A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Twenty-Six
"Beautiful. Simply beautiful," Erik
said.
"Yes, the whole ceremony was
remarkable." Sarah smiled.
The food arrived just as she had spoken.
"We're glad it was as enjoyable for you
as it was for us," Rose said warmly.
"I, for one, would like to propose a
toast. I remember the night Jack and Rose first came to us. With one look at
them, you could tell how in love they were. He was holding her so close, like
he was protecting her from the world. And when she looked into his eyes, she
only saw him. I know this is unnecessary, but I would like to wish you the best
of luck in your marriage that will no doubt be the happiest of them all."
Brian raised his glass.
Jack smiled. "Thank you. I should say
some things. The very first time I saw Rose, I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I
had never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life. I still haven't. She
was close to me, but still worlds away. She walked off, and I thought I would
never see her again. Luckily, for me, our paths did cross. I knew from the
moment she looked into my eyes that I had to be with her. And now, here I am,
married to her. I just want to tell her..." He turned and looked adoringly
into her eyes. "That I have everything I need right here with me, you. So
here's to making it count." He raised his glass.
"To making it count." Rose raised
hers. Nobody but Jack noticed the tears in her eyes. He smiled with more love
than she had ever seen.
They ate dinner. All talked about the
ceremony and the happy couple. Jack and Rose heard none of it. They smiled at
each other the whole time and were lost in memories of the past.
"Jack...Jack...Rose!"
"What?" Startled, Jack turned to
see Maggie and Brian smiling.
"We said we were going to leave
now."
"Oh!" Rose stood up. She hadn't
even noticed the time pass. She hugged Maggie tightly. "Thank you so much.
I'll see you in two weeks." She put her hands on her shoulders. "I
love you."
Maggie smiled brightly and hugged Rose back.
"Oh, Rose. I love you, too."
Brian and Jack shook hands. Jack thanked
Brian for all the support.
"Good-bye!" Maggie waved from the
door.
*****
Jack held Rose. Now, the carriage was empty.
It reminded him so much of the night he proposed. He loved the ease in which
she fit into his arms. A cool breeze swept around them. He pulled her to him
tighter. "How come you always feel so warm?"
"Because you are always holding
me." Rose smiled to herself. She was telling the truth. Jack always held
her. When they slept, when she was cooking. If she was just sitting on the
couch Jack would come over and hold her. She almost felt lost if he didn't.
"You know, Brian was right. I was trying
to protect you from the world that night. I still am."
"And when I look into your eyes, I only
see you."
He brought his mouth down to her neck and
kissed it. "I never thanked you for my cufflinks."
"It was nothing. I knew you wanted them,
so I bought them when you weren't looking. I should thank you for the beautiful
box. Jack, it's the most exquisite thing I have ever seen. How did you do
it?"
"It caught my eye because of the
beautiful roses on the top. So, I thought, why not give it to my own beautiful
rose? When I opened it, I knew I was supposed to have it because it was playing
our song. Then when I went to pay for it, the man said he could paint some
words on the top. So I ask him to paint 'To the stars...' I'm glad you like
it."
"I don't like it. I love it." Rose
picked up Jack's hand and laced his fingers through her own. She raised his
fingertips to her own and kissed them individually.
He closed his eyes and remembered the first
time she had done that. "I love you." He sighed.
She smiled, reached up, and touched Jack's
cheek gently. "Kiss me, Jack."
Jack lowered his mouth to hers and kissed
her, passionately. She smiled as his lips danced across hers. "Jack, I
think we're there," she whispered, inches away from his mouth.
He smiled. "And not a moment too
soon." Jack climbed down from the carriage. Rose hopped down into his
arms. They looked up at the glowing hotel. He sighed and looked at her.
"Let's start our honeymoon."
They slowly walked into the hotel. People
were buzzing around the lobby. A few people turned to see the unbelievably
attractive couple. They walked up to the desk and a man smiled. "Welcome
to the New York Plaza Hotel. Can I help you?"
"Yes, we have a honeymoon suite for Mr.
and Mrs. Jack Dawson." Rose smiled at him.
"Ah, yes. Here you are. Your luggage is
already up there." He handed her the key. "Top floor."
Rose and Jack entered the elevator. The
operator smiled at them. "Just married?"
"Yes," Jack said excitedly.
"Well, best of luck to you."
"Thank you," Rose said gently.
The elevator stopped and he let them out.
They walked down the hallway and found their room. Jack stuck the key in the
lock and pushed open the door. Rose was about to step in when he stopped her.
"No, no, no. That's not the way to do it." He scooped her up into his
arms and then walked into the room.
Rose laughed. "I've always wanted
someone to do that to me."
Jack smiled at her. "Well, I'm going to
be doing it many more times. So I hope you like it." He set her down and
walked over to the light switch. He gasped when he saw the room.
Rose was in awe of her surroundings. She had
been in every suite in the world, it seemed like. But it had been a long time
since she tasted the rich life. She had also tried to push those memories out
of her mind. Now she was actually able to enjoy being in someplace fancy.
"This living room is gorgeous."
Jack walked over and held her in his arms.
"Get a good look at it now, because I don't plan on spending much time in
here. I was thinking more like the bedroom."
Rose smiled. "Wait here." She ran
into the bedroom. Jack wondered what she was doing. In a few minutes she came
back out. Her red hair was now completely down and she was wearing a long white
nightgown that was tight fitting on the top. Jack took a deep breath. She walked
over to him. Jack put his hands on her waist. She trembled from desire and
melted into his arms. He pressed his lips up against hers. She lost herself in
the kiss, his touch sending shivers up and down her back. Rose moaned slightly
as he pulled her tight against him, molding his body to hers. His kiss ignited
a fire within her she never knew she had. She felt weak all over as he
continued to deepen the kiss. Her hand moved to the nape of his neck and her
fingers intertwined with his hair. "Oh, Jack," she gasped, breaking
the kiss briefly. She slid her arms around his back, returning his kiss with as
much passion as he was giving her.
Jack backed her into the bedroom. Rose moved
her hands to his shirt and undid his buttons. She slid it off his shoulders.
They finally broke the kiss to pull off his undershirt. His lips were back to
hers before they had time to lose the sensation they were causing. Jack pulled
gently at the tiny ribbons of Rose's nightgown. The whole thing crumpled around
her ankles. Jack stepped back so he could drink her in. He smiled. She smiled
seductively at him. "Get back here." She pulled him to her and then
laid him on the bed. Rose climbed on top of him and began to kiss his chest.
"Rose..."
She brought her face up to his and rested her
finger on his mouth. "Shh. Don't talk. Don't even think. Just follow your
heart." Everything they needed to know were in each other's eyes.
Jack followed what Rose was saying. He rolled
on top of her and traced his mouth along her frame.
*****
They stayed together for the rest of the
night. Jack smiled to himself. Rose was peacefully asleep on his chest. Her
warm breath soothed his senses. He ran his fingers through her hair, then moved
his arm so it was wrapped around her. He held her hand in his own and studied
the two gold bands that their fingers now displayed. Jack looked at Rose's
sleeping face. She seemed to have a peaceful glow emanating from her. He had
never seen her look more beautiful. He kept the image in his mind for a later
day. It was something that would be able to keep him warm on a cold night. He
moved closed to her and slipped into the most peaceful sleep he had ever
experienced.