LOVE FOR LIFE AND BEYOND
Chapter Eight
Rose knocked on the connecting door.
"Molly? It’s time to go to the church."
Molly appeared in a dark purple dress.
"Well, it’s haste to the wedding, is it?" she joked. "Which
church are you going to get married in?"
Jack and Rose exchanged glances. "The
nearest," said Rose.
"That would be the Lutheran church on
44th Street. We’ll have to take a cab."
Outside the hotel, Molly flagged down a
passing taxi and they soon arrived at the church. The minister was unoccupied
and agreed to marry them at that moment. Rose was truly happy now. This
was what a wedding should be. Not a large society event, but a quiet gathering
of those closest to her. How she wished her father could be here on this day.
Jack was thinking similar thoughts, wondering
if his parents could see this event from up in heaven. Ma, Pa, I feel you're
watching this, he thought. Just then, he realized the minister was coming
to the vows.
"Rose DeWitt Bukater, do you take this
man as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," she said, quietly but
firmly.
"Jack Dawson, do you take this woman as
your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," he said.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You
may kiss the bride."
Jack leaned forward and gave Rose a long,
passionate kiss. "We’ll be together for life and beyond," he
whispered.
"Yes," echoed Rose. "For life
and beyond."
They rejoined Molly at the church door.
"I think we ought to go for a celebration dinner," she said.
Rose laughed. "Definitely. Come
on."
*****
Jack and Rose stood on a platform at New York
Central Station, waiting for the train to Eau Claire, the largest town near
Chippewa Falls. Each was deep in thought. Jack was wondering if Rose would like
his hometown and the family home, and Rose was wondering if the town would
accept her as Jack’s wife—she knew that Jack had been well liked in his youth.
Molly interrupted the silence. "I’ve booked you a sleeping berth in second
class," she said. "The train makes stops in towns in Ohio and
Illinois and the journey will take three days. Have a good journey!" she
added as the train pulled into view.
"Good-bye, Molly. I can’t thank you
enough for what you’ve done for us," said Rose.
"We’ll write you," added Jack.
They boarded the train and were shown by the
conductor to a small but comfortable compartment. Jack put their small amount
of luggage on the overhead rack and sat down. "We’re about to leave,"
he said as the final whistle blew. Rose stuck her head out the window and
shouted a final good-bye to Molly as the train pulled out of the station.