NEW IMPRESSIONS
Chapter Six

Jack glanced over his shoulder, gazing to the west where the bank of storm clouds looked unusually threatening. He gripped Rose’s hand tighter and hurried them along the pier that led out to the boat. If one could call it a boat. He thought that something forty-five feet long qualified more as a yacht. His friend and colleague, Rick Shaw, had taken a month’s vacation with his family. When he heard the Jack was going to be around for most of the summer, he had given him the keys to the boat and asked him to check up on it from time to time. Jack had agreed and had been over here once so far. Since he met Rose, however, he’d not had much time. This weekend though, Jack could not think of a more perfect place to bring her. A place where they could be alone and get to know each other even better.

The month since he had met Rose had flown by and he lived for the time they spent together. She was enthusiastic about everything they did and every plan he made. Having dated a few young women, Jack knew that Rose indeed was special. She could sparkle with laughter at life’s humorous situations and when he needed someone to listen to him or to give an opinion, she was worldly wise and serious. Part of the excitement of being with Rose was not knowing which side of her multi-faceted personality she would show. From the shy schoolgirl to that sultry redhead, whose wisdom belied her almost twenty-one years. Rose was filled with life and fun, tenderness and compassion. He knew the words he wanted to say to her. They had been on the tip of his tongue a million times in the last few weeks. But she was so carefree and had such a fiery spirit, he thought that with Rose, the slower road would be the one best traveled.

They had driven up to Sausalito and parked his car at the end of the dock. After checking on board to see what they needed to buy for a meal and leaving Claude on the boat, he and Rose had walked into town to buy some food. The sky had been a brilliant blue when they started out with only light puffs of clouds in the sky. They had found a wonderful little deli and purchased a small feast for their dinner. Everything from a split of champagne and marinated vegetables to curried chicken salad and several deliciously ripe pears. They had even found a large rawhide chew for Claude. Just in the time they had been in the store, the weather had changed. This storm system had come from nowhere and a nasty dark front was moving in quickly. A strong gust of wind made walking along the pier difficult. And with each of them carrying a bag of groceries, they were having a hard time keeping their balance. It seemed that the weather forecaster had certainly been wrong about today.

"Rose, we better hurry. I think the rain is going to start any second."

He pulled her along with him, squinting as the salt spray churned up along the dock. Jack looked back again and now it seemed as though the black clouds were directly overhead.

"Jack, I can’t move that fast carrying this. You take the food and make a run for it. At least that won’t get ruined. Here." She handed him the bag she carried, fighting to keep her already tangled hair from whipping about her face. "Go on. I’ll be right behind you." She put her hand over her chest and blew out a deep breath. Her heart was pounding from the exertion. Never had she run so fast before in her life.

"You sure?" he asked, not wanting to spend any more time than necessary on this subject. He watched as she nodded, smiling at him. It was probably better to get the food inside and for only one of them to get soaked. Unfortunately it looked like that person was going to be Rose.

He grabbed the bag from her and took off for the boat. Claude started barking and wagging his tail when Jack appeared. He fumbled for a minute with the lock and the alarm on the main door, then he set the bags on the floor inside. The frisky dog made a beeline for the grocery bags, sniffing out each one, hopeful that some dog treat had been included for him. Standing under the covered part of the deck, Jack turned his head to see if Rose was coming. She was only a few feet from the boat now, but the line of rain was catching up with her.

"Hurry," he called out, wanting impatiently for her to be safe and warm in his arms.

"Jack, I think I’ve made it." Her arms were stretched out to meet his.

There was now only a few feet separating them.

He moved to where the ramp from the yacht met the dock and he reached his hand out to her. "Come on, Rose. Almost here." Just as those words left his mouth, a torrential downpour began, so heavy that he could hardly see Rose who was only a few feet away. "Come on Rose. I’m here. Reach for my hand," he yelled. He heard her footsteps, coming hard. The rubber of her sneakers squishing from the water inside. Suddenly he felt her hand slip into his and he pulled her on board the ship.

She smoothed back her sopping wet hair and then pulled her drenched clothes away from her body. "I feel like a drowned rat. And anyway, I thought rats were supposed to run from the ship, not to it." Rose giggled and smiled almost shyly at him.

Jack grinned back at her. The fact that she was dripping from head to toe did not seem to bother her at all. She just laughed it off. He’d had enough girlfriends to know that many women would have had their whole day ruined if they were placed in Rose’s situation. For her it was all a part of the adventure.

There were so many things like that he found special about her. She was generous, always concerned about others and never demanded to have her way. Whatever happened she accepted. And another important factor to Jack.

She absolutely loved his dog. Several of his relationships had ended rather abruptly when the lady in question had found dog hair on her clothes. But with Rose it was different. She actually got down on the floor to play with Claude.

"Jack, I’m cold." She looked up into his turbulent blue eyes. Eyes that could make her melt from across the room. But even the warmth from them could not heat her body now.

He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard her voice. Her teeth were chattering and her body was shaking. What was he thinking of, by just letting her stand there? "Come on, Rose. Let’s see if we can’t get you dry and find something else for you to put on." He put his arm around her shoulder and gently guided her down into the cabin of the yacht. Claude looked up from where he was laying on the bench, happily chewing the rawhide he’d found in the bag. When he spotted Jack, he lifted his ears hopefully, thinking that at last perhaps it was dinnertime. "Later, Claude," said Jack as they walked by the dog. "He always wants to eat. That dog is 90% stomach and 10% dog."

Rose laughed softly, still struggling from the chill she had just experienced. "Oh Jack, I am so cold. I didn’t think I would get this wet." The storm that had just let loose was not a warm tropical rain, but one with large, cold raindrops.

"Neither did I," he said, drawing her close to him, not caring that he was getting wet as well. "We’ll find something here for you." Jack opened the door to the master stateroom at the end of the hallway. He had pulled a towel off a rack in the bathroom and he handed it now to Rose. "Start with that." Then he opened the closet and began rummaging through the contents. "Not much here. I guess Rick took almost everything with him. Here," he said. His voice was muffled as he reached far back into the closet. "Here." He repeated. He held in his hands a white terry cloth robe. So new that the tags were still on it. "You can put this on."

"Thank you, Jack." Rose gave him a grateful look, relieved that in a second she could get out of her soaked shorts and shirt. She reached up to unbutton her blouse, but her hands were shaking so much that she met with little success.

"Here, you’ve got to get out of those clothes, Rose. Let me help you." As naturally as if it were something he did everyday, Jack opened the first button and then the second. Rose looked up at him with eyes so trusting. There was a glow in her face that betrayed the feelings she had for him. Feelings that ran through him too. He knew they were on the verge of something they had not yet discussed. Even though the idea of a more intimate relationship had crossed his mind a number of times. He undid the next button and then stopped. The lace from her delicate bra showed through her open blouse. Her pale skin shimmered in the dim light. He knew what he wanted. But he knew with Rose, he needed to take his time, go slow. With her everything needed to be special. His hands felt like they were on fire, even though everything he touched on Rose was chilled. He was filled with desirous thoughts and his mind was flashing like the lightning outside as he saw her questioning expression. The last thing he needed was for her to think things were out of control. He needed to think, to get a grip on the situation. "I, Rose. Ah, why don’t you finish. I, I think I better start setting out the dinner." He backed away slowly, not knowing what to say.

Rose’s face was filled with confusion. "Jack? Is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?" Her forehead met in a furrow, not comprehending the sudden change in Jack.

"No," he said softly. "Nothing is wrong. I just need...never mind." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips, in that magical, courtly way of his. "Hurry up and change. I’ll have dinner ready." He turned quickly and walked out of the room.

She heard him climb up the stairs to the tiny galley and then was aware of the sounds of dishes moving around, bags crackling and even dog food being shaken into a dish. Peeling off her wet shorts was quite an ordeal--they practically stuck to her body. She finished unbuttoning her shirt and when she had everything off she rubbed herself dry, working hard to get the circulation going. Finally she felt warm again and pulled the thick robe tightly around her body. She opened a drawer in the dresser before her and found a pair of white athletic socks and donned them as well. Rose looked into the mirror and stared at the dismal condition of her hair. She started towel drying that as well, all the time thinking what is was that had happened to Jack a few minutes earlier. He had been so attentive and kind. Then suddenly he froze up and backed away from her. They had hardly exchanged any words. Was he displeased with the way she looked? Had he wanted her to make the first move toward something she was sure they both had in their minds? She didn’t know what to make of it. He was the kindest, gentlest person she had ever known. No one had ever cared for her that way Jack had. They had such wonderful times when they went out. She knew she was falling in love with him. And sometimes, she knew he was looking at her and she hoped that he might share the same feelings. Her mind was cartwheeling in a tumult of confusion.

She looked at herself again in the mirror. Now her face was flushed from the heat of the towel, but her curls were lying better around her shoulders. And while she was not exactly dressed for a big date, she thought that at least she looked decent.

"Rose, you ready down there?" She could hear Jack calling here from the top of the tiny stairs. Maybe she would get some explanation for his odd behavior. But first she thought they should at least enjoy dinner.

One more look in the mirror told her that she was fine to head upstairs.

Claude stood in the stairway wagging his tail. She had taken a great liking to the dog and she knew this pleased Jack. "All right, Claude, I’m coming to share my dinner with you."

She padded up the narrow companionway and stood at the top of the stairs.

Her breath was taken away when she saw what awaited her. Jack had taken the tiny dining booth and transformed it into the most romantic place setting she had ever seen. He had covered the table, using colorful paper napkins like placemats. On a large platter he had arranged all the tempting deli dishes they had purchased. But instead of serving them in the plastic containers he had combined them colorfully together like a work of art. In the center a candle in a glass container flickered mysteriously in the approaching darkness.

"So, Jack, do you hire out for parties?" She could not resist teasing him a bit, hoping to restore the carefree mood of the afternoon.

"Only ones for two...where you're the guest." He smiled, pleased, knowing that her comment was a compliment. Jack reached for her hand and guided her to the table. "I believe this seat is reserved for you." He took a towel and put it over his arm and bowed as she sat down.

Rose was overwhelmed with the attention to detail that Jack had given just this simple meal. He was like that with his artwork too. They had cooked together one or two times, and while the food had been wonderful, the atmosphere had not been quite like this. Somehow she sensed that for some reason or another this was to be a special night. She looked up at Jack who now looked as relaxed as he had earlier. The serious tone he had taken on in the stateroom had disappeared.

Jack slid into the booth next to her and reached for the split of champagne they had purchased. He took a knife and twisted away the seal, concentrating on his work. "You know Rose, with champagne, the tinier the bubbles the better the quality."

"Where did you pick up that little tidbit?" said Rose, impressed as he hoped she would be.

"I just heard someone say that once. I really don’t know that much about wine and things. I only know what I like." He raised his head and stared intently at Rose.

She felt as if she was pressed against the back of the seat. Such was the force of Jack’s look. She swallowed and gazed back at him silently, not knowing what to say. Rose watched him as he carefully popped the cork. The towel he had carried on his arm earlier was now wrapped around the bottle.

"You know, every time I hear that sound, it brings to mind some sort of celebration. Some special occasion. Hold up your glass." It was obvious as she lifted the plastic champagne flute that her hand was shaking. "Are you all right?" he asked as he poured the bubbling liquid.

Rose looked at his sparkling smile, wondering just how she had gotten so lucky. Every girl she knew would have just about died to be in a place like this with Professor Dawson. But Rose sensed that she was not just any girl to him. He took everything she said very seriously and no one had ever treated her as tenderly as he had. They had never really talked about how they felt though. She often wondered where all this was headed. Finally she was able to collect her thoughts. "Yes, I’m fine, Jack. Is tonight some special occasion, other than a wonderful day alone with you. Without any interruptions." She grinned remembering the calls from her mother and the barking of Claude. A quick glance on the floor told her that Jack’s pet had been quickly lulled into a deep slumber from the gentle rocking of the boat. Claude looked relaxed and peaceful. When she looked at Jack though, she saw that his eyes had eagerness in them that she had not seen before.

He smiled comfortingly at her and moved closer, their bodies making contact with a spark of excitement. His arm crept gently around her shoulder and with his other hand, lifted her chin so that her eyes locked with his. "Yes, Rose." His voice, always so sure and smooth, now broke into a hoarse whisper. "This is a very special occasion. It’s the first time I’m telling you that I love you." Jack watched contentedly as a flush spread across her face. He really did not think she would be surprised, because he sensed that she felt the same way about him. But even hearing himself say the words, changed his world immediately. Everything around him, including Rose herself, suddenly seemed bathed in a soft glow of light, not unlike the paintings of his beloved Monet. The candle flickered in the center of the table and the lightning played in the sky outside the window. As the shadows fell across her shoulders, her coppery hair shone brightly in the dim light. He watched as her chest rose and fell sharply, the stiff new robe, doing little to hide her smooth skin.

Rose let out a tiny gasp and her hand went to her chest. She felt a hint of moisture in her eyes as her emotions set off sensations she had never felt before. She took her right hand and pressed it gently to Jack’s cheek. With a wondrous look on her eyes, she managed to murmur a response to his statement. "Oh Jack, I had hoped, I so wanted...I love you too Jack. I’ve never felt like this before."

His eyes were dancing as he heard her answer. Softly he took both her hands in his and pressed them to his mouth, never moving his gaze. A ripple of pleasure flowed through her with his tender touch. "Rose, I feel like I just discovered the world. I hardly know what to say. So maybe I’ll just say it this way," Jack whispered and let her hands go, putting his arms around her. He leaned into her mouth, kissing her at first as lightly as a summer breeze. When he felt her body melt against his, the flame of their passion ignited a fire of intimacy. A feeling he felt they were now entitled to after professing their love for one another.

He heard a contented groan from Rose and took a breath himself. Reluctantly his lips broke away from hers. Jack touched his forehead to hers, letting a wave of satisfaction wash over him. "Oh Rose," he whispered softly, "this is like a dream come true for me. Finding someone like you to love and to be with. Sometimes, I wondered if it would ever happen." A slight nod of her head and her flushed face bespoke of the feelings she carried for him.

"Jack, I feel the same way. I don’t want this to ever end. I mean the way I...well, we feel." Her words were spoken softly, but with a surety of what she wanted. "Kiss me again, Jack."

With a sensual look on his face, Jack’s lips grazed her forehead and the tip of her nose, before his mouth covered hers once more. It was a long satisfying kiss that sent both of their minds spiraling. Rose was aware of nothing except the warmth of his arms around her body. It was a heady experience to be kissed by Jack. Especially now with their newfound emotions sending shocks waves of freshly discovered awareness through their bodies.

"Rose, I’ve been wanting to say those words for a long time. I just could never find the right time or place." Jack leaned his head back against the window and rubbed his hand up and down Rose’s arm. "I thought that maybe coming here we could really be alone and I could finally tell you how I felt."

She looked up at him and studied his handsome profile. Here with him, all alone, she felt so safe, so secure. Though the storm was raging outside and the wind was blowing fiercely, inside where she was with Jack, there was a peace and serenity around her that she never knew existed. It didn’t matter what was happening anywhere else. That they were together and in love was all that counted. And as so many times before, Rose almost had to pinch herself to make sure this was real. "I know what you mean, Jack. I’ve been feeling that I’ve been in love with you for about four weeks now." She smiled shyly to watch his reaction. "It was when you turned on the steps after the interview. I almost needed to be picked up off the floor. I knew then, just never imagined it could be possible."

He played with her fingers, twisting them around his own, recreating in his mind the first moment he had known that this was something different. "Yeah, I know. When I pulled that pen out from your fingers to make the correction on your notes is when I felt the connection. Do you know how close I came to canceling the whole thing? I was ready to tell old Seth to forget it. I don’t even want to think about that." He chuckled softly and took a sip of the champagne. "Come on, let’s drink this and we should at least try to eat this food. It's too fancy for Claude."

"I don’t know, Jack. I’m too excited to eat. My stomach is still doing flip flops," she said honestly. "But I suppose you’re right. We did go to a lot of trouble to get this food."

"And besides, you’ll need your strength for later." He watched with affection as Rose took the champagne glass that she had just brought to her mouth and set it on the table, staring at him in shock. Bravely he had suggested what he had almost started earlier in the stateroom. He knew Rose had been willing then, it was just that the timing was wrong.

"Later?" She gave him a sideways look, with her eyes lowered. "Just what did you have in mind Jack?" she asked, pretending not to understand his intentions. "I thought you were an innocent Wisconsin farm boy." When she got the courage to look him in the eye she saw more than his usual piercing look. There was a touch of smoldering passion locked in that stare of his. It was the same look she had seen earlier when she was discarding her wet clothes. She wondered what made him suggest this now, when he had backed away earlier.

He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him, a feat made somewhat difficult by the narrow booth. There was a smile on his face and laughter in his voice. "Rose, I told you I was a farm boy. But as to the innocent part, well...we shall see."

In her mind she already knew how easily he had charmed her. With his turbulent and persuasive blue eyes it had been easy to fall in love with Jack Dawson. There was more to Jack though, than his eyes. That he was sincere, she had no doubt. Innately she knew that there would never be anyone else for her but Jack, and her for him. He was kindness personified and he had the art of tenderness mastered just as well as his talents on the canvas. As to his abilities to seduce her, she was quite sure that he was equally adept in that field as well.

**********

"There?" Rose asked as she planted her finger over the letters EAU.

"Well, maybe a little bit further east." Jack carefully dragged her hand in the right direction, ripples of laughter echoing through the empty boat.

Neither one of them could suppress the attack of silliness that had overcome them. After dinner that had started talking about their childhood's, comparing notes on their favorite foods, television programs and movie stars. He had kept her convulsed with laughter as he imitated Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Whoopi Goldberg, and even Jay Leno. She had learned that night they watched Casablanca that Jack had a talent for mimicry.

When they had calmed down a bit, Jack had located an old atlas of the United States that was stuffed behind a couch in the living room area of the boat. After opening it to the state of Washington and watching Rose point to the locations she had lived in, the suburbs of Seattle, he had found Chippewa Falls on the map of Wisconsin. Jack was attempting to point out the exact location of his family’s home. "Here, Rose. Halfway between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls." He took her index finger and planted it in just the right spot.

"And I suppose that when we go there, you will plant me there too," she giggled. Rose knew that looking at that map must have brought back some unpleasant memories for him, so she was trying to keep the conversation lighthearted. Watching Jack carefully, she had not seen any signs of sadness so far.

Jack was surprised that Rose would voice an interest in going back to his old home. It was a far cry from the excitement of the Bay area and certainly not as beautiful as her home in the Pacific Northwest. But when he really thought about it, Rose would probably love the simple Wisconsin farm country. To him the bright blue skies, the yellow green cornstalks and the black fertile earth, still represented his beginnings. The places where he had first learned to appreciate beauty and art. For years he had not been able to think of going home. To face the country road that was the scene of his mother’s death and the empty bedroom where his father had breathed his last breath were images that he had put into the far recesses of his mind. Maybe going there with Rose would be a good thing. To finally exorcise the ghosts of his past.

"I would be happy to take you there Rose. Too late for this year. But maybe next summer. I...I’m ready to go back. And besides with you, well, I’ll be seeing it through your eyes. You will see the real beauty."

As he spoke he saw her face fill with anticipation and delight. He was never ceased to be amazed how the simplest things brought such tremendous pleasure to Rose. Like watching this storm for example. His eyes followed her arm as she pointed to the streaks of lightning that continuously flashed across the sky. "Did you ever see anything so magnificent, Jack?" she asked.

Resting his head against hers, he was tempted to say that she was the most magnificent thing he had ever seen. But he agreed with her, thinking that the powers of nature, were indeed breathtaking and fascinating. A loud crash of thunder vibrated across the bay, sending the boat swaying slightly in the water. He was amazed that Rose neither flinched nor blinked as the storm rose in its intensity. "My mother used to tell me that the elves were bowling when we had a big thunder storm. We had some wild electrical storms up in Wisconsin. Sometimes they would last all night."

Rose rested her arm on his and sighed. "I wouldn’t mind if this storm lasted all night Jack. I’m not afraid, not with you."

He glanced down at her, his eyes meeting hers. In them he saw trust and love. Her words bespoke of the invitation he had been waiting for. When he had felt that Rose needed time, he had been right. "Maybe we should go down there and try and sleep for awhile."

Her heart stopped when she heard his suggestion. She had hoped this would happen. That they could share themselves with each other. It was so perfect now in this storm, on this boat. She had felt she could trust Jack with everything the first time she met him. That same trust would hold true tonight.

"Let’s put these dishes in the sink so Claude can't help himself. And then…"

"Jack, what happened?" In less than a second the cozy lighting of the boat dimmed and then went out. She looked out the window and saw that Sausalito itself was dark. The only light came from the headlights of cars on the bridge.

"Looks like a major power failure." His thoughts wandered to the fact that he and Rose were alone in total darkness. The plans he had made for the weekend had not included this kind of atmosphere, but it certainly would not hurt the situation. "I don’t even know where the emergency generator is on the boat. Guess we’ll have to find our way in the dark." In a few seconds, his eyes started to adjust to the inky black cabin. The only light came from the still burning candle on the table.

"Jack?" Her whisper sounded loud in the darkness. "It’s like we are in our own little world. No one but us." She held up the candle and let its small flame illuminate the galley work area. Jack quickly put their few dishes in the sink and then took the candle from her.

"Here, this is what I wanted." He grabbed a flashlight that was hanging over the bulkhead. "I like being with you in the dark, but I don’t want us to kill ourselves heading down there." Jack pointed the flashlight in the direction of the stairs. He set the candle back on the table and then took Rose’s hand in his, before he blew out it out. "In case things get rocky, we don’t need any trouble from that." With a wave of the light over Claude to assure him that the dog was still sound asleep he pulled Rose along the narrow companionway to the stairs. "I told you he could sleep through a hurricane."

She laughed softly, remembering that Jack had told her that about Claude on their first date. "Won’t he need to go out?"

"He’ll be all right for a couple of more hours. He won’t want to go in the rain anyway. When he is ready, he’ll let me know. Come on."

The narrow beam of light from the flashlight allowed them to make their way safely to the main stateroom. As they slowly made their way to the lower deck, Rose was aware only of the sounds of their breathing and the ghostly shadows of their silhouettes on the dark wood walls. Her pulse was beating wildly and her mouth was suddenly dry. Not from fear, but from her expectant mood. Wondering what these next hours, alone with Jack, would bring.

They reached the stateroom and Jack put the flashlight on the built-in dresser, bulb side down so that the room took on an eerie glow. The waves had picked up and now in the lower level the movement of the boat was stronger, forcing Rose to reach out to Jack, while he held onto the dresser for balance.

"We’ll certainly remember this weekend," he joked, hoping to help her feel at ease. He felt her clammy hands reach behind his neck. Swallowing, he tried to calm his racing heart. "Nervous?" He spoke softly into her ear and he felt goosebumps rise on her skin. Jack was not sure about her, but he had never known this kind of anticipation with anyone else.

With her head pressed against, he could only hear her muffled, "No." And then he felt a slight twist of her head. "But Jack, I was wondering about something. Before, when I was changing, you just backed away, like you didn’t...well. I’m just a little confused. What was wrong then that's right now?" Her voice was questioning.

Jack reached under her tangled curls and lifted her face, gently pulling it closer to his. "You were soaking wet, dripping...cold and shivering. I just couldn’t do it then." Jack shook his head as if to back up his words. "I didn't want you to think that I couldn't wait until a better time. I..."

She stared into his piercing eyes, the blueness of them shining even in the semidarkness. A smile broke across her face and she began to laugh softly. "I thought that maybe you were backing out, that you didn’t want...well, you know. That maybe something was wrong with me." Rose realized suddenly how absurd her thoughts must have sounded.

With a serious expression on his face, Jack’s eyes narrowed. "There is nothing wrong, Rose. Nothing at all. I love you. I just want everything--and I mean everything to be special for you. You deserve nothing less."

The honest, heartfelt answer brought tears to her eyes. Surely there could not be anyone as kind and sincere as Jack. And if that were not enough, she was truly taken aback by his next question.

"Ah, Rose," he took a deep breath before continuing, "is there anything to worry about, I mean, if you aren’t...well." She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling. Rose knew exactly what was on his mind. But she wasn’t going to help him out of this one. The illustrious Professor Dawson was actually embarrassed. "Well, I have some…" She felt him reach into the pocket of his shorts.

She so wanted to tease him and torment him a little, but she had to give him credit, a great deal of credit for caring so very, very much. Rose raised her fingers to his lips and looked directly into his eyes. "It’s fine, Jack. There is nothing to worry about." She blinked and saw the relief and understanding on his face. But as she studied him, the innocence that she had found so charming changed quickly. In seconds, she felt the urgency of his kiss and the fumbling of his hands on her robe. Within moments, she was vaguely aware of the rustling of clothes, the crinkling sounds of sheets being pulled back and the very comforting and safe warmth of Jack’s arms. The room started to spin wildly and she felt Jack’s hair tickling her face.

"Oh Rose, I don’t know where you have been, but I have lived for this day all my life. Remember that little world of ours that you talked about..." He paused briefly and planted kisses on her forehead and eyes, shuddering as he felt the softness of her hands rub his back. She nodded, unable to speak. "Let me take you there, Rose. Now."

**********

She awoke first, blinking her eyes as the early morning sun peeked into the small, uncurtained porthole. A quick glance next to her told her that Jack was still sound asleep. She smiled at his relaxed features against the pillow and his gentle, rhythmic breathing. Pulling the sheets up tightly against her shoulders in the slight chill, she leaned back to think about the night that had just passed. The night during which she had been made to feel that she was the most cherished woman on earth. Nothing she had experienced previously had prepared her for what had taken place between her and Jack.

His early reluctance for them to make love when she had been drenched from the storm and his thoughtful questions about whether he needed to provide any protection, showed her just exactly what Jack Dawson was all about. There really was a sort of innocent charm about him. It was dark when they had made their way down here, but even in the darkness, she would have guessed that Jack had been blushing. That though was the place where the innocence ended. From that point on, his sole consideration was to take their emotions to yet another plane. And in those efforts he was not the farm boy any longer, but a very persuasive and bold partner.

Afterward, they had shared more confidences, and now Rose felt that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, they did not know about each other. Jack had held her in his arms and she remembered getting very sleepy. Since that was the last thing she recalled, she must have fallen asleep in his embrace. An experience she would like to repeat again and again.

She was jarred out of her thoughts by a loud breathing at her side of the bed. Rose turned her head and saw Claude next to her, his mouth open, panting heavily. "What is it, Claude? Do you want out?" A soft whimper from the dog indicated that she had asked the right question. Rose pursed her lips, unsure for a moment as to what to do. She could wake Jack, but he was sleeping so soundly. On the floor was the robe she had worn last night. It was so big that it covered her completely and since she had not seen anyone out at this end of the dock yesterday, it would do as something to put on in a hurry to walk Claude. She slid out of bed and pulled on the garment. Claude wagged his tail expectantly and followed her up the companionway. Rose found his leash and after opening the unfamiliar lock on the door, headed out on the pier with Claude leading the way.

Jack stretched in bed and sat up with a start when he realized that Rose was not with him. He cast his eyes upward and groaned. "I’ll bet Claude woke her up." Vaguely he recalled the familiar sighing and whimpering of the dog in his sleep. "Trying to beat me at my own game." Jack chuckled softly as he got out of bed. As he pulled on his shorts and polo shirt that he had worn yesterday, he thought about how the dog and Rose had become attached to each other. "I guess Claude is in love with her too." He had to smile to himself at that thought. Jack grabbed his watch off of the dresser, sighing in disbelief as he saw the time. 6:45. What had happened to the lazy morning they had planned? Getting up around ten, making coffee, going to buy rolls at the bakery. "Thanks, Claude." But he couldn’t blame the dog. Who wouldn’t want to be spending time with Rose.

There was no mistaking the laughter he heard outside. The peal of giggles could only belong to one person. But where was she? Stepping outside in the cool air, he saw Rose and Claude, sitting on the edge of the dock. She was petting Claude and having a conversation with him. Asking Claude outrageous questions and then answering them herself. She was clearly enjoying herself.

"So Claude, tell me, does Professor Dawson snore?" She stroked Claude’s soft fur and laid her head next to the dog’s. Before she could answer, she heard a voice behind her.

"Professor Dawson only snores when a certain young woman tires him to the point of exhaustion."

Rose twisted her head behind her and now it was her turn to blush. A rather disheveled, but adorable Jack stood several feet behind her. His rumpled shorts and wrinkled shirt hung loosely on him. The usually sleek blond hair was in disarray and he rubbed his cheek, which was now covered with a one-day growth of hair. Even in this state, Jack was strikingly handsome. There was a smug look of satisfaction on his face and his eyes twinkled with good humor.

"Jack, you were sleeping. And Claude had to go out. I just got up and we..."

"Yeah, I know. Claude wanted some time alone with you." He came and sat down next to her and draped his arm around her. "Some pal you are old buddy," he said yawning, as he affectionately rubbed the dog’s back with his other hand. "So did Claude tell you about our other bad habits too?"

Her forehead wrinkled questioningly.

"Like how we watch old movies in bed, greasing the sheets with buttery popcorn--and how we how play Frisbee in the park and get totally covered in mud." He smiled wickedly, sending her heart careening like a roller coaster.

Somehow she couldn’t think of a better way to spend an evening than to watch TV, lying with Jack and his dog, all of them slathered in the remnants of her favorite snack.

"Oh, I don’t know, Jack. Those sound like terrible vices." She sat up tall, pretending to look stern and proper. Jack only continued to smile, biting his lip in thought.

Without warning, she felt herself being pulled down in Jack’s lap and found herself looking up at him. The blue of his eyes shimmered like the bay water this morning. Beautiful, but wild. "Claude and I also like to get up at sunrise and walk. I don’t suppose I could interest you in something like that?...Rosie."

She arched her neck against his leg and let her head fall back. Rosie. The name he had called her over and over during the night. A word of endearment that he had used in their most intimate moments. No one had ever called her that before. Rose reached up and trailed her finger down his jaw, a thrill of delight coursing through her at their nearness. "Jack, I can’t go anywhere in this robe." She pulled the front together as best she could, not really understanding why. There was nothing to hide from Jack. "But I wouldn’t mind a walk on the beach at sunset." She lifted her eyebrows, hoping to tempt Jack with this idea.

She saw him turn his head away, looking out into the distance. As if searching for an answer. Then he looked back at her, his eyes filled with a peaceful and loving expression. "I think we can arrange that, Rosie. In fact that sounds like a wonderful idea. Boy, you sure do skip from one end of the day to the other. What about the time in between?" There was a suggestive glimmer in his eye that made her want to curl up with him right then on the dock.

Suddenly she sat up, her face lit with a dazzling smile. "You know where I really want to go?"

Jack shook his head, wondering what activity she had in mind now. He felt a warm glow wash over him as he watched as Rose rapidly started to explain the plans she had for the day. She was so animated, so excited that he was carried along with her as she spoke.

"First, I think we should go home and clean up." A giggle escaped her as she kissed Jack’s roughened face. "Then we’ll go to the store and buy some food for a picnic on the beach. You know hot dogs, buns, chips, and marshmallows. All that bad stuff."

"Marshmallows?" he questioned. He’d not had those since his mother had put them to melt in his cocoa. "What are they for?"

"Jack!" Rose laughed, trying to look shocked, "Weren’t you ever in scouting? You melt them and stick them in between graham crackers and Hershey bar pieces. They’re called s’mores." Her hands were gesturing wildly as she described the rich concoction. So rich that her words practically oozed with calories. She stopped for a moment when she saw Jack’s broad smile. Telling her that he approved of her plan. "Then we can go out to Half Moon Bay. There's a little campground there and we can cook right on the beach. I've never been, but it sounds so nice. What do you say, Jack?" She batted her eyes furiously knowing that he did not need much convincing.

From deep within him, came a feeling of contentment that he had rarely felt before in his life. He knew that it all had to do with Rose. Just being with her, watching her, was enough to enthrall him forever. It was a feeling that he would be happy to know for the rest of his life. The worries he’d once had about the difference in their ages had been cast to the wind. Rose was intelligent and mature, more so than most woman his own age. And even though she still had a year of school ahead of her, she could hold her own in any intellectual conversation they’d ever had. He watched her now as her tendrils of red moved softly around her face. Her bright green eyes were filled with excitement and happiness. This sensation made him feel as though the world belonged only to the two of them. Taking a deep breath he caught the scent of the perfume that lingered on her body from yesterday. There was nothing much more in the world that he could want right now.

"Jack, you do want to go don’t you?" she asked. He certainly looked agreeable, but he’d not yet said a word.

"No, we’ll do it. We’ll go. We’ll do anything you want, Rose." He took her hands and studied this woman next to him. His heart was so full that he was almost overwhelmed, but he had to make sure that she knew how he truly felt. In the bright sunlight, he could watch her face and her expressive eyes as he spoke. She held her head to the side, waiting, wondering what was to come. A gentle smile slid across her mouth as she listened to his words. "You are the most amazing, wonderful woman, Rose, that I have ever known. I don’t know about you, but what we have between us is something that I want to last a long, long time. I’ve never felt like this before and I know that I can only feel this way with you."

She gripped his hands tightly as he opened his soul to her. Her pulse pounded like the sound of the thunder they’d heard last night. But now the light of the morning was a golden color--new and inviting. The water beside them was calm and shining, the fierce waves of the night before long forgotten. Rose melted as Jack disarmed her with one of his exquisite glances. Someone like Jack would only come to her once in a lifetime, and even though she was young, she knew and understood the commitment he wanted. "I know Jack." With tears of joy running down her cheeks, she gave her answer. "I want us to be together forever. I never believed that anyone could love a person as much as I love you…"

"Unless it’s how much I love you," he finished, a soothing smile on his face. Jack cradled her head in his hands, his own emotions temporarily blurring her delicate features. With the wind in their faces and the salt spray tickling their feet, they sat for awhile, with Claude asleep next to them. They had opened their hearts and souls to one another and given themselves to each other in the night. What had passed between them surpassed his wildest dreams. He had never been more thankful for anything, than the way Rose had been brought into his life. "Hey, Rosie," he whispered.

As Jack held her and gazed down at her, she felt wrapped in a cocoon of security she had never before known. "What, Jack? What are you thinking? Something is going on in that head of yours." His grin betrayed the serious look in his eyes. She watched as those two pools of blue bore into her.

"Come on," Jack let out a soft laugh and began to stand, pulling Rose with him. Once she too was on her feet, Jack motioned to the sky, where the sun had finally crept over the horizon completely. "Beautiful isn't it?" Rose sighed and nodded, leaning closer to him and threading her fingers through his own.

"It is, yes. But I still see that look in your eye, Jack Dawson. You can't fool me." Rose grinned and studied his face, which was twitching with amusement.

"Oh I was just wondering something Rose." Jack pulled her to him and watched as Rose's forehead crinkled in a question.

"And what's that?"

"I was thinking...about the s'mores." Jack paused and there was no denying the teasing gleam in his eyes now. Rose shook her head back and forth, pretending exasperation. "If I eat them...is there any chance for s'more of...certain other things?" His lips were set in that sensual pout of his, a look only he was capable of.

Rose's eyes widened, although she wasn't at all shocked by his outrageous comments anymore. They were a distinct part of who Jack was--something she loved about him. But it seemed that they always caught her off-guard.

"Jack..." Rose felt a slight blush coming to her cheeks and lowered her eyes, her mouth moving slightly. She raised her head, regaining her composure, and cocked her head to the side. Rose threw him a meaningful glance, raising her eyebrows as if to confirm that she understood what had been implied.

"Hmm, we'll see." She whispered this, watching as a smile spread across Jack's face, and moved her lips to his. She kissed him softly, moving her hands to his back. A loud groan sounded beneath them, and Rose moved her gaze to Claude just in time to see him roll over lazily, placing his front paws around his face.

Jack laughed, his eyes on his dog. "I guess he's sick of us, huh? Or maybe he's embarrassed?"

Rose nodded and pulled Jack closer, happy and so content in this moment.

She felt Jack gently pulling her to start walking. Claude's collar jingled as he too followed, probably eager for a morning meal.

"We've got to get moving if we want to accomplish all of that today...and get to the beach before sunset." Jack felt the nod of Rose's head under his chin.

Jack smiled and saw that Claude had reached the door to the boat before them. His tail was thumping wildly from side to side, and he barked several times. "Hmm...and maybe I'll leave Claude at home this time."

Chapter Seven
Stories