LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Twenty-Six

A Honeymoon That Comes To An End

It was a bright morning on the first of May. Jack and Rose had been staying with the Michaels for the past week and a half. During that week, Jack and Rose had spent as much time together as they possibly could. On Sundays, Jack and Rose would go to church with the Michaels, wearing their finest clothes, and on Saturdays, the Dawsons and the Michaels would spend time together. The weekdays were left for Jack and Rose to do things by themselves.

Jack was helping Rose pack, for they were going to leave Santa Monica that evening. Their train left at eight o'clock sharp, so they were packing early so they wouldn't miss their train. The sun crept into the guestroom, the gentle breeze blowing in, causing the curtains to flutter. Katherine was downstairs, preparing breakfast, as Jonathan and Amanda played in the parlor room. Jon had taken the day off, so he could see Jack and Rose off to the station, and so his family could say a proper goodbye before they left. Jack packed up his art supplies and placed it in a new suitcase, which they had bought a few days earlier. They had also bought a few more paintings for their apartment, as well as more clothes and a few other necessities. Once they had everything packed, they looked through everything, making sure that they hadn't missed anything. After they had done so, they closed their suitcases, and placed them beside the bedroom door. Rose fixed up the bed, making sure everything was in place.

As they stayed in the Michaels’ house, Rose learned how to cook some foods that Katherine always made, and in matter of a week, Rose learned how to prepare stew, how to bake a cake, and how to make other recipes that Katherine handed down to her. Rose sat down on the edge of the bed, as she looked around the room. She was going to miss the house, for she had a wonderful time staying there. She saw Jack leaning against the wall, with his hands in his pockets and his feet crossed, as he looked down at her. Rose smiled. She folded her hands on her lap, as she looked down at her left ring finger, finding it occupied with her engagement ring as well as her wedding ring. A smile came across her face, as she realized that they have been married for twelve days. To her, it felt as if she were married to him for years. She looked up at him, and smiled.

"We've been married for less than two weeks, you know," Rose said. Jack nodded.

"I know," Jack said. "It feels like years, though. It's hard to believe that we were married twelve days ago."

"You counted?" Rose asked, a short giggle escaping her lips.

"I couldn't help myself. I wanted to know how long we'd been married, so I checked the calendar and found out that we've been married for twelve days and known each other for three weeks," Jack said.

"Three weeks..." Rose said, looking at him. "Has it really been three weeks since we were aboard the Titanic? It seems so long ago. It's hard to believe that it's only been three weeks."

"I know," Jack said. "I feel the same way. Just to think that our lives changed during those three weeks. That we'd end up married."

"I wouldn't have thought we'd be married, either," Rose said. "I mean, four weeks ago I was with Cal and my mother, packing to board the Titanic, and now I'm with you."

"You know, if someone had come to me a month ago and told me that I was going to marry a beautiful redhead who happened to be an upper class lady, I would've probably laughed," Jack said. "But I really am married to a beautiful redhead, who was, and still is, an upper class lady." Rose smiled.

"And if someone had come to me a year ago, telling me that I'd marry a man from steerage who happened to be quite handsome and caring, I would've probably sent them to an asylum for pure insanity," Rose said. "But whenever I look at you, I know that you're the only one I'll ever love." Jack smiled.

"Jack! Rose! Breakfast is ready!" Katherine called from the kitchen.

"We'll be right down!" Jack called. He turned to Rose. "So, are you ready to eat our last breakfast here?"

"As long as you're with me," Rose said, leaving the guestroom and heading down the stairs with Jack close behind her.

"Mrs. Dawson!" Amanda said excitedly, getting up and running towards her. Rose smiled and picked her up.

"Hi, Mandy Bear!" Rose said, smiling at the little girl.

"Daddy said you and Mr. Dawson are going away," Amanda said, her face beginning to get gloomy.

"Well, yes, we are, Amanda," Rose said.

"But I don't want you to go!" Amanda said, throwing her arms around Rose's neck.

"Oh, Amanda, we won't be gone forever," Rose said. "We're going to visit."

"Really?" Amanda asked, smiling.

"Just to see this angelic face, of course," Rose said, smiling. Amanda smiled and hugged her once more. Rose set Amanda down, and let her go back to coloring. "Hello, Jon." Rose smiled at Jonathan.

"Good morning!" Jonathan said. "I thought you two would never come down." Jack laughed.

"We were just packing our things," Jack said. "We wouldn't wanna leave anything behind, you know." Jonathan nodded.

"Well, why don't you two go on and eat your breakfasts. I'll be with you in a minute," Jonathan said. Jack and Rose went into the dining room, where they found Katherine putting platefuls of food on the table, which was nicely decorated. Katherine looked up.

"Well, it's about time!" Katherine said. "Sit down, please. You wouldn't want to stand all day." Jack and Rose took their seats beside each other. "Amanda! Jon! Come on!" Katherine called. "Breakfast is ready!"

"Kat, what's the special occasion?" Rose asked, noticing how beautifully decorated the table was.

"Well, it's your last breakfast here, and I want it to be special," Katherine said.

"You're acting as if this is our last meal on earth," Rose said. "Relax, Kat. You don't need to strain yourself. It's only breakfast." Katherine laughed.

"I did go overboard on this breakfast thing, didn't I?" Katherine asked.

"Just a little bit," Rose said. "But this sure does look delicious."

"I'm glad," Katherine said. "I worked hard on it." Rose smiled, beginning to eat. Jack did the same. "I can't believe you two are leaving already!" Katherine said. "It seems as if you two came here yesterday." Rose smiled.

"I know," Rose said. "I'll miss this place."

"I'll miss you," Katherine said.

"I'll miss you, too!" Rose said, getting up to give Katherine a hug. Katherine hugged her back. Jack smiled as he watched the two hug. He continued to eat his breakfast. Rose sat down, and continued to eat her breakfast as well, half of her not wanting to leave, but the other half feeling that they should return back to New York.

*****

Hours passed in the Michaels' house, and it was already 7:30 in the evening, leaving Jack and Rose half an hour to head for the train station. The suitcases were already set beside the door, ready to be picked up when they were ready to leave. Katherine held Amanda in her arms, as Jonathan went to pick up the suitcases. Jack opened the front door and let everyone go in front of him, before he went out, and shut the door behind him. They headed towards the train station, where Jack and Rose would board their train back to New York. Jack and Rose walked hand-in-hand as they followed Jonathan and Katherine to the train station, which was about five blocks from their house. When they reached the station, it was already seven fifty, leaving them ten minutes to say goodbye to Jack and Rose.

"Oh, Rose, I'm going to miss you so much!" Katherine cried, throwing her arms around Rose's shoulders and pulling her into a friendly hug.

"Me, too, Kat," Rose said, hugging her back and feeling tears come to her eyes. Jack watched them.

"I have a feeling that Rose isn't going to be too happy when we arrive in New York," Jack said.

"Why do you say that?" Jonathan asked.

"Look at them," Jack said, watching Katherine and Rose hugging each other. Jonathan looked over his shoulder as his wife hugged Rose, tears falling from her eyes as she did so.

"I suppose Katherine isn't going to have it as easy as Rose will," Jonathan said. "Rose is like a sister to Kat."

"I know," Jack said. "I just hope that she won't be too depressed." Amanda tugged on Jonathan's pant leg. He looked down.

"Yes, sweetie?" Jonathan asked.

"I don't want Mr. and Mrs. Dawson to go," Amanda said, her voice shaky from her upcoming tears. Jonathan gave his daughter a warm smile.

"I know, sweetie, but they have to," Jonathan said.

"Why?" Amanda asked, her head craned up.

"Well, they have to go back home," Jonathan said.

"But they have a home with me, Mommy, and you, Daddy," Amanda said, tears shimmering in her light blue eyes. Jack smiled down at her. He crouched down, so he could meet her eyes.

"I'll tell you what," Jack said. Amanda looked into his eyes. "I promise to write to you and your mommy and daddy, and maybe next Christmas, Rose and I can come visit." A smile spread on Amanda's face, and she threw her small arms around Jack's strong neck. Smiling, Jack hugged the little girl back, knowing that he was going to miss her. Five minutes passed, as Jack and Amanda made small talk with each other, as Rose and Katherine were still saying their farewells. The sound of the train's whistle was what brought them to reality, and Jack and Rose stood by each other. The train slowly pulled up, stopping as the conductor came out.

"This train is heading to New York!" the conductor shouted. "It will leave in less than five minutes!" Jack and Rose looked at each other, Katherine and Jonathan standing by each other's sides, Jonathan carrying Amanda in his arms. Jack picked up the two suitcases, as he began boarding. Rose stood where she was, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Come on, Rose," Jack said, coming towards her and taking her hand in his. Rose turned to face him and nodded sadly, looking at the Michaels one last time. Waving, she climbed onto the train with Jack's help and held onto the railing, watching Jack step aboard. Jack led Rose inside the train, and into their seats. Rose sat at the window, as she waved to her friends, a single tear sliding down her cheek as she watched them wave back to her.

"All aboard!" the conductor yelled, and a minute later, the train slowly began pulling out of the station, Rose waving to her friends until they were out of sight. Once Rose couldn't see them anymore, she sat properly in her seat and sighed.

"I'm going to miss them," Rose said, looking at him. Jack looked down at her.

"I know you are," Jack said, kissing the top of her head.

"They're such amazing friends," Rose admitted, leaning her head against his shoulder. Jack put his arm around her shoulder, and pulled her against him.

"Maybe after we get things settled in New York, we can move to Santa Monica," Jack said, his eyes looking downward and contacting Rose's bright blue-green eyes. A smile came across Rose's face, her eyes twinkling at him.

"You really mean it?" Rose asked, the smile still on her face. Jack nodded, as his blue eyes shone brightly down at her.

"Anything to make you happy," Jack said, pressing his lips against her forehead and taking in the scent of her red curls.

"I love you," Rose whispered, closing her eyes.

"I love you, too," Jack whispered back, holding her hand in his. As the train made its way toward the east, Rose slept on Jack's shoulder, while Jack sat awake, holding onto Rose's hand, his thoughts on Rose and their life together.

*****

The train rode its way through the tracks that led to the east. It was the third day on the train ride, and it was already mid-afternoon. They were now passing through Pennsylvania, as New York was only about five hours away. Jack and Rose had eaten their lunch a while earlier, and now they sat in their seats, as Jack drew on his portfolio, with Rose watching over his shoulder. It was the fourth of May, and the sun shone brightly as the train moved along the tracks. As Jack drew, Rose took something out of the small purse that she carried with her. It was a small book, with a lock. Rose had bought it in Santa Monica with Katherine during the second week they had spent with the Michaels. Rose took out a pen and opened it to the first page.

5/4/12

Dear Diary,

This is my first entry as a free woman. Throughout my adolescent years, I'd been through misery. Everything changed when my father died when I was sixteen, a year ago. My father was the kind of man who would stop what he was doing and spend his whole day with you, no matter what time of day it was. William, my father, was my hero. He was everything any girl would ever want in a father. He will always be in my heart, and I will always love him. This entry will explain all the hurt and pain I have lived through for most of my life, up until I married the man I love.

I was brought into this world on December24, 1894. My parents...William and Ruth Bukater...were married for eighteen years before my father lost his battle with leukemia. He was a loving father, a father who was always there for me when I needed him the most. He was the type of father to spend all of his spare time with his only daughter, and would do absolutely anything to make me a happy girl. I miss him greatly, and I would do absolutely anything to bring him back into my life. I loved him dearly, and it hurt me when he passed away. My mother was quite the opposite. She wanted me to be a perfect, elegant lady, to marry the richest bachelor in town. She sent me to finishing school when I was fifteen. I graduated when I turned seventeen. After the loss of my father, I met the one man that I would be forced to get engaged to, seeing that we were growing bankrupt, after paying off the debts of the medical bills that were left behind after my father passed on.

The man I was to become engaged to was named Caledon Hockley, the richest bachelor in Philadelphia at the age of thirty. I have to admit that he was quite handsome, with a muscular build, but I would never think of becoming his wife after what he has done to me. After the first month of our engagement, I had met the real Caledon Hockley. The Caledon Hockley nobody else has met. Cal...what he preferred to be called...became abusive when I spoke to another man, thinking that I was getting into another relationship while I was engaged to him. He slapped me, and began berating me, telling me often times that I were to stay with him and only have conversations with him, and nobody else, unless he was beside me. From then on, he became possessive and obnoxious. From the slapping to the possessiveness, I have had enough of him.

Unfortunately, he had bought tickets for us to board what then was called the Ship of Dreams, also nicknamed the unsinkable ship. We were to board the Titanic, to return to America, after our shopping spree in Paris, France. The day of the maiden voyage arrived, and we were to board the ship by noon. I wanted to wear black, seeing that I was feeling miserable and unhappy. Cal objected to my choice and told me to change, to put on a more suitable outfit for the boarding. I, however, couldn't argue with him, and went to change. A few hours later, we boarded the luxurious ship. I felt as if we were boarding a slave ship that would take me to America in chains, and likely make my life more miserable, for I was to marry Cal once we reached America.

However, the trip was the opposite. The voyage was much more exciting than I'd thought it would be. One, I met the man that I would soon marry. Two, I experienced adventure aboard the ship with the help of the man that I would love. Three, aboard the ship was when I fell in love with him. Him being Jack Dawson...my husband. We went through hell and back when the ship struck the iceberg. First, Cal framed Jack for stealing the Heart of the Ocean...a necklace with a rare blue diamond costing two million dollars...with the help of Lovejoy, his valet. Secondly, he had Jack arrested, locking him up at the lower part of the ship, as it was sinking in the cold North Atlantic. Third, Cal shot at us as the ship was sinking, leading us back into the dangers of the ship, and fourth, I came close to losing Jack in the freezing waters. Luckily, he survived, leaving me a happy woman.

Jack and I married on the twentieth of April, only five days after the sinking. We figured that it would keep Cal away from us, leaving us alone for once after everything he had done to us. Unfortunately, he returned, hoping that I'd come with him. But I wasn't willing to go anywhere with him, not when I was married to Jack. Jack. Just the mention of his name causes my heart to flutter. He's my world, and I love him. I don't know what I'd do without him by my side. I don't know what I'd have done if he had died that night with the fifteen hundred people who perished with the Titanic. I have never experienced anything so tragic, and yet so beautiful. Tragic in that she sank, but beautiful in that I met the man that I would soon marry.

Every time I look into his eyes, I fall in love again. It's as if I experience love over and over again and never get tired of it, for I know that our love for each other will last for God knows how long. I feel safe in his arms, and it comforts me to know that I have the ability to spend the rest of my life with him and still have all the love there from when we first met. Being a very talented artist, Jack captures the person's soul on paper as if the portrait was alive. I love art, and I am amazed every time I watch Jack draw a portrait. It stunned me to know that Jack was born with a talent so pure and so incredible. I know that someday he will open up his own gallery, and make loads of money, possibly, and maybe become the famous artist that he wishes to be.

The train is about a mile away from the train station in New York, which will end our honeymoon. I enjoyed my stay in Santa Monica, and wish that we could visit there more often. It's a beautiful place, and it's adventurous. I just hope that Jack and I will go back there, maybe in the summer, and go horseback riding again. Well, I will be ending this entry now, for I have written for the past hour and a half. I'm exhausted, and Jack is getting a bit bored with sitting here doing nothing, now that he has finished his portrait. I hope to write in you soon, and maybe you'll learn more about my life. As of now, good night.

Rose Dawson

Closing her diary, Rose placed it back into her purse, along with her pen, then sat back, as her head glanced over at her husband, who seemed to be just as exhausted as she was. Smiling, Rose placed a hand over his and held it firmly in her own. Jack turned his head and smiled at her, as he squeezed her hand. He brought her hand towards his lips and gently placed a tender kiss on it, causing Rose to smile and feel warmth envelope her body at the touch of his tender lips. Within forty-five minutes, the train had finally come to a halt, stopping at the train station by a quarter to nine. Jack got up as took his suitcases as he slowly began walking away from their seats, with Rose close behind him. Climbing down the steps, Jack set the suitcases down and held out his hands to help Rose out of the train. Smiling, Rose bent down, wrapped her arms around Jack's neck, and allowed him to carry her out of the train.

Setting her down, Jack looked into her eyes and smiled brightly, before placing a tender kiss onto her ruby red lips. A moment later, their lips had pulled apart, leaving a loving smile on each of their faces as Jack picked up the suitcases and led the way out of the train station and into the dark streets of New York City. As they were walking, the chilly wind blew around them, causing Rose to hug herself. Jack noticing that Rose was shivering stops walking and places the suitcases down, as he took off his light jacket, placing it on Rose. Rose looked up at him and smiled, thanking him for the jacket. Jack smiled and picked up the suitcases as they began walking down the block, until they reached their apartment. Rose opened the door, as she watched Jack step inside the lobby of the apartment building. Closing the front door, Rose began climbing the steps, with Jack close behind her. Reaching their floor, Rose took the key from the small purse that she carried with her and slipped it through the keyhole, opening their apartment door, allowing for them to enter their home. Once they were in their parlor room, Rose turned on the light, exposing the room to them, finding it the same as they have last left it. Jack placed the suitcases beside the door, as he closed the door. Rose walked towards the kitchen, wanting to get a glass of water, to quench her thirst. Jack stood beside her as he watched her take small sips from her glass. Rose stopped drinking and smiled up at him.

"Is something the matter, darling?" Rose asked, looking into his blue eyes. Jack smiled and shook his head.

"I just can't seem to get enough of you," Jack said. "I'm in love with you." Rose smiled, setting her glass down and going towards him.

"Really?" Rose asked. "It's good to know that you are in love with me, because I know I'm deeply in love with you."

Jack smiled as he leaned closer, pressing his lips onto hers, as he brought her into a passionate kiss, loosening all the love that was within his body, and transferring it to Rose, as they kissed. Bringing his hand down to the small of her back, Jack pulled her closer to him, feeling Rose's delicate hand behind his neck fingering his golden hair. Their lips brushed against each other, as their tongues made love of their own, both oblivious to the world around them, lost into their own world through the depth of their kiss. Moments passed and their kiss was still strong, as if it would never end. Finally, they pulled away to catch their breaths, staring into each other's eyes.

"You're so beautiful," Jack whispered, letting his thumb stroke her delicate cheek. Rose smiled, as the windows to her soul gazed into the blue orbs that always made her feel week to her knees, as the depth of his eyes caused for her to fall in love over and over again, with the one man that she will ever love.

"I love you," Rose said, burying her face in his chest, clutching his shirt, and breathing in his scent. Never in her life had she experienced love by a man as handsome as Jack was, and yet still caring and honest. Jack gently stroked her hair, as he held her close to him, not wanting to let go of the beauty that he held in his arms.

"I love you, too, Rose," Jack said, burying his face in her hair. "More than words can ever say." Rose lifted her head and smiled, their lips meeting once more and bringing them into an intimate kiss that never seemed to end. Within minutes, they were in their bedrooms, making sure that every light was out, and lay on their beds, as their kiss led to something more as Jack took Rose to the stars yet again.

Chapter Twenty-Seven
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