LET’S LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND
Chapter Thirty-Eight

Rose sighs sadly, putting down the blanket she was croqueting for the baby, a hobby she had taken up a two months ago when she first came to Denver. The first month was great. Rose had made great friends with Katie and has joined Katie and her husband on numerous outings and her and Katie had gone shopping for the baby a number of times. Rose would tell Katie about her childhood and life with Jack while Katie would share tales of Ireland.

It’s been a full month since Rose heard anything from Jack. The last time she’s talked to him had ended in an argument. Charles hadn’t found anyone to replace Jack by the end of the first month, meaning Jack would have to stay longer than expected and of course she didn’t take the news well. They had said some pretty mean things to each other and Rose had hung up the phone in tears and that was the last she heard from him. She knew for a fact that Weaver was turning Jack against her, she just knew it and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Molly entered the room and shook her head sadly. She couldn’t help but worry for her young friend. She knew Rose was depressed and would remain so until she was reunited with her husband.

"Has anyone called today Molly?" Rose asked, already knowing the answer.

"Sorry child. But the day’s not over yet. He’ll call."

Rose could only smile, wishing that she could be as optimistic as Molly. At that point, she doubted that she’d ever see her husband again. Maybe it’d be best if she’d take their baby and disappear.

"Rose!" Katie came bounding into the room and pulled on her friend’s hand. "There’s a new store in town that sales nothing but baby clothes, we have to see it!"

"Katie…we don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl." Rose got to her feet. "There’s no sense in buying any clothes right now."

"Yeah, but it won’t hurt to look."

"Go on darling. It’ll take your mind off Jack. I bet he’ll call when you get back." Molly encouraged. A day of shopping with Katie always cheered Rose up.

Sighing, Rose relented. "Ok. Just let me grab my coat."

He stepped up to the door of the Denver mansion, wondering how he was going to be welcomed. The last time he talked to his wife they had fought and said things they didn’t mean. He knew she didn’t mean what she had said, no matter how hard his uncle had tried to convince him otherwise. That was another reason he left, telling his parents that he wouldn’t return unless things changed. He couldn’t take his uncle’s bad mouthing his wife any longer. Taking a deep breath he rang the bell. He was greeted by a tall Irish man.

"May I help ya?" The man asked, looking Jack up and down.

"Is Rose here?" Jack asked, shifting from one foot to the other, eager to lay eyes on his wife once again.

"Rose? Hold on a sec." The man closed the door, leaving Jack outside.

The door opened again to reveal Molly, whose eyes opened wide in instant recognition. "Jack! Jack Dawson!" She threw her arms around his lithe frame. "Where in the Lord’s name have you been? Why haven’t you called…poor Rose…for goodness sake why didn’t you call to say you were coming?!"

"Hi Molly." Jack smiled. "I know I should have called, but I kind of left at the spur of the moment and there wasn’t a phone at any of the stops. Poor Rose? Is she ok?"

"She will be when she lays eyes on you." Molly pulled him into the house. "Jim!"

"Yes?" The Irish man appeared in the foyer in front of the steps.

"This is Rose’s husband Jack. Jack this is Jim. He’s my butler/slash gardener. Jim take Jack’s things up to Rose’s room. He surely will be staying in there."

Jim just nodded after muttering an apology to Jack and took Jack’s bags upstairs.

"Now Jack, set down and tell me what happened? Why haven’t you called and what brought on your spur of the moment appearance?" Molly leads Jack into the setting room and sets him on the couch while she takes the chair.

"Well…you know Rose and I had argued right?"

"Yes. The poor girl thinks you don’t love her anymore." Molly shook her head, before cursing herself. She didn’t want to lay a guilt trip on the young man, but he to be made aware of his wife’s state of mind.

"Oh no, that’s not the case at all! I love Rose...she’s my everything! I love her and our baby so much…"

"I know Jack." Molly laid a comforting hand on his.

"It was my uncle…he was trying to convince me that I was better off without Rose and then to find out he was sabotaging dad’s efforts to find a replacement…I couldn’t stay there any longer, plus I knew Rose needed me, in her condition especially. So with a promise to my parents to stay in touch, I packed up and just got on a train and left. That was a good couple of days ago."

"Why didn’t you call after the argument?" Molly asked.

Jack shrugged. "I was thinking it’d be good to give Rose her space. But now…I see that was the worse thing to do. I should have known she’d think the worse."

"Don’t blame yourself Jack. She wasn’t alone here. She had friends here to reassure her of your feelings. Now she needs is to hear it from you yourself."

Jack only smiled. He wanted to see Rose as soon as possible, to hold her again. He had missed her so much…he still can’t see how he ever made it without her by his side. "Where is she by the way?"

Molly smiled. "She’s out with Katie shopping for the little one. You would be so proud of Rose. She completely came out of her shell with Katie."

"So I’ve heard. I can’t wait to meet her." Jack laughed. "Of course I feel like I already do. Rose has told me so much about her."

"She’s married to Jim there. They’re quite a happy couple. Much like you and Rose."

"Oh really? He didn’t seem to friendly."

"Oh he’s just embarrassed by his mistake. Katie told him about Rose’s engagement to Cal and he thought you were him."

Jack laughed. Now that’s funny considering Cal and I look nothing alike."

Just then the door opened and closed and Katie’s excited voice floated into the room.

"They’re home." Molly got to her feet.

Rose was concentrating her bags of baby supplies as Jack and Molly entered the foyer. Katie stopped in her tracks as she laid eyes on the handsome blond man. She instantly recognized him and couldn’t help but think how much better looking he was now. He wasn’t as bony as he was on Titanic.

Rose looked up at Katie clearing her throat. Rose looked at Katie and then turned her head to see what Katie found so fascinating. She dropped the bag she was holding as she laid eyes on her husband. "J-Jack?"

Jack shyly smiled, taking a step forward. "Hi Rose."

Tears immediately swelled into her eyes. She was glued to that spot, just looking at him, positive that this was a dream. She was going to wake up and she would be alone and Jack in Chippewa Falls.

"It’s really me Rose." Jack took another step forward, guessing what was running through her mind.

"Jack!" Rose darts into his waiting arms and buried her face in the crook of his shoulder. "You’re here!"

"I told you I’d come didn’t I? Granted it’s a little bit later than I expected, but I’m here."

"Come Katie, let’s go get this stuff put away. Jack and Rose need their privacy." Molly picked up some of the bags and led the younger woman up the stairs.

Rose couldn’t believe it. She was actually in Jack’s arms, something she’s missed all these months and was thinking she’d never be again. Especially after that horrible argument. Pulling away, she stared up into his own tearful eyes and was pulled into a passionate kiss. She sighed, relishing the warmth of his lips and body against hers. She was in pure heaven.

"I’ve missed you so much Rosie." as Jack pulled away from the kiss and Rose laid her head on his shoulder. "I love you Rose. I love you so much. Don’t ever doubt that ok? I’m sorry I made you doubt it this time."

"Molly must have talked to you." Rose bit her lip. "Don’t feel bad Jack. That argument was just as much my fault as it was yours. I should have been more understanding about the situation. I’m sorry I wasn’t."

"No Rose, don’t be sorry. You had every right to be angry. I said I would be here in a month and I wasn’t. I should have just packed up and left. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry." Jack held her tighter. He pulls away and led her into the setting room. "Come sweetie. Let’s set and get caught up with each other."

Rose nodded, setting next to him on the loveseat, never letting go of his hands. "I’ve missed you Jack."

"I’ve missed you too." Jack kissed her again. "Oh guess what."

"What?"

"Jolene had the baby last week. It’s a boy. They named him Charles Weaver Dawson."

"Oh how wonderful!"

"You should see him Rose. He’s the image of Richie." Jack laughed.

"And I bet he just adores his favorite uncle." Rose smiled. "You always had a way with children."

"You know, watching Richie with his baby made me realize I needed to be with you through this and if I kept waiting, I’d miss the birth of my own child."

"Is that the only reason you decided to come now? I mean, this must have been spur of the moment because you didn’t even call to tell us you were on the way?" Rose was now curious.

Jack sighed. "It wasn’t the only reason, but don’t worry about the other reasons. The important thing is that I’m here now and I promise that we won’t be separated again, not if I can help it." He kissed her hands, his eyes urged her to believe him.

Rose could only smile happily. Weaver had lost and she had won. Jack still loved her and that made everything else second place. She didn’t even want to know the other reasons. She was just glad Jack was at her side now.

"Ahem." a slight clearing of the throat disrupted the world they were caught up in. Rose turned to see Katie, peeking into the room. "Molly wants to know what you and Jack would like for dinner."

Rose smiled. "Tell Molly anything would be fine Katie."

"Katie?" Jack got to his feet. "Is this the same Katie that called asking for me?"

Rose giggled. "Yes. I owe her a lot for that."

"Nice to meet ya Katie." Jack shook her hand. "Rose has told me so much about you, I feel like I know you already."

Katie smiled. "Same here. She talks about you non-stop. The lass missed you greatly."

Jack smiled and squeezed Rose’s shoulder. "Not as much as I’ve missed her."

"Well let me leave you two alone. Sorry for the interruption." Katie smiled, slipping out of the room.

"I like her. She’s nice." Jack grinned. "She reminds me of Tommy."

"She was a big help to me Jack. When I called the first couple of times and Weaver had refused to let me talk to you I was at a loss. Then Katie came and took hold of the situation. She didn’t even blink a eye."

"Well I’m glad she was here for you Rose." Jack sighed, finally tired from the long day. The train ride was finally catching up on him. Rose noticed and touched his cheek, concern shining in her eyes.

"Jack…why don’t you go on upstairs and get some sleep. You look so exhausted."

"Are you sure? We have so much to talk about…"

"And we have forever to talk about it. Now go on up and get some sleep. That’s an order mister."

Jack laughed. "You’ve been hanging around Molly for too long. Ok. I’ll go. But you have to walk up with me." Jack took her hand and together they went upstairs.

Even though she wasn’t tired, Rose decided to join Jack. She didn’t really want to spend another waking moment away from him. Removing their shoes, they cuddle together on the bed happy to be together again. Rose laid her head on Jack’s chest listening to his heart beat while he had his hand on her stomach.

"Has it kicked yet?" Jack asked, referring to the baby.

"A couple of times. Let me tell you your daughter has quite a kick." Rose smiled up into Jack’s blue orbs, loving the way the light danced in them.

Jack tenderly kissed her forehead, happy to be with her again. He had missed her so much…it was like he had lost himself. "This baby is going to be the most awaited baby in the world." Jack laughed. "I can’t wait to hold him or her in my arms and tell him or her how perfect she and her mother is."

"Neither can I Jack. But I do hope she has your blue eyes and bright smile. And your outlook on life. You look for the best in everything. I just wish I could be more like you."

"Well I don’t. I love you just the way you are. Mood swings and everything." Jack laughed as she playfully punched his arm.

"I love you Jack. I never want to be apart from you again."

"You won’t be. Trust me. I plan to never let you go again." Jack tightened his embrace. That was the way they remained for a good part of the day, lost in their own little world and in each other.

Chapter Thirty-Nine
Stories