AFTER TITANIC
Chapter Sixty-Four
Six Months Later
It was opening night for Jack’s gallery. With
the love and support of Rose, he had turned the old, rundown building his
grandfather had left him into a gorgeous building to showcase not only his art,
but also the art of up and coming artists around the world. But because of the
short time of having been opened, the gallery only contained his art and some
of the art from the artists in New York City, most of them drifters like he
once was before Rose.
At the moment, both he and Rose were up in
their room, getting ready for the grand opening. It was expected to be a big
event and have a huge turnout. Rose was positive that her husband was going to
be a great success, and she and the children were going to be there to witness
it.
"Jack, have I told you how proud I am of
you?" Rose asked, straightening his tie as he glanced at his reflection in
the mirror.
"A thousand and one times already,
love." Jack smiled.
"Well, I’ll say it again. I’m so proud
of you. You’ve come a long way from when we first met." Rose grinned.
"Not that it makes any difference. I’d be even happier with you if we were
still dirt poor, living in Chippewa Falls."
"Rose…I have to say that none of this
would have been possible if it weren’t for your love and support. If it weren’t
for your constant praise and love…I’d never get up the courage to do
this." Jack took his wife in his arms and cradled her head on his
shoulder. "I’m dedicating this night to you, Rose. The woman behind
everything. My one great love."
Tears came to Rose’s eyes at this. After all
they’d been through together, they were still as in love as ever. Rose couldn’t
imagine her life without Jack or the children. They were her whole world.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Molly came dashing
into the room, her siblings coming after her. All four children were dressed to
the nines, ready for Daddy’s big night. "Tommy keeps pulling my
hair!"
"Tommy, what did I tell you about
that?" Rose gave her eldest son a stern look.
"Don’t pull Molly’s hair, because it’s
not nice." Tommy pouted, staring at the ground, fighting tears.
"Aw, it’s okay, Tommy." Jack
scooped his son up in his arms. "Just don’t do it again. Okay? Now,
apologize to your sister."
Tommy glanced at his sister and sniffed.
"Sorry."
"Now, go on downstairs, all of you.
Mommy and I will be down in a second." Jack set his son back on the floor
and smiled as he watched his children dash downstairs. He turned and saw tears
in Rose’s eyes. "Rose? Darling, what’s wrong?"
"They’ve grown so much." Rose
sniffed. "It seems like yesterday when both Molly and Tommy were just
gurgling babies."
Jack laughed. "I know. But I’m glad
they’re growing up. Getting to see what kind of human beings they’ll
become…that’s a real blessing."
"It is." Rose sighed, leaning into
Jack’s warm embrace. "I love them so much, Jack. They’re everything to
me."
"They’re everything to me, too, Rose.
Our children…they’re the greatest thing we’ve ever done. You know that?"
Rose nodded, sighing she pulled out of Jack’s
embrace. "We better get going. We don’t want to keep our guests
waiting."
"No, we don’t." Jack shrugged and
offered Rose his arm. "My lady?"
"Of course." Rose grinned,
accepting his arm, reminded of Titanic when he had escorted her to the dining
saloon.
So, arm in arm, secure in their deep love for
each other, Jack and Rose headed out towards their wonderful future together.
The End.