tearful goodnight kiss to Rose, as she slept with her mother in Jesse's room, then he kissed little Tommy, promising both they would have a forever home to go to. The next morning he embraced Jessica for the longest time, as they both cried, and he knew he and Rose had to make the best of these times, as soon, they will be parting ways. He cried the hardest as he hugged little Jack, as he and the kid had many memories since his arrival to the Almstead/Williams home, nearly a year now, and the two had been nearly inseparable since. Jack cried hard as Jon drove him to the train depot, to take him to the southwest for the last time. He will miss Fabrizio, as he found a stable employment in New Mexico, but the most he will miss is Jesse, as he had guided him and Rose throughout the tough ordeal with Caledon. Jack looks up, his tears falling as he looks out the window, to the growing meadows and plains as the train passes through small villages and towns on his way to St. Louis. Jack didn't send a telegram, as he wanted to make a surprise visit to the home.

...

February 25, 1913

Jack arrives to the farmhouse, in the unusually warm late February. He was grateful Jesse's coworker and family friend Tom had driven him to the house. He looked at the house, as it finally had gotten the remake it had desperately needed.

"They'll be back tonight." Tom says, as Jack thanks the man, before he disappeared behind a large brush. Jack walks up the porch, before trying the door. It was locked, and this one had a different lock, as it wouldn't be opened with a mere pick this time. Jack looks around, even though this was the only house for miles, for anyone who might be looking at what he was going to do next. He feels the top sill, then under the crudely made mat, until he saw a key. He puts it in the lock, then opens the door. He is greeted by the familiarity of the house once more, as he felt a pang of sadness overcome him. He tries to hold back his sobs, as he slowly makes his way throughout the house. He walks past the table, that Karl had built months prior, now containing a simple centerpiece on it.

Jack walks to Fabrizio's room, then he slowly looks through the room. The same room he had slept in with Rose and Ruth before the days leading to Jesse's wedding. He noticed there was a dresser next to the bed, with a kerosene lamp on it. He carefully goes through the drawers, as Fabrizio's clothes were neatly folded. He quietly closes the door, then makes his way to Jesse's room. He opened the door, before he flinched. Sleeping on the bed, was a beautiful Marion, as she had taken one of Jesse's coats and wrapped herself in it. Jack carefully tip toes around their room as he slowly makes his way to the dresser. Something catches his eye, then turns to it. Something sticks from the clutter, then Jack grabs it. It is a telegram, sent by one Mr. Smith, as Jack read the contents.

Jesse, my boy -Stop-

I'd like to invite you back to Europe. With your wife, of course -Stop-

Enclosed is your tickets aboard the the newly fitted R.M.S. Olympic is already been paid for -Stop-

She will set sail back to America, and you must be ready before March or April's departure -Stop-

I'd like to take you to Belfast, where there will be an unnamed ship, related to Olympic, being built -Stop-

With regards,

Mr Smith -Stop-

Jack knew this was his big opportunity, as he wanted to have his marriage with Rose. Jack held the telegram close to his chest, until a rustling sound was heard, startled him out of his thoughts. He quickly stuffed the telegram back in the dresser, as Marion slowly wakes up. She rubs her eyes, then she was shocked. She nearly screamed, before she recognized the person standing was Jack. They both embraced, as they felt like they haven't seen each other in a long time, as tears came to her eyes. Jack slowly helps Marion out of the bed, while she wiped her tears, as she took a nap, and dreaming about what they were going to do at this point. Jack suggested that she and Jesse should take a honeymoon, as Marion already figured when Jesse received a telegram from someone that he was urgently needed back to Europe. They both hugged once more, before making their way to the large living room.

"Where's Rose?" Marion asks, as she prepares the pot-bellied stove and kettle.

"She's still back in New York, as her mother insisted I should not see her dress being made. I was hoping Jesse or Fabri were home…" Jack began to explain why he was there, that he needed his friends to build his house back in Chippewa Falls. Marion told Jack her husband was at work, and Fabrizio was somewhere down south, building homes and other structures as his coworkers had wanted him to be down there as well. She hugged him again, congratulating that he had a child with Rose. Marion began to prepare dinner, as her husband and his father would be arriving soon, when the sun slowly sets over the hilly horizon. Jack feeds the pot-bellied stove more wood, before he goes out to chop some more cords of wood.

...

Jesse, Jack, Marion and Mr. Williams had their fill of pot roast and beans, and there were plenty more in front of them. Jack notices Jesse had finally gained some weight, though not by much. Marion stared intently at her husband, while he groans as gets up, accidentally letting out a small burp while dusting off his vest from the crumbs, and some fell in between the vest and his shirt.

"That was a good meal. Now my stomach's hurting." He says, rubbing his flat stomach. Marion let out a laugh, while Jesse looked at her.

"Jesse's an excellent horseman, not like my sister's husband. You should've seen them back at the farm." Marion laughed.

"Why? What happened?" Jack asked.

"Its nothing. The man came from a more prestigious family from England. Somewhere in a smaller town. He thought he knew how to ride horses. Boy was he a big liar. He couldn't even do a basic feeding, though we almost fought, but in the end, he walked away, with tail between his legs." Jesse says, taking another bite of the pot roast.

"He couldn't live that down afterward. My sister had a good laugh about that." Marion laughed harder now. Jesse gently rubbed and kisses Marion's head before he goes to his room, and comes back with something in his hand. Jack looks surprised, and with a flick of his head Jesse hands him an envelope.

"The marshal deputy wanted me to give you this. Apparently, no one knew what had happened to you, as you simply disappeared without a trace. I think it was after Cal had barged in and you left the place, without informing anyone of your whereabouts." Jack was stunned beyond belief, as he hoped he would be under arrest for leaving his post. He had completely forgotten about it, until today.

"What's this?"

"Your pay." Jack takes the envelope, and was shocked at how much he had earned from the last time he was there. He hugs his friend, and cried, as Marion and Mr. Williams looked on. He announced when Fabrizio comes home, he and Jesse would go back to Chippewa Falls and build his house there, for Rose and his child. Marion gets up from her chair, to join her husband, as they headed to their room for the night, with Marion playfully twirling Jesse's hair. Jack looks at the check once more, as his future was looking better, and his optimism had gone up as well.

"Oh, Fabrizio will be back sometime this week." Jesse says, before he closes the door of his room. Jack smiles, as Mr. Williams clears the table, then puts the dishes on the counter, while the sounds of laughter came from Jesse's room. Finally, they turn in for the night, while a lone coyote howls in the distance. Jack sleeps in Fabrizio's room, as he dreams of being married to the girl he loves, on the Olympic, and of starting a family, as he drifts into a deep sleep.