LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Twenty

A True Love’s First Kiss

Jack and Jon were talking in the dining room, seated beside each other, enjoying each other’s tales of their childhoods. They hadn’t noticed that the time had passed quickly, and that it was already evening, with the sun about to set. They heard the front door open, and heard Amanda talking.

"Mommy, Sarah said that she’s coming over tomorrow," Amanda said.

"Okay. So, I guess we’ll have to bake cookies for tomorrow, huh?" Katherine asked, smiling.

"Yay!" Amanda said, cheering. "Can I help?"

"Why, of course!" Katherine said. "What would cookies be, if my Mandy bear wasn’t there to help me?" Amanda smiled. "Uh-oh. It’s time for Mandy bear to go get ready for bed."

"Okay, Mommy," Amanda said, heading towards the dining room to kiss her father good night. She walked up to Jonathan.

"Hey, Mandy bear!" Jonathan said, lifting his daughter so she could sit in his lap. Amanda smiled at him.

"Night," Amanda said, pressing her lips to her father’s cheek.

"Night, Mandy bear," Jonathan said, kissing her round cheek before setting her down. Amanda walked over to Jack.

"Night, Mr. Dawson," Amanda said, climbing onto Jack’s lap and planting a kiss on his cheek. Jack was taken by surprise. Amanda didn’t climb off his lap. She just stared at him, as if expecting to get a kiss from him, as well. Smiling, Jack leaned closer, planting a soft, gentle kiss on her round cheek.

"Night, kiddo," Jack said, setting her down and watching her run out of the living room.

"Wow, I have never seen her act that way with guests," Jon said. "She’s usually shy."

"Well, I suppose she likes me," Jack said, smiling.

"I suppose so," Jon said, smiling back.

*****

Rose saw Amanda coming back from the dining room, a big smile on her face. Rose smiled at her, crouching down. Amanda threw her arms around Rose’s neck. Rose got up, holding Amanda close so she wouldn’t fall. Rose followed Katherine up the stairs, leading Rose to the bathroom, where she turned on the water for Amanda’s bath.

"Mommy, can Mrs. Dawson give me my bath?" Amanda asked. Katherine looked up, staring at Rose.

"I’m fine with it," Rose said, looking at Amanda and smiling.

"Well, I don’t see any problem with that," Katherine said, smiling.

"Yay!" Amanda said, clapping her little hands together happily. Amanda smiled when Rose set her down. Rose crouched down, unbuttoning the back of Amanda’s yellow dress and slipping it off. Taking off her underclothes, Rose felt the temperature of the water with her hand, and finding it warm enough, she put Amanda in, pouring soap bubble powder into the running water. Bubbles began to form, making Amanda excited. She began splashing. Rose laughed when she got splashed, moving back slightly. Setting the bottle down and turning off the running water, Rose began to rub soap onto Amanda’s skin. "Mrs. Dawson, are you a mommy?" Amanda watched Rose bathing her. Rose looked at her and smiled.

"No," Rose said. "Not at the moment."

"Oh," Amanda said, playing with the rubber duck that was floating in the tub full of bubbles.

"But don’t worry. I’m hoping that I’ll have some children soon," Rose said, smiling. Amanda smiled. Rose took a bottle of shampoo, squeezing some into the palm of her hand. Rubbing her hands together to mix up the shampoo, she brought her hands towards Amanda’s blonde head and began lathering her hair gently. Amanda laughed when Rose did this, since it tickled her scalp.

"That tickles!" Amanda said, laughing. Rose laughed, as well.

"I’m sorry. I’m just trying to clean your pretty hair!" Rose said, smiling and continuing to lather her hair. Amanda continued to laugh, getting Rose wet from her wild splashing. "Ah!" Rose laughed, stepping back from the water.

After a few minutes of lathering Amanda’s hair, and getting more and more wet every time she did so, Rose rinsed off her hair and pulled out the plug, allowing the water to drain. Rose grabbed a towel, wrapping it around Amanda’s small body and picking her up as she did so. Rose grabbed another towel and placed it over her head to dry it off. Amanda wrapped her arms around Rose’s neck, laying her head on Rose’s shoulder and closing her eyes. Rose exited the bathroom, going towards Amanda’s room, which was two rooms to the left of the bathroom. Rose went towards the small bed by the window and carefully set her down. Rose smiled sweetly, finding her sleeping soundly. Rose took the towel and carefully dried her, trying not to wake her. Rose carefully slid on her underclothes. When she slipped Amanda’s nightgown on, she held her head carefully and slid the nightgown over head, slipping her arms through the sleeves.

All the while, Amanda had been sound asleep, oblivious to the fact that Rose was dressing her. Rose took the brush and set Amanda down, brushing her hair carefully. Once she was finished, she placed Amanda under the covers, kissing her round cheek as she did so. Rose got up and walked out of the room, turning off the light as she did so. She closed the door, leaving it open slightly to let some light in. When Rose turned, she was staring into a pair of light blue eyes. Rose smiled, finding Katherine standing before her.

"Wow, Rose," Katherine said, smiling. "I have never seen Amanda take to people that easily. You’ll make a great mother, Rose. I know you will." Rose smiled.

"Why, thank you," Rose said. "I adore children. I especially adore Amanda. She’s such a sweetheart. You have a beautiful little girl, Kat."

"Thank you," Katherine said, smiling. Rose looked over her shoulder, finding the door. Smiling, she turned towards Katherine.

"I hope that someday I’ll have a beautiful little girl like your own, or even a handsome little boy," Rose said, smiling at Katherine.

"Don’t worry, Rose," Katherine said, putting a reassuring hand on top of Rose’s shoulder. "When the time is right, you two will create the most beautiful child that this earth will ever have." Rose had tears shining in her eyes.

"You really believe that?" Rose asked, smiling.

"I do," Katherine said, smiling. "By the way you two look at each other, I wouldn’t be surprised to find lots of little children running around your feet." Rose laughed. Katherine smiled sweetly at Rose, looking at her dress. "My goodness, Rose. You’re all wet!" Rose looked down at her dress and smiled.

"Well, I suppose your daughter had a fun time splashing," Rose said, laughing.

"Oh, I’m terribly sorry--" Katherine began.

"Don’t be," Rose said, smiling. "I don’t mind."

"You can’t just walk downstairs all wet. You can borrow one of my dresses while that one dries," Katherine said.

"Oh, no, I couldn’t--" Rose began.

"Nonsense," Katherine said. "It’ll be a pleasure. Besides, I have enough dresses to last a lifetime, and some of them don’t even fit me anymore." Rose smiled. "Now, come on and change into drier clothes." Katherine led Rose to the master bedroom, where she went over to the closet, looking through the various dresses she had. Katherine smiled as she took out a white summer dress with short sleeves that went off the shoulders and was low-cut. The dress was floor-length and had beautiful flowers printed all over it. "This is what I wore on my honeymoon with Jon. It doesn’t fit me anymore, but I believe it should fit you." Katherine walked over to Rose with the dress.

"It’s beautiful!" Rose said, letting her fingers run over the soft fabric of the dress. Katherine smiled.

"Well, then, you may have it," Katherine said, handing Rose the dress. Rose looked up at her, wide-eyed.

"Oh, Kat, I couldn’t take this," Rose said, looking at the dress. "It’s what you wore on your honeymoon."

"Don’t you worry about it. I have something just like it in the closet," Katherine said. "Besides, I want you to have it. Take it as a wedding present from me." Rose smiled, looking down at the dress that Katherine had given her.

"Thank you, Kat," Rose said, smiling. "I really appreciate it."

"No problem," Katherine said, smiling. "You may change in here. I’ll be downstairs if you need me. Okay?"

"Okay," Rose said. Rose watched as Katherine left the room, leaving Rose alone. Rose sighed, taking off the red dress she wore, placing it on the bed, and slipping on the dress Katherine had given her. She walked over to the full-length mirror, looking at her reflection. She took the sash of the dress, tying it behind her back, making a professional bow. Once she had tied the bow, she ran her fingers over the skirt of the dress, feeling the soft fabric pass under her fingertips. Smiling, Rose turned to the side, noticing the dress show off her figure. Every curve of her body was noticeable. The low-cut dress made her body stand out, but made her look as if she were a wife...as if she were married to the most handsome man that was ever on earth. Smiling, Rose made sure her hair wasn’t in the wrong place, and made sure that everything else was in the right place. Once she got everything fixed, she walked over to her red dress and picked it up, draping it over her arm and leaving the room.

*****

Jack and Jon were sitting on the living room couch, waiting for their wives to come downstairs. Jack stared at the window beside the front door, noticing that it was evening. The sun would set in the next half hour or so. Jack ran his fingers through his hair, wishing for Rose to come down already, for he wanted them to ride horses under the sunset. He heard footsteps come from the upper level of the house. Jack immediately got up, looking at the top of the staircase, only to find Katherine walking down the stairs. He sighed, looking down and slipping his hands into his pockets.

"Rose should be down in a minute," Katherine said. "Amanda wanted Rose to give her a bath. It seems that she sort of splashed onto Rose’s dress, so I let her have one of mine to change into." Jack smiled. "You really love her, don’t you?"

"I do," Jack said. "I love her so much that it hurts to be without her. She’s my world...she’s my life...my soulmate. Without her, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now. God knows where I’d be right now if I weren’t married to her."

"I’m glad you have her, Jack," Katherine said. "She deserves you. She really loves you."

"I know," Jack said, smiling. He looked over her shoulder, finding Rose standing at the top of the stairs and smiling lovingly down at him. Jack smiled, walking towards the bottom of the stairs and waiting for her to descend the stairs so he could hold her in his arms. Once she was on the last step, Jack wrapped his arms around her waist, twirling her around, his lips gracefully pressed against hers, bringing her into a loving kiss.

"Missed me already?" Rose asked, once they pulled away from their kiss. "I’ve been upstairs for…what...an hour, and you’ve missed me?"

"Well, of course," Jack said, smiling at her. "You’re my wife. I can’t live without you. You know that." Rose smiled at him.

"I know," Rose said, running her fingers over his shirt. Jack kissed the top of her head, holding her close.

"I love you," Jack whispered.

"I love you, too," Rose said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"My, I haven’t seen anyone act that way, besides us," Jonathan said, holding his wife close to him. Jack looked at him and smiled.

"Well, what do you expect?" Jack asked. "We’re in love." Jack looked at Rose, smiling.

"Rose, let me take your dress," Katherine said. "I’ll wash it for you."

"Oh, you don’t have to. I can manage," Rose said.

"Nonsense," Katherine said, heading towards her and taking the dress from Rose’s arm. "I’ll give it to you tomorrow, all clean and washed." Rose smiled.

"All right. We are staying at the hotel by the Santa Monica pier..." Rose said.

"Why are you staying there?" Jonathan asked. "We have plenty of room right here in this house. Why don’t you two stay here until you have to leave?"

"No, Jon, we wouldn’t want to intrude--" Jack began.

"You’re not going to intrude," Jon said. "You’re my friend. You deserve to stay here instead of in a crappy hotel room."

"I don‘t know, Jon..." Jack said, looking at him.

"Come on!" Jonathan encouraged. "It’ll be fun having you around. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to waste your money by staying in a hotel for…what...two weeks? That’s a lot of money to waste, Jack. What do you say?"

"All right. We’ll stay," Jack said.

"That’s the Jack I know!" Jonathan said, smiling and patting him on the shoulder.

"We’ll be here tomorrow morning. Okay?" Jack asked.

"Not a problem at all," Jonathan said, smiling. Jack smiled back. His eyes darted towards the grandfather clock, which was behind Jonathan.

"Well, we’d better get going," Jack said. "It’s already seven, and I want to show Rose how to ride like a man before it gets dark."

"Well, okay, then," Jonathan said. "See you tomorrow."

"You bet," Jack said, leading Rose towards the front door. Jack opened the door, letting Rose go before him. He looked over his shoulder and waved to Jonathan and Katherine, going out on the porch and closing the door behind him. "So...you ready?" Jack looked at his wife.

"I’m more than ready," Rose said, smiling. She slipped her hand into his, making their way down the steps and out of the Michaels’ front yard, closing their gate. Jack and Rose walked towards the beach, where there was a horse stable nearby. Jack and Rose made their way towards the stable, spotting a middle-aged man brushing a horse’s mane. Jack walked towards the man, watching him tend to his work.

"Uh...hi, my name is Jack Dawson," Jack said, extending his hand for the man to shake.

"Henry Thompson. Nice to meet you," Henry said.

"Are you renting horses, by any chance?" Jack asked, praying that he was.

"Well, I don‘t know, Mr. Dawson. It’s getting dark, and--" Henry began.

"Please?" Jack begged. "Just for an hour...or a little more." Henry sighed.

"All right," Henry said. "It’s fifty cents an hour."

"Great...thanks a lot, Mr. Thompson," Jack said, smiling.

"Okay. I’ll give you good old Buttercup here," Henry said, bringing a beige-colored horse out of the stable. "She’s a good horse...she’ll cooperate, and she isn’t as wild as the others. Well, you may bring her back at 9:30...you may give her back ten minutes later if you wish, but do bring her back before ten."

"No problem," Jack said, taking the reins and leading the horse out of the stable. Jack held onto the reins, turning to face Rose. "Okay. All you have to do is place your left foot in the stirrup there and swing your leg over." Rose nodded, smiling at him.

"All right," Rose said, slowly walking towards the beige horse. Holding onto the saddle, she slipped her foot into the stirrup, swung her other leg over the horse, and held onto the reins. She looked at Jack, smiling brightly. She hadn’t felt this alive before in her entire life, besides at the bow, where Jack had taught her how to fly--how to be free, and face the world with open arms--something she hadn’t been able to do since her father had passed, since her life had changed and been molded into a life that she loved, a life that she would share with the man she loved. When she looked into Jack’s eyes, she saw happiness and love shining, as if he were the happiest person in the world, as if nothing in the entire world would ever come before his love for his wife, as if he knew that their love would last forever, no matter what the circumstances. The gentle breeze ran through their hair, causing Rose’s fiery red curls to fly behind her, while Jack’s tousled blonde hair blew in the wind, strands of his hair going into his face. Jack walked towards her, climbing onto the horse behind her.

Jack took the reins from her, gently kicking the horse to get her to walk, and once he had, the horse began to slowly walk down the beach, while Rose leaned against Jack’s chest, feeling the warmth of his body on her own, the gentle breeze playing with their hair. Jack led the horse towards the ocean, horse walking into the water--right in the surf. Rose shrieked happily, the water gently spraying against her face. Jack smiled, keeping the horse moving against the shore. A couple of yards out, Jack stopped the horse and looked at the ocean--at the horizon. Rose followed his gaze, smiling. The bright orange sun was beginning to set, the glow reflecting on the ocean, the sky turning to multiple shades of purple, red, orange, and dark blue. Jack’s arms went around Rose’s waist. She looked at him, smiling happily.

"It’s beautiful..." Rose said, a distant look coming upon her face as a memory overcame her. A beautiful memory, yet a painful memory.

*****

It was close to evening on April 14, 1912 when Rose was sitting at a table beside her mother, the Countess, and Madame Aubert. Her mother was discussing her arranged marriage, although, she told them, that she had chosen Cal--not her. Rose looked over at a table, a few yards away from her, with a little girl who looked to be about six or seven years old sitting slumped against her chair. Rose noticed how the mother taught her how to sit like a proper lady--something Rose had been taught in finishing school. Rose’s face showed no expression, although thoughts of Jack sneaked into her mind every so often. Suddenly, Rose realized what she was getting herself into. She looked down at her hands, seeing the solitaire diamond engagement ring on her left ring finger. She looked up, images of Jack’s smiling face appearing in her mind, his piercing blue eyes shining with happiness, his artistic hands holding her, preventing her from falling, and his blonde hair, which always fell over his eyes. From that moment, Rose knew she couldn’t marry Cal. From that moment, she knew she was deeply in love with Jack Dawson.

"Mother, may I be excused?" Rose asked, looking at her mother with a small smile.

"What is it now, dear?" Ruth asked, looking over at Rose.

"I want to get some fresh air," Rose said, hoping that her mother would allow her to go. Ruth sighed.

"Fine. Go," Ruth said. "It’s no use having you here, anyway." Rose looked at her mother with hurt eyes. Rose nodded, getting up, and walked out of the dining room with elegant footsteps. Once she was out of the dining saloon, she quickly made her way towards the third class entrance.

Rose opened the gate, looking over her shoulder and making sure no one had seen her. Once she had made sure nobody was following her, she descended the white steps, coming across a corridor. Rose looked frantically around her, trying to figure out where exactly Jack was. Suddenly, she heard lively music. The moments from the previous night came to her. She followed the sound of the music. Once again, Rose went inside the third class common room. Her eyes roamed around for Jack, but found no sign of him anywhere. She caught a glimpse of the Italian fellow she had met previously. Rose quickly made her way towards him in hopes of finding out exactly where Jack was. When she made her way towards him, she cleared her throat. The Italian looked up at her with a small smile.

"Buona sera, signorina," the Italian said. "My name is Fabrizio."

"Hello, Fabrizio," Rose said, a warm smile on her face. "Is Jack around?" Rose looked at Fabrizio, her eyes begging.

"Uh...sì. He ‘a said he was ‘a going to the bow," Fabrizio told Rose. Rose smiled.

"Thank you. Thank you very much," Rose said, quickly exiting the room and leaving the third class premises. Rose walked towards the first class entrance, slowly opening the gate. She walked across the promenade deck, reaching the outside deck. Opening another gate, Rose walked out of first class and headed towards the bow.

*****

Jack leaned against the railing of the bow, looking down at the water which Titanic glided through, heading towards New York. The cold breeze blew against him, his hair blowing in the wind. His face was dark with misery as images of Rose once again played in his mind. He admitted that he was in love with her. Deeply in love with her. A love that he had never shared with a woman in his entire life. When Rose had told him to leave her alone in the gymnasium, it had broken his heart, knowing that she wasn’t willing to escape the life that Cal was preparing for her. He hadn’t wanted her to be miserable for the rest of her life--she deserved so much better than that.

Rose’s smiling face entered his mind, remembering her gentle laughter at the party the previous night. Jack’s love for Rose was something he had never experienced in his life. Rose was his first love. His one and only. He loved her so much that he could not even describe the feelings he had for her. There was something about Rose that made his heart feel warm every time she was mentioned. Jack’s eyes glistened with sadness, knowing that he would never have a chance with Rose--that he would never get to spend the rest of his life with her. That he wouldn’t be the one to be able to free her from her misery, that he wouldn’t be the one that would love her as much as he did. He knew that Cal didn’t love her. If he did, he didn’t show it. He longed for Rose to be in his arms again, but knew that it would be impossible to see her again--knew that his life would never be the same without Rose.

His heart ached every time he thought of her smiling face. She had stolen his heart, and wasn’t willing to give it back. He only wished that Rose would love him back--just as he loved her. But he wasn’t going to force her into doing something she wasn’t willing to do. Moreover, she had told him to leave her alone, and he was willing to respect her wishes. His mouth formed a thin line, since he wasn’t in the mood to smile. He wasn’t going to show happiness when he wasn’t the least bit happy. His heart was shattered.

"Hello, Jack," he heard a familiar voice say. It took him a moment or two to realize that it was Rose. His true love. Jack turned, finding her standing there with a smile on her face. "I changed my mind..."

When Jack heard Rose say that, a smile came upon his face. She had changed her mind. She was willing to give him a chance, and not marry Cal, who would only make her life worse. Jack’s heart began to beat rapidly, gaining its strength, realizing that Rose loved him as he did her. A warm feeling began to overtake his body. He didn’t feel the cool breeze hitting him. Jack’s eyes shone with happiness, smiling at his love. Her cheeks were pink from the cool breeze, and her curls were bouncing in the wind. The dress she wore was flowing behind her, her eyes sparkling.

"They said you’d be up here--" Rose began, but Jack placed a finger against his lips.

"Shh," Jack said, extending his hand. "Give me your hand." Jack watched Rose smiling and slipping her hand into his, walking a few steps closer to him. She looked at him while he looked at her, his hands on her waist. "Now, close your eyes." Rose looked at him, confused. "Go on." Rose smiled, obeying. "Step up..." Jack let Rose go in front of him. "Hold onto the railing...keep your eyes closed. Don’t peek." Jack smiled.

"I’m not," Rose said, her eyes closed.

"Now, step onto the rail," Jack said. Rose did as she was told. Jack stood behind her, balancing himself on the rail and holding onto her waist. "Hold on..." Jack made sure that she wouldn’t fall. "Hold on...keep your eyes closed." Rose laughed a little. "Do you trust me?" Jack needed to make sure that she trusted him, that she knew that he wouldn’t hurt her.

"I trust you..." Rose said. Jack smiled, holding onto her wrists. He slowly began to spread them to her sides. Rose’s head moved in confusion, but she let it pass. Once Jack had Rose’s arms spread out, he let her arms go and placed his arms around her waist to steady her.

"All right," Jack said, smiling. "Open your eyes." Rose slowly opened her eyes, seeing nothing but the ocean in front of her, as if Titanic wasn’t under her at all. She felt as if she were flying.

"I’m flying, Jack!" Rose said, a smile appearing on her face. Her arms were still spread out. She felt Jack’s hands on her own, intertwining with them. Jack leaned closer to her, bringing his face to hers. His cheek was against hers, smiling. Rose just looked at the beautiful sunset before her.

"Come Josephine in my flying machine, going up she goes...up she goes," Jack sang in her ear, their hands continuing to intertwine. A smile spread across her face as Jack’s voice rang in her ears, bringing great warmth throughout her body. Jack slowly brought her arms down to her waist, his arms holding her close to him. Jack looked at her, while Rose’s head craned back to look at him. Jack brought his face closer to Rose’s, pressing his lips onto hers. Rose opened her mouth slightly, welcoming Jack’s soothing tongue into her mouth and placing a hand at the back of his neck to make the kiss deeper and more passionate. Jack’s arms held onto Rose’s body, kissing her under the sunset. Their lips brushed against each other’s in a true love’s first kiss. Their kiss completed their trust for each other, while the Titanic glided across the ocean. The two lovers shared their first loving kiss.

*****

"You’re beautiful," Jack said, looking at her. Rose was pulled out of her trance. She looked at him, smiling lovingly at him. Jack leaned closer until his lips were over hers. Jack’s arms were wrapped around her, while Rose leaned her back against his chest, kissing him back with much love and passion. Once again, they kissed under a beautiful sunset. The gentle breeze hit them, their hair flying in the wind and their kiss growing more intense and passionate, while the sun sank lower until stars began to twinkle beneath the dark-blue sky. The two lovers shared their love for each other.

Chapter Twenty-One
Stories