AFTER TITANIC

BOOK ONE

Chapter Forty

July 4, 1913
Boston
Dawson Mansion
Rose is in the room she shares with Jack and again takes in her surroundings. The room was similar to her stateroom on Titanic. It brought back fond memories of Jack's painting. Maybe tonight, after the gala, she'll have Jack do another drawing.
"Rose, what do you have planned today?" Jack asked, coming out of the private bathroom, his blond hair damp from the shower and towel wrapped around his waist. He looked terrific.
"Maybe seduce you before we head out for the day and then go downtown with Kathy and shop for a suitable dress for the gala tonight," Rose giggled, wrapping a arm around his waist and playing with his towel. "What do you say Mr. Dawson?"
Jack pulls away from her and holds her at arms length. "Rose, as much as I'd like to stay here and be seduced by my beautiful wife, I can't. I have a breakfast meeting with my grandfather and a couple of other relatives. It's about his will and he wants me down there to hear what he has to say. It'll be rude to be late."
"Oh," Rose sighed, disappointed. "Ok, I understand. But tonight no excuses. I'm seducing you whether you like it or not."
"Well I gues that's an offer I can't refuse," Jack laughed, pulling Rose in for a kiss that turned more passionate, causing Jack to force himself away. "Rose...you have definately got me under a spell...I can't get enough of you."
Rose just giggled and tucks a wet strand of Jack's hair behind his ear. "You're the one who's a spellcaster Jack. Not me."
"I have to get dress Rose," Jack kisses her nose just as two cries erupt from the adjoining bedroom.
"I'll get them," Rose heads for the nursery. "I'll see you tonight Jack?"
"Of course," Jack nods watching his wife disappear into the nursery.
Everyone is gathered around the breakfast table in the dining room when Jack appears in the doorway. He takes a deep breath and calls upon his memory of the first-class dinner.
"Remember, pretend you won a gold mine and you're in the club," he can hear Molly's advice.
"Jack you're here! Come in!" His grandfather beckons. "Come meet your cousins Cameron and James."
Both cousins had the Dawson blond hair and blue eyes, the same as Jack's. Cameron was heftier than Jack was and James had the same lean build. James was the only one to stand and offer his hand.
"Nice to meet ya Jack," James grins.
Jack smiles and accepts the offer. He had a feeling that he and James were going to get along great.
Cameron just nods, his blue eyes revealing no emotion. "So you're the son of the outcast."
"Guess so," Jack forces a smile, not liking Cameron's tone nor the way he referred to his father. Was that how they thought of his father? The outcast?
"Sit Jack. We have a lot to talk about," Emmanuel beckons to the seat next to James, ignoring Cameron's comment.
"Is Katherine joining us grandfather?" Cameron asked.
"No. She has shopping to do this morning before the stores close. I'll talk to her when she comes back. Right now it's just us men," Emmanuel explained. "Let's get down to business. As all three of you know I will not be with you next year. So I've gathered you. So I've gathered you all here to tell you now how I'm dealing out the estate so none of it will be a surprise. Cameron. The son of my most loyal son Edward. You will get the mansion and a large share of the company. James. The son of my youngest son. You will get the house in Connecticut and another large share of my company. And last but not least...the son of my lost son...Jack. You will recieve a large share of my company, the beach house in Santa Monica of course. And my Chateau in Paris and a art gallery in New York. The gallery isn't operational anymore, but with your artistic talent and splendid eye for art...I say if you open it up for business, it'll be a big success. I also leave your children...Molly and Tommy a trust fund that they'll be able to have access to when they turn twenty-one."
"What? All I get is the mansion and a share of the company while you give the wimp of the family and a total stranger everything else!" Cameron stands from his chair, fury burning in his blue eyes.
"Cameron sit down," Emmanuel hissed.
"No! No I'm not sitting down. Is this how you treat your favorite grandson? The one who's had the most interest in the family business? THe one who wanted to follow in your footsteps?" Cameron growls.
"Cameron you're making a blasted fool of yourself. Sit down," James glares up at his oldest cousin.
"Who cares if I'm making a fool of myself! I'm through playing kiss up!" Cameron turns on James then turns back to his grandfather. "You'll regret this decision grandfather!"
Glaring one time at Jack, Cameron turns and leaves.
"Well grandfather, I think you can cross him off the guest list for the gala," James crosses his arms. "Sorry you had to witness that Jack. Cameron's always blowing up like that. You can say he's the hot head of the family."
"Don't worry about it. Believe me, I've witnessed worse," Jack smiled.
"Grandfather, if it's any consolation, I think you've made a wise choice splitting the company among the three of us. But what about Kathy?"
"She gets the mansion in Santa Monica, your grandmother's jewelry, a trust fund for the future children she'll have and an allowance so she won't have to worry about working. Don't worry, she'll be well taken care of. And I leave the chore of finding a suitable suitor for her to you three boys. I'm sure you can help her make the wise choice."
"We'll try our best," James smiles, looking adoringly at his grandfather.
"And James, since you're the patient one, I'm leaving it up to you to teach Jack the ropes of the business," Emmanuel nods. "I have a feeling that you two will be close friends. Your fathers were so close...it wouldn't surprise me any at all."
Jack just smiles towards his cousin, pushing his doubts about inheriting so much to the back of his mind.

Rose enters her room smiling at her recent buy. A beautiful black and red beaded dress. The same make of the dress she wore that night she and Jack had gone to the steerage dance. It was perfect and she knew Jack was going to love it.
"Come Josephine in my flying machine," Rose sang, as she enters her bedroom to hang-up the dress when she spots Jack, sitting on the bed and staring off into space.
"Jack?" Rose asked concern. She had never seen him like this before. He was so quiet. "Did everything go well at the breakfast?"
"Everything went fine. I met my other two cousins and found out my grandfather is leaving me an art gallery in New York. The beach house and a chateau in Paris. Plus he left me a large share in the family business and a trust fund for the twins," Jack sighed.
"Really? That's great Jack. But why don't you look so happy about all of this?"

"I'm worried Rose. I mean...this is more than I've ever had in my whole life. I mean, we were fine just the four of us...without all the money. I'm just afraid all that money will change us. That we won't be Jack and Rose anymore."
"Oh Jack," Rose takes his hand in hers. "There's a lot more to us than social standing. Jack...yes I loved you when you were the poor guy from steerage with the amazing artistic talent and the ability to make me feel free. But I'll still love you now that you're the rich guy from steerage with the amazing artistic talent and the ability to make me feel free."
"What?"
"What I'm trying to say Jack is that no matter whether we're rich or poor, you're still the same guy to me. All that money doesn't change who you are or how you make me feel. Now do you understand?"
Jack smiled. Of course he understood and he loved Rose for her reassurance. "I love Rose Dawson," He takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately.
"I know and I love you too Jack. I'll love you forever."

8:00 p.m.
The party is underway and Rose is bored to tears. She couldn't believe she was in the same place that she was in that night she tried to jump off the back of the ship. But this time the man she was with she never wanted to be away from.
"Enjoying yourself Rose?" Jack asked, appearing behind her, concern shining in his eyes.
"Jack, I always enjoy myself when I'm with you," Rose smiled, kissing him lightly. "So when do I meet the rest of your family? I've been here for a hour and haven't met anyone."
"Soon. I promise. But right now I have to go see grandfather about some things. I'll be back in a second. Ok?"
"Sure Jack. Don't wory, I'll be fine," Rose smiled reassuringly at him.
"Ok love. If you need anything, just holler," Jack kissed her before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Rose by herself.
"Just holler," Rose sighed, moving towards the refreshment table.
She doesn't notice Cameron standing at the other side of the room staring at her. She was the most beautiful woman he's ever seen and a real lady too. He can tell just by the way she held herself. Only a society girl held herself so high like that. He had to go talk to her...get her to see that she was his destiny since the family business surely wasn't. He still couldn't believe that grandfather had left practically everything to that spineless James and that nobody Jack. But pushing that from his mind, he approaches the beautiful princess of his dreams.
Rose is looking over the caviar and suppresses a laugh as she remembers how Jack said he never cared for it much at the first class dinner aboard Titanic.
"Something must be pretty amusing for you to be laughing," a deep voice whispers in her ear. She turns to see a man with brilliant blue eyes and blond hair slicked back. He would have been handsome if it wasn't for the arrogant air he carried about him. It reminded her of Cal. "Mind sharing the joke with me?"
"Oh it was just something someone said about Caviar a long time ago," Rose forces a smile, ready to move on.
"Do you like Caviar?"
"It's okay I guess," Rose smiled. "But I can't say it's my favorite food."
"I guess it takes an acquired taste," the man takes a cracker and spreads some caviar on it and takes a bite. "Delicious."
"Well I'm glad you're enjoying it."
"Cameron Dawson," the man takes her hand and kisses it in the similar manner that Jack kissed it.
"Rose," Rose forces a smile, resisting the urge to jerk her hand back.
"Ah Rose. Such a suitable name for a lady with beauty that puts a Rose to shame," Camerom smiled, not letting go of her hand.
"Uh...Mr. Dawson I msut let you know that..."
"You'll be joining me in a dance? Just one?" Cameron begins pulling her out onto the dance floor as a waltz begins to play.
"I-I don't know...this is quite unusual," Rose stammered, not sure of how to get out of this situation or how she got in it in the first place. She stretches her neck in search of Jack and spots him at the far corner of the room talking to his grandfather and another man with a similar build to him.
"Relax Rose. There's nothing to be nervous about," Cameron grinned, pulling her closer to him. "So tell me Rose. Where are you originally from? I've never seen you around Boston."
"I grew up in Philadelphia and then..."
"An Philadelphia. I have some friends there. Perhaps you know of them. Would you be acquainted with a Caledon Hockley? Old collage buddy of mine. Lost touch with him a couple of years back. I wonder what he's been up to?"
"The last I heard he's a father to a baby boy this past April."
"How wonderful for him. I love children of course. Do you plan to have children someday Rose?"
"Well..."
"But anyway, how do you like this gala? Pretty boring isn't it? I don't know why I even attend. The only reason I'm here this year is because my poor dying grandfather wanted me to get acquainted with a long lost cousin of mine. To tell the truth I really don't care to. It's obvious he hasn't had a proper upbringing and who knows where he's been in the past couple of years. Hardly gentleman material."
Rose feels her temper rise. How dare this arrogant pushy man say such a thing about her Jack! He knew from experience that Jack was more the gentleman than all the Caledon Hockleys and Cameron Dawsons put together. He was brave, noble, selfless, kind...he was everything she ever dreamed of and she wasn't about to let this self centered man put him down. Rose opens her mouth to put Cameron in his place when Katherine approaches.
"Why Rose there you are! I've been looking all over for you!" Katherine take's Rose's hand and pulls her out of Cameron's grasp.
"Katherine do you mind? We're in middle of a waltz," Cameron glowers angrily at his cousin.
"Oh Cameron I didn't see you there," Katherine laughs. "I"m sorry. I only saw Rose here looking like she wanted to take your head off and decided to come and save the poor chap who would've made her so angry. I must say Rose, Jack was right when he said you had a temper."
"Jack?" Cameron asked, confused. What did Jack have to do with this beautiful lady from Philadelphia?
"Oh Mr. Dawson, you didn't give me a chance to tell you my full name. It's Rose. Rose Dawson. Jack's my husband," Rose glowers angrily at Cameron.
"Jack? He's your husband?" Cameron's voice reveals his disbelief. How can this beautiful upper class lady be married to that bohemian from Chippewa Falls? What chould she possibly see in him?
"Why Cameron, you didn't try to hit on Rose did you?" Kathy asked, her eyes wide. "You did didn't you? Poor chap."
"Shut up Katherine," Cameron growled. "Listen Rose...I'm sorry if my actions offended you in anyway. I was just trying to be friendly."
"By putting down my husband?" Rose asked.
Cameron didn't say anything. He just stared hard at the ground.

Katherine grabs Rose's arm. "Come Rose. I want to introduce you to a couple of girlfriends of mine."
"Thank you Kathy," Rose sighed in relief.
"No problem Rose. I knew you were in trouble when he kissed your hand. That's when he gets really pushy."
"I don't like him. He reminds me of my ex-fiancee. He's so arrogant and thinks he's better than everyone else," Rose sighed. It's so hard to believe that someone like that is actually related to my Jack. I mean Jack, he's...so sweet and modest."
"I know. James, my youngest cousin...he's the same way. Everyone loves him...except for Cameron of course. He thinks James is too weak."
"James?" Rose is curious. Another Dawson with Jack's personality?
"Yes, he's the one talking with Jack and grandfather over there," Katherine points.
"Oh he does look like Jack some. He has the same build and height. They even stand alike," Rose smiled. I'm sure I'm going to like him."
"Come on, you can meet him now if you like," Katherine grabs her hand and pulls her over to Jack and the other two men before Rose could answer the question. "Hello men, are you discussing anything of importance?"
"We're discussing the tour of the local factory that we're going to take Jack on tomorrow morning," the young man standing across from Jack smiled. "How are you doing Kat? Having fun?"
"You know I am. But anyway, I thought I should bring Rose over here to meet one of the more pleasant Dawson cousins," Katherine giggles. "Rose, this is James, Jack's youngest cousin. James, this is Jack's wife Rose."
"Nice to meet you Rose," James takes her hand in a firm handshake. "Jack is a lucky man to be married to such a beautiful woman. I hope you know what you've got here Jack."
"I sure do," Jack smiled, placing a arm around her shoulder. "She's the love of my life."
Rose shyly smiled and stepped closer to Jack. She can't help but be nervous around Jack's cousins.
"Have you met my other grandson Cameron yet Rose?" Emmanuel asked. "Where is he anyway? He knows I want him to get to know his cousin here."
Rose's cheeks grow red once again as she remembered Cameron's harsh words about Jack. That was one Dawson she didn't care to lay eyes on again.
"He's probably out back wiping egg off his face," Katherine laughed. "He had the audacity to make a move on Rose and she did more than shoot him down. I had to go get her before she completely took his head off."
"I just didn't like what he said to me...that's all," Rose sighed, wanting to drop the subject. She didn't want Jack to know that one of his cousins has a hard time accepting him.
"Are you talking about me?" Cameron joins the group. "Lovely wife you have here Jack. She's a great dancer."
Katherine rolls her eyes at Cameron. "Yeah right."
"You got a problem Katherine?" Cameron glares at his cousin.
"None," Katherine shakes her head.
"Be up early tomorrow Cameron. I want you and James to join me in giving Jack the tour of the factory here in town. I want him to get the feel of the family business," Emmanuel sighes tiredly.
"If that's what you wish grandfather," Cameron nods, taking another look at his new cousin and his wife who continues to glare at him. He guessed that Rose would never forgive him for what he said about Jack.
"Oh wow it's time for the fireworks out on the veranda. Come on Rose and Jack. The Dawson fireworks are the best!" Katherine takes off for the back of the mansion.
"That's Kat for you," James laughed. "Always the first out the door when it comes to having fun."
The fireworks were spectacular. Rose forgot all about her encounter with Cameron as she leaned into Jack's arms and watched the night sky light up with spectacular colors. At that moment her whole world was perfect...just her and Jack and the love they shared for one another. Little did she know about the heartbreak that was awaiting her back in California

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