AFTER TITANIC

BOOK ONE

Chapter Twenty-Four

Two Months later...

It's the night of the Harvest dance, a Chippewa Falls tradition. Every October, everyone in town gathers at the Anderson's barn for the harvest dance. Being his first time home in five years, Jack is really excited. He can't wait to show Rose how to square dance and how to bob for apples.
"I hope we get there in no time," Rose uncomfortably shifts her position in the small carriage they're riding in.
"We'll be there in plenty of time," Jack reassures her. "Trust me Rose. You're going to have a blast."
"I do trust you Jack," Rose smiled over at him. "I wonder if Eliza will be there."
"Of course she will. She may be late if she's coming with her mother, but she'll be here. As far as I can remember, none of the Hathaways ever miss the annual barnyard bash at the Andersons."
"Oh Jack, we're here," Rose becomes more alert as they approach a huge farm. The house itself is dark, but the barn is lit up and full of laughter and music.
"Sounds like there's a big turn out," Jack nods. "Come on. I'll help you down," Jack jumps out of the carriage and helps his now seven months pregnant wife out once the vehicle comes to a stop. "Ready to have the time of your life Rose?"
Rose smiles nervously and nods. She hopes she doesn't embarrass herself and Jack too much. She was never much of a dancer, even if her luck was good at that steerage party seven months ago. That was just luck. But her luck may not hold out this second time around.
The barn is full of people standing around, laughing, talking, and dancing. Rose's breath is taken away by the scene. She had never seen anything like it.
"Hey Jack Dawson!" A male voice calls over to them. Rose turns and recognizes Josh Hamilton, one of Jack's best friends. "It's about time you got here. We've been waiting for ya."
"Nice to see ya Josh. You remember my wife Rose don't ya?" Jack asked, motioning towards Rose.
"How can I forget?" Josh smiled, turning to Rose and taking her hand. "She's the only girl around who has enough class in her little finger to make up for her husband."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Jack laughed good-naturedly.
"So Rose, are you going to the square-dance?" Josh asked, ignoring Jack's comment.
"I don't think so," Rose smiled, trying to pretend not to see the mischievous sparkle in Jack's eyes. "I'm not planning on it. I'm not much of a dancer."
"That's not what Jack here says. He said you could really cut a rug. I look forward to experiencing that for myself."
"Jack exaggerates," Rose glances sharply at he husband, who's still grinning from ear to ear.
"Come on Rose," Jack takes her hand and pulls her towards him. "Let's find a place to set."
Jack leads her to a empty table in the corner of the barn, away from everyone else. "Are you hungry Rose? I can get you something to eat if you like."
"I'm fine," Rose smiled, staring at the laughing crowd, looking for another familiar face. "Oh Jack! There's Maxwell over there. We should call him over to join us."
Maxwell spots them and waves as he heads towards them. "Hey you two. Have either of you seen Eliza?"
"No. We just got here ourselves," Jack replied. "I think she may be with Lee though."
"I'm sure she'll be here soon," Rose smiled encouragingly. She had to give him some encouragement with Eliza. Rose just knew that they belonged together...just like her and Jack.
"How's the baby doing Rose? You haven't had any problems I should know about have you?" Maxwell asked, suddenly going into doctor mode.
"The baby's fine. He or she let's me know it's still alive with it's kicks," Rose smiled, rubbing her stomach, that's now even more swollen than ever before. "But I feel like a cow like this. I can't wait until the baby get's here, so I can be light on my feet again."
"Don't worry Rose. The time will get here soon enough," Maxwell smiled. "But if you don't mind, I have to get going. I promised Mrs. Smith I'd dance with her. See you two later."
"Rose...I wish you wouldn't encourage him where Eliza's concerned," Jack sighed.
"Why? Jack, they like each other a lot. Plus, Eliza deserves to be with a man who'll treat her right."
"It's just that Lee Conway nothing like Caledon Hockley. Well, I'll take that back. He is like Caledon Hockley, but...he's more apt to blame other people for his problems. I just don't want him to blame us if Eliza does leave him for Maxwell."
"Jack...Ok. I understand. I won't encourage Maxwell to get with Eliza anymore. I promise," Rose squeezes her husband's hand.
Rose had the most fun at that party than she could ever remember having in her whole life without having to worry about what everyone would think. She weakly protested as Jack pulled her on the dancefloor, then she completely lost all her nervousness and inhibitions as the dance went on. After a while, she had no care of how she was dancing and who she was dancing with. Then she laughed as her and Jack kept bumping heads as they bobbed for apples.
Finally it's time for the ghost stories under the harvest moon. Where everyone moves outside and sets around a campfire and listens to some good ghost stories. Exhausted from all the dancing, Rose sets back into Jack's arms and listens to the stories.
"Amanda, it's your turn. What story do you have for us this year," Eliza asked, trying to avoid Lee's heated glare as she pulls her hand out of his.
"Well...in honor of Jack's return to Chippewa Falls, I've decided to talk about my haunted experience at the old Dawson Place," Amanda smiled over at Jack and Rose.
"Amanda...I don't think that's a good idea," Josh warned.
"Oh come on Josh. It's just a story. Jack knows that and he probably doesn't. Do you Jack?"
Jack shrugs, his face blank of emotion. No one, even Rose could tell how Jack felt about the mention of his now dead parents.
"Ok then. I'll start now. It's been almost six years now since the Dawson place caught on fire and Killed Emma and James Dawson. They're definately missed here in Chippewa Falls, but in reality, they've never really left. I know this, because I've seen them myself. It was a year after Jack took off for the horizon. I was taking a walk when I thought I saw someone standing on the porch. Curious I went over to see who it was, but there was no one there. The house appeared to be empty. I was about to leave when I heard footsteps up above me. At that time I was upstairs in Jack's room. So I couldn't put together where the footsteps was coming from until I remembered the attic that Jack used as his studio. So taking a deep breath I went up there. That too seemed to be empty until I saw her, standing at the window, looking out over the fields. It was Emma Dawson herself. At first I thought it was my imagination, until she turned those eyes on me. That's when I felt the surging heat from the fire. At that moment I knew how she must have felt the moment she died. I screamed and screamed, begging for mercy. That's when she just smiled and disappeared along with the burning heat. That's when I ran out of the house and never returned since. I never mentioned what happened...not even to Eliza. This is the first time I ever told this to anyone."
"Good story Amanda!" George applauded.
"It's not a story. It really happened," Amanda glared at George. "It's all true."
"Oh come on Amanda. You don't expect us to believe that do you? If that place was truly haunted, don't ya think Jack and Rose would have seen something by now?" Eliza asked.
"Maybe they did and they're not talking about it. Or maybe Emma Dawson is at peace now that her son has returned. I don't know."
"It's getting late," Jack suddenly stands and helps Rose to her feet. "I better be getting Rose home."
"Oh come on Jack. Stay. There are more stories to go around. I bet you have a few of your own after all the traveling you've been doing," George protested.
"Yeah Jack. Stay," Eliza agreed.
"Sorry guys, but we really do have to go. I'll talk to ya tomorrow," Jack waved good-bye leading Rose to a waiting carriage. "Wissota Drive Please," he directed the driver.
Jack is silent all the way home. Not mentioning a word about Amanda's story or his parents.
"Wissota Drive," The driver announces as he pulls up to the dark empty house.
Rose looks up at the attic window and gasps. Was that a face she saw staring out at her? No Rose. Don't be ridiculous. You're just letting that story get to you.
"What Rose?" Jack's voice is alert. "Are you ok? Is it the baby?"
"No. I just thought...Oh...it was nothing. My imagination is just getting carried away again. Mother always said I let it run away with me."
Jack just nods, accepting the explanation. Unlocking the door, he leads Rose inside. She shivers as she enters and feels for the light switch. She jumps and screams when she feels a warm hand on her shoulder.
"Rose, It's just me," Jack said, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"Oh Jack, it's okay. I guess that story got me a little on edge," Rose tried to laugh but failed. The simple truth was that she no longer felt safe in the house.
"I'll find a light switch. Stay here," Jack said, leaving her side. She's about to protest being left alone, but thinks better of it. She didn't want to give Jack another reason to call Dr. Alman again.
"Relax Rose. You've been in this house for seven months now. The only people here are you, Jack, and the baby. That's all," Rose tries to calm her nerves, but that's when she feels the cold hand clutch her shoulder. "Jack?"
There's no answer, only silence and the cold hand on her shoulder. Why wasn't he answering? Suddenly the room's illuminated in light. Rose turns around to see no one there.
"Jack!" Rose screams in terror, running straight ahead into Jack's arms.
"Rose? What's wrong?" Jack holds his trembling wife tightly. He pulls away from her and looks into her pale face and frightened eyes. Something has frightened her terribly. He immediately pulls her into another hug. "Oh Rose you're so pale. What's wrong? What's gotten you so spooked?"
Rose doesn't answer. She just clings to her husband, letting the safety of his arms envelop her.
"Come on. I'll take you up to bed," Jack said, leading her to the stairs. Rose couldn't resist even though she didn't want to go upstairs. She wanted to run out of the house and never return, but she allowed him to lead her upstairs and into their room anyway.
"You feel like talking about it?" Jack asked as he sets her on the bed and kneels down next to her.

She looks into his beautiful blue eyes, those intense blue eyes that could gaze into her very being. He'd know if she were lying. She knew that. She had to trust him to believe her. To not think she was going crazy.
"...When you left me...I felt a cold hand on my shoulder...I thought it was you. But when the light came on, no one was standing there. I was alone," Rose sniffed.
"Oh Rose," Jack reached up to stroke her hair. It's that story. It bothered you more than you thought didn't it?"
"I duess it did," Rose shrugged, staring down at her hands. She never thought she was that susceptible to ghost stories, but she guessed she was. Her imagination was running on overdrive.
"What you need is a good night's sleep. You'll feel better in the morning," Jack kissed her forehead.
"Jack...do you have to go to work tomorrow morning? Can't you just call in or something?"
"Rose, you know I can't do that. With production down, all of us workers are required to be there," Jack undresses and slips into his pajamas.
"YOu're right. I'm sorry I'm being so silly," Rose forces a smile as she slips into her nightgown and gets under the covers with her husband, who envelopes her in his arms. "Good-night Jack."
"Night Rose."

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