CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO WORLDS
Chapter Twelve

"What did you say?" Rose asked, her eyes widening, knowing that she had heard wrong. Caitlin couldn’t possibly have said that her brother’s name was Jack Dawson…that was…that was impossible.

"My brother’s name. Jack Dawson. Rose, what’s wrong?" Caitlin grew concerned and went to Rose’s side as the girl’s face grew deathly pale. What was wrong? What had she said?

"Caitlin! Cory said that you wanted me to meet someone." Jack entered the room and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Rose. "Oh, my God."

"Jack?" Caitlin asked, noticing how pale her brother got at the sight of Rose and how the light that she remembered from so many years ago seemed to be seeping back into his eyes.

"Jack," Rose whispered, a tear leaking from her eye.

"Jack?" Cory asked, stopping behind his friend, who was glued to that exact spot. "Man, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"I have," Jack replied, not taking his eyes away from Rose. "Rose…is it really you?"

Rose began to sob and nodded, not able to speak. All her dreams were coming true, yet she couldn’t believe what was happening. For the past six months, she had been in mourning over someone who was alive and well and right in front of her. Before she knew it, her feet were moving, and in one quick motion, she was back in his arms, holding onto him for dear life, sobbing in happiness. All the grief…all the heartbreak was quickly forgotten.

"Rose, I thought you were dead." Jack cried himself, holding her tightly. Determined never to let her go, ever again. "She told me you died."

"I tried to wake you up, Jack!" Rose cried. "When the boat came back, I tried to wake you up, but you wouldn’t open your eyes. I called and called, but you wouldn’t wake up. After that…I don’t even remember what happened. All I know is I woke up in my Aunt Molly’s room and she told me you were dead. She had searched all the survivors’ lists and you weren’t on any of them."

"That’s because Caroline had said our names were Jack and Carly Dahl. When I woke up, I was in the infirmary, and she was there. She said that you were dead…that they had tried to revive you, but nothing worked. At the time, she gave the officer our names…I didn’t even care anymore. With both you and Fabrizio gone…I no longer cared about what she did or didn’t do. I wanted to die, too."

"Oh, Jack, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have looked myself…I might have been able to find you easier than Aunt Molly!" Rose cried.

"Um…I hate to interrupt you two here, but will somebody explain to me what’s going on?" Cory asked.

"Jack?" Caitlin looked at her brother.

Jack, for the first time, noticed that they were not alone. He looked at his stunned sister and friend and smiled happily. This was the happiest moment of his life…a moment he had thought would never happen. He was going to introduce the woman he loved to his sister and best friend.

"Caitlin…you remember what I told you about the Titanic? About the girl I met there?" Jack turned to his sister.

"Yes, I remember. You said she died." Caitlin was still confused. "You said her name was Rose…wait a minute…"

"Caitlin, Cory…I’d like you to meet Rose DeWitt Bukater…the love of my life." Jack grinned, tightly holding Rose’s hand. He never wanted to be apart from her again.

"We already met." Rose smiled at Jack, stepping closer to him.

"Rose?" Caitlin looked at the gorgeous redhead who had, a couple of hours ago, cried over the loss of the man she loved…that man obviously was Jack. How extraordinary. "You’re Jack’s Rose?" Suddenly, her eyes lit up with joy. "You don’t know how happy I am that you’re here!" She ran to Rose and hugged her tightly.

"So, you’re Rose DeWitt Bukater." Cory stared at her. "Man, Jack has all the luck, doesn’t he?"

Rose blushed and smiled. Jack grinned happily; happy that the two people he was closest to had accepted Rose so openly. Especially Caitlin, but he wasn’t surprised. Caitlin had always had a big heart. Which reminded him…how had Rose gotten here?

"Can I ask how you and Rose met up?" Jack asked his sister.

"Oh, it was at the train station. Some jerk tried to steal her purse, but I stopped him and ran him off. I brought her here to stay, since all the boarding houses are booked. I even let her catch a nap in my room while I made up the guestroom. I had no idea she was the Rose you met on the Titanic. Oh, Jack, I’m so happy for you."

"So am I, Jack." Cory laughed, patting him on the back. "Now you don’t have to marry that shrew Caroline. Right?"

"What? You’re marrying Caroline?" Rose turned to Jack in shock. "Why?"

"Rose…when she told me you had died…I lost all will to go on and make life count for what it’s worth. Without you and Fabri, I wanted to die. But I knew that wasn’t an option, so I did the next best thing. I resigned myself to a life with Caroline. If I had known you were alive, I would never have thought of marrying Caroline."

"Oh, Jack." Rose pulled him into another tight hug. "I promise to never be apart from you again. I love you so much, and these past six months were miserable ones. I honestly didn’t know how I was going to live without you."

"Well, you don’t have to worry about that now. We’re together, and nothing will ever come between us again." Jack grinned. "I love you, Rose DeWitt Bukater."

"I love you more, Jack Dawson." Rose grinned.

"This calls for a celebration." Caitlin grinned, her blue eyes lighting up. "I say I bring out the cherry wine I found down in the cellar. You remember, Jack. Pa always brought it out for special occasions. Luckily, the fire didn’t reach the cellar, and all the wine survived."

"That’s a great idea, Caitlin. Rose, you will love this." Jack grinned, pulling Rose into the dining room.

Suddenly, Rose remembered something very important that she had completely forgotten with all the excitement of finding out Jack was alive. She pulled back and remained in one spot. "Jack."

"Yeah?" Jack turned to her, his eyes shining with a mixture of happiness and concern. "What’s wrong, Rose?"

"I have to tell you something." Rose nervously stared at the floor. She had no idea how Jack was going to take the news of her condition. Was he going to be angry with her? Would he regret what they had done in the cargo hold that fateful night?

"Rose?" Jack looked at her closely, noticing her nervousness. It was then that he noticed her swollen abdomen, and it suddenly dawned on him what she was trying to tell him. "Oh, Rose." He went to her and pulled her into a warm hug.

"You’re not angry, are you, Jack?" Rose asked.

"Of course not. Rose, I can’t tell you how happy I am about this. We’re going to be parents. I’m going to be a father." Jack grinned. "Wow. Who would have thought?"

"Certainly not me." Cory laughed. "Gee, Jack, this means you’ll actually have to grow up."

"Are you guys coming?" Caitlin reemerged into the foyer and looked at Jack and Rose. "What are you guys doing?"

"Celebrating. I’m going to be a father." Jack happily laughed and walked over to hug his sister.

"Oh, of course! This makes me an aunt! Oh, wow, Rose, I’m warning you now, I plan on fully spoiling that child, so be prepared."

Tears of happiness fell from Rose’s green eyes. She had never thought she would ever feel this loved and wanted again. But here she was, with Jack, his sister, and his best friend, making her feel right at home and accepting the baby with open arms.

"We’re so lucky!" Rose cried.

"We all are." Jack wiped her tears away.

Caitlin frowned when a sharp knock rapped against the door. She wondered who that could be at this time of the evening. Looking out, she narrowed her eyes. Of course…it was Caroline. There to ruin the evening. But Caitlin was going to let her in anyway. She knew that both Jack and Rose had some choice words for her, and Caitlin wasn’t going to stand in their way. But she had a few choice words herself, and she didn’t think Rose should be in the same room as Caroline just yet. "Cory…why don’t you take our guest into the dining room and begin setting the table?"

"Sure, Caitlin. Come on, Rose." Cory motioned for her to follow.

"I’ll be there in a minute," Jack replied, catching the sense that Caitlin wanted him to remain in the room with her.

"Why, Caroline! What a surprise to see you here this evening! The evening before the wedding!" Caitlin loudly announced.

"I just wanted to stop by. I thought it was important for all of us get together and discuss the wedding tomorrow. Where’s Jack?" Caroline pushed past Caitlin and entered the house.

"I’m right here," Jack answered. "What do you want?"

"Like I told your sister, to discuss our plans for the wedding tomorrow. I will not have this wedding ruined, Jack. And we all know how you have the tendency to be late. I want to make it clear that that’s unacceptable. So I suggest you leave those stupid drawings alone for a while and concentrate fully on this wedding."

"Oh, really?" Jack asked, crossing his arms. "And what makes you think I’m going to listen to you this time, Caroline?"

"Jack, this is no time to be defiant. Now, stop being childish, sit down, and listen, and that goes for your sister, as well! Really, my mother is so right about you. I don’t know why I’m insisting on this wedding. You’re not rich; you’re not sophisticated or mature enough for me. Just like your parents. That’s why they died, you know. They were nothing but country hicks that didn’t even know anything about nothing. And obviously their son is the same way. Jack, honestly, your refusal to adhere to the rules of society proves that, like your parents, you’re never going to amount to anything. You never did and never will. I just hope our children don’t…" Caroline was suddenly cut off by an angry voice coming from the entrance to the dining room.

"How dare you talk to Jack that way?" Caroline and Caitlin turned to see a very angry Rose standing in the entrance, with Cory gloating behind her.

Caitlin remembered Jack telling her about Rose’s fiery spirit, and she had a feeling that Caroline was going to get hit with a fair dose of it.

"Rose?" Caroline stammered in surprise. Rose was the last person she had expected to see from the Titanic. She had made especially sure that she had thought Jack died on the doomed liner. "What are you doing here?"

"That is no business of yours, Caroline." Rose glared at her. "Don’t you ever talk to Jack like that ever again!"

"Oh, really, and what are you going to do to stop me? You’re too late, Rose. Jack and I are going to be married tomorrow, at noon sharp. You see. I win."

Rose laughed sarcastically, her eyes still burning with hot anger. She strolled over to Caroline and placed herself between Caroline and Jack. "I don’t think so. There is going to be no wedding tomorrow, Caroline. Not for you, anyway. I’d never let Jack marry you. You are nothing but a horrible witch to him."

"You have some nerve…"

"Yes, I do! I stood by on the Titanic and watched you belittle and berate him millions of times, and I’m not doing it anymore! Your days of emotionally tormenting him are over! I’m going to make sure of it!"

"And what are you going to do, Rose? Huh? Jack is my fiancé! My soon to be husband. And there will be a wedding tomorrow! And I’ll talk to Jack as I very well please!"

"No, you won’t, Caroline. You want to know why you won’t? Because you’re not marrying him. You know, that was real slick of you, lying to Jack like you did aboard the Carpathia and telling him I was dead…but the line stops here. I’m back, and I’m never leaving his side again. And from now on, when you speak to Jack, it’ll be with the utmost respect, and you’ll no longer call him Jack. It’ll be Mr. Dawson to you."

"Don’t make me laugh." Caroline laughed. "Mr. Dawson? Hah! Listen, Rose, I have nothing against you, really. Why don’t you just go back to Philadelphia, find a first class gentleman, and leave Jack to me. It’s best for everyone. You see, Jack needs someone who keeps him where he belongs."

"And where is that, Caroline?" Caitlin coldly replied, taking a stand beside Rose. "Rose’s right, Carly. You’ve done nothing but treat my brother badly, and neither of us are going to let you do it anymore."

"Looks like they’ve got you outnumbered, Carly." Cory grinned, enjoying this standoff.

"Look, Jack, you’ve had your fun here. Now, send Rose on her way, and let’s get back to this wedding." Caroline crossed her arms.

"Not a chance, Caroline. There’s no way I’m marrying you, tomorrow or ever. The only woman I’m ever going to marry is Rose." Jack stepped closer to Rose. Rose turned around and smiled at him.

"And Caroline, Jack will amount to something. He’s going to be a famous artist and a great father."

"Very well, then. Fine." Caroline snorted disdainfully. But she wanted to get one last jab in. One last jab to hurt Jack more. "Really, I’m glad. That way my children will grow up with some brains, and won’t believe an outright falsehood like Jack here did. But then again, I’m not surprised that Jack did believe me that you were dead. He was never very bright. In fact, I’m surprised he can even find his way home, much less remember his own name."

That was what brought Rose’s temper to the boiling point. No one talked about Jack that way. Before she could stop herself, her fist balled up and flew at Caroline’s face. Caroline went flying back and up against the door. The same punch she had thrown at the steward back on the Titanic. Caroline gasped and looked at her bloody hand, that had come from her now profusely bloody nose.

"How dare you? You broke my nose!"

"Way to go, Rose!" Cory clapped happily.

"Take that as a lesson, Carly. Never talk to or about Jack again. Don’t even look at him." Rose advanced upon her, crowding her against the door. She stood face to face, toe to toe. She was going to drive this point home, one way or another. "Is this in any way unclear? Do you need me to clarify it any more for you?"

Carly’s eyes widened with fear. Rose was dead serious. Carly could tell this by the angry flash in Rose’s eyes. She didn’t dare defy her. "Yes." Carly shakily nodded. "I understand perfectly."

"Good. Now, get up and get out. Don’t ever return here to bother Jack or his family again. If you do, you’ll be very sorry, and you know I can make you very sorry, indeed. Don’t you, Caroline?"

"Yes." Caroline nodded.

"Now, get out of here." Rose took a step back, away from Caroline. "And don’t ever let me see your face again."

Caroline took one more glance at Jack, who just stood there, watching the scene, along with Cory and Caitlin. Then she turned and ran out the door, out of Jack’s life forever.

"Well, I’m glad that’s finished." Cory grinned. "It’s about time someone put that witch in her place."

"Well, I’m glad it was Rose who did it." Caitlin nodded. "I think she’s the only one who could, really."

"I just couldn’t stand back and let her speak that way to Jack. He deserves respect and love…not that." Rose took Jack’s hand, still staring at the door. "Do you think she’ll listen to me, though, and stay away?"

Caitlin shook her head. "I’ve known that girl for years, and she was never one to back down so easily. She’s going to be out for revenge."

"Caitlin’s right. The sooner you two are out of Chippewa Falls, the better," Cory agreed. "Who knows what Carly’s telling her group of gossip mongers?"

"I hate this." Caitlin sighed. "I feel like I’ve just gotten my brother back, plus a niece or nephew on the way. But now you’re leaving again."

"We’ll keep in touch this time." Jack hugged his sister. "I promise. No matter where we are, we’ll write."

"So, when are you two leaving?" Cory asked.

"I guess first thing tomorrow." Jack shrugged. "Right now, I want to get Rose to eat something. Then, we’ll probably spend the rest of the night catching up."

"Sounds good to me." Rose smiled up at him.

That night, Jack and Rose lay in each other’s arms. Jack gently twirled one of her red curls around his fingers. Rose sighed happily. This was a dream come true for her. She had never guessed that morning that tonight she’d be in Jack’s arms, looking forward to a wonderful future with him.

"Thank you." Jack leaned his forehead against hers.

Rose was confused. "For what?"

"For standing up to Caroline for me like that. No one has ever done that before. Not even Caitlin." Jack smiled.

"Well, I couldn’t just stand there, Jack. I love you so much, and I couldn’t stand how she was treating you. And as for the punch…I’ve been dying to do that since the first time I heard her berate you on the Titanic. It was a long time coming. She’s lucky she got off so easily. Believe me, if I wasn’t pregnant…I’d do a lot worse to her."

Jack pulled her closer; she leaned her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. "I’m going to have to write Aunt Molly." Rose smiled. "She’s going to be so thrilled to learn that you’re alive and well, and that we’re going to be married as soon as possible."

"She sure did support us, didn’t she, Rose? On the Titanic, I mean."

"She knew you were my soulmate. She told me she knew that the minute she saw us together. That we completed each other."

"Well, she was right there, Rose. I’m now complete, with you here in my arms."

They looked into each other’s eyes, and once again kissed passionately.

Rose smiled and snuggled closer to him "So, Mr. Dawson. Tell me, when are you going to make an honest woman out of me?"

"You mean marriage?" Jack asked, taken off guard.

"What else?"

"Well…gee, Rose…I don’t know. I’ve barely called off the one with Caroline. When do you want to get married? Besides right now. And where do you want to get married?"

"Isn’t there somewhere we could elope?"

"Well…there’s the justice of the peace in Eau Claire, the next town over. We can stop by there and get married when we head on out. What do you say?"

"I say…"

"Wait a minute, Rose." Jack got up out of bed and pulled Rose into a sitting position. He got down on one knee and took her hand. "I want to do this right, Rose. I mean, everything about us has been right now…right at the moment. We really haven’t taken the time to court or anything, like other couples. So, I want this one moment…this moment that will change our lives forever…I want it to be the one normal thing about our relationship, if nothing else. I love you, Rose DeWitt Bukater. You and our baby are my life. What I’m trying to ask ya here is…will you marry me?"

Tears streamed from her eyes as Rose nodded vigorously. "Yes. Yes, Jack, I will marry you!"

Jack grinned happily, and they hugged tightly, not wanting to let the other go ever again.

Chapter Thirteen
Stories