A LOVE FOR ETERNITY
Chapter Two

She’s the One

The air was cold when Jack awoke, Rose lying in his arms.

He still couldn't believe his luck. She would marry him. It was the best thing that could ever happen to him.

Late last night, they had talked about their future. They wanted to be married as quickly as possible, and they wanted to stay in New York for a while.

Jack looked down at Rose, who woke up.

"Good morning," he said, and kissed her cheek. "How are you today?"

"It’s the best day in my life, now that I know that I'm going to marry you," she answered, smiling.

"What do you want to do today?" Jack asked.

"Nothing. Just nothing. You know, I still can't believe it..."

"I understand, and you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Rose smiled and kissed him again. Suddenly, she began to laugh.

"What is it?" Jack asked in confusion.

Rose looked at him, and said, "It's just that you are still wearing your handcuffs."

Jack, who hadn't noticed, also began laughing. Then he said, "I think we have to go to the Master-at-Arms. I'm sure that he can help me getting these off."

So they did, and only a few minutes later, Jack was free again.

When they were on deck, Rose said, "I'm afraid I'm getting hungry. I haven't eaten something really good since...let's go and have some breakfast."

Jack agreed, and they went to the dining hall to eat something.

About half an hour later, they were on deck again, sitting on a bench. The air was cold, so they sat close together.

"Rose, do you remember the day when we were on the deck of...Titanic…and talked?"

"Of course. I remember everything you said."

"Then you remember when we talked about going to Santa Monica, riding the roller coaster ‘til we throw up, drinking cheap beer, and riding horses right in the surf? Do you really want to go there and do those things?"

"I said I wanted to, didn't I? I still mean what I said," Rose answered.

"Good, because I thought we could really go there one day..."

"That would be great."

They were silent for a few moments. Then, Jack said, "When do you want to get married?"

Rose thought for a while. "Like I said, as quickly as possible."

"I thought about where we could go. I heard someone say that we'd get some money from the White Star Line. I thought that we could maybe go to my hometown, Chippewa Falls. Of course, only if you also want to. I still have a few friends there who'll let us stay at their places. Then we could get married. What do you say?"

"I love your idea, and I'd love to see your hometown. But before we get married, we should know a few more things about each other. I don't even know your birthday." Rose laughed.

"You're right. We've been through so much, have done so many things together, and don’t even know this. I'll start. All right?"

Rose nodded and sat closer to him, because the April air was still cold.

"First, my birthday is on the twentieth of October, 1892. Second, my favorite color is green, just like your eyes. Third, the first time I really fell in love was when I met you." Jack kissed her and smiled. "Now you."

"All right. My birthday is on the first of September, 1895. My favorite color is blue. The third thing is like yours. And last, what I like most to do is just look into your eyes."

They went on like this for another hour or so, telling stories about when they had grown up or what their dreams had been when they had been younger. Rose also told Jack how she had ended up with Cal and how she had found out about his real self.

When Jack told her a funny story about him and his friends playing a nasty trick on their teacher in fifth grade, Rose smiled, and then looked out onto the blue sea.

After a few moments, Jack stopped telling his story, and asked, "What are you thinking of?"

Rose looked at him. "Everything and nothing," she answered.

Suddenly, she saw someone in a torn black tuxedo, his hair ruffled, coming down the stairs to the third class section.

It was Caledon Hockley.

"Oh, no," she said, and Jack looked in the same direction as Rose did.

"Let me do this," he said, but Rose answered.

"I have to do this." Jack looked at her. "It's all right. Just go away. I don't want him to know you're alive," Rose said.

"All right. But if he tries to do something to you, I'll come," Jack said, kissing her cheek, and went a few yards away.

Suddenly, Cal spotted Rose and went over to her.

"Rose, I'm glad you're alive. Your mother and I were very worried about you," he said.

"Yes, I lived. How awkward for you."

"Rose...your mother and I have been looking for you..."

Rose held up her hand, stopping him.

"Please don't. Don't talk. Just listen. We will make a deal, since that is something you understand. From this moment, you do not exist for me, nor I for you. You shall not see me again. And you will not attempt to find me. In return, I will keep my silence. Your actions that night need never come to light, and you will keep the honor you have so carefully purchased."

She fixed him with a glare as cold and hard as the ice that had changed her life.

"Is this in any way unclear?"

Cal thought for a few moments. Then, he said, "What do I tell your mother?"

"Tell her that her daughter died with the Titanic." She turned to the rail, dismissing him.

"You're precious to me, Rose."

"Jewels are precious. Good-bye, Mr. Hockley."

After a few moments, Cal turned around and walked out of her life forever–or so she thought.

Rose turned, and Jack stood behind her.

"That was great. I think we'll never see him again," he said, and kissed her.

"I hope so," Rose answered.

"Let’s not think of him again. All right?" Jack asked, and Rose nodded.

"So, what do we do now?" she asked, smiling.

"Whatever you want. I heard that we'll not arrive in New York until Thursday, so we still have about two days left," Jack answered.

"First of all, I want to sit down. I'm already tired again," Rose said.

Jack gently took her arm and led her to the nearest bench, where he sat down, very close to her.

Rose leaned against his strong body.

"I love you," she whispered into his ear.

"I love you more," Jack answered.

"That's impossible." Rose laughed.

"Do you think so?" he asked, playfully.

"I do. But if you think that you..."

"I don't think it. I know it, my dear Rose. Shall I prove it?"

"All right."

Jack leaned down to her face and kissed her.

"You win," Rose said, laughing.

They kissed again, and it was as though they were in the stars.

Chapter Three
Stories