A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Eighteen
Back at the house, Jack had fallen asleep on
the bed. Downstairs, Brian was reading a book in the living room. The door
opened and he heard fits of laughter. "Brian, dear, we're home."
He went to greet them. "I'm glad you're
back. Did you get everything you needed?"
Rose nodded. "Is Jack upstairs?"
"Yes. I think he might have fallen
asleep."
Rose ran up the stairs without saying another
word. She couldn't wait to see him.
Maggie and Brian laughed. He wrapped his arms
around her. "You know what I was thinking about today?"
"What?"
"Remember your sixteenth birthday?"
Maggie smiled. "When you kissed me out
on the steps."
Brian nodded. "I still feel the same
about you now as I did then."
"Me, too." Maggie leaned in and
kissed him.
Meanwhile...
"Jack?" Rose peered into the
bedroom and found Jack fast asleep on the bed. She quietly crept over. She
reached down and touched his warm cheek. He stirred a bit. "Jack,"
she whispered again.
Rose knelt down and kissed his neck.
Suddenly, she felt his hands pull her close to his body. He rolled over on top
of her and pressed his lips firmly against hers. Jack picked his head up and
stared into Rose's eyes. "I've missed you."
She smiled.
"Where have you been?"
"Oh!" Rose slipped out from
underneath Jack. She sat Jack up. "Close your eyes."
He smiled and did as he was told.
Rose retrieved the package and held it out in
front of her. "Open your eyes."
He started at the brown package. "What's
this?"
"You'll have to open it to find
out."
He ripped it open like a child on Christmas
morning. "Oh, Rose! I can't believe you bought me all this. You shouldn't
have."
She sat down next to him. "Well, you
lost all your stuff in the sinking. Do you like them?"
"I love them." He kissed her.
"Thank you." Jack looked back down at the supplies. "You know, I
bought something for you, too."
Rose smiled. "Really? And what would
that be?"
"You are gonna have to wait to find out.
I was hoping you could wear one of your new dresses, and I could treat you to a
dinner."
"That sounds wonderful." Rose
wrapped her arms around his neck. "I have to take a shower. Trying those
clothes on proved to be quite a feat." She stood up and picked up one of
the packages. She knew exactly which dress she would wear tonight.
He watched her leave the room. Jack quickly
changed. He still heard the shower running, so he walked over to the dresser
and took out his gifts. He placed the ring box in his pocket, along with money
for the dinner. And he kept the locket in his hand.
Rose reentered the bedroom. Jack was shocked.
She stood at the door in a navy blue dress. A dress that strikingly resembled
the dress she wore when he took her flying. She walked closer to him. Even her
hair was pinned up in a butterfly comb. Neither the dress nor the comb was as
fancy, but she still looked the same.
"You look beautiful."
"Thank you." Rose saw that Jack was
holding his hands behind his back. "What are you hiding?" she asked
playfully.
Jack smiled. "It's my gift for you.
Close your eyes and turn around."
When Rose did this, Jack placed the locket
around her neck. He walked her over to the mirror. "All right. Open your
eyes."
Rose gasped when she saw the golden heart
around her neck. "Jack, it's beautiful."
"Read the back."
She turned it over. "Never Let Go."
Rose was immediately thrown back to that cold night. Those words echoed in her
head. "Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise."
Her eyes filled with tears. "I won't
ever let go, Jack," she whispered.
He pulled her closer. "I know you won't.
I never want you to. That's why I had the locket engraved." He kissed her.
He looked at the locket. "I know it's no
Heart of the Ocean."
Rose smiled. "You're right. It's
better." This time she kissed him. "Now, Mr. Dawson. Are you taking
me to dinner or what?"
"Yes, I am." Jack held out his arm
and Rose slid hers through.
Both walked down the stairs, beaming. They
found Maggie and Brian in the living room. "Sorry to leave you, but Rose
and I have a date."
Maggie smiled. "Have fun."
"We will," Rose said, as they
walked out the door. "So, Jack, where are you taking me?"
"I passed a restaurant today that I
think we might like."
"Sounds lovely."
They walked down the street, each
anticipating the night's activities.