UNTIL I FOUND YOU
Chapter Thirty-Eight
It was next to the last day of
their honeymoon when Jack and Rose decide to visit the pier. It was a bright
and beautiful day. Rose had packed a picnic lunch. Hand in hand, they head out
for a lovely day. The first place they stopped was right in front of the ocean.
The Ferris wheel and roller coaster loomed in the distance.
"This is where I drew
pictures for ten cents apiece," Jack sighed, memories of his first days of
wandering the country overwhelming him. "I drew more people here then
anywhere else."
Smiling, Rose got an idea. They
had no pictures of the pier like this. It was a perfect scene. Too perfect to
pass up. Digging in her purse, Rose found a dime. She handed it to Jack, who
looked at her confused. What was Rose up to now? He didn’t know if he liked
that gleam in her eyes. That very gleam was there on Titanic, when she had
wanted him to draw her wearing the Heart of the Ocean.
"Jack…you now what I want.
Draw me right here on the pier. It’s a perfect scene. Don’t you think?"
Jack just stood in one place,
smiling at his beautiful wife. He was thinking of how easy she was to draw.
Rose frowned when Jack didn’t
respond by opening his portfolio. "What’s wrong? Are you inspired?"
He laughed. She had no idea just
how inspired he actually was. "Of course I’m inspired. I’m always inspired
by my lovely model here," He took out his portfolio. "Now remember,
be absolutely still."
*****
They walked along the pier, hand
in hand. Rose was staring at her picture as she took another sip of the cheap
beer Jack had brought her. Honestly she had tasted better. But this was all
part of the Santa Monica experience.
"You are so talented,"
She sighed happily.
"You’re prejudiced,"
Jack squeezed her hand affectionately.
"No, I’m in love," She
stopped and stepped closer to him. "With the most wonderful man in the
world."
"Now you’re really laying it
on thick," Jack pulled her into his arms. "Ah, I love you Rose
Dawson."
Rose smiled mysteriously, her
green eyes full of mischief. "Jack…do you know what I want to do
now?"
"What?" He asked,
getting lost in her green gaze.
"Ride the roller coaster
until I throw up!" She laughed, making a run for the long line ahead.
*****
"Wow, that was
fantastic," Rose pulled on Jack’s hand as they headed away from the ride.
"We didn’t throw up though."
"We didn’t ride it enough
times," Jack laughed. He truly loved seeing Rose like this. So full of
wonder and excitement. It reminded him of the earlier days of their marriage.
Where everyday was a new and wonderful discovery. "So…are you ready to ride
like a man?"
Rose’s eyes lit up with
eagerness. "Am I ever. Come on!" She grabbed his hand.
Two Hours Later
It was time to return the horse,
much to Rose’s disappointment. Riding had giving her a feeling of greater
freedom with the added security of Jack setting behind her, hugging her close.
"Ah, such a lovely
couple," the elderly man they had rented the horses from cooed as they
rode back. "I must take a picture. Stay here," He disappeared and
then reappeared with a camera in hand.
"I love you Jack," Rose
turned her head to look at Jack, whose face was aglow with happiness. In his
eyes, she had found her forever.
"I love you too, baby,"
Jack kissed her forehead. "And I promise to be with you always."
The camera clicking took off just
as their lips met, capturing their love for eternity.