16
The hall was crowded, but not so crowded that Jack couldn’t find Rose at her locker preparing for their next class. While her back was turned, he snuck up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her ear lobe.
"Jack," she shivered in delight.
"Good morning sweetie."
"Good morning. At first I thought you were Cal until you kissed my ear," Rose giggled. The giggling stopped when she saw the anger burning in Jack’s eyes.
"I can kill him for what he tried to do to you. He could have hurt both you and the baby."
"But he didn’t. Jack, please. You promised me that you wouldn’t do anything crazy."
"And I intend to keep that promise. Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything stupid," he reassured her, gently pressing his lips to hers.
"I love you," Rose sighed as they parted and Cal approached. Jealousy heated up his brown eyes.
"What are you doing now Rose? Slumming it? I would think that a date with a real man would bring you out of that phase."
"It did. Why do you think I’m never dating you again."
"Careful Dawson. This little slut says yes one minute, then changes her tune when it’s time to deliver," Cal crossed his arms.
"What did you call me?" Rose’s eyes widened with indignation. No one had ever spoken like that before, and she had never expected such talk from Cal.
"Slut, whore, Jez…," Cal’s words were cut off by Jack’s fist slamming into Cal’s nose.
"Jack," Rose gasped in shock.
"You broke my nose!" Cal groaned in pain.
"Jack Dawson!" Mrs. Wexler the history teacher approached. She had seen Jack punch Cal from across the hall. She gasped in dismay when she saw the blood running through Cal’s fingers. "Oh my! Mr. Hockley! Are you alright?"
"Dawson broke my nose!" Cal pointed accusingly at Jack.
"Cal proved it Mrs. Wexler," Rose glared at Cal. "He was calling me all kinds of names. Jack was only defending me."
"Now Miss. Dewitt Bukater, I don’t believe that. Mr. Hockley would never insult a lady. Besides, that would be no excuse for violence."
Rose stared at the teacher in disbelief. Why will no one believe her about Cal? First her mother, and now a teacher? What made him so...untouchable?
"Now Mr. Dawson. You come with me to the Principal’s office! Caledon dear, go on to the nurse and get that nose looked after."
"Yeah, we wouldn’t want it to get as crooked as you are," Rose glared at the teacher. She was steaming mad and wanted Mrs. Wexler to know that she thought she was a witch for taking Cal’s side like this.
"Rose," Jack shook his head, not wanting Rose to get in trouble too. "Don’t."
"I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear that Miss Dewitt Bukater. Come along Dawson," the teacher pulled Jack towards the Principal’s office.
"It’s Jack! His name is Jack!" Rose called angrily after the teacher.
Cruel laughter rang out from behind her. Cal sneered. "It looks like your boyfriend has gotten himself into some hot water."
"Cal. Shut up!" Rose angrily turned on him. "You better pray that Jack doesn’t get expelled over this, or I’ll go to the authorities about what you tried to do to me."
"And you think they’ll believe you over my father’s money?"
Rose smiled as if she was in on a
secret. "Maybe they will. Do you really want to chance
it?"
"Threats aren’t ladylike Rose," Cal stammered.
"Well attempted Rap and provoking fights aren’t very gentlemanly Cal," Rose glared at him one last time before heading for her next class, her mind on Jack.
~*~
Jack sat in front of Principal Andrew’s desk. Mr. Andrews sighed, sifting through Jack’s file.
"I don’t understand it Jack. You’re a good kid from what I see here. Aren’t you even a little sorry for hitting Caledon Hockley?"
"No. Why should I be?" Jack
looked the Principal in the eye. "He was calling Rose some
really offensive names. So I punched him. Listen Mr. Andrews,
I’m not sorry for what I did. So just go ahead and give me
my punishment. I accept whatever you want to give me."
Mr. Andrews sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Your
sister has been called. She’ll be here soon. I’ll give
you your punishment then."
Jack only nodded just as the secretary stuck her head through the door. "Miss. Dawson is here sir."
"Send her in," Mr. Andrews nodded. One minute later, Chloe entered and sat next to Jack. She stared at her brother in disbelief as she was told about the fight.
"I have no choice but to suspend your brother for the rest of the day," Mr. Andrews sighed.
Chloe gasped. "But if he was provoked…"
"I’m sorry, but that doesn’t matter. Jack was the one throwing punches."
"All over a girl, right?"
Mr. Andrews grimly nodded, feeling a bit sorry for the young man setting before him. "A Rose Dewitt Bukater I do believe."
Chloe nodded and got to her feet. "Come on Jack. Let’s go."
Jack only nodded and followed his sister out into the deserted hall. Everyone else was in class.
"Chloe…"
"I don’t want to hear it Jack. I just want to get home in one piece if you don’t mind."
Jack only nodded and followed Chloe out to the car, knowing that this was going to be a long ride home.
~*~
Rose stood at the door of Jack’s house, worried. He hadn’t come to any of the classes they had together. This meant only one thing. His punishment was bad. Ringing the bell, she thought of ways that she could get even with Cal for this.
"Rose," Chloe answered the door. Her voice was a bit cold and her eyes revealed no emotion. "What may I do for you?"
"Uh…is Jack here? Can I see him?"
"He is here, but no. You cannot see him. In fact, I’m putting my foot down right now. This relationship with my brother has gotten too serious. Both of you are too young to have such a relationship. Starting now, Jack is no longer allowed to see you. This relationship is over," Chloe crossed her arms.
"What?" Rose looked at Chloe in disbelief. Could she do this? Did Jack even know that she was doing this?
"Good bye Rose," Chloe stepped back into the house, leaving Rose standing outside, wondering what she had done to make this happen.
Walking back to the L, Rose thought about her new circumstances and what she was going to do. Maybe Jack will call her and they can discuss it then…or whenever he returned to school. She just couldn’t believe Chloe had done this…thing. How could she have just taken away the only person that believed in her. As she stepped onto the tram, she had an overpowering feeling that all was lost. She had lost everything that had ever mattered to her and it wasn’t coming back.
Back at the Dawsons, tensions were high. Jack stood in the middle of the room, demanding to know who was at the door.
"Who was it Chloe? Will you stop ignoring me? Tell me who was at the door!"
"It was Rose. Rose was at the door," Chloe disappeared into the kitchen. She was immediately followed by an even angrier Jack.
"Why didn’t you tell me that she was here?"
"Because you’re grounded and you’re not allowed to see her again."
"What?"
"You are not to see Rose again and I’ve told her the
same. It’s over Jack."
"No. It’s not. My relationship with Rose is none of your business! You had no right…!"
"I have every right! I’m your guardian and I say you’re too young to get into a serious relationship like this!"
"I’m older then you were when you ran away with Carter!"
"That’s besides the point Jack. You are not to see Rose again. That is my final word. Now go to your room."
"Go to yours!" Jack turned and not only left the room, but left the house as well.
He couldn’t believe Chloe. She had some nerve, after all the pain she had caused their parents over Carter; and now she was trying to hurt him by taking Rose away. But he wasn’t going to let her. Because he was going to be with Rose anyway. No matter what Chloe said…even if they had to run away to be together.
Run away? Should they? Were things really that dire? No, even if they were, he couldn’t do that to his little brother and sister what Chloe had done to him. He wanted to be there for them and couldn’t if he took Rose and left Chicago for good. It would be a good long time before he’d ever see them again. But what else could he do to ensure that Rose, himself, and their baby would be together? The idea came to him like a bolt of lightening. He knew just what to do to insure his and Rose’s future together, and he didn’t need to leave Chicago to do it. Darting to the nearest pay phone, Jack dialed Rose’s number.
Two seconds later, Rose picked up the phone. "Hello?" She sounded so sad and alone; Jack just wanted to reach through the phone and give her a big hug. But he couldn’t. He needed her with him to do that.
"Rose, it’s me. Jack."
"Jack?" She wiped the tears out of her eyes and tried her best to sound normal. "I thought you weren’t aloud to talk to me anymore."
"Did you honestly think I’d let her keep us apart? Rose, come on. You should know me better then that."
Rose laughed, clear relief in her voice.
"You’re right. I am being silly. And stupid. So. What
are we going to do?"
Jack smiled, excitement in his voice. "Come down to the
wharf and find out. I have a plan."
"Jack? What are you up to?"
"Come to the wharf and I’ll tell you. I’ll see you there," he quickly hung up the phone before she could ask another question. Hopefully everything will work out for the best.
~*~
Rose found Jack nervously pacing the dock. A small black box was tightly held in his hand. It was obvious that he was nervous about something. Maybe it was Chloe. He was afraid that she’d catch them. Taking a deep breath, Rose went to him.
"Jack?" She walked up behind him, causing him to jump out of his skin.
"Rose," he smiled. "I didn’t see you there."
"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you," she apologized.
"That’s ok," Jack grinned. "Come Rose. I have something important to ask you," he took her hand and led her to a nearby bench. "This involves our future as a family. Me, you and our baby."
Rose frowned, not knowing what to think. Jack was looking awfully serious. And what was in that small black box he’s holding? "Jack, what is this about? We’re not running away are we? Because that can only make things worse then they already are."
Jack laughed. "No Rose. We’re not running away. I want to do something more permanent. Something that will give our baby and us the family we deserve. Rose," Jack opened the black box and inside was a beautiful solitaire diamond ring. It was nothing big, rather simple really. But Rose thought that it was the most beautiful ring she’s ever seen in her life. "Will you marry me?"
Rose’s eyes grew wide. She was surprised…yet she wasn’t. Something had told her that this was what Jack had planned all along. But they were so young. They haven’t even graduated from high school yet. But she did love him and they were expecting a baby. Why not marry Jack? They were going to get married anyway. A big smile shaped her lips and a soft glow lit her eyes. "Yes. Yes Jack! I’ll marry you."
"Woo hoo!" Jack cheered happily and then placed the ring on her finger. "This ring used to be my mother’s engagement ring. I have my parents wedding ring too. So you don’t have to worry about that."
"Jack."
"Yes?" He stopped babbling.
"When…when are we going to do it?"
Jack smiled, his eyes were bright. "Tomorrow. Right after school."
"I’ll be Mrs. Jack Dawson this time tomorrow," Rose sighed happily.
Yes, she would be Mrs. Jack Dawson. But Neither of them were aware of the tragedy looming ahead. All they saw were each other and a future with each other forever.