TEARS IN HEAVEN
Chapter Twenty
July 7, 2022
Jack adjusted his tie and smiled as Rose came
up behind him. "You look almost as good as you did at both our
weddings," Rose commented, smoothing back a lock of his hair. Even at the
age of forty years, Jack still posed as handsomely as he did twenty years ago.
"And you, my lovely wife, have never
looked more beautiful," Jack murmured, bending down to kiss her.
"Mmm, yes, I know," Rose said, her
eyes glowing. For the first time since Josh's death three years earlier, both
Jack and Rose were absolutely radiant. For today their eldest daughter was
getting married.
"How's Janelle doing? She's not thinking
about running away, is she?"
Rose grinned. "No, she's unusually calm.
I do think she's waiting for you, though."
Jack turned to let Rose fix his tie.
"Then I better get going. Am I presentable?"
Rose leaned up to kiss him sweetly.
"More than presentable. Before you go do your father of the bride things,
could you bring Taylor in here?"
Jack nodded and set off to find the
rambunctious toddler before she could get into anything. He found her doing
what she did best--annoying her older sister. Smiling, he scooped Taylor up.
"Hey you, your mom wants you."
Alicia shot Jack a grateful look.
"Thanks, Dad."
Jack nodded. "You look beautiful."
Alicia blushed slightly. "Thank
you."
Taylor began fussing in his arms, so Jack
told his daughter he'd see her shortly and took his leave, all the while Taylor
wailing her displeasure of being interrupted. She quieted quickly though, when
presented to her mother, who held her favorite doll.
"How's my big girl? Giving your daddy a
hard time?"
Jack set her down and gave his wife a kiss.
"I'm off. I'll see you downstairs."
"Wait!" Rose exclaimed just before
he left the room.
Jack turned. "Hmm?"
Rose handed him a velvet jewelry box.
"Give this to Janelle for me."
"What is it?"
"Family heirloom. Now go so I can get
Taylor dressed," Rose said, pushing him out the door.
Amused, Jack shook his head. "Okay, I'm
gone."
*****
Nineteen-year-old Janelle stared at her
reflection intently, her nerves gone haywire. Somehow she'd managed to stay
calm up until now... now that there was only twenty minutes separating her from
the rest of her life. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, causing her to
jump.
"Janelle? It's Dad."
Janelle's eyes went wide and she quickly
opened the door to reveal her father with a happy, goofy expression on his
face. "Hi, Daddy."
Jack sucked in his breath, pride crossing his
features. "Look at you! You look stunning."
It was true. With her long honey blonde curls
piled on top of her head, tendrils cascading down, her big blue eyes sparkling
and the beautiful white dress, Jack could've sworn she'd just stepped off the
pages of a fashion magazine. Of course, he was a little biased. She was his
daughter, after all. But nonetheless, she looked beautiful.
Janelle smiled. "Thanks. You look great
yourself."
Jack shrugged modestly and sat down on the
bench in the room. "How you holding up? Nervous?"
Janelle dropped down next to him, "I've
never been so nervous. But I've never been so excited and sublimely happy
either."
Jack nodded knowingly. "That's how I was
when I married your mom. I was so scared I was going to mess up, that she'd end
up leaving me. Considering everything we went through those first few years,
I'm surprised she didn't."
A pair of blue eyes, so much like those of
her father, looked up at Jack in wonder, as if the prospect that her parents'
marriage could ever have been to the point they would separate was ludicrous.
She'd never seen any two people in as much love as they, especially after
twenty-one years of marriage. Of course she knew of the occurrences early in
their marriage, but she had been so young then, and couldn't recall ever having
seen a tense moment between them since. "Mom would never leave you. I just
hope Andrew and I love each other as much as you and Mom do in twenty years."
Jack smiled and took her hand into his.
"As long as you remain true to what you stand for today, and respect each
other, you will be. I know Andrew will treat you right, and if I've ever seen a
rival for your mother and mines relationship, it's the two of you. You'll be
fine."
Wiping away a tear, Janelle smiled.
"Thank you. That means so much to me."
Jack leaned over to hug his offspring,
whispering in her ear. "I love you, Nell."
*****
For the next few minutes, father and daughter
quietly discussed the upcoming event, until Jack remembered the box Rose had
given him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled it out. "Your mother wanted
me to give this to you."
Janelle stared at the box in disbelief.
"She remembered..." she whispered, taking the box from her father and
opening it. Inside was a pair of diamond earrings and a matching diamond
pendant necklace that Jack recalled Rose wearing on their wedding day. Catching
the nostalgic, yet confused look upon Jack's face, Janelle elaborated. "A
long time ago, Mom and I were looking at your wedding pictures and I told her
when I grew up and got married I wanted to wear these so I could look as
beautiful as she did. I was probably five years old...I can't believe she
remembered."
Jack took the necklace and fastened it around
Janelle's neck. "You'd be surprised what your parents know and
remember," he said, chuckling when Janelle looked up at him with a
horrified expression on her face. However, before another word could be said,
Ruth poked her head in the room.
"It's time."
Jack stood and offered his arm to the bride.
"Come on. Let's get you married."
*****
Rose stood beside her husband, tears
streaming down her face as they watched their child repeat the words that would
unite her with Andrew forever. If there was one trait that Rose was proud that
she and Jack had passed on to their children, it was their freedom to love. In
her heart, she knew none of her children would ever see a divorce or an
unfaithful partner. For when a Dawson loved, it was with their entire heart and
soul, and they would not settle for someone who loved them less.