April 16, 1912
7:00 PM
"Oh, Helga, Fabrizio, I'm going to miss you both terribly!" Rose exclaimed, hugging Helga. "Thank you for everything."
Helga hugged her back. "Don't mention it. It was my pleasure."
In about an hour, the glorious ship would be docking in New York. Jack and Rose had talked about everything the night before. He did want her to go with him to Boston and meet his family. He'd promised her so much, and she also refused so much. But he insisted and left her no room to argue when Gabbie had woken up from her sleep.
Jack had already taken care of Elizabeth's money he'd promised her. Lovejoy was to be in court in a month and in the time until then, he'd be in jail.
Presently, Jack was holding Gabbie as they stood on the deck with a sun setting sky above them.
At 8:30, Rose gave her final hugs and kisses and she and Jack stepped into the car that was awaiting them, after escaping the mob of media, flashing their cameras and badgering people for any comments. Rose felt extremely nervous as they boarded the train.
The trip took four hours since they stopped in Brockton, Massachusetts for minor difficulties.
At 12:45, the threesome arrived at the Dawson mansion after Jack's father's driver picked them up from the train station. Jack held Rose and Gabbie's hands, squeezing Rose's tightly, reassuring her that he was just as nervous.
She looked up and smiled nervously. "This is it," she muttered.
"I'm happy it's with you," he whispered before his lips brushed her forehead.
She smiled happily, though she still felt the butterflies in her stomach. What would the elder Dawson say about his son's choice? Would he approve? Or, if worst came to worst, would he disinherit his son? These thoughts ran through her mind and she became even more nervous. She loved Jack and she didn't want to lose him. What would he do if his father disapproved? Would he stay with her or leave her?
"Rose, calm down," he said, as they walked up to the big French doors. She gave him a questioning look. "I can feel you shaking."
A light sprinkle began to fall from the sky above, then lightning and thunder along with more rain.
"I'm fine..." she muttered.
A short woman answered the door, obviously the maid. "Come on in, Jack," she said, sounding tired.
Jack picked Gabbie up, still holding Rose's hand, and they walked into the mansion. Jack squeezed Rose's hand again. Looking back at her, he winked, smiling. She smiled back, so grateful to have him.
"Your father is in his office, of course. I'll take your coats," the maid told them.
Jack set Gabbie down and Rose took off her coat and Gabbie's as Jack slid his off. He picked Gabbie up again and grabbed Rose's hand, leading her to the big office. Once there, they found the elder Dawson writing something on a piece of paper.
"Ahem. Dad?" Jack said.
The older man didn't look up. "Hello, son. How was your trip?"
"The last few days were wonderful, actually," Jack smiled, looking behind him where Rose and Gabbie were.
"Where's Elizabeth?" he asked, still writing.
"Philadelphia."
He looked up quickly. "Why? Aren't her parents meeting her here for the wedding?"
"Slight change of plans, Father. Elizabeth and I are not getting married."
"What? How can you say that? Is this another of your pranks?" Jack's father wanted to know.
"No, I have proof. This is Rose." Jack stepped aside. "Hopefully, she'll become my wife."
Rose's eyes widened. "Really? Oh, Jack!" She threw her arms around his neck.
He smiled, kissing her cheek. "Yes, Rose. Would you?"
Eric Dawson couldn't believe the sight before him. A poor, unwed mother saying yes to his son's marriage proposal. He was livid. How could his son do this to his reputation?
"Son, we need to talk about your crazy idea."
"I'll be down in a moment, Father," Jack said, not exactly nicely, though he was beaming at the thought of Rose becoming his wife. He led his new fiancée out of his father's office and down the hall to the stairs. Then they went up the stairs, down a hall, and to his enormous room, where the maid was unpacking their luggage.
"Wait in here while I talk to my father. Do you need anything?" he asked before he kissed her forehead.
"May I have some water?" she asked, softly.
He smiled. "Yes, of course. Grace, will you get some water for Rose, please?"
"Oh, no, Jack, she's doing something. Can't you get it?" Rose asked.
"Sure, I'll be right back."
"Thank you," she said, and watched as he walked out of the room. She looked at Gabbie, who was asleep on the bed. She couldn't blame her. She was just as tired.
Rose looked at the maid, finally noticing she was about five months pregnant. "Oh, dear! Let me help you."
"Oh, no miss, I've got it. Don't worry."
"Grace, you shouldn't overwork yourself in your condition. You look tired already. Let me help you," Rose insisted, smiling at the young woman who was no more than twenty-five years of age.
"Thank you, honey," Grace said.
"Anytime. You go on, sit on the bed. Rest some," Rose ordered, not unkindly.
Grace reluctantly did as Rose had told her to and moaned in relief. "Oh, you're just a godsend, aren't you? Mr. Dawson has been in a rather unpleasant mood today, and has been sending me to do a lot today."
"Oh, well, I'll help you whenever I can. I understand how you feel, especially being pregnant. I remember how my mother was with her," Rose said, gesturing to Gabbie.
"She's not yours?"
"Oh, no. My parents died when she was really young, so I took her with me to Europe," Rose replied.
"Are you and Jackson engaged?" asked Grace.
"Yes," Rose answered proudly, folding a pair of Jack's pants and putting them into a drawer.
"Oh, how wonderful. I like you a lot better than that Hockley girl. She was just terrible," Grace said.
Rose's spine stiffened at the word Hockley. "Elizabeth is a Hockley?" Rose muttered.
"Yes. You didn't know that?" Grace wondered.
"Oh, well, I used to work for them as a maid. I don't remember seeing her."
"Of course you wouldn't have. She grew up at a boarding school in France," Grace told Rose. "What's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"I haven't seen him in so long..." Rose mumbled.
"Dear, what on earth are you talking about?" Grace worriedly asked.
"Promise not to tell Jack?" Rose asked and Grace nodded.
"I know Caledon Hockley. Well, he'd always suggest sleeping with me, and I always declined the invitations...one day--" Rose was cut off, because Jack walked in with a glass of water.
"Here. Now I'm off to see the devil incarnate," Jack said, making Grace and Rose laugh.
Rose looked up at him. "Thank you, Jack. Good luck."
"Thanks. I need all the luck I can get," he said, smiling, and he kissed her lips softly before leaving the room once again.
Rose took a drink from her water and sat on the bed next to Grace. "Well, one day, he'd asked me again," Rose continued. "But this time he had me cornered in a vacant hallway. It was around midnight and everyone was asleep except for me. I was on my way to the kitchen to get a drink. He...he...he decided to ignore my refusal...he forced himself on me."
Grace hugged Rose, who cried on her shoulder. "Oh, dear, I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have been put through that. That's horrible."
"I left the next day with Gabbie. You see, I was working there for money to go to Europe. After that happened, I decided I'd never go back to Philadelphia." Rose sniffed, rising from her confidante's shoulder. "Thank you for listening...you didn't have to."
"Oh, any time, darling."
"Do you live here with your husband?" Rose asked, wiping her nose with a handkerchief she'd found in her pocket.
"Actually, I'm not married...the baby is Jack's brother's. After Mr. Dawson found out, he sent Charles away...Charlie and I were planning to get married, but Mr. Dawson wouldn't let us. Instead, he let me stay and work here. He gives me extra money and is usually really nice to me. But it's so hard being away from Charlie...I overheard Mr. Dawson talking to him on the telephone, saying he's coming back soon."
"Oh, that's horrible...but it's good he's coming back. I can understand how you feel. I'd die without Jack..." Rose said.
"That's how I was with Charlie. But my baby needs me," Grace told her.
"Everything will work out, Grace. I hope all is well for you and Charlie," Rose smiled. And for me and Jack, Rose thought miserably, then began putting their belongings away again.