NEW IMPRESSIONS
Chapter Eleven

The following Monday afternoon:

"This is the place, come on," Jack smiled and quickly took his keys from the ignition, stopping the car abruptly. Rose's forehead crinkled, and she moved her head from side to side, examining this strange spot where Jack had stopped. There were large trees all around the small parking lot, and a path that appeared to lead into some sort of wooded area or park. But the sounds of the rushing cars were still right behind them on the freeway, and she had not understood when Jack had pulled up here. They couldn't be more than a mile from the airport yet, as they had just seen Ruth off on her plane back to Seattle. Rose lowered her eyes and hesitantly reached to undo the buckle on her seat belt.

"Jack, why are we...what's going on?" She searched his face, which at the moment read somewhere between mischievous and completely mysterious. His eyes were sparkling, and he only stared at her a moment, pretending exasperation. She sighed, knowing immediately that she would have to wait to find out. When Jack got that playful look in his eye, nothing he said made any sense. Only when he was ready did he reveal what was on his mind.

"I told you I had something to show you. Just trust me and come on." He pointed to her door and started to climb out of his own, laughing softly. Rose tried to appear annoyed, but those attempts were futile with Jack almost all of the time. Because everything he did was so adorable and so very charming. Rose succumbed to her curiosity and reached for her sunglasses, jumping from the car and reaching to swat a curl that had fallen from her ponytail. The sun was burning down on them in the mid-afternoon heat, and she took his hand, blinking at the sky for a moment. She could see a plane, still rather close to the ground, sweeping just above them making a thin line of smoke in the air. It looked as though it had just taken off. The glare of the wing in the light of the sun made her look down quickly, letting out a little wince. "I know it's hot, but there's some shade over this way," Jack said as he led her down the narrow concrete pathway. He caught her gaze for a second, and she cocked her head to the side, trying to convey her confusion to him, but there was a smile on her lips. He paused when they reached a set of stone benches, which were situated in a small circle of brick, and protected by the swinging branches of the nearby willow trees. Rose watched in wonder as he smoothed his hair and thought for a moment before pulling her down with him to the bench. She truly had no idea what he was doing--only that he'd briefly mentioned that he wanted to stop somewhere on the way home.

He held her hand tightly in his own and took a deep breath, as if preparing himself for something. His blond hair was fluttering slightly in the stifling wind. "Jack, this is nice right here. But what is it that you want to show me?" Jack's head shot up at her words, and that grin was on his face again. He reached out to raise her black sunglasses from her eyes, moving them to her forehead.

"There, I can see you better now. Actually, what I want to show you isn't the place." He swallowed and slowly moved his free hand to the back pocket of his shorts, where the two small rectangular folders were. His mind was spinning, as he tried to think of some perfect way to give them to her. But he knew that Rose would not mind if their presentation wasn't glamorous--he only hoped that she would appreciate his gift. This was something his mind had been secretly planning since he first heard Rose mention her dreams to travel. There was this beautiful and whimsical, almost distant look her eyes took on each time she mentioned Italy or France. But she always told him that she didn't have the time or the means to go anywhere right now. He wanted to change that today. Jack saw her gaze follow his hand, and he suddenly decided that he'd better say something first. Her green eyes were wide with anticipation. "Rose, I really haven't given you your entire birthday present yet." He smiled and watched her reaction.

"What? But Jack, the painting. It's so wonderful, I mean, it's more than enou--" Jack pressed his hand to her mouth, silencing her. He blinked and sighed, then gently removed it, knowing that she wouldn't say anything else until he had.

"I know, Rose. But there's something else I want to give you." He took the packets from his pocket, fumbling with them. Rose narrowed her eyes and gasped quietly when she saw the insignia of a local travel agent printed on top of the paper he held. She shifted, moving closer to him, bending her knees under her. Breathless, she waited patiently for him to explain. "I've heard you talking about the places you want to see Rose, all the adventures you want to have. And maybe it's too soon for this, but I don't think so." He smiled affectionately when he saw that she had a hand over her mouth. He did not hesitate before handing her one of the tickets he held, opening it on her lap. "You have that book on Florence in your room. I know you want to go there more than anything in the world. I was just hoping that you'd settle for seeing it with me?" His last words were soft, close to a whisper, and then he waited. Rose seemed to be soaking it in, her fingers tracing the ticket that she now held. She glanced up suddenly, a look of awe on her face. Her cheeks were flushed radiantly, and her eyes were shimmering with a sure sign of excitement.

"That I'd settle?" Her voice was low at first, barely audible, as she gently mocked his absurd words with a wide smile on her face. She swallowed, repeating his name over and over, and Jack imagined that she was trying to collect her thoughts. In one quick movement, she threw her arms around him, hugging him closely and fiercely. One soft laugh escaped her, and Jack took a deep breath, feeling her racing heartbeat against his chest as he readily returned her embrace. When Rose leaned back to look at him, there was a light and energy in her eyes that he had never before witnessed. She was always cheerful, yes, but there was a brand new happiness mirrored on her face, in a wildly contagious manner. "Jack! I can't believe...I just can't believe it!" Her voice was steadily rising, until it turned into a set of unabashed screams. She fidgeted in his arms, her whole body shaking.

"So I guess you're happy about this huh?" Jack shook his head back and forth, joking tenderly. His hand moved to her shoulder, as if to steady the erratic whirling of her mind. But he only succeeded in making the giddiness that was flowing through her at the moment even stronger. While her head was exploding with plans and eagerness, she saw that Jack seemed to be content on watching her, studying her reaction. But that wouldn't do now, not today.

"Are you kidding, Jack? This is perfect, absolutely perfect!" She was still yelling too loudly, and she heard her own voice echo through the secluded park. She realized that certainly other people must be around here somewhere, but caring about that was the furthest from her mind. She saw a rare look of confusion cross Jack's amused face as she stood and took both of his hands. He walked breathlessly behind her, as she led him to the small patch of grass, where tiny clusters of yellow wildflowers were waving freely. She starting twirling, taking a shocked Jack along as she began to spin in a circle. He was vaguely aware of his own weak protests blending with Rose's giggles, as she sped up.

"Rose, no!" He closed his eyes, feeling the wind lap against his skin, until their hands were merely a tangled bundle between them, and he was no longer aware of exactly where Rose was. He could feel the heat of her body only a few feet from him, but her voice seemed miles away, as he grew dizzy. Around and around they went, his senses so out of sorts that he was sure his heart would fly out of his body at any second. Finally he heard an exuberant shout from Rose, and before he knew it, his feet had given out under him, and he was on the ground. Next to him, Rose sighed and reached to hold his face in her hands.

"Are you okay?" She looked concerned, but still not calm at all, and she was smiling as she asked him. At the moment, he looked adorably disoriented. His breath was quickened, and she noticed a slight darting of his head from side to side. Jack's eyes opened and he rolled them around once, nodding as he tried to catch his bearings.

"I'm fine. I think, anyway. Give me a little warning next time, okay Rose?" He laughed and pulled her to him, brushing away several curls that had fallen in her face. "But I'm glad you're that excited about this whole thing." He paused and looked her directly in the eye, and he saw that she was sobering as her face relaxed itself. "So this means you want to go right?" He smiled at her, knowing full well how unnecessary that question was.

"Yes, yes. Jack, thank you...thank you." Rose rested her head on his shoulder, running her free hand through the soft grass under her. "You've given me all these wonderful, special gifts. The painting, now this. I feel like I can't even begin to tell you how much it all means. You've gone to so much trouble..." Unable to finish her sentence, Rose grew silent, hoping that Jack would somehow understand how wonderful and amazing all of this was. She felt him kiss her forehead softly in response, murmuring something to her that she didn't quite understand, but it didn't matter. She felt comfortable and safe in his arms, watching as the planes from nearby SFO glided across the blue sky. She eyed the two tickets, that Jack had managed to slip back into his front pocket, and realized suddenly that she knew no details...only that he wanted to take her to Florence. "Jack, I couldn't read the tickets...I mean, I was just so surprised. When are we going?" She lifted her eyebrows and shifted in his arms.

"They're for Thanksgiving week--so we'll have five full days there. I was thinking that your mother could come down the weekend before, and see us off maybe. So you wouldn't miss the holiday with her." Jack took a breath and looked down at Rose. Her eyes were so trusting, so contented, and he couldn't help but think of just how incorrect Seth's earlier presumptions had been. Jack knew now, without a doubt, that Rose would not mind sharing her dreams with him. But his long-time friend's initial concerns were understandable, and now it seemed that Seth was the biggest supporter of their relationship, eagerly inviting the two of them to dinner, at his house.

"Yes, that would work. I think she'll be happy, Jack. I'm almost sure." Rose nodded, not even noticing the thoughtful look in Jack's eyes. She relaxed in his arms again, breathing in the fresh scent of summer all around her. This really was too much to take in at once--the unbelievable weekend of her birthday, the miraculous change in her mother, and breathtaking gifts she had received. Jack brought something new out in her, a part that she imagined had somehow gone into hiding after her father left so many years before. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, already picturing how it would be to travel with Jack, to see Europe for the first time with someone she loved and admired so very much. "Jack, how long have you been been planning this? It must have taken time..." Rose paused, as if realizing something for the first time, "and these tickets, Jack. They had to be expensive..."

Jack smiled and raised one palm in the air, "Rose, don't worry. It's something that means a lot to me as well. I've never been to Florence either, and I want us to experience it together." He pressed her closer to him, "And it's the least I owe you, believe me."

"Owe me?" Rose lowered her eyes with a sly smile on her lips, not quite understanding.

Jack lifted his eyes to the sky for a moment, aware of Rose's strong presence beside him. These past months, the whole summer in fact, had been full of magic for him. Discovering what it felt like to no longer be alone, to actually have someone to share his feelings, his ideas, and his laughter with. And most importantly of course, his love. Rose had filled a void that she probably would never completely comprehend. He returned his gaze to her, watching as her fiery hair reflected the sun's amber rays. "Yes, Rose. Maybe that's not the right word...but you've given me more than I think you realize. This summer, has been..."

"Jack, I know." Her eyes were serious now, clouded with emotion. Jack caught her gaze, staring for a moment until the right words came into his mind.

"And not just that...I mean, besides the great time we've had Rose. I'd forgotten how it felt...to be with someone like this. I've been alone since I came out here, for the most part. I've had friends, but..." He stopped for a second, as if to make sure she was still listening, and her attentive and loving eyes encouraged him to continue, "but never anyone that I could really open up to, be myself around. I thought that I had lost that completely when my father died. That need to share my life with someone. I'd gone into this shell, and I was adding layer after layer to it...and then you came along...to save me..." His beautiful eyes were shining now, and Rose smiled almost shyly, ducking her head under his chin and taking a deep breath. "And the rest is history..." Jack laughed and gently pulled her head back, running his fingers across her cheek. He was rewarded with a brilliant smile, and Rose leaned forward slightly, kissing him softly.

When their lips parted, Rose felt invigorated even more, awed by Jack's words. "So I have that powerful of an effect on you Professor Dawson?"

"Rose, I was in danger of becoming one of those old, staid professors...you know the ones with the thick glasses and the plaid jackets? The crotchety old ones who hardly ever speak to anyone?" Rose giggled and nodded, as if to confirm that she knew what he meant. "Well, if it wasn't for you, teaching me how to live again, that would have been me in a good twenty years or so."

Rose sighed, "I never dreamed I could be this lucky Jack. Ever since I was a little girl, I always wished for well," she paused and ran her hand over his shoulder slowly, "my knight in shining armor I guess you'd say. I've learned so much from you too, Jack. Besides the name of every Monet painting out there..." She pretended to sound annoyed, but Jack grinned, amused by her persistent sense of humor.

"Not every one! Give me a break Rose!" Jack chuckled and playfully pushed her away, reaching to tickle her stomach. Her head fell back against the ground and she only laughed, pulling him down to her. She felt the cool grass behind her head, and the comforting warmth of Jack's breath so close.

"Okay, okay, not every one." And then she was serious again, "Jack thank you. I'm so happy, so excited about this. What I want most is to be with you...no matter where we are." She ran her hand over his neck and through his hair, "But Florence is a good start." She was teasing him again, and she recognized that mysterious gleam in his eye return. "What, Jack?"

"The travel agent...she found us this little hotel right in the middle of Florence. It's supposed to be perfect...authentic, and "breathtaking. With your own private suite in the tower." she said. As a direct quote. I think it's called Hotel Porta Rosa. I thought the name was rather appropriate," he joked, winking at her. "You'll have the best time of your life, I promise." Rose smiled as he talked about his plans for the trip, silently thanking whatever miracle had brought Jack Dawson to her, just when she needed him most. "And very romantic, Rose. At least that's what I'm told." He whispered this, moving his lips to her ear, and Rose closed her eyes. A week in one of the most romantic cities on earth, with Jack, and nothing to disturb them, no one to interfere with their happiness. She couldn't imagine anything better.

"I'm sure it will be Jack. I'm sure it will be." Rose cradled his head in her hands, opening her eyes to the sounds of several nearby birds. Above her, the roar of an airplane engine began to drown out their gentle singing. But she was too busy to notice, thinking that in just three months, the two of them would be on one of those planes, headed for a place that had always been the destination of her dreams.

********

August 20th, 2000

"So what's with the chef's hat, Seth?" Rose smiled and walked up to him, just as he was acknowledging her question. He turned, a silly grin on his face, and reached up to touch the large white hat atop his head. Rose raised one eyebrow in a gesture of good-natured teasing, and she could tell that her journalism professor was in one of his best moods. She had never seen him at his own home before, and obviously his character changed once he left the Berkeley campus.

"I thought it made me look classy...handsome?" Seth sighed and rolled his eyes, laughing as he gently removed it. "I guess not huh?" Rose could only lift one hand to her mouth, trying to keep a straight face. Her eyes were sparkling and happy, and she felt very much at peace as a warm wind whipped around her in the Townsend’s spacious backyard. She saw Seth's eyes grow serious again, "Rose, I'm really glad you could make it...Where's your sidekick by the way? Wacky Jack?"

"Wacky Jack? Haven't heard that one before." Rose laughed and crossed her arms casually at her chest, taking a breath. "He had to meet a new staff member at some briefing. He's going to leave early and come straight here. He said he'd only be a few minutes late..." Rose looked over her shoulder, as if to make sure he had not arrived in the last few seconds. Seth nodded and turned half of his attention back to his job at the grill, where the smoky smells of barbecue were wafting through the air. Seth and his wife Caroline had planned this outdoor party before Rose had even met Jack, but the two of them had gladly stretched the invitation to include her. There were fancy paper lanterns hanging over the pathway to the yard. Their flames were now beginning to show, as the sun was gradually disappearing behind the horizon in the dim light of dusk. Tables were set up in the grass, with colorful place settings and fresh flowers at the center of each one. So far, there were about fifteen people milling around, drinks in their hands and jubilant chatter flying about them.

"And that isn’t all about Jack. We tried so hard to fix him up, but he had every excuse in the world. One of my favorites was that he had to talk Claude to obedience school." Seth shook his head and chuckled as if remembering fondly one of Jack’s secrets. "You ought to ask him about that sometime."

"I’ll be sure and remember that. Seriously though, I just wanted to thank you for inviting me, Seth." Rose had settled near Seth, feeling a little like a fish out of water. So many of the people that had gathered around the appetizers and the cooler full of drinks, were either the Townsend’s neighbors, friends of Caroline’s from work and a few journalism people that Rose barely knew.

Seth looked fondly at the young woman Jack had teasingly spoken of as his prized pupil and sensed a little of her discomfort without the security of Jack. "Oh, we’re glad you could come. Say, I didn’t even know you could bake. That apple pie looks good." He saw the color rising in Rose’s face. Undoubtedly, she’d had time to practice a few culinary skills on Jack.

Rose could not suppress the giggle that burst out of her. "Thought I only knew how to run a computer, huh? Well, I’ll tell you a secret. I only make the very easy stuff." She looked around the patio again, trying nonchalantly to look for Jack. When she turned back to Seth, she had a sickening feeling of deja vu. Standing before her was a man she recognized from the Business Office and a woman she knew that she had seen before. Rose was sure she felt her eyes roll back in her head as she took in a vaguely familiar French twist and a silk suit that looked outrageously out of place at a weekend BBQ. It was the woman from Casablanca. She’d seen her with him that night Jack had been at the movie. To see her up close and to recall Jack’s comments on her, she could readily see now why nothing had clicked between the two of them.

"Oh, Rose, I’d like you to meet Jason Graham. And…sorry, Jason, you’ll have to introduce me to your ah, date." Seth had no way of knowing how uncomfortable Rose felt in the presence of Miss Silk Suit. For just her very appearance bespoke of perfection that most women found totally unattainable. She squirmed, fully aware of her wind blown hair and the long flowing skirt that did little to hide her own size twelve figure. The woman standing before her, had to be at least a size four if that. Seth broke into her thoughts by introducing her to these guests of his. He had pride in his voice as he said her name. "This is Rose Da--Rose Dewitt-Bukater." Seth silently berated himself for jumping the gun. He was getting so used to thinking now of Rose and Jack together, that he was getting their names entangled.

Jason made his own introductions and Rose learned that Miss Silk Suit went by the name of Heather Parker. She also noticed that Jason made no move to touch her or stand closer as if by doing so, he would set her perfection off balance. "She wears those suits like a coat of armor," she said to herself. Rose tried not to stare at the odd couple. Jason seemed so friendly and casual and Heather looked like she would break if one spot appeared on her suit or a hair on her precious head flew out of place.

It was then that Rose felt a warm hand, lifting her loose flowing hair from her neck and she was startled into reality by a warm breath in her ear. "Sorry, I’m late, Rose. This guy I was meeting didn’t show up on time. He kept me waiting for forty minutes," said Jack sounding disgusted, as punctuality was one of his big virtues. His hand slipped down around her waist and protectively drew her close to him when he recognized his neighbor and one time date, Heather standing nearby.

Rose smiled shyly, still having a hard time believing that this remarkable man was hers. "I was just worried, that’s all." She glanced into his azure eyes, unaware and uncaring that anyone else saw their secret moment.

Jack pulled Rose forward with him, holding his hand out to his best friend, Seth. "Smells good, Townsend. Did you leave something for me to eat?" He jokingly pushed him fist into Seth’s shoulder. "And thanks for looking after Rose for me."

Seth expertly turned a few juicy hamburgers and then took an oversized grilling tong and rearranged the hot dogs over the hot coals. He turned back to Jack, introducing his friend Jason. "Jack, do you know Jason from the Business Office? I guess you wouldn’t see too much of him from where you hang out," referring to the out of the way art building. "This is his date, ah, Heather Parker. In case you guys don’t know, Jack teaches art history."

Jack shook hands with Jason, who looked to be around his age. He had dark hair and was taller than Jack. An interesting contrast to the woman at his side. Jack had long since forgotten that this woman lived on his street. "Heather, nice to see you again. You’re settling in aren’t you?" Jack tried to be casual about his questions, hoping she would remember as little as possible about the disastrous movie night. He felt the icy, businesslike grasp of her slender fingers. The feeling reminded him of a Halloween when he came to the door with rubber gloves filled with ice water to scare the trick-or-treaters. They were certainly a sharp contrast to Rose’s warm and gentle hands, one of which he was holding right now. He wanted to steer Rose across the room where the food was laid out, hoping to rescue himself and Rose from any of Heather’s snide comments and also because he was starving.

"Yes, Jack, just fine." Her eyes went from the top of Rose’s unruly curls to the beaded bottom of her long skirt. "So just what is your involvement with the university, Rose? I don’t believe I’ve seen you at any of the faculty affairs."

Rose bit her lip at Heather's uncanny play on words. She felt a tight squeeze of Jack’s hand and knew she could hold her own against the likes of Heather. But her rather arrogant question set other thoughts racing through her mind. Would other people in more silent ways, question the appropriateness of her relationship with Jack. She dared not look at Jack, knowing that Heather and Jason would consider this a sign of insecurity. Instead she just squared her shoulders, and stared them right in the eye. Thankful for once of the influence of her mother. "I will be a senior next week. And last week, Seth appointed me Editor in Chief of The Berkeleyan."

The crisp and polished Heather gave Rose a rather demeaning look and the words that followed, showed what an insincere, and cold individual she really was. "Really. Well, I suppose Seth needed to do something to make you feel a bit more grown up. Surely you must feel at a lack of words here in such a mature, intellectual group. I know that I wouldn’t be able to converse with these people if I were your age."

Jack’s smile wilted at Heather’s cruel comment and was clearing his throat in an attempt to come to Rose’s rescue. But Rose beat him to the draw. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Parker," said Rose, emphasizing the Miss. "Quite the contrary. My mother taught me that a truly well bred person is capable of talking to people of all kinds, from little children to octogenarians." Rose laid a hand on Jack’s arm, needing all the support she could muster. "Jack, I promised Caroline to help put out the rest of the food. And it looks like dinner is almost ready. Jason, Heather, it was a pleasure."

Jack turned to follow Rose. He winked at Seth who was trying hard not to laugh. They both caught the disgusted expression on Heather’s face as she asked Jason to get her a drink.

"I wonder what’s with the champagne?" Jack was relaxed and leaning back in his plastic deck chair, with his hand resting on Rose’s shoulder. Once everyone had sat down to eat, he forgot about Heather Parker and her insulting remarks to Rose. He only hoped that Rose had calmed down as well. In spite of her fiery retort, he knew that Rose was extremely sensitive, particularly since the topic of age was one that had been somewhat of a barrier in the first few weeks of their relationship. "Usually old Seth is a little more frugal in what he has on hand," he whispered to Rose. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I’m fine. It’s starting to get a bit chilly," she said as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. "Do you think he is going to make some sort of toast?" They both watched curiously as Caroline passed among the guests with plastic champagne flutes and Seth followed, carefully pouring the bubbling liquid.

When he and Caroline got back to the head of the table, Seth tapped on a glass to get everyone’s attention. He took a hold of his wife’s hand and gave he a smile, as if sending some private message her way. Rose glanced back at Jack, feeling reassured at his relaxed and content expressions. They both turned their attention back to their host and hostess as Seth began to speak. "Well, we had planned this barbecue quite a few months ago. In fact most of you know that it is something we do every year before school gets into full swing. But this year things are a little different. We don’t usually have a champagne toast for instance." He shared another glance with Caroline who seemed to be blushing. "We, well, we wanted to share something with all of our special friends." Seth’s eyes came to rest on Jack for a second. "We, uh, that is, Caroline and I…well, we are going to have a baby. Or rather Caroline is going to have the baby." He finished his awkward but happy statement amidst the applause and cheers of their friends, then leaned over and kissed Caroline.

Rose felt Jack stand up next to her. She was not at all surprised when Jack raised his champagne glass and proposed a toast in return. He looked around the crowd of people gathered around the deck and table. "I know that I speak for everyone here, when I say that we wish you all the best in the coming months." As the others around her responded with their own words of congratulations, Rose reached for Jack’s hand. She thought back to that dream she’d had a few days ago. The dream of the blond little children. How she yearned for a night like this for her and Jack, when they could announce the arrival of a baby all their own.

"What’s on your mind? And don’t tell me nothing," teased Jack. "I know you. Come on tell me."

She pulled him gently back down in his seat and leaned against his shoulder. "How do you always know what I am thinking, or that I am even thinking at all. Sometimes you scare me when you do that."

"Rose, I know everything there is to know about you, but I know you aren’t scared of me. Now come on, tell me," he persisted.

She sighed, taking strength from the gentle up and down movement of his breathing. "Well, I was just thinking about us having a night like this sometime, you know, saying that we were going to have a baby?" When he did not answer, she panicked thinking that she was way out of line with the expectations of their relationship. She watched as his eyes darted from one side of the table to the other, and when he was sure that no one was watching, she felt his lips on hers, demanding, yet gentle, forceful, yet loving. When he broke away, his expression was serious. And she heard the soft answer that she so longed to hear.

"We will, Rose. I promise."

Later that evening

"So what do you think?" Jack held up two small watercolors, each one portraying a mother and child in white Victorian style clothing. In one, a little girl was nestled close to the mother as they both sat in a rocking chair. The other showed them walking in a garden. The faces were rather unclear, in an Impressionistic type style, but there was no mistaking the familiar red hair, that belonged to both Rose and her mother. "Do you think she’ll like them?" Jack had worked rather quickly on this project, wanting Rose to see them and give her approval.

"Jack, they’re lovely. I wonder what it would have been like to live them. It looked like such a romantic time." Rose studied the pictures carefully, noting how much effort Jack had put into the details of the dresses, flowers, and the beautifully coifed hair. In the back of her mind, she imagined her mother and herself, wondering if they could ever be so close. Maybe these pictures would help strengthen their relationship, by suggesting "what if." "They look like they are from some wonderful dream." She handed them back to Jack, hoping that her mother would appreciate Jack’s gift.

"Oh it was a romantic time, if you had money. But trust me Rose, you wouldn’t have liked it. How would you like to get in and out of a corset every time we…" Jack kept his eyes on Rose as he laid the pictures back on his desk. He had expected Rose to laugh or at least giggle from his last comment, but she suddenly seemed to be concentrating on something else. Jack followed the direction of her eyes, to see what she was so intently studying.

Jack’s calendar swam in front of her eyes and she was having a hard time focusing on what she was seeing. She only knew that almost everyday for the next few months was filled in with meetings and appointments, in addition to the schedule for classes he would be teaching. In that unending maze of time that hung before her, there seemed to be not a free moment, not even a precious scrap of time that looked like it could belong to the two of them.

It was not the first time this evening that Jack has noticed that Rose was deeply lost in her thoughts. He had a feeling that the unexpected meeting with Ms. Parker could account for some of Rose’s concern. Right now though, she was clearly concentrating on something else. The answer came from Rose as she suddenly blurted out a question that he was not expecting.

"What is going to happen when school starts?" she asked, turning to him suddenly.

Jack squinted, not understanding exactly what she meant. "What do you mean?" He watched as she pointed to his wall calendar on which he had penciled in all of the upcoming events of the school year.

"Look at this, Jack. You have something written down for every single night, day and weekend. There’s no time for us." She looked away from him, hurt and saddened, wishing that they had not even stopped here on their way home. Maybe she had made a fool of herself this summer and let herself be lulled into a convenient summer romance with Jack. Was it possible that she had been taken in by his fancy words and promise of a trip to Europe, only to find herself now the laughing stock of his friends? She felt hot tears brimming over her eyelids. More than anything, she wanted to leave, to go home and collect her thoughts.

Jack shook his head seeing how Rose could have easily misinterpreted his calendar. All the things he had written in were the various activities that would be going on in the Fine Arts department and most did not even require his attendance. He just liked to have it all in one place to refer to in case one of his students needed to go to an art show or exhibit for a class.

"Rosie, Rosie, what am I going to do with you?" He stepped up closely behind her and rested his hands on her shoulder. "So you think I won’t have time for you? Is that what this is all about?" He felt the up and down nodding of her head and saw her left had come up to her face to wipe away some tears. "Turn around and look at me, Rose." Slowly she moved to face him, with her head down and her hair hanging around her face. "How could you even think that? We just talked about having a baby together not more than two hours ago, Rose." He raised her chin with his finger, so that she was forced to look him in the eye. "You’re part of my life Rose." He stopped and still saw confusion written on her face. "Rose, you are my life, forever. Don’t ever forget that." Looking down at her, he realized that she was struggling to control her tears. "Forever, Rose." Jack pointed to the calendar and explained what it all meant. "That’s just there so I know what is going on. I have to show up at faculty meetings and keep appointments with students. But as to the rest of the stuff, I can come and go as I please. And if I go, it will be with you." He pulled her closely against him, hoping that he had convinced her that their relationship would continue as it had, with just a few interruptions. After all if they were married, they’d both be gone all day and just have evenings and weekends to themselves.

"Jack?" Her voice was muffled as she spoke into his shoulder, "what will people think? Just tonight we had one incident with a comment about me being a student."

"Consider the source," he said, sounding somewhat exasperated that his neighbor had spoiled a part of the evening for them. "I’ve thought about our relationship on campus as much as we both debated the age issue. And it doesn’t matter to me. You are all that matters. We’re not doing anything to be ashamed of. I’m not saying we need to make a public display of our emotions, but I love you, Rose. I want you with me. And whether it’s sitting next to you on my couch," he nodded his head in the direction of the other corner of the room, "with you studying and me grading tests, or both of us going to a play or exhibit on campus, I want us to be together. And we will be. Trust me Rose."

She felt the hot tears pouring from her eyes, soaking Jack’s shirt. It seemed that she spent a great deal of time crying in his arms about one thing or another. And quite often, it was because his words of explanation were so beautiful, so touching, that they struck a cord of uncontrollable emotion deep within her. She had to tell him that she understood, that she trusted him, if only she could stop her silent sobs.

Rose drew in a deep breath and snuggled close to Jack. "I trust you, Jack. I love you, very much too. I’m…"

"None of that sorry stuff, Rose. We love each other, pure and simple. There is no need to constantly apologize. Now come on. I’d better get you home. That will be the one hard thing to get used too. No little weeknight trysts here. I guess that is one thing we do have to watch." Jack took her hand and pulled her with him towards the front door, where Claude stood, barking furiously when Jack approached. "What is it, Claude?"

Rose bent down to try and pet Claude, but the dog backed away, moving closer to the door. "Jack, something is wrong. He has never acted like this before. Claude? What is it?"

"Maybe he just wants to come with for a ride when I take you ho--"

Just as Jack was about to complete his sentence, the floor rocked beneath him. He managed to grab Rose and they stood under the doorframe between the living room and the hallway. A few hangers rattled in the hall closet and there was one distinct tinkling of broken glass in the kitchen.

"Oh, Jack, I hate these things. It doesn’t happen so much at home." Rose clung to his arms for support fearful that the tremor would increase in intensity, but it was over almost as quickly as it started.

"Yeah, well it doesn’t happen at all in Wisconsin. Well it can, but maybe only every thirty years. I remember my dad told me about a 4.5 earthquake in the Midwest in 1972." He looked down at Rose who was still in his arms. "You okay? You look a little pale."

She assured him that she was fine, even though she felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest. Suddenly her head shot up and she looked at Jack. "That’s what Claude was trying to tell us. Haven’t you read that before an earthquake, dogs and animals try and leave and get outside?" Rose reached down and stroked the dog, who was now quietly resting at their feet.

"You’re right. I think I’ve read that too. I guess we should pay more attention to him from now on. Rose, I was just thinking…" Jack placed his hand against her cheek, his mind whirling from the excitement of the tremor and the presence of Rose in his arms. Starting next week, their nights together would be limited. He would use any excuse to have her with him just one more time, before the world started watching. "Rose?"

"Hmm?" His hand felt so warm and strong against the side of her face. "I guess we better get going back. Right?" She hated to leave and stay alone in her apartment in case there was another tremor. But she didn’t want to let her silly fears show to Jack.

Jack took a deep breath and blew it out so that it ruffled his hair. "That depends on where you want to go." The curious expression on her face was priceless. "We could just go right up those stairs. That might be safer for both of us in case there is another tremor. Besides, they scare me and I can hold on to you."

Rose put her hands on her hips and gave Jack a sultry look. "Jack Dawson, you are the biggest liar I know. You are about as afraid of a tremor as you are of that dog. You just want me, just want…just..."

"Just what, Rose?" Jack could not resist teasing her, now that he saw such a brilliant smile on her face. He was quite sure that the uncertainty of their relationship was far behind her and that she knew what she wanted.

She came and stood before him, her eyes already lost in his sky blue eyes. "Just that…I love you, Jack. And that’s the best idea you’ve had all day." Rose saw him smile tenderly and was aware of his face closing in on her. She tilted head to meet his lips and groaned softly as they made contact. When Jack kissed her and touched her as persistently as he was now, she could not even think straight. Of course, when Jack was doing the kissing, there was no point in thinking of anything else. When he stopped to take a breath, Rose managed to squeeze out a few words. "Jack, I don’t think forever is long enough."

He tipped his head back and laughed, filling the room with that gentle, rippling laugh of his. "Then we don’t want to waste a minute. Upstairs, Rose. Now." He pulled her along with him, stumbling and laughing up the stairway, as Claude lifted his ears and raised his eyes with a look of resignation.

Chapter Twelve
Stories