Chapter 14

"I can't believe you're finally here!" Betty exclaimed, running over to Jack and Rose, who were just climbing out of the car. The day of the wedding had finally arrived, and Jack and Rose could not have been more excited for its arrival. They had counted the days, done all of the preparing, and finally, it was there.

Jack had healed almost entirely, both by doing exercises to get his mobility back and relaxing when he could. Rose had taken the role of his nurse, bringing him whatever he needed, whether he asked for it or not. And at the end of the day, they both had each other, providing all the comfort they needed.

Now that a few months had passed, Rose was showing a little more, her stomach a small bump that was only noticeable if someone was looking for it. She was feeling better, finally; perhaps having Jack home was exactly what she needed. Somehow, she had only gotten more beautiful, her skin kissed with a gentle glow, and it only increased now that she was all smiles.

"Betty!" Rose squealed, hugging her sister. She had missed her more than she could ever describe, and everyone could sense that a piece was missing. Betty filled the home with laughter and happiness, and the silence and eeriness there now was chilling. "I missed you so much!"

Jack placed the bags on the ground, hugging his sister next while Rose hugged Liza. "I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered, pained that his and Rose's mess had dragged Betty into it. "I'm so sorry about all of this."

"Don't be," Betty smiled. "I like it here. It's beautiful, it's away from all the chaos of Boston. It's the break I didn't know that I needed." She stared at her brother, looking down at his abdomen. "Are you okay? Are you all healed?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he assured her. He looked over at Rose, who was grinning while talking to Liza. "I'm marrying my best friend, we're having a baby, we're alive." He looked back at Betty, smiling. "I have everything I've ever wanted."

Betty smiled at her brother. "I'm happy for you, Jack."

"It's getting chilly out here!" Liza said, getting everyone's attention. It was true; the late afternoons were always chilly, even in the summer. "Let's go inside and warm up."

They walked inside, Jack holding the bags. "Where should I put these, Liza?" Jack asked. He had gotten to know Liza a bit, just as they all spoke on the phone. The four of them were united by circumstance and hardship, though now, things seemed to be changing.

"It's the one on the left," Liza pointed to the hallway, to an open door leading to a bedroom.

Betty looked over at her, confused by her instructions. "Liza, that's your bedroom. I thought they were taking mine."

Liza shook her head. "I couldn't possibly allow that," she answered. "You're all my guests. You'll get the bedrooms, I'll take the couch. No exceptions."

Jack put down the bags in the room, then returned to the living room. "Thank you for everything, Liza," he smiled at her. "I can't thank you enough for letting us get married here and taking care of my sister."

"Of course," Liza smiled. "Rose has been my best friend since we were children, and I've always wanted to be her maid of honor or a bridesmaid. Having her married in my backyard is even better." She looked at Rose and saw her smile. "And Betty is absolutely amazing. I love having her company here."

Betty smiled back at her, feeling a little bit of a flutter in her chest at the compliment. She loved living with Liza, and part of her was sure she'd be happy living a life like Liza's. Maybe with Liza, Betty thought for only a moment before dismissing the thought. Clearly, she was incapable of distinguishing between kindness and romantic feelings. She would need to work on that.

Sensing what was happening, Rose wanted a moment to talk to her friend, wanting to get an idea of what she was thinking. "Liza," she began, getting her friend's attention. "Can you come with me to get ready?"

"Of course!" Liza responded. "Excuse me," she said to Jack and Betty, following Rose into the bedroom. "I can't believe you're getting married today! We've been talking about our weddings since we were children."

"I know, it's crazy," Rose answered, smiling as she took out her dress. She spread it across the bed, smiling at it. Then, she looked up at Liza. "So, how is everything going here?"

Liza shrugged. "Work is fine, everything's good. Having Betty here has been nice. It helps with the loneliness," she smiled as she talked about Betty, and Rose noticed. "She's great, Rose. If she's anything like Jack, I see what you love about him."

Rose nodded. "She's great," she answered, beginning to take out her makeup and setting it on the vanity. "I miss having her at the house with us, but Jack and I are so glad she's safe. That's all that matters."

"She is, Rose. I promise." Liza smiled, and walked over to Rose, hugging her. "I'm so glad you're marrying Jack. He's amazing. You'll be so happy together, I already know it." They hugged for one more minute before beginning to get ready for the big day.

xXx

Betty was still with Jack after Rose and Liza went into the bedroom to get ready. "Any cold feet?" Betty asked. She knew her brother loved Rose, but she also knew that Jack had a habit of going stir crazy, needing to move around often.

Jack shook his head. "Never," he smiled at his sister. "She's the love of my life, Bet. All the stuff that mattered to me before doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is her. I'd do anything for her, forever." Betty smiled back at him, happy for her brother that he was happy with Rose. "How are things going with Liza?"

"She's so kind," Betty answered. "I don't know who else would allow a stranger to stay in their house for this long, but she's great. We're even becoming friends now."

Jack stared at her, arching an eyebrow. "Just friends?" He asked.

Betty rolled her eyes. "Yes, Jack, just friends," she answered, taking out her dress and putting down Jack's suit. "I may have had some feelings, but I haven't acted on them. And besides, who says Liza feels the way I do?"

Jack shrugged. "You never know until you try," he said matter of factly, before looking back at his things, trying to organize everything.

"I suppose I should go help Rose," Betty said after a moment. "I am a bridesmaid, after all."

"Oh, about that," Jack began, and Betty turned around. "I was thinking, since we don't really have people here, and you're my sister, maybe you could be my best man?"

Betty laughed. "Of course I will, Jack," she smiled. "I'd be absolutely honored."

A few minutes passed. Betty helped Jack get ready, pressing his suit while Jack showered, did his hair, and tried to sneak a peek at Rose's dress, though Liza yelled at him when he tried. Since the house was quite small, it was difficult for them to all get ready at the same time, especially since Rose didn't want Jack to see her in her dress until she was all ready.

But finally, everyone was all dressed, and Liza came out to find Jack. "Mr. Groom," she said in a sing-songy voice, wearing a lavender dress, Rose's favorite color. "The bride has asked for you."

Jack smiled, glad he could finally see Rose. It was awful even spending a few minutes away from her, especially on the happiest day of their lives. He walked, rather jogged, over to the room Rose was in, ready to see his bride.

Liza looked at Betty, fixing her dress in the mirror, and smiled at her. Her long blonde hair was wavy, falling halfway down her back with small pieces pinned back. Her dress was light blue, similar to the dress she was wearing the day she met Rose and when her brother came back to her. "You look amazing," she complimented her.

"So do you," Betty smiled at her, turning around to see her. Her dark hair was pinned behind one ear, and her curls cascaded over her right shoulder. Her lavender dress accentuated the curves of her thin frame, fitting her perfectly. "It's funny, I don't think I've ever seen you dressed up."

Liza laughed quietly. "Yeah, I don't dress up much, since I don't really have any reason to anymore," she shrugged, looking at herself in the mirror, and Betty turned to look in the mirror as well. Liza looked at the back of Betty's dress, noticing that it was coming undone. "Oh, wait, your dress is a bit undone. Let me get it for you."

Slowly, Liza fixed Betty's dress, her knuckles accidentally caressing Betty's skin. It was soft, softer than she could've imagined, and she could've sworn she felt Betty shiver. She turned her head over her shoulder, finding herself getting lost in Liza's eyes. Before either of them could think about what they were doing, they inched closer to each other, close enough that they could feel each other's breath against their lips.

A knock at the door interrupted them, and Liza and Betty both jumped apart, their hearts still pounding, either because of the shock of the intrusion or the intensity of the moments they had shared.

Liza went over to the door, opening it. Betty didn't see who was there, but she saw Liza grin. "You're here," she said cheerfully. Before she could figure out what was happening, Liza reached out and took the hand of the man standing at the door, dragging him inside. "Betty, this is James." Standing next to her was a tall man with medium brown hair, and he was wearing a suit. "James, this is Betty. She's Jack's sister."

"Nice to meet you," James smiled, reaching out his hand to shake Betty's.

"Nice to meet you too," she said politely. Swallowing her disappointment, Betty shook his hand, then excused herself. "Excuse me, I need some air." She walked through the front door, sitting on the front porch, wishing things could be different.

xXx

Jack knocked on Rose's bedroom door, his heart pounding in his ears as he waited for Rose to answer. "Come in," she answered, and Jack slowly opened the door, trying to prepare himself for the fact that he'd be seeing his bride, all ready to marry him.

No matter how much he prepared himself, there was no way he could have prepared himself to see her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and while that was true every day, knowing that this was the day they'd be joining together as husband and wife made it far more special. "Wow," he said, the breath leaving his lungs.

Rose smiled, posing for him playfully. "What do you think?" She asked.

"What do I think?" Jack asked incredulously. He stepped closer to her, and he was finally able to see that her hair was perfectly styled with pieces held back with ribbon. He looked at her dress, which was exactly the same as the dress she wore to the dinner party aboard Titanic, though this one was white. It fitted her perfectly, and through it, he was able to see her growing belly. "I know that you're beautiful. I know you're the most beautiful woman in the world. But Rose," he was suddenly at a loss for words, finding difficulty phrasing the way he was saying. "You're perfect."

"You're no slouch yourself," Rose smiled, wrapping her arms around Jack's neck, gently kissing him. "I love you so much, Jack. And I'm honored, honored, to be your wife and the mother of your child."

"And I'm honored to be your husband and the father of your child," he wrapped his arms around her thin waist, pulling her closer. "And I promise, I will work for the rest of my life to be the man you fell in love with."

Rose smiled, kissing him one last time before releasing him, taking his hand and leading him toward the door. "Come on," she whispered, grinning at Jack. "Let's go get married."

xXx

The champagne cork popped loudly, and everyone cheered. It was dark out, and all eight of them were sitting on the sand, listening to the waves crashing and the wind blowing. Rose was wrapped in Jack's arms, leaning her head against his chest. Anna and William were seated next to each other, their hands linked. Betty and Liza were sitting next to each other, though Liza was still with James. And Ruth was sitting there alone, though considering she didn't approve of the location of the wedding or the fact that Rose was already pregnant, she had behaved herself quite well.

"To Jack and Rose!" Liza lifted her glass, as did everyone else, all clinking them together in the middle of the circle. "I just want to say something about my best friend. Rose, you're the best friend I could have asked for. I would do anything for you, and I know you would do anything for me too. And Jack, I know I haven't known you that long, but I could not have asked for a better husband for my best friend. I've never seen her happier than she has been since she met you." Jack and Rose looked at each other, smiling widely. "But Jack, just know, if you hurt Rose… I'll have to kill you."

Jack chuckled, tightening his arms around Rose. "I'll do my best," he promised, kissing Rose's cheek.

Betty lifted her glass next. "I'm so lucky to have people like Jack and Rose in my life. They have shown me what real love looks like, and they have taken care of me since they returned. I can't wait to meet their child, and watch them achieve everything they've ever wanted while I live a life where I can never be happy." She put her lips against the glass, drinking it in one sip. "Excuse me."

Without looking at anyone's reaction, Betty stood and walked inside, closing the door behind her. She sat on the couch, putting her head in her hands, crying quietly. She didn't know which part she was upset about: the fact that Jack and Rose were able to get married and be openly in love, the fact that the one woman she had ever had feelings for was dating a man, or the fact that she could feel everything slipping away from her.

There was a quiet knock on the door, and Betty looked up, seeing Liza standing there. "Hey," she smiled. "I just wanted to come and see if you're alright."

"I'm not alright. Do I look alright to you?" Betty asked, wiping below her eyes. She looked over at Liza, the pitiful look on her face only making her feel worse. "Why are you here? Doesn't your date need you outside?"

"My date?" Liza asked confusedly. "Are you talking about James?"

"Yes, I'm talking about James," Betty rolled her eyes, standing up. "The Greek statue of a man out there who has been staring at you all evening."

Liza laughed, sitting on the couch. "James has been best friends with Rose and I since we were children. There's nothing going on between us. Rose invited him for the wedding, not me."

Betty looked down embarrassedly. "Oh," she said quietly. "Sorry about that." She avoided Liza's gaze, unable to look into her concerned, pitiful eyes.

"Do you want to talk about what happened out there?" Liza asked, and Betty shook her head. "Okay. I hope you know, you can talk to me about anything. You're… one of my best friends now. Your feelings are safe with me."

Liza turned back, going back outside. She didn't look back at Betty, but she could've sworn out of peripheral vision, she saw her smile.