AFTER TITANIC
BOOK TWO
Chapter Fourteen
Jack returns home to a quiet
house. After putting the twins to bed and thanking James for his
help in rescuing the twins to bed and thanking James for his help
in rescuing for twins. Jack went to check on Rose. She was still
peacefully sleeping, a slight smile on her face.
"Jack," She softly whispered as she turned facing his
side of the bed.
"Rose," He sets beside her and begins blowing in her
ear. "Wake up Rose. It's time to get up."
"Jack," She turns back to him, her eyes still closed.
"Come on sleepy head, get up. I have a big night planned for
us," Jack lifts her into his arms, forcing her to wake up.
"What?" Rose groggily asks.
"Get up and get dressed. I'm taking you out for
dinner," Jack grins. "I'll give you ten minutes."
He goes downstairs to wait for her.
"Jack?" Kathy appears behind him.
"Yes?"
"...Are you angry at me? I never meant for the twins to be
in danger...I'm sorry," Kathy wrings her hands nervously.
"Kat...it's okay. I'm not angry with you. I was just so mad
at that Humphrey guy...it took all my will power not to kill him
for even putting his hands on them. But listen, I don't want Rose
to know about this. This is the last thing she needs right
now."
Kathy nods in agreement. "She won't hear it from me."
"Hear what from you?" Rose asked, appearing behind
Kathy.
"Your surprise. I have a surprise for you and Kat here
promised not to tell," Jack quickly speaks up. "So are
you ready?"
"I guess," Rose tiredly shruggs. This pregnancy was
really taking a lot out of her. She was tired all the time and
didn't have much energy to do anything. Plus there was the
constant mood swings. They were really getting to her.
"Mr. Dawson, there's a car outside waiting for you and Mrs.
Dawson. What shall I tell him?"
"We'll be there in a minute," Jack grins. "Ready
birthday girl?"
"Oh Jack you remembered!" Rose throws her arms around
him. She had thought her birthday had slipped his mind since he's
been so busy lately. He hardly had time for her and the twins
anymore.
"What? You thought I forgot your birthday? No way would I
forget Rose!" Jack laughs and pulls her towards the door.
"Come on. Our chariot awaits."
"I'll watch the twins!" Kathy calls as they disappear
into the Renault.
Jack opens the door for Rose once the car has stopped in front of
one of the fanciest restaurants in Boston. He watched her face
light up as she got out.
"We're going here?" She turns to her husband, who just
grins down at her.
"Only the best for my wife," Jack grinned. "Now
that I can afford to give you the best."
"You're too good to me Jack."
Jack just smiled, and takes her hand to lead her inside the
restaurant. Once seated, Jack presents her with a tiny black box.
"Oh Jack, you shouldn't have," Rose gasped in surprise.
"I want to. Rose, ever since I met you, I've wanted to do
nothing but shower you with the most beautiful jewels in the
world, and for the first time in my life, I'm able to do just
that," Jack opens the box to reveal a ring of every type of
jewel there was. "Oh Jack! It's beautiful," Rose gasped
in surprise as he places the ring on her finger. "I don't
know what to say."
"Don't say anything. Just kiss me," Jack leans closer
to her until their lips meet in a sweet kiss. "I love you
Rose."
"I love you too Jack."
Jack smiled at her, his blue eyes sparkling. He wanted to tell
her about Lindsey right there and then, but he was going to wait
until they were somewhere a little more private.
"So Jack...what else do you have planned tonight?" Rose
asked.
"How do you feel about a horse buggy ride around Boston?
Just you, me and the driver up front?" Jack takes her hand.
Rose's eyes light up with delight. "I love it!"
One hour later they are in the buggy, trekking along the almost
deserted streets of Boston. Jack tightly holds Rose's hand in his
and they gaze into each other's eyes. Rose couldn't remember the
last time they had been alone like this. Between Jack learning
how to run the business, taking care of the twins, and trying to
get Lindsey back, there really wasn't that much time for romance.
"Happy Rose?" Jack asked, stroking her hair.
"Happier than I've been in a long time," Rose smiled up
at her husband.
"How do you feel about another surprise?"
"Another one? Jack, how much have you spent on
tonight?"
"Well...this one was free," Jack grinned, Rose just
looks at him in confusion. "Our Lawyer called today. The
judge has made a decision about Lindsey."
"What?" Rose comes to attention. "What did he
say?"
"The judge has decided that Lindsey is to come home to us
day after tomorrow. We're getting her back Rose," Jack
smiled. "Lindsey's coming home."
Rose's eyes grew big with surprise and complete joy. "Oh
Jack!" She throws her arms around him. "Oh Jack I'm so
happy! We're getting our little girl back!"
Jack pulls away from the hug and looks into her eyes. He was so
glad he could make her smile, but he also had to be truthful with
her. He couldn't let her go into this blindfolded. "But
there's a drawback Rose. We only get her for the school year.
Then she goes back to Linningston for the summer. After
that...the judge will make her final decision. She wants to see
what benefits Lindsey the most."
"Oh," Rose's face fell, but then lights up again.
"But at least we get her for most of the year and is only
exposed to that old man for only three months. And I'm sure the
judge will see that we're the best people to take care of
Lindsey. We have a ready made family for her. What does that old
man have that we don't? I mean, it can't be money. We have that
now too."
"You're right. The judge is going to go see that we're the
best choice.Rose. I'm glad I can make you so happy. I mean,
you've been so melancholy lately," Jack kissed her again.
"I know Jack and I'm sorry. It's just this pregnancy...it's
taken a lot of my energy, but with Lindsey comeing home, I'm as
good as new."
"And I promise Rose, I"m going to make more time for
you and the children. I'm going to try to make it like it used to
be before all the money."
"Oh Jack," Rose hugs him again, enjoying his closeness.
That too was the happiest news she heard that night. It's been so
long since her and Jack spent time together, just them and their
children. Things were coming back together just in time for the
new baby's arrival.