5
Two hours after buying train tickets to Chippewa Falls Wisconsin, Jack and Rose stand in front of the justice of the peace, reciting their wedding vows. Promising to love and cherish each other forever. After the ceremony is over, they make a run for the trainstation where they have purchased a first class sleeper car at Jack’s insistence. He wanted Rose to travel in style on her wedding day. They set in their assigned seats stareing out of the window. Rose sighs happily as she leans back into Jack’s arms.
"This is like a dream," She sighed happily, kissing Jack’s hand, which was still a little pale from the hypothermia.
"What do you mean?"
"Being on a train with the man I love. Heading off into the horizon and not have to answer to my mother or Cal for anything."
Jack laughed. "How bad was your mother Rose?"
"A terror Jack. Let me
tell you. I could not go outside without her permission. I
couldn’t talk to members of the opposite sex other than Cal.
And when my friends came over, it was always under her watchful
eye. I could never get a moments peace away from her. How about
you Jack? What is your family like? Do you think they’ll
like me?"
Jack smiled at the thought of his family. "They’re
terrific. They were always there for me when I needed to talk to
someone. They always supported me in my decisions and never once
talked down to me. They always treated everyone as equals. They
were model parents you can say."
"You miss them don’t you Jack?"
Jack nods. "I miss them a lot. They were three of the five people I thought about when I was in that water and thought for sure that I was going to die. Them and you."
Tears spring to Rose’s eyes and she tightens her hold on Jack’s hand. "I’m sorry Jack. I should have thought of something else. It was so selfish to hog that board to myself."
Jack laughed and shook his head. "My dear Rose, even if you have offered that board I would have refused. Your safety and well being was much more important to me. I would have died a happy man if it meant you were safe."
Rose smiles and looks up at
him. "I am safe Jack. I’m always safe when you’re
around."
Jack smiles and they snuggle closer together. Both drift off to
sleep as the train continues it journey to Wisconsin.