Once the trip to Chicago was over, James got Rose back to Manhattan and departed for Europe early, without a word to his surprised fiancée. It confused Rose, because he had left right after making love to her. When Jack had made love to her, he had stayed as long as fate would allow him, and suddenly, Rose missed him desperately. She wanted Jack to hold her like he had when he was here. She wanted him to whisper sweet nothings into her hair and tell her that he loved her. But most of all, she wanted him to kiss her.
To kiss Jack was the greatest feeling known to exist. He had kissed Rose like a real man should kiss, and his kisses were so unique, so unlike both Cal and James. Rose thought about this over her morning tea, and suddenly, her teacup became Jack's lips, kissing hers in his amazing, unique way. And it was then that Rose realized that Jack's kisses were true lover's kisses. It was then that Rose realized…
"So, you're engaged to another wealthy man, are you?" came a very familiar voice that caused Rose to jump. She turned, and her green eyes found the brown eyes of Caledon Hockley.
"Um…" Rose was at a loss for words. She was sure that she'd been rid of him for good! What was he doing here? Was he here to take her away again?
As if reading her mind, Cal chuckled. "No worries. I am already engaged to a very beautiful young woman, who you'd probably be related to had you married the correct man," he told her.
Not looking at him, Rose said, "And who do you deem the correct man for me, Mr. Hockley?"
Cal proceeded to the table, standing across from where she sat. "The man who you know that you would give your life for, despite social classes. I believe that his name is Jack Dawson," Cal replied, not even feeling a twinge of hatred towards his soon-to-be cousin-in-law.
Rose's eyes went wide, and she was thankful that her eyes were invisible beneath her hat. "That isn't any of your business, Mr. Hockley," was all that she could say.
Cal again chuckled. "Isn't it? Rose, was it not you who was engaged to me? Was it not you who defied me and fell in love with a man beneath yourself? You were willing to do anything for that boy, but now, you're living hundreds of miles apart. May I ask what happened? I believe that I had a hand in your affair with Mr. Dawson."
Rose sighed, knowing that Cal wouldn't believe her excuse. So, she told him the truth without really telling him. "I realized my mistake, and now I am to marry James."
"Is that so? Do you love Mr. Sherman?"
So much like Jack…what had changed in Cal?
"Mr. Hockley, that is a very inappropriate—"
"Do you love Mr. Sherman?"
Rose was silent, not wanting to answer. Cal was right; she didn't love James. Cal didn't even have to say that he knew, for Rose knew that he knew. She sighed in defeat. "I do love James, but not in that kind of way. But I must do my duty as my father's only child and marry into a wealthy family."
Cal sighed; Rose certainly had not changed. "Rose, I hope you understand that you are making a rather large mistake. You're being handed happiness on a silver platter–no, a golden platter–and you're throwing it away to be with a man who doesn't love you. Elizabeth, my fiancée, has told me of Jack's current condition, and he isn't doing well. No, he isn't ill, but he certainly hasn't been the same since you turned him down."
Rose stopped for a moment and thought. Was Cal trying to help her fall in love with Jack–a man who he had tried to have killed over her–again? Hadn't he ruined Cal's chances at inheriting his fortune?
Looking up, Rose asked, "Cal, do you love this girl, Elizabeth?"
Cal smiled, a sweet, bright and happy smile. "I do indeed. She's such a sweet, gentle thing that I never thought that I could have feelings for…she's from the lower class, but it doesn't matter. I love her very much." He looked down at her. "You should consider your choices, Rose. It's either a life of luxury and misery with a kind man whom you don't love, or, a life of poverty and happiness with a man who will take his own life for you. The choice is yours. I recommend that you choose soon." With those final words spoken, Cal left Rose alone with her thoughts.
He had had a point. Rose was being handed happiness on a golden platter with Jack. He made her the happiest woman on the planet, and she had returned the favor by hurting him and pushing him away. Jack was different than James or Cal…Jack knew her, he understood her, and he loved her for who she was. And she had turned him away…traded in her life with him for the life that she was trying to get away from. She'd hurt Jack's heart to the point where he would probably be afraid to love, and she didn't blame him. She'd allowed him to love her before breaking his heart and throwing him away.
At this point, Rose didn't blame Jack for anything. He hadn't done anything at all. He'd just come into Rose's life by fate, to love her and to treasure her for all of eternity, and all Rose had done was push him away. Rose realized her cruelty, but it was too late. It was already September, and soon, it would be time to prepare for the wedding. When James returned, October would be over and then November would arrive just as quickly. And when November passed, December would come, and following December would be January, when Rose's child was due.
Rose had counted back the months from April when she had first discovered her pregnancy. It had been mid-June, and she realized that she had missed her monthly twice. And after a short trip to the doctor, her suspicions were confirmed; Rose was indeed with child. And the child could have only been Jack's. Now, James would have to adopt this child. She was too far along for him to possibly think that the child was his; Rose was already five months along.
It worried her to have a baby…this baby was Jack's, and he wanted nothing to do with her…well, she'd have to find some way to get him to come to her when the time came. So, she'd be married by the time the baby came, but Jack was the father of this child, and he had done this to her in the first place. Rose was going to make sure that he was going to be there for its birth. Now all that was left was to figure out how to do it.
*****
James had left so suddenly for Europe because he was in shock. Yes, he had made love to Rose before they were wed, and yes, she had asked for it. But what he didn't expect was for Rose to be pregnant with another man's child. When he discovered that the large lump on her belly was actually a child growing inside of her, James had to stop making love to her and leave the room. Their lovemaking lasted only a few minutes–enough, thankfully, to satisfy Rose. He had a pretty clear idea about whose child this really was.
It was the man, Jack Dawson, that Cal had told him about. He was the father. When Cal told him that Jack Dawson was the man that Rose had previously fallen in love with, James knew that Jack and Rose were destined to be together. But she seemed so happy with him…he couldn't disappoint her now…only if she wanted him to would he back out of the marriage, but Rose had never mentioned it. And so, James had no choice but to marry her.