7
"Jack! Put me down!" Rose laughed as Jack carried her through the threshold, Molly holding Robbie followed.
"It’s a tradition Rose. The groom always carries the bride across the threshold," Jack laughed, placing her back on her feet. "Wow, this place is beautiful."
"Yes, and all the red…it’s wonderful," Rose nodded. "I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw it."
"Why don’t you young’uns go on up and get settled. I’ll watch little Robbie here. Consider tonight your honeymoon," Molly grinned happily.
"Molly? Are you sure you want to watch him all night?" Rose looked at her friend in disbelief.
"Well I’ve watched him for three weeks haven’t I? What’s one more night? Now head upstairs and have fun," Molly shooed the newlyweds upstairs.
"This is amazing," Jack looked into the large room, made up in burguny with a connecting restroom. Their bags were laid in the north corner of the room, where Molly had them sent up earlier.
"This is the best looking room I’ve ever stayed in."
"Me too."
Jack looked at rose with a raised brow. "It is?"
"Yes," She happily wrapped her arms him. "You’re here. That’s what makes it the best."
Jack smiled and pulled her in for a kiss. Rose was so sweet. She was everything he ever wanted in life. Everything he ever needed. Pulling away, he glanced into their private bathroom, with a tub so large that it’d fit two people.
A idea slowly formed into his mind. He smiled at his wife, the idea now a solid plan. "You know that train ride sure was tiring. What about the both of us taking a dip in that tub?"
Rose looked at him as if he had grown two heads. "Together?"
"Of course. Look at the size of the tub Rose. Both of us can fit. Come on. What do you say?"
"I say yes," Rose grinned. "Ok. Just let me grab my robe…"
Laughing Jack grabbed her arm. "Rose baby, we don’t need robes. Besides, I’ve already seen you naked. So the robe would be pointless."
Rose laughed, he was right. They were above the point of modesty now. "Ok Mr. Dawson. Fine, have it your way. We’ll share the tub. But no funny business," She kissed his nose before entering the bathroom.
A mischievous smile on his face, Jack followed his wife, closing the door behind them.
~*~
One hour later, Jack and Rose emerged from the bathroom, dripping wet and laughing. They fell onto the bed and scurried under the covers, snuggling together to ward off the chill of the air on their skin.
"That was fun," Rose giggled, snuggling closer to Jack.
"It sure was," Jack smiled. "We should do it again."
"Oh we will," Rose kissed his chest, reveling in how wonderful it was to be back in Molly’s house, tightly held in the arms of the man she had thought she’d lost forever.
Jack smiled as the scent of strawberries filled the air. A scent so familiar and intoxicating. At one time, he had thought that he’d never smell that scent again without breaking into renewed tears. He had thought that his life was over then. All the joy had left him, dying with his love in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. But she hadn’t died. No, she lived and had saved him from destroying whatever was left of his character.
"Jack," Rose interrupted his thoughts. "I love you."
"I love you too Sweetie," Jack smiled, pushing a red curl from behind her ear. "I love you and Robbie. I promise never to leave your side again."
"Let’s take Robbie to the park together Jack. Tomorrow morning. We can pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it."
"Good idea. Then I can teach him how to sing come Josephine," Jack grinned, his blue eyes twinkling happily.
Rose only laughed, thanking God she had discovered Jack like she did. It was hard to believe that just a couple of weeks ago, she had thought Jack dead and that she was a lonely single mother. But now she was anything but single and lonely. She had Jack back and he adored their son completely. She couldn’t ask for anything more. Lying there together, basking in their love, Jack and Rose made plans for their life together.
The future was bright for the Dawson family. For them, there would never be a dull moment. Both Jack and Rose was where they wanted to be.