7
It was a beautiful day for a wedding, Rose thought to herself as she put the finishing touches to her hair. Looking in the mirror, she wished that Helga were there. Her friend would have loved it here in America, with the swing halls, sunshine, and worry-free days. No more worrying about Nazi’s and if something you love would become suddenly forbidden. She could freely be with Fabrizio and not have to worry about the government taking him away.
"Rose!" Emma Jean came running into the room, her eyes bright with excitement. "Are you ready?"
"Almost," Rose turned to her new friend. Rose laughed as Emma began singing a song about weddings and true love. Another American son that Rose had yet to learn.
"If you haven’t guessed already, I love weddings," Emma Jean grinned, blushing a little. "Oh Rose, I love this dress. Lavender is my color too."
"I’m glad you like it," Rose forced a smile as doubts began to take her over, once again. What was she doing here? Did she really think that she could make Jack a good wife? That Jack really loved her enough to put up with her bad cooking and monthly mood swings? What if he wanted to leave her, but was too nice to say so?
"Hey! Where are you?" Emma Jean waved a hand in front of Rose’s face, bringing back to attention. "Are you ok? You seemed somewhere else just now."
Rose sighed. She was somewhere else. In the world of self doubt. A world she visited often in the past couple of weeks.
"You’re not getting pre-wedding jitters, are you?" Emma asked, her eyes shining with sympathy.
"Pre-wedding jitters?" Rose frowned, knowing that the phrase must be a figure of speech. Everyday she was learning more about the English language. There was so much to learn that at times she wondered if her brain would hold it all.
"Nervous. Having doubts," Emma explained apologetically. She kept forgetting that Rose wasn’t as fluent as Jack yet.
"Oh. Would you think it horrible if I did have doubts?"
"Oh of course not. This is completely normal. Just keep reminding yourself of why you love him so much. Why it’s so wonderful to become Mrs. Jack Dawson."
"But Emma…my doubt aren’t about Jack. They’re about myself. What if I can’t be a good wife to him? I can’t cook, I can’t clean. Every month, there’s one week when I’m in a terribly bad mood."
"Rose. Does Jack know all of this already?"
Rose nodded, her eyes misting over with tears. She wanted to make Jack happy. She wanted to be the perfect wife for him.
"And he wants to marry you anyway. That should tell you something. Jack loves you, whether you can cook or not. Besides, you can always learn. And you’re going to be a wonderful wife. So no more of these pre-wedding doubts. Let’s go make you a Dawson."
Rose smiled, hugging her soon to be cousin-in-law, grateful for the friendship and advice. She didn’t know what would have became of her if Emma Jean hadn’t been there to calm her down. "Thank you."
"No problem. Now come on. Jack’s waiting," Emma Jean got to her feet just as the wedding march began.
Rose took a deep breath and looked around at the room she had spent her last hours as a Dewitt Bukater in. Careful not to step on her dress, Rose followed Emma out into the hall, looking forward to her new life.
~*~
Jack nervously shifted from one foot to the other as he waited for Rose’s arrival. He couldn’t believe that this day had finally arrived. The day he would make Rose his own. He had looked forward to this day ever since they had left Germany. Of course he was nervous. He wanted to be a good husband to Rose, but didn’t have a very good role model. He had asked his grandfather and the old man had just told him to love her well and hold her whenever she needed to be held. Things Jack had already known. He planned to spend the rest of his life holding Rose and keeping her happy.
He looked up, excited expectation burying in his eyes as the wedding march began. It was time. At last he was going to be bonded to the woman he loved forever.
~*~
Rose kept her eyes on Jack as she walked up the aisle, led by Emma Jean, who was still full of excitement. There was nothing in the world like a wedding in her opinion. Especially when it was two people deeply in love like Jack and Rose.
"Hey," Jack smiled as Rose came to his side. She smiled, happy yet still a tinge nervous. But all nervousness disappeared when her eyes met his. There was noting to be nervous about when her whole world contained only Jack and herself.
Clearing his throat, the minister began. "Dearly beloved. We are here today to witness the union of Rose Dewitt Bukater and Jack Dawson. Two young people, special to each other and every one of us here today. But if there is anyone that has a reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
No one spoke up, even though Rose was expecting Cal to come bursting in to drag her back to Germany. Breathing a sigh of relief, Rose face Jack, noticing how his face seemed to have this glow. Like he was an angel, sent to earth specifically for her.
"Repeat after me. I, Rose Dewitt Bukater, take Jack Dawson as my lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and Cherish. Through to have and to hold, through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until dead do us part."
Rose repeated the vow, taking each and every word to heart. The minister had Jack to repeat the same vows. As Rose looked into his eyes, she saw that he meant each and every word also.
With all the power invested in me, I now declare you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Applause rang out as Jack pulled Rose into his arms and gave her the most simplest, sweetest kiss she had ever received, sealing their bond.
"I love you," Rose wrapped her arms around her new husband as the kiss ended.
Hugging Rose close, Jack swore to protect and love her for the rest of their lives.