JACK AND ROSE: TOGETHER FOREVER
Chapter Thirty-Five
July 10, 1914
Rose looked around the dimly lit room in
Brittany's New York apartment. From the small clock on the wall, she could tell
it was about six a.m. A little light was coming in from under the drapes. Rose
stretched under the sheets and closed her eyes to try to fall asleep again. But
sleep wasn't coming. In fact sleep had hardly come at all last night. Rose had
been to worried about this trip to sleep much. It had been two-thirty in the
morning when sleep had finally come and even after that she had kept tossing
and turning and waking up. All she had been able to think about was the ship
they were going to set sail on at ten this morning. The ship, the Harman, had
been sailing for almost six years. But it was still scary to think about going
on another ship. Especially only two and some odd months after the Titanic
issue. The thought of setting foot on another ship still scared Rose even though
deep down she knew nothing bad was going to happen. But she kept telling
herself that Jack was with and he would never let anything bad happen to her.
Plus, she knew the boat had tons of lifeboats. She had asked Jack about the
lifeboats as soon as they knew what ship they were going on. But even after all
this, the thought of losing Jack or being on another sinking ship still was so
frightening. Rose shook head and pushed the hair out of her eyes. She glanced
at the clock. It was now about six-fifteen. 'Probably should get up if we want
to be at the dock by nine.' Moaning softly she rolled over in Brittany's
uncomfortable spare bed. Jack, whose arms were around her, was still sleeping
quietly. Rose reached over and gently caressed his face and then kissed him
gently on the nose. Jack stirred, but did not wake up.
"Jack honey, it's time to get up."
Rose said, her voice breaking through the silence. She watched as Jack opened
one eye then the other and sat up. Rose, too, sat up and leaned against him.
"Morning," she said.
"Mmm, morning sweetheart." Jack
said groggily before kissing Rose's hair. Rose laughed softly and leaned
against the backboard.
"We have to leave in about two
hours." Rose informed him.
Jack nodded, "All right."
Rose leaned over and kissed his check,
"This is going to be wonderful."
"Are you sure you're going to be
okay?" Jack asked looking worried. "About the ship I mean."
"Oh Jack, I was up half, most, of the
night thinking about it."
"I know, I could tell," Jack
interrupted.
"Sorry," Rose said before going on.
"Anyway, as long as you're there I think I can do this. But please just be
with me."
Jack smiled, "Of course Rose." Rose
kissed him again before taking his hand in her own. "We had better get
up," Jack said blowing the hair out of his eyes.
"Yeah," Rose sighed. "Brittany
isn't up yet, I can tell. But we could bath and get ready before we eat."
"Sounds good to me," Jack replied.
He threw the covers off him and Rose and jumped out of bed. He then took Rose's
other hand and dragged her, laughing, out of bed. Rose and Jack both grabbed
their bathrobes and put them on. Rose threw open the spare bedroom door and
looked longingly toward the bathroom.
"Can I bath first?" she asked
turning to Jack.
"Sure, go ahead," Jack said
rummaging in his suitcase for something. Rose started out of the bedroom, but
then stopped, turned, and faced Jack.
"Wanna join me?"
"Aw, Rose, I don't know," Jack said
bringing his head up.
"Jack, we always take baths together at
home."
"I know Rose," Jack said. "But
this isn't home. It's Brittany's apartment."
Rose cocked her head to one side, "Yeah,
but she is still asleep. C'mon Jack," Jack looked at her and threw up his
hands.
"Okay Rose, you win. You know I can't
resist that look of yours."
Rose laughed, "What look?"
Jack burst out laughing, "Rose
c'mon," he said coming over and wrapping his arms around Rose. Rose
grinned brightly and snuggled up against him. Together, they walked to the
bathroom and softly closed the door behind them.
Rose stepped out of the uncomfortable taxi
followed closely by Jack. She looked around and swallowed hard. She closed her
eyes and tried to block out all the sights, smells, and sounds of the busy
pier. Everything began to come back to her in abundance. Rose could once again
hear the shouting of the Southampton dock. All the people here reminded her of
the thousands of people boarding and watching Titanic. Even the sight of the
three funneled ship which barley resembled Titanic, was making her stomach turn
this way and that. Rose saw a maroon car and once again saw William Carter's
maroon Renault being lifted into the air and lowered into Titanic.
'God, help me,' she prayed to herself. Jack
come up after telling a porter which room their luggage belonged in and he put
his arm around Rose's waist. Rose took Jack's hand and squeezed it tightly. Her
body felt weak and she leaned against Jack for support.
Jack leaned down and spoke in her ear,
"Sweetheart, it's all right. We are going to be fine. We are survivors,
remember? We are the Dawsons! And with each other was can get through anything!
You still trust me, right?"
Rose vaguely smiled, "All right Jack.
And I do trust you. More then anyone. I am just so scared."
"Mmm, I am scared too Rose. But you jump
I jump right?"
Rose nodded, "Right."
"I love you Rose. Remember that,"
Jack whispered before kissing her hair.
"I love you too Jack." Rose replied
squeezing Jack's hand tighter.
"All right, everyone listen up!" a
voice shouted suddenly. "All right, thank you. Now listen up! 1st class
over this way." The man said pointing to Jack and Rose's right. He
continued pointing out where the various classes were to board in Jack and
Rose's area. Jack and Rose looked at each other. It was time. They made their
way ever to the right with the other 1st class passengers. Neither Jack nor
Rose had wanted to go 1st class. It was to uncomfortable and brought back
horrible memories. But, the people who had wanted to Jack and Rose to come to
Paris in the first place had gone ahead and booked them on a boat with out
asking Jack or Rose. And because these people were paying for the
transportation, Rose and Jack thought it best not to complain. And, they
figured, it would be safer. Rose stood looking at the ramp that led up to the
ship. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Jack squeezed her hand, "We're gonna
make it Rose, trust me." He whispered. Rose nodded and opened her eyes.
Jack's words had given her courage. They looked at each other and then bravely
set one food off solid ground. Rose grasped Jack's hand even tighter as they
started up the ramp. Rose took and deep breath and held his hand tighter as
they stepped onto the boat. As soon as she and Jack were on board she released
it. 'God help me,' she prayed again. Jack handed a man their tickets and he
told them how to get to their cabin. Rose walked in a trance as they went to
then cabin.
"Okay, here was are," Jack said
stopping in front of a door, "cabin C-14." Rose blew the hair out of
her eyes as Jack opened the door. She stepped into the room behind Jack. The
room was nice, but not as elegant as the rooms aboard Titanic. Right now, Rose
and Jack were in the small sitting room. There was a door open to the left,
which led to the bathroom and a door to the right, which was open to a
good-sized bedroom. Directly in front of them was a door that led to a sunroom.
As Jack and Rose continued to look around the cabin, they saw how large it was
and that a few of the windows had been opened to let the sea air in.
"Hello, you much be the Dawsons,"
an English voice said. Rose and Jack turned around. Standing in front of them
was a young man with a uniform on.
"Yes, that us." Jack answered.
"My name is Jack, Jack Dawson. And this is my wife, Rose." Jack
extended his hand, as did Rose. The boy shook their hands.
"Hello Mr. Dawson, Mrs. Dawson. I am you
steward, Brett Thompson." Brett went on to explain how Jack and Rose could
reach him if they needed anything. And if they did need anything, don't be
afraid to ring him.
"Thank you Mr. Thompson, you've been
very helpful." Rose said.
"Just Brett is fine Mrs. Dawson. I do
have one more thing to show you both before I go though." Brett walked
over to a closet and opened the door. He pulled down two white objects. Rose
felt herself go weak at the site.
"Now, I need to show you how to put
these lifebelts on in case of an emergency." Jack quickly looked over at
Rose with a concerned expression. She looked as white as a sheet and looked as
if she might faint.
Jack quickly said, "Brett, that won't be
necessary, thank you."
Brett looked at them, "All right. Now
would you like me to unpack for you?"
"No, thank you." Rose said before
Jack could answer. Rose's mind went to the garments she had stashed away at the
bottom of one of her suitcases. Those were for her and Jack's eyes--only.
Brett gave her an odd look, "All right,
if you don't need anything, I'll be off." Brett left the room and closed
the door. Rose immediately went to the bedroom and flopped down on the bed
before she could faint.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked coming
in and looking at her with a concerned expression.
"I'll be fine Jack," Rose said
quietly, yet with affirmation. Jack looked at her. 'I hope you're right Rose,'
he thought. 'Because I need you to be strong for the both of us.'