JACK AND ROSE: TOGETHER FOREVER
Chapter Forty-Three

July 24, 1914

Rose sighed and looked out the window of the car Jack was driving. She had no idea where they were going. Jack had woken her up early this morning, made her dress in some of his clothes, and had ushered her into a car he had rented even earlier that morning. In the backseat of the car were two big backpacks full of things, Rose wasn't sure what. Now they were on their way somewhere out of Paris with Rose in pants and a blouse and with overnight things. Rose had no idea what Jack was up to. "Jack?"

"Hmmm," Jack replied, his eyes still on the road.

"Please tell me where we are going," Rose said.

"Rose, I can't tell you. Don't worry about it. You are going to love it, promise. Just sit back and enjoy the ride," Jack said turning and smiling at her.

Rose smiled back and turned back out the window. Now, the scenery was begging to change. It was begging to get kind of woodsy. There were more trees, less houses and buildings, less cars, and more bumpy roads. Rose glanced back at Jack. 'He certainly has something big going on,' she thought looking back outside. While she waited to get to wherever they were going, Rose thought about the things they had done in Paris. They had done everything from going to the Eiffel tower three times to spending hours in the Louvre. They had ridden on the Metro, spent hours on the banks of the Seine, and taken millions of photographs already. Rose had dragged Jack into countless sidewalk shops, looking for just the right thing to bring home to their friends. And of course, they were still on a search or the perfect souvenir for themselves. Jack muttering something brought Rose back to the present. "I know it's around her somewhere," he was saying looking around. They were now totally in the woods and by now, Rose was even more confused. Suddenly, Jack jerked to a stop. "Jack, what the heck are you doing?" Rose asked as Jack backed up and turned off the road.

"Going in here," Jack said simply. He drove the car down up a rather bumpy and rough road that looked like it hadn't been used much. In a few minutes, the road opened up into a small clearing.

Rose raised her eyebrows and Jack parked the car. "This is where we are going?" she asked.

"We're not all the way there yet?" Jack said before opening the door. "Come on," he said climbing out. "Lock your door," Jack reminded her as Rose climbed out.

Rose locked and closed the door. She walked around the Jack's side as he opened the back door. Jack pulled out the two backpacks and handed one to Rose. Rose almost dropped it. "Wow, this weighs a ton," she groaned as she put it on her back.

"Want this one, its heavier," Jack joked.

"No, that's okay," Rose said as Jack handed her a coat.

"You may need this," Jack said.

"What's in these?" Rose asked gesturing to the backpacks.

"Stuff we may need," Jack said giving her a vague answer. Jack locked up the rest of the car and then took Rose's hand. Rose held the coat in her other hand and smiled at him.

"So, where we going. Will you tell me now," Rose asked softly as they started up a little trail that looked like it hadn't been used in a few years.

Jack nodded, "We are going to a place Fabrizio and I found while we were exploring France. We only came up here a few times, and by the way this trail looks, not a lot of people come up here. But that's a good thing. Hopefully, we'll be alone up there."

Rose smiled brightly at Jack, "So what's it like up there?" Jack smiled, "Beautiful. I am not going to say more than that. But it's beautiful. You'll love it. I packed the camera with a lot of film so we can get a lot of pictures."

Rose grinned as they climbed farther up the trail. "So, how far up is this spot?" she asked.

"Pretty far. It's about a forty five minutes to an hour. But it's forth it," Jack said swinging their arms back and forth.

"Ugh," Rose groaned. "Is it a hard hike?"

"Not to bad," Jack said, "compared to Titanic, it's a walk in a park."

"Good," Rose said. "Hold on," she said suddenly stopping. She bent down and put the coat in her bag. "There, now I have a free hand," she said standing back up and taking Jack's hand with hers.

"How about we sing a song to pass the time?" Jack suggested as they walked higher.

"What?" Rose asked.

"C'mon, no one will hear us. Let's see, how about, 'Come Josephine,'" Jack said before starting to sing it. "Come Josephine, in my flying machine," he sang.

"Jack no," Rose said laughing.

"C'mon, no one will hear us. Sing," Jack said before starting up again. "Going up she goes, up she goes!" Jack belted out.

Rose shook her head. Jack continued to sing at the top of his lungs while she laughed.

"Oh say let us fly dear," Jack yelled.

Finally Rose gave up. "Where dear?" she sang.

Jack turned to her and smiled. "To the stars dear!" Jack and Rose both sang before breaking down laughing.

"I think we have changed the lyrics," Rose said.

Jack laughed, "For the better that is."

Rose laughed, "Everyone is going to think those are the real lyrics."

Jack shrugged, "We won't sing that version around them then. It will just be our version."

Rose laughed, "This is so much fun Jack.

"It's gonna get better Rose, believe me."

Rose smiled and kissed Jack on the check. "It's so beautiful today. And it's warm to. Not like that colder weather we've had," Rose said.

"It's wasn't that cold," Jack said. "It was about 66 wasn't it?"

"Yeah, I think so. I guess I am just used to Santa Monica," Rose said. "But it seams hotter now. Like 70 or 75, something like that."

Jack nodded, "I hope that's good thing."

Rose sighed, "How long have we been walking do you think?"

"About fifteen, twenty minutes," Jack said. Rose groaned. "Don't worry, it's worth the hike up there."

"I hope you're right Jack Dawson."

Jack just smiled.

*****

About half-hour later, Jack spotted something. "Ah ha, we're here. I remember that tree."

Rose raised her eyebrows, "How can you remember a tree after almost three years?"

"Look at it," Jack said as he pointed to a tree up ahead. "See how it's got those three holes, right in a row? And see how it's leaning sort of over the path?"

Rose nodded; she did see a tree kind of leaning over the path with three holes up the trunk. Jack came up behind her and put his hands over her eyes. "Jack, what are you doing?" Rose giggled, putting her how hands over his.

"I want you to get a really good first impression," Jack said. "Now, can you see anything?" Jack asked starting to walk her forward.

"No, not a thing. Just…dark skin," Rose replied.

"Okay, good," Jack said walking her the last few feet of the trail into an opening in the woods. Jack looked around, trying to find the perfect spot. He finally found one and directed Rose to that spot. "Okay Rosebud, you ready?" Jack asked.

"Yes," Rose answered.

"Okay," Jack said taking his hands off her eyes.

Rose gasped, "Oh my God Jack, this is wonderful!" In front of her was a beautiful waterfall that was about fifty feet tall, a beautiful natural pool that was made by the waterfall, and flowers all over the place. The sunlight shown on the water and made it shine like diamonds. In the trees were different kinds of bird and there was a little trail leading up above the waterfall. "This is great!" Rose yelled setting her bag down and turning toward Jack. "You are so good to me!" Rose exclaimed throwing herself into Jack's arms.

Jack smiled, "I have always wanted to take you here, I just never thought we'd get to Paris."

Rose smiled, "Well we did. Thank you so much for bringing me here!"

Jack stroked her check with his thumb, "Rose, there is something I want us to do. Now, I have been thinking and with all this boat stuff and everything that's going on, well, I think we should renew our wedding vows. Just us, no priest or anyone. Just God and us. I love you so much and it just seamed like a good thing to do in case something happened to us. How about it Rose?"

Rose's eyes had gotten wide. "Oh Jack," she cried pulling his closer, "it sounds wonderful. And I can't think of a more perfect spot then this. I love you too!"

Jack picked her up as he always did and spun her around. Rose smiled and laughed the whole time. When Jack put her down, he reached down into his backpack. Smiling, he pulled out Rose's wedding dress.

"That's what this is for," Rose gasped as she took the dress from Jack.

Jack nodded and smiled at her. Then he pulled out a box. Inside was Rose's vial.

"Oh," Rose said pulling it out. "I love this vial. It's so beautiful."

It was beautiful. The vial went about halfway down Rose's back and covered most of her hair. It was the same color as the dress, a beautiful creamy white. Rose loved it, one because it was so beautiful and two because it didn't cover the front of her face at all. Next, Jack pulled out Rose's shoes, his tux, and his shoes.

"How did you pack all these things without me knowing?" Rose asked.

"I don't know. I think it was luck. I figured I better hide the rest of this stuff from you so you wouldn't get to suspicious, but I figured letting you know about the dress was okay. Besides, I didn't know if I could sneak that past you," Jack said smiling at her. "Now, why don't you go over and put that dress on and I'll change into this tux."

Rose nodded and gathered all her stuff up. She walked across the grass to a more shaded spot just in case someone did come up. She changed into her wedding dress for the first time in over two years. As she took out her braid and let her hair down and out, she realized how special this day was going to be. Rose smiled and set the vial on her head. Last she took off her shoes and put on her while high heels. Gathering her things, she walked back to meet Jack. He was standing there, in his tux, holding a bunch of the beautiful wild flowers that were around here. Rose walked over and smiled at him.

"I didn't bring your bouquet, but I thought these might work," Jack said handing her the flowers.

"Thank you Jack," Rose said. "Now where are we going to do this?"

Jack looked around. "How about over there," he said pointing to this area that went into the pool as sort of a peninsula. The waterfall was right next to it and it was a perfect place. Rose nodded and took Jack's hand. Jack led her over to the area they had picked out.

When they were standing face to face Rose looked down. What happened next? If it hadn't been such a serious time, Rose might have laughed. But she knew this was no laughing matter. Jack lifted her chin with his hand so that she was forced to look at him. Jack was smiling at her. Rose smiled back. "What do we do now?" she whispered.

"Do you still remember your vows, Rose?" Jack asked.

"Every word," Rose answered.

"Okay, this is how my parents did it. They stood face to face, held hands, and said the vows over. Then the minister said that the groom could kiss the bride, again. It's going to be a bit different because we don't have a minister. And we have to change the wording a bit. But I think it will work out okay." Rose nodded and smiled.

"Ready Rose?" Jack asked.

"Yes," Rose whispered. She felt like a child trying something out for the first time. It was so exciting, she just wanted to jump around and scream.

"Here goes," Jack said. "I, Jack, promise to love you forever Rose, no matter what comes happens, no matter how bad the situation. I promise to never hurt you or let anything happen bad to you. You jump, I jump, and that's how it will always be. I love you Rose, and I promise to help us make each day count and to help us reach the stars. I promise to take care of you, in richer times, poorer times and all the times in-between. During sickness and in health, until death do us part. " Jack brought Rose's hand up to his lips and kissed her palm.

Rose's eyes filled with tears. She took a deep breath and started to say her vows. They were almost identical to Jack's, with a few things added here and there. But the message was still the same; I will love you forever. Rose finished her vows right on the verge of crying. Then Jack leaned down and kissed her softly. Rose eagerly kissed back and for a few minuets, they forgot where they were. In their minds, they were up in the heavens and had no intention of coming down. At least until a huge bird flew by, startling them. Rose gasped and laughed and she and Jack broke away.

"That, was, scary," Rose said gasping.

Jack laughed and grabbed the camera. "Smile Rose," he directed before pushing the button.

*****

Rose and Jack spend the rest of the morning and afternoon hiking around and exploring. They had changed out of their wedding clothes and were now exploring up above the waterfall. Rose looked down, the pool at the bottom on the waterfall seamed deep, deep enough to jump into. She turned to Jack. "What would happen if I jumped off this ledge right now and went for a swim."

"You'd wind up cold and wet," Jack said looking down.

Rose put her hand in the stream that led up to the waterfall. "It's not that cold," she said.

"Rose, if you want to go for a swim, be my guest. Just don't jump, it's too much of a risk. You might hit that rock it you got out to far. And we're about an hour and a half from town, if something were to happen, well."

"Okay, I won't jump," Rose said. "But I want to go swimming! It's so hot out. Did you bring any extra clothes?"

Jack nodded, "Stuff for both of us."

"Well, come on," Rose said grabbing his hand. "Let's go." She dragged him down to the pool.

"You want to go swimming?" Jack asked in disbelief as she took off her boots, the only thing they did not have double of.

Rose nodded and smiled, "C'mon Jack, its so hot out here, it'll feel good to take a dip."

Jack threw up his hands, "What the heck, we're going crazy already." He started taking off his boots and watched as Rose waited in. She started splashing around and getting Jack all wet. Finally, he jumped in after Rose.

Rose grinned and dunked her head under the water. It felt so good to get her head wet. She came back up and saw Jack standing right next to her with a dangerous smile on his face. Before she could know what was happening, Jack sent a wave of water right toward her. Rose laughed, "You're gonna pay Jack." She smirked and climbed up on the giant rock in the middle of the pool. She stood up on top and looked down on Jack. "I am Queen of the Rock!" She yelled throwing her arms up.

Jack laughed, it reminded him of his 'king of the world' outburst. Jack climbed up next to her and threw his hands up too. "I am King of the World!" he shouted for the second time in his life.

Rose laughed, "Yeah, well, I'm Queen of the Universe!"

"Well, I'm, ah," Jack looked around, he really couldn't beat the universe.

"King of the freaks!" Rose finished before laughing so hard she almost fell off the rock.

Jack tired to push her off, but Rose beat him to it and Jack fell into the water. Rose laughed and Jack resurfaced and jumped in, splashing Jack again. They started a water fight that led to who could get the other person more wet. Rose ended up wining when she pushed Jack over and he couldn't get up because it was a slippery part of the rocks. After Rose had helped him up, she climbed up on rock.

"Now, bow down to me!" she commanded in a Pharaoh like voice.

Jack bowed at waist, "What is your wish, oh beautiful commander of mine."

Rose pretended to think for a minute, "I want you to take me away, tell me that you love me, kiss me and make love to me!"

Jack grinned and pulled her down. "Okay, then," he said picking her up and carried her across the water.

Rose squirmed, "Jack put me down!"

"I thought my command was to carry you away and make love to you?" Jack said.

"Later!" Rose said like he should have known before kissing him on the nose.

"Okay, then," Jack said, sighing as he set her down. Then he started to laugh along with Rose.

"We should probably get out of these clothes and into dry things before we catch a cold," Rose said dragging Jack out.

Jack agreed and rummaged in one of the backpacks for clothes. He handed Rose a shirt, pants, clean under things, and socks. Rose scampered off to changed while Jack changed out of his eat cloths and laid them out on the grass to dry before they had to leave. Jack check the camera and film. They only had a role left of film. 'We'll have to get more tomorrow,' Jack thought. He checked his watch, it was about six-thirty. 'We'd better get going if we want to make it back before nine. I know Rose has got to be hungry.' They hadn't eaten since about noon. Jack had some canned soup, a packet of saltines, and some coffee grounds. But those we're for emergency, not for dinner. Just then, Rose came back.

"What should I do with these," she asked gesturing to her wet things.

"Lay them out over there," Jack said pointing to the grass. "We'll get them right before leave." Rose nodded and laid her things out. When she came back, Jack was gathering everything up and putting stuff in different backpacks.

"We have to leave already?" Rose asked disappointed as she knelt down by Jack.

"Not yet, but soon. There's one more thing I want to show you," Jack said as he packed up the rest of the stuff.

Rose smiled, "What is it?"

"C'mon, I'll show you," Jack said as grabbed her hand and helped her up.

Chapter Forty-Four
Stories