FOR ALL ETERNITY
Chapter Six
"I do," answered Ruth once more,
this time quite forcefully, looking straight at Cal.
"Mother!" was all that Rose
managed, as she gasped in surprise.
"Why, thank you, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater.
Rose and I greatly appreciate your support. However, I’m quite surprised with
this reaction, considering how you feel about me!" Jack had this little
grin on his face, as if he had just been given the blessing of a lifetime, and
the look on Cal’s face was anything but pleased. Jack loved it.
Looking to and from Rose, Jack, and Ruth, Cal
couldn’t understand what he had just heard. Ruth was meant to be on his side,
not that steerage slime‘s! "You won’t get away with this. Do you hear me?
Have you forgotten that I had you arrested for stealing the diamond?" ranted
Cal, as he threatened Jack.
"Cal, do yourself a favor and calm down.
I have something to tell you. First, Jack didn’t steal the diamond. You planted
it on him. Second, it belongs to me, as you gave it to me. You had no right to
arrest him for stealing something that didn’t belong to you in the first place.
Besides, I have it in my possession now." Rose was absolutely furious. The
audacity of this man, who she very nearly married, too! "I’m sorry,"
said Rose, turning towards the captain. "I certainly didn’t expect all
these interruptions. You see, I was previously engaged to this man…" She
indicated Cal. "…but I since fell in love with Jack." She put her
arms around Jack. "And this is my mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater."
"Well, I must admit that today has
definitely been an exciting day! Would you like to reschedule, so that you can
work through this mess?" asked the captain. He felt sorry for the young
woman. He could see the love she had for the young man she was trying to marry.
This other man, Cal…it was quite obvious he just didn’t like not getting his
own way. He was really hoping that this couple would get married. They suited
each other so well, even though it was quite apparent that they were from
different worlds.
"No. That will be quite all right. Thank
you," replied Ruth to the captain. Turning to Cal, she continued,
"Mr. Hockley, I would like to thank you for all your kind assistance and
hospitality over these last couple of months. Obviously, as human feelings have
been known to do, Rose has decided against marrying you. She has every right to
do so. As you are aware, she found this man, Jack Dawson, far more appealing,
and, being the first to admit it, I was against this pairing from the start. I
have since come to see the error of my ways, and have given them my blessing.
If you would be so kind as to leave this chapel and my family alone, it will be
in everyone’s best interests." With that, Ruth turned her back on Cal, and
gave Rose a hug.
"What’s wrong, Cal. Cat got your
tongue?" Jack smirked, trying very hard not to burst out laughing. He
looked over at Rose, and saw that she was having as much difficulty as he was.
"But...but...you were...how can
you?" Cal spluttered, leaning heavily on Tommy, who was not enjoying it at
all.
"Get off, you oaf! Can’t you understand
what the lady said? You are no longer welcome here," boomed the Irish
brogue.
Tommy then gave Cal a slight shove towards
the door. There was a silence that had descended over the chapel during this
last exchange, which was only shattered by the door slamming shut. The other
passengers, who were in the chapel from the beginning, all went back to being
lost in their own thoughts, happy that this young couple had succeeded in
getting married. The captain began to reshuffle his papers, and Ruth went to stand
on Rose’s left.
"Excuse me, captain. We’re ready to
continue with the ceremony when you are," said Jack, squeezing Rose’s hand
for reassurance.
"Yes, yes, certainly. Where were we? Oh,
yes, I asked who gives this woman to this man, and you, ma’am…" He looked
at Ruth. "…answered that you do," continued the captain.
Rose and Jack turned to face one another,
holding hands. They had decided to say their own vows to each other. This was
their way of expressing their feelings towards the other. It was unique, just
as their love was. Rose began.
"Jack, you came into my life when I
thought there was no way out. You saved me, when I thought I was unsavable. You
brought me back to feeling alive again. You got beneath my skin and embedded
yourself so deep that you are now my lifeline. Without you, I don’t exist. I
promise to stand by you and for you in good times and in bad times. I promise
to trust and keep you safe in all ways possible. But above all, I love you, and
you alone, Jack Dawson." Rose then stood on her tiptoes and gave Jack a
light kiss on the lips before squeezing his hands in reassurance back.
"Rose, when I first saw you, I knew my
life had been meaningless up until that point. It was like taking my first
breath all over again. You gave me a reason to get up each morning and to want
to settle down and have a family. You are my light, my paper, subject, and
charcoal. My life is now filled beyond capacity. I want to explore each new day
by your side. I promise to keep you safe, trust in all you do, honor your
decisions, and grow in your strength. Above all else, I promise to love you
until my dying day." Jack then took a deep breath and gave Rose the
biggest grin he could manage.
"Thank you, Rose and Jack. With these
promises you have made to each other, I bind you together in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ. With the authority given to me, I now pronounce you husband
and wife. Friends, may I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dawson," completed
the captain, with his arms extended towards the couple.
The entire chapel erupted in applause and
Jack gave Rose the biggest kiss he could, given that they were in public.
Fabrizio then slapped his friend’s back, while Ruth once more hugged her
daughter. Tommy also joined in the congratulations, by thanking the captain for
his time and patience.