LOVERS LOST AND CHILDREN FOUND
Chapter Fifteen

The three Dawson ladies were making their way home.

"Mom, how do you feel about walking down the aisle being…by then you’ll be two months pregnant!" Eva giggled.

Rose also laughed. "I think it’ll be fun. You know, I am finally going to marry the man I love. I have been waiting for fifteen years for this day!" Rose smiled brightly.

"You wanted to marry father since the day you met?" Eva asked curiously.

"Why certainly!" Rose exclaimed. Everyone laughed, even little Summer, who didn’t know what was going on.

When they reached the house, they went in and the children went into their room. Rose hung up her coat, and Jack came out from around the corner. His eyes were red and his cheeks were tear-stained.

"Hello," Rose said, walking towards Jack and hugging him. "What happened?" Rose’s eyes shone with concern.

"Nothing. I…I just found some things. That’s all," Jack said, not looking into Rose’s eyes.

"You, Mr. Dawson, are lying." She took him to the couch. They sat next to each other.

"Fine. I guess I should have known I can’t keep anything from you." Jack smiled.

"Yes. Now, tell me what’s wrong." Rose smiled back.

"Well, in our bedroom, I was cleaning up, making room for the baby, and I found a box that said Titanic…so I looked through it, and saw a diary and read it. I am so sorry, Rose. I should have looked harder for you," Jack said.

"Jack…Jack…it’s fine! We are together now, right?" Rose asked.

"Yes," Jack said solemnly.

"Don’t be sad. We are getting married in three weeks!" Rose said, getting up and kissing Jack.

"I know! I can’t wait." Jack smiled. Rose smiled back.

Three Weeks Later

"Mother! Mother!" Eva called through the house, waking her tired mother.

"Yes, Eva?" Rose asked groggily.

"It’s your wedding day!" Eva said, throwing the sheets off Rose and pulling her up.

"Fine. Where’s your father?" Rose asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Remember? He said he was going to stay with his friend John, who apparently he hasn’t spoken to in awhile," Eva said, laughing.

"Oh, all right. Well, is your grandmother here yet?" Rose asked, walking towards the bathroom with Eva by her side.

"No. She’ll be here at twelve o’clock, she said," Eva said.

Rose stopped and looked at Eva. "All right. What I want you to do is get you and your sister dressed. When I am done, we will drive to the church. All right?" Rose asked Eva.

"Yes, Mother." Eva smiled and walked to her sister’s room.

Rose walked into the bathroom and examined herself in the mirror. She hadn’t been by herself in months, not since Jack walked back into her life and made it wonderful. She still remembered the night they met…

*****

Rose was hanging off the back of the ship. Her cheeks were stained with tears and she was out of breath from running. From out of nowhere, a voice behind her said, "Don’t do it!"

Rose suddenly remembered the man she had seen staring at her earlier.

*****

The whole conversation, then her falling and his catching her--Rose remembered it all.

Rose smiled and knew there had been a spark from their first glance. It had been taken away from her for almost fourteen years. How did I do it? She smiled and shook her head at the thought. She remembered the day she had found out she was pregnant with his child. What a glorious day!

*****

"Mrs. Dawson, you are pregnant. You will eventually have to stop working. Do you have anyone to support you financially?" The doctor looked up.

Rose felt a tear slip from her eye. "No, doctor. My husband died…"

"I am terribly sorry, Mrs. Dawson, but you’re going to have to find someone, because the pressure might make you lose your baby."

"I know. I will find someone. Well, thank you, doctor. I have to go now." Rose shook his hand, withholding her tears.

"Good-bye, Mrs. Dawson." The doctor escorted her out.

*****

Rose smiled through tears of joy now. She got into the tub to bathe. She was getting out to start getting dressed when a she heard knock on her bedroom door.

"Who is it?" Rose asked.

"It’s your mother," Ruth said.

"Come in." Rose smiled. She saw her mother in her matron of honor dress.

"Hello," Ruth said. It looked like she had been crying on the way over.

"Mother, what’s wrong?" Rose asked. Still in her robe, she led her mother to the bed.

"I am so happy, but I feel bad that you almost never had this! Can I just say…I am so sorry!" Ruth said, looking into her daughter’s eyes and putting her right hand over her heart.

"Mother, I forgive you. It’s over and in the past. Jack and I are together, and finally getting our family together. All right? Don’t be gloomy, and help me into my wedding dress." Rose laughed, and so did Ruth.

When Rose was done getting dressed, all four ladies got into the rented car and drove to the church, where Jack was with his friend John.

*****

"Jack, you never even told me about this woman, and you have a daughter together?" John asked, standing behind Jack, who was staring at himself in the mirror.

Jack turned around to face John. "Yeah. We meet awhile ago…" Jack told him the long story.

"Jack, that’s really sad." John stood up and patted his friend on the back.

Jack smiled. The clock showed that it was one o’clock PM.

*****

Rose arrived at the church. The Hockleys were seated already. She greeted Cal and his wife, Emily.

"Hello. I wish you the best of luck today," Emily said, shaking Rose’s hand. Cal nodded his head in agreement.

"Thank you. Well, I have to go. See you at the reception." Rose smiled at the family and walked away.

A Few Minutes Later

Jack stood beside the minister with his best man, John, next to him. On the other side stood Ruth, Eva, and Summer, in that order. The piano started to play music in another tone, which meant that the bride was coming. Rose, in a silk dress that hid her growing middle, walked down the aisle, staring at Jack, who stared back like the first time they had met. Rose stepped up next to Jack. They recited their vows in tears. After that, they had a fun reception. It was like the third class party, but with fewer people. Even Cal loosened up a little. Rose’s eyes were bright. They hadn’t been like that in awhile. Jack and Rose knew they would be together forever.

Chapter Sixteen
Stories