CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next day was bright and sunny. A bad day for a funeral. Rose arrived with Sam and Tommy and noticed Jack setting between his mother and Heather in the middle of the roll. He didn’t even look in her direction.

“Why don’t you go up and talk to him,” Sam whispered.

“Not now Sam. The service is going to be starting soon,” Rose hissed back, stifling a yawn.

“Not much sleep either huh?” Tommy asked. “I don’t think any of us have been sleeping well.”

“I see those people every time I close my eyes,” Tears begin to leak from Rose’s eyes, she quickly wiped them away. “Let’s get our seats I guess.”

The service lasted for a hour. By the end everyone was in tears. Rose turned around to see Jack get up from his seat. It’s obvious he was ready to go, but she wasn’t going to let him get away so easily.

She quickly moved out of the aisle and approached Jack.

“Jack?”
“Rose…how are you?”
“Besides the fact that my boyfriend seems to be ignoring me, I have constant nightmares and I’m completely useless in the daytime, fine.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry? You completely ignore me ever since we’ve been rescued, no call, no visit, not even a note and all you can say is I’m sorry? Well Jack I’m sorry isn’t going to cut it.”

Rose felt her anger over all the wrongs of the past couple of days rising to the surface. She felt Tommy and Sam standing behind her and could see Heather quickly approaching.

“Can we do this some other time?” Jack simply stared at her.

“No we can’t Jack! Every time I call you you’re not home! You certainly don’t make a move to call me I just want to know one thing; is there even a us anymore? Because if there isn’t you could at least let me know! And don’t feel bad if there isn’t because my father does it too me all the time so you deserting me as well really wouldn’t be too surprising!”

“Why don’t you just leave him alone?” Heather finally made it over.

“Why don’t you let him speak for himself,” Rose glared at Heather.

“Come on now you two. Let’s not argue here. This is a graveyard for goodness sake,” Tommy stepped in between the two girls.

“I know, we can all go somewhere together and talk this out. The past couple of days have really worn on us all and it’s best if we discuss this together,” Heather suggested, wanting no one to argue on such a somber day. “All five us. Preferably six, but Caledon Hockley isn’t having any part of it and Kat is too afraid of him to come herself. Let’s go to that little Café by central park. You know the one.”

“Where Jack and Rose had their first date,” Tommy smiled, knowing that would be a perfect place to discuss all hurt feelings. “Any objections?”

“None,” Rose shrugged, looking away from Jack.

“Ok then. Let’s go,” Tommy led the way out of the parking lot.

*

All five of them squeezed into a booth and waited for the waitress in silence. It’s Tommy who spoke first.

“Ok. We’re here to discuss why Jack has been avoiding everyone except Heather there. I mean Jack, we know you’re hurting from Fabri’s death and so are the rest of us. But your attitude lately has been hurtful to us all. Especially Rose. May I remind you it was a couple of nights ago where she had given you the most important part of herself.”

“Tommy,” Rose hissed, not wanting to go into that.

“Well it’s the truth,” Sam spoke out. “You were so happy the next day about your relationship with Jack. The fact that you both declared your love for one another…you were even willing to call off that feud with Heather.

“So that’s the reason you were so nice. You got to bed my cousin huh?” Heather glared at Rose.

“Yeah that’s right Heather and you know what he was the best I’ve ever had,” Rose threw at her.

“He was the only one you ever had Rose,” Sam shook her head. “Besides, I don’t think you’re hurting Heather with this information.”

“I thought we were here to talk about the disaster, not how many times Rose and I had slept together,” Jack sighed.

“You’re right,” Tommy nodded. “So Jack tell us what’s up? Why don’t you want anything to do with us anymore huh?”

“I just needed time alone ok? I never meant to hurt Rose. I never want to hurt her. Especially like that,” Jack looked at her. “I’m sorry Rose. I’m sorry for hurting you and making you think I don’t care about you because I do. Very much. I just needed time to get used to Fabri being gone. In fact I was waiting for your call but you never did.”

“Yes I did. I called you several times, but Heather said you weren’t available.”

“That’s ridiculous, I never left the house and I wasn’t doing anything but moping really,” Jack looked at his cousin. “Do you want to explain that.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to talk to her. I’m sorry,” Heather shrugged.

“You could have told him I called at least,” Rose glared at Heather. “You know Heather, I know you don’t like me and for Jack’s sake I’ve tried to get along with you but keeping me from talking to Jack like that, you’re a snake.”

“And you aren’t!”
“No I’m not! I love Jack!”

“And that’s why you were hugging Tommy yesterday afternoon outside this very café!”

“What?” Sam looked at Rose.

“Oh brother,” Tommy groaned. “I should have known you would use something innocent like that against her!”

“For your information, I was getting dinner for me and my mother. Tommy was here and he was crying because he missed Fabrizio so much, and Jack wasn’t talking to him, everywhere he turned everyone was asking him about the disaster. I was just being a friend to him. That’s all. There was nothing romantic about that hug.”

“She’s telling the truth Jack. The only guy Rose loves is you. And you’ve really hurt her the past couple of days.”

Jack sighed and stared at the table. “I’m sorry Rose. I never meant to hurt you.”
“And I’m sorry I never told Jack you called,” Heather sighed. “Fabrizio always said I was being too hard on you and I guess he was right. You really do love my cousin don’t you?”

“Yes I do,” Rose nodded.

“It’s just too bad that it took Fabri’s death to make you realize that Heather,” Tommy stared at her.

“Now are we friends again?” Sam asked.

“I guess so,” Rose smiled. “Jack…do you want to take a walk?”

“Sure,” Jack smiled and got to his feet. “I guess we’ll see you guys later.”

“Sure,” Sam smiled, happy that Jack will be taking Rose home. That gave her more alone time with Tommy.

*

Jack and Rose walked in complete silence, neither knowing what to say to each other after the confrontation just a couple of minutes before. Jack knew that it was his entire fault. He was the one that deliberately cut himself off from everyone, including Rose. He should have called her or stopped by, just to make sure she was dealing with everything ok. But no, he was too caught up in his own grief of what happened to Fabrizio. What a great boyfriend he was.

“I’m sorry Rose,” He finally spoke. “I never meant to hurt you or make you feel like I’ve deserted you some how. I was just so caught up in my own grief…I didn’t notice anything else. I am so sorry,” He sighed. “I don’t know how you’ll ever forgive me.”

“I already have,” Rose stepped in front of him and placed a gentle hand on his face. “I’m sorry too. I should have stopped by instead of calling and taking Heather’s word for it. I knew you were hurting…I’m sorry too.”

“So we forgive each other?”

Rose smiled and hugged him tightly. “Of course. I’m just so glad we survived. There were times when I thought we were going to die for sure.”

“Me too.”

Rose looked at him in shock. “Really? But you were so sure and optimistic.”

“I just wanted to make you feel better. That’s all. Really, all that mattered to me was that you survived. That you didn’t give up.”

“Oh Jack…”

“Shhh baby. I love you. More than life itself. I would never do anything to hurt you,” Jack pulled her into a hug. “And I promise never to cut myself off from you like that again.”

“Especially after a disaster like that,” Rose sighed in relief. “You really had me worried there.”
Jack could only laugh. Neither of them noticed Kat and Cal approach.

“Why isn’t it our fellow survivors,” Cal snorted.

“Kat, Cal,” Rose nodded. “What are you two doing out here?”

“Just walking. I think you should know that my father is suing the cruise line for the exact amount of that suit. It was totally ruined,” Cal nodded. “Wasn’t it pet?”

“Totally,” Kat nodded, a little ashamed that her boyfriend wasn’t pleased with having to survived the disaster.

“You know Hockley one would think you would have been happy to have survived. So many others didn’t…like Fabrizio,” Jack tightened his hold on Rose’s hand.

“Oh yes. Who can forget that little Italian. He was a pleasant fellow, even though he was poor. But I guess it’s just as well. There’s far too many poor people in this city as there is,” Caledon replied.

Jack laughed sarcastically. “You know, if it wasn’t for Rose and Sam, I would have to agree with my cousin Heather. Sometimes all you Preston kids care about is money and that’s it.”

“Well what else is there?” Cal asked confused.

“Rose…let’s go. Your friend here is giving me a headache,” Jack turned around and lead Rose back to the café.

“See you in school Rose!” Kat waved.

*

One hour later Jack and Rose st00d on her doorstep, hands intertwined.

“I just can’t express enough how sorry I am for my behavior the past couple of days. I never wanted to hurt you…” Jack began when Rose placed two fingers over his mouth to silence him.

“Shhh, you don’t have to be sorry about anything. You were grieving Jack. People do things they don’t normally do when they grieve. I understand. I’m sorry for causing that scene in the cemetery.”

“A scene well deserved,” Jack smiled, pulling her into his arms. “I love you Rose Dewitt Bukater.”

“I love you too Jack. I’m sure Fabrizio is looking down at us now smiling that we’re back to the way we were.”

“I’m sure he is. Well I better go. My mom wants me in before eight. I’ll call you later.”

“Ok,” Rose nodded, a jolt of electricity runs through her when Jack kissed her good night and walked to his car, his hands in his pocket.

Humming to herself, Rose went into the house and her eyes widened in surprise because her father was setting on the couch waiting for her. She wasn’t expecting this.

“Rose Dewitt Bukater where have you been?” Ruth questioned, entering the setting room. “We’ve been calling all over for you.”

“I went to a funeral today. Remember Jack’s friend Fabrizio that was killed on that ship?”

“Oh yes. I forgot that was today. But still…that didn’t last all this time.”

“And I gave Jack a piece of my mind and we worked things out,” Rose tiredly sighed. “So daddy, to what do I owe this unexpected visit? Didn’t Lindsey have another recital to go to?”

“No Rose. She won’t have another one until next week. I thought I’d come by and spend the day with my eldest daughter but she wasn’t here.”

Rose snorted. “Well sorry daddy but I can’t just set around the house waiting for you to decide to spend time with me. I have other responsibilities and plans. Like today was a friend’s funeral, plus Jack and I had hit a rough patch and had to straighten things out. So you see daddy, this time it was I who was too busy for you today. Tell me, how does it feel?”

“Rose…” George stood up, ready to go to his daughter, but Ruth blocked his path.

“George. You’ve hurt our daughter terribly and I think you need to give her some time. She just had been through a tragedy for goodness sake. She saw one of her friends fall to his death…now is not the time to come around to play daddy.”

“That’s not what I’m doing at all!” George growled at his ex-wife. “I’m just concerned. Listen, I’ll come back Saturday and we’ll do something special then. You can even invite Jack if you want.”

“I’ll do that,” Rose glared at her father. “Now if you don’t mind, it’s been a long day and I have homework. Goodnight daddy. Mother.” She sprinted up the stairs and into her room. Shedding her jacket onto the bed she laid down on her back and stared at the ceiling contemplating the scene downstairs. She couldn’t help being angry with her father. He had hurt her so much in the past. And now here he was again, making empty promises. He wasn’t going to show up next week. She knew he wasn’t. She’ll just make alternate plans with Jack. That way she won’t be disappointed.

Rose was about to drift off to sleep when the shrill ring of the phone awakened her.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Hey Rose. It’s Jack.”

“hello.”

“What’s wrong? You sound down in the dumps?”

“Well…when I got home tonight my father was waiting for me. He wants to spend the day with me and my boyfriend this coming weekend,” Rose flatly explained.

“Oh. So what’s the game plan?”

“Well…you come over. We wait for my father to come and tell me that Lindsey has some function he has to attend and then we go check out the Mummy Returns. Is that a game plan or what?”

“Rose he might come through.”

“Jack, you don’t know my father. He’s the champion of breaking promises. He’s not going to go through with this. I just know it. All I’m doing is not getting my hopes up again. So what do you say? The mummy Returns or do you want to do something else?”

“The Mummy returns will be fine. But Rose…try to look forward to spending the day with your father. He might just surprise you this time.”

Rose laughed and rolled her eyes. “Always the optimistic one aren’t you Jack? Alright. I’ll look forward to spending the day with my father and boyfriend. How’s that?”

“Better. Rose trust me, everything will be alright. And if he doesn’t show…I’m there for you. Ok?”

“Ok. I love you Jack.”
“I love you too Sweetie. Now it’s late. Go to sleep.”

“Yes daddy,” Rose laughed. “Goodnight Jack.”

“Night Rose. May you have sweet dreams.”

“You too. Kiss Chrissie good night for me.”

“I will. Night Rose.”

“Night Jack. Hang up.”

“No you hang up.”

“Jack!”

“Ok, ok. I’ll hang up. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Night.”

“Night,” Rose sighed at the click of Jack hanging up. She sighed again as she felt the great depth of love she felt for him. There was no one in the world like Jack and he was all hers. For the first time in her life, she’s completely happy.

HOME

CHAPTER INDEX

CONTINUE