March 25, 1914
Today was Rose's twentieth birthday.
Jack and Cora woke up early to make her some breakfast.
When they were done putting the food on the plates, Jack went upstairs to wake up Rose.
He gently kissed her lips, which made her eyes flicker open.
She immediately smiled when she saw those two beautiful blue eyes staring down at her.
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him again.
"Well, happy birthday," he said.
"Thank you," she said, getting out of bed.
"No, no, no. You're not getting out of this. Breakfast in bed for her majesty," he said, as Cora walked into the room with a tray of food.
"Thank you. It looks delicious."
"Daddy cooked," Cora whispered into Rose's ear. When they looked at each other, they crinkled their noses.
"What are you ladies talking about?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," Cora said, and ran downstairs to eat breakfast.
About two minutes later, the twins walked in.
"Happy birf-day, Mommy," the girls said in unison, but stuttered on birthday.
"Well, thank you," Rose said.
They gave her a hug.
"Breakfast is on the table downstairs," Jack said, hugging them.
They looked at their mother and Josie asked Lizzy something, and then Lizzy whispered, "Did Daddy cook again?" into Rose's ear.
Rose nodded, and all three of them crinkled their noses.
"All right...I feel left out," Jack said, as the twins ran downstairs to eat breakfast.
Rose laughed.
"Well, the girls have their secrets," she said.
He smiled. "Mind if I join you?" he asked.
"Do you even have to ask?"
He smiled, and ran downstairs to get his food and drink.
After they ate, they just held each other.
The kids came up with their presents to her.
They had all made stuff for her.
Jack had helped them make things for her. He taught them how to draw some things.
"Can we go play now?" Cora asked.
"Yes, dear," Rose said.
"Happy birthday," said Cora.
"Happy birf-day," said the twins.
And they all ran out of the room.
"I know what you're thinking," Jack said.
"And what is that?"
"You're wondering where your present is. Am I right? Or, am I right?"
"No, you're wrong. I was wondering when you'd come over here and kiss me. But now that you mention it, where is it?"
"You'll see," he said.
"Please tell me," she begged.
"Nope...I have to get the kids ready to go to Mom and Dad's house."
"Why?"
"I have to go." He smiled and kissed her.
"Wait--" she tried to say, but he was already out the door.
When Jack came back, he told her to get ready while he finished up a few things.
She picked out a pastel yellow dress that had blue and purple flowers on it.
He got back about an hour later.
He got ready.
"Jack, where are we going?"
"You'll see."
He took her hand and led her to the car.
After a while they ended up at Lake Wissota.
"What are we doing here?" she asked.
"Come here."
He led her to a place under a weeping willow tree where a picnic basket was sitting.
*****
"Jack, this is wonderful," she said, finishing her food.
"I knew you'd like it. I also have another surprise."
"Tell me, tell me, tell me," she said, excitedly.
"All right...Fabrizio is getting married."
"To Helga?"
"No...you see...I haven't heard from him in a while, because he moved. Well, Helga died last year. She had influenza."
"That's horrible!"
"Yeah...he was heartbroken. But he's marrying a girl named Colette. She's British. He's obviously in love with her."
"That's good. Are we going?"
"Yes, and--" he tried to say, but was cut off.
"That's great! I can't wait."
"And...I know you've missed your mother and Molly since they've been in Paris. And...well...I'm taking you and the kids to Paris."
"Jack? Can we afford it?"
"Yes. I've been saving up to go out of town. We leave next week. We're going to the wedding, and the next day we'll go to Paris."
"This is so amazing!"
They hugged.
After a while, they went home.
*****
Jack, Rose, Cora and the twins had a wonderful time at the wedding and Paris.
When they got back to America, they went to Philadelphia, to pay their respects to Rose's father.
They did meet Colette. She was a wonderful person.
She and Rose had become well acquainted.
They came home four weeks after the wedding.