UNTIL I FOUND YOU
Chapter Six
The next two hours weren’t very
fun for Jack. Molly and Rose dragged him to every department store in New York
City, shopping for both himself and Rose. Jack had properly refurbished his
wardrobe and even went out to buy a couple of suits, not only for his wedding,
but for any other function that might come up. Rose took far longer to shop
for. She had bought a number of simple dresses, ranging in color from lavender
to white, and matching accessories. She had bought herself a makeup kit and
some hats. Both she and Jack had gone off by themselves to buy their wedding
gifts. Finally, they were done, and were sitting down to dinner.
"So, you two, be up bright
and early, because we need to run down to the justice of the peace. We want to
get you two hitched as soon as possible." Molly wagged a finger.
"Amen to that." Jack
smiled at his fiancée. "I can’t wait to see the look on everyone’s faces
back home when they see Rose."
"Is that all I am to you,
Jack?" Rose asked, half-teasing. "A trophy to sport around to your
friends?"
"Of course not, sweetie.
You’re the love of my life. I’m just saying, everyone’s going to want to know
the beautiful lady I found."
"He’s a sweetheart, Rose.
You better not let go of him." Molly laughed.
"So, tell me, Jack…how many
girls am I going to have to beat off with a stick?" Rose giggled.
"You must have been a heartbreaker in Chippewa Falls."
Jack shrugged. "As far as I
could tell, every girl in town had a crush on my friend Matt. He was the real
heartbreaker. He had the looks, the brains, the brawn. All I had was the
artistic talent at the time. You can say I was a late bloomer."
"Well, then, I’m glad. That
means I won’t have any old girlfriends to contend with." Rose laughed.
"Why, Rose, I didn’t know
you were the jealous type." Molly chuckled.
"Neither did I before Jack
came into my life. Now…I’d do anything to hang onto him."
"Well, you won’t have to try
very hard. I’m going to make it very clear that my heart belongs to you
only." Jack smiled and tenderly kissed her.
"How sweet," Molly
cooed.
"Well, we’d better get to
eating. I don’t know about you two, but I’m starved." Rose giggled,
picking up the menu.
*****
Two hours later, Rose and Jack
returned to their hotel room and began packing for their trip out of town the
next day.
"Rose…do you plan on getting
in contact with your mother after we’re married?" Jack asked, folding his
jacket.
Rose looked at him and shook her
head. "I never want to see that woman again, Jack."
"But she’s your mother,
Rose. You can’t go through life never talking to her again. She thinks you’re
dead…that must be pretty devastating for her."
"Well, she should have
thought of that before she decided to sell me to Caledon Hockley. Perhaps Cal
will take care of her…I don’t know, and I don’t care."
"I understand. But maybe
someday, when you’re not feeling as hurt…maybe you’ll contact her to at least
let her know that you’re alive, well, and happy."
Rose just shrugged. "Why are
you bringing this up now?"
"Because I lost my mother
when I needed her the most. I just don’t want to see you throw it all away like
that. That’s all."
"Jack…your mother was
probably loving, caring, and listened to you. She probably did things with you
and was a real mother. Mine, on the other hand, totally ignored me when I was a
child. It was my father who paid me the most attention. She would have nothing
to do with me until I was thirteen years old, when she could try to groom me
into another version of herself. Which, as you know, didn’t fully work. Ruth
was never a real mother to me. She was a general, commanding me to do things
her way. And now that I’m free of her…I don’t miss her at all."
Jack nodded in understanding.
"I understand, Rose. And believe me, whatever you decide, I’ll stand
behind you one hundred percent."
Rose smiled and went into his
arms. "Thank you. Your support means everything to me."
Jack smiled and pulled her into a
kiss that turned into another trip to the stars for the pair. Their last night
in New York was definitely a memorable one.