UNTIL I FOUND YOU
Chapter Seven
The next morning, Rose awoke with
the sun in her eyes and a note on Jack’s pillow. Picking it up, she rubbed the
sleep out of her eyes and read it.
My Dearest Rose,
Forgive me for not being there
this morning, but Molly came knocking on the door and insisted that it was bad
luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. Which, of course, I
think is an old wives’ tale. Besides, we’ve had enough bad luck already. How
much worse can it get? But to appease her, I packed a suit and have gone to her
room to change. She should be up to help you get ready soon and whisk you off
to the justice of the peace. I’ll see you soon, my love. Let’s make today
count.
Love,
Jack
"Molly." Rose shook her
head, folding up the note and taking down the white dress she had chosen to
wear that day. It was simple white dress that hung just above her feet. It was
perfect for the wedding and boarding the train that would take her and Jack to
their new home, Chippewa Falls.
"Rosie! Rose, are you awake
in there, darling?" Molly knocked on the door.
"Good morning, Molly.
Where’s Jack?"
"Off to buy those tickets.
Then he’s heading for the justice of the peace to wait for his bride. Now, do
you have the dress ready?"
Rose nodded. "Of course.
Molly…I can’t help being nervous. I know this is Jack and he loves me, but…do
you think I’ll make a good wife? I mean, I know nothing about cooking, doing
the laundry, cleaning…"
"Oh, honey, don’t fret. Jack
told me he knows all about that, and I’m sure he’ll teach you. And you’ll be
the perfect wife. That boy’s love for you knows no bounds. It’s not every day
you find a love like that."
"I’m truly lucky." Rose
grinned, getting ready to slip on her wedding dress.
*****
One hour later, Rose and Molly
arrived at the justice of the peace’s office. Jack was inside, nervously
awaiting them.
"Calm down, lad. It’ll be
all right." The older man who was performing the ceremony squeezed Jack’s
shoulder.
"It’s just that we’ve been
through so much to be together…what if she’s not happy with me? What if she
wants to go back to Philadelphia?" Jack paced the floor. "What if she
doesn’t show up at all?"
"We’re here!" Molly
announced as she and Rose entered the building.
"See? She’s here." The
older gentleman smiled at Jack, who blushed slightly, ashamed that he had been
worrying so much.
"Come on, Ned! Let’s get
these children hitched so they can be on their way! Their train leaves in
another two hours!" Molly pulled Rose up to where the two men were
standing.
"Sleep well, Rose?"
Jack asked, taking her hand in his.
Rose just nodded nervously,
trying not to think of the big step she was taking, but concentrated on Jack
and how much she loved him and wanted to spend forever in his arms.
"All right. Let’s
begin." The justice cleared his throat. "Do you, Rose Lillian DeWitt
Bukater, take Jack Richard Dawson as your lawfully wedded husband, through good
times and bad, through sickness and health, until death do you part?"
Staring into Jack’s crystal blue
eyes, she knew that by his side was where she belonged, and with him she could
go through anything. "I do."
"And do you, Jack Richard
Dawson, take Rose Lillian DeWitt Bukater as your lawfully wedded wife, through
good times and bad, through sickness and health, until death do you part?"
Jack smiled at his beautiful
bride, instantly knowing the answer. "I do."
"Does anyone here have any
reason why these two people should not be married?"
Rose looked towards the door,
half expecting her mother and Cal to come bursting through the door, but to her
relief, no one came.
"Well, then, I now pronounce
you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!" The justice smiled happily,
watching Jack take Rose in his arms and kiss her with everything he had.
"Bravo!" Molly clapped
and cheered, happy to have witnessed the marriage of two very special people.
"Breakfast at the finest restaurant in New York! On me!"
"Oh, Molly…"
"Rose Dawson, don’t you dare
protest. This is my wedding present to the both of you. Now, come. We don’t
want to miss our reservation." Molly took both their hands and led them
out of the building.
*****
Molly, Jack, and Rose stood
outside the train station, tears in their eyes. It was the time they hated
most. Time to say good-bye.
"Now, you two have my
address and number, so drop me a line. I want to be kept up-to-date on you
two." Molly sniffed, hugging Rose.
"Oh, we will, Molly. I’m
going to miss you. You’ve been the mother I never had." Rose hugged the
older woman tightly, knowing that this was the last link to her past life.
"And you, Jack…take good
care of Rose, and remember, patience is a virtue." Molly hugged Jack
tightly, hating to say good-bye to the optimistic artist. "And when your
art makes it big, remember, I want a Jack Dawson original."
"It’s in the mail."
Jack laughed.
"All aboard!" the
conductor announced.
"Well, that’s us. Thank you
for everything, Molly. And I promise we’ll keep in touch." Rose waved as
she and Jack backed up towards the train.
"Good luck, children!"
Molly waved, watching them disappear into the train. Molly stood in that exact
spot, watching the train disappear into the horizon, taking the newlyweds to
Chippewa Falls. Closing her eyes, she prayed for the best and went back to her
hotel to pack up her things so she could return to Denver.