LOVE THAT NEVER FADES
Chapter Forty-Six

January 21, 1913

A week had passed since the birth of Jack and Rose’s son. One-week-old William John Dawson was sleeping soundly in his bassinette, covered with a warm blue blanket, a hat on his head. Rose was dressed in a dark red velvet dress whose skirt fell down to her ankles. The sleeves were long and the front of the dress was low-cut. Her stomach was now flat, making her feel empty, for she had grown accustomed to a baby wiggling inside of her. She was packing the belongings that they had in the apartment, for they were to leave for Santa Monica in three hours. It was ten o’clock in the morning.

Jack was out, talking with Michael and Fabrizio at a small café. Jack had packed their other belongings, leaving only the clothes to be packed, which Rose had just finished doing. She set the luggage by the door, going to the bedroom to retrieve her son. She lifted the bassinette and took it to the parlor, setting it on the coffee table and watching her son sleep. A small smile crossed her face when she reached over, slipping her forefinger into his clenched fist. He whimpered at the disturbance, but did not awaken from his slumber. A soft knock on the door brought Rose out of her reverie.

She looked at the door, getting up and taking one look at her son, then walked towards the door, opening it to reveal her mother. Ever since they had told Ruth that they would be moving, Ruth had been upset. She had begged Rose to stay or bring her with them, but nothing could convince them.

"Hello, Mother," Rose said, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

"Rose, are you sure you want to leave?" Ruth asked, looking into her daughter’s eyes. "I mean, you just gave birth to William, and…"

"Mother, I’m fine!" Rose reassured her. "Willy is a week old, and I promise you he’ll be in good hands with Jack and I. Besides, I am his mother."

"I know," Ruth said. "And I’m yours."

Rose sighed, stepping aside to let her mother inside the apartment.

"Mother, you have to remember that I’m eighteen and married," Rose said. "I’m no longer the little girl that I was. You can’t control me anymore, Mother. I’m independent, as is Jack and little Willy here."

"I know that, dear, but…" Ruth said, sighing. She headed towards the coffee table, where William slept in his bassinette. "I’m just going to miss you three so much. Especially my grandson."

"We'll write, Mother," Rose said. "And we’ll visit. And surely you can visit as well. It’s just that I’m getting tired of New York, and I don’t want William to grow up here. I want him to grow up in a safer environment, and California just seems to fit."

"But why that far?" Ruth asked.

"Because…" Rose began, looking at her mother, who had a gloomy expression on her face. Rose sighed softly. "…because that’s where Jack and I fulfilled our promise…because Jack and I talked about it on the Titanic, and that’s where I feel that Jack and I will fulfill our dreams. Mother, you have to understand how important it is for us to move there. I know it’s far, but…Santa Monica is the only place I could ever think of moving to. Besides, Jack promised me on our honeymoon that we would move there, and now…he’s fulfilling his promise to me."

"You married a good man, Rose," Ruth said. "A good man with a good heart. I’m glad you didn’t listen to me."

"That was the past, Mother," Rose said. "Let’s leave it there."

"I’ll try to," Ruth said, her head hanging.

Rose walked towards her mother and put a secure hand on her shoulder.

"Mother," Rose said, watching her mother lift her head to gaze into her eyes. "I’ll always be your daughter, no matter what happens. Please don’t think that I’m leaving you, because I’m not. There will be more times when we’ll talk to each other, I assure you. It’ll feel as if we never left."

"Where has the time gone?" Ruth asked, her eyes filling with tears. "It seems like yesterday that I held you in my arms. Now, look at you—married, with a newborn son. I just wish I had been a better mother to you before…"

"Mother…" Rose said, her throat choking with sudden tears when she pulled her mother into a sweet hug. "You have been a good mother to me. Even in those days before I met Jack. I know you wanted what was best for me, but you saw the wrong things, that’s all. Otherwise, you have been a great mother."

"And you have been a great daughter, Rose," Ruth said. "I’m just going to miss you…"

"Oh, Mother…" Rose hugged her mother yet again, allowing her tears to flow and feeling her mother sob in her embrace. "I’ll miss you, too."

Ruth held her daughter close, putting a kiss on her cheek.

"Take care of William, will you?" Ruth asked. "I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my beloved grandson."

"Don’t worry. I will," Rose said, smiling.

"And I want to thank you for naming him after your father," Ruth added. "It was sweet of you."

"It was my pleasure, Mother," Rose said. "There was something inside of me that told me that William was the perfect name for my firstborn son."

Ruth stroked Rose’s cheek lovingly, a tender smile on her face.

Just then, voices were heard, one of which belonged to Jack, and the door opened. Rose smiled and stepped towards the door, finding Jack with a smile on his face.

"Jack!" Rose said, smiling and going towards him, kissing him with love and happiness. Even when he was only gone for two hours, she missed him deeply.

"Mmm…" Jack said after they broke from their short kiss. "Missed me, didn’t ya?"

"Too much…" Rose admitted.

"I was only gone for two hours, and you missed me?" Jack asked, stepping inside the room, followed by Fabrizio and Michael.

"Well, I love you," Rose said. "What can I say? And I’m sure you missed me as much as I have missed you…admit it!"

Jack chuckled and nodded. "I admit it. I have," Jack said, giving Rose a tender kiss on the forehead.

"I knew you would," Rose said, smiling sweetly and watching Jack head towards the bassinette.

"How’s my little boy doing?" Jack asked, looking at the sleeping infant.

"Well, he’s sound asleep," Rose said. "And let’s just hope it stays that way. He kept me up all night last night."

"Aw…you could’ve called for me to help you," Jack said, looking at Rose.

"I couldn’t wake you up," Rose said. "You look so adorable when you’re asleep."

Jack grinned and laughed heartwarmingly.

"So, I’m the one whose adorable, huh?" Jack asked.

"Well…only when you’re asleep," Rose said.

"Mamma mia, che bel bambino!" Fabrizio said, looking at the sleeping William. "You two are very lucky."

"Thanks, Fabri," Jack said, patting him on the back.

"I’m ‘a gonna miss you," Fabrizio said, looking at Jack. "You like a brother to me…tu sono mio fratello, no?"

"Of course we are," Jack said, a gentle smile on his face. "You’re always like a brother to me."

Fabrizio held something in his hand that had been given to him by his father, Giusseppi, before he died, and something that he had treasured since then. He had worn it when he had met Jack, and when they won the poker game in Southampton. He had worn it on the Ship of Dreams, and held it deep inside his pockets during the dreadful sinking. It had gotten damaged, but he had taken care of that, and since then, it held more memories and more value than it had before. The item that he had held in his hand was none other than the hat that he had always worn. The hat that he was proud to wear, and the hat that was always on his dark head.

"Jack, I ‘a have something for you," Fabrizio said, his accent thick.

"Hmm?" Jack asked, looking into Fabrizio’s warm brown eyes.

Fabrizio looked at the hat one last time before he offered it to Jack.

"This is ‘a yours now," Fabrizio said. "I give it to you."

"Ah…no, Fabri," Jack said, shaking his head and looking at the hat, then back at him. "I can’t take it. It belonged to your father, and besides, it’s your favorite hat."

"No, no," Fabrizio said, refusing Jack’s protest. "Mio papa is in my heart—just like your mama e papa are—but this is my gift to you…so you remember me and keep me in your heart."

Jack’s eyes filled with tears when he looked at the hat that was now in his hands. He knew how much Fabrizio loved this hat, and for him to give it to him meant more to him than anything. It was as if Fabrizio was giving him a part of himself to remember him by. Jack knew, however, that he would never forget Fabrizio. He was his best friend—his brother. He had always been there for him when Jack had needed him most and had encouraged him to go back to America.

"Fabri…" Jack said, looking at Fabrizio. "Thank you. It means a lot, and I promise, I will never forget you."

Fabrizio smiled and threw his arms around him. He felt Jack return the gesture, tears beginning to brim in the corners of his eyes, but held them back to stay strong and brave. He was, after all, a man.

"Addio, Jack," Fabrizio said, patting him on the back. "Take care of little bambino, e la bella Rosa."

"I will," Jack said, giving Fabrizio a pat. "And I’ll remember to write."

Fabrizio smiled and nodded his head. He knew he would miss Jack, but he also knew that Jack had a life to live and a family to take care of. He knew how much California meant to Rose, and knew that Jack was willing to fulfill her wish. He knew Jack well. After all, he had hung around him for a little more than two years. Fabrizio turned to Rose and smiled, still amazed at her beauty. She still had that fiery glow in her hair, and the love shone in her eyes. He never failed to appreciate just how much Rose was in love with Jack.

"Rose," Fabrizio said, stepping closer. "You are a good woman, and I know how much you love Jack. Jack loves you—he tell me lots of times before. When we were on the ship. Before everything happen, he always tell me how much he loves you."

Rose smiled sweetly, knowing that Jack would soon be heartbroken to be separated from his best friend…a brotherly friend. She put a gentle hand on his cheek.

"Fabri, I’m sure that you and Angelina will have the same affection towards each other as Jack and I have," Rose said. "And I’m sure that Helga will be in your heart always, no matter what. She’s watching over you, Fabri. I know it. Just as my father is watching over me."

Fabrizio nodded, his brown eyes looking down, then back at her eyes.

"I’ll ‘a write to you the best I can," Fabrizio said. "Learning to write in English is hard, but Angelina is teaching me little by little. In no time, I can write you a letter."

"And Jack and I will be delighted to read it," Rose said, her eyes shimmering with tears, though a broad smile spread across her face.

"Va bene," Fabrizio said, smiling as well.

Rose smiled and leaned in, pressing her lips gently on his cheek.

"You’ve been a good friend, Fabri," Rose said. "And I’m sure that someday you’ll be a good husband and a father."

"Someday," Fabrizio said, as if he were certifying her statement.

"Well, am I gonna miss you, Rose," Michael said, standing beside her.

Rose turned her attention towards Michael and couldn’t help but smile.

"As am I," Rose said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Take care, Rose," Michael said. "Be sure that Willy is safe and that Jack is sane. He goes crazy without you."

Rose laughed and looked at her husband, who was having a chat with her mother.

"I’m sure he does," Rose said. "Just as I do when he’s not around."

"Well, you’re in love," Michael said. "I can’t blame ya."

"Just as you and Annie are," Rose added. "When are you thinking of proposing to her?"

"Soon," Michael said. "Probably ‘round next month or so. I want to find the perfect time…like Valentine’s Day."

Rose nodded her head, smiling softly.

"Just remember to invite us to your wedding," Rose added. "I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world."

"I’ll be sure to," Michael said. "I’m sure Annie would love to have you there—probably as part of the wedding."

"And I’d be happy to be there," Rose said.

"Aw…come here…" Michael spread out his hands and let Rose embrace him. He held her close and put a soft kiss on her cheek. "I’m gonna miss ya, Rose."

"Me, too," Rose said. "Where’s Annie?"

As if on cue, the door opened, revealing Annie in an evergreen-colored dress, her soft brown curls cascading down her back. She had a sad expression on her face, her soft blue eyes looking towards Rose.

"There you are," Rose said, smiling softly and making her way towards Annie.

"I’m going to miss you, Rose," Annie said, tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.

"So am I, Annie," Rose said, pulling her into a friendly hug. "You’ve been such a great friend."

"So have you," Annie said. "I’m going to miss having you around. And I’m going to miss little Willy here."

Annie looked at the bassinette where the young infant slept. She looked at Jack, who smiled at her, and then returned her attention to Rose.

"Remember that we’re going to write," Rose said. "And we’ll visit on special occasions."

"I know, but it still won’t be the same," Annie said. "You’ll come, then you’ll go. No difference."

Rose sighed, feeling her heart break at the farewell that she was making to her best friend.

"I’m sorry, Annie," Rose said. "It hurts me to leave here, too, but…I always wanted to live in Santa Monica and…I’m sure you could visit, as well. It’ll be wonderful to have you as a guest."

"I will, Rose," Annie said. "I’ll come visit at Easter, maybe."

"And I’ll be waiting for you," Rose said. "You’ve been like a sister to me. The sister that I have never had, and I really appreciate having you as a friend."

Annie smiled. "Me, too."

At that moment, they heard soft whimpering coming from the bassinette, so Rose turned, finding that her son was waving his fists around, his face scrunching up and his mouth forming a wide circle, wailing sharply. He kicked his feet and moved his head around, crying to be picked up.

"Aw…it’s okay, buddy," Jack said, bending down to lift his son from the bassinette. "Daddy’s here…shh…everything is all right now."

Jack looked at his son and rocked him back and forth, his crying stopping. Now he was whimpering softly, looking at Jack with wide blue eyes. Jack smiled and looked at Rose, who was smiling brightly at him. Jack winked at her, then blew her a kiss.

Rose blew Jack a kiss as well and smiled, turning her attention back to Annie.

"We’ll be leaving in a half hour," Rose said. "So we can reach the train station on time."

Annie nodded her head. "I hope you three get there safely."

"We will," Rose said. "I’m sure we will."

Rose looked at Jack, who was cradling their son, and smiled, for she knew that her life, so far, was more than anything she had ever asked for.

*****

A half hour came and went. Fabrizio, Michael, and Jack were taking the luggage down to Michael’s car, who would drive them to the train station. Rose was cradling her son, while Annie held the diaper bag that had the necessities needed to care for William while they were on the train. Rose looked at her mother, then back at Annie, seeing that they had the same expression on their faces. Rose pressed her lips together, looking at her son.

"Well, I guess we’d better head downstairs," Rose said, looking up. She looked at her mother, who had tears sliding down her cheeks. "I’m going to miss both of you so much. Be sure to write."

"We will," Ruth said, her voice choked with tears. "Good-bye, Rose."

"Good-bye, Mother," Rose said, walking towards her and giving her a one-armed hug. She did the same to Annie. "Good-bye, Annie."

Annie looked at William and smiled.

"Bye, Willy," Annie said. "Aunt Annie is going to miss you so much. You know that?"

William was slowly drifting into a light nap, his head resting against his mother’s chest.

"Good-bye, my darling grandson," Ruth said, looking over Rose’s shoulder at her only grandson. "I’ll be missing you so much. Grandma Ruth is going to write and send you gifts. You know that, right?"

Rose smiled and held back her tears when she saw her mother say good-bye to her son. She knew that they would see each other again. More times than needed, probably. The door opened, Jack poking his head in.

"Are you ready, Rose?" Jack asked, looking at her, then at Annie and Ruth.

"Yes, Jack," Rose said, looking at her son and wrapping the blanket tightly around him, since it was chilly outside. She also took a blanket from the diaper bag and put it over her son so he wouldn’t be too cold. He was only one week old.

Rose walked towards Jack, who put an arm over her shoulder, leading her out of the apartment for good. Annie and Ruth followed behind them, heading down the stairs and out of the building. They were greeted by the chill breeze, and Rose clutched her son, pressing him gently against her chest, Jack taking her to the car and opening the back door, letting Rose slide in first. Annie and Ruth stood in the entrance of the building, hugging themselves against the cold wind. Rose waved to them from inside the car, watching Jack step inside. Fabrizio sat in the front seat beside Michael, who started the car. Jack pulled the door closed and looked out the window at his mother-in-law and Annie, who waved to them, tears spilling down their cheeks. Jack waved back, a small smile crossing his face. Just then, Michael pulled away from the curb and drove off towards the train station, leaving Annie and Ruth to stand there until the car disappeared from sight.

Moments later, they reached the train station, and Jack opened the door, helping Rose out. Rose gripped William as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She turned, waiting for Jack to stand beside her. Fabrizio and Michael stepped out of the car as well, heading to the back of the car to retrieve the luggage. Jack carried two valises, nodding his head towards the door. Rose went inside the train station, followed by Jack, Fabrizio, and Michael. Rose found that the train station was filled with passengers who were waiting to board the train that would take them west.

There was a man pushing a luggage cart, and he stopped in front of the four.

"Would you like me to put your luggage on the train?" the man asked.

"Sure," Jack said, handing the man the two valises he held, as did Michael and Fabrizio.

"Thank you," the man said. "Name?"

"Dawson," Jack said, nodding his head.

The man scribbled his name on a piece of paper and put it on top of the valises that belonged to them. He pushed the cart towards another passenger.

Jack put his arm around Rose’s waist when they heard a loud whistle coming from the approaching train. His hair flipped and flapped in the wind, the train finally coming to a halt, the passengers who were aboard it disembarking.

Rose had her hands over William’s ears to muffle the loud noise, and leaned against Jack, to be protected by the arms of the man she loved. She felt someone put their hand on her shoulder and looked over, finding that Fabrizio was smiling sweetly at her.

"Be safe, la bella Rosa," Fabrizio said, pulling out his handkerchief and running it over his eyes, wiping away the sudden tears that had managed to escape. "And take ‘a care of little William here. He deserves love from you."

Rose smiled. "Thank you," Rose said softly. "And I know he deserves all the love he can get. Especially with a father like Jack."

"Arrivederci, Rose," Fabrizio said.

"Good-bye, Fabri," Rose said, tears glistening in her eyes. "I’m going to miss you."

"Me, too," Fabrizio said.

Fabrizio gave Rose a tender hug, putting a friendly kiss on her cheek.

Rose smiled and looked at Jack. She watched as Fabrizio walked towards him to say a final farewell. Rose moved away a bit to give them privacy so they could say their good-byes.

Michael walked towards Rose, his hands in his pockets.

"Guess this is good-bye, huh?" Michael said, looking at Rose.

"Guess so," Rose said. "But remember that we’ll always write."

"And so will I," Michael said.

Michael gave Rose a gentle hug and looked at the bundle in her arms.

"Uncle Mike is gonna miss you, buddy," Michael said, running his hand over William’s blonde hair. He bent down and put a kiss on his forehead. "Be good to your mother. She’s a wonderful woman."

Rose smiled and looked at Jack, who was smiling tenderly at her. Just then, the whistle blew, indicating that the passengers should board, so Rose took one last look at Michael and Fabrizio before she rushed to Jack’s side, who put a secure arm around her shoulders, helping her onto the train and pulling himself up right behind her. He turned and waved to his friends, a smile on his face.

Rose went inside their assigned berth and sat down on the bed. She looked at William, a smile on her face. He squirmed in her arms and was beginning to whimper. Rose knew that he was hungry, so she pulled open the bodice of her dress and exposed a breast, her son drinking the milk provided. She looked at her son and smiled sweetly. She looked through the window, finding that Fabrizio and Michael were waving, and she smiled.

Jack got inside the train and went to the berth that was assigned to them, pulling open the door and finding that Rose was feeding their son. A content smile crossed his face as he closed the door behind him and looked out the window, giving Fabrizio and Michael a final wave before the warning whistle blew. Moments later, the train began moving. Jack continued to wave to his friends until they were out of sight, and once they were, Jack looked at Rose and his son and sat beside her.

He looked at his son and smiled, knowing that being a father was something that meant as much to him as being a husband to the woman he loved. As the train sped over the tracks, he gave Rose a kiss on her cheek, walking to the bed and pulling out his portfolio from the bag that he had carried for Rose. He opened the cover of the portfolio and turned to a clean sheet of paper, pulling out a piece of charcoal pencil and beginning to draw Rose nursing their son.

Fabrizio watched as the train moved away from the station and felt a piece of his heart break, for he knew that he would not see Jack for awhile. Jack was indeed like a brother to him, and as he watched him move away, he felt his whole life change. He pulled out the handkerchief that was tucked inside his pocket and dabbed at his eyes, wiping away the sudden tears that were brimming at the corners. He sniffed and put the handkerchief back in his pocket. He knew Jack and Rose would live a happy life together in Santa Monica, and maybe someday he would move to Santa Monica as well. Someday.

He turned to Michael, who gave him a smile and patted him on the back.

"Don’t worry, buddy," Michael said, putting a hand in his pocket. "He’ll be all right. I’m sure of that."

"I know…" Fabrizio said, giving him a content smile. "I am ‘a sure he is. He’s a good man, and la bella Rosa loves him…a lot."

"He sure does," Michael said. "Why don’t we go back, huh? I’m sure Angelina misses you already."

"I miss her, too…" Fabrizio said, and with that, the two left, keeping the three Dawsons in their hearts, and hoping that someday in the near future they would be able to visit.

Chapter Forty-Seven
Stories