LOVE BY CHANCE
Chapter Fifteen
May 17, 2002
Rose gazed down the aisle of the church in
front of her as the next to last of her bridesmaids walked toward the front of
the church. The happiest day of her life to date was upon her and she couldn’t
wait for the moment when the minister pronounced her Mrs. Jack Dawson. Her eyes
slid to Jack, who looked spectacular in his wedding finery of a tuxedo. She
loved him so much. She couldn’t imagine standing where she was looking at any
other man and she didn’t want to. She and Jack were meant for each other and she
would go to her grave believing that.
The knowledge that the beginning chords of
the bridal march would be floating through the air soon brought her out of her
reverie and back to what was in front of her. Her future with Jack. Just as she
was about to step forward, she heard her name and turned around.
To come face to face with her mother.
"Mother?"
"I don’t want to miss the happiest day
in my only daughter’s life." She paused. "I’m sorry, Rose. Really I
am. You love Jack a lot and I’m sorry for trying to ruin your relationship and
control your life. Can you ever forgive me?"
Rose looked at her mother and smiled just as
the bridal march began. "If you walk me down the aisle and give me
away."
Ruth smiled. "I’d be more than
honored," she said as mother and daughter linked arms and walked toward
the front of the church.
*****
Jack and Rose sat in a quiet corner, holding
hands, for a temporary escape from all the brouhaha in the adjoining room.
"I can hardly believe this day is almost
over," Rose said quietly.
"Yeah, me too," Jack replied.
"But it’s been way worth it." He turned and looked at Rose. "I
love you, Rose. So very much. Please don’t ever forget it."
She squeezed his hand and smiled. "Don’t
worry, I won’t." She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I love you, too. Forever and ever, amen."
He smiled and went to kiss her again, but was
interrupted but someone poking their head through the door.
"There you two are! We were wondering
were you ran off too. Your presence is called for."
They stood up and walked toward the door.
Rose couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t happened upon Jack in that
airplane almost a year ago, she wouldn’t be here right now. She smiled as she
and her new husband walked back into the crowded banquet room, to be met by a
host of cheers. It was all by chance; a love by chance.
The End.