DAPHNE’S STORY OF FINDING HER FATHER
Chapter Six
Rose’s POV
Over the next few days, I felt as
though I was a light trying to find its way out of darkness. Fog and
helplessness blinded my way in what seemed like a cold and dark night.
Everything was a blur, and the only thing guiding my way was hope.
Jack and I had gone to the
hospital several times, but Daphne still wasn’t getting better. Watching that
helpless figure lying in her bed was getting harder and harder. Thankfully,
Jack let me come with him to work every day so I could get my mind off things.
I would usually help clean up the gallery and occasionally talk with some
customers. I must say, Jack’s few employees got very confused when I came into
work with him. I don’t blame them, though. First his daughter showed up from
out of nowhere, and then his fiancée, I guess you could call me. Jack hadn’t
proposed yet, and I was starting to wonder if he ever would.
It was now three in the
afternoon, and Jack had left not too long ago to run an errand. I think he said
something about going out to buy some extra supplies. That meant I was once
again left in charge of the gallery. Suddenly, I heard the phone ring. I
quickly ran to answer it.
"Hello?" I asked. I
heard Jack enter the gallery the minute I picked the phone up.
"Is this Rose Dawson?"
"Yes, it is."
"This is Dr. Roberts from
the hospital. I’ve been taking care of your daughter, Daphne Dawson." I
looked over at Jack. He was standing beside me, waiting impatiently.
"I remember. How is she
doing?"
"Well, I’m sorry to say that
I can’t take care of her anymore. I’ll really miss her…"
"What do you mean?" I
asked with a trembling voice.
"Well, she’ll be better in
no time. She just woke up from her coma not an hour ago."
"She’s going to be all
right?" I asked eagerly.
"Yes. Unfortunately,
visitors aren’t allowed on Thursday nights, but you can come by tomorrow
morning if you like."
"Thank you, doctor!" I
said quickly before hanging up the phone. Jack looked at me with a boyish
smile. He’d known that everything was going to be okay all along.
"She’s going to be all
right!" I said before I jumped into Jack’s arms. By now, tears of joy were
flowing down my cheeks. I held onto Jack as tightly as I could. Jack put his
hands behind my neck and pressed his lips against mine. I felt the intensity of
the kiss growing stronger and stronger as I cherished this wonderful moment.
When the kiss finally broke, Jack brushed his hand against my cheek.
"Well, how about I take you
someplace special tonight?" Jack asked.
"Like where?"
"You’ll see…"
When Jack closed up the gallery,
he drove me back to his house. I walked upstairs and changed into one of my
favorite dresses. It was beautiful blue dress that that I had bought in a small
boutique in New York. It wasn’t too fancy, but it was the simplicity of the
dress that made it perfect. It was made of a light material and was perfect for
special occasions. A light blue band wrapped around my waist, making a small
bow at the back. The silk scarf wrapped around my arms made the dress even more
elegant.
By the time I walked downstairs,
Jack was waiting for me at the door. He was dressed nicely, but not too
fancily.
"Well, Mr. Dawson, where are
we going tonight?" I asked in my high class voice.
"How about I take you to a
real party?" Jack answered. And a real party it was. There was an Irish
band playing, very much like the one on the Titanic. Of course, I hadn’t danced
in years, so Jack had to give me a hand. After a few songs, the band cooled
down by playing a soft tune.
Jack took my hand and led me to
the middle of the dance floor. I rested my head on his shoulder as we gently
moved to the beat of the music.
"I love you, Jack," I
whispered.
"I love you, too,
Rose." Jack lightly kissed me. But this time, he did something I didn’t
expect. He took my hand and went down on his knee. Everywhere, people were
turning their heads towards us before they started smiling. The music was still
playing, but the attention was on Jack, who started to clear his throat.
"Rose, I’ve loved you since
the first moment I set eyes on you, sixteen years ago on the Titanic. But our
powerful love collided with destiny when the ship of dreams sank beneath the
sea. I know we’ve been separated for sixteen years, but I want to spend the
rest of my life with you. So, will you do me the honor of becoming my
wife?"
Jack took out a beautiful diamond
ring while he waited for my answer. I didn’t know what to say, but I know
everyone around us was waiting impatiently.
"Yes, Jack! Of course!"
Jack smiled shyly before he stood up and slipped the ring on my finger. I threw
myself into his arms before we shared a sweet, passionate kiss. All the people
around us were applauding and cheering. I was finally free to love Jack without
any obstacles. This was the beginning of our new life.
*****
As Jack was driving us home, I
silently looked out the window. I could feel Jack’s comforting gaze resting
upon me every once in a while. My mind slowly drifted to those moments when I
met Jack for the first time. At first, I thought this man was crazy for wanting
to jump in after me, but the moment I felt his hand connect with mine, I knew
that a new friendship had been created. Of course, I had no idea I would be
where I am today, but I knew that it was a turning point in my life. Though
that friendship turned into a passionate love, I still considered Jack my best
friend.
Once we got home, a feeling of
warmth swept over me. Jack looked back at me with a blank expression, and I
started leaning in to kiss him. But the moment our lips were about to touch, I grabbed
in his arms and pulled him into the back of the car. Jack chuckled and put his
arms around me. I softly kissed the tip of his fingers before he asked me if I
was nervous. I replied as honestly as I could. "I trust you." I
slipped under his welcome weight. I felt his hands explore my figure as I
unbuttoned his shirt.