LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Twenty-Seven

A month had passed since Jack and Rose had returned from their honeymoon. It was already the tenth of June in the big city, and Jack was coming home from the park. A month earlier, the day after they had come home from Santa Monica, Jack and Rose gone to the bank, finding two million dollars deposited into their account. Jack and Rose were surprised that Cal had actually been telling the truth, that he was actually willing to let Rose go. Jack had been surprised to see that much money in their bank account, for he had never seen two million dollars in his life. Rose, on the other hand, wasn’t as shocked as Jack was, for she had lived with a lot of money for all of her life.

Jack climbed the steps that led to their apartment, his portfolio tucked under his arm. He was whistling, in a happy mood. Reaching their apartment door, Jack twisted the doorknob until it opened, allowing him to step inside. As he did, an aroma filled his nostrils. A smile came across his face. Setting his portfolio on a side table, Jack walked towards the kitchen, finding Rose making his favorite dish--pasta with Rose’s homemade sauce, which she learned to prepare with Katherine’s help. Rose looked up, smiling as she found Jack leaning against the doorway that separated the kitchen from the parlor.

"So, how was your day at the park?" Rose asked, lifting the wooden spoon to taste the sauce.

"It was fine," Jack said, walking towards her. "Can I have a taste?" Rose smiled and handed him the spoon, watching him taste the sauce that she had prepared for their dinner. "Mmm…delicious. You’re beginning to be an amazing cook, Rose." Rose smiled.

"Well, I’m a quick learner," Rose said.

"It seems that you are," Jack said, taking a seat on one of the chairs at the kitchen table. "So, how was your day?"

"Fine," Rose said, covering the pot with a lid and shutting off the gas. Rose turned and looked into Jack’s eyes, feeling her heart quicken, for she had some news for him. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, Rose took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to speak. She had gone to the doctor earlier to find out if her suspicions were true. A week earlier, she had realized that she hadn’t had her monthly cycle, and had begun getting nervous. She had managed to make an appointment for this afternoon a few days earlier to make sure that everything was in order. Rose still remembered the doctor’s words after he had the results.

*****

Rose stepped into the doctor’s office after her name had been called and found a thin gown on top of the examination table. The doctor told her that he would be with her in a moment and told her to dress in the gown. Sighing, Rose began removing her dress and her undergarments and slipped on the thin gown, sitting on the table and waiting patiently for the doctor to return. A few minutes later, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man with soft gray hair and a white doctor’s coat holding a clipboard in his hand.

"Good day, Mrs. Dawson." The doctor smiled as he closed the door behind him. "I’m Dr. Thompson." Rose gave him a small smile as she watched him flip through the records. "How are you today?" Dr. Thompson asked.

"Fine," Rose muttered, her heart beginning to pound from the curiosity that was building up inside of her.

"Well, you said that something’s wrong, right?" Dr. Thompson asked, looking at her.

"Yes," Rose said. "I was supposed to have my monthly about a week or two ago, and I never had it."

"I see," Dr. Thompson said, going towards her. "You’re married, right?"

"Yes," Rose said with pride. "I am."

"Good." Dr. Thompson smiled. "Did you have any sexual intercourse with your husband?" Rose blushed at the question but couldn’t find her voice, so she nodded, a soft pink shade appearing on her cheeks. Dr. Thompson smiled. "Well, I’ll examine you and make sure everything’s fine. All right?" Rose nodded. "Now, would you please lie down for me?" Dr. Thompson asked. Rose did as she was told and allowed the doctor to examine her. About ten minutes later, he was finished. He had a smile on his face. "Well, Mrs. Dawson, I did find something that’s causing the lateness of your monthly cycle." Dr. Thompson got up to wash his hands.

"What is it?" Rose asked, sitting upright and hoping that nothing was wrong.

"Well, Mrs. Dawson, I have to say that your husband is going to be a father," Dr. Thompson said, taking the clipboard from the table and scribbling something down. It took a moment or two for Rose to finally figure out what he meant.

"A father?" Rose said to herself. Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she stared at the doctor. "You mean, I-I’m…"

"Pregnant?" Dr. Thompson finished for her. "Yes, you are. About two months along, I should say." He looked up from his clipboard. "I’m assuming this is your first?" Rose nodded, still trying to absorb the news. To finally believe that she was going to be a mother. A smile appeared across her face as she looked up at the doctor.

"I’m going to be a mother," Rose said, smiling brightly, finally getting the idea.

"Yes, you are, Mrs. Dawson," Dr. Thompson said. "I should say you should be expecting morning sickness for the next few weeks. I want you to come here every month for a checkup, just to make sure everything’s going to be all right."

"All right. I will." Rose smiled, her eyes shining happily.

"Very well, then," Dr. Thompson said. "I’m going to leave you alone so you can change back into your clothes." Dr. Thompson stopped and turned around. "Congratulations, Mrs. Dawson. You’re going to be a wonderful mother." Rose smiled.

"Thank you," Rose said, watching as the doctor left the office. Rose got off of the examination table and took the gown off, dressing in her clothes. As she did so, she thought of becoming a mother. Once she had finished dressing, Rose looked down at her abdomen and felt the small bump that was forming. "I’m going to be a mother." A smile appeared across her face. A few minutes later, Rose left the doctor’s office to go home so she could think about motherhood. All Rose hoped was that Jack would be just as thrilled as she was about becoming a parent. She didn’t know what she’d do if he wasn’t.

*****

"Is something wrong, Rose?" Jack asked, noticing that Rose was beginning to grow nervous. He looked into her eyes, finding that she had something to tell him. Something that would change their lives forever. "Do you have something to tell me?" Rose looked at him and nodded. "Well, go on and tell me." Jack got prepared for whatever she was going to say. Rose took a deep breath, getting ready to tell him.

"Well, Jack," Rose said, looking into his eyes. "I went to the doctor today—"

"Is everything all right?" Jack asked, beginning to get worried. "Are you okay?"

"Jack, relax," Rose said. "Everything’s fine. It’s just that the doctor found something that I would suffer through for the next seven months."

"What is it?" Jack asked.

"Well, Jack," Rose said, her heart beating rapidly, growing more nervous by the second. "I know you’re not ready to become one, but unfortunately, you are."

"Not ready to become what?" Jack asked, confused. "What are you talking about, Rose?"

"I’m pregnant, Jack," Rose said, getting to the point. "You’re going to be a father, and I know you don’t want to be a father yet, and--" Tears began to well up in Rose’s eyes. She covered her face with her hands and let the tears out, hoping that Jack wasn’t going to let her go through this alone.

"I’m going to be a father," Jack whispered to himself, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her towards him. Rose looked at him, tears falling down her cheeks. A smile appeared on Jack’s face. His eyes glowed. "That’s wonderful!" Jack embraced his wife. "I’m going to be a father!" Rose was surprised that Jack was happy to be becoming a father.

"So, you’re not upset?" Rose asked.

"Of course not," Jack said. "Why would I be upset?"

"Well, when Jonathan asked you when we would have children of our own, you said that you weren’t ready, and that you wanted to experience marriage first," Rose said, not taking her eyes away from his.

"Rose, that was then," Jack said. "This is now, and if I’m going to be a father, then I’m willing to experience fatherhood. Rose, I love you, and I will do absolutely anything to make sure that you’re happy and loved." Rose smiled, throwing her arms around his neck and bringing him into a tight embrace as she buried her face in the crook of his neck, allowing tears of joy to slide down her cheeks and fall onto Jack’s shirt.

"I love you," Rose murmured, holding him close to her and feeling the warmth of his body transferring to her own, making her feel warm and loved as their embrace tightened.

"I love you, too, Rose," Jack said, gently stroking her curls. A smile appeared on her lips as she breathed in his scent. Her hands brushed against Jack’s shirt, feeling the muscles on his body. She could feel Jack’s lips press against her head as he kissed her curls. The soft beat of his heart assured her that she was loved and cared for by the man who always put his arms around her, who always understood her and loved her, no matter what the situation was. Rose pulled away just enough to look into his blue eyes. Smiling, Rose lovingly kissed his lips, enjoying the warm feeling as their lips brushed against each other‘s, their kiss growing intense and passionate, their tongues intertwining and putting more depth into it. A knock on the door brought them back to reality, making them pull apart. Rose smiled at her husband. He smiled back, making her to feel more loved every time she looked at him. He let her go, walking towards the parlor to answer the door.

Rose stood there, watching Jack go to answer the door. A smile appeared on her face, realizing that Jack was happy about becoming a father, just as she had hoped he would be. A tender hand stroked the small bump that was forming inside of her. Looking down, tears began to well up in her eyes, the reality of becoming a mother sinking into her as every wish she had had came true. She almost felt as if she were in a dream, fearing that she’d wake up any moment back in her old high society life. But looking at her surroundings and looking down at the fourth finger on her left hand, she knew she wasn’t dreaming. This was reality. Married to the man she loved and pregnant with his child. To her, it was a dream come true, having almost every wish she had ever made come true. She heard voices coming from the parlor while her thoughts were occupied by her unborn baby. Rose smiled and gave her abdomen a final stroke before heading towards the parlor, where she found Jack speaking to her mother. Smiling, Rose made her way towards Jack and slid her arm through his. Jack looked at her and smiled.

"Hello, Rose." Ruth smiled, looking her daughter up and down. "My, do you look beautiful." Rose smiled, looking at her mother with loving eyes.

"Thank you, Mother." Rose smiled, her eyes glowing.

"My, don’t you seem cheerful today," Ruth said, her eyes locking with Rose’s.

"Well, come on in, and maybe then we’ll tell you," Rose said, moving aside to allow her mother to come inside. "Have a seat, won’t you?" Rose closed the door. "Are you thirsty? Would you like anything to drink? Tea or coffee, maybe?"

"My heavens, Rose, calm down!" Ruth said, smiling. "I’m fine, truly. Now, will you two sit down and tell me whatever you have to say?" Rose and Jack made their way to the couch and took their seats together. Rose sat down and put her folded hands in her lap. She looked at Jack and gave him a smile. Then, she looked over at her mother.

"Well," Rose began. "Mother, I--Jack and I--we have something to tell you." Her eyes looked into her mother’s.

"Well, tell me, then, if you must," Ruth said.

"It seems that I was late…" Rose said, her heart beating at a fast pace, finding it difficult to tell her mother the news. Her eyes managed to glance over at her mother’s, and she suddenly found them wide.

"Rose, you’re not…" Ruth began. "…are you?"

"Well, as a matter of fact, I am," Rose said. A smile crept over her face, her hand holding Jack’s in a firm but loving grip. "Jack and I…we’re going to have a baby!" Tears welled up in her eyes.

"A baby?" Ruth gasped, putting a hand over her mouth to hide her shock. "I’m going to be a grandmother?" Rose nodded happily, watching her mother smile brightly. "Oh, my dear Lord. That’s wonderful!" Ruth said, throwing her arms around her daughter. "When did you find out?"

"This afternoon," Rose said. "I went to the doctor to make sure."

"Oh, my God. I’m going to be a grandmother!" Ruth smiled. "I never thought I’d live to see the day." Rose laughed.

"Mother, you’re not that old," Rose said. "You’re only forty-six."

"Well, still, my dear," Ruth said.

"You’re going to be a grandmother," Rose said. Ruth smiled, her eyes beginning to moisten.

"Rose, you’ve made me the happiest woman alive," Ruth said, her voice choked with the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Oh, Mother," Rose said, a tear sliding down her cheek. She wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a tight, loving embrace. "I love you." Ruth was taken aback at what Rose had just said. Rose hadn’t said those three words to her since she was a little girl. Tears welled up in Ruth’s eyes.

"I love you, too, sweetheart," Ruth said, stroking Rose’s back gently. Ruth stared into Jack’s eyes, finding them warm and loving. Something she hadn’t seen in a man since William had died of leukemia. Ruth gave him a small smile, pulling away from the hug. Ruth put her gentle hands on Rose’s face and smiled at her. "You’ve got a wonderful husband, Rose. I know that Jack will take good care of you." Rose smiled, looking over her shoulder and finding Jack smiling at her.

"I know he will, Mother," Rose said.

"Oh, bless the Lord, Rose. You’re going to have a baby!" Ruth smiled, looking at her daughter. She placed a tender hand on Rose’s abdomen. "Before you know it, you’re going to hold your son or daughter, just as I did when you were born."

Rose looked at her mother and smiled. But deep within her, she was scared of becoming a mother. The reality had sunk in when her mother had said that she would soon be able to hold her son or daughter in her arms. Inside of her there was a small creature who was going to live inside her for the next seven months of its development. She felt a smile come across her face, thinking of what her son or daughter would look like. She could picture a small baby with soft blonde curls, pure blue eyes, and her smile. Rose closed her eyes for a brief moment, taking in a deep, relaxing breath. She opened them to see warm green eyes. Rose smiled at her mother, finding herself feel love towards the woman that sat before her.

"I’ll finally get to understand what it feels like to be a mother," Rose said, a warm, loving smile on her face. Ruth smiled back.

"Don’t worry, Rose," Ruth said. "You’re going to be a wonderful mother. Especially with your adventurous spirit." Rose smiled, looking down at her hands. "Every time I look at you, I see William." Her eyes moistened.

"William?" Jack asked, his face wrinkling with confusion.

"My father," Rose said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Oh," Jack said, feeling dimwitted at the moment.

"He used to do everything with me," Rose said, looking at him. "We used to always ride horses and go to the lake. There was a special rock that my father and I would sit on and talk, tell jokes, do all sorts of things." Rose looked at him, finding his blue eyes looking into her own. "You remind me of him. He loved me for who I was and treated me like a normal person. Like I was the only girl in the whole world that he would ever be with." Rose looked back down at her hands, playing with the two rings that were on the fourth finger of her left hand. She felt tears moisten her eyes, holding back a sob. "I loved him so much. He was the only man I ever knew who treated me like a real person. As if I was actually worth something. But on my sixteenth birthday, he lost his battle with leukemia and died, leaving me fatherless." Rose’s voice was choked as she talked, finding that both Jack and her mother were paying close attention. "He told me to keep a promise. He made me promise that I would marry the man I loved, live my life with him, and love him just as I loved my father. He wanted me to be happy and not marry someone I didn’t love. He wanted me to find my soulmate, and now, I have finally fulfilled that promise." Rose felt a single tear escape from her blue-green eyes.

"Rose—" Jack began, putting his arms around her shoulders.

"I kept my promise to him, Jack!" Rose cried, looking at him. "And I’m going to keep your promise, just as I did my father’s."

"I know you will," Jack said, gently stroking her arm and gazing into her eyes. Rose held back her tears, preventing them from falling, for she was tired of crying. Taking a deep breath, Rose relaxed and looked at Jack, finding him looking at her with warm, loving eyes. Rose couldn’t help but smile back. She looked over at her mother, finding her in tears.

"Mother, why are you crying?" Rose asked, concern in her voice.

"Oh, nothing," Ruth said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief that she had pulled out of her pocket. "It’s just that seeing you happy makes me happy, and now that you’re expecting, I--"

"Mother, I’ll be fine," Rose assured her mother. "I am happy. More happy than I’ve ever been in my entire life." Rose put a gentle hand over her mother’s. "And I know that you’re going to be there for your grandson or granddaughter. I know my child is going to be welcomed into this world with open arms." Ruth just looked at her with loving eyes. "It’s awkward saying this, but I’m glad that you forced me to get engaged to Cal." Ruth looked at her, perplexed.

"Rose, what are you talking about?" Ruth asked. "You couldn’t possibly have been happy to be engaged to Cal, when--"

"No, Mother," Rose interrupted. "I wasn’t glad that I was engaged to him." Ruth looked at Rose in confusion. "You see, Mother, if you hadn’t forced me into that engagement, I wouldn’t be married to Jack, nor would I be carrying his child." Ruth gave her daughter a small, loving smile, looking into her eyes.

"I’m just glad that you have kept your promise to your father," Ruth said. "There’s nothing that could mean more to me than your honor." Rose gave her mother a small smile, listening to her words. "That’s why I’m glad that you turned out like him and not like me."

"Mother—" Rose began.

"No, Rose," Ruth said. "All I did to you in your childhood was treat you as if you weren’t my daughter, when you are my daughter. Never did I even utter the words I love you, nor did I even show my love towards you. All I can say for myself, Rose, is that I’ve been a bad mother to you, and I do apologize for that. If I could take it back, I would."

"Mother, I know you meant well," Rose said. "You wanted me to live my life in high society, and I understand--"

"Rose, the only reason I wanted you to live in high society was so that you wouldn’t have to worry about money, so you would have everything you would ever want," Ruth said, sighing and looking down at her hands. "I wanted you to be happy. I didn’t mean to make your life miserable."

"I know you didn’t, Mother," Rose said, putting both of her hands over her mother’s. "You just wanted me to be happy, just like any mother wants their child to be. But, Mother, I don’t really need money to be happy. I never did. I couldn’t care less if we had no money whatsoever, but if I have your love, then I’ll be the happiest daughter in the whole world." Ruth smiled and pulled Rose into another embrace, closing her eyes to cherish the moment of feeling her daughter’s arms around her. Never had she felt welcomed or loved since William had passed on. Ruth felt a single tear slide down her cheek as she gently stroked Rose’s curls, feeling the warmth of her body transfer to her.

"I love you, Rose," Ruth whispered, pulling away. Rose smiled, feeling tears come to her eyes.

This is a dream come true, Rose thought, looking at her mother. My life is everything I’ve ever wanted it to be. "I love you, too, mama."

"You haven’t called me that in years," Ruth breathed, looking at her daughter.

"Well, I thought that I could start acting like a daughter to you, and appreciate you for who you are," Rose said, smiling.

"You’re such a wonderful woman, Rose," Ruth said. "I just regret treating you as I did in the past. I hope you can forgive me."

"But, Mother, I already have," Rose said. "I forgave you the minute you hugged me on the Carpathia six weeks ago." Ruth smiled and allowed her tears to flow down her cheeks. Rose lifted her hand to her cheek, wiping every tear away. "There’s no need for tears, Mother. Everything will be fine now. We’re all a family. Maybe a small family, but we’re still a family nonetheless."

"I know we are," Ruth said. "And I am glad to be a part of this family." Ruth gave Rose a warm smile, catching Rose’s look and finding her eyes shining brightly. Silence lingered in the air for a few minutes, until the soft chime of the grandfather clock that was in the parlor brought all three back to reality. Ruth looked up, finding that it was already five o‘clock. They’d been talking for more than an hour. "Dear heavens!" Ruth gasped, getting up from her seat. "We’ve been chatting for an hour straight without realizing that the day was passing. I nearly forgot that I’ve got to attend the Sunday services, which start in an hour, and I haven’t even gotten ready!"

"Mother, calm down," Rose said. "You should go on up and change if you have to. There’s no need for you to get worried over nothing."

"You’re right," Ruth said, calming down. "I guess finding out that I’m going to be a grandmother sort of got into my head, didn’t it?"

"It seems so," Rose said, laughing shortly.

"Are you going to attend the services?" Ruth asked.

"Maybe next Sunday," Rose said. "I’m quite tired, and besides, I’m still kind of shocked that I’m going to be a mother."

"All right, then," Ruth said. "I suppose that I’ll see you two later, then."

"I suppose so." Rose smiled, seeing her mother to the door. "I’ll see you later, Mother."

"Of course, my dear." Ruth smiled, leaving the apartment and going up to her own, which she shared with her good friend, Patricia Andrews, the woman who was nearly the same age as Ruth and had a son who lived in Maine. Once her mother was out of sight, Rose closed the door and turned.

"Well, I guess we are completely alone now," Rose said, heading towards Jack, where she sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I still can’t believe that I’m going to be a father," Jack said, his eyes glowing and his hand landing gently on top of her stomach. Rose smiled at him, placing her hands over his.

"Well, believe it, because seven months from now we’re going to be parents," Rose said, her eyes filling with tears of joy.

"Rose, I’m glad that you’re married to me," Jack said, looking into her blue-green eyes, which shimmered brightly whenever she looked at him. "That you’re always there for me when I need you the most, and--" Rose placed two fingers over his lips, stopping him.

"Jack," Rose said, looking at him. "I’m just as glad as you are. There’s no need for you to say anything. When I look into your eyes, I see the truth. I see that this is where I belong--in your arms. I can’t see myself anywhere else, besides with you." Rose put her hand on his cheek, allowing her thumb to caress the texture of his cheekbone. "Jack, I love you, and there’s nothing in the world that could ever take me away from you. I promise." Jack smiled and pulled Rose close to him, their lips connecting in a passionate kiss. Rose’s palm landed at the back of Jack’s neck, while Jack’s hand went to the small of her back as he shifted into a more comfortable position to make the kiss deeper and more passionate. Rose played with the strands of hair that were on the back of Jack’s head as their lips brushed against each other‘s.

As they kissed, Rose thought of her unborn child. She pictured Jack and herself walking through the park with a little boy or girl running ahead of them, laughing as the summer breeze blew against their bodies. This made her make the kiss more intense, tightening her grip on Jack and holding him as close to her as possible, so that a sheet of paper couldn’t get between them. Both tried to get air through their noses, their lips continuing to stay connected, devouring each other’s with the strength of the love that they held within their hearts. With their arms wrapped each other and their lips brushing against each other’s, the lovers were oblivious to the world around them. Moments later, they separated, catching their breath as they stared into each other’s eyes. Rose grew weak at the knees when she looked into his blue eyes.

Those eyes, Rose thought, her eyes looking into his. They always seem to make me fall in love with him all over again. Rose smiled at him, holding his hand in hers and giving it a firm, loving squeeze as she gazed into his blue eyes. Whenever she looked into them, she felt loved and cared for. All the pain they had been through during the past two months had caused their love to grow stronger. Never before had Rose experienced such intense love. She always thought that it only happened in fairytales—something that would never happen to anyone real. But Rose now knew that love really did exist, and when she was beside Jack, she knew that was where she belonged. Rose looked down at the hand she was holding and caught a glimpse of his wedding band. Rose gently ran her thumb over the ring, looking down at it. This ring symbolized their love for each other. Moreover, it confirmed their vows. This ring told other women that he was taken, and also showed that he loved someone. Looking up, she found that his eyes had been gazing at her for quite some time. Smiling, Rose cuddled closer to him, enjoying the warmth of his body and feeling his arm go around her body, protecting her from the dangers of the cruel world that was ahead of them.

Jack and Rose sat on the couch, cuddled up against each other. They were completely oblivious to the world around them. Jack gently stroked Rose’s hair, her head resting in his lap. Rose felt relaxed at Jack’s motions, and within minutes, her eyes closed, bringing her into a deep sleep, her exhaustion taking over. Jack looked down at his sleeping angel and smiled. Not wanting to disturb her, he sat back, his eyes beginning to grow heavy as well. He had to admit that he was tired after the walk to Central Park and back, which was five blocks away from their apartment building. Within a few moments, his eyes closed, bringing him to a dreamless slumber.

*****

A sudden knock on the door caused Jack to awaken from his hour’s worth of sleep. Blinking a few times to focus his eyes, he stretched and yawned. He found that Rose was still asleep. Smiling, he carefully slid off of the couch, attempting to not wake Rose, at which he was successful. Scratching his head, he walked towards the door to answer it. When he opened the door, he found Annie smiling brightly at him.

"Well, hello, Jack," Annie greeted. "Is Rose home?"

"Uh…yeah, she is," Jack said, looking over his shoulder and still finding her in slumber. "Only she’s sleeping."

"Oh, she is?" Annie asked, sighing. "Okay, then. Just tell her I stopped by." Annie turned to leave.

"Wait. Is it important?" Jack asked. Annie turned back around to face him.

"Well, I just wanted to talk to her," Annie said. "There’s something I need to ask her."

"Well, then, I’ll wake her up for you," Jack said, stepping inside the apartment. "Hold on."

"Oh, no, Jack. You don’t have to," Annie protested.

"It’s fine," Jack said. He went to Rose, shaking her gently. "Rose, Annie’s here." Rose mumbled something and turned over, ignoring Jack. Jack smiled and leaned his head closer to hers, pressing his lips onto hers. He felt a response from Rose and pulled away, smiling.

"Jack?" Rose asked, her voice hoarse from just having awakened from her slumber.

"Yeah, it’s me," Jack said. "Annie wants to talk to you."

"Annie’s here?" Rose asked, sitting up and noticing that Annie was standing out in the hallway. "Oh, dear. I’m a mess!"

"Nonsense," Jack said, smiling. "You look fine."

"He’s right, Rose," Annie said. "You look amazing." Rose looked up.

"How can I?" Rose asked, lifting a strand of curls up. "Look at my hair!"

"Rose, your hair’s perfectly fine," Jack said. He looked up, finding that Annie was still standing out in the hallway. "You can step in, you know." Annie smiled.

"Good," Annie said, stepping inside the apartment. "I was beginning to think that I’d be out in the hallway forever."

"So, Jack said that you wanted to speak with me," Rose said, looking up at her friend.

"Well, yes, actually," Annie said. "I need advice."

"I’d be glad to help." Rose smiled as Annie sat beside her.

"Well, it seems that you don’t need me now, so I’ll head over to the park to draw," Jack said, heading towards the bedroom to retrieve his portfolio. As he returned to the parlor, he went over to Rose to give her a tender kiss before leaving. "I’ll be back before seven." Jack disappeared into the hallway. Rose smiled, gazing at the now closed door where Jack had just left from.

"Rose," Annie said. Rose blinked and looked over at Annie.

"Yes, Annie?" Rose asked, ready to help her friend.

"Well, Michael has asked me out on a date tonight," Annie said.

"That’s wonderful!" Rose said, smiling.

"It is," Annie said. "But I’m not sure what to wear."

"Well, you’ve come to the right place, then," Rose said, getting up. "I’ve got plenty of dresses for you to choose from."

"Thank you so much, Rose," Annie said, smiling. "You don’t know how much this means to me." Rose smiled.

"Well, I’m glad I can be of help, Annie," Rose said, leading her to the bedroom. She pulled out a light blue dress and a lavender dress. "Well, I believe these two will suit you best." Rose lay out the dresses on the bed. "Now it’s up to you to choose the one you prefer."

"They’re both beautiful," Annie said, heading towards the dresses and letting each hand caress one of the dresses. She examined both closely until she came to a decision. "I prefer the lavender. It’s more exquisite."

"I have to agree," Rose said, taking the blue dress and putting it back into the closet. "Anything else you need me to do for you?" Rose gazed into Annie’s eyes.

"How do you know when you’re in love?" Annie asked.

"It will come to you," Rose said, smiling. "You’ll know when you find the right man for your life. You may not realize it at first, but in due time, you’ll be able to find your love." Annie gazed over at Rose with a curious face.

"How did you and Jack meet?" Annie asked. "If you don’t mind my asking." Rose smiled and walked towards Annie, motioning to her to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Well, it all started after I had lunch in the first class dining saloon," Rose said.

"First class?" Annie asked, eyes wide.

"Yes," Rose said. "Didn’t I tell you on the Carpathia?" Rose looked over at Annie.

"I’m not sure," Annie said. "You did mention that your mother was in first class." Rose nodded.

"Well, I was traveling first class on the Titanic," Rose said.

"That must’ve been wonderful," Annie said, smiling.

"Well, up to a certain point it was," Rose said. "But I never liked being a high society lady. Or more accurately, I didn’t like being a first class debutante."

"A debutante?" Annie asked, surprised.

"Yes, and trust me, it wasn’t as wonderful as you’d imagine it to be," Rose said. "I had to attend a year of finishing school until I became a proper lady. Then my mother had to find the richest bachelor in town for me to marry."

"So, you were going to have an arranged marriage?" Annie asked, looking over at Rose with a shocked expression.

"Well, that’s how high society life is," Rose said. "The parents usually choose their daughter’s husband, or sometimes choose their son’s wife. It’s a matter of who has the most money." Annie nodded, understanding. "Anyway, Bruce Ismay was the one who came up with the idea of the Titanic, and all he could blabber about was why he had named her Titanic, and how it had to deal with the size of the ship, and how that meant stability, luxury, and in his words, strength, which was proven wrong four days into her maiden voyage."

"It would’ve been nice to have seen that ship in person." Annie sighed. "It’s too bad that she sank."

"I know," Rose said. "But I have to admit, she was beautiful."

"I’m sure she was," Annie said. "Well, continue."

"Oh, yes," Rose said. "After I made a statement which was quite improper for a debutante to say in front of the gentlemen, I went out to get some fresh air on deck. That was when I first laid eyes on him. He was down in steerage with two of his friends, gazing up at me and seemingly having noticed me before I noticed him. Once our eyes locked, I knew I loved him."

"That’s a wonderful way to meet someone you love," Annie said. Rose smiled and nodded.

"Unfortunately, my ex-fiancé had come to ruin the moment, so I stormed off. That night, however, when we were having dinner, I felt trapped," Rose said, looking down at her hands. "I felt as if I were screaming at the top of my lungs, and nobody even looked up or noticed me. It was the same mindless chatter, the same old shit as Jack would say, over and over, never ending. It was as if I had lived my life already, as if I was reincarnated into another person, who was living the high society life."

"Amazing," Annie said, smiling. "I would never think that you would say such harsh words." Rose smiled.

"Well, I’m not your typical high society debutante anymore," Rose said, the smile still on her lips. Annie nodded, a smile on her face as well.

"You sure are something, Rose," Annie said. "I’m just glad to have you as a friend."

"Me, too." Rose smiled. "Anyhow, I went to my stateroom, claiming that I wasn’t feeling well, and just tore everything apart. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I wanted to die right then and there, so I ran towards the stern, prepared to jump off, only to be stopped by Jack, who saved me. I must say that Jack is my hero, and always will be. From that moment on, I was in love with him. We’ve been through everything together. Nothing can ever separate us. Not even the Titanic."

"He saved you?" Annie asked, her eyes wide with surprise. Rose nodded. "You have a wonderful husband, Rose. You do. Take good care of him."

"Don’t worry, Annie. I am." Rose smiled.

"Thanks for sharing the story with me," Annie said. "I know you’re not prepared to tell the rest, so I’m not going to pressure you. I know when the time is right you’ll be ready enough to share with me the whole Rose DeWitt Bukater story. As of now, I should thank you for your advice and get into this dress of yours."

"Well, I’m glad to be of help," Rose said. "And thank you for listening."

"It is my greatest pleasure, Rose," Annie said, standing up from her seat.

"If you ever need me for anything," Rose said, standing up as well, "you know where to find me."

"Of course," Annie said. "Thanks again, Rose."

"Not a problem at all, Annie," Rose said, smiling sweetly at her friend. "I hope you have a wonderful time tonight."

"Thanks," Annie said. "I hope so, too." Rose smiled as Annie came over to her to give her a warm, friendly hug. "I’m glad to have met you, Rose."

"Me, too, Annie," Rose said. "Now, go run along before you forget to get dressed." Annie laughed and left the bedroom, heading towards the door and opening it.

"Thanks again, Rose," Annie said. "I don’t know how to repay you."

"You don’t have to. Now, go," Rose said, giving Annie a gentle push. "I’ll talk to you later." Annie smiled.

"Of course," Annie said, heading towards her apartment door. Rose smiled and watched as Annie disappeared into her apartment. Sighing, Rose closed the door quietly and went to sit on the couch, where she sighed softly to clear her thoughts. She looked around the parlor, finding absolutely nothing to do with Jack out.

Looking down at her stomach, she realized that she was hungry, so she got up and went into the kitchen to prepare a sandwich to satisfy her hunger. After five minutes had passed, Rose had finally prepared her small snack. She walked towards the parlor and sat down on the couch, eating the sandwich she had prepared. Fifteen minutes passed while she ate her snack peacefully. When she was finished, she found that she had satisfied her hunger, no longer hearing the grumbling that had been sounding earlier. Smiling, she placed a hand over her abdomen, closing her eyes, still proud that she was going to become a mother. She never would have thought that she would end up where she was today. Married to the man she loved and carrying their first child after all the pain and heartache they had suffered through. Rose knew that their love was strong, and she hoped that it would stay like that for as long as they could breathe.

Chapter Twenty-Eight
Stories