ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Chapter Two

When Jack woke up the next morning, he was really confused. He didn't know what happened the night before. "Fabri and I must have gotten drunk." he muttered. But then he remembered Rose. The Titanic. The car...the iceberg! Oh God! Rose!

The nurse walked in and he thought it was Rose. All he said was, "Rose? Rose...is that you?" He barely opened his eyes and everything was a blur.

The nurse went to him and said, "No dear, I'm not Rose. I am Kate. But a young girl walked in here to make sure you were all right." "What? Where is she?" Jack said. Worried about her. Had anything happened to her?

She shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know, son. She said she would be back soon." the nurse said and went to a different patient.

After the nurse moved on, Rose walked in and saw Jack sleeping restlessly on the uncomfortable, white cot. She smiled. He looked so young. He was young but he looked even younger when he was asleep. She didn't want to wake him so she pulled an extra cot over to him and she cuddled with him and before falling asleep, she whispered, "I love you, Jack." in his ear.

Jack woke up about an hour later and saw Rose in his arms. She looked beautiful. The rays of sunshine on her hair and face. She glowed. He felt like he was dreaming. He loved her so much. Then it dawned on him. He'd never told her. That he loved her. He was ashamed. He needed to tell her. He kissed her lips and her eyes lazily opened. She smiled sweetly at him and he smiled back. She gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead. "I love you Rose," he said.

She then kissed him passionately. "I love you, too." she whispered, stretching. "Well Rose, what are we gonna do today?" he asked, after kissing her cheek. She shrugged her shoulders. "Why don't we just stay right here? I could lie in your arms forever," she said. "I don't think I'd have a problem with that," he said. They smiled at each other and Kate walked in. "Well, Jack, I assume that's Rose? You can go now. Just go get some hot tea and soup from the third-class diner." said Kate.

They soon left and went to the third class diner to get the tea and soup. After that they went out on deck, bathing in the sun. They wrapped their arms around each other, both thankful that they had each other. It was then that Rose realized she could've lost Jack. He'd come so close to death. She'd almost let go of his hand and let him sink to the bottom of the ocean. "Jack...y-you almost died last night...I-I could've lost you!" she said and started crying. "Oh, Rose, It's all right. I'm here. Don't worry. I'll be with you always and forever. I love you," he said. He stroked her hair lovingly and kissed her forehead. "What would I do if I ever lost you?" she asked. "You'll never lose me, Rose. I promise. You jump, I jump, remember?" he asked. She nodded. "I remember." she whispered.

The pain of the people around them was unbearable. So many women that had living husbands only hours ago were now widows. So many children without fathers or mothers. Children that had parents only hours ago were now orphans. It was horrible. How could such a terrible thing happen?

Rose thought of how Cal had said, "God couldn't sink this ship." She told Jack what he'd said. "I guess God proved him wrong, eh?" he laughed. "Speak of the fucking devil!" Jack said as he saw Cal coming towards them. He was looking for Rose of course. But not good enough, and no matter what, she would stay with Jack.

Jack suddenly became very worried. Would she hate him later in their lives for taking her away from all of that luxury? No...of course not. She could never hate him, could she? "Rose? I-I don't want you to hate me."

Rose was confused at what he said. "Jack, why would you ever think that? I could never hate you." Why did he ask that? How could anyone, with the exception of Cal, hate Jack Dawson?

Jack thought for a minute and then said, "Well, if you give up your money and Cal you may come to resent me," he said, looking into her eyes. "Jack Dawson! How could you think such a thing!?! I love you with all of my heart...NEVER think like that again, all right?"

He nodded his head. 'Whew, thank God she loves you, Dawson.' he thought. "All right."

*****

Later that Evening

Jack took Rose to the back of the ship. He looked deeply into her eyes which led to her soul and said, “Rose, you're the most...amazingly, astounding, wonderful woman, that I've ever known. You take my breath away each time I see you, I love you Rose, Always and forever." He had made her cry but this time her tears weren't of pain and sorrow but they were of love, joy and happiness, and he would never let her cry with tears of pain again. Or at least he'd try his best to keep her happy. That's what he was willing to do now for the rest of their lives. Then he finished by getting on one knee and saying, “Rose, will you marry me?"

Rose was stunned, she was speechless. She knew he'd ask her but those words...those words were wonderful and she'd cherish them forever. "Yes Jack! Yes of course I will marry you!" she exclaimed, happily.

"I love you more than anything, Rose," he promised before kissing her.

All of a sudden right when they started kissing passionately, Cal was behind them, "Guess who!" he said with an evil laugh. "This is such a beautiful scene," he said, sarcastically.

Rose looked at him in disgust. Jack did the same. The audacity of this man was incredible. How dare he ruin an intimate moment with Jack? "Dawson, I do believe you are kissing my fiancée!" Cal boomed angrily. Rose butted in and said, "Cal, I am not your fiancée, I don't love you and I never have. You need to understand that you will not win this time. Your actions last night were incredibly absurd and I do deserve an apology, yet I'll probably never hear it. Oh, and may I inform you I'm getting married to Jack." she said, throwing her old engagement ring to his feet. She was proud of herself. She'd finally told him what she felt.

He looked at Jack and turned back to Rose. "You amaze me Rose, now you've shown me what a real whore is!"

Jack had enough of his horseshit. He shouldn't be hurting Rose like that. Right when Rose was going to say something, Jack punched Cal, sending him to the ground, unconscious. "Jack! Thank you!" Rose exclaimed.

"I thought he died," said Jack.

"So did I." Rose agreed.

Jack took Rose's hand and they left. Both of them shocked at the encounter with Caledon Hockley. But both of them also happy that they'd soon be married and would never have to deal with him again.

Chapter Three
Stories