CHAPTER FIVE

The next morning was bright and sunny. Rose groaned as she woke up to the sun in her eyes and the shrill ring of her telephone. She wondered who could be calling her at this hour?

“Hello,” she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

“Sweet pea!” Caledon Hockley greeted.

“Cal? What are you doing calling me at this ungodly time of the morning and how did you get my private number?”

“Kat gave it to me. I had to wrestle it away from her. I noticed you weren’t at my party last night and wanted to know why. I am the most popular plus richest boy in school you know. Everyone wants to come to my parties. I just couldn’t figure out why you didn’t come.”

Rose rolled her eyes. She wondered what she ever saw in Cal. Sure he was good looking but that was where it ended. He was a arrogant, pompous, airhead with no talent what so ever. Not like her Jack. He had brains and talent as well as good looks.

“I had a date last night Cal and I didn’t think we’d enjoy one of your parties.”

“Word is going around Sweet pea that you like me. I can hardly blame you. I am the most popular boy at Preston.”

Rose laughed. “You should have called two years ago when I was in ninth grade Cal. That was when I had a crush on you. I grew out of that. I’m sorry but the only thing I see you as now is a friend.” Rose rolled her eyes. She couldn’t even see him as that much now.

“There’s a carnival today. Let’s say we go together.”
“Haven’t you been listening? I don’t like you. Besides, I have a date today. Go ask Kat. She’ll say yes. Good day Mr. Hockley,” Rose hung up the phone and sighed irritably. She didn’t like being woke up one bit, especially by Cal. She growls irritably as the phone ranged again. “What is it now!” She yells into the phone as she picked it up.

“Rose?” Jack asked, his voice unsure. Maybe he made a mistake calling to reaffirm their date for that afternoon.

“Oh Jack, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell I thought you were someone else,” Rose apologized. “I’m sorry.”

Jack laughed. “That’s perfectly alright. The person must be quite a pest for you to answer the phone like that.”

“Oh believe me he is,” Rose sighed.

“Well I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to reconfirm our date this afternoon. When do you want me to pick you up?”
“How about one? I’ll be ready by then,” Rose smiled at the thought of seeing Jack again. She closed her eyes as she remembered the kiss he gave her the night before.

“Ok. I’ll see you then.”

“Alright Jack.”

“Bye Rose.”

“Bye,” Rose waited until he hung up and set the phone down.

“Rose,” Ruth stuck her head through the door. “Caledon Hockley just called me and said you were rude to him.”

Rose rolled her eyes.

“Rose Caledon Hockley is the son of Nathan Hockley, the software king of the country…next to that Bill Gates of course. A match between you two will look very good on your social standing.”

“Mother forget it. If you like Cal so much you go out with him,” Rose hopped out of bed. Any more sleep was impossible. “Besides, I already have a boyfriend.” Rose bit her lip remembering that her and Jack weren’t exactly official, but it was good to let her mother know she wasn’t going out with Cal.

“Oh you do? You mean that boy you went out with last night?”

“Yes mother,” Rose rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you meet him. Someday.”

“Rose…”

“Oh look at the time mother. Breakfast is ready. Trudy will be angry with us if we’re late,” Rose pushed pass her mother and head downstairs, leaving Ruth flabbergasted at her daughter’s behavior.

Dawson house…

Jack sat at the table facing his mother and little sister, his mind on his date with Rose. He couldn’t believe his luck. Rose was everything he looked for in a girlfriend. She was pretty, nice, down to earth, fun, strong willed…his dream girl. He wondered how far she was willing to go in their relationship.

“So Jack. Tell me about this new girlfriend of yours that Heather’s been ranting about for the past week or so,” Sarah Dawson smiled over at her son, noticing the dreamy expression in his eyes.

“You mean Rose?”

His mother nods and his sister giggled.

“Heather say Jackie loves a Preston princess,” his little sister Chrissie shyly looked at her brother, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. She was curious about the princess her big brother liked.

“Her name’s Rose and she’s not a princess. She’s just a normal girl,” Jack smiled at his sister, his heart melting like always when he looked in her big blue eyes, so trusting and innocent.

“Oh no Jack!” Sarah gasped. “I forgot I have to work today and there’s no one to watch Chrissie.”
Jack’s eyes widen. “How about Heather?”
“Heather’s working today too. I’m sorry, I know you must have had plans…”

Jack sighed. “That’s okay mom. I’ll just take Chrissie with me. We’re just going to the carnival anyway. Besides, it’ll give Rose a chance to meet the other love of my life,” Jack laughed ruffling his sister’s hair.

“Thank you Jack,” Sarah smiled at the closeness between her son and daughter. She knew Jack adored Chrissie and would never let anything happen to her.

*

Rose sat on her bottom step, waiting for Jack to arrive but is surprised when a blond haired blue-eyed four-year-old girl ran up and grabbed her hand.

“Why hello,” Rose couldn’t help but giggle. The little girl was too cute. “What’s your name?”

“Chrissie get back here right now!” Jack reached them. “What did mom say about running off like that? Keep it up and she won’t let me watch you anymore.”

“I’m sorry Jackie. I just wanted to see your princess. And look, I’ve found her,” The little girl innocently stared up at her brother.

“I suppose she belongs to you,” Rose giggled.

“Oh hi Rose…this is my little sister Chrissie. My mom has to work today and there was no one else to watch her. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. I think she’s adorable, just like her brother,” Rose smiled and knelt down to Chrissie. “Hi Chrissie, I’m Rose. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Hello,” The little girl shyly said. “You’re pretty. Are you my brother’s new girlfriend?”

“Chrissie!” Jack exclaimed embarrassed.

“Well that’s up to your brother,” Rose smiled up at Jack. “Shall we get going?”
“Sure,” Jack took Rose’s hand and they’re off for a day at the carnival.

*

The carnival was great. Jack and Rose took Chrissie through the maze of mirrors and watched her ride some of the kiddy rides. Jack had won both Chrissie and Rose a stuffed animal and Jack took Chrissie to get her face painted. Then they all three got in a booth and had a series of pictures taken. Two with Rose, Chrissie, and Jack, two with just Jack and Chrissie, two with Rose and Chrissie, and two with just Jack and Rose. By time the day was over everyone was exhausted.

“Rose, you don’t mind if I take Chrissie home first? Mom is probably back and Chrissie should really be asleep in her own bed,” Jack looked over at the redhead who was almost half asleep herself.

“Of course I don’t mind. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to meet your mother,” Rose smiled, a little nervously.

“My mother is going to love you Rose. Especially when she sees how Chrissie has taken to you. I never saw her warm up to anybody like she’s warmed to you before. It’s like you’ve known each other forever. You must have a way with children.”

“That’s what my father thinks. He says children just seem drawn to me. I’m thinking about a career as a kindergarten teacher.”

“You should go for it. You’d have those kids under your spell within a hour,” Jack smiled, pulling up in front of a one-floor house. It was a little shabby, like the other houses in the neighborhood, but the small garden in the side yard and the porch swing on the porch made it seem more homey. “Well we’re here and my mother is finally home.”

“Mommy,” Chrissie tiredly sucked on her thumb.

“Come on big girl. It’s time to go in and say good night to mommy,” Jack lifted Chrissie up into his arms. The little girl just snuggled comfortably in his arms and laid a sleepy head on his shoulder.

“Do you want to come in Rose?” Jack asked. “It may take a while since Chrissie likes for me to read her a bedtime story before she falls asleep.”

Rose shrugged. “Ok.” She got out of the car and followed Jack into the house. A blond, green-eyed woman was setting in a chair folding clothes when they entered.

“Hey mom we’re back,” Jack announced.

“And I see you’ve tired your sister out. And Jack, another stuffed animal? How many have you gotten her already?”

“Oh come on mom. A little girl can never have too many stuffed animals. Besides, Grover here is her watchdog,” Jack held up the stuffed St. Bernard.

“Oh Jack, you spoil your sister rotten. I don’t know what I’m going to do with the two of you,” Sarah laughed then turned to Rose. “And this must be Rose.”

“Rose this is my mother Sarah Dawson,” Jack introduced. “Mom this is Rose Dewitt Bukater.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Rose shook the woman’s hand.

“Can Rosie read me the story tonight?” Chrissie asked, her blue eyes gazing at Rose.

“Uh…well…that’s up to Rose,” Jack answered.

“Ok. I don’t mind,” Rose smiled at the little girl.

“Ok. Upstairs we go then,” Jack laughed .

A half hour later, Chrissie was sound asleep, and Rose had closed the book.

“She is so adorable,” Rose sighed, wishing she had a little sister like Chrissie.

“She adores you Rose. She never asked any of my other dates to read to her before. You really have grown on her.”
“If you ever need a babysitter I’ll do it for free,” Rose offered.

“I think she’s grown on you too hasn’t she?”

“Yeah. I guess you can tell I’m a sucker for little children.”

“Come on. Let’s go downstairs. It’s time I got you home,” Jack took her hand and led her out of Chrissie’s room.

Heather was downstairs talking to Jack’s mother. Her eyes widen with surprise when she sees Rose.

“So I see Rose passed the Chrissie test,” Heather crossed her arms.

“With flying colors,” Jack smiled.

“Huh?” Rose looked at Jack. She wasn’t aware that today was a test.

“It’s just that I never date anyone who’s mean to Chrissie or makes Chrissie cry, or make a big deal out of her accompanying us when my mother has to work. So Heather here thinks I use her as a test, but that’s not true.”
“Oh,” Rose nods.

“Mom I’m taking Rose home. I’ll be back,” Jack nodded to his mother and led Rose out the door.

“I think it’s good to say Heather hates me right about now,” Rose nervously laughed. “There’s not a Heather test is there?”

“Of course not,” Jack laughed. “Listen, don’t worry about Heather. We’ve come to a certain understanding in the past couple of weeks. She’s to keep her opinions to herself.”

“Oh,” Rose fell silent then spoke up again. “Jack…about what Chrissie asked earlier…about me being your girlfriend? Well…am I? Your girlfriend that is?”

Jack glanced over at Rose, surprise shining in his eyes. He hadn’t expected her to enquire about that. “Uh…do you want to be?”

“It’d be nice,” Rose shyly smiled as they stop at a red light. “But if you just want to remain…”

Rose was cut off by Jack’s lips pressed against hers. She groaned with pleasure as the kiss deepened. The beep of a horn interrupted the moment. Jack immediately sat up and continued driving, leaving Rose breathless.

“Well…does that answer your question?” Jack asked, glancing at her.

Rose smiled. “It sure does. Wait until I tell Sam and Kat.”

Jack laughed. “Do you tell them everything?”

“Only the most important things. That’s what girls do you know. We had a bet going on. Who got to land you first,” Rose laughed.

“What?” Jack gave a strange look.

“Just kidding. There was no bet. But they were all wondering when we’d stop being friends and become something else.”

“Well I guess you can tell them the wait is over. We’re definitely something else now,” Jack took her hand. “Rose…I never met anyone like you before. You’re the most amazing and wonderful woman I’ve ever known. You have this fire in you and…I never felt this way about anyone before.”

“I feel the same about you too Jack,” Rose squeezed his hand as they pull up in front of the house. “Do you want to come in?”

“No. I have to get back. I’ll call you tomorrow. We’ll set something up,” Jack kissed her again. It was Rose who reluctantly pulled away. It was indeed getting late and she knew her mother would be waiting up for her.

“That’ll be great. Well I’ll see you tomorrow Jack,” Rose opened the door.

Jack tenderly touched her cheek. “Night sweetie. Have good dreams ok?”

Rose blushed and nodded. “Night Jack.”

Jack smiled as she hoped out of the car and ran up to the house. Sighing happily he started up the car and drove back to his house, knowing this was the first time he’s been happy in a good long time and that this time it was going to last. Rose was the one he was meant to be with.

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