LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Eighteen

Good Friends

Jack and Cal were still at the restaurant, moments after Rose had run off in tears. Cal stood there, running his fingers through his hair, while Jack covered his face with one hand, the other holding the mug of beer. He sighed heavily, cursing at himself for doing this to Rose. He set his mug down angrily and stood up. He slipped his hand into his pocket, took out some change, and set it on the table, running out of the restaurant, ignoring Cal. Jack ran towards their hotel and went inside, running up the stairs until he stood in front of their door. Jack lifted his hand, about to knock on the door, but he froze in place. He heard sobbing, so he pressed his ear against the door and heard Rose crying.

Jack turned and leaned against the door, lifting his head up and leaning it on the door, closing his eyes and cursing at himself once more. He hadn’t wanted to hurt Rose’s feelings like that. He had thought that Cal was playing one of his tricks again, that he was going to take Rose away from him, and Jack hadn’t been going to take any chances. He sighed, trying to debate whether to go inside and comfort her or leave her in peace. Being her husband, he placed his hand on the doorknob and turned it, pushing the door open quietly. He peeked inside, finding Rose’s back facing him, shaking with sobs. Jack opened the door a bit wider so he could step in. Once he was inside, he turned and quietly closed the door, with a barely audible click.

He stood there, watching her. It broke his heart, finding her hurting like this. He closed his eyes, realizing that he had promised her that he would never hurt her in any way, and now he had. He stood there, frozen in place, afraid to comfort her. His heart was beating rapidly, and his breathing began to quicken. Why was he afraid? Was he afraid of how Rose would react? Was he afraid that their marriage would crumble? Was he afraid that Rose didn’t love him anymore? Or most of all, was he afraid that Rose would go back to Cal? These thoughts running through his head, Jack slowly made his way towards the bed, towards Rose. Jack gently sat down on the bed so he wouldn’t startle her. Jack lifted his hand, laying it over her shoulder. His hand trembled while he contemplated whether or not to touch her. Jack made a decision and carefully placed his hand on her shoulder, gently rubbing her arm. This startled Rose. She turned around, looking at Jack with tear-filled eyes. Once she realized it was Jack, she turned over, ignoring him. Jack just sat there, disappointed, remorseful, and most of all, hurt.

*****

Rose was lying on the bed crying after leaving the restaurant a short time earlier. Rose’s body shook with sobs. She buried her face in her pillow, tears flowing down her cheeks and onto it, soaking it with her tears of hurt and disappointment. She curled up in a fetal position, hugging her knees against her chest and placed her chin on top of them. Rose’s curls tumbled down her back and onto her pillow. She had taken her hair out of the ponytail, wanting her curls to be loose and free. All that ran through her mind was that Jack hated her and that he didn’t want to be her husband anymore. After all, she had defended Cal, her ex-fiancé, when she was married to Jack.

Rose didn’t know if it was right for her to forgive Cal, if it was right for her to trust him so soon after what he had done to Jack and herself. Rose wondered if Jack still loved her after what she had done. Rose didn’t know if she had done the right thing or the wrong thing. She was confused. She just wanted to turn back time and change the mistakes she had made...if she had made any mistakes. More tears cascaded down her delicate cheeks as her face crumpled in sadness and hurt. Rose’s heart ached with hurt and disappointment. Images of Jack came to her mind--his loving smile and shining blue eyes, which shone with love and care for her. His blonde hair falling down in his eyes, and his face lit up whenever he saw her. The arms that would wrap around her body, protecting her from the dangers of the cruel world. The body that always loved her in a unique way. The lips that enjoyed being kissed by hers. The smile that always made her weak in the knees, and the eyes that she would always get lost in when she looked into them. She felt like a hypocrite, a person who had betrayed her loved one by defending a man who had caused trouble in their lives. A man who had ruined Rose’s life, making it as miserable as he could. A man who had treated her like a possession, and not a woman that he had loved.

Rose squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block those images out of her mind. She wanted to relax and let her mind stop giving her these images, which she either loved or dreaded. Rose longed for Jack’s warm arms around her body, and for his lips to brush against hers in a loving kiss. Rose’s fingers played with her wedding ring and engagement ring, images of Jack playing upon her mind once again. She wished that she hadn’t made that one little mistake. She wished that she could take it back and make things normal again, make Jack love her the way he used to, and not be mad at her as he was now. She wished that Cal hadn’t come to the restaurant in the first place. Then, everything would’ve been perfect. Rose covered her face with her hands, hiding all the tears that were escaping her eyes. Her body continued to shake with sobs, her heart aching with all the hurt and disappointment, more tears falling from her emerald-sapphire eyes.

Rose didn’t hear the door open, nor someone walking into the room, closing the door quietly. She didn’t feel anybody sit on the bed beside her until someone placed their hand on her shoulder and gently rubbed her arm. Startled, Rose turned around to find Jack right beside her. Mortified, Rose turned around and covered her face, afraid that Jack was here to confront her. Jack didn’t do anything. He sat there, watching her cry, his mind debating whether to comfort her or not.

Jack ran his fingers through his blonde hair, sighing heavily. Jack didn’t know what to do. He watched her body shake with sobs while she covered her face with her hands. Jack hated to see her in tears. It broke his heart in two. He didn’t know whether she was upset with him or with Cal, or maybe both. They hadn’t had an argument before. At least, not before Cal had come into the restaurant. Jack wondered why Rose had defended Cal, but not him. He was her husband, after all. She loved him, didn’t she? Or was she using him to get out of the engagement with Cal? Jack didn’t want to be used. He wanted to be loved by the beautiful woman who was lying beside him crying. After all they’d been through, all the hurt and pain that they had witnessed, he felt that their love was fading away. Jack wondered if their marriage would crumble into a million pieces, or if it would last forever and never fade away. Jack knew he had to talk to Rose, possibly make things right again, see if their marriage would work out the way he hoped it would. Jack knew that he loved her with all his heart and soul. He had ever since he had first laid eyes on her. He hoped that she felt the same way. He wanted to make sure that she loved him, and not Cal. Jack looked down at his wife and saw her body shake with more hurting sobs.

Jack lay beside her, bringing his arms around her body and holding her close. Rose jumped, but didn’t push him away. Jack held her close, taking in the scent of her red curls. The same scent lingered in her hair that it had had the first time he had met her, the scent of roses and lilies. Jack brought his head close to hers, gently pressing his lips against her delicate cheek. Jack gently turned her around so she was facing him. Once he had, he saw that her eyes were red from crying and her face was pale. Jack wiped the tears away with his thumb, looking into her tear-filled eyes. His heart ached whenever he saw her eyes glisten with sadness and hurt. He hadn’t wanted to upset her this way. He loved her. He wanted to make her life as happy and wonderful as he could, but now, he had broken her heart.

Rose looked at him, wondering if Jack still loved her the way he had, or if he was pretending that he loved her. She looked at his eyes staring into hers. The blue eyes that always shone with love and compassion, that always looked at her with care and hope now shone with hurt and confusion. She could also see love and care shining in his eyes, something that she wanted to see in him. She felt his hand wipe away every single tear that managed to escape her blue-green eyes. She felt his hand wipe every hurt and disappointment away, making her feel loved and cared for by the man she had loved for a week. As Rose looked up at him, she saw a smile spread across his face. Rose smiled and threw her arms around his neck, bringing him close to her, tears of joy and happiness falling from her eyes. She felt Jack hug her back, holding her as close to him as he possibly could.

"Oh, Jack," Rose managed to say. "I love you. I love you so much!" Rose cried, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"I love you, too," Jack said. Jack pulled away, looking into her eyes. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to act like such an ass at the restaurant. It’s just that, after what Cal did to us onboard the Titanic, I couldn’t make myself forgive him. But if you want me to forgive him, then I will. Anything to make you happy." Rose looked at him, then at her hands.

"You don’t have to," Rose said. She looked back up at him. "I overreacted, and I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to end the feud between us. I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have forgiven him. Maybe I should’ve just told him to leave or something." Rose looked at him with remorseful eyes. Jack shook his head and placed his hand on her delicate cheek.

"No, Rose," Jack said. "You did the right thing. I was dumb enough to not forgive him. I just thought that since he was Caledon Hockley he was only pretending to be sorry and just wanted to take advantage of us. That’s what I’m afraid of, Rose. I’m afraid that he might take you away from me, that he’ll hurt you, that...h-he’ll force himself on you, and I’ll kill him myself if he does." Jack looked into her eyes with love. "Rose, you have known Cal for longer than I have. When I met Cal, all I saw was the bad side of him. I never saw the good side of him, and I’m afraid that he’s only pretending, but I’ll give him a chance, Rose. If you believe that it will stop the tension between us, then I’ll give it a try. Anything for my beautiful wife."

Rose looked at him. Had he actually said that he would give Cal a chance? That he would forgive him? Rose didn’t want to sound as if she loved Cal, because she didn’t. All Rose wanted to do was end the tension between them so they could live their lives. She didn’t want Cal to interfere with their marriage, and she most certainly didn’t want Cal to ruin their marriage because he wanted her himself. She looked at Jack’s left hand and saw his wedding ring on his finger. His wedding ring was a gold band with engraving inside it. The engraving read Jack and Rose--Eternal Love. Rose slipped both of her hands around his left hand and held it tightly. She looked at him, seeing him smile. Rose smiled back weakly. She swallowed quietly and took a deep breath.

"Jack?" Rose asked, looking at him.

"Yeah?" Jack asked, looking at her with love and care.

"D-do you love me?" Rose asked.

"What?" Jack asked. "What kind of question is that?" Rose looked down, sadness glistening in her eyes. "Rose." Jack lifted her chin with his forefinger. "You know I love you. You don’t need to ask me if I do, because I do. Rose, if I didn’t love you, then I wouldn’t have married you. Rose, you’re my world. You’re my life. Without you in my life, life wouldn’t be worth living. Rose, I don’t care what Cal says to you, or what everybody else says. All I care about is you, and nothing else." Jack caressed her cheek. "Rose...I love you. I love you more than life itself. I love you so much that I can’t even describe the feelings I have for you. Rose, you’re everything to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life." Rose looked at him with a smile and with fresh tears in her eyes. But these were tears of happiness and love. She threw her arms around his neck and brought him close to her, their lips meeting in a kiss. Jack wrapped his arms around her body, holding her close to him, while their lips connected and their tongues made love in their own way.

Jack’s hands moved to Rose’s face, gently caressing her cheeks, and then moved to her hair, his fingers making their way through her soft curls. Jack brushed the curls off of her face, continually kissing her. Jack felt Rose’s hands move to his chest, playing with the buttons, trying to undo his shirt. Jack’s hands traveled to her waist and untied the sash that held the dress to her body. Once he had untied it, he began to unbutton the back of the dress, his hand brushing against her bare skin. After he had managed to unbutton the rest of the dress, his hand lay on her bare back, traveling up to her shoulders, slipping off the top of the dress and showing her breasts. Jack pulled away from the kiss, realizing that his shirt was unbuttoned and that Rose’s eyes were pleading with him to make love to her. Jack smiled, taking the shirt off and beginning to strip off the rest of his clothes, while Rose did the same.

After they were nude, Jack and Rose climbed under the covers and cuddled against each other, enjoying the warm feeling of their bodies. Jack had an arm draped across Rose’s shoulder while he looked at her. Rose’s hand held his right hand while she kissed every finger individually, just as she had in the Renault. Jack smiled and kissed her, hovering over her. Rose’s arms pulled him close to her, his body now lying on top of hers. Rose pulled away from the kiss and smiled.

"Jack, take me to the stars," Rose said, looking into his eyes. Jack smiled.

"My pleasure, Mrs. Dawson," Jack said, kissing her and beginning to make love to her, like he always had.

*****

Jack and Rose lay cuddled against each other, a sheet covering their bodies. Rose’s head rested against Jack’s bare chest, while Jack’s arm was draped across Rose’s shoulders. Both were sleeping, in the aftermath of their lovemaking. Rose’s arm was on Jack’s heaving chest, her curls spread across Jack’s arms. Rose’s eyes fluttered open, feeling the mid-afternoon sun shining in on her from the window behind them. Rose craned her neck, looking at Jack’s sleeping face. Rose carefully slid out of Jack’s embrace, quickly dressing in the clothes she had taken off before they made love. Once Rose had tied the sash of her dress, she walked over to the dresser and brushed her hair until it was soft enough for her fingers to easily run through. Rose set the brush down, looking into the mirror. She saw her blue-green eyes shining with happiness and love. A smile was on her lips as she caught a glimpse of Jack turning around in the mirror.

Rose’s eyes moved to the closet behind her. Rose turned around and stared at the closed door, knowing that Jack’s gift was inside there. Rose turned back around, not wanting to wake Jack up, and not wanting to ruin the surprise. She kept telling herself that she’d give it to him later. Her eyes drifted to the clock that was hanging on the wall and found that it was a quarter to two. Rose turned back around in her chair and stared at her reflection in the mirror before her. Her curls fell down her back, and some strands were in her face. Rose tucked the strands behind her ear and took a ribbon from the top of the dresser, tying her hair into a ponytail. Rose looked at her reflection and smiled, untying the ribbon and shaking her curls free. She knew that Jack loved her curls free, so she was willing to leave them the way Jack loved them to be. Rose picked up a bottle of perfume, which was a wedding gift from Annabelle, and sprayed it onto her neck, making her smell of roses, like the color of her hair and like her name.

Rose heard Jack turning over in bed. Rose looked over her shoulder and found that he was searching for her. Rose sat there, smiling, waiting to see long it would take him to realize that she wasn’t there. She saw Jack’s eyes opened as he sat up, rubbing the sleep out of them. A yawn escaped his mouth, mumbling her name. Rose looked at him, smiling. Once Jack had his eyes focused, he looked straight at her and smiled.

"Well, good afternoon, sleepyhead," Rose said, smiling, getting up from the chair, and going over to the bed. She sat down, leaning over to give Jack a kiss. Jack wrapped his arms around her, managing to lay on top of her once again. Jack’s lips brushed against Rose’s as they kissed with all the passion and love they had for each other. Rose placed a firm hand on his chest and pulled away. "Oh, no, you don’t, mister." Rose looked at him with a smile. "You’re not going to seduce me now. We still have a long day ahead of us, you know."

"Aw…c’mon…one more time?" Jack begged.

"Not now. Later," Rose said. She watched Jack pout. "Oh, don’t give me your puppy dog eyes now. You have a promise to keep, remember? Or can I say that the first Dawson is going to break his promise?" Rose looked at him with a teasing smile. Jack laughed.

"You’ve got me there," Jack said. "Oh, well. I guess I can wait. But later tonight, you’re gonna be sorry."

"I am?" Rose asked, pretending that she didn’t know what Jack was talking about.

"Oh, trust me, you’re gonna be very sorry," Jack said, a teasing smile on his face.

"Oh, I can’t wait," Rose said, smiling. Jack smiled back and leaned closer, placing his lips on hers, giving her a loving kiss. Jack was the one to pull away.

"Well, I guess I gotta get ready," Jack said, getting off of her and getting out of the bed, completely nude. Jack bent down, picking up his underwear and quickly getting into it. He picked up the rest of his clothes, dressing himself. Once he had pulled up his suspenders, he combed his hair and put on his heavy boots, tying the laces together. He stretched once he was fully dressed. He just stared at Rose, seeing that she had watched him dress. A sly smile played upon his lips. "So, I suppose Mrs. Dawson here had nothing better to do than stare, huh?"

"Suppose so," Rose said, smiling. "It’s not my fault that a nude man, who just happens to be my husband, was dressing himself in a very seductive way."

"Seductive, huh?" Jack asked, walking towards her and taking a seat beside her.

"Very," Rose said, looking at him. Jack smiled and leaned down, their lips connecting once more in a kiss. Rose’s hand moved up to the back of his neck, pulling him closer to her. Jack’s hand traveled down to the small of her back, his fingers playing with the tied sash. Rose shook her head as she broke away from the kiss. "What did I tell you, Mr. Dawson? Don’t you try to get out of your promise."

"I’m not," Jack said, smiling. "I just happen to like kissing my wife." Jack placed his lips on hers once more. Rose immediately pulled away.

"Jack, if you keep this up, we’ll never leave," Rose said, smiling. Jack smiled back.

"Well, I have to agree with you there," Jack said, getting up, helping Rose up with him as well. "So, are you ready?"

"I’m more than ready," Rose said, looking at him with a loving smile across her lips. Jack smiled and held out his hand. Rose slipped her hand into his, allowing Jack to lead her out of the hotel.

When they exited the hotel, they saw Cal sitting down on a bench, his elbows on his knees and his hands covering his face. His hair was out of place, the wind blowing it, and he kept on running his fingers through it. Jack’s grip tightened on Rose’s hand, looking at her. Rose looked up, her eyes shining with hope and love. Jack sighed and nodded his head, knowing that he should do the right thing instead of being stubborn like he had been at the restaurant. Slowly, Jack and Rose made their way towards Cal until they stood in front of him. Jack slipped his free hand into his pants pocket. Cal hadn’t seemed to notice their presence, so Jack cleared his throat. At the sound of his cough, Cal’s neck craned up to stare into Jack’s eyes. Cal immediately got up, running his fingers through his hair once more.

"Uh...hi...Mr. Dawson," Cal said uneasily, for he wasn’t used to being polite to Jack. A small smile was on Jack’s face.

"Cal, I apologize for acting the way I did at the restaurant. I shouldn’t have acted that way..." Jack began.

"No," Cal said. "I deserved it. I know I did. After what I’ve done to you two, I know I deserve every payback you are willing to give me. Honestly, I just wanted to end the fight between us so we could become friends. I want a second chance with you two. That’s all I’m asking." Cal looked at them. "Mr. Dawson, I’m willing to accept the fact that you’re married to Rose, and that she doesn’t love me as much as she loves you, if we can become friends."

Jack looked at Cal, wondering if he was actually telling the truth. When he looked into Cal’s eyes, he saw honestly and sincerity in them, something that he had never seen in Cal, nor ever hoped to see. A man like Caledon Hockley would hardly show his emotion to someone like him--a third class passenger who was aboard the unsinkable ship. He wasn’t treated nicely when it came to Cal. But now, Cal treated him as a gentleman, as a human being, not as a piece of trash that was found in the garbage. Cal was a changed man. He wasn’t the Pittsburgh steel tycoon, son of Nathan Hockley, fiancé to Rose DeWitt Bukater anymore. He was the new and improved Caledon Hockley, a man willing to befriend Jack Dawson, the artist husband to Rose Dawson. A small smile played upon his lips.

"Sure," Jack said. "But, please, call me Jack." Cal smiled happily.

"Not a problem...Jack," Cal said, a smile on his face. "Would you like to start over?" Jack smiled.

"Certainly," Jack said. "The name’s Jack Dawson." Jack held out his hand. Cal took his hand in his own, holding it firmly, but in a friendly manner.

"Caledon Hockley," Cal said, shaking Jack’s hand. "Pleased to meet you."

"The pleasure’s all mine," Jack said. Jack looked at Rose. "Oh, I would like to introduce you to my beautiful wife, Rose Dawson." Jack looked at Rose and then at Cal.

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Dawson," Cal said, taking Rose’s hand and kissing the back of it. Cal caught a glimpse of Rose’s wedding ring and smiled. "That’s a nice ring you’ve got there." Rose smiled.

"Thanks," Rose said, looking at Jack with a smile on her face. Jack smiled back at her. He kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer to him. Both looked back at Cal. There was an awkward silence, for none knew what to say to each other.

"So..." Cal said. "Would you two be interested in joining me for dinner tomorrow evening?" Cal really wanted them to join him. "So we can get to know each other better."

"Sure," Jack said. "Just tell us when and where, and we’ll be there."

"Well, I’ll pick you two up at your hotel," Cal insisted. "Besides, I have someone I would like you to meet."

"All right, then," Jack said. "We’ll be waiting."

"Oh, it’s a formal dinner, just to let you know. You’ll have to wear evening attire and such," Cal said.

"Don’t worry, Cal," Rose said. "I know."

"Of course you do," Cal said. "Well, I’ll see you later, then."

"Absolutely," Jack said.

"Good," Cal said, smiling. "It’s settled, then." Jack and Rose smiled. "Well, I’ll be on my way now. I have to meet up with someone."

"Okay," Jack said. "We gotta go somewhere, too. See you tomorrow, Cal."

"All right...Jack," Cal said, smiling and walking in the opposite direction. Jack turned to Rose and looked at her.

"Wow," Jack said, watching Cal walk away. "He really has changed."

"I know," Rose said, looking at him. "I’m glad you gave him a chance."

"Me, too," Jack said, looking at her. "So, are you ready to go?"

"I’m ready if you’re ready," Rose said, smiling.

"All right, then," Jack said, holding out his hand and feeling Rose’s hand slip into his. Jack led Rose towards a house that was about two blocks away. "Wait here." Jack walked up the steps, standing in front of the door. He knocked on the door a couple of times, waiting for someone to answer the door. Jack looked over his shoulder and smiled at his wife, winking at her as he did so. When he turned around, he found that the door had been answered. Jack looked straight ahead, only to find an empty space. Jack looked down to find a blonde-haired little girl looking up at him. Jack crouched down to be at her level. "Hello. What’s your name?"

"Amanda," the little girl said, looking at him. "Who are you?"

"I’m Jack Dawson. Is your daddy or mommy home?" Jack asked.

"My mommy’s home. My daddy is working," Amanda said. They heard footsteps coming from inside the house.

"Mandy, who is it?" A woman’s voice was heard from behind the little girl. Amanda looked up at the woman. Jack looked up to find a blonde-haired woman looking down at him, an uneasy smile on her face. Jack stood up, placing his hands in his pockets and looking at the woman. "How may I help you?" the woman asked, putting a protective hand on the little girl’s shoulder.

"Hi, I’m Jack Dawson," Jack said, holding out his hand. Seeing that she wasn‘t going to shake it, he put his hand at his side. "I was wondering if Jon was home. But I see that he’s not."

"Oh, you’re Jack Dawson," the woman said. "Jon has talked so much about you. He said something about reuniting with you yesterday."

"Yeah, I did," Jack said, smiling.

"Oh, how rude of me. I’m Katherine Michaels, Jonathan’s wife," Katherine said, holding out her hand. Jack took it and shook it.

"I didn’t know Jon had a wife," Jack said, smiling. "And a beautiful one, at that." Katherine blushed, smiling at him. Amanda tugged on Katherine’s dress.

"Mommy, can I go inside now?" Amanda asked, looking up at her mother.

"Sure. Go on in," Katherine said, allowing her daughter to go inside. "She’s a handful, but she’s a wonderful little girl." Katherine smiled.

"So, that’s your daughter?" Jack asked.

"Yes. My only," Katherine said. "Jon and I have been talking about having more children. But I guess we’re going to have to deal with our three-year-old first." Jack chuckled. "Oh, excuse me. I forgot my manners. Please, come in." Katherine moved aside. Jack smiled.

"Well, first I want to introduce you to my wife," Jack said, turning around and gesturing for Rose to stand beside him. She did, and was soon standing beside her husband. "Katherine, this is my wife, Rose Dawson. Rose, this is Jonathan’s wife, Katherine Michaels." Jack introduced Katherine to Rose and vice versa.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Michaels," Rose said, holding out her hand.

"The pleasure’s all mine. But do call me Kat," Katherine said.

"As long as you call me Rose." Rose smiled, shaking her hand.

"Not a problem, Rose," Katherine said, smiling and shaking her hand as well. "Please, do come in." Katherine moved aside so Jack and Rose could enter the house. Once they were inside, Katherine closed the door. "Mandy, come here for a minute!" Suddenly, they heard footsteps running from upstairs. They saw the little girl standing at the top of the stairs, her hand holding onto the banister, making her way down the stairs slowly.

"Yes, Mommy?" Amanda asked, craning her neck up to look at her mother.

"Amanda, I would like for you to meet Mrs. Dawson, Mr. Dawson’s wife," Katherine said. Amanda looked up at Rose.

"Hi," Amanda said, smiling. Rose crouched down.

"Hello." Rose smiled, gently pinching her cheeks. "You’re very pretty."

"You, too," Amanda said.

"Thank you," Rose said, smiling at her sweetly.

"You’re welcome," Amanda said. A kitten ran up to Amanda. Amanda looked down and smiled. "This is my kitty." Amanda lifted the black and white kitten off the ground. "Her name is Angel. She has pretty blue eyes. Just like Mr. Dawson." Amanda smiled up at Jack and Rose. Rose smiled and crouched down to pet the kitten. She looked at its eyes and saw that Amanda was right. Angel did have blue eyes, just like Jack’s. Rose smiled and petted the top of Angel’s head.

"That’s a very pretty kitten you have there," Rose said, smiling at her.

"Thank you," Amanda said, smiling happily. The kitten jumped out of her arms and strolled away towards the kitchen. "Want to play with me?"

"Now, Mandy, I’m not sure if Mrs. Dawson..." Katherine began.

"No, it’s fine. I love children," Rose said, looking at Katherine. "I’d be delighted, Mandy." Rose smiled at her, while Amanda held onto her hand. Mandy led Rose upstairs to her room. Meanwhile, Jack and Katherine were standing in the middle of the living room, neither knowing what to say.

"Uh…Jon should be home in half an hour, so if you want to sit here and wait, you’re welcome to do so," Katherine said. "Besides, I have to finish cooking dinner."

"No problem," Jack said. "I’ll just wait here." Katherine smiled and nodded.

"Okay, then," Katherine said. "I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me." Katherine went into the kitchen.

Jack watched Katherine go into the kitchen, leaving him alone in the living room. Jack’s head turned towards the fireplace mantel, where picture frames stood. Jack headed towards the fireplace, placing his hands in his pockets. His eyes landed on a picture of Jon and Katherine’s wedding, with Katherine wearing a very beautiful bridal gown and Jon wearing a nice suit. The next picture showed them on their honeymoon, which was in Paris, since the Eiffel Tower was behind them. The next picture showed a newborn baby in Katherine’s arms, bundled in a blanket. Jack smiled, realizing that that was Amanda when she was born. The next picture was of Jon and Katherine’s first wedding anniversary, and the next, Amanda’s first birthday. Jack decided to go out on the porch for awhile to get some fresh air.

He looked around his surroundings, seeing children playing in the front yard of the house beside him, and a mailman walking down the block with the neighborhood’s mail. Jack sighed, wishing he had a cigarette. He hadn’t smoked since before the first class dinner, and he was really craving a cigarette. Jack’s head turned, and he saw that a delicatessen was on the corner. Jack descended the stairs, quickly making his way inside the delicatessen to purchase a pack of cigarettes. When he entered the delicatessen, a bell jingled, and the man behind the counter looked up at him.

"Hello. How may I help you today?" the heavyset man asked.

"Uh…I would like a pack of cigarettes and some matches, please," Jack said, slipping his hand into his pocket to retrieve some money. The man placed the pack of cigarettes and the matches on the counter.

"That’ll be thirty-five cents," the man said. Jack gave the man the thirty-five cents and thanked him, taking the cigarettes and the matches. Leaving the delicatessen, he made his way back towards the house, taking a cigarette from the pack and placing the pack in his pants pocket. He placed the cigarette in his mouth, lighting a match. Stopping for two seconds to light the cigarette, he took a long drag from it, letting the smoke escape his nose. Jack sighed happily, ascending the stairs of Jon’s house, taking a seat on the front steps, and looking around the neighborhood. Jack took another drag on the cigarette, squinting into the afternoon sun and blowing the smoke out. He felt all the stress that he had felt over the past week slowly drain out of him. Jack placed the cigarette butt between his lips, folding his hands in his lap.

His hair fell into his eyes, causing Jack to swing it away. Thoughts of Cal suddenly becoming friends with him came to his mind. It was really surprising to him that Caledon Hockley was willing to be friends with Jack Dawson, the man who had fallen in love with his fiancée. He still wondered if Cal was being serious about becoming his friend, about asking for forgiveness for all he had done in his life. Sighing, Jack finished the cigarette, flicking it onto the pavement and getting up. He went inside the house, waiting for Jonathan to come home.

Chapter Nineteen
Stories