ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Chapter Seventeen

July 4, 1912

Jack and Rose spent half of the day together. Then, around 2:30, he went to his parents' house.

Rose wanted to spend every moment with him, but she knew she couldn't, for tomorrow was their wedding.

But they saw the fireworks together.

"I love you, Jack. I can't wait until tomorrow. I'll be Mrs. Rose Dawson."

"I know, Rose. I can't wait, either. I love you, too, Rose."

Cora was on Jack's lap, asleep, and her head was on his shoulder.

Jack had his other arm around Rose, with her head on his shoulder.

Ruth, Liz, and Molly came up to them around 10:30 PM, and told Rose to come with them.

"I don't want to leave."

"But, dear, you have to," said Ruth.

"All right. I love you, Jack," she said.

They shared a passionate kiss, and he said, "I love you, too, Rose."

They brought Cora, and when they got to the house, they put her in bed.

Jack, Oscar, and Brian went to Brian and Liz's house.

There, they tried their tuxes on.

"Jack, I still don't see how you got her," Oscar said.

Jack laughed.

"Well, Oscar, I did. I love her. She loves me."

"All right, then."

"So, Oscar, when's the baby due?" Brian asked.

"November eleventh. I can't wait," said Oscar.

*****

Meanwhile

Rose, Molly, Liz, and Ruth stayed up and talked the whole night, until they decided Rose needed some sleep for the big day.

After Rose went to sleep, the three women discussed their marriages.

"I loved James, but it was an arranged marriage. I didn't even decide my own wedding gown," Ruth said.

"Oh, dear, that must have been terrible," Liz said. "Not to brag or anything, but Brian and I are in love. He had me from the first moment we said hello."

"That's wonderful, Liz," Ruth said.

"Well, I was, and still am, in love with Alastair. He died nine months ago. We had a wonderful wedding. Oh, we were so in love," said Molly.

Rose was peeking in on the three women from around the corner, like a little child.

She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't sleep. So she decided to join the other women.

"All right. I can't take it anymore. I can't sleep. So I've decided to talk with all of you," Rose said.

"Um...all right, dear. That's fine," Ruth said.

The four women stayed up until two o'clock in the morning.

"We need to get some sleep. Look at Rose. She is already asleep on the couch," Molly said.

"Oh, dear, what time is it?" Ruth asked.

"Um...almost two o'clock!" Liz exclaimed.

"Oh, my!" Molly said. "I will wake Rose, and tell her to get to bed."

"Good night," Ruth said.

"Good night," Liz and Molly said, in unison.

They all had a peaceful slumber, especially Rose.

Rose dreamed about the dinner aboard the Titanic, flying on the bow, even the car.

She thought it was unreal. It felt like only yesterday that she was on the Titanic, and tomorrow was her wedding day.

*****

Oscar and Brian went to bed early, and Jack lay awake on the couch.

I wonder what Rose is doing right now, he thought.

Jack eventually fell asleep around 2:30 AM.

Jack dreamt the same thing as Rose.

*****

"Dearly beloved," Jack heard the priest begin.

Jack was so nervous. He was barely paying attention to anything.

"Jack Dawson, do you take Rose DeWitt Bukater to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Jack said.

"Rose DeWitt Bukater, do you take Jack Dawson to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Rose looked around the room, then at Jack.

Suddenly, someone burst through the door.

"Cal!" Rose screamed.

Jack thought that she sounded delighted that Cal had come.

"Rose! Don't do it! He doesn't love you! I love you, Rose. Marry me? Please," Cal begged.

"Caledon Hockley begging?" Jack asked himself.

"No, Rose, don't believe him! I love you more than anything. Please, Rose," Jack pleaded.

Rose looked at Jack, then at Cal, then her mother, and then back at Jack.

"I'm sorry, Jack," she said.

"NO! Rose! ROSE!" Jack screamed.

Chapter Eighteen
Stories