LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Thirty-Five

Rose was in their bedroom, trying to pick out a dress to wear to the party that was to be held in a restaurant, the same restaurant where Jack and herself had had their wedding reception. It was already seven o‘clock, and they were to be at the restaurant by eight. It was Annie’s nineteenth birthday, and since everything was back to normal between Jack and herself, she had decided to come along. Besides, she wouldn’t want to miss her best friend’s birthday after what she had done for her. Rose went towards the closet and pulled out a few of the summer dresses that she had bought a few weeks ago. She lay them out on the bed and examined each of them, trying to decide what she should wear to the party. She had a white summer dress with a beautiful flower pattern on it and a sash. It was short-sleeved and low-cut. A pale green dress lay beside it and had a flower embroidered on the midsection, with the front of lace and silk. This was also short-sleeved. The next one, however, was a cerulean blue dress with sleeves that went off the shoulders. It was also low-cut and had a beautiful rose embroidered on the midsection, and the dress was a soft velvet. The sash was dark blue in color and had a silky texture. The hem of the dress had silk trim, as did the end of the short sleeves. Rose lifted the dress and put it against herself, walking to the full-length mirror and admiring the beauty of the dress. A satisfied smile came over her face as she decided to wear the dress. She set the dress on the chair, going towards the other two and putting them back in the closet.

When she had completed that task, she walked towards the bathroom and turned on the water to fill the tub. While the tub was being filled, Rose removed the dress she wore and let it fall to the floor, leaving her in her bloomers. She removed the garment, filled the tub with soap bubbles, and watched as bubbles formed under the running water. Setting the bottle aside, she got into the tub and lay down, relaxing in the warmth of the water, and soothed by the fragrance of the soap. Once the tub was filled, Rose shut the faucets off and lay back, closing her eyes. She felt the water ripple with the slight movement as she put a hand on her lower abdomen. She breathed in, the fragrance of the soap lingering in her nostrils, a smile spreading across her face. Reopening her eyes, she took hold of the soap and began rubbing it against her pale arms and onto her chest. Once she had done so, she grabbed a small pan and began rinsing herself off. In minutes, she had completed the task of bathing and pulled the plug out, watching the water disappear. She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body, walking into the bedroom to get dressed.

She walked towards the dresser, picked out a clean pair of bloomers, and slipped them on after drying herself off. She let the towel drop to the floor, walking towards the dress she had chosen, and slipped it on. She looked down, finding that her cleavage was exposed, but not all the way. She was having some difficulty in buttoning up the back of the dress, so she walked out of the bedroom and went into the parlor, where she found Jack and Fabrizio talking. Her face reddened as she walked towards Jack.

"Uh…Jack?" Rose asked, getting Jack’s attention.

"Hmm?" Jack asked, looking at her and finding Rose’s face red with embarrassment.

"Uh…c-can you button up my dress?" Rose asked, turning around. "I-I can’t seem to do it myself."

Jack smiled and got up. "Sure." A smile crept onto his face as he stepped behind her, beginning to button her dress, his fingers brushing against her bare back. When he buttoned the last button, his hands went down to her sash, making a bow as neatly as he could. Once he was finished, he put his arms around her waist from behind and put his chin on her shoulder so that their cheeks touched. "I love you…" Jack whispered, pressing his lips against her cheek.

Rose smiled and put her hand over his, closing her eyes for a brief moment.

"I love you, too," Rose said, her voice soft as she turned around. "Well, I have to finish getting ready. My hair is a mess!"

"You’re beautiful enough as it is, Rose," Jack said. "If you make yourself even more beautiful than what you are, I don’t know how I’ll ever keep my eyes off of you."

Rose had a mischievous smile on her face. "Well, I guess I’m going to have to put a blindfold on you, then, huh?" Rose asked, her eyes shining with laughter.

"I’d like to see you try," Jack said, a teasing smile on his face.

Rose looked over at Fabrizio and cupped her mouth with one hand as if she were telling Fabrizio a secret. A smile crept on her face as she looked from Jack to Fabrizio. She whispered, the smile still on her face.

"Jack is just jealous that I’m prettier than him," Rose said, her voice soft. She heard laughter coming from Fabrizio, causing her to join in.

Jack looked at her, perplexed, but a smile was on his face.

"You think I’m jealous, huh?" Jack asked, playing along.

"Yes, I do," Rose said. "Besides, I can’t imagine you being beautiful in a dress. I would find it quite amusing."

"You would, huh?" Jack asked, his smile growing. "But just imagine you wearing men’s clothing—you’d still look as beautiful as you are, only as a man."

Rose stood there, her mouth open. "Why, Mr. Dawson—or should I say Mrs.?" Rose asked, getting back at him.

Jack chuckled. "Why, Mr. Dawson, you really are a handsome fellow, aren’t you?" Jack asked, walking towards her. "I have heard that you are a talented artist, one that is married to Rose Dawson. Am I right?"

"Hmm…I should say so, Rose," Rose said, her face brightening and her eyes shining with laughter. "I hear that you are with child—two months, I should say. How are you holding up?"

"Quite good, actually," Jack said, smiling. "I’m due in January, and it‘s my first one, too. I just hope that I‘ll be a good mother." Jack pressed his lips tightly together to hold back the laughter that was about to escape, but ended up laughing anyway.

Rose burst into laughter, hunching over. She looked at Fabrizio, who was laughing along with them, his face red and his mouth open in a wide smile. Rose’s chest heaved, trying to catch her breath. She looked at Jack and found that his smile had broadened and his eyes danced with laughter. After she calmed down, she walked towards Jack and buried her face in his shirt, clutching it. She lifted her face, a gentle, loving smile on it. Jack’s hand went to her face, giving her cheek a tender caress with his thumb. Despite the fact that Fabrizio was there, watching them, Jack leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers, bringing her into an intense kiss, which grew with passion and love. Rose’s hand went to the back of his neck, her fingers running through his golden hair, while his hand gently ran over the small of her back, pressing her body close to his, their mouths connected in true love’s passionate kiss.

"Vero amore…true love," Fabrizio muttered to himself. "It does exist." Fabrizio watched Jack and Rose get lost in their kiss, their arms wrapped around each other, oblivious to the world around them, only aware of each other and the love that they shared—the love that they had regained earlier in the morning. "Jack, tu sono un fortunato uomo." A satisfied smile appeared on his face, watching the two lovers share their love for each other with a passionate kiss.

*****

Kristen walked down the block, stopping in front of the bar. She stood beside the entrance, looking both ways and waiting for Jimmy to arrive. It was precisely 7:50, which left Jimmy one minute to arrive at the bar like she had told him to. Her dark hair was pulled back in a neat bun, a few strands falling around her face. Her lips were red and smooth. Her dark brown eyes shone with impatience, waiting for Jimmy to arrive. The dress she wore was violet, trimmed with lace and embroidery. The sleeves were short. The gentle spring breeze caused the strands of her hair to flutter while she looked in the opposite direction of the bar, trying to see if there was any sign of Jimmy. She sighed in frustration, tapping her foot impatiently.

Jimmy turned the corner, finding Kristen standing in front of the bar, waiting impatiently for him to arrive. He wore neatly pressed trousers and a clean white shirt. His cologne lingered in the air as he walked towards Kristen, knowing that he was in for a lecture—even though he was only one minute late. He stepped closer to her and stopped, putting his hands behind his back. He cleared his throat to reveal his presence and saw her turn around, her eyes looking at him.

"And where have you been?" Kristen asked, putting a hand on her hip.

"I’m sorry," Jimmy apologized, putting both his hands up in defense. "I didn’t know what shirt to wear."

"You didn’t know what shirt to wear?" Kristen asked, chuckling. "Just how many white shirts do you have, Jimmy?"

"Kristen, relax," Jimmy said. "I’m only a minute late. It’s not like I came here at eight o’clock or anything. Relax!"

Kristen took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I’m sorry, Jimmy," Kristen said, opening her eyes and looking at him. "It’s just that I really want this to work."

"Don’t worry, Kris, it will work," Jimmy said.

"I hope so…" Kristen said.

Jimmy sighed, looking at her.

"Kris, can I ask you something?" Jimmy asked.

"Sure," Kristen said, looking at him. "Why not?"

"Why do you want Jack so much?" Jimmy asked. "He’s married…shouldn’t you just leave him in peace?"

"Jimmy, please," Kristen said, holding up her hand. "Don’t start this bullshit about how he is married. He was mine first to begin with, and I’m in love with him. He is my love, and I want to have him for the night…at least for one night."

"So what you’re trying to tell me here," Jimmy said, "is that you want to get him in bed with you."

A smile crept over her face, brightening it.

"Exactly," Kristen said. "It won’t hurt to do it one time, will it?"

"Kristen, I—" Jimmy began.

"Look, whose side are you on? Mine or his?" Kristen asked, getting more exasperated with Jimmy.

Jimmy sighed and gave up. "Yours," Jimmy said.

"Good," Kristen said. "Let’s get moving. We have only five minutes to get there in time."

Kristen and Jimmy walked up the block towards the apartment where the Dawsons lived. A smile crept over Kristen’s face as Jimmy held the door open for her. She stepped inside, Jimmy following behind her. She led him to the staircase and towards the door she thought to be Jack’s apartment. She held out a poised fist, giving the door a couple of firm but gentle knocks before lowering her hand. She looked at Jimmy and smiled, waiting for the door to be answered.

*****

Rose was in the bedroom fixing her hair. She picked up a fancy comb, pulling back the strands that fell around her face, leaving the rest of her curls cascading down her back. Rose looked at her reflection in the mirror, seeing herself shining with delight and passion, a smile coming over her face. Rose applied color to her lips, making them a deep shade of red and matching the color of her fiery curls. Rose also added some color to her eyelids, making them stand out. She added a hint of perfume before she was finally satisfied with her appearance. Rose got up from the chair she was sitting in and went into the parlor, finding Jack sitting on the couch, sketching something in his portfolio. Fabrizio, however, wasn’t in the room with him and was probably out on his nightly stroll. A smile came over her face, seeing Jack’s eyes squint with concentration, his artistic hand making the charcoal he held make even strokes on the paper, creating a womanly figure. Rose just stood there, admiring the way he drew. His face held a serious expression, his eyes concentrating on the piece of paper. Rose knew how Jack could get frustrated if he was interrupted, which explained why Rose stood there quietly, allowing Jack to draw. She looked at the grandfather clock that stood at the corner of the room and saw that it was already 7:50, which left them five minutes before they would leave the apartment to head off to the restaurant. Rose put her hand over her lower abdomen, looking at her flat stomach. Rose knew that within a couple of months she would start showing, and in time, the fully developed baby would be ready to be born into the world, welcomed by two loving parents. Rose looked at Jack, seeing that he had stopped sketching. His blue eyes looked at her, a smile spreading across his face.

"Just how long have you been standing there?" Jack asked, his face brightening.

"For the past three minutes, probably," Rose said, walking to him and taking a seat beside him on the couch while Jack closed the portfolio and set it on the coffee table. She felt Jack’s arm go around her waist as she looked at him.

"Doing what, exactly?" Jack asked, his eyes shining with laughter.

"Admiring my talented husband," Rose said, smiling at him and slipping her hand into his. "Who I love with all my heart and soul."

Jack smiled at her, looking at her hand, which fit perfectly in his own. It was as if God had intended for her hand to fit in his—as if they were a match made in heaven, and in all reality, they were. Fate had brought them together in the first place, and Jack cherished every moment they spent together, for his love for Rose was worth more than any money in the world, and her love, in return, was his treasure and his heart. He didn’t know what he’d do if anything happened to her. As his thumb gave a gentle caress to the back of her hand, he lifted her hand towards his lips, pressing his lips onto the back of her hand and leaving a tender kiss on it, his eyes looking at her and seeing the smile on her face.

"Well, Mrs. Dawson," Jack said, a broad smile on his face. "I’d have to say that I feel the same towards you."

"I’m glad," Rose said, gripping his hand lovingly.

Jack looked at the clock, finding that they had approximately two minutes left until they had to leave.

"I guess we’d better go," Jack said, getting up and helping Rose stand up with him. He looked at her dress and smiled. He lifted her arms up in the air, twirling her around and hearing her shoes click on the hardwood floor. Jack smiled, watching the skirt of her dress flutter with her movement, revealing her calves. Jack stopped her when she faced him and pulled her close, holding her as if they were going to dance. Rose’s twinkling eyes looked into his own, a warm smile on her face. Jack returned the smile, bringing Rose into yet another kiss. Rose’s fingers gently grazed his cheeks, his own going down her back, then over her curls. When they broke from their kiss, Jack’s lips made a trail to her delicate cheeks and down to her neck, gently putting loving kisses on her collarbone. Rose bent her head back, a satisfied smile on her face, holding Jack close and feeling his lips brush against her skin. A sudden knock on the door caused Jack to pull away and turn towards the door. He looked over at the clock, seeing that it was eight o’clock on the dot, and he glanced towards Rose. "Maybe it’s Annie…"

"Maybe," Rose said. "Why don’t you answer it, and I’ll get my purse?"

"Okay," Jack said, watching Rose disappear into their bedroom to retrieve her purse while he walked towards the door and pulled it open. He froze, staring at the woman he had never expected to see again—not after what she had done. "Kristen…what are you doing here?" Jack’s voice was stern and angry.

"Why, Jack, that’s no way to greet your guest," Kristen said, looking him over from head to toe. "Maybe I should teach you a thing or two about how to greet people in a polite manner."

"Kristen," Jack began. "Just leave, please. You have caused enough trouble already. Don’t make it worse."

"I’m only here to apologize for what I’ve done," Kristen said, her eyes brightening with innocence.

"Fine. You’re forgiven. Now leave," Jack said, trying to close the door, only to find it blocked by a man’s foot. He looked up, finding that a man three inches taller than himself stood beside Kristen.

"Oh," Kristen said. "Jack, I’d like you to meet Jimmy Anderson. Jimmy, this is Jack Dawson—the man I was talking to you about."

"Hey, Jack," Jimmy said, giving Jack an earnest smile. "Nice to meet you."

Jack just gave a slight nod of his head, his eyes shining with anger. He returned his attention to Kristen.

"Please, Kristen, just leave," Jack said, growing impatient. Kristen had nearly ruined his marriage with Rose, and yet thought that he would leave Rose for her, which wasn’t true. He loved Rose—and only Rose. His heart belonged to her and nobody else. "There’s no need for you to be here. You’ve had your fun. Now go. Please."

"Jack?" he heard Rose ask, feeling her hand on his back. "Is everything all right?"

Rose looked over his shoulder, seeing the woman who had nearly ruined their marriage. The woman who had kissed her husband, causing her to feel betrayed by the man she loved. Her arm went around his waist, her fingers clutching the side of his shirt, feeling his arm go around her shoulders.

"Everything’s fine, love," Jack said, purposely kissing her lips, causing Kristen to grow aggravated. He pulled her close to him and wrapped her arms around him, his going around her. In a moment, he pulled away, taking deep breaths after the intensity of the kiss. He still held Rose close to him as she looked at him, her eyes surprised and a smile on her face. Her fingers gripped his shirt as she looked down.

"Well," Rose began, trying to catch her breath. "I’m sure that explains it." Rose let Jack go and went to face Kristen, Jack standing behind her. "I’m sorry, Kristen, but Jack is my husband, and mine alone. I don’t want you or anyone else in this world interfering with our marriage. Do you understand?" Rose’s eyes glared angrily at Kristen, feeling Jack’s hands soothing her by rubbing her arms. "I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave right now, before something serious happens."

"Really…" Kristen said, looking at her. "You should really think before you talk, Rose. Jack was mine to begin with. You just found him and married him. How could you understand what love really is? You only knew him for three days before you fell in love with him. I, on the other hand, have known Jack for a longer period of time than you have, and I know that I love him…probably more than you ever will."

Rose’s face reddened with fury, glaring at her. She clenched her hands into tight fists, her chest heaving from her heavy breathing.

"You should really leave now, before you get a nosebleed," Rose said, remembering uttering the same words to her mother when she had forbidden her to see Jack again. "Jack doesn’t love you, nor will he ever. Now, do leave, before—"

"Before what?" Kristen interjected, chuckling. "Before you cry like a baby like you did before?"

"Kristen!" Jack exclaimed, his voice echoing in the hall and his face reddening.

"What, Jack?" Kristen asked, her voice showing hints of annoyance.

"Leave Rose alone," Jack warned. "As a matter of fact, leave us alone. Stay out of our lives and stay out of our marriage. I don’t want to have anything to do with you. Is this in any way unclear?"

Rose cringed at the last few words he had said. Cal had once uttered those same exact words to her when she was on the ship—when he learned of her spending an enjoyable evening with Jack. She closed her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them and staring into Kristen’s dark eyes with fury. She slipped her hand into Jack’s, gripping his hand in her own lovingly and protectively. She took a deep breath, trying to resolve this situation calmly.

"Look, Kristen," Rose said, trying to keep her voice normal and steady. "We don’t want to have anything to do with you, nor would we want to end up in a mindless argument because you feel that you love Jack more than I do, which is impossible, because I was the one who married him—not you." Her brows knitted together in anger. "I may not have known him for more than a year, but I know that within the time that I have known him, I knew that he was the one for me."

"Just how, exactly, did you two meet?" Kristen asked, suddenly curious.

"That is none of your concern," Rose said, her voice holding a serious but angry tone.

"And why is it not my concern?" Kristen asked.

"Because I don’t feel that you need to know any more than you already know," Rose said. She closed her eyes, trying to keep her anger level to not stress herself or cause any damage to her unborn baby. She reopened her emerald-blue eyes, glaring daggers at Kristen. "I’m not usually a mean person, nor do I judge people before I know them, but I have to say that you’re the most uncouth, presumptuous, self-centered, ignorant person that I’ve ever known, and must I say that I have never met a woman who is such a slut as you are, since you’re trying to court a married man. May I add, Kristen, that you’re not as good at it as you think?" She looked at the man standing beside her. He was tall, muscular, and had a shaved head. His pale brown eyes, however, shone with guilt, though there was toughness in them as well. Rose tried to remember his name. She heard Kristen mention his name—Jimmy—that was it. "Why don’t you just go for Jimmy, here? He’s just as good-looking as Jack is, and more muscular. If I weren’t married, I’d go for him."

Jack looked at her to see her wink at him. He knew that she was just joking with her last sentence. Jack turned to face Kristen, this time stepping in front of Rose and holding her hand in his.

"Listen, Kristen," Jack said, looking at her, causing his blonde hair to fall over his eyes, making him appear years younger than twenty. "You’ve had your fun. Those days that we spent together here two years ago were just something that I considered good friendship—nothing more than that. It never was. I’m sorry if I made it seem that way, but I could never love you as I love Rose. I’m sorry, Kristen, but I’m gonna have to ask you to leave."

"You’re not getting off that easy, Jack," Kristen said, gripping his shirt, and pulling him out in the hallway, and holding him close to her. She looked at Jimmy and gave him a signal, nodding her head towards Rose. Jack was about to turn around, but was prevented from doing so when Kristen pulled him further away from them, looking him. She held his face in her hands, forcing him to look into her eyes as she looked at Jimmy.

Jimmy looked from Kristen to Rose, who looked at him, perplexed, and at her husband, who was trying to look her way, but was distracted by Kristen. Jimmy looked at Kristen, seeing that she was giving him the signal to do his part. Jimmy sighed and looked at Rose. He looked at her guiltily and pulled her close to him.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Rose asked, looking at him in fury. "Get your hands off of me this instant!"

Jimmy grabbed hold of Rose, and before she could shriek, he covered her mouth and pulled her away from the hallway, managing to get her down the staircase safely. He knew she was with child, and he didn’t want to cause damage to the baby or the woman. Jimmy hadn’t thought that this was a good idea to begin with, but he hadn’t wanted to get on Kristen’s bad side, so he had had to go with the plan. He felt Rose try to pull out of his tight grip, but kept his hold on her firm until he reached the end of the first flight of stairs.

"Shh," Jimmy whispered, trying to calm Rose down, his hand still over her mouth. Jimmy took a look down the second flight of stairs, seeing that nobody was in the lobby, which would reduce the suspicion that he was kidnapping the married woman. He led her down the last flight of stairs before pulling her towards the front entrance of the building, hearing her muffled screams under his hand. He opened the door and led her outside and down the block. When he was about to lead her towards the other side of the street, he felt her kick him in the groin, which caused him to let go and double over in pain. "Ah…woman!" Jimmy stood up straight and got hold of her underneath her breasts, lifting her up despite her shrieks and leading her inside his apartment building, opening up the front door. "Shut up, will ya!" She gave another scream just before he reached his apartment. He pushed the door open and led her inside, immediately locking the door, leaning against it and letting her go. Once he did, he took a few deep breaths. "Damn, woman." Jimmy bent over, trying to get his breathing level. "I have never met a lady as strong as you are. I almost let you go outside, and luckily, I didn’t." Jimmy looked at her, smiling and trying to lighten the situation, but soon saw that it was making it worse.

Rose stood a few feet away from him, taking ragged breaths after her fight. She looked at Jimmy, fright shining in her eyes. Her body was shaking and tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Her lips trembled as she took shaky breaths, backing away until her back met with the wall. Rose gasped in fright, closing her eyes and supporting herself by putting her hands against the wall. She opened her eyes, finding that Jimmy was walking closer to her.

"No!" Rose cried, a tear sliding down her cheek. "Please…don’t hurt me. Please…" Her hands immediately protected her lower abdomen as she slowly slid down the wall until she sat on the floor, looking up at Jimmy, petrified. Her eyes glistened with tears as she brought her knees towards her chin. "Please—I’ll do anything you want—just don’t hurt me, please…I’m begging you…"

Jimmy shook his head, looking down at her with pity.

"I’m not going to hurt you," Jimmy reassured her, holding his hand out.

Rose looked at his extended hand, then at his face. She didn’t trust this man, and was afraid that if she put her hand in his, he would try something. A tear involuntarily slid down her cheek. She swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. Her lips trembled, and her eyes looked around the room, frightened. She seemed to ignore his extended hand, not bothering to take it. Rose hugged her knees and put her chin atop them. Her body shook, more tears falling from her eyes and soaking the fabric of her dress.

Jimmy put his hand at his side and watched her cry. He sighed and walked away from her, sitting himself down on the couch and putting his feet on the coffee table, slouching back and laying his folded hands in his lap, looking at Rose. He looked at her fiery red curls. Some strands of hair had fallen into her face from the struggle. Despite that, she still appeared beautiful and had a figure any woman would die for, even though she carried a child that had developed for two months—or so she appeared, since she wasn’t showing. A part of him wished he never done this, but another part knew that if he objected, he would’ve gotten it bad from Kristen. She could be very obnoxious and malicious when she wanted to be, as well as put on a smile and appear to be calm and content. He had learned his lesson the hard way when he had seen her bad side.

A year ago, Jimmy and Kristen had been at the bar, enjoying a couple of beers, when a gentleman with brown hair and blue eyes had caught her attention. He had stood tall, and had a manly figure. He was young, attractive, and had a woman on his arm. Kristen had told Jimmy that she wanted him for the night—just as she had said about Jack—and had ordered Jimmy to take the woman and distract her while she romanced her way into her bed, where she had shared a pleasurable night with the man after making him pay her in return. Later on that night, she had come out of a room in the bar with the man behind her fixing his shirt, his hair disheveled and his face flushed, while Kristen held a bundle of money in her hands, counting it before putting it in her purse. That was when he had learned that she was a prostitute—a woman who sells herself for pleasure, getting money in return. Jimmy thought that her career was revolting, for he believed that she deserved much more than that—that she could do something else to get money besides selling herself. When Jimmy had pulled Kristen into an empty room, he had questioned her, asking her why she was selling herself and how she was capable of much more than that, but Kristen had told him to mind his own business and that it was her body and not his. Jimmy, however, had told her that she should find another career, do something else with her life besides being a whore, and all Kristen had done was go up to him, threatening him by telling him that she would have him arrested easily by telling the police that he was attempting to rape her, which had caused Jimmy to back away and just go along with her career, with his job being to distract her customer’s ladies while she received pleasure and passion from the man she had chosen, getting paid a good amount in return. From that moment on, he had never objected, and just went along with her plans, although he did feel pity and disgust towards what she did.

Two hours passed and the sky was getting dark, the sun having set. Jimmy looked at Rose, seeing that she had her head buried in her arms, her body shaking with frightened sobs. Jimmy sighed, sitting up properly and folding his hands at the back of his head. He began to feel that he should never have done this, that he should never have helped Kristen try to romance Jack. He got up and walked towards the window, looking in the direction of Rose’s apartment, where he knew that Kristen was trying to romance Jack—to get him into bed with her—but he didn’t want her to hurt Jack or Rose. They were in love, and because of that, Jimmy was beginning to grow more angry with Kristen. He took a final look at Rose before making a decision. He was going to give Rose back to Jack—even if it meant that he would have to fight Kristen off. He walked towards her, extending his hand once more, only to hear Rose whimper. Her emerald-blue eyes looked up at him in fright and confusion as she hugged her knees to her chest.

"Please," Jimmy said, holding his hand out further. "I’m not going to hurt you—I promise." Jimmy watched as Rose made no motion, nor did she bother to give him her hand. "Look, I’m going to help you get your husband back."

"What?" Rose asked, her voice hoarse and shaky, looking at Jimmy.

"I’m going to help you get your husband back," Jimmy repeated, nodding his head, his hand still out in front of him.

Why would he want to help me? Rose wondered, looking up at him. He’s the one who kidnapped me in the first place. Why would he want to bring me back to Jack if he took me away from him? Should I even believe that he would take me back to Jack? Should I even trust him? Rose just stared up at him, not moving or saying anything. She looked into his eyes and saw determination and guilt shining in them.

"Why should I believe you?" Rose asked, her voice hoarse. "You’re the one who kidnapped me. Sure as hell you could rape me."

"I’m not going to do anything of the sort," Jimmy said. When he found that she was still in the same position, not moving, Jimmy sighed. "Do you want to see your husband or not?"

Rose looked at him, startled at his outburst. "Y-yes," Rose stuttered, swallowing the lump that was forming in her throat.

"Then come with me," Jimmy said, extending his hand once more. "I promise you I won’t lay a hand on you in an inappropriate manner—I’m not that type of man."

Rose breathed shakily, looking at him. She looked at his extended hand and at his eyes. She cautiously slipped her hand into his and felt his fingers tighten around her own, helping her stand. When Rose was on her feet, she smoothed out her dress and looked into his eyes. She watched him put his hand in his pocket and pull out a handkerchief, handing it to her. Rose gave him a small, gentle smile, taking the handkerchief from him and thanking him, dabbing her eyes with the fabric.

"May I ask you a question?" Rose asked, her red eyes looking into his own.

"Sure," Jimmy said, looking at her.

"W-why did you kidnap me, if y-you don’t want to do anything inappropriate with me?" Rose asked, feeling her face grow red as she looking at him. "Forgive me, but, most men wouldn’t miss a chance like this—not that I want you to—I-I’m just curious."

"You’re asking me why I didn’t seduce you?" Jimmy asked, looking at her. "Is that it?"

Rose nodded her head, feeling foolish at what she had said.

"Well, because I know you’re married and in love, and I wouldn’t ever force myself on any woman—especially someone in your condition," Jimmy said, looking at her, his eyes shining with sincerity.

"Then why did you take me in the first place?" Rose asked. "If you didn’t want anything to do with me?"

Jimmy looked at her, guilt shining in his eyes. He knew that he had made a foolish mistake, and that in order to fix it, he’d have to take her back to Jack and break things off with Kristen. He watched as her emerald-blue eyes shone with curiosity, looking at him.

"I-I…well, I…" Jimmy stuttered, having no idea why he had gone along with the plan. Maybe it was because he was afraid of what Kristen would do to him if he didn’t. He sighed in frustration, cursing himself for being so self-centered and dim-witted. "I was just afraid of what Kristen would do, I guess."

Rose looked at him, perplexed. "What would she do?" Rose asked, wondering exactly why Jimmy was afraid of Kristen.

Jimmy scratched the back of his head, looking at her.

"She isn’t what you think she is, Rose," Jimmy explained. "She s-sells herself to men—for pleasure—and gets money in return—"

"She’s a prostitute?" Rose asked, her eyes wide.

Jimmy nodded helplessly. "Yeah," Jimmy said. "She has been for the past year."

Rose looked at him, her expression showing confusion.

"If she’s a prostitute," Rose began. "And with Jack, then that means…" Rose’s eyes went wide, her mouth hanging open. Her hand lifted to cover it, gasping in shock. "Oh, my God…Jack!"

Jimmy nodded his head, a frown coming over his face. "That’s why I want us to go over there now, before Kristen had done anything—at least I hope she hasn’t done anything…" Jimmy said, looking at Rose.

"Oh, Jack," Rose whispered. She looked at Jimmy, then out the window. "We should go now…and do something about that bitch…pardon my French…" Rose looked at him with innocent eyes.

"Not a problem," Jimmy said. "I have to agree with you…let’s go!" Jimmy grabbed hold of her wrist, leading her out of his apartment and out of the building. They began running towards her apartment, though not at a speed at which Rose would injure her unborn child, but at a speed at which they would be able to get to the apartment faster than by walking. Jimmy held onto her hand as they made their way inside the apartment building and up the staircase. He stopped right at the top of the third flight of stairs, opening the door and leading Rose towards her apartment—finding the door closed. Jimmy looked at Rose and tried the doorknob, finding it locked. Jimmy pressed his ear to the door, hearing Kristen laughing, while Jack was protesting what she was doing. Jimmy told Rose to stay back, banging his shoulder against the door—which didn’t open the door. Taking a few steps back, he tried again, this time succeeding, but felt a shiver of pain go through his shoulder. Ignoring the throbbing in his shoulder, he looked into the room, seeing Kristen sitting on top of Jack, his shirt unbuttoned and her dress down, revealing her chest. Jack’s face shone with fury and his eyes with anger. Jimmy stood there, breathing heavily and watching Kristen glare at him angrily. He returned the glare and stepped into the room, telling Rose to stay out in the hallway, as he was going to put an end to Kristen’s self-centered attitude.

Chapter Thirty-Six
Stories