A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Thirty-Seven
November 2, 1914: London, England
Dearest Maggie,
I'm twenty years old today. Gracious, I
feel so old. Jack and I are currently in London. I'm having so much fun, but I
miss you and Brian. How are things in New York? Exciting, as always, I bet.
I read in the newspaper that Mr. Hockley
is engaged to Ivy Wade. After three years, he finally found someone. The paper
said he had been mourning my death. That's why it took him so long. That's the
silliest thing I ever heard. Mr. Hockley is well aware that Jack and I are
alive. They're getting married in May of 1915. Well, that's not part of my life
now, so I don't feel anything. Jack asked me if I knew Ivy. I told him I did.
She was the type of girl my mother always wanted me to be. She was like my
mother.
Well, I must tell you about happier
things. Jack and I were in a park last week, and he was being silly. He stood
up on the edge of a fountain, and was pronouncing to the world that he loved
me. I thought it was sweet, but it was dreadfully embarrassing. Then, while
he's pouring out his heart and jumping around, he falls into the fountain. It
was the funniest thing I have ever seen. He was soaked, and I couldn't help but
laugh. I wish you and Brian could have seen it. Especially Brian. I know he
would get kick out of seeing Jack sitting in a fountain with baffled Englishmen
staring at him.
Now, I have to go. Jack and I are going
out to eat. I'll write more in my next letter. I love you both and can't wait
to hear from you again.
Love, Rose
November 26, 1914: Dublin, Ireland
My Dear Maggie,
Happy Thanksgiving. They don't celebrate
it here, of course, but Jack and I did celebrate it ourselves. I hope you and
Brian had a wonderful time with your families. As always, I miss you two.
I've been thinking about Erik recently. Is
he all right? I'm sure he's fine. I just don't like the idea of him being alone
for the holidays.
Ireland is absolutely beautiful, and the
people are the most friendly people I have ever met. But, of course, you
already know that because you're from here. We visited Kildare and found the
farms you and Brian were telling us about. I can't believe I got to see the
places you two grew up in. You would be happy to know they're very well kept.
I hope you and Brian are doing well. Tell
Erik I miss him and thank him for his more than gracious gift.
Love, Rose
December 24, 1914: Paris, France
Dear Maggie and Brian,
Merry Christmas! I wish I could see you
two. I love New York at Christmas. I hope you're keeping yourself busy but not
too busy. Jack and I are having a wonderful time. It's amazing. The last time I
was in Paris, I wanted to end it all, and now I wish the days would go on
forever.
I read that my mother died a few weeks
ago. I'm not even sad. I have barely even thought about it. I hope she didn't
suffer, though. That's all I can say. I may not have loved her like a mother,
but I still cared about her. I saw how my father suffered, and I would never
want anyone to go through that.
I'm sorry to make this letter so short,
but I'll write you again very soon. We're always thinking of you.
Love, Rose
January 1, 1915: Paris, France
My Dear Maggie,
Can you believe it's 1915 already? Paris
at New Year's is amazing. They had the most incredible fireworks display I have
ever seen. I hope this year will treat us well.
I must admit I'm terribly worried. As you
well know, there is war all over Europe. So far we've been lucky. We haven't
been exposed to anything. I'm glad that this is our last month in Europe. We're
going to Australia next.
Hopefully America won't get involved. I
would hate to think what would happen to us. I can't even think about it. It's
too frightening.
Well, that's all for now. I'll write you
soon.
Love, Rose
May 8, 1915: Sydney, Australia
Rose stared blankly at the headline. Lusitania
Sinks in Eighteen minutes--over one thousand perish.
"Jack," she said quietly.
He walked over to the table. He was about to
say something, but then he saw the headline. "Oh, my God," he said in
a whisper.
Rose sat down. "I can't believe this. I
can't believe it could happen again."
Jack picked up the newspaper and read the
article. The Lusitania had sunk yesterday in only eighteen short minutes. It
had been torpedoed by a German submarine. One thousand one hundred ninety-five
had died. The article, of course, brought up Titanic.
"Jack, I'm scared. There's fighting
going on all over the place. And we have to take ships all the time. This is
dangerous."
"Hey." He kneeled down next to her
chair. "Don't worry. There's no need to worry. Nothing is going to happen
to us. I promise. This trip is too important for anything to ruin it--even a
war."
"Jack..."
"Listen to me. Everything will be fine.
America isn't involved in the war. We only have four more months of vacation,
and it will be fantastic. All those letters you've sent to Maggie. All those
letters she's sent to you. She has never mentioned the war. Everything will be
fine. I promise." He put his hand on her cheek. "Are you having a
good time?"
"The best time of my life."
"Now I know we won't have any
problems."
"How do you know that?"
"Didn't you hear? God said, If Rose
Dawson is having a good time, nothing is allowed to get in the way. So
that's how I know. God said so." He smiled. "God looks out for his
angels."
Rose smiled. "I love you."
"I love you, sweet angel."
Saturday, May 15, 1915: Brisbane,
Australia
"How is your breakfast?" Jack asked
across the table.
"It's delicious."
"Good." He smiled at her.
"Rose?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I know. I love you, too."
He laughed. "See, I was just reading the
newspaper, and today is Cal's wedding to that girl, Ivy. It was talking about
all the fancy things that they will have at the ceremony. Every time I read
something about him, I just think how lucky I am to have you. You left all that
for me."
"Jack, I saw what would be waiting for
me on the other side. You. It was an easy choice."
"I'll tell you one thing, Rose, you sure
know how to flatter a guy."
Saturday, May 15, 1915: Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
Cal stood at the end of the aisle. The bridal
march began, and the church doors opened. Ivy stepped through. People gasped at
the sight of her gown. It was fit for a queen. She walked towards Cal. There
were over three hundred people present. All had been invited to Cal's first
wedding. They had instead met for the funeral of Rose. Now they were meeting
again for a wedding, this time to Ivy. There were whispers in the seats. Most
of the guests were comparing Ivy to Rose.
Cal sighed as Ivy drew closer. He wished a
thousand times that it was Rose walking towards him. For so many reasons. The
first was that Rose had been the most popular girl in Philadelphia society.
Every man wanted her, and every girl wanted to be her. The fact that Cal had
won her made him even more revered. Ivy had been the second best, and with
Rose's death, she was the obvious choice for his bride. Second, Cal hadn't
realized how much Rose meant to him until she was gone. Third, he had never
forgotten the Carpathia. Rose had chosen poverty and Jack over him.
I wonder what she's doing now, he thought.
Ivy made it to the altar. In no time, the
ceremony was finished. The reception started, and Cal gave a toast. When he
finished, he sat down and looked over at Ivy. I love you, Rose, he
thought to himself. He wanted to be able to reach out and pull Rose into his
arms. He felt empty inside. For the man who had everything, Cal finally knew
what it was like to have nothing.