Manhattan was some distance away. They had to take a taxi to get to Rose's father's house.
"How long has it been since you've seen your father?" asked Jack.
"Nine years," replied Rose.
"Rose, what if your father's changed since then? Or even worse, died?" Jack asked her in a concerned tone.
"Jack, relax. I'm sure he's exactly the same as he was when he left," Rose assured him as she knocked on the door.
"I'm feeling a little uneasy about this," Jack said.
The house was huge. It was a mansion, but more beautiful than most.
A butler answered the door. "How may I help you, ma'am?" he asked.
"May I speak with Mr. Joseph Bukater?" asked Rose.
"Ma'am, Mr. Bukater isn’t taking visitors at the moment," the butler replied.
"Tell him that Rose is here," Rose told him.
"Of course, ma'am," said the butler, and he disappeared into the house.
"So, your father is the Bukater half?" Jack asked.
"The good half," said Rose, which caused Jack to laugh.
Shortly, an older man whose hair was beginning to gray appeared at the door. "Rosebud, is that really you?" he asked. His face was slightly red.
"Yes, Daddy," said Rose. She'd forgotten that she was dressed in the red dress that Jack had taken from a first class passenger on the Carpathia.
Joseph quickly wrapped his arms around his daughter and kissed her head. "Do come in, my dear," he said after he let go of her. He allowed Rose into the house, then looked at Jack. "Who’s your friend, Rosebud?"
"That's Jack Dawson. He's sort of my…suitor, I guess you could say," Rose replied.
"How do you do, sir?" asked Jack, holding his hand out.
Joseph shook his hand and smiled. "Swell, my boy! Come in! Come in!" Joseph said. He allowed Jack in. He closed the door after them. Joseph was a very tall, lean man. Born to a wealthy businessman and a seamstress, he'd been wealthy his whole life, and still was. "So, Mr. Dawson, you've fallen in love with my Rose, I've heard?"
"Yes. From the moment I first saw her," said Jack.
"I read that article about the ship. The Titanic. When I first read it, I'd had no idea that my Rosebud went from Rose DeWitt Bukater to Rose Dawson. She took your name?" Joseph asked him.
"Yeah, pretty much. We've been together since the day the ship sank, and we'll probably be together for the rest of our lives," Jack replied. "I really love your daughter."
"I'm glad to know that someone has fallen in love with my beautiful Rose!" Joseph exclaimed. "That ungrateful Ruth…how could she try to make her fall in love with that Caledon man?"
"He's half of the prizewinning pair of stupid names," said Jack, and the two men laughed.
"Yes, Caledon is a ridiculous name," said Joseph. "Would you like a drink, Jack?"
"Yes, please," Jack replied, and Joseph went into the kitchen. He came out with a dessert wine and a couple of glasses.
"You're very polite for a man who grew up on the street," said Joseph, taking a sip of his wine.
"I was raised properly," said Jack, and the men laughed again.
"You're a good man, Jack! Perfect for my little Rosebud!" Joseph said. "I suspect you'll be staying overnight?"
"Yes. We don't exactly have a place to stay at the moment," Jack replied.
"That's fine! That's fine! I'd much rather you stay here, where you're safe and off the streets," Joseph said.
When Jack and Rose had left the Carpathia, it was early in the morning. Now, it was nearly eight o’clock at night.
"Well, I must be going to bed. I will see you in the morning, Jack." Joseph shook Jack's hand and went upstairs to his room.
Rose came down a few minutes later in a robe. "You look nice," Jack said.
"Come on! I'll show you our room!" Rose whispered, not wanting to wake her father. She held out her hand.
Jack took it. "Rose, don't you think that your father would much rather we slept in different rooms?" Jack asked.
"Oh, Jack! Stop worrying!" Rose exclaimed quietly. She led him into a large room with beige walls and a large, king-size four-poster bed.
"Wow," Jack said a little loudly.
"Shh! He's right down the hall!" Rose snapped. Jack quieted down. Rose closed the door behind her before taking off her robe and getting into bed. Jack took the pillow on the other side and a blanket from inside the chest at the foot of the bed and set them on the floor. "Jack, what are you doing?"
"Sleeping on the floor," Jack replied.
"Well, come up here! With me!" Rose whispered, gesturing for Jack to come on the bed with her. Jack looked at her, then looked at his pillow and blanket on the floor. He picked up the blanket and threw it over the top of the covers and took his pillow and put it on the bed. He kicked off his shoes and climbed in next to her.
"Happy?" Jack asked sarcastically. Rose laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder. Jack kissed her forehead before she turned out the light.