29
Jack and Kimberly walked along the streets of Chippewa Falls. Along the way Kimberly pointed out certain landmarks and explained their significance to Jack.
"There’s the grade school we went to," Kimberly pointed to a rectangular brink building. "We used to get in tons of trouble. I remember when you and the guys were playing softball and you broke out that window there. Your pa had to pay fifty dollars to have it replaced."
"He tanned my hide for that one," Jack nodded, not realizing the significance of what he had said, but it wasn’t lost on Kimberly.
"Jack…you just remembered. I think this is working," Kimberly brightly smiled.
"Quick, show me something else," Jack grinned, finally excited to be getting somewhere.
"Ok, just down here is the park…"
"We used to meet here and feed the ducks. One time my parents took me and Jacklyn here for a picnic and a duck chased Jacklyn around a tree!"
"Jack you’re doing it!" Kimberly jumped up and down, throwing her arms around her ex-boyfriend.
"Kimberly! What is going on here?!" Linda Smith stood in their path, her arms crossed, eyes glowering angrily. "Kimberly what would Brandon say if he knew you were with this…scum."
"Mother that is enough! Jack is not scum and Brandon already knows. I’m helping Jack get his memory back by walking him through town and going through the past with him. Brandon is at the Dawson’s waiting for our return."
"Couldn’t his wife do
that?"
"He didn’t know Rose then mother. She helped him
remember the last year, but only I can help him remember his past
here Chippewa Falls. Now I’m not going to stand here and let
you be rude to Jack. Now excuse us, we have more of the town to
see," Kimberly took Jack’s hand and pulled him pass her
stunned mother.
"I’m sorry about that Jack. My mother can be rather rude," Kimberly apolagized and was surprised to hear laughter from Jack.
"I remember. And that’s the first time I heard you stand up to her like that," Jack smiled happily. "Am I right?"
Kimberly nodded. "I guess I’ve finally found that backbone you were talking about."
"I knew you had it in you Kimberly. You just needed to get the courage to use it."
Kimberly just smiled. "How
much do you remember now Jack?"
"…You know…I think it’s all back now. My
family, old friends…I remember all of it. I have you to
thank for that."
Kimberly sadly smiled. "I do miss you Jack. In some ways I
wish it was me you married instead of Rose. But I’m happy
that you found someone to love and that loved you twice as
much."
Jack nodded and stepped closer to her. "I will never love anyone like I love Rose, but I want you to know that you’ll always hold a special place in my heart. I never regret any of the time we shared together." He gently touched her cheek. "I hope that you’re able to find some kind of happiness Kimberly. You deserve it."
"Oh Jack," Kimberly reached up and brought his lips to hers, savoring the velvety feel of them. For just one minute she pretended that Jack was her husband and that they had a life together. But her fantasy was cut short when Jack pulled away. "…I’m sorry…I just…Oh Jack it’s still there! My love for you. I thought it was gone, but it’s not."
"Kimberly…I don’t know what to say…I wish I could say I feel the same way but…"
"Jack…your feelings for me have to still be there! They can’t just disappear! You have to love me…"
Jack sighed, not knowing how to express his feelings without hurting her even further. "Kim…it’s not that I don’t love you…I do love you. But it’s different now. It’s like I love you but I’m not in love with you. I’m in love with Rose. She’s everything to me. If I lose her….there will never be another. She’s my soulmate. Do you understand?"
Kimberly tearfully nodded. "She’s your heart and I’m not. I understand."
"I’m sorry…"
"No Jack. Don’t be sorry for moving on with your life. I never wanted you to remain alone…"
"I only wanted you to find true love. Like I have with Rose. Listen…give Brandon Lakesworth a chance. He’s not as bad as I first thought and maybe he truly does love you. Believe me, I’ve met worse men than him."
"But…he’s not you."
"Exactly. You need to move on Kimberly. You need to build a life of your own and stop living in the past."
Kimberly nodded. "You’re right. I do. Jack…I’m sorry for causing a scene. I’m supposed to be helping you, not throwing myself at you."
Jack smiled. "You have helped me. You helped me remember my family and bring closure to a part of my life that will always be special to me."
Smiling Kimberly took his hand. "Come on. Let’s head back to the house. It’s getting nippy and we don’t need Rose worrying."
Hand in hand they head back to the Dawson house, finally at peace with their past and ready to look on to the future.
*
That night Rose and Jack layed cuddled in each other’s arms. Rose sighed contently as she snuggled closer to her husband, basking in his warmth. Jack tightened his embrace, thanking God that he had found her and vowed never to leave her ever again.
"So…you and Kimberly were quiet when you two got back. What did you talk about besides the past?"
Jack looked at Rose, wondering if she suspected anything. He might as well tell her the truth. He didn’t want any secrets between them.
"Well…she kissed me and told me that she still loved me."
"What?! When…"
Jack placed a finger on her lips. "I told her that even though I loved her, I wasn’t in love with her. I’m in love with my beautiful wife. That you’re my soulmate. I told her she had to move on from the past like I have and work on building a life with Brandon. I think she listened to me."
"Really? Are you sure?"
Jack nodded. "Rose, you don’t know how thankful I am to have found you. You brought my heart back alive. You made me love again and this time much deeper than I ever have before. I had never felt such selfless love before." He pulled her closer and brought his lips to hers, soft and gentle. Rose pulled away and layed her head on his chest.
"Thank you Jack. You didn’t have to tell me all of that but you did. Now I feel so much better about Kimberly being a part of your life."
"I want you to know everything Rose. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us."
"I honestly hope Kimberly can find happiness without you Jack. I know it’ll be hard because I’ve tried and it nearly killed me. If it wasn’t for the baby…I don’t think I would have survived that horrible month."
"Yes you would. You have so much strength Rose and so much to offer the world. You would have gone on, even if there wasn’t a baby you would have gone on because you knew I wanted you to."
"You have so much faith in me Jack."
"That’s because I saw that strength first hand on Titanic and after as well. Only a woman of true courage would go back into that water and use a whistle that was in a dead officer’s mouth to bring attention to her and her lover."
"I love you Jack," Rose sighed happily, drifting off into a dreamless slumber.
"I love you too Rosie. Sweet dreams," Jack yawned, drifting off himself.