AFTER TITANIC
Chapter Forty

July 4, 1913
Boston
Dawson Mansion

Rose was in the room she shared with Jack and again took in her surroundings. The room was similar to her stateroom on Titanic. It brought back fond memories of Jack's drawing. Maybe tonight, after the gala, she'd have Jack do another drawing.

"Rose, what do you have planned for today?" Jack asked, coming out of the private bathroom, his blond hair damp from the shower and a towel wrapped around his waist. He looked terrific.

"Maybe seduce you before we head out for the day and then go downtown with Kathy and shop for a suitable dress for the gala tonight." Rose giggled, wrapping an arm around his waist and playing with his towel. "What do you say, Mr. Dawson?"

Jack pulled away from her and held her at arm’s length. "Rose, as much as I'd like to stay here and be seduced by my beautiful wife, I can't. I have a breakfast meeting with my grandfather and a couple of other relatives. It's about his will and he wants me down there to hear what he has to say. It would be rude to be late."

"Oh." Rose sighed, disappointed. "Okay. I understand. But tonight--no excuses. I'm seducing you whether you like it or not."

"Well, I guess that's an offer I can't refuse." Jack laughed, pulling Rose in for a kiss that turned more passionate, causing Jack to force himself away. "Rose...you have definitely got me under a spell...I can't get enough of you."

Rose just giggled and tucked a wet strand of Jack's hair behind his ear. "You're the one who's a spell caster, Jack. Not me."

"I have to get dressed, Rose." Jack kissed her nose just as two cries erupted from the adjoining bedroom.

"I'll get them." Rose headed for the nursery. "I'll see you tonight, Jack."

"Of course." Jack nodded, watching his wife disappear into the nursery.

*****

Everyone was gathered around the breakfast table in the dining room when Jack appeared in the doorway. He took a deep breath and called upon his memory of the first class dinner.

"Remember, pretend you own a gold mine, and you're in the club." He could hear Molly's advice.

"Jack, you're here! Come in!" His grandfather beckoned. "Come meet your cousins, Cameron and James."

Both cousins had the Dawson blond hair and blue eyes, the same as Jack's. Cameron was heftier than Jack was and James had the same lean build. James was the only one to stand and offer his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jack." James grinned.

Jack smiled and accepted the offer. He had a feeling that he and James were going to get along great.

Cameron just nodded, his blue eyes revealing no emotion. "So, you're the son of the outcast."

"Guess so." Jack forced a smile, not liking Cameron's tone nor the way he referred to his father. Was that how they thought of his father? The outcast?

"Sit, Jack. We have a lot to talk about." Emmanuel beckoned to the seat next to James, ignoring Cameron's comment.

"Is Katherine joining us, Grandfather?" Cameron asked.

"No. She has shopping to do this morning before the stores close. I'll talk to her when she comes back. Right now, it's just us men," Emmanuel explained. "Let's get down to business. As all three of you know, I will not be with you next year. So I've gathered you all here to tell you now how I'm dealing out the estate, so none of it will be a surprise. Cameron, the son of my most loyal son, Edward. You will get the mansion and a large share of the company. James, the son of my youngest son. You will get the house in Connecticut and another large share of my company. And last, but not least...the son of my lost son...Jack. You will receive a large share of my company, the beach house in Santa Monica, of course, my chateau in Paris, and an art gallery in New York. The gallery isn't operational anymore, but with your artistic talent and splendid eye for art...I say if you open it up for business, it'll be a big success. I also leave your children...Molly and Tommy, a trust fund that they'll be able to have access to when they turn twenty-one."

"What? All I get is the mansion and a share of the company while you give the wimp of the family and a total stranger everything else?" Cameron stood from his chair, fury burning in his blue eyes.

"Cameron, sit down," Emmanuel hissed.

"No! No, I'm not sitting down. Is this how you treat your favorite grandson? The one who's had the most interest in the family business? The one who wanted to follow in your footsteps?" Cameron growled.

"Cameron, you're making a blasted fool of yourself. Sit down." James glared up at his oldest cousin.

"Who cares if I'm making a fool of myself? I'm through playing kiss-up!" Cameron turned on James, then turned back to his grandfather. "You'll regret this decision, Grandfather!"

Glaring one time at Jack, Cameron turned and left.

"Well, Grandfather, I think you can cross him off the guest list for the gala." James crossed his arms. "Sorry you had to witness that, Jack. Cameron's always blowing up like that. You can say he's the hothead of the family."

"Don't worry about it. Believe me, I've witnessed worse." Jack smiled.

"Grandfather, if it's any consolation, I think you've made a wise choice splitting the company among the three of us. But what about Kathy?"

"She gets the mansion in Santa Monica, your grandmother's jewelry, a trust fund for the future children she'll have, and an allowance so she won't have to worry about working. Don't worry. She'll be well taken care of. And I leave the chore of finding a suitable suitor for her to you three boys. I'm sure you can help her make the wisest choice."

"We'll try our best." James smiled, looking adoringly at his grandfather.

"And James, since you're the patient one, I'm leaving it up to you to teach Jack the ropes of the business." Emmanuel nodded. "I have a feeling that you two will be close friends. Your fathers were so close...it wouldn't surprise me at all."

Jack just smiled towards his cousin, pushing his doubts about inheriting so much to the back of his mind.

*****

Rose entered her room, smiling at her recent buy, a beautiful black and red beaded dress, the same style of dress she had worn that night she and Jack had gone to the steerage dance. It was perfect, and she knew Jack was going to love it.

"Come Josephine in my flying machine," Rose sang, as she entered her bedroom to hang up the dress. Then, she spotted Jack, sitting on the bed and staring off into space.

"Jack?" Rose asked, concerned. She had never seen him like this before. He was so quiet. "Did everything go well at the breakfast?"

"Everything went fine. I met my other two cousins and found out my grandfather is leaving me an art gallery in New York, the beach house, and a chateau in Paris. Plus, he left me a large share in the family business and a trust fund for the twins." Jack sighed.

"Really? That's great, Jack. But why don't you look happy about all of this?"

"I'm worried, Rose. I mean...this is more than I've ever had in my whole life. I mean, we were fine. Just the four of us...without all the money. I'm just afraid all that money will change us. That we won't be Jack and Rose anymore."

"Oh, Jack." Rose took his hand in hers. "There's a lot more to us than social standing. Jack...yes, I loved you when you were the poor guy from steerage with the amazing artistic talent and the ability to make me feel free. But I'll still love you now that you're the rich guy from steerage with the amazing artistic talent and the ability to make me feel free."

"What?"

"What I'm trying to say, Jack, is that no matter whether we're rich or poor, you're still the same guy to me. All that money doesn't change who you are or how you make me feel. Now do you understand?"

Jack smiled. Of course he understood, and he loved Rose for her reassurance. "I love Rose Dawson." He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.

"I know, and I love you, too, Jack. I'll love you forever."

8:00 PM

The party was underway and Rose was bored to tears. She couldn't believe she was in the same place that she was in that night she tried to jump off the back of the ship. But this time the man she was with she never wanted to be away from.

"Enjoying yourself, Rose?" Jack asked, appearing behind her, concern shining in his eyes.

"Jack, I always enjoy myself when I'm with you." Rose smiled, kissing him lightly. "So, when do I meet the rest of your family? I've been here for a hour and haven't met anyone."

"Soon. I promise. But right now, I have to go see Grandfather about some things. I'll be back in a second. Okay?"

"Sure, Jack. Don't worry. I'll be fine." Rose smiled reassuringly at him.

"Okay, love. If you need anything, just holler." Jack kissed her before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Rose by herself.

"Just holler." Rose sighed, moving towards the refreshment table.

She didn't notice Cameron standing on the other side of the room, staring at her. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and a real lady, too. He could tell just by the way she held herself. Only a society girl held herself so high like that. He had to go talk to her...get her to see that she was his destiny, since the family business surely wasn't. He still couldn't believe that his grandfather had left practically everything to that spineless James and that nobody Jack. But pushing that from his mind, he approached the beautiful princess of his dreams.

Rose was looking over the caviar, and suppressed a laugh as she remembered how Jack had said he never cared for it much at the first class dinner aboard Titanic.

"Something must be pretty amusing for you to be laughing," a deep voice whispered in her ear. She turned to see a man with brilliant blue eyes and blond hair slicked back. He would have been handsome if it wasn't for the arrogant air he carried about him. It reminded her of Cal. "Mind sharing the joke with me?"

"Oh, it was just something someone said about caviar a long time ago." Rose forced a smile, ready to move on.

"Do you like caviar?"

"It's okay, I guess." Rose smiled. "But I can't say it's my favorite food."

"I guess it’s an acquired taste." The man took a cracker, spread some caviar on it, and took a bite. "Delicious."

"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it."

"Cameron Dawson." The man took her hand and kissed it in the familiar manner that Jack kissed it.

"Rose." Rose forced a smile, resisting the urge to jerk her hand back.

"Ah, Rose. Such a suitable name for a lady with beauty that puts a rose to shame." Cameron smiled, not letting go of her hand.

"Uh...Mr. Dawson, I must let you know that..."

"You'll be joining me in a dance? Just one?" Cameron began pulling her out onto the dance floor as a waltz began to play.

"I--I don't know...this is quite unusual," Rose stammered, not sure of how to get out of this situation or how she got in it in the first place. She stretched her neck in search of Jack and spotted him at the far corner of the room, talking to his grandfather and another man with a similar build to him.

"Relax, Rose. There's nothing to be nervous about." Cameron grinned, pulling her closer to him. "So, tell me, Rose. Where are you originally from? I've never seen you around Boston."

"I grew up in Philadelphia, and then..."

"Ah, Philadelphia. I have some friends there. Perhaps you know of them. Would you be acquainted with a Caledon Hockley? Old college buddy of mine. Lost touch with him a couple of years back. I wonder what he's been up to?"

"The last I heard he's a father to a baby boy this past April."

"How wonderful for him. I love children, of course. Do you plan to have children someday, Rose?"

"Well..."

"But, anyway, how do you like this gala? Pretty boring, isn't it? I don't know why I even attend. The only reason I'm here this year is because my poor dying grandfather wanted me to get acquainted with a long lost cousin of mine. To tell the truth, I really don't care to. It's obvious he hasn't had a proper upbringing, and who knows where he's been in the past couple of years. Hardly gentleman material."

Rose felt her temper rise. How dare this arrogant, pushy man say such a thing about her Jack? She knew from experience that Jack was more the gentleman than all the Caledon Hockleys and Cameron Dawsons put together. He was brave, noble, selfless, kind...he was everything she ever dreamed of and she wasn't about to let this self-centered man put him down. Rose opened her mouth to put Cameron in his place, when Katherine approached.

"Why, Rose! There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" Katherine took Rose's hand and pulled her out of Cameron's grasp.

"Katherine, do you mind? We're in middle of a waltz." Cameron glowered angrily at his cousin.

"Oh, Cameron, I didn't see you there." Katherine laughed. "I’m sorry. I only saw Rose here looking like she wanted to take your head off and decided to come and save the poor chap who would've made her so angry. I must say, Rose, Jack was right when he said you had a temper."

"Jack?" Cameron asked, confused. What did Jack have to do with this beautiful lady from Philadelphia?

"Oh, Mr. Dawson, you didn't give me a chance to tell you my full name. It's Rose. Rose Dawson. Jack's my husband." Rose glowered angrily at Cameron.

"Jack? He's your husband?" Cameron's voice revealed his disbelief. How could this beautiful, upper class lady be married to that bohemian from Chippewa Falls? What could she possibly see in him?

"Why, Cameron, you didn't try to hit on Rose, did you?" Kathy asked, her eyes wide. "You did, didn't you? Poor chap."

"Shut up, Katherine," Cameron growled. "Listen, Rose...I'm sorry if my actions offended you in any way. I was just trying to be friendly."

"By putting down my husband?" Rose asked.

Cameron didn't say anything. He just stared hard at the ground.

Katherine grabbed Rose's arm. "Come, Rose. I want to introduce you to a couple of girlfriends of mine."

"Thank you, Kathy." Rose sighed in relief.

"No problem, Rose. I knew you were in trouble when he kissed your hand. That's when he gets really pushy."

"I don't like him. He reminds me of my ex-fiancé. He's so arrogant and thinks he's better than everyone else." Rose sighed. "It's so hard to believe that someone like that is actually related to my Jack. I mean, Jack, he's...so sweet and modest."

"I know. James, my youngest cousin...he's the same way. Everyone loves him...except for Cameron, of course. He thinks James is too weak."

"James?" Rose was curious. Another Dawson with Jack's personality?

"Yes. He's the one talking with Jack and Grandfather over there." Katherine pointed.

"Oh, he does look like Jack some. He has the same build and height. They even stand alike." Rose smiled. "I'm sure I'm going to like him."

"Come on. You can meet him now, if you like." Katherine grabbed her hand and pulled her over to Jack and the other two men before Rose could answer the question. "Hello, gentlemen, are you discussing anything of importance?"

"We're discussing the tour of the local factory that we're going to take Jack on tomorrow morning." The young man standing across from Jack smiled. "How are you doing, Kat? Having fun?"

"You know I am. But, anyway, I thought I should bring Rose over here to meet one of the more pleasant Dawson cousins." Katherine giggled. "Rose, this is James, Jack's youngest cousin. James, this is Jack's wife, Rose."

"Nice to meet you, Rose." James took her hand in a firm handshake. "Jack is a lucky man to be married to such a beautiful woman. I hope you know what you've got here, Jack."

"I sure do." Jack smiled, placing an arm around her shoulder. "She's the love of my life."

Rose shyly smiled and stepped closer to Jack. She couldn't help but be nervous around Jack's cousins.

"Have you met my other grandson, Cameron, yet, Rose?" Emmanuel asked. "Where is he, anyway? He knows I want him to get to know his cousin here."

Rose's cheeks grew red once again as she remembered Cameron's harsh words about Jack. That was one Dawson she didn't care to lay eyes on again.

"He's probably out back wiping egg off his face." Katherine laughed. "He had the audacity to make a move on Rose, and she did more than shoot him down. I had to go get her before she completely took his head off."

"I just didn't like what he said to me...that's all." Rose sighed, wanting to drop the subject. She didn't want Jack to know that one of his cousins had a hard time accepting him.

"Are you talking about me?" Cameron joined the group. "Lovely wife you have here, Jack. She's a great dancer."

Katherine rolled her eyes at Cameron. "Yeah, right."

"You got a problem, Katherine?" Cameron glared at his cousin.

"None." Katherine shook her head.

"Be up early tomorrow, Cameron. I want you and James to join me in giving Jack the tour of the factory here in town. I want him to get the feel of the family business." Emmanuel sighed tiredly.

"If that's what you wish, Grandfather." Cameron nodded, taking another look at his new cousin and his wife, who continued to glare at him. He guessed that Rose would never forgive him for what he said about Jack.

"Oh, wow! It's time for the fireworks out on the veranda. Come on, Rose and Jack. The Dawson fireworks are the best!" Katherine took off for the back of the mansion.

"That's Kat for you." James laughed. "Always the first out the door when it comes to having fun."

The fireworks were spectacular. Rose forgot all about her encounter with Cameron as she leaned into Jack's arms and watched the night sky light up with spectacular colors. At that moment, her whole world was perfect...just her and Jack, and the love they shared for one another. Little did she know about the heartbreak that was awaiting her back in California.

Chapter Forty-One
Stories