CHAPTER THIRTEEN

(this chapter is dedicated to Isadore and Ida Strauss, the owners of Macy’s department store that died on the Titanic. Jack and Rose’s love story reminds me of theirs, because they paid the ultimate price to be together. May they rest in peace and may their love inspire others.)

The day of the picnic has finally arrived. Jack and Rose are setting up the table for the dawson family. Rose looks around curiously at all the people gathered in the park, laughing, talking, playing. Everyone was in good spirits and was looking forward to a day of fun.

"Hey Rose, will you hand me the napkins?" Jack asked.

"Uh, sure," Rose smiled, handing him the stack of napkins. "Everyone seems happy."

"Yeah, the spring picnic is one of the high points of the year," Jack grins. "You’re going to have so much fun today Rose."

"You sound confident of that," Rose smiles.

"Because I’m going to make sure that you have a good time."

"I always have a good time with you Jack," Rose smiled sincerely at her husband. They stand there just looking at each other when Jacklyn comes up.

"Keep this up and we’ll never get the table set," Jacklyn laughed, grabbing the napkins from her brother. "Jack, why don’t you go and help dad take that melon to the main table. I’ll help Rose set the table."

"That’s okay. I’m doing fine."

"I don’t call gazing at each other doing fine. Now go on. You’ll have plenty of time for that once everything’s set up," Jacklyn grins.

Jack sighs. He knew he was defeated. "Fine. But take care of my wife while I’m gone and don’t corrupt her with stupid stories," Jack warns, running off to help his father.

"If I didn’t know any better, I’d say my brother thinks I’m a bad influence," Jacklyn laughed.

"Well if that’s so, so is he. You two are so much alike," Rose smiled.

"I don’t know about that. Jack’s a lot more optimistic and trusting than I am. He says I have to lighten up some and he’s right. But I’m glad he’s found you Rose. I never seen him so happy before."

"I’ve never this happy either. Jack’s everything to me. He’s a dream come true," Rose sighed. "Sometimes I pinch myself when I wake up just to make sure it’s not a dream."

The girls have just finished setting the table when the renault arrives.

Jacklyn places her hands on him hips and shakes her head. "Looks like the Smiths arrived."

Sure enough, a driver gets out of the car, goes to the backseat and opens a door. A gloved hand is scene accepting his offered hand and out steps Kimberly Smith.

"Brings back memories," Rose replied.

"Hey girls," Jack runs up to them and wraps his arms around Rose. "What’s going on?"

"Watching the new arrivals," Jacklyn nods to Kimberly’s crowd. "Why do they always have to do that? For once can’t they just arrive like normal people?"

"Guess not," Jack shruggs, looking away from the scene and concentrates on hugging his wife.

"Jack why don’t you give Rose a break. I’m sure she’s tired of you always hugging her."

"Oh not at all?" Rose laughs, turning around to return Jack’s hug.

"Leave them alone Jacklyn, they’re newlyweds. That’s what newlyweds do," Jack’s mother laughs.

"Not to mention all we’ve been through in the past month," Rose lays her head on Jack’s shoulder. "I thank god he spared Jack."

"Shhh Rose. No more talk about Titanic. This is a happy day. We’re going to have some fun for once," Jack strokes her hair.

"Nancy there you are!" Beatrice Baker, one of the women that Nancy goes to bible group with waves. "Aren’t you going to introduce the ladies to your new daughter in law?"

"Come Rose. Come meet the girls," Nancy grabs Rose’s hand and takes her over to the small group of women.

"Hi girls. Let me introduce my new daughter in law Rose," Nancy smiled.

"So this is Jackie’s wife?" One woman asked, closely looking Rose up and down.

"Hmmm," Nancy nods. "Of course no word from Richie," Nancy shakes her head. "Maybe he’ll be the next to return."

"Richie?" Rose asked curiously. Jack had a brother too? This was the first she heard of it.

"Well welcome to Chippewa Falls dear. And may I say that it’s a very fine family that you’ve married into," one of the women take Rose’s hand. "maybe you’d like to join us in our bible discussions."

Rose only smiles politely and didn’t reply. Spending a afternoon discussing the bible with a group of middle-aged women wasn’t her idea of fun.

"Oh Eleanor, Rose is young yet. She’ll be too busy building a family. Maybe she’ll join the group for young mothers. The girls there would love to have her," Nancy smiles.

Rose looks over at Jack who seemed busy helping his father cut the watermelon. She had that old feeling again…that feeling of being trapped, of having her life planned out for her. Maybe if she could get Jack’s attention, maybe he’ll come rescue her.

"Mother. Are you trying to recruit Rose into one of your groups? I told you a number of times if people want to join they will. No need to make them feel obligated," Jacklyn came up and pulls Rose away.

"Oh Jacklyn, I was just introducing Rose to the women. They were curious about her."

"Yeah. I’m sure they were," Jacklyn leads Rose back to the table. "Sorry about that. My mother doesn’t mean any harm. She just gets overzealous at times."

"Oh that’s ok," Rose smiled. "Even though it was starting to get a little stuffy over there. How did you know to rescue me like that?"

"Jack told me to keep an eye on you and make sure you were comfortable. Well you were starting to look really uncomfortable so I decided to come and get you away from there."

"So!" Jack comes up behinds them and wraps a arm around Rose. "Are you taking care of my Rose?"

"Of course," Jacklyn smile, a smile that was exactly like Jacks, Rose notices.

"Well Jacklyn your pals are calling you . Why don’t you leave me and rose alone for a bit," Jack suggests.

"I get it. Just remember that you’re out in public. Ok," Jacklyn grins at her brother and goes to join her friends.

"You didn’t have to get rid of her Jack. We have the rest of our lives to be alone together," Rose sighed, leaning into his arms.

"But I wanted my wife to myself now," Jack kissed her tenderly.

"I love you Jack," Rose sighed, laying her head on his shoulder.

"I love you more."

Rose smiles. "But not as much as I love you."

Jack laughed. "What a silly thing to argue about. Why don’t we call it a tie?"

"Fine by me," Rose smiled up into his blue eyes that sparkled with laughter.

"You hungry Rose?" Jack asked, leading her back to their table.

"A little…" Rose sets down.

"Stay here. I’ll go fix us a plate," Jack takes off before she could protest. Rose smiles as she sees him moving around people at the food table. This was just like him…always so courteous, a gentleman.

"Hello Rose," Kimberly Smith approaches the table. "Are you having fun?"

"Oh yes. This is great," Rose nods, "And you?"

"As much fun as can be expected I suppose. Where’s Jack?"

"Getting us something to eat," Rose nods, reminding herself to be polite. She wasn’t threatened by this girl, even though she was the first love of Jack’s life. But what her and Jack had was over. Jack loved Rose now and that was the way it was going to remain forever.

"Kimberly hi," Jack smiles, carrying two plates full of food.

"Hi Jack. I just came over to say hello and to make sure Rose was enjoying herself," Kimberly smiles at Jack, her eyes full of longing and regret. She knew there was no way of getting Jack back, even if she wasn’t engaged to Brendan. Jack loved Rose now. She was happy for him. Even though the woman in his life couldn’t be her, she was happy that he found someone like Rose.

"Well thank you," Jack grinned.

"Well I see mother glaring over here, I better get back. See you two later," Kimberly leaves Jack and Rose alone.

"I like her," Rose sighed. "Even though she is your ex."

"I’m glad you do Rose. I’m happy you’re growing more secure in my feelings for you."

"How can I not be secure in your love when you show me everyday," Rose smiles up at him as he lays down the plate of food.

Jack smiles back at her and bends down and they kiss deeply and passionately. A few townspeople stop and look. Some frown with disapproval at such a public display of affection, but the younger ones smile dreamily, hoping that someday they’d find a love like that.

"Ahem. This is a public place you know," Jacklyn comes up with her parents.

"Yes Jack really. Show some restraint," Nancy lectures her son.

"Sorry," Jack’s shrugs.

"Mom, what do you want Jack and Rose to name your soon to be grandbaby," Jacklyn laughs.

"Don’t listen to her mom," Jack glared at his sister.

"Everyone gather round!" Mrs. Grace calls out. "It’s time for the gift giving!"

"Come on you guys," Jacklyn gets up and disappears into the crowd.

"Got the gift?" Jack asked.

"Right here," Rose holds up the small box as they join the crowd.

"now everyone knows the rules, but for those of us who are new here I’ll explain. We all gather around. I have a list of names. Whoever name is called gets in a circle. Then the person who was supposed to get them the gift will step out and give them the gift after I call them name also. Now we shall begin," Mrs. Grace explains. "First name…Jack and Rose Dawson…their gift comes from Brendan Leeway. Rose and Jack, step into the circle."

"Come on Rose," Jack takes Rose’s hand and leads her into the center of the group.

"Jack Rose," Brendan steps up. "I’d like to congratulate you on your marriage and it’s so obvious how in love you two are. I brought you this gift certificate to Macies in New York for one hundred dollars. I hope you enjoy it."

"Thank you," Rose smiles sincerely, remembering the old couple on the ship that owned the store. She was standing nearby when Ida Strauss had refused to get on a lifeboat but to stay on the boat with her husband. She was the one that gave Rose the courage to jump back on the ship to be with Jack.

Jack is concerned to see a single tear slip from her eyes. "Hey are you ok?"

"I was just remembering the owners of the store. They were on Titanic…the woman Ida Strauss…she was the inspiration of me jumping back on the ship to be with you. She wouldn’t get off without her husband."
Jack nods solemnly, placing a arm around her shoulders. He kisses her forehead. "It’s okay Rosie. They’re in a better place right now. They’re probably looking down on us right now smiling, happy that their courage was inspiration for our love."

"They were a sweet couple Jack. You would have liked them."

"I’m sure I would have," Jack smiled tenderly. "Now stop crying, people are getting curious."

Rose smiles and wipes her tears.

Kimberly was called thirty minutes later. "Jack and Rose Dawson, come up and give Kimberly your gift."

Jack and Rose come up hand in hand. Rose was holding a small jewelry box.

"Uh…this is from both Rose and I. Actually I sent Rose shopping since she knew what women liked and I don’t have a clue," Jack laughed.

"I hope you like it," Rose smiled nervously.

"Oh this is exquisite," It was solitaire blue stone hanging off a gold chain. It was similar to the Heart of the ocean, only a lot smaller.

"It’s beautiful," Kimberly gasped. "Thank you."

Rose and Jack smiled at each other and return to their places.

Later, after all the gifts had been given out, Jack and Rose decide to head home. But not before Kimberly’s mother approaches Jack and hands back the gift they had brought for Kimberly. "My daughter will not be accepting gifts from you Mr. Dawson."

"That was a gift that Jack and I had brought for Kimberly," Rose stands in front of her husband. She’s about to tell the woman off but good, but decides a better technique would be to imitate her mother. Something she was quite good at. Rose gets into her best Ruth voice. "Mrs. Smith, I am not aware of how you do things here in Chippewa falls but in polite society, do not take it upon ourselves to return gifts that were given to someone else. If that person didn’t want the gift she’d give it back herself."

"Rose it’s okay. Let it go," Jack pulls her hand. "It doesn’t matter."

"But Jack…"

"Rose let it go. Thank you Mrs. Smith for returning the necklace," Jack takes the box back. "Come on Rosie. Let’s go home."

"Jack she can’t get away with that. We spent good money for that gift…."

"And we’ll make good use out of it. Rose don’t worry about it. This color looks great on you anyway."

"But it came out of our santa monica money and that woman…"
"Rose…Rose honey we’ll return it if you want. Let’s just let it go. Okay? Besides, you know what it’s like for Kim from first hand experience."

Rose had to smile. "I have to admit, that woman makes mother look like mother goose."
Jack laughed. "Come on. Let’s go."

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