LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Thirty-Seven

August 20, 1912

Rose was now four months pregnant, and she was beginning to show, while her morning sickness had long been gone. For the past two months, Jack and Rose had grown closer and closer, while Fabrizio had met the love of his life. Her name was Angelina Nerucci, she was nineteen years of age, and her nationality was Italian. Fabrizio was only twenty, turning twenty-one on September fifteenth. Fabrizio was pleased to have met someone of his background and nationality, someone who was also a citizen of the United States. Fabrizio had become a citizen two weeks after he had met Angelina, and was proud of it. He still worked at the restaurant, inviting Angelina, Rose, and Jack for free dinners. Fabrizio had moved out of the Dawsons’ apartment on the first of July, moving into a place of his own. After he had become a citizen, he had become determined to act like a citizen, moving into his own apartment and going to work every day until early evening. He was off on the weekends, and usually spent those two days with Angelina.

Jack had gotten a job at an art gallery that was ten blocks away from their apartment. Jack had been drawing in the park occasionally when a middle-aged man, Benjamin Wilson, had passed him and seen his work. He had asked Jack if he had considered becoming a professional artist, Jack had told him that he had, and Benjamin had given him his card, telling him to stop by his art gallery, where he would give him an interview. When Jack had gone there, the interview had gone perfectly, and he had gotten a job at the art gallery selling his drawings, as well as sketching drawings when people asked him to. He would usually get good tips from his customers, having pleased them with his talent. Jack was usually at the gallery from morning until late afternoon, leaving Rose alone in the apartment in the morning. Jack was fulfilling his dream of becoming a famous artist, and after putting it down for four months, Jack was finally putting his dream to life. He had always wanted to become a professional artist—ever since he was a little kid, and his mother had often encouraged him. However, some of his friends that he had had in Wisconsin had doubted that he would ever succeed, and that had caused Jack’s determination to grow. Up until he met Rose, he had tried to make his dream come to life. After the Titanic tragedy, and after falling in love with Rose, his dream had been put on hold, but when he had met Benjamin, things had changed.

Rose was proud that Jack was fulfilling his dream. However, she was a bit saddened that he wasn’t there for her in the morning as he had been. Now that he had a job, he left the house by eight o’clock, while Rose was still sleeping, leaving her alone. Rose’s dream was to become an actress, and had been ever since she had been a little girl. However, her mother had often told her that acting was for immoral people, and that ladies like her shouldn’t go into the entertainment business. Nevertheless, Rose still dreamed of becoming a famous actress. Her dream was on hold, since she was, at the moment, four months pregnant, but she hoped that once her child was old enough, she would fulfill her dream as well. Rose was getting ready for her stroll in the park. Ever since Jack had gotten his job, she hadn’t wanted to stay in the apartment alone, and Annie was usually at work as well. Once Rose had stepped into her summer shoes, she grabbed the key and slipped it into her dress pocket, leaving the apartment and closing the door behind her.

Rose walked out of the building, welcoming the fresh summer breeze. Her pregnancy was visible now, her stomach not as flat as it had been when she had been two months along. She had gained five pounds from the pregnancy, due to her growing abdomen. The gentle summer breeze caused her dress to flutter, making her pregnant state more visible. Rose’s curls had grown through the months, and were now pulled back into a neat bun. Within minutes, Rose reached Central Park and stood by the small pond, where ducks floated on the warm water. She hugged herself, the warm summer breeze blew against her, causing the few strands of curls that were free to flutter. She longed to be in Jack’s arms—to feel his lips on hers—but she knew that he wouldn’t be home until four o’clock. It was nine o’clock as Rose heard children running around playing and dogs yipping happily, chasing their owners. Rose closed her eyes for a brief moment, feeling two hands on her growing stomach, the person pulling her closer to him. Startled, Rose quickly turned around, to find herself gazing into a pair of clear blue eyes. Rose smiled, throwing her arms around Jack, bringing him into a loving kiss as she did so.

"Miss me?" Jack asked, chuckling and wrapping his arms around her.

Rose smiled and pulled him into another embrace. "Very much so," Rose admitted, pressing her cheek against his.

"I’ve been only gone for an hour," Jack said, pulling away just enough to look into her eyes.

"But you don’t know how it has been for the past two weeks since you’ve gotten that job at the gallery," Rose said, brushing her fingers over his cheeks. "When I wake up, I don’t even find you there anymore." Rose felt Jack’s hand on her cheek.

"I’m sorry," Jack said. "But having this job means so much to me—I can’t give it up."

Rose smiled and shook her head. "I’m not asking you to," Rose said. "I know that you have been dreaming of becoming a professional artist for a long time, but I still miss waking up beside you."

Jack kissed her on the forehead. "Don’t worry, Rose," Jack said. "I’m not gonna be the type that’s gonna be gone all night or anything. I only work eight hours at the gallery, and I’m home after that."

"I know," Rose said, sighing. "I just miss kissing you in the morning when I wake up. Usually, I’m the one up early, but ever since you’ve gotten the job, you’ve gotten up before I do."

Jack chuckled. "If you want, I can wake you before I leave," Jack said.

Rose smiled. "I’d love that," Rose said, pressing her forehead against his and looking into his blue eyes. Several passersby looked at them, giving them disgusted looks, but Jack and Rose paid them no mind, too much in love to notice.

Jack smiled and pressed his lips against hers, bringing her into a kiss that made a warm sensation flow through Rose’s body.

Rose smiled, pulling away. "I love you, Jack," Rose whispered, intertwining her hand with his.

"I love you more," Jack said, smiling.

"That’s impossible," Rose said. "I love you more. More than you can ever imagine."

"Well, we love each other equally," Jack said, brushing his hand over her growing abdomen. "And soon, I’m gonna have to share my love with a little child that was created by our love."

Rose looked at him, smiling. "You’re probably going spoil our child rotten," Rose said.

"Probably," Jack said. "Just as I have spoiled you with my love."

Rose smiled, her eyes twinkling. "So, what are you doing here, anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be at the gallery?"

"Well, yes," Jack said. "But I asked my boss if I could have a half hour off to bring you to the gallery."

"And why would you bring me to the gallery?" Rose asked, a teasing smile on her face.

"Well, so I can show you around and introduce you to my boss," Jack said, looking at her. "And so I can spend more time with my beautiful wife."

Rose smiled and gripped his left hand, which held hers, looking at him.

"Sounds good to me," Rose said, a bright smile on her face.

Jack smiled and put his hand on her cheek, his eyes sparkling with love, holding her as close to him as her pregnant stomach would allow. He wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning closer and pressing his lips against hers, bringing her into a kiss. Jack’s fingers caressed her back, his lips brushing against her own and his tongue intensifying their kiss. As he kissed her, the world that surrounded them seemed to vanish, the two drifting into their own world where only they existed and where only their love mattered. He heard murmuring coming from several passersby, but he paid them no mind, for he couldn’t care less what other people thought when his love for Rose, and her love in return, mattered more to him than anything.

Rose put her hand on the back of Jack’s neck, her fingers brushing against Jack’s neatly trimmed hair—he had gotten a haircut a couple of days earlier. Rose felt her heart flutter happily, responding to his kiss, held as close to him as her bulging stomach would allow. Rose made the kiss deeper and more intense, clutching his shirt. Moments later, they broke from their kiss, broad smiles on their faces, gazing into each other’s eyes. As Rose looked into his eyes, she felt a warm sensation flow through her body, seeing his eyes shining with pure love. Jack looked at her as if she were the only woman in the world. The only woman who had ever existed, and that made Rose feel loved and special. She sighed lovingly, looking at him.

"I love you, Jack," Rose whispered. "I love you so much." Rose buried her face in his shirt, clutching it.

Jack pulled her into a tight embrace. "I love you, too, Rose," Jack said. "I will love you until my dying day." His hands caressed her back lovingly.

Rose’s smile grew, looking into his piercing blue eyes. She looked over his shoulder, seeing a few people pointing at them and whispering amongst themselves, but all Rose did was smile and return her attention to Jack, for she didn’t care what other people thought of them. She was too much in love with Jack.

"Shouldn’t we head over to the gallery now?" Rose asked, looking up from his embrace.

"Perhaps we should," Jack said, smiling and pulling away, gripping her hand and leading her away from the pond. Jack and Rose left Central Park hand-in-hand, heading towards the art gallery Jack worked in.

*****

Jack and Rose finally reached the Wilson Art Gallery, Jack opening the door for Rose and allowing her to go ahead of him. Rose stepped inside and looked around the art gallery in awe. There were paintings of all different sorts set neatly on shelves on display. Rose went towards one painting of a beautiful sunset on a beach and two lovers sitting by the shore, cuddled in each other’s arms. Rose smiled and let her fingers brush against the rough texture of the painting. Jack smiled, watching her admire the painting on the shelf. He watched her slender fingers brushing against the texture of the painting, her smile growing. She turned towards him and smiled.

"Jack, this is beautiful," Rose said, her eyes twinkling. "It seems as if you’re actually sitting there while there’s a sunset on a beach."

"Yeah," Jack said, walking towards her, standing behind her, and wrapping his arms around her swollen middle. "But I have to say that this painting isn’t as beautiful as you are."

Rose smiled, feeling Jack’s warm breath on her skin. Closing her eyes, she leaned back, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her. She felt his cheek against hers while he whispered something in her ear.

"Come Josephine in my flying machine, going up she goes, up she goes," Jack sang softly, his hands feeling around her stomach, feeling Rose’s hands go over his.

Rose turned to face him, her smile brightening her face and her eyes shining with love and happiness. His crystal clear blue eyes shimmered with love. She saw that his face was coming closer towards hers. Rose felt her heart flutter, Jack’s lips brushing against hers once more. She could already feel the cool breeze from that day so long ago, kissing him in the same position that she had when they had first shared their true love’s kiss on the bow of the Titanic, after Jack had shown Rose how to fly when she had come back to him. Moments later, they broke from their kiss, smiles spread across their faces. Jack pulled Rose closer, pressing his lips against her forehead, closing his eyes as he did so.

"Jack?" A man’s voice rang out, interrupting the two from their moment of affection. Jack turned his head towards the counter, where he caught a glimpse of his boss, Benjamin Wilson, standing behind the counter, dressed in casual clothes. "Is that you, boy?"

Jack smiled and looked at Rose, squeezing her hand comfortably.

"Yeah!" Jack called out. "It’s me!"

"Well, where have ya been?" Benjamin asked, catching sight of Jack, a woman standing beside him. "Your break was over five minutes ago."

"Uh…sorry about that," Jack said. "It’s just that I kind of got carried away."

"Well, would you mind introducing me to this beauty you have standing beside you?" Benjamin asked, looking at Rose, then at Jack. "Or do I have to introduce myself first?"

"I got it, Ben," Jack said. "Well, Ben, this is my wife, Rose Dawson." Jack introduced Rose to his boss. He looked at Rose, his arm around her shoulders, holding her close. "Rose, love, this is my boss, Benjamin Wilson. He owns this place, and he’s the one who offered me this job."

Rose smiled and extended her hand. "Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wilson," Rose said.

"The pleasure’s all mine, Mrs. Dawson," Benjamin said, taking her hand in his own and kissing the back of it tenderly. "Jack is one lucky man to have a wife like you."

"I’m sure he is," Rose said, looking at him, a teasing smile on her face.

Jack chuckled and scratched his head. "I guess I am, huh?" Jack asked, a lopsided grin on his face.

Rose laughed, looking at him. She put her hands over her middle and sighed happily.

"You’re expecting?" Benjamin asked, noticing her bulging stomach.

Rose looked at him and smiled. "Yes," Rose said. "I am. It’s due in January."

"Well, congratulations," Benjamin said, smiling at her.

"Thank you," Rose said, smiling, her hand stroking her middle.

Benjamin smiled and nodded his head. "Well, I’ll be in the back room," Benjamin said. "Jack, I’m trusting that you’ll take care of the customers."

"Of course," Jack said, nodding his head.

Benjamin smiled, then disappeared into the back room.

Jack turned when he heard the door close and smiled at Rose.

"Well, it seems that you have to get back to work," Rose said, stroking his face. "I’ll go—"

"No," Jack said, holding onto her. "Stay. It gets pretty lonely here, and I get bored after awhile." Jack looked at her. "I’d really appreciate it if you’d stay…please?" Jack’s eyes pleaded with her, pouting.

Rose laughed, looking at him. He looked like a little boy when he pouted, and his eyes lit up brightly, looking at her.

"How can I say no to that face?" Rose asked, brushing her fingers against his cheek. "You’re so irresistible, Jack." Her smile grew. "Of course I’ll stay."

Jack smiled and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Oh, I love you," Jack whispered.

Rose laughed and stroked his back. "I know you do," Rose said. She pulled away to look into his blue eyes. "And I love you—for all eternity."

Jack smiled and pulled her into another kiss. Rose pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"All right," Rose said, her hand on his chest. "If we don’t stop now, we never will."

Jack chuckled. "Well, I suppose you’re right," Jack said, stroking her cheek with his thumb. He put a final kiss on her lips before he went towards the back of the art gallery. "Uh…if a customer comes, would you mind helping them? I gotta put some paintings on the shelves."

"Sure," Rose said, smiling. "I’ll be happy to help."

"Good," Jack said. "Well, I’ll be over there if you need me." Jack pointed in the direction of the empty shelves.

Rose nodded her head and smiled. As Jack walked towards the shelves, Rose went behind the counter and waited for customers to come. She admired a framed drawing that hung on the wall behind her of a couple holding hands and walking under the sunset. Rose smiled, this drawing making her think of her honeymoon in Santa Monica. Rose sighed happily, reading the description that was engraved on a brass plate. Benjamin and Gloria Wilson--Summer, 1887. Rose’s smile grew, coming to realize that Benjamin Wilson—Jack’s boss—was in love, just as she was, and just as Jack was. Just then, Rose heard the soft bell on the door ring, a customer stepping in, and Rose turned around, ready to help the customer. Rose saw a blonde-haired, blue-eyed teenager step into the gallery. She seemed to be an inch taller than Rose, and had a light blue summer dress on. She looked around a bit before walking towards the counter.

"Hello. How may I help you?" Rose asked politely, a smile on her face.

"Hi," the teenager said cheerfully. "Uh…do you know if a Jack Dawson is here? I heard that he draws mighty good, and my sister, Karen, went here a couple of days ago to get her portrait done, and came back with a beautifully drawn portrait, and I want one, too. Is he available?"

Rose looked in the direction where Jack was sorting out the paintings, then looked back at her.

"Um…I’ll go get him," Rose said. "Excuse me…" Rose left the counter and headed towards Jack, who was putting paintings neatly on the shelf. She smiled, seeing him bend down, taking the paintings out of the crate. Rose slowly walked to him and tapped him gently on the shoulder.

As Jack was shelving the paintings, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Thinking that it was a customer, he stopped what he was doing and turned around, seeing Rose looking at him. A smile spread across his face, his eyes shimmering.

"Hey," Jack said, smiling.

"Uh…there’s a customer who needs you," Rose said, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. "She says that she wants you to do her portrait."

"Okay," Jack said, looking over her shoulder, then back at the almost full crate. He sighed, scratching his head.

"I’ll finish with the paintings," Rose said, seeing that he was having trouble deciding. "You go on and do the girl’s portrait. I’ll sort these paintings out."

Jack smiled. "Thanks," Jack said. He pressed his lips against her forehead and hurried towards the teenager, taking her to a room behind the counter.

Rose smiled and pulled a painting from the crate, examining it. The painting was of a bowl of fruit sitting in the middle of a table. Rose smiled and set it on the shelf, pulling out another painting, which was of dolphins jumping out of the water. A warm smile came over her face, setting the painting on the shelf as well. Rose continued to fill the empty shelves with the paintings from the crate, and in fifteen minutes, she had completed the task. Sighing, she bent down and dragged the empty crate towards the corner of the room, where it wouldn’t be in anyone’s way, and stood up straight, caressing her middle. Heading back towards the counter, she saw Benjamin looking at her, eyes shining in satisfaction.

"Rose, you didn’t have to do that," Benjamin said, referring to the paintings.

"I know, but I wanted to," Rose said. "Besides, Jack had a customer to take care of, and he seemed to have difficulty doing two things at once, so I offered to help. It’s no big deal, really. It’s better for me that I do something instead of just sitting around the apartment doing absolutely nothing but waiting for Jack to come home, and let me tell you, it gets awfully boring at times."

"Well, I’m glad that you helped," Benjamin said. "Jack was supposed to do that before he asked for his half hour break earlier."

Rose chuckled, looking down. "Well, they’re all done and put away," Rose said. "And I put the crate in the corner where it wouldn’t be in anyone’s way."

Benjamin nodded, pleased by her work. "Say, would you consider taking a job here at the gallery?" Benjamin asked. "I mean, we do need more people to work here, and you could help the customers and help put away the paintings as you just did. The pay is ten dollars a week. I know it’s not a lot, but in due time, I might raise your salary. You’d work weekdays from 8:30 in the morning through 3:30 in the afternoon, having a forty minute break, and on weekends, you’d work from ten o’clock in the morning through two o’clock in the afternoon. What do you say?" Benjamin hoped that Rose would agree, for he could use a woman like her on the job—especially since she had put away the paintings quicker than expected, and had already helped a customer.

Rose looked at him, contemplating whether she should take the job or not. Sure, they already had enough money that they didn’t have to work, but earning a bit more wouldn’t hurt, and it did kill time, instead of just sitting around the apartment, doing absolutely nothing. She did like the gallery, and if she worked there, she would be closer to Jack and spend more time with him on their break. She was sure that Jack wouldn’t mind if she took the job, and it seemed that she had nothing better to do. Rose smiled and extended her hand.

"I’ll take it," Rose said.

"Well, then, you’re hired!" Benjamin said, shaking her hand, a bright smile on his face.

"When do I start?" Rose asked.

"You can start now, if you want," Benjamin said.

"I’d love to!" Rose said, smiling happily.

"Oh, and of course, you’re going to have three months off because of the little one growing inside you," Benjamin said.

Rose smiled and nodded. "I really appreciate it, Ben," Rose said, her eyes twinkling.

"Not a problem, Rose," Benjamin said. "Well, I’ll leave you to do your job. I’m gonna go out back to see if everything’s in order."

"All right, Ben," Rose said. "Thank you so much."

Benjamin smiled and nodded. "Again, it’s no problem, Rose," Benjamin said, smiling. "I’m glad that I’ve made you happy."

"You really have, Ben," Rose said, her smile brightening up her face.

With that, Benjamin disappeared into the back room, leaving Rose alone beside the counter. Sighing happily, she went behind the counter, waiting for customers to come. Rose couldn’t wait to tell Jack that she had gotten a job at the gallery, which would allow her to spend more time with him and have something to do instead of just sitting around, doing absolutely nothing but wait for Jack to come home from work, which made Rose bored and lonely. The gentle ringing of the bell brought Rose back to reality. She saw that three people had stepped in, going to look at some paintings. One was a man with thick brown hair and pale green eyes, while the other two were young teenagers. One girl had blonde curls that went past her shoulders and the same pale green eyes that the man had. The other girl, however, had orange-reddish hair that was shoulder length and dark green eyes, standing about two inches shorter than the gentleman that was beside her. The three seemed to be admiring several drawings that had been sketched by Jack, and they seemed to be pleased, for they all had smiles on their faces and seemed to be pointing to a few details, talking amongst themselves. After a few minutes, the three walked over to the counter with the drawing in the man’s hands.

"Uh…excuse me, ma’am, but do you know how much this costs?" the man asked, handing Rose the drawing.

Rose took the drawing in her hands and smiled. The drawing was of an elderly couple sitting on a bench holding hands, the woman leaning her head on the man’s shoulder. Rose was amazed at how alive and strong love could be after years and years of marriage. Rose ran her finger over Jack’s initials at the bottom right corner.

"One moment, please," Rose said, heading towards the back room, where Benjamin had gone earlier. She gave a gentle knock before opening the door. "Ben?"

"Yes?" Benjamin asked, looking up from the drawings and paintings he had on the desk.

"How much does this drawing cost?" Rose asked. "There are some customers who would like to purchase it." Rose held the drawing out for Benjamin to look at.

"Oh, that would be three dollars," Benjamin said.

"All right," Rose said, heading back towards the door.

"Rose," Benjamin said, causing Rose to stop and turn around.

"Yes, Ben?" Rose asked, standing in the doorway.

"When Jack is finished with the portrait, would you mind telling him to stop by here?" Benjamin asked. "I just have to tell him something."

"All right," Rose said, giving him a gentle smile before walking through the doorway and heading back towards the counter, where the three people were whispering to each other, all with bright smiles on their faces. "Well, it’s three dollars."

"We’ll take it," the man said, searching his pockets for the money.

Rose smiled and put the drawing in a large envelope, sealing it carefully and handing it to the man, who handed her five dollars. Rose took the money and pulled two dollars from the cash register drawer, putting the five dollar bill in with the other bills in the drawer and handing the man his change.

"Thanks for stopping by," Rose said, putting on a polite smile. "Do come again, and I hope you enjoy the drawing."

"We will, ma’am. Thank you so much." The man pulled the two girls away from the counter and led them out of the gallery, leaving Rose alone behind the counter once more. Rose looked at the clock that hung over the entrance, seeing that it was half past ten in the morning. Jack had been in the side room for the past half hour, and would probably be finished in another hour or so. Rose pulled out a chair that was in the corner and took a seat, waiting for customers and for Jack.

*****

An hour and a half quickly passed by. Rose finished with a customer, who purchased a few of Jack’s drawings, a painting, and a few sheets of paper. After the customer left, Rose took a seat, relaxing her legs after having been on her feet for an hour. Sighing happily, Rose stroked her middle and hummed a soft tune to herself as the door to the side room opened.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Dawson," the blonde-haired girl said, a bright smile on her face. "My sister was right—you are a talented artist—and very handsome, too."

Jack emerged from the room right behind the girl, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Thanks, Alison," Jack said. "I’m glad that you like the drawing."

"I don’t like it, Mr. Dawson," Alison said, shaking her head. "I love it!"

Jack chuckled. "Well, thanks," Jack said. "And, please, call me Jack. I don’t like being addressed formally."

"Well…Jack," Alison said, giggling. "Thank you very much for the portrait. I really love it."

"I’m glad you do," Jack said, smiling.

"Well, I must go," Alison said. "I promised my mother that I’d be back in an hour, and I don’t want to end up being grounded."

"It was nice meeting you, Alison," Jack said. "Thanks for stopping by."

"You’re very welcome," Alison said, about to leave. "Oh…" Alison reached into the small purse that she carried and pulled out a five dollar bill. "Almost forgot to pay for the drawing." Alison extended her hand, the bill between her fingers.

"Thank you," Jack said, accepting the money. "I’ll go get your change—"

"It’s not needed," Alison said. "You keep the change—as your tip."

"Well, I—" Jack said.

"Don’t worry, Jack," Alison said. "Just keep the change."

With that, Alison left the gallery, waving and giving Jack a bright smile. Jack smiled and nodded his head.

Jack arched his eyebrows and sighed. He looked at his wife, who was sitting on a chair, stroking her middle. Jack smiled and walked to her.

"Well," Jack said, holding out his hand. "What has my beautiful wife been doing while I was gone?" Jack helped Rose to her feet, holding her in his arms.

"Well, I’ve been helping out," Rose said. Her eyes twinkled, looking at him. "And I’ve been hired to work here."

Jack’s smile grew. "You have?" Jack asked, eyes sparkling.

Rose nodded her head. "Yes," Rose said. "Ben was so pleased at how quickly I got the paintings put in their place and how I helped with one of the customers that he offered me a job here, and I accepted."

Jack’s face brightened, looking at her. "Oh, how I love you!" Jack said, pressing his lips against hers.

Rose giggled, pulling away. "My, Jack," Rose said. "I didn’t know you’d be this excited about my having a job."

Jack chuckled. "Well, I’m just happy to know that you’ll be beside me more often," Jack said, his hands gently caressing the small of her back. "I was lonely the past couple of weeks without you by my side during the day. Sometimes I found myself wishing that the day were over so I could go home and see you."

Rose smiled. "Well, I felt the same way," Rose said.

Jack leaned in and pulled Rose into a kiss. His hands stroked her middle and traveled up her waist, his hands circling on her back. Jack held Rose close to him, deepening the kiss and making it more intense and alive than it was before. Moments later, Jack pulled away from the kiss, staring into her emerald-blue eyes. Jack smiled and put a hand on her cheek, his thumb caressing it.

"You’re so beautiful," Jack whispered.

Rose put her hand over his and closed her eyes, smiling. "I know," Rose said. She opened her eyes, finding herself gazing into his crystal clear blue eyes. "You’ve told me that many times before."

"Well, I can’t help it," Jack said. "You are. You just have to be the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever laid eyes on."

Rose’s eyes twinkled, looking at him. Suddenly, she remembered that Benjamin wanted to see him.

"Uh…Jack," Rose said. "Ben wants to have a word with you."

"When did he call for me?" Jack asked.

"An hour and a half ago," Rose said.

"Why didn’t you get me sooner?" Jack asked, looking at her.

"Well, he told me to wait until you were done," Rose said. "And I know how frustrated you get if you’re distracted."

"All right," Jack said, kissing her on the forehead. "I’ll be right back."

Rose nodded and smiled, watching Jack disappear into Benjamin’s office. Sighing happily, Rose went back to the chair, taking a seat and waiting for more customers to arrive.

Chapter Thirty-Eight
Stories