8
The next day Rose awoke to the sound of Jack’s heartbeat. Sighing happily, she snuggled closer to him, reveling in his warmth. She would have died a happy woman right there and then tucked safely in the warmth of her husband’s arms.
"Rose wake up," Jack whispered into her ear. "Rose."
Rose just smiled and snuggled even closer, making Jack laugh.
"Rose come on. We have chores we have to do before tonight. We can’t stay in bed all day."
Rose sighed and opened her eyes. As much as she hated to admit it, Jack was right. "Ok ok. I’m up," Rose groaned.
"Come on sleepy head, Jack sat up.
"So what are you doing today?" Rose asked curiously.
"More work on that blasted shed. I don’t know why they insist on fixing the roof. It’s not like they’re ever going to use it. I rather spend the day drawing you out on lake wissota."
"Jack…why don’t we move into our own place? Mrs. Betsy said that room behind the general store was still available."
"Yeah…but this is my parent’s house. I abandoned it once. I don’t think I can do that again. There’s so many happy memories here,"Jack sighed. "But if we did move out, that’d give us more time together to do what we please. I don’t know Rose…is that what you want? To move in a tiny room in back of a store?"
"I want to be with you. No matter where it is. Jack…I’ve had nightmares where you didn’t survive the sinking and that practically killed me. I can’t live without you. As long as I have you, no matter where we live, I’ll be fine."
Jack sighed. "I’ll ask Kyle about the back room. It’s not much, but it’s something and we’ll always have one another," Jack kissed her gently. "Everything’s going to be alright for us Rose."
"I know. I trust you," she smiled hugging him tightly.
"Jack get you carcuss down here! We have a shed to work on!"
"See you later Rose,"
Jack sighed annoyed. "Hey do me a favor and go up to the
store and ask Kyle about that room. The sooner we’re out of
here the happier I’ll be."
Rose giggled. "Ok Jack. I’ll see you at lunch,"
Rose waved as her husband left the room.
*
Mrs. Betsy was behind the counter with her husband, both pouring over their reciepts when Rose entered. They both looked up and smiled at the sound of the bell.
"Rosie darling!" Betsy stepped out from behind the counter, her arms outstretched for a hug. "What do we owe the pleasure of your company this morning?"
"Uh…Jack and I need a favor. Is that room in back still available?" Rose nervously cleared her voice.
"Why of course it is dear. Are you and Jack wanting to move?" Betsy looked at the girl worriedly, wondering if Butch and Vic disrespected Rose in any way.
"Yes mam. You see, Jack wants to be in a place where we can have total privacy and time to spend together with it just being the two of us. We can’t get that with his uncles and cousin around. Would it be a problem if we did move in?"
"Oh no Rose dear. You two are welcomed to stay here. It’s like we said before. You two are always welcomed and you can dine with us. I can even continue your cooking lessons on a fuller scale now. Go tell your husband that your room will be ready for you tonight."
"Oh thank you Mrs. Lavery," Rose hugged the older woman. "This means so much to us."
"It means a lot to us too Rose. Having two young people around will do us a world of good. Now go let your husband know that you’re moving tonight," Mrs. Lavery pulled away and shooed the younger woman out the door.
"Butch and Vic aren’t going to be happy that Jack’s leaving. They’re losing their errand boy," Kyle snorted.
"Oh let those two drunks get their own beer. Jack and Rose need a place of their own and that room will do them just fine with it just being the two of them."
"Come on mother. Let’s finish these reciepts, Kyle smiled, adjusting his glasses on his nose.
*
The Dawson’s were about to set down to breakfast when Rose pulled Jack to the side.
"Betsy said that the room will be ready for us tonight and that we can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with them. She even said that we can go deeper with my cooking lessons now," Rose excitedly explained.
"Great!" Jack picked Rose up and whirled her around. "We’ll leave this afternoon. This is the last day I work on that stupid old shed," Jack kissed her gently as he placed her back on her feet.
"What are we going to tell your uncles and Lisa?"
"The truth. We’ve decided to move out so we can have more privacy. That’s all they need to know."
"Jack…"
"Rose it’s going to be alright. Trust me."
"I trust you," Rose sighed as Jack led her back to t he table.
"Let me do all the talking ok?" Jack squeezed her hand.
Rose simply nodded. She didn’t wish to get into the conversation anyway.
"What are you women planning to do today after lunch. The house needs some cleaning," Butch snorted.
"Well Rose is going to pack up our stuff. We’ll be leaving tonight," Jack spoke up. The sooner the subject was broached, the better off they’d be.
"What? Where are you going?" Lisa asked, surprised by the revelation. "Why are you leaving?"
"We’ll be moving into
the back room of the Lavery’s general store. We want more
privacy and moving out is the only way to get it."
"Privacy? You have privacy here," Vic looked at his
nephew.
"You think you’ll have privacy in that room of the Lavery’s? With all those busybodies coming in and out of he store?" Butch sat down his fork.
"Plus you have a first class lady there Jack. I don’t think she’s going to be happy stuck in a back room of a general store."
"I’m happy where ever Jack is," Rose squeezed his hand. "Whether it’s here or in a one room shack."
"Well fine then. But by all means Jack, help your wife pack and be out of here before lunch," Butch threw down his fork and stalked off.
"We better get back to that shed if we’re going to finish it," Victor followed his brother.
"Well…I’m going to miss you Jack," Lisa looked at the table. "You were like a breath of fresh air around this place."
"You can come visit us
anytime Lisa," Jack took his cousin’s hand. "And
when we get a place of our own, you can come stay there."
"I’d like that," She forced a smile and then got
up and ran upstairs.
"Everyone’s angry with us," Rose looked at her husband.
"They’ll get over it Rose. Don’t worry about it. Let’s just finish our breakfast then get packed. I want to be out of here before lunch is over."
*
Both Jack and Rose arrive at the general store a little before lunchtime. The lavery’s were waiting for them.
"Rose, Jack there you are. The room is all ready for you," Kyle grinned. "Betsy sent you two over two hot plates of food for lunch."
"That was very kind of the both of you Kyle. Thank you," Jack grinned. "Rosie and I are sure to be happy here."
Kyle smiled as he led the way to the back apartment. Jack and Rose entered, each carrying a bag. "Have fun you two. "
The couple just smiled as Kyle shut the door behind him as he left.
"Well it’s just me and you," Jack pulled Rose into his arms. "What do you want to do now my love?"
"I want to talk. About us. Jack we barely know each other. I want to know more about you. Your favorite color, your favorite food, who your first girlfriend was…"
Jack laughed. "Why aren’t we a curious one?"
"Only about my dear
husband."
"My favorite color is red…like your hair," Jack
gently touched a red curl and tucked it behind Rose’s ear.
"My favorite food is turkey. Everytime I eat it I feel nice
and relaxed."
"Me too," Rose smiled.
"And my first girlfriend…well…that will just have to remain a secret," Jack laughed at the shocked look on Rose’s face. She was expecting him to tell her.
"Oh. Ok, you don’t have to tell me," Rose stammered.
"You silly girl, of course I will tell you. Her name was Stephanie Lake. She used to live across from me a year before my parents died. We broke up when she decided she liked Bruce Wheeler better."
"Poor baby," Rose playfully pouted, causing Jack to laugh.
"That’s ok. Word has it that she’s now fat and mean and poor Bruce is now her husband, henpecked as hell," Jack laughed. "Lucky for me, I found a beautiful princess on a sinking ship."
Rose blushed at the compliment. "Believe me Jack, I’m no princess."
"Well you’re close enough to one," Jack smiled.
"Well then you’re my knight in shining armor," Rose smiled, squeezing his hand. "Thank you. Thank you for talking me out of jumping off the back of the ship and getting me away from that suffocating first class life. I like this one a lot better."
Jack frowned. "You may change your mind soon enough Rose. Right now it doesn’t seem all that hard, but it is. I’m going to have to find a real job now."
"Jack as long as I have you I can get through anything. Don’t worry. So what if life with you is hard. It’s also wonderful, and loving, and free. I’m with the man I love and I can do anything as long as he’s by my side."
"You seem so sure."
"That’s because I know what I say is true. Besides, nothing could be as hard as surviveing Titanic. Don’t you think?"
"You’re right. The rest of it is a piece of cake for us," Jack smiled, pulling Rose into his arms, holding her so her head is against his chest and she’s listening to his heartbeat.