4
Finally the Carpathia arrived in New York. Jack, Rose, and Molly were in Mollys stateroom, getting ready to disembark. Rose and Molly had followed the doctors instructions to the letter and indeed Jack was well enough to leave the ship.
"Well children, its time to get back on dry land. May I tell you that Im not complaining. So what do you two have planned?" Molly ran finished with her hair.
The two young people just looked at each other and shrugged.
"We havent really discussed anything," Jack admitted. "I guess were going to have to find a place to live."
"How about letting me set you two up in a hotel for a couple of days. In the meantime you two can be discussing where youre going from here."
"Oh Molly no," Rose protested. "Weve intruded enough on your hospitality."
"Oh Rose nonsense. You have not intruded. I give my help freely. Now what do you say? Itd be good for Jack to stay off the streets for a couple of more days anyway."
Rose looked at her love and noticed that he was till quite pale and he still kept the cover tightly wrapped around his shoulders. A sign that he still had a slight chill from the hypothermia.
"Ok Molly. But only for a couple of days. Jack and I should know where were going after that," Rose relented.
Molly nodded in agreement. "Ok. Lets blow this boat. Im so sick of ships, let me tell you."
"Rose," Jack stopped her before she could follow Molly out the door.
"Yes Jack?"
"Are you sure this is what you want? Life with me I mean. I have no money, no place to live maybe youll be better off going back to Cal "
"Jack perish that thought right now. I am perfectly happy with my choice to stay with you. You know as well as I that I was terribly unhappy with Cal and the first class life. You were right that day in the gymnasium when you said I would die if I married Cal. I would have. I thank God everyday for you."
"Oh Rose," Jack pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against him. "I thank God each day for you too. I just want to make sure youre happy with me. Thats all."
"Well I am. Now stop worrying and lets follow Molly. Shes probably wondering why were lagging behind anyway," Rose took Jacks hand and pulled him out of the stateroom in the direction she saw Molly go.
*
After theyve cleared the dock, Molly led Jack and Rose to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel where they were putting up Titanic survivors for free.
"Two suites please. One for myself and one for my friends here," Molly replied as they approached the desk. "Their names are Jackson and Rosalee Dawson."
"Molly?" Jack and Rose looked at their friend a question in their eyes.
"Just in case Ruth and Cal enquire. It wouldnt do for them to find you."
"Room 11 and room 12," The attendent handed them each a key. "Enjoy your stay at the Waldorf-Astoria."
"Thank you," Jack, Rose, and Molly all said in Unison. "Come along children. Lets go to our rooms and freshen up. Im treaten yall to the finest restaurant in New York."
"Molly would you mind terribly if we make it breakfast. All I want to do right now is go to bed and sleep for a week," Rose yawned.
Jack wrapped a secure arm around her. "Its been a long couple of days for you hasnt it sweetie?"
Molly just had to smile. They were so cute together. It was obvious that Jack was going to take good care of Rose and the way Rose layed her head on his shoulder, it showed that she had complete and total trust in him. "Ok darling. Breakfast it is then. But be sure to order some room service and charge it to me. I want to make sure that you two are well taken care of."
"Thank you Molly," Jack smiled. "Well see you tomorrow."
"Good night you two," Molly waved as Jack steered Rose into their room.
"Molly!" a familiar voice called to her. She turned and her heart stopped cold. There stood Ruth and that horrible Caledon Hockley.
"Ruth Mr. Hockley. What a surprise to see you here," Molly cleared her throat.
"Molly, youve worked among the sick and dying aboard the Carpathia tell me did you by chance see Rose? Weve looked for her but couldnt find her anywhere."
Molly shook her head. "Sorry Ruth. I cant help ya. Its kind of obvious the poor girl didnt make it. Listen I have to go. It was sure nice see you though."
"Thank you Molly," Ruth bowed her head and allowed Cal to lead her away. Molly hated lying but Rose had made it clear that Ruth was not to know that she was alive at any cost and Molly was going to honor that decision.
*
Rose and Jack laid on the queen sized bed in each others arms. Rose had her head on Jacks chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, a sound she had thought shed never hear again.
"What are you thinking?" Rose asked, looking up into Jacks beautiful blue eyes.
"About where were going to live after we leave here. We cant stay in this hotel forever. Lets see we can always go to Santa Monica."
Rose shook her head. "I want to save that for later. Um how about Wisconsin?"
Jack made a face. "I dont know my cousins now at the house and I dont think hed appreciate me showing up unannounced "
"Why? Dont you and your cousin get
along?"
"Yeah
but
I dont know. Ill think about
it. Lets leave Chippewa Falls as a option."
"Ok. Santa Monica and Chippewa Falls.
Where else?"
"
I dont know. Cincinnati? I hear its a
nice area."
" I like the sound of Chippewa Falls better," Rose sighed.
"Rose!" Jack laughed. "You just want to go there because thats where Im from."
"So whats wrong with that? Id like to know what kind of boy you were."
"Mischievous. I was always getting into trouble. Ok? Happy now?"
"No. I want to know where you lived, how many friends you had "
"What am I going to do with you? Well if we do go back to Chippewa Falls we wont be able to live together."
"And why not?"
"Because were not married," Jack said in a matter-of-fact like manner. "Chippewa Falls is a small conservative farming community and such things are not done outside of marriage."
"Well then well just have to get married now wont we? I cant go a night without you Jack."
"Rose was that a proposal?"
"No. But this is," Rose giggled as she sat up and got
out of bed. Jack sat up to watch her. Rose went over to his side,
got down on one knee and took his hand in hers. Jack all the time
was trying his hardest not to laugh.
"Jack Dawson. Will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?" "Are you serious?" He asked, his smile beginning to fade as he saw the pleading gaze of her eyes.
Rose simply nodded.
"Rose you know this is a big step well be taking. Therell be no turning back after this. You really will be leaving your first class life behind."
"I know."
"The wedding wont be big. Itll just be me you and Molly."
"I know that too and Im perfectly ok with that. I dont need all of Philadelphia society at my wedding."
"Youll have to love me forever and put up with my bad habits. Snoring and all," Jack laughed.
"I know. Plus you dont snore. You just smoke."
"Youll become Mrs. Rose Dawson."
"I like the sound of that."
"Well then ok. My answer is yes. Yes Rose, I will marry you."
Rose smiled happily and threw her arms around Jack. "Youve just made me the happiest woman in the world."
"Come here," He pulled on top of him and leaned her head on his chest. "I cant wait to make you Mrs. Jack Dawson. Were going to be so happy."
"I know you will. And wait until we tell Molly. I bet shes going to throw us a engagement party," Rose laughed. "She believes in us so much. This will make her day."
"And shell have a laugh when she learns it was you who did the proposing."
"Well someone had to do it," Rose shrugged.
"Ill have you know I was going to propose, but you just beat me to it."
"Uh-huh. So when do we go to Chippewa Falls?"
"After were married and we get ourselves some new clothes," Jack replied. "I want to go back with more than I left with."
"Trick people into thinking youve made it big huh?"
"No. But you know, right now I do have more than I left with. I have you," He tenderly brushed her hair away from her face and gazed up into her eyes. "I love you more and more each day Rose. I no longer know where you end and I begin. Sometimes my feelings for you scare me."
"Oh Jack "
"Shhh. Dont talk. Just kiss me," He pressed a finger to her lips and pulled her head down so her lips could hungrily meet his.
"So tomorrow we go shopping?"
"Well we have to get a job first."
"Im sure Molly will loan us the money. Then well get married. Then well head to Chippewa Falls."
Jack laughed. "You have everything planned dont you?"
"No. Im just winging it really. Im doing what you told me. Im making each and every day count. Especially everyday with you."
Jack just smiled and pulled Rose in for another kiss.