CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO WORLDS
Chapter Four

April 14, 1912

Jack and Caroline were in the room alone. Fabrizio had gone out to join Helga and Tommy for breakfast. He had woken up to find Caroline glaring at a sleeping Jack, so he had known that most likely there was going to be trouble between the two. He had wanted to make himself scarce beforehand.

Jack was tying his shoes when Caroline decided to let him know where they stood.

"I was hoping we’d be together last night when you came in." Caroline pulled a brush through her hair.

"I was tired," Jack simply replied, not looking at her.

"Oh, I’m sure all that dancing with Miss DeWitt Bukater was exhausting." Caroline glared at him.

Jack didn’t know what to say. He just looked at Caroline, trying to read her expression. He couldn’t tell how mad she was, but it was obvious she was mad.

"What are you getting at, Caroline?" Jack looked her squarely in the eye.

"You are not to behave in that way again, Jack. Do you understand me?"

"Do I understand you? In what way did I behave, Caroline, that was so insulting to you? But then again, everything I do is insulting to you, so why don’t you just point something out this time?" Jack angrily turned to her.

Caroline took a step back. She had never seen Jack get angry with her before, but she was not going to back down. Jack was her fiancé, and she was going to make sure he and that girl from first class knew that.

"Bringing her down here to that party, for one thing, Jack. It was embarrassing enough with everyone witnessing you leaving with her yesterday, but actually bringing her down here and flaunting her to my friends like that! That was total humiliation!"

"Humiliation? How was Rose going to that party humiliating to you?"

"Oh, come on, Jack. Everyone was talking about her looking for you yesterday. Helga and those girls even suggested you were doing something else other than talking! You can’t be that clueless, can you?"

"But we were just talking, Carly. That’s it."

"And what about down here at the party? I came down just to see her in your arms!"

"She fell! What was I supposed to do? Let her hit the floor? Listen, Carly, I’m not one of your little brothers back home that you can give orders to! I’m your fiancé!"

"My fiancé? My fiancé! Yes, you are! And you are my husband, by practice if not yet by law, and you will honor me! You will honor me the way a husband is supposed to honor his wife." Caroline moved to stand face to face with Jack, her brown eyes burning into his. "Because I will not be made a fool of, Jack. Is this in any way unclear?"

"No." Jack took a step back, his face pale. He had never seen Caroline get so angry with him. And for nothing, at that.

"Good. Now, I won’t be at breakfast this morning. Mrs. DeWitt Bukater has invited us up to join them for Sunday services, but I think it’s wise that you do not come, since the young Miss DeWitt Bukater will most likely be there. So, I’ll most likely see you later this afternoon. Or maybe this evening. It all depends on what Mrs. DeWitt Bukater wants to do. Good day, Jack." With that said, Caroline left the room, leaving Jack alone to stare after her.

"Jack? Are you coming to breakfast?" Fabrizio stuck his head through the door when he saw Caroline had left.

"Coming," Jack said, following his friend out into the hall.

*****

Rose was in her room with Ruth, who was getting ready to lace her corset when Caroline entered. Ruth dropped the laces of Rose’s corset and turned to greet Caroline.

"Why, Caroline, there you are!" Ruth greeted happily. "And don’t you look lovely today? Doesn’t she look lovely today, Rose?"

"I guess." Rose shrugged, noticing how Caroline wasn’t wearing a corset. If Rose herself wasn’t wearing a corset, Ruth would have a fit.

"Ruth, darlin’, can you come help me with this corset?" Molly called from her room.

"Coming, Molly! Caroline, be a dear and help Rose, please. Honestly, Molly thinks I can do two things at once."

"Sure, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater. I’ll be happy to." Caroline smiled, pleased to get this moment alone with Rose. She was going to set some things straight. She roughly began pulling the laces on the corset. "Jack is off limits to you. Do you understand me?"

"I don’t know what you are talking about." Rose rolled her eyes. If Caroline thought she could come up here and throw around threats and other nonsense, she was mistaken.

"This is not a game, Rose." Caroline roughly turned her around. "Jack and I have been together since we were kids. There has never been anyone else and never will be, and I’m not going to let a first class brat come and ruin that."

"Ruin what? You yelling at him and belittling him every chance you get? I mean, is that what you think love is, Caroline? Well, then, if so, you’re sadly mistaken. It’s not. Jack deserves better than that."

Caroline laughed. "Like you? Oh, come off it, Rose. Jack doesn’t have the slightest interest in you."

"And that’s why you’re here, telling me to stay away from him? Because he doesn’t have the slightest interest in me? What a laugh. Besides, this isn’t about me liking Jack; it’s about you mistreating him! You treat him bad and you know it, and you know he’ll leave you the moment he gets the chance!"

"He’s had plenty of chances, Rose, and he hasn’t left me yet! So, what does that mean? Nothing! Listen. Just stay away from him for the rest of this voyage. It’s a big ship. It’s not that hard." Caroline finished lacing the corset.

Rose didn’t answer. She just walked to her closet and slipped on the dress that Trudy, her maid, had laid out.

"All ready?" Molly came in. "Is Jack meeting us there, Caroline?"

"Oh, no, ma’am. Religion’s not much his thing. But he does send his regards." Caroline smiled.

"Very well, then." Mrs. DeWitt Bukater ushered her daughter out the door, followed by Caroline and Molly.

*****

Jack was sitting with Fabrizio and Tommy, lost in his own world. He had tried not thinking about Rose, but he couldn’t help it. It was worse than the night before. She was definitely in his blood now. But he couldn’t see her again. That would only anger Caroline, and he really didn’t want to get into another confrontation with her. But he couldn’t stop thinking about Rose. He needed to see her…one last time…to only say good-bye, at the least. That wouldn’t hurt, would it? Just see her, tell her he wouldn’t be seeing her anymore, and leave. Then forget about her. Never think about her again. He could do that, couldn’t he?

"If you like the girl so much, boyo, why don’t you go tell her so?" Tommy read Jack’s mind. "She obviously likes you. She came down here for you twice."

"I can’t, Tommy. Okay? I can’t tell her I like her. I have a girl already. Remember?"

"Oh, yes. Fabri was telling me about the shrew." Tommy laughed.

"Caroline. Her name’s Caroline." Jack sighed. "We’re engaged to be married."

"But you’re not married yet," Fabrizio pointed out. "Come on, Jack. We come with you. We find Rose and tell her you like her."

"No, Fabri. No. I’ll go see Rose, but I’m not telling her I like her. I’m going to tell her good-bye. I’m not going to be seeing her anymore after today." Jack sighed.

"Come on, Jack. We’ll help ya sneak up there so the shrew won’t go crazy." Tommy squeezed his friend’s shoulder.

*****

Jack scrambled over the railing onto the first class deck. Spotting a long coat and a large hat laying on a chair, Jack grabbed them and swiftly moved out of sight. He was determined to find Rose, one way or another.

*****

Mr. Andrews was leading Rose, Caroline, Ruth, and Molly on a tour of the ship. They were strolling along the lifeboats when Rose stopped him.

"Mr. Andrews, I did the sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned…forgive me, but it seems that there are not enough for everyone aboard."

"About half, actually." Mr. Andrew turned and grinned at Rose. "Rose, you miss nothing, do you? In fact, I put these new type davits, which can take an extra row of boats here." He gestured along the deck. "But it was thought…by some…that the deck would look too cluttered. So I was overruled."

"Waste of deck space as it is, on an unsinkable ship." Ruth laughed.

"Sleep soundly, young Rose. I have built you a good ship, strong and true. She’s all the lifeboat you need."

They were passing lifeboat seven when a gentleman turned from the rail and walked up behind the group. He tapped Rose on the arm, and she turned, to recognize Jack. He motioned, and she cut away from the group towards a door, which Jack held open. They ducked into the gymnasium. Jack closed the door behind her and glanced out through the ripple-glass window to the starboard rail, where the gym instructor was chatting with some woman who was riding the stationary bicycle. Rose and Jack were alone in the room.

"Jack…" Rose stepped towards him and lay a hand on his shoulder.

"I can’t stay long, Rose. I just wanted to tell you good-bye," Jack said.

Rose felt the tears coming to her eyes. Jack was so open and real…she had never known anyone like him before, and he was going to say good-bye to her now. But why? Had she done or said something wrong last night? Had she offended him somehow?

"It’s not you, Rose," Jack said, as if he could read her thoughts. "I don’t ever want you to think that it was you, or anything you said or did, because everything you said and did was perfect. Rose…it’s the fact that I’m engaged. I’m engaged to marry Caroline, and…it’s just not proper that we see each other anymore. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Jack, but…"

"Rose…"

"No. Let me finish. I need to say this. I need to get this out. I know we haven’t known each other very long, especially compared with how long you’ve been with Caroline. But, Jack…I can’t walk away. I can’t just leave you to the mercy of that horrible girl. Believe me, if she was one ounce deserving of you…if she treated you well at all, I would be able to walk away. But I can’t. I can’t walk away without knowing that you’ll be all right."

"I’m fine. I’ll be fine."

"Really?" Rose looked into his eyes and saw the conflicting emotions there. His feelings for her and the need to avoid confrontation with Caroline. "I don’t think so, Jack. She’s got you trapped, Jack. And you’ll die if you don’t break free. Maybe not right away, but sooner or later, that carefree spirit that I and all those people down in third class last night love about you…it’ll burn out." Rose tenderly touched his cheek and meaningfully stared into his eyes. At this moment, she knew she loved him and he loved her. He was the one Aunt Molly was talking about. The one she’d move heaven and earth just to be with. "She’ll kill it, Jack. I know she will."

Jack took a deep breath and pulled away from her. "It’s not your job to save me, Rose."

"You’re right, Jack. It’s not my job. Only you can do that. Just think about what I said." Rose looked at him one last time, then left, turning her face so he couldn’t see her tears. She knew what his answer would be after he thought it through. At least, she hoped she did. Jack couldn’t marry that Caroline. He just couldn’t.

"Why, Rose, darlin‘, there you are. We’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?" Molly asked, taking her arm.

Rose looked ahead and saw that Caroline and her mother were out of earshot. "I was with Jack."

"Oh, I see." Molly nodded in understanding. "And?"

"He wanted to say good-bye to me, Molly. You see, he’s engaged to Caroline, but you saw how she treats him. Molly…he’s the one. He’s the one you were talking about. I truly do love him, and I know he loves me, too."

"Oh, Rose…"

"And believe me, Aunt Molly…if she treated him decently and showed that she truly loved him, I would let him say good-bye. I would walk away, knowing that he was happy and well-loved. But he’s not happy, Aunt Molly. He’s not happy, and she doesn’t love him at all. I don’t know why she holds onto him, but it’s not because of love."

"So, you’re going to fight for him, Rose?" Molly asked.

"I can’t. I can’t save him. Only he can do that. But I can help him see that he can break away from her and be with the one he really loves." Rose sighed.

"Well, then, go for it, Rosie. You only have one chance at true love like this. Don’t let it pass you by."

"Thanks, Aunt Molly. I love you." Rose kissed her cheek and took off in the other direction.

"Where are you going?"

"To find him, of course. I’m going to tell him that there are no good-byes between us. Never are and never will be!"

"Good luck, darling. I hope things work out." Molly watched her niece disappear into the crowd.

*****

Jack walked towards the bow of the ship, his mind stuck on Rose. Things hadn’t gone as planned. He had said good-bye, but not without realizing that he was in love with Rose, and that most likely she was in love with him. There was no way he was going to be able to get her out of his heart. His heart was made for her. He knew that now. But he was engaged, and there was nothing he could do to change things except have another huge confrontation with Caroline, and he really didn’t want to do that. He sighed once more and leaned against the railing. His thoughts were interrupted by loud voices. He turned to see a middle-aged couple heading in his direction.

The woman was a fiery redhead, and the man was about Jack’s build. The woman was roughly yanking on the man’s arm, telling him how stupid he was and how he’d never amount to anything. The man, all the time staring at the ground, mumbled, "Yes, dear. Of course, dear. And you’re so right, dear. Anything you say, dear."

Jack laughed to himself. That man was so henpecked it really wasn’t funny. He reminded Jack of some of the men back home in Chippewa Falls. Their wives were some of the meanest women around, and all the men could do was stand there with their arms folded and mumble yes, dear, you’re right, dear and anything you say, dear. They never even tried to stand up to the women.

Man, he was glad that he wasn’t them. Wait a minute…what did he mean that he was glad he wasn’t them? If he wasn’t one of them yet…he sure was heading there. He had just told a sweet girl…really, the love of his life, that he wouldn’t be seeing her anymore so he could marry a girl that would grow into one of those women that made their husbands henpecked. If he didn’t do something, and do it soon, then he’d be one of those men that said yes, dear and no, dear and anything you say, dear. He didn’t want that. He didn’t want that at all. He’d be betraying his parents if he became that. He wouldn’t be making his life count.

He had to change things, and change them now, before it was too late. He had to find Rose. Or Caroline. Either way, his engagement was off. He turned around, to find Rose staring at him.

"Hello, Jack." She smiled. "I was hoping you’d changed your mind."

Jack didn’t say anything. He just smiled at her.

"They told me that you might be up here," Rose said.

"Shh." Jack put a finger to his lips. "Come here." He held out his hand.

Looking at him strangely, Rose took his hand and allowed him to pull her up to him. "Now, close your eyes," Jack directed. "Go on. Close them."

Rose closed her eyes.

"Step up. Now, hold onto the railing. Don’t peek."

"I’m not." Rose stepped up on the railing.

"Step up on the rail. Hold on. Keep your eyes closed. Don’t peek. Do you trust me?"

"I trust you."

Jack lifted her arms until they were out to the sides. Placing his hands on her waist, he told her to open her eyes.

Rose gasped in delighted surprise as she saw nothing but water out ahead of her and the wind whipped through her hair. "Jack, I’m flying."

Jack smiled and breathed in the scent of her hair. He really did love her…more than he loved anyone else, besides his family. He took his hands from her waist and intertwined his fingers with hers. "Come Josephine in my flying machine and it’s up she goes, up she goes…" Jack sang into her ear, causing Rose to smile.

She was the happiest she’d ever been. She had found that one person who loved her beyond a doubt, and whom she loved twice as much. No, she had never doubted Jack’s love for her by any means. Even earlier today, when he was saying good-bye. She had been able to tell it was killing him to do that. But that was the past. She had refused to let Jack go, and Jack had somehow come to his senses. Now, here they were, flying into the horizon, away from both of the people that had hurt them so much throughout the years. Nothing else existed except for her and Jack and the love they shared.

She smiled and turned her head towards him, meeting his beautiful blue eyes, so filled with love and passion. Their faces were so close that she could feel his breath on her face. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth, and leaned closer. Soon their lips were slightly touching. Rose wanted more, so she opened her mouth and allowed Jack to deepen the kiss as his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. Her hand went up into his hair, and she pulled him closer. Jack and the ship were now one force of power and optimism, lifting her and buoying her forward on a magical journey, soaring onward into a night without fear and a world full of love.

*****

Rose and Jack entered her empty stateroom.

"This is quite proper, I assure you." Rose giggled. "Is this light good enough?"

"What?" Jack asked.

"Don’t artists need good light?"

"That is true, but I’m not used to working in such horrible conditions." Jack smiled, going into a phony French accent.

Jack looked around, and his eyes widened as he saw all the paintings that Rose had hung up when she had unpacked a couple of days ago.

"Monet." Jack went to one of the paintings.

"You know his work?" Rose asked, going into her mother’s adjoining stateroom.

"Of course. Don’t you just love his use of color?"

"I know. It’s amazing." Rose smiled, opening her mother’s jewelry box and taking out a gorgeous heart-shaped necklace. The stone was blue, and diamonds surrounded it. Rose gave it to Jack. "What do you think?"

"Classy." Jack whistled. "Must have cost a fortune. What is it? A sapphire?"

"No." Rose shook her head, looking at the necklace from behind Jack’s shoulder. "It’s a diamond. A very rare diamond. It’s a family heirloom and my mother’s most precious possession. I want you to draw me like one of your French girls, Jack. Wearing this."

"Okay." Jack nodded. He would do anything Rose asked.

"Wearing only this." Rose smiled at his expression when he turned to her.

"Are you sure?"

"More sure than I’ve ever been about anything before I met you." Rose kissed him softly. "Will you do it?"

"If that’s what you want." Jack nodded.

"It is."

*****

Jack was sharpening his pencil, with his portfolio in his lap, when Rose emerged wearing a kimono. It was obvious that she was not wearing anything under the kimono. He could feel his heart beat rapidly with anticipation, but he was determined to remain professional.

"Now, the last thing I need is another picture making me look like a porcelain doll." Rose walked towards him. "As a paying customer, I expect to get what I want." She tossed a dime to him. He looked at the dime and back up at Rose with a smile on his face. His eyes widened as she slipped off the robe.

She was gorgeous. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He swallowed. "Over there on the bed…I mean, the couch." Jack pointed.

Rose did as she was told. "How do you want me to…"

"The way you were. Your arm over the…yeah, that’s right. Now, your eyes to me…keep them on me…okay. That’s it." Jack began to sketch.

"So serious," Rose teased. Jack just looked at her and smiled as he continued to sketch her. Ten minutes passed, and Rose noticed the red glow of Jack’s face. "I believe you are blushing, Mr. Big Artiste. I can’t imagine Monsieur Monet blushing."

"He does landscapes." Jack smiled once again. "Now, keep your face still. No laughing."

Despite his nervousness and sheer desire for Rose, he drew with sure strokes, and what emerged was the best thing he had ever done. Her pose was languid, her hands beautiful, and her eyes radiated her energy.

*****

One hour later, Jack was finished and Rose was back in her kimono. Jack was signing the drawing, while Rose was leaning on his shoulder, watching. Rose gazed at the drawing. He had x-rayed her soul.

"Date it, Jack. I want to always remember this night."

"Okay." Jack wrote the date and his initials below the drawing. Rose, meanwhile, scribbled a note on a piece of Titanic stationery. It was time to show her mother that she didn’t need or want her love or approval anymore. As long as she had Jack, she was fine. He was all she had ever needed, and all she ever wanted.

She took the drawing and the necklace, plus the note, and placed all three of them back in her mother’s jewelry box, where she was sure to find them.

"Jack…can I stay with you tonight?" Rose asked, almost shyly. She really didn’t know why she was so shy. He’d seen her naked before, and he still seemed to like her. There really wasn’t anything else that could scare him away.

"Sure. But we can’t go back to third. Caroline will be there." Jack sighed, remembering that he still had to break the engagement with her. It wasn’t going to be a pretty scene, and he didn’t want Rose to be around. She’d only get caught in the middle, and she was already in deep enough.

"Well, then, we can stay up here, in my room. As long as we’re together." Rose smiled. "We can share my bed…if you don’t mind…or I can sleep on the floor…whichever you feel more comfortable with."

"It’s up to you." Jack took her in his arms and kissed her gently. "I love you, Rose. I don’t think I ever told her that. You know? I find that extraordinary. I didn’t feel it, so I couldn’t say it. But I feel it now, here with you. I love you."

Rose’s heart soared. He loved her! He really loved her! She felt like screaming it at the top of her lungs! Jack Dawson, the most wonderful man in the world, loved her! How did she ever get so lucky?

"I love you, too, Jack." Rose hugged him tightly. "I love you more than anything in this world."

*****

Meanwhile, in the library, Caroline was pacing the floor. Mrs. DeWitt Bukater’s butler, Mr. Lovejoy, had yet to find her missing daughter. Caroline didn’t know why it worried her, but she was pretty sure that the girl was with Jack. Either way, Caroline was going to be doing a lot of yelling when she caught up with Jack later. She had specifically told him to stay away from Rose DeWitt Bukater.

"Ruth, darlin‘, why don’t you just leave the poor girl alone? You don’t need her right now." Molly sighed, already knowing where Rose was. She was with the other girl’s fiancé. She was with Jack. And who knew what they were doing? But she wasn’t going to tell Ruth that. She had a feeling that Jack would want to break the news to Caroline himself.

"I couldn’t find her, Madame." Lovejoy returned.

"Oh, goodness gracious! It’s a ship! There’s only so many places she could be." Ruth rolled her eyes.

"How about my fiancé?" Caroline spoke up. "Was he down in third class? She might be with him."

"No one’s seen him, either." Lovejoy shook his head.

"Find them, Lovejoy." Ruth looked into the man’s eyes. "Don’t come back until you find them."

"Yes, Madame." The butler nodded and headed back out again.

"Don’t worry, dear. He’ll find them." Ruth placed a motherly arm around Caroline.

Molly shook her head at the sight before her. Ruth was so loving and motherly to a girl that wasn’t even blood, but she couldn’t even show the same compassion towards her own daughter. Molly thanked God that Rose had found love with Jack. Who knew what would have become of the girl if she hadn’t?

Chapter Five
Stories