FAMILY
Chapter Six
"Dearly beloved," the
minister began. "We are gathered here today to join this man and this
woman in marriage."
He went on and on, talking about
the importance of marriage and other things Rose didn’t understand. She just
wanted it to end. She couldn’t even bear to stand next to Cal.
"So…we have reached to the
most important part of the ceremony…who’s the first? How about you, young lady?
Yes. Well…do you, Rose DeWitt Bukater, take Caledon Hockley as your husband, to
love and honor, in good and bad, ‘til death do you part?"
What to say? It was better to end
the suffering…she had to say yes, though it killed her.
"I…" she began, but was
cut off by the minister.
"Oh…how stupid I am. Sorry,
miss. Hold onto that feeling for a bit longer, would you? I didn’t ask, and I
should have--does anyone here know a reason for this man and this woman not to
be together?"
"I don’t think anyone here
would…" Ruth said, but someone interrupted her.
"Does the groom being a
jackass count as a reason?" a man asked.
All Rose could do was stare at
her feet. That voice…could it really be? No…it was her mind playing tricks on
her once again. But the minister had heard him, too.
"Excuse me. We are in the
middle of a wedding here, you see."
"Yeah. I’m aware of
that."
"What’s your name,
sir?"
"My name…what a good
question. Well, I think most of the people here know me as John Doyle."
So this was the famous artist,
Kelly’s brother. What a great way of showing up! thought Rose.
"So I must assume that’s not
your real name, is it?"
"No, it’s not. My real name
is Dawson. Jack Dawson. Pleased to meet you, reverend."
His voice was happy, as if he
were enjoying the confusion. Cal looked angrily at him, and Ruth whispered
something that sounded like, "But he’s supposed to be dead!"
After a couple of seconds, Cal
returned to reality, and said, "Well…I’m glad to see that you are fine,
but you are not welcome anymore. How did you get in, anyway?"
"I believe your wife-to-be
invited me…you can’t control her forever, you know."
"Really?" he asked,
watching Rose. "How wonderful. Now, if you will excuse us, we have a
wedding to finish. Reverend, if you will."
The minister was very confused,
but Cal looked angrily at him, and he asked Rose the question again while Cal
and Jack glared at each other.
"Dawson, you are in the
middle of the aisle. Would you mind leaving? You are not welcome anymore."
"I’m not leaving! Not until
she says I do, or, most likely, I don’t."
"Miss…we need an answer
here," the minister almost begged.