JACK AND ROSE: TOGETHER FOREVER
Chapter Twenty-Four

"Bye Dianna! Bye Britt! Bye Bryan!" Rose called as she chased the train, which was now picking up speed, down till she reached the end of the platform. She was sad to see them go, even if she wouldn't miss Dianna's constant teasing. Rose felt Jack's hand come and rest on her shoulder as she watched the train heading for the horizon.

"I am going to miss them so much Jack." Rose said turning to face Jack.

"I know, I will miss them too Rose." Jack told her putting his arm around her waist. Rose leaned her head on Jack's shoulder and sighed.

"Something the matter?"

"No Jack. I am just worn out. And I am missing them terribly already" Rose replied.

"I know, me too. But we will see them soon. Maybe sooner than you think." Jack said looking at Rose with a teasing look in his eyes.

"What is it?" Rose asked, recognizing his look.

"Jack, tell me. Tell me now." Rose pleaded as they started to walk back toward home.

"Alright. Bryan said that they might move down here this summer. You know Bryan has family in Oregon, and he would like to be closer to them. And to us he said. Plus he loves the area. Dianna also loves it here. So."

"Oh Jack that would be wonderful!" Rose yelled, causing some people to turn and look.

"Shh, keep your voice down. And don't tell anyone, Dianna doesn't exactly know yet."

"OK. I will keep my big mouth shut. I promise. And don't I always keep my promises?" Rose said as Jack hailed a cab. Jack laughed.

"Yeah, you do Rose. You do." He repeated as they claimed into the cab, heading for home.

Later that Night

Rose and Jack were just finishing the dinner dishes when Rose suddenly blurted out, "Jack, do you want to have kids?" Jack turned to look at her.

"What brought this up?" He asked.

"Well, Dianna was making all those jokes and it just got me thinking. I mean it's going to happen and you know it." Jack laughed and put the last dish in the cupboard. He took Rose's hand.

"Come out to the balcony. We need to talk." Jack told her as he led her out to the balcony. They both sat down on the bench/chair and Jack and Rose faced each other.

"Rose." Jack started as he took her hands. "I love kids. I would love to have three or four. But only if you want to. You have to go through everything. And if you don't want to, I understand totally." Rose looked into Jack's understanding eyes. She doubted if Cal would have even asked if she wanted to go through all that to have kids. Just would have assumed that she would have to carry out his so-called 'great' family name.

"Jack, I would live three or four too. You know I was an only child, so it got lonely. I didn't like that much." Rose confined to Jack. Jack nodded; he had been the same way. The only child.

"But Jack. I don't want kids right now. I don't want us to be tied down. And I kind of like it just being us." Rose when on. Jack laughed softly and gave her a kiss on the check.

"I like it that way too." Rose smiled and rested her head on Jack's shoulder.

"I am tired. It's been a long two weeks." Rose muttered and closed her eyes.

"I am too Rose. Boy Dianna, Bryan, and Brittany can really wear you out." Jack said as he played with Rose's long hair. Rose opened her eyes and looked up at the sky. Staring for several minutes.

"The sky is so pretty at night." She commented, still looking up.

"I think it's because our stars are up there." Jack told her as he kissed her hair. Rose laughed.

"Yep, our stars." She said repeating what Jack had said as she continued to look up.

"Rose this afternoon while you were out for your walk, I called Mr. Adams, you know about the art." She nodded.

"And he wants to see me February 1st." Jack told Rose excitedly.

"Oh Jack that is great! Are you excited?" Rose asked, pride in her voice.

"Very. And a little nervous too. I mean what if he doesn't like my art. Or me?" Jack answered.

"Don't worry. He will love both those things. Why couldn't he." Rose told him confidently. Jack smiled at her.

"Yeah, I shouldn't worry now should I?" Jack said pulling Rose closer.

"Nope, you shouldn't" Rose said kissing Jack's arm. She than turned her face to the sky, as did Jack. And for a while they just sat there, thinking about the future and looking up at 'their' stars.

Chapter Twenty-Five
Stories