IN THE ARMS OF A STRANGER
Chapter Four

May 13, 1912

It was departure day for the Olympic, and Jack, Rose, and Fabrizio stood at the railing, waving good-bye to Southampton.

Fabrizio was confused. "Do we know somebody?"

"No. That's not the point." Jack turned to his friend and continued to wave to the churning crowd.

Rose was the only one not waving. In fact, she looked downright gloomy to be leaving Southampton.

"Rose, what's wrong? You happy to be going back home, no?" Fabrizio asked.

"Really I'm not, Fabrizio. In fact, I dread it. I don't know what I'm going to find." Rose wiped away a tear.

"It's okay, Rose. I'll be by your side. I promise." Jack squeezed her hand.

Rose looked up at him and smiled. He was so optimistic. Did he ever worry about anything?

"Let's go see our room." Fabrizio took off for the stairs leading belowdecks, leaving Rose and Jack on deck.

"I hope you don't mind being my wife for the next few days." Jack laughed, putting his arm around Rose.

"I don't mind at all." Rose smiled half-heartedly. If only she really were Mrs. Jack Dawson. That would solve the Cal problem, if it hadn't solved itself already. Mrs. Jack Dawson...she liked the sound of that.

"What's on your mind, Rose?" Jack asked, noticing how silent she had grown.

"Jack...forgive me, but I was just wondering what it would really be like to be your wife. I mean...it would solve a lot of my problems. Like Cal, for one thing. If he survived the sinking, he's going to want to go on with the wedding, but if I'm already married..."

"You wouldn't have to marry him." Jack got the idea. He knew Rose was just thinking and wasn't serious, but the idea suddenly popped into his mind. Why not? They were close friends, after all, and his feelings for her did go way beyond friendship. In fact, he was very much in love with Miss Rose DeWitt Bukater. He never wanted to let her go...he wanted her in his life forever, and this idea would ensure that.

"Rose...how do you feel about becoming Mrs. Jack Dawson...for real? As soon as possible, before we reach the US?" Jack broached the subject.

Rose looked up at him, her heart beating fast. Was this a proposal? Did she dare ask if it was? Could Jack possibly feel for her the same way she felt for him? To be his wife would be wonderful. He was so different from Cal. He was kind, sensitive, protective, brave...plus he was a lot more handsome than Cal...to wake up to those beautiful blue eyes every morning...

The answer came out before she could even think of what she was saying. The answer was coming from her heart. "Yes."

"Yes? Did that mean that you want to do it?"

Rose nodded. "As soon as possible, Jack."

Jack smiled and took her in his arms, twirling her around and around.

"Jack, stop!" Rose laughed happily.

"Come on, Rose! Let's tell Fabri the news!" Jack grabbed her hand and raced belowdecks to share the news with their best friend.

*****

"Have you two lost your minds?" Fabrizio exclaimed. "Marry for real? How would you live, Jack?"

"I have a house in Wisconsin," Jack said. "We can live there, and I can get a job."

"And Rose, you're giving up the rich life." Fabri turned to Rose, who was nervously clinging to Jack's hand.

"It's already gone, Fabri. You see, my family is broke anyway, and I don't care what my mother says. Even if I had never met Jack, I'd never marry Caledon Hockley."

"So your decision is made. But tell me this...are you two in love with one another? You have only known each other for a month, for goodness sake." Fabrizio sighed.

Rose and Jack looked at each other, stared into each other's eyes, and Fabrizio had his answer there...just by the way they looked at each other like that. It was Jack who answered, his eyes never leaving Rose's face. "I can tell you this, Fabri. I do love Rose. I've loved her since that night we rescued her from those drunks, and my feelings have grown stronger over the past month. So, to answer your question...I am in love with her. I can't imagine my life without her in it, and quite frankly, I don't want to."

Rose's heart leaped at his words. So, he did love her! How wonderful! "Oh, Jack...I feel the exact same way. I love you, too!" Rose threw herself into his arms and held on for dear life.

"So, I guess this makes me the best man." Fabri shrugged.

"If you don't mind." Jack turned to his friend. "And we have to find Rose here a maid of honor." Jack turned back to his fiancée and stroked her red tresses.

"I'm sure I'll find one, and as soon as I do, I want us to be wed." Rose kissed Jack's cheek. Oh, my, we haven't had a real kiss yet, Rose thought to herself at the feel of his skin against her lips. She wondered how his lips would feel.

"Well, if we're all settled, I say we go up on deck now and find that maid of honor." Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Then we can find the captain to perform the ceremony."

Rose just smiled and let Jack lead her out of the cabin, looking forward to her new life as Mrs. Jack Dawson.

*****

Jack and Rose were walking on the deck of the ship hand-in-hand when they met Rose's maid of honor. She was a thin Irish girl with curly brown hair. She was not walking but running along the deck. She was running so fast that she didn't see Jack and Rose and crashed into them.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the girl apologized. "I was just trying to get away from a couple of drunk old men," the girl explained, getting back to her feet.

"That's all right. I understand." Rose smiled.

"Kate's my name. Kate O'Reilly. What's yours?" The girl shook Rose's hand before she could offer.

"Rose DeWitt Bukater, and this is my fiancé, Jack Dawson. We're looking for a maid of honor so we can have the captain marry us as soon as possible." Rose smiled.

"Why, I'll do it," Kate volunteered happily.

"You would? But you don't even know us."

"But I do know true love when I see it, and you two are dripping with it." Kate laughed. "Now, I'm not going to take no for an answer, so you might as well cooperate."

"All right. Thank you." Rose smiled, thankful for this stranger's willingness to help them.

"Well, I guess that leaves only one thing. We have to go see the captain." Rose smiled up at Jack.

"Jack, Rose!" Fabrizio came running up with the captain. "I explained everything to the captain, and he has agreed to marry you right now! Do you have a maid of honor yet?"

"We sure do," Jack said. "Fabri, this is Kate O'Reilly. Kate, this is my best friend, Fabrizio di Rossi."

"The best man." Kate shook Fabrizio's hand firmly and arched an eyebrow. "Nice. Very good-looking."

This comment made Fabrizio blush.

"Shall we get started?" the captain asked.

"Definitely." Jack nodded.

Twenty minutes later, Jack and Rose were officially husband and wife. When it came time for the kiss, Rose found her heart beating faster and faster, but when he did kiss her, she melted into his arms. His lips were so warm and firm, yet gentle. "I love you, Mrs. Dawson," Jack whispered into her ear.

"I love you, too, Jack." She hugged him tightly. She never wanted to let him go.

"Well, enjoy the rest of your voyage, you four. I wish I could stay and celebrate with you, but I have my duties to attend to."

"Shall we go to dinner now?" Fabrizio asked.

"Yes. Definitely. Getting married sure did build up an appetite." Jack laughed, putting an arm around his wife.

*****

Two hours later, Rose and Jack were alone, walking up on deck, while Kate and Fabrizio had decided to go off by themselves.

"It looks as if Fabri's found his true love." Jack smiled as Rose laid her head on his shoulder. "They really did hit it off."

"Fabri and Kate. That has a nice ring to it." Rose nodded. "So, Jack, there's still a lot I don't know about you."

"Like what?"

"What did you do before you went to Paris?"

"Oh. I lived in Santa Monica for a while. I sold sketches for ten cents apiece." Jack led her to the railing, looking out towards the ocean. "I'll have to take you there sometime. We'll drink cheap beer, ride on the roller coaster until we throw up, and ride horses on the beach, right in the surf. But you'll have to do it like a real cowboy, none of that sidesaddle stuff."

"You mean...one leg on each side?"

"Yeah." Jack nodded.

"Can you show me?" Rose asked.

"Sure. If you like."

Rose smiled and looked at Jack. "Teach me to ride like a man."

"And chew tobacco like a man," Jack replied in a bad western accent.

"And spit like a man." Rose laughed.

"What? They didn't teach you that in finishing school?"

"No."

"Well, then, come on." Jack grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to the railing. "I'll show ya."

"Jack, no!" Rose protested, trying to pull back, but Jack was too strong.

"Come on, Rose. It'll be fun." Jack turned to the ocean. "Now, watch this." Jack spat out over the water.

"That's disgusting!" Rose laughed.

"It's your turn." Jack turned to her, grinning from ear to ear.

Rose screwed her mouth up and spat into the water.

"That was pitiful." Jack laughed. "This is how you do it. You hock it back, arch your neck while rolling it to the front, take a deep breath, and then..." He spat out over the ocean. "See the range on that thing?"

Rose followed Jack's directions and spat out over the ocean. "Was that better?"

Jack nodded. "Rose Dawson, you have just graduated from the Dawson school of spitting like a man."

Rose laughed and did a little bow. The two continued on down the boat deck, laughing and enjoying each other's company, when Rose spotted Ed and Sal over by the railing, talking to two other men.

"I can't believe this." Rose stopped in her tracks. Would they ever get away from those two men?

"Don't worry, Rose. We'll just avoid them as much as we can." Jack placed a protective arm around her shoulders.

Rose just smiled up at her husband. She truly did love him. He was her guardian angel. She didn't know where she'd be right now if she hadn't met Jack.

"Let's go the other way, Rose. There's something I wanted to show you at the bow of the ship anyway." Jack led her in the opposite direction.

They were at the bow of the ship, and Rose was confused. What did he possibly have to show her at the bow of the ship? There was nothing here but a great view of the sun setting over the ocean, as far as she could see.

"Come here, Rose. Close your eyes." Jack led her to the rail.

"Jack..."

"Go on. Close them."

She closed her eyes and let Jack pull her in front of him. "Now, step up on the railing."

Step up on the railing? But that was dangerous. What was Jack up to? Taking a deep breath, she decided to trust Jack and follow what he said. She sighed in relief when she felt him step up behind her and hold her waist.

"Keep your eyes closed. No peeking." Jack laughed.

"I'm not." Rose smiled, feeling the whistling wind run through her hair.

"Do you trust me?"

Didn't he know the answer to that already? "Yes. I trust you."

Then he took her arms and lifted them out to her sides. He put his hands back on her waist. "Now, open your eyes."

Rose opened her eyes to see the beautiful sun setting on the ocean and the feeling of freedom. It was like she was flying out over the ocean. For the first time, she felt like she was free. Jack had freed her. Without him, she would have been a caged butterfly, unable to soar out towards the horizon.

"Jack, I'm flying." She smiled, taken away by the sight before her.

Jack smiled, then joined his hands with hers. "Come Josephine in my flying machine, and it's up she goes, up she goes," Jack sang.

Then he lowered her hands, and she turned her head towards him. They kissed right there on the bow of the ship, not caring who saw them or what they thought.

"Excuse me," a soft, timid voice spoke up. "You're not supposed to be here. It's dangerous."

Jack broke away from the kiss to see a timid-looking steward trembling before them.

"Oh. I'm sorry. We didn't know." Jack shrugged, hopping down from the railing and helping Rose down. "Come on, Rose, let's head back to our cabin."

"All right." Rose nodded, taking her husband's hand and allowing him to lead her away from the bow. She looked back at the bow one more time and knew that she'd never forget that moment. It would be one of her most cherished memories.

*****

Jack and Rose returned to find the cabin empty. He led her farther into the room, and they sat down on the bed. "What do you want to do next, Rose?"

Rose thought, and then she got an idea. It was perfect. "Jack...I want you to draw me like one of your French girls."

"Okay." Jack nodded, getting his portfolio and art supplies.

"Wearing nothing," Rose said.

Jack turned to her. Surprise was in his eyes. "Are you sure about this, Rose?"

Rose nodded. "We're married now, Jack. You're going to have to see me naked sometime anyway."

Jack laughed and sat down on Fabrizio's bed. "Okay, Rose. Whenever you're ready."

Rose stood and shed the purple dress she had on. Jack eyes drank her in and his desire for her grew. But he was determined to remain professional about all of this. There was plenty of time for that later.

"Okay, Rose. Lay down on the bed. Put that arm over the pillow and the other hand near your face. And look directly at me," Jack directed. Rose did as she told, and he smiled, satisfied with her position. "Okay. Try to stay still."

Two hours later, Jack had finished his drawing. He went over to Rose and showed her the picture. Rose gasped. It was perfect. He had drawn her so perfectly. Her eyes were expressive, shining with the love she had for him, and her hands revealed how relaxed she was in his presence. "Oh, Jack. It's beautiful. Thank you."

Rose pulled him onto the bed with her and began kissing him passionately.

Jack looked deeply into her eyes. "Nervous?"

Rose shook her head. How could she be nervous with him? "No. Put your hands on me, Jack." She placed his hand on her right breast, and they kissed passionately. He couldn't maintain his control anymore. At that time, they made passionate love, and afterwards, wrapped in the blankets, they fell into a comfortable sleep.

Chapter Five
Stories