LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Twenty-Five

Four Lovers Under The Stars

Under the stars, Jack and Rose walked on the beach, hand-in-hand. Cal and Rebecca were close behind them. Rose was wearing Jack's tuxedo jacket, the chilly breeze blowing around them. Jack and Rose hadn't said a word, for they had nothing to say. Nothing needed to be said, for that matter. Rose had gotten closer to Jack when the chill of the wind made her even colder. She leaned her head onto his shoulder, as her free hand held his arm, as they walked down the quiet beach. Rose's eye caught the glimmer of the stars.

"Oh, Jack, it's beautiful," Rose said, stopping and looking straight into the horizon. Jack looked in the direction Rose was staring at and smiled.

"It sure is," Jack said. He looked down at his wife. "You know, I always wanted to look at the stars with a special person. With the one I love. I remember when it was March of 1910, and I was watching these same exact stars here on this beach. Jonathan was with me, and we were talking. I told him that I wanted to look at the stars with a woman that I was deeply in love with, a woman that would be my one true love. Someone who was always there to listen to every word I said, and someone to love me for who I was," Jack said, standing in front of her. "It's just hard to believe that two years after that, I married the love of my life." Rose smiled at him.

"I feel the same way," Rose said, her neck craning to look into the depths of his blue eyes. Rose turned her head, as she spotted Cal and Rebecca talking to each other. Rose returned her attention back to Jack. "I never would've thought that I'd end up with you. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't have thought that I'd end up being married to the man that I love." The breeze blew the strands of her curls against her face, her eyes looking at him. "This all feels like a dream, and I'm afraid that if I wake up, you'll disappear." Jack laughed softly.

"No," Jack said, brushing his thumb against her soft cheek. "This isn't a dream, Rose. This is reality. There's no way that I'd disappear on you. I made my vow that I'd be married to you and love you until death tears us apart, and I'm sure that death won't be tearing us apart anytime soon." Rose smiled.

"I hope not," Rose said. Jack smiled, his face growing closer to Rose's. Rose felt his lips land on hers, as his hand landed on the small of her back, as he gently pulled her against him. As their lips brushed against each other's, Rose made a tiny gap to allow Jack's soothing tongue to enter her mouth, their tongues making love in their own way. They didn't feel the cool breeze blowing against them, too preoccupied with the intensity of their kiss. Plus, the warmth of their bodies against each other's prevented them from feeling the coolness of the spring breeze. Behind the couple, the sun sank down into the horizon, as mixtures of purple, red, orange, yellow, and dark blue appeared in the sky. The sun finally disappeared, as stars began to twinkle high up in the navy blue sky. Moments later, Jack and Rose broke away from their loving kiss. Rose's eyes twinkled with the twinkling of the stars, looking at her husband with a loving smile on her face. "I love you so much," Rose said, tears moistening her eyes. "It brings tears of joy to my eyes whenever I look at you, knowing that you'll be by my side for as long as I live."

"No tears are needed, Rose," Jack said, wiping the single tear that had managed to escape her eyes. "I'll always be here, no matter what. I promise." Rose smiled, throwing her arms around him and brushing her lips against his. Pulling away, she pulled him into a tight hug, as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. She felt Jack's arms go around her, embracing each other with the strength of their love. "I just want you to know that being your husband is the most important and the most precious thing to ever happen to me. I love you so much that I can't even describe the feelings that I have for you. You're the love of my life, and I'm glad that I met you." Rose smiled and pulled him into another hug.

"I love you," Rose whispered in his ear.

"I love you, too, Rose," Jack said, kissing her cheek gently. Rose smiled, feeling the warmth of Jack's body transferring to hers, close together in a tight embrace.

"I want to stay like this forever," Rose said. "Just be in your arms."

"Me, too," Jack said. "But we all know that we gotta move on." Rose laughed.

"I know, silly," Rose said. "I just love to be in your strong arms."

"Strong, huh?" Jack asked, lifting her up.

"Jack!" Rose shrieked, laughing. Jack began spinning, laughing as he did so. Rose swung her legs, Jack's arms holding onto her. "Ah!" Rose shrieked happily, tightening her hold on Jack's neck. Rose laughed as Jack kept on spinning, a smile pasted upon his face. Jack slowed down his spinning, his eyes staring into her own. He placed her down, gently, as he held her in his arms. Their faces were mere inches apart, as they both brushed their lips against each other, once again. When they pulled apart, smiles were spread across their faces. Jack looked over his shoulder, finding Cal and Rebecca watching the stars. Jack then glanced down at Rose, who was staring up at the sky. Jack craned his neck, as his eyes gazed up at the thousands of stars that filled the dark sky, and twinkled brightly in the chilly night.

Jack felt Rose's arms go around his waist, holding him close to her. Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulder, as he looked down at her, a smile placed upon his face. He saw her sapphire-emerald eyes spark up at him, as a warm smile graced her face, making her more beautiful and more loving whenever Jack saw her smile up at him. The crashing of the waves was heard, the two lovers staring into each other's eyes. Jack placed his hand onto her cheek, as his thumb gently caressed the soft skin that was upon her cheek. He saw Rose smile and close her eyes. Within that moment, Jack placed a gentle kiss upon her lips, as he brought her into a tight hug, burying his face into her curls.

*****

Cal watched Jack and Rose hugging and kissing each other as if he and Rebecca weren't on the beach with them. Rebecca watched the moon beginning to rise up into the sky, her arm interlocked with Cal's. Cal couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from Rose. He still had an admiration for her, and he still loved her, but he also loved Rebecca. Rose would always be in his heart, he knew that, but whenever he saw Jack kiss Rose, or hug her, he felt jealousy creep over him. But he had to learn to control his jealousy. He didn't want to build a feud between them again, for they had become friends and were willing to forgive each other for what they had done. Cal watched as Jack gently kissed Rose, as he wrapped his arms around her. Rose seemed to be enjoying the kiss, as he saw her respond. Cal had never kissed Rose that way, nor had he kissed anyone that way. He just felt that kissing another person was nonsense, and disgusting, since they were switching their saliva with the other.

But now, Cal felt different. He felt loved by the one person that was always by his side, and he felt love for that person as well. Something he had never experienced before in his life. He felt that showing his love for Rebecca was the important thing to him, than not showing his love for her, as he did to Rose. Maybe, if he had showed his love for her, she would still be engaged to him...possibly married to him, but he knew that it was impossible now, since she had married the love of her life...Jack Dawson. Cal was interrupted from his thoughts when Rebecca said something to him.

"Do you love her, Cal?" Rebecca asked, her head craned to look at him. Cal looked down, his brown eyes looking into her light green eyes. His heart began beating rapidly at her question, for he didn't want to lie to her. Yes, he did love Rose, but he knew there was a slim chance for her to get back with him, for she was already married. His breathing grew heavier, as he found it hard to answer her question, when she looked straight into his eyes. "Say the truth," Rebecca stated, waiting patiently for his answer.

"I...well..." Cal found it difficult to tell her the truth. He took a deep breath, to calm his nerves, as he looked down into her eyes. "I--I do." Rebecca just looked at him, her eyes beginning to moisten.

"So, you don't love me?" Rebecca asked, feeling her heart beat with sadness.

"No, I love you," Cal said. "I love you with all my heart, Rebecca."

"Then why do you love her?" Rebecca asked.

"Haven't you been hearing anything I've said for the past week and a half?" Cal asked. "I loved her. But I treated her badly...I never showed her that I loved her. I never knew that I needed to. But ever since the sinking, I've begun to regret the way I treated her," Cal said, putting a hand on her cheek. "Rebecca, she's my past. I'll always love her, but not as much as I love you. Please understand that I can't erase her from my life yet. It's too soon. Rebecca, you're the one I'm going to marry, not Rose." Rebecca just stared at him, trying to decide if she should accept his excuse. It seemed reasonable, and she didn't really want to end her relationship with him, since she loved him as well.

"I understand," Rebecca said. "As long as you don't take her away from Jack."

"I won't," Cal said, smiling at her.

"Promise?" Rebecca asked.

"I promise," Cal said. Rebecca smiled. Rebecca hugged herself, against the chill of the wind. "Are you cold?" Rebecca nodded. "Here," Cal took off his jacket and put it over her shoulders. "Put this on."

"Thank you," Rebecca said, pulling the jacket around her.

"Well, we should be going, shouldn't we?" Cal asked, looking at his pocket watch. "It's half past midnight already."

"It is?" Rebecca asked. "It seems as if we just got here."

"Well, you know what they say," Cal said. "Time flies when you're having fun."

"I suppose it does." Rebecca smiled. Cal smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Let's go," Cal said, putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her towards Jack and Rose.

*****

Jack, Rose, Cal, and Rebecca were in the Daimler-Benz, as the driver was going to drop Jack and Rose off to their destination. Jack told the driver the address where they would like to be dropped off before the driver ended up driving them to the hotel. Jack seated beside Rose, who leaned against his shoulder. Jack looked down at her, finding her eyes closed, in a deep sleep. Jack smiled as he held her hand in his.

"She must've had a long day," Rebecca said, smiling at him. Jack looked over at her, smiling.

"Yeah," Jack said. "She's just tired from all the excitement we've had during the past three days."

"Excitement?" Rebecca asked, confused. Jack immediately blushed. "Oh!" Rebecca said, laughing. "So, you wore her out, didn't you?" Jack's face grew redder. Cal smiled.

"I would never think that you...would...well, you know...for three days in a row," Cal said, surprised. Jack blushed even more. "I'm impressed, Jack. Really impressed."

"I wouldn't be able to live through that for three days in a row!" Rebecca said. "I'd be exhausted. It's surprising enough that Rose was up tonight."

"What can I do?" Jack asked. "We're in love."

"You two look like you're in love," Rebecca said. Jack smiled at her, the car moving past the art gallery and the café that was on the corner. Within a few minutes, the car came to a halt. The driver opened the passenger door.

"I got it," Jack said, getting out of the car, going around the other side, and opening the passenger door. He slipped his arm behind her back, and under her legs, as he carefully lifted her out of the car. "Would you mind passing me her purse?" Jack asked, nodding his head towards the evergreen-colored purse. Rebecca picked it up, and placed the strap into his hand.

"Have a nice night, Jack," Cal said, waving to him.

"You, too, Cal," Jack said, kicking the door closed. He nodded his head to the two couple inside the car, and watched as the driver went to the drivers seat, and drove off, leaving them alone. Rose's arms were around his neck and her head leaned against his arm as he walked towards the gate. Jack managed to open the gate and walked up the steps, until he reached the front door. Bending down, Jack opened the door and went inside. Kicking the door closed, quietly, Jack turned to lock it. Shifting Rose up into a comfortable position, Jack found the staircase, in the darkness, and slowly climbed the steps, until he reached the second floor. He heard Rose mumble something, but she didn't awaken. Taking a couple of steps towards the right, Jack reached the guest room door. Since the door had been left open, Jack walked through and kicked the door closed, walking towards the bed and gently putting Rose on it. When he did, he placed her purse on the dresser and took his bowtie off, throwing it onto the floor. He took his dress shirt off, and placed it on the chair. He kicked off his dress shoes, and took off his socks. Unbuttoning his trousers, he let them fall to the floor, as he was standing there, with his undergarments.

Jack walked towards Rose, and took off her shoes, placing them beside his. Jack slipped his hand under her and managed to unbutton her dress. After a bit of difficulty, he finally managed to unbutton the remainder of her dress. Jack slipped the dress off her and put it on the chair. Rose was wearing a corset, something she hadn't worn since the Titanic sank. Jack decided to leave her in her corset, so he pulled the covers over her, and pressed his lips onto her cheek. Jack walked around the bed, got under the covers as well, and lay on his side facing Rose, smiling and falling fast asleep beside the love of his life.

Chapter Twenty-Six
Stories