First Anniversary
July 5, 1913
Rose was asleep, and Jack walked into the room.
He kissed her lips.
"Hey, princess...happy anniversary," he said, once her eyes were open.
"Happy anniversary, Jack."
"Come on...your breakfast is getting cold," he said, picking her up.
"Jack, put me down! You can't go down the stairs with me! Jack!"
"Hey, Mommy!" Cora said, once they were downstairs.
"Good morning, darling," Rose said, and kissed Cora.
"When's Pawpaw and Grandma Lizzy coming back from Texas?" Cora asked, meaning Liz and Brian.
"I think they'll be back in about two weeks," Jack said.
"Oh. Then when you and Mommy go out of town, can I stay at Ruthie's?"
"Cora! You shouldn't have said that. You ruined the surprise," said Jack.
Rose looked at Jack, confused.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Daddy. I'm gonna go play."
Cora ran into her room.
"We're going out of town?" Rose asked.
"Don't you want to drink cheap beer and ride on that roller coaster?"
"Oh, my gosh!" She jumped up and kissed him.
"I knew I shouldn't have told Cora," he said.
"She's just six...she can't keep a secret."
"Well, are you surprised?" he asked.
"Very!" She kissed him again. "I love you, Jack."
"I love you, too, Rose."
*****
Their train was leaving at one o'clock PM.
Jack and Rose packed, dropped the children off at Ruth's house, and headed for the train station.
"Oh, Jack, this is so amazing. I can't wait to get there!" Rose said, once on board the train.
"I'm glad you're happy, Rose," he said, and kissed her.
*****
They got to Santa Monica two days later.
"It's beautiful, Jack!" Rose said, once she stepped off the train.
He smiled.
They walked to a beach house that Jack had already paid for, for two weeks.
Once they were settled down in the house, Rose asked, "So, how long are we going to stay here?"
"Two weeks."
"That's wonderful!"
"I'm so glad you're happy, Rose."
"Thank you, Jack."
"For what?"
"For making me happy."
He smiled and kissed her.
They ended up making love on the couch.