JACK AND ROSE: TOGETHER FOREVER
Chapter Fifty-Six

August 10, 1915

Rose stood in front of the full-length mirror and smoothed the light blue dress she wore. It was the day of Brittany's wedding, and she, Dianna, and the very nervous Brittany were all getting ready in the bridal room of St. Andrew's Church.

"Rose, you look lovely," Dianna said, coming up and looking at herself in the same mirror. Dianna had an identical blue dress on to Rose's with the same white shoes.

"Thank you, Di," Rose whispered. "You do, too, might I add."

Dianna laughed and smiled. "I know," she joked.

"So, how do I look?" a voice behind them asked.

Rose and Dianna turned to see Brittany standing nervously in the bathroom door. She was smoothing her dress and biting her lips. Her blond hair was all curled up and hung down her back, her soft veil resting on the top of her head. Brittany's dress was a simple v-neck chiffon gown that hung to the floor. Rose gasped and came over.

"Brit, you look wonderful," she whispered.

Brittany smiled. "Thank you," she said.

Dianna nodded and came over. "You do look spectacular," she said, sincerely.

Brittany blushed. "Thanks, guys."

Dianna smiled. "You know," she said after a moment, "it seems like we were just in this exact situation for Rose and Jack's wedding. I can't believe that was already three years ago."

Rose gently smiled. "I know."

All three of the women looked at each other and then engaged into a big group hug.

"Wow, this just seems unbelievable," Brittany whispered, after they pulled apart. Rose and Dianna nodded, and then smiled. Suddenly, Brittany realized something. "Hey, where did Jennifer and Natalie go?"

Natalie Miller was Brittany's younger sister, who was serving as the maid of honor in her sister's wedding. The seventeen-year-old girl had light brown hair and Brittany's blue eyes. Tim Clark, Cameron's cousin, was serving as the best man.

Rose laughed. "Jennifer said she was going to make sure Scott was not out of line. Natalie went along for some reason."

Dianna smirked. "I am surprised that’s not you, Rose. Going to make sure Jack's not out of line. Make sure he still knows your plans for tonight."

Rose hit Dianna on the arm. "Be quiet," she said, shaking her head. Dianna just laughed.

Brittany shook her head and laughed. "Dianna, why don't you go see if the bouquets are here," she said, after a moment. The bouquets were being delivered about fifteen minutes before the wedding, so that they would not get lost or trampled.

"All right," Dianna said, walking toward the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes." And with a swish of her dress, Dianna disappeared down the hall.

Brittany rushed and shut the door, leaning against it. "Rose, can I talk to you real quick?"

Rose looked up from fixing her necklace. "About what?" she asked, confused as to what Brittany wanted to talk about.

Brittany blushed and looked down at the floor. "Tonight," she mumbled.

"What?" Rose asked.

"About tonight and...what is going to happen," Brittany said, looking up, a nervous and scared look in her eyes.

"Oh, that," Rose whispered. She smiled and looked at Brittany before getting up and coming over.

"I, well, I am nervous that I won't...that maybe Cameron won't like...that I will...oh, I don't know."

Rose took a deep breath. "Brittany Michelle Miller, soon to be Wakefield, you will do fine. It's normal to feel that way."

"Did you feel like that with Jack?" Brittany asked.

Rose thought for a moment. "Not on my wedding night, no. But, Jack and I had already...well. Anyway, the first time, I was a little nervous. I didn't want to admit it to Jack. But I really, just a little bit, was. But, I loved Jack enough to get past that. And Brit, if Cameron loves you as much as everyone can see, he will understand if things don't go perfect the first time. Chances are, he is probably as scared and worried as you."

Brittany sighed and looked at Rose. "I suppose you are right," she said. "Thanks, Rose."

Rose smiled. "No problem. I am happy for you, Brittany, really I am."

Brittany blushed. "Thank you."

"Hey, I got the flowers," Dianna's voice suddenly said as she pushed against the door to let herself in.

Brittany and Rose moved and Dianna walked in, followed closely by Jennifer and Natalie.

"Here," Dianna said, handing out the bouquets. Rose looked at hers. It was a simple mix of wildflowers that was a miniature of Brittany's much larger bunch.

"Knock, knock," a voice came from outside.

"Come in, Jack," Rose said, recognizing Jack's voice.

Jack entered and stood before everyone. He had on a very handsome black dress suit and his hair was slicked back. He looked very much like he had that night aboard the Titanic.

"I have strict orders from Mr. Cameron Wakefield to tell everyone that the ceremony is going to begin in a few moments so you had better get yourselves to the chapel," he said, in a joking serious tone.

Rose laughed. "All right, tell everyone that we are coming," she said, kissing Jack on the cheek.

Jack bowed and left to room. Rose rolled her eyes.

Brittany laughed. "Come on. Let's go before I faint from nervousness."

With laughing and smiling, the five girls made their way to the chapel.

*****

Jack sat in the middle of a very long table with Rose at his side. Brittany and her new husband Cameron sat at the head of the table, looking at each other adoringly. Their wedding ceremony had gone wonderfully and now all the guests were gathered for the reception that was being held outside the church. Jack nudged Rose after a moment and she turned her head. She looked at him questioningly.

"Look," Jack said, nodding his head toward the couple.

Brittany and Cameron were looking at each other as if nobody else was in the room. Cameron would say something and Brittany would blush and then smile. And then Brittany would say something back and Cameron would laugh. They were hardly even eating the huge amount of food before them.

Rose smiled at Jack. "It’s hard to believe that an hour ago she was scared about this whole thing," she whispered, leaning against Jack.

Jack nodded, and then spoke. "Cameron was pretty nervous about the whole thing, too. Know what, he said he was nervous about the whole thing tonight, too."

Rose smiled, and then said, "Really? Brittany was talking to me about that."

"Guess things are okay now, aren’t they. Boy, that nervousness didn't last long," Jack joked, as Brittany and Cameron kissed each other gently.

"Jack, what am I going to do with you," Rose joked, shaking her head.

Jack looked at her, and then smiled. "Hey, Rose, are you nervous?" he asked quietly.

Anyone else would have been confused by what Jack had said, but Rose understood. She knew what he meant. But, Rose pretended not get Jack's hidden words. She smirked and said, "And just what do you mean by that?"

Jack smirked back and leaned closer to her. "Remember our wedding night?"

Rose giggled and wrapped her arms around Jack's neck. "How in the world could I forget?"

Jack smiled and gently leaned down to kiss Rose.

"Hey, you two, this is Brittany and Cameron's wedding, not yours," Dianna said from across the table when she saw Jack and Rose kiss. She hadn't heard what they had said to each other, but she had seen them talking and figured it had to do with their own wedding. Jack and Rose broke apart and looked at Dianna. Dianna rolled her eyes at them, and beside her Bryan was trying not to laugh. Rose stuck her tongue out at Dianna and Jack just smiled.

"Attention everyone!" a very loud voice at the end of the table to the left of Jack and Rose announced. Tim Clark was standing up, hitting his fork against a glass. People hushed their voices and turned their attention to Cameron's best friend. "Thank you. Now, I am suppose to make a toast to the new couple, aren’t I. Well, I am going to make this short and sweet. Cameron, Brittany, may you be blessed with a long, happy, prosperous, wonderful marriage. I know that you belong together, we can all see that. Best wishes, Cameron and Brittany Wakefield."

Everyone around started to clap and Brittany and Cameron beamed with happiness. At one point, when Cameron's father was talking, Rose caught Brittany's eye and winked at her. Brittany smiled back and then went back to listening to her new father-in-law. Under the table, Jack squeezed Rose's hand and then gently kissed the side of her head. Rose sighed quietly and happily and squeezed Jack's hand back.

*****

Rose leaned against Jack as he led her around the dance floor. It was the last dance of the night and Rose had immediately closed her eyes and let Jack hold her. It had been a long time since they had danced with actual music and it felt good to not worry about singing or making up songs. All they had to do was move. Most of the guests had left, including Cameron and Brittany. The happy couple had said good-bye about two hours ago, and had left to board the train that would take them to San Francisco for their honeymoon. The only people left were Jack and Rose, a few of Brittany or Cameron's friends, and Jennifer and Scott. The Fosters had left about the same time as Cameron and Brittany, saying they needed to get home and relieve the sitter of Meaghan. Rose knew they should be getting home, too, but she was having a wonderful time with Jack and didn't want to. She moaned softly and rested her head on Jack's right shoulder. Jack wrapped his arms around her even more and rested his head on her left shoulder. Together they moved, not caring who was around. The music gently played from the front gazebo in the front of the lawn.

"Rose," Jack gently whispered in her ear.

"Hmm?" Rose quietly moaned back.

"I've missed doing things like this with you."

Rose nodded. "I've missed it, too, Jack."

"We should go home," Jack whispered after a long moment, as the music started to end.

Rose pulled away from Jack and looked up at him. There was a longing look in his eye that Rose hadn't seen this intense in a long time. She nodded gently, understanding what his look meant. A moment later the music ended and everyone started to clap. Jack and Rose moved out of their dancing position, but still continued to hold each other close. Little by little, everyone started to leave and Rose and Jack decided to go as well. They said good-bye to the few people that were left, and, after gathering their belongings, started home. It was almost nine, so the sun was just beginning to set. The sky was starting to change into brilliant shades of blue and pink. Rose leaned against Jack and sighed happily. She really wasn’t tired, just overwhelmed with the day's activities.

"You okay?" Jack asked quietly.

Rose looked up and smiled. Jack looked into her shining eyes and knew that she was fine. Just amazed by the day. Jack smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Come on, Rose, let's get home," he whispered, gently pulling her closer.

"Mary! We're home!" Rose called softly as she and Jack walked into the house about fifteen minutes later. They walked into the living room and found Mary sitting on the couch reading.

"Oh, hi," the girl whispered seeing them come in. She set the book down and got up. "I borrowed a book from your library. I hope you don't mind."

Rose smiled and set her purse and shawl on the table. "That’s fine, dear. How was Michael? Not too much trouble?"

Mary smiled. "He was great. Um, he cried a little when he woke up from this nap. But other than that he was fine. I put him to bed about an hour and a half ago."

Jack came over from hanging his coat up. "Thanks, Mary," he said, handing her a dollar.

"No problem," she said, grabbing her coat from the couch.

Rose smiled gently, and said, "Well, we do appreciate it."

Jack nodded, and then asked, "Would you like me to walk you home?"

Mary shook her head. "No, thanks, Mr. Dawson. It's not that far."

"Okay, thank you again, Mary," Jack said.

Rose smiled. "I'll walk you to the door."

"Good-bye," Mary called, as she followed Rose to the door. "Good-bye, Mrs. Dawson. Let me know if you ever want me to baby-sit again."

Rose nodded. "I will. Thanks so much, Mary."

Mary nodded and then left. Rose closed the door behind her and then quietly called out, "Oh, Jack!"

Jack came in from the kitchen and smiled. Rose walked over to him and took his hand.

"Let's go check on Michael," she whispered gently, before kissing him softly. Jack nodded and walked with Rose upstairs. They peeked in on Michael and saw that he was still asleep.

"You realize Michael has been sleeping for longer periods of time," Jack whispered, as they made their way to their room.

"Yeah, it’s nice," Rose whispered gently, as Jack opened the door.

She ran and jumped on the bed, making Jack laugh. She took her hair out of the upsweep it was in and shook her head, making her curls fall and frame her head. Jack smiled, and then walked around, opening all the windows.

"It's stuffy," he commented, coming over to Rose.

Rose nodded, and kicked off her high heel shoes. "Come here, Jack," she said, taking his hand and pulling him toward her. Jack chuckled and lay down next to Rose, leaning over her slightly. "You were asking if I was nervous," Rose whispered, half-joking, as Jack started to kiss her forehead.

"Yeah?" Jack asked, looking up. Rose put her arms around Jack's neck and pulled him closer to her so that their foreheads were touching. She gently shook her head.

"No, I am not nervous," she whispered softly. Jack smiled and then leaned down to kiss Rose. Rose eagerly kissed him back, sliding down to the bed under Jack's weight. She let Jack kiss her again and again...and again...and again...and again.

*****

Rose rolled over and blew the hair out of her eyes. She had only slept for an hour before waking up hot and sweaty from the August heat. She kicked off the sheet from her side of the bed and turned the pillow over to the other side. She was just glad the rest of the blankets had been thrown off earlier so it wasn't any warmer.

"Rose?" Rose turned and looked at Jack.

"Yeah?" she asked quietly.

"I was just wondering if you were awake," Jack whispered, smiling at her.

"It’s hot," Rose moaned, scooting over toward Jack. He too had kicked off the sheet and looked miserable.

"I know," Jack said, sighing. He looked around the dark room. Even with all the windows open, it was still stuffy. Suddenly, he got an idea. "Hey, Rose, get your robe and follow me," he whispered, getting out of bed and grabbing his own robe from the floor.

Rose watched as he pulled the sheet completely off the bed and grabbed the comforter from the floor. "What in the world are you doing?" she asked.

"Shh, come on, just follow me. And grab two pillows."

Rose shrugged and got out of bed, wrapping her robe around herself. She grabbed two pillows and then looked around for Jack. She saw the balcony door open and wondered if he had gone out there. Rose walked over and peeked outside. Sure enough, Jack was out side, putting the comforter down on the balcony floor.

"Come on," he said, pulling her outside.

"What are you doing?" Rose asked, as Jack took the pillows from her and placed them on the comforter. He then laid the sheet over everything and folded back the top.

"Since it's too hot to sleep inside, we'll sleep outside," Jack said simply.

"What?" Rose gasped. "Jack, this is crazy. What if Michael starts to wake up?"

"We'll leave this door and our bedroom door open," Jack answered, going to open their bedroom door. "If we can hear Michael from downstairs, we can hear him out here," he said, coming back.

Rose shook her head and smiled. "All right," she agreed. Jack smiled and lay down, followed by Rose. "It is much cooler," Rose had to agree after a minute.

Jack nodded and wrapped his arm around Rose, who snuggled up next to him. She closed her eyes and felt Jack kiss her head. "Think you'll be able to sleep?" he asked gently.

Rose nodded, and whispered, "Yes, I think so. Good night again, Jack."

Jack smiled and took her hand, squeezing it tightly in his own. "Good night, Rose. I love you," he whispered.

Rose smiled. "I love you too," she whispered softly.

Jack caressed her hair and looked out at the ocean. It was beautiful at night. The full moon reflected off the water and caused half the beach to be lit up. Jack sighed and closed his eyes. "Good night, Rosebud," he whispered.

Rose gently squeezed his hand and whispered, "Night, Jack."

Chapter Fifty-Seven
Stories