25
Rose buried her face in her hands as she became over come with sobs of despair. The day had gone from looking bright and optimistic to rather bleak. She had no idea how to stop Irene from taking Jack away from her. She felt so hopeless. She sat up and faced away from Jack, unable to look at him. Not able to bear the thought of losing him.
"Rose?" the voice was weak and uncertain, but it was there and so was the light touch of his hand on her back. So familiar and comforting.
Quickly she wiped away her tears, not wanting his first view of her being of her once again in tears. She turned around, a genuine smile hiding the uncertainty and pain that she felt.
"You’re awake," She gasped, taking his cool hand in hers. She couldn’t take her eyes away from his. So perfect and blue. A sight for her sore eyes to feast upon.
"You were crying," Jack spotted the stain of her tears upon her pale cheeks. Plus, he noticed the way her shoulders had shook with her sobs when he woke up. Why was she crying? Was it about him being hurt? Was there a bad prognosis? "Rose…what’s wrong? Where’s Butch? Where are we anyway?"
"We were rescued Jack. There was a roadblock. The police officer recognized our faces from a flyer your grandmother had sent out. He arrested Butch and called you an ambulance."
"Am I ok?" Jack asked, tightening his hold on her hand, preparing himself for the worse. Was he dying? Did he need some sort of transplant of some rare organ or blood type? What had filled his Rose with tears of despair?
"You’re fine. You were in a coma for over a month, but other then that you’re fine."
"Well then why were you crying? What’s wrong?"
Rose looked at Jack, her smile dimming. Of course he knew she was crying. She was foolish for thinking that she could hide it from him. But could she really tell him about her conversation with his grandmother? He had just woken up and it would only upset him.
"Rose, whatever it is I can handle it. Just tell me. What’s the matter?"
"Jack…it’s nothing. Really," Rose tried to drop the subject. "It’s nothing you have to be concerned about."
Jack frowned. She was trying to protect him. He couldn’t let her do that. Somehow he knew it had something to do with them both. It was in her eyes. It was something for both of them to deal with.
"Rose…please. Just tell me. I’m going to find out anyway. Besides, if it’s about us, we have to deal with it together. Not separately.
Rose sighed. He was right. They had to deal with Irene’s plan to have their marriage annulled as a couple. She couldn’t fight her by herself. That was obvious. But maybe, with Jack by her side…there was a chance.
"…Your grandmother is going to force an annulment and since we’re minors….there’s no way to stop her," Rose gave in, looking away from Jack as tears once again began to fall. "I tried thinking of ways to stop her, but it’s hopeless," She began to sob again. Hopeless despair once again taking her over.
Jack touched Rose’s hand, trying to get her to look at him. "Rose…listen to me. I’m going to talk with her. Make her see that she can’t split us up. That we won’t allow it. I won’t allow it. She may be able to annul the marriage legally, but in all ways that matter, she can’t touch it. She can’t destroy our love. No matter what she does," Jack squeezed her hand.
"But…"
"No buts Rose. My grandmother cannot break us up if we don’t let her. We’re strong together Rose. Me and you."
"Me and you," Rose smiled, hugging him, drowning in their love for each other, the sense of doom leaving her.
Little did either of them know that Irene was outside the room, frowning at what she had just heard. She now knew just how serious her grandson’s feelings for Rose were. Feelings that he was much too young to have. She had no choice butto make sure that Dewitt Bukater girl saw the light of reason
~*~
Rose had gone down to the cafeteria to grab a sandwich. She had spent most of the morning with Jack, just enjoying the sound of his voice, the sparkle of his eyes, and most of all, the feel of his lips responding to hers. Yes, it was a wonderful morning. She even felt better about the situation with Irene. With Jack newly awake and by her side, she could face anything…or so she thought.
Irene was just outside the cafeteria door, waiting for Rose to exit. She had waited all day to talk to the girl, but it hadn’t seemed that she was going to get that chance. Rose had spent the whole morning with her grandson. But finally the girl was alone. Away from her grandson and so Irene was hoping she’d stay.
"Rose," Irene stepped in her path. "We need to talk. About your relationship with Jack."
Rose’s stomach sank. She knew that it was too much to hope for. That Irene would just leave her alone…for the day at least. The day Jack woke up. "Yes?"
Irene looked around, making sure that they were alone. The last thing she needed was for someone to witness her throwing her weight around.
"I have an offer for you Rose. Break up with Jack and I’ll get your mother a new luxury job, placing you both in the lap of luxury and I’ll pay four years tuition to the collage of your choice. All you have to do is to agree never to see my grandson again."
Rose looked at Irene in disbelieve, unable to believe that the woman was actually trying to blackmail her. That she thought it would work! No money in the would could make Rose leave Jack!
"Mrs. Devereau, I appreciate the offer, but I have to refuse. I love Jack and he loves me. Yes, you may be able to get our marriage annulled, but you can’t destroy the way we feel about one another."
"So you’re saying no to my offer?"
Rose took a deep breath, knowing that her mother would kill her for turning down the offer. But Jack was too important to her. Besides, her mother was doing just fine at the job she had and Rose had already applied for financial aid for school. They’ll be just fine.
"Yes I am mam."
"Well then, that’s too bad,," Irene sighed regretfully, ready to use a method that had always worked in the past. "Because if you don’t end this relationship with Jack, I will have your mother fired from her current job and make sure that no one else will hire her…not even McDonalds."
"Y-you can’t do that."
"I can and I will, if you don’t do as I ask. The choice is yours Rose," Irene turned away to return to Jack’s room, leaving Rose to think about what she was going to do.