LET’S LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND
Chapter Thirteen

The day of the picnic had finally arrived. Jack and Rose were setting the table for the Dawson family. Rose looked around curiously at all the people gathered by the lake, laughing, talking, and playing. Everyone was in good spirits and was looking forward to a day of fun.

"Hey, Rose, will you hand me the napkins?" Jack asked.

"Uh...sure." Rose smiled, handing him the stack of napkins. "Everyone seems happy."

"Yeah. The spring picnic is one of the high points of the year." Jack grinned. "You're going to have so much fun today, Rose."

"You sound confident of that." Rose smiled.

"Because I'm going to make sure that you have a good time."

"I always have a good time with you, Jack." Rose smiled sincerely at her husband. They stood there, just looking at each other, when Jacquelyn came up.

"Keep this up and we'll never get the table set." Jacquelyn laughed, grabbing the napkins from her brother. "Jack, why don't you go and help Dad take those strawberries to the main table? I'll help Rose set the table."

"That's all right. I'm doing fine."

"I don't call gazing at each other doing fine. Now go on. You'll have plenty of time for that once everything's set up." Jacquelyn grinned.

Jack sighs. He knew he was defeated. "Fine. But take care of my wife while I'm gone and don't corrupt her with stupid stories," Jack warned, running off to help his father.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say my brother thinks I'm a bad influence." Jacquelyn laughed.

"Well, if that's so, so is he. You two are so much alike." Rose smiled.

"I don't know about that. Jack is a lot more optimistic and trusting than I am. He says I have to lighten up some, and he's right. But I'm glad he found you, Rose. I've never seen him so happy before."

"I've never been this happy, either. Jack is everything to me. He's a dream come true." Rose sighed. "Sometimes I pinch myself when I wake up, just to make sure it's not a dream."

The girls had just finished setting the table when the Renault arrived.

Jacquelyn placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Looks like the Smiths have arrived."

Sure enough, a driver got out of the car, went to the back, and opened the door. A gloved hand was seen accepting his offered hand, and out stepped Kimberly Smith.

"Brings back memories," Rose replied.

"Hey, girls." Jack ran up to them and wrapped his arms around Rose. "What's going on?"

"Watching the new arrivals." Jacquelyn nodded at Kimberly's crowd. "Why do they always have to do that? For once, can't they just arrive like regular people?"

"Guess not." Jack shrugged, looking away from the scene and concentrating on hugging his wife.

"Jack, why don't you give Rose a break? I'm sure she's tired of you always hugging her."

"Oh, not at all." Rose laughed, turning around to return Jack's hug.

"Leave them alone, Jacquelyn. They're newlyweds. That's what newlyweds do." Jack's mother laughed.

"Not to mention all that we've been through in the past month." Rose laid her head on Jack's shoulder. "I thank God he spared Jack."

"Shh, Rose. No more talk about Titanic. This is a happy day. We're going to have some fun for once." Jack stroked her hair.

"Nancy, there you are!" Beatrice Baker, one of the women that Nancy went to Bible group with, waved. "Aren't you going to introduce the ladies to your new daughter-in-law?"

"Come, Rose. Come meet the girls." Nancy grabbed Rose's hand and took her over to the small group of women.

"Hi, girls. Let me introduce my new daughter-in-law, Rose." Nancy smiled.

"So, this is Jack's wife?" one woman asked, looking Rose up and down.

"Hmm." Nancy nodded. "Of course, no word from Richie." Nancy shook her head. "Maybe he'll be the next to return."

"Richie?" Rose asked curiously. Jack had a brother, too? This was the first she had heard of him.

"Well, welcome to Chippewa Falls, dear. And may I say that it's a very fine family that you've married into." One of the women took Rose's hand. "Maybe you'd like to join us in our Bible discussions."

Rose only smiled politely and didn't reply. Spending an afternoon discussing the Bible with a group of middle-aged women wasn't her idea of fun.

"Oh, Eleanor, Rose is young yet. She'll be too busy building a family. Maybe she'll join the group for young mothers. The girls there would love to have her." Nancy smiled.

Rose looked over at Jack, who seemed to be busy helping his father set out the strawberries. She had that old feeling again…that feeling of being trapped, of having her life planned out for her. Maybe if she could get Jack's attention, he would come rescue her.

"Mother. Are you trying to recruit Rose into one of your groups? I told you a number of times that if people want to join, they will. No need to make them feel obligated." Jacquelyn came up and pulled Rose away.

"Oh, Jacquelyn, I was just introducing Rose to the women. They were curious about her."

"Yeah. I'm sure they were." Jacquelyn led Rose back to the table. "Sorry about that. My mother doesn't mean any harm. She just gets overzealous at times."

"Oh, that's all right." Rose smiled. "Even though it was starting to get a little stuffy over there. How did you know to rescue me like that?"

"Jack told me to keep an eye on you and make sure you were comfortable. Well, you were starting to look really uncomfortable, so I decided to come and get you away from there."

"So!" Jack came up behind them and wrapped an arm around Rose. "Are you taking care of my Rose?"

"Of course." Jacquelyn smiled, a smile that was exactly like Jack's, Rose noticed.

"Well, Jacquelyn, your pals are calling you. Why don't you leave me and Rose alone for a bit?" Jack suggested.

"I get it. Just remember that you're in public. Okay?" Jacquelyn grinned at her brother and went to join her friends.

"You didn't have to get rid of her, Jack. We have the rest of our lives to be alone together." Rose sighed, leaning into his arms.

"But I wanted my wife to myself now." Jack kissed her tenderly.

"I love you, Jack." Rose sighed, laying her head on his shoulder.

"I love you more."

Rose smiles. "But not as much as I love you."

Jack laughed. "What a silly thing to argue about. Why don't we call it a tie?"

"Fine by me." Rose smiled up into his blue eyes, which sparkled with laughter.

"You hungry, Rose?" Jack asked, leading her back to their table.

"A little…" Rose sat down.

"Stay here. I'll go fix you a plate." Jack took off before she could protest. Rose smiled as she saw him moving around people at the food table. This was just like him…always so courteous, a gentleman.

"Hello, Rose." Kimberly Smith approached the table. "Are you having fun?"

"Oh, yes. This is great." Rose nodded. "And you?"

"As much fun as can be expected, I suppose. Where's Jack?"

"Getting us something to eat." Rose nodded, reminding herself to be polite. This girl didn’t threaten her, even though she was the first love of Jack's life. But what she and Jack had had was over. Jack loved Rose now, and that was the way it was going to remain forever.

"Kimberly, hi." Jack smiled, carrying two plates full of food.

"Hi, Jack. I just came over to say hello and to make sure Rose was enjoying herself." Kimberly smiled at Jack, her eyes full of longing and regret. She knew there was no way of getting Jack back, even if she wasn't engaged to Brendan. Jack loved Rose now. She was happy for him. Even though the woman in his life couldn't be her, she was happy that he had found someone like Rose.

"Well, thank you." Jack grinned.

"Well, I see Mother glaring over here. I'd better get back. See you two later." Kimberly left Jack and Rose alone.

"I like her." Rose sighed. "Even though she is your ex-girlfriend."

"I'm glad you do, Rose. I'm happy that you're growing more secure in my feelings for you."

"How can I not be secure in your love when you show me every day." Rose smiled up at him as he lay down the plate of food.

Jack smiled back at her, bent down, and kissed her deeply and passionately. A few townspeople stop and look. Some frowned with disapproval at such a public display of affection, but the younger ones smiled dreamily, hoping that someday they'd find a love like that.

"Ahem. This is a public place, you know." Jacquelyn came up with her parents.

"Yes, Jack, really. Show some restraint," Nancy lectured her son.

"Sorry." Jack shrugged.

"Mom, what do you want Jack and Rose to name your soon-to-be grandbaby?" Jacquelyn laughed.

"Don't listen to her, Mom." Jack glared at his sister.

"Everyone gather round!" Mrs. Grace called out. "It's time for the gift giving!"

"Come on, you two." Jacquelyn got up and disappeared into the crowd.

"Got the gift?" Jack asked.

"Right here." Rose held up the small box as they joined the crowd.

"Now, everyone knows the rules, but for those of us who are new here, I'll explain. We all gather around. I have a list of names. Whoever's name is called gets in the circle. Then the person who was supposed to get them the gift will step out and give them the gift after I call their name also. Now, we shall begin," Mrs. Grace explained. "First name…Jack and Rose Dawson…their gift comes from Brendan Lakesworth. Rose and Jack, step into the circle."

"Come on, Rose." Jack took Rose's hand and led her into the center of the group.

"Jack, Rose." Brendan stepped up. "I'd like to congratulate you on your marriage, and it's obvious how in love you two are. I bought you this gift certificate to Macy's for one hundred dollars. I hope you enjoy it."

"Thank you." Rose smiled sincerely, remembering the old couple on the ship that had owned the store. She had been standing nearby when Ida Strauss had refused to get on a lifeboat, but instead chose to stay on the ship with her husband. She had been the one who had given Rose the courage to jump back on the ship to be with Jack.

Jack was concerned to see a single tear slip from her eye. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I was just remembering the owners of the store. They were on Titanic…the woman, Ida Strauss…she was the inspiration for me jumping back on the ship to be with you. She wouldn't get off without her husband."

Jack nodded solemnly, placing an arm around her shoulders. He kissed her forehead. "It's okay, Rose. They're in a better place right now. They're probably looking down at us right now, smiling, happy that their courage was the inspiration for our love."

"They were a sweet couple, Jack. You would have liked them."

"I'm sure I would have." Jack smiled tenderly. "Now, stop crying. People are getting curious."

Rose smiled and wiped away her tears.

Kimberly was called thirty minutes later. "Jack and Rose Dawson, come up and give Kimberly your gift."

Jack and Rose come up hand in hand. Rose was holding a small jewelry box.

"Uh…this is from Rose and I. Actually, I sent Rose shopping, since she knows what women like, and I don't have any idea." Jack laughed.

"I hope you like it." Rose smiled nervously.

"Oh, this is exquisite." It was a solitary blue stone hanging from a gold chain. It was similar to the Heart of the Ocean, only a lot smaller.

"It's beautiful!" Kimberly gasped. "Thank you."

Rose and Jack smiled at each other and return to their places.

Later, after all the gifts had been given out, Jack and Rose decided to head home. But not before Kimberly's mother approached Jack and handed back the gift they had bought for Kimberly. "My daughter will not be accepting gifts from you, Mr. Dawson."

"That was a gift that Jack and I bought for Kimberly." Rose stood in front of her husband. She was about to tell the woman off, but decided that a better technique would be to imitate her mother. Something she was quite good at. Rose put on her best Ruth voice. "Mrs. Smith, I am not aware of how you do things here in Chippewa Falls, but in polite society, we do not take it upon ourselves to return gifts that were given to someone else. If that person didn't want the gift, she'd give it back herself."

"Rose, it's okay. Let it go." Jack pulled on her hand. "It doesn't matter."

"But, Jack…"

"Rose, let it go. Thank you, Mrs. Smith, for returning the necklace." Jack took the box back. "Come on, Rose. Let's go home."

"Jack, she can't get away with that. We spent good money for that gift."

"And we'll make good use of it. Rose, don't worry about it. This color looks great on you, anyway."

"But it came out of our Santa Monica money, and that woman…"

"Rose…Rose, honey, we'll return it if you want. Let's just let it go. Okay? Besides, you know what it's like for Kim from firsthand experience."

Rose had to smile. "I have to admit that that woman makes Mother look like Mother Goose."

Jack laughed. "Come on. Let’s go."

Chapter Fourteen
Stories