NIGHT TRAIN
Chapter Fourteen

The Way Home

Jeannie stopped as she walked along the train platform and looked behind her. She smiled to herself when she saw her Dad and Rose fussing over Peter.

“Poor little guy, he worked himself into such a state when he found out that he can’t go home with them.”

Her dad was carrying the little boy, who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Rose was pushing back his hair and wiping his nose.

“They were both great parents. Too bad…”

Suddenly she was overcome with a pang of guilt. For all her life, she had dutifully tried so hard to love the only mother she knew, a picture. Her dad had wanted Jeannie to give Martha the respect that was due her as the woman who had given her life. And she had done that. But sometimes it was so hard, so unrealistic. She had no little mementos of her mom’s youth, no special stories. Since there had been little contact with her maternal grandparents, that aspect of her life was rather one dimensional.

She closed her eyes and for a second saw a little blond girl on her dad’s shoulder, with Rose smoothing her hair. What would it have been like if that whole separation thing had not happened, after the sinking? What if both of them had been her parents?

“Well, Dad says he and Rose are not looking back, just going forward from here and that is what I should do too. I will just have to enjoy Rose’s company every second we are together. And she will be the grandmother of my children. That will be something very special.”

Jeannie sighed, turned around and continued walking next to the train. Ahead of her Richard and Louise were already waiting at the open vestibule door where Rose and Jack were to board the train. Joe had left by plane this morning, anxious to get back to his pregnant wife, Sue, and Doug had headed back to Long Beach last night.

“Richard, Louise,” she said, as she finally reached them, “I was wondering if you would let Peter spend the night with me. Things will be kind of quiet after the wedding with Dad and Rose being gone. And you have been busy with guests. Maybe you would like some time alone.”

“That is so nice of you, Jeannie,” replied Louise. “Are you sure? He can be kind of a hand full sometimes.”

Jeannie shook her head and grinned back at Peter’s mother.

“It will be fun. And after all, I am his aunt now.”

Richard looked down at Louise and they exchanged a questioning look, before Louise nodded her head in affirmation.

“That’ll be great. It’ll will give us a chance to celebrate.”

Jeannie gave them both a knowing smile. “Can I guess?”

Louise shook her head up and down proudly.

“We’ll make it official as soon as they come over here,” she said, her eyes on Jack and Rose.

Rose followed Jack slowly as they made their way along the tracks.

“Jack, he is so attached to you. We really will have to have him come and spend a summer when he gets bigger.”

Jack shifted the toddler in his arms.

“He is so cute, isn’t he. But Rose, I think that there will be more than one grandchild, sooner than you think. They will all have to come visit.”

Rose glanced at Jack questioningly. She never did understand that innate sense he had for knowing what was going on in other people’s heads.

“Here, Dad. I’ll take him,” offered Jeannie.

As she took Peter from her father’s arms, the little boy started to wake up and reach out again for Jack.

“Grandpa Jack,” his gravelly voice cried.

Jeannie patiently explained to Peter that he was going to spend the night with her and told him all the things they were going to do. His eyes started to shine when she mentioned cookie baking, a picnic supper on the beach and 3 bedtime stories.

“You will spoil him,” chuckled Richard, thinking how wonderful this new extended family was.

“Excuse me folks.”

Jack and Rose and their family looked up as the sleeping car attendant came down the steps.

“You better say good bye. We’re goin’ be doin’ the all aboard here in about five minutes.”

Jack looked at the man and smiled.

“Say, aren’t you Isaac? You took care of us on the way out here, two weeks ago.”

Isaac studied first Jack and then Rose. Then he remembered. Mr. Dawson and Mrs. Calvert. The nice couple that met on the train.

“Yes, sir, that’s me. We’ll I’ll be mighty glad to take care of you and Mrs. Calvert on the way back too.”

Jack blushed. “It’s Mrs. Dawson, now Isaac.”

Isaac patted Jack on the shoulder and offered his congratulations.

“Rightly so, rightly so. I’ll see to it that you and Mrs. Dawson have a real nice time this trip for sure.”

Richard cleared his throat, sorry that they had waited to the last minute before sharing their news.

“Mom, Jack. I know it’s time to go, but, well, Louise and I have something to tell you.”

Rose looked at her son, suspecting what was coming and then at Jack, who was holding back a smile. How could Jack possibly know these things?

“I know you’ll be coming back for Jeannie’s wedding in May, but would you mind coming back in July, when Louise has the baby? You’re going to be grandparents again.”

Rose reached out to Louise and then Richard. Jack also gave them both a hug.

“Well, you know how I feel,” Jeannie said to them, “but my hands are kind of occupied here,” as she shifted her arms around Peter.

They all laughed and Jack felt thrilled when Richard had called him and Rose grandparents, including him as though he had always been part of the family. He felt for sure now that their relationship was permanently cemented.

Suddenly the call from the conductor came. “Board…all aboard.”

In a flurry of hugs and kisses, they all said good bye. Rose and Jack stepped onto the train and the doors started slamming shut. Isaac left the Dutch door window open so they could talk to their family.

“Bye, Dad. Rose. Don’t forget you have to come in March as well, to get ready for my wedding.”

"Grandpa Jack, Grandpa Jack, Grandma,” shouted Peter, wiggling and kicking in Jeannie’s arms.

Richard and Louise, their arms around each other, waved good bye.

Slowly the wheels started to turn and the train began to snake its way out of the dark train shed.

Jack looked down at Rose and saw the tears in her eyes.

“This has been the most unbelievable, unreal two weeks of my life. And the best. This really is the beginning Rose. This is the start of our life now.”

She bit her lower lip and moved her head up and down.

“I know. I just hate to say good bye to them.”

He took her by the shoulders and smiled at her.

“You know with all these trips that we will be making to California, maybe in a few years, we might as well move here. I can help Jeannie with her business, if she has a family. And we will be in great demand as…” He paused as he raised his eyes. “Babysitters. Maybe we can get Joe to move here too.”

“Oh, Jack. Do you mean it?”

“Whatever it takes to make you happy. Now, Rose, you talked about having the whole train trip home to be together. And how romantic that would be. I don’t think we should stand out here all day discussing the future. I think we should take care of that now. Come on let’s find our room and I can ask Isaac to bring us some lunch.”

“Jack?”

“Hmmm,” he answered as he gently pulled her along looking for Bedroom G.

“Jack, can you see stars from the train?”

He looked back at her. His whole face lit up with a smile.

“Rose…”

**************************************

Jack closed his sketchbook and tucked his pencil behind his ear. He looked over at Rose and smiled to himself. She was busy writing in her new journal. One that he had hastily purchased for her yesterday from the newsstand at the train station. Her old one was filled and now his gift.

They had spent the better part of the afternoon in companionable silence. He was occupied with his drawings, she with her writing. It had been a restful way to spend the time, after the excitement of the past two weeks.

They had pulled out from the stop in Denver about an hour ago and there were now definite changes in the scenery. The mountains were behind them and ahead stretched the flatlands of the Great Plains. Each town they passed had huge grain storage towers that were now shining with a pink glow as the sun began to set. Tomorrow they would change trains in Chicago and then a few hours after that, they would be home. Home for him anyway.

He was bringing Rose to a place where she was a stranger and he was feeling a bit guilty that he still had a few things to tell her about the place where he lived.

“Rose, Rose,” he whispered.

She looked up with a loving smile. There was almost a dreamlike quality about her eyes, as if she was reliving some wonderful memory.

She gave him a big sigh. “Oh. What?”

He chuckled softly and reached to touch her.

“Are you writing a best seller,” he asked, nodding at her book.

“No, I’m just trying to jot down everything about these last two weeks. I don’t want to leave out a single detail.” She stopped and blushed. “Well, I could leave out maybe a few details.”

“I should hope so.” Jack smiled back at her, pretending to be shocked.

She was seated on the sofa that would later fold down into their bed. Jack sat across from her, separated by only several feet on an upholstered chair that would also later collapse and fit under the bed.

Gently he took her book and pen and laid them to the side. Then he took both of her hands in his.

“Rose, in about forty eight hours, we’ll be home. Our home now.”

She was quietly waiting for him to say more.

“And it’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, but with the wedding and the process of getting the kids all calmed down, I just didn’t have the chance.”

Rose looked at him, puzzled as to what he was talking about.

“Tell me what?”

“Well, a few things.”

She shook her hands impatiently in his grip.

“Jack, out with it,” she said.

“It’s about where I live, Rose. You know that it’s been awhile since Jeannie left. The place has kind of become a real bachelor’s home. Books and drawings and paper, everywhere.”

He saw the look of confusion in her face. She was about to say something, but he took one of his hands and placed it in front of her mouth.

“Wait, let me finish. It’s clean and tidy, but I’m warning you, it’s not very romantic.”

She shook her head and blinked her eyes.

“Jack, honestly. It seems to me that we’ve done quite well in some rather unromantic places. Would you mind it I…”

“…fixed it up?” he finished for her. “I wish you would. And besides, it will give you something to do and will be a good way for you to meet people.”

He could see the anticipation and excitement of working on such a project building in her face. Jack felt relieved that he had passed the first hurdle.

“But there is another thing.”

Rose held her breath wondering now what else Jack had conveniently forgotten to tell her.

“I’ve got a couple of friends I want to you meet.”

“Well, that’s no problem,” she said agreeably. “Who are they?”

Jack bit his lower lip, trying hard not to laugh.

“They’re really very nice, very friendly. Their names are Fred and Ginger.”

Rose nodded her head and gave Jack a rather disbelieving look.

“Okay, Jack. Fred and Ginger. Do you want to explain?”

“Sure. Like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.”

Rose put her hand on the side of her head and closed her eyes.

“Jack, just tell me and put me out of my misery.”

He started to speak, looking away from her.

“I forgot to tell you that I have a one hundred and fifty pound Newfoundland that is named Fred and a yellow cat that I call Ginger.”

Rose took her hand and covered her entire face.

“Rose? Rose, you like animals, don’t you?”

Jack winced as he said that, wondering what her answer would be.

She parted her fingers slowly, so that all he could see was one of her eyes. Then slowly she pulled her hand down and he was rewarded with one of her brilliant smiles.

Rose slipped out of her seat and settled herself in Jack’s lap, curling up like a kitten herself.

“Mmm,” she purred. “I love animals, Jack, I really do. Of course, I’m sure that Ginger can’t quite cuddle as good as this though."

He loved the way it felt as Rose rested her head against his shoulder and took a deep sigh.

“Ah, no Rose. No one can cuddle quite as good as you,” he agreed, putting his arms around her.

“Anything else, you feel I need to know?” she asked.

He looked down at her with laughter dancing in his eyes.

“Yeah, one more thing…”

He kissed the tip of her nose and placed his head against hers.

“I love you.”

***************************************

Jack awoke with a start as he heard a thump in the hallway. It sounded like someone had bumped the wall with a suitcase. The train whistle sounded and he could hear the conductor sing out the name of another stop.

“Marion, Iowa. Marion. Next station stop in five minutes.”

“Marion, Iowa,” he whispered to himself. The town where Rose got on. The town where his life had changed.

He sat halfway up and looked at the still sleeping Rose, only inches from him. Very carefully he raised the shade slightly and peeked out at the Iowa landscape. He was surprised by the dark clouds and blowing snow that greeted his eyes.

“Maybe we should move to California,” he thought.

As the train slowed, he saw a few lights on here and there as people prepared to start their day. Some glittering Christmas decorations swung in the wind. As the creaking brakes brought the train slowly to a stop along the station platform, he was able to identify the very spot where he had seen Rose walk back into his life.

The passengers and crew scurried around in the gray cold morning. He could hear footsteps on the metal stairs of the vestibule, whispered voices and several toots of the whistle. With a slight nudge, the train started to move again to finish the last few hundred miles of the journey to Chicago.

Jack studied his beautiful wife. Her glorious red hair was spread out on the pillow like a copper cloud. She was so tempting, yet she looked so peaceful. He didn’t have the heart to disturb her quite yet. Instead, he slowly slide from under the covers and as quietly as possible started to get find his things in preparation for getting dressed.

Rose felt a gentle pressure of either side of her body as the blanket tightened over her. There was a feeling of warmth over her face. Slowly she opened her eyes and she saw Jack leaning over her.

“Jack?” she gasped. “You’re all dressed. What time is it?”

He turned his wrist so that he could see the time. “Almost nine.”

She started to sit up, pulling the covers with her.

“You’ve got something to hide?” he teased.

“Jack,” she said blushing. “No, but I’m cold. I need to get up. I’m hungry.”

“For one thing or another,” he laughed.

“And I’m kind of stiff too,” she continued, with a grin on her face. “This is such a tiny bed for two people. Your bed at home is bigger, I hope?”

His face took on a more serious look.

“Yes, much bigger. And it’s been very lonely, very empty since I bought it years ago. Just like my life, Rose. Until we found each other.”

She nodded silently. Rose turned and pulled up the shade a bit higher.

“Where are we?” she asked, seeing the dreary winter day outside.

“Well, in about an hour we’ll cross the Mississippi into Illinois. Then it’s only a few more hours to Chicago,” he explained.

“So we passed…?”

“Yes, Marion was the last stop. You don’t want to go back, do you?”

Rose put her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

“Jack, I don’t want to go back. Not there, anyway. Sometimes, I’d like to remember the wonderful moments we shared on that ship. Because they really were special. And I never want to forget these last two weeks. No matter how good the future is, nothing will ever compare to what we experienced in these recent days.”

She stopped for a minute, and leaned against his shoulder. Rose knew that forever now, she would have that solid strength of his to protect her. It was a comforting feeling.

“I was frightened when I first saw you staring at me on Titanic. I just had the feeling that you knew what I was thinking, what was going on in my mind. It really scared me.”

She sat back and looked into his eyes, “But when I looked back the second time, I felt differently. It was as if our souls connected. I felt a link with you that I could not understand. When you came up on me then at the back of the ship, I was not surprised it was you. From that moment, when you took my hand, you were already my world. I just needed you to show me the way.”

Her eyes filled with tears and she found it difficult to speak.

“I know they are only three words, Jack. But when they come from my heart, they say more than everything I feel. I love you.”

He rubbed his hand up and down her back slowly, rocking her gently against him.

“Shh. I understand. There was no question in my mind when I saw you looking down at me, that in some way, I had to find you and make things better for you. Those times, those hours were very special. You’re right. And I won’t forget them ever. Nor will I forget the night when I found you like this, on the train.”

He tenderly moved her away from him and tilted her head back so he could see her better.

“In some way, Rose, that maybe even we don’t understand, we were meant to be together. It’s been a long and often painful road for both of us. But now, I see only happiness for us in the future.”

He let out a deep breath. His hands tightened his hold on her.

“When I look at you, I still feel like that boy of twenty. Full of hope and optimism. You have great power over me.”

She laughed softly, never taking her eyes from his.

“I get this feeling that you think that I am the stronger one here, but Rose, without you, I have no strength. Without you, I am nothing.”

“Oh, Jack,” she murmured.

“They are just three words, Rose. You are right. But we need to say them everyday. We need to show each other every minute, just how much they mean. I love you, Rose. I always have, and I always will.”

As his eyes studied this woman who meant everything to him, he saw the reflection of his love in her face. Their story was a strange one. And they had been given the special privilege of a second chance at life and love. They had both just spoken words that came from the depths of their hearts. Now it was time to act from their hearts.

He leaned closer to her, hesitating for a second, as he anticipated the wonder of the kiss they would share. Rose closed her eyes and smiled.

“Well?” she asked.

He groaned just as his lips touched hers. “Rose, I’m an artist. You know I’m a little uncomfortable with fancy words. So, I’m not even going to try. I just want to love you forever and see that wonderful, mischievous look in your eyes when I kiss you. And to be able to take you away to that special place where only you and I can go, Rose.”

She savored the feeling of Jack’s kiss, thinking about all the delightful things he promised.

“Now, Jack?” she whispered, as their mouths parted.

He raised his head and saw the desire in her eyes. Jack looked to the side and shook his head. Then turned back to her smiling.

“I knew I shouldn’t have gotten dressed today,” he muttered cheerfully.

Rose moved over in the bed to make room for him, snuggling under the covers as she watched him remove his sport jacket and start to unbutton his shirt.

“And besides, Rose, I thought you said the bed was too small.”

They both burst out laughing, as he settled in beside her. Back where they started so many days ago. Back on the night train.

THE END

(Note from the author-After only one month in New York, Rose became one of the most beloved neighbors in Greenwich Village. Jack had been right when he said that people would pay more attention to her, than they had to him. Because of her talents in entertaining, artists clamored to have their openings at Jack’s gallery. His business flourished with the help of Rose at his side. Within five years however, as more grandchildren arrived, he decided to give up it all up and they moved to California.

They had 8 grandchildren between them and they became, as Jack had predicted, in great demand as babysitters.

On their tenth anniversary, their children persuaded them to get on a ship and go to Hawaii. They were able at last to put their fears aside and enjoy the wonder and beauty of those Pacific islands.

Rose and Jack lived to see their children succeed in their careers and to enjoy the graduations and weddings of many of their grandchildren, as well as the births of three great grandchildren.

On January 5, 1975, in the early morning hours, Rose passed away, followed by Jack several days later. While they were sorely missed, they left behind for their families, a never to be forgotten legacy of devotion, hope, love and romance.

While Rose and Jack were born of the imagination of James Cameron, and the lives of my Rose and Jack are pure fantasy, the wonderful characteristics that our two lovers displayed are not.

For ourselves, much can be learned if only we would all show the love, trust, compassion and devotion that were so much a part of Rose and Jack. Whether it be with our spouses, significant others, children or friends, we would all be better people if we put some of those special qualities into our daily lives.)

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