CHAPTER TWELVE

"What did you say?" Rose asked, her eyes widening, knowing she heard wrong. Caitlin couldn’t possibly have said that her brother’s name was Jack Dawson…that was…that was impossible.

"My brother’s name. Jack Dawson. Rose what’s wrong?" Caitlin grows concerned and goes to Rose’s side as the girl’s face grows deathly pale. What was wrong? What did she say?

"Cait! Cory said that you wanted me to meet someone," Jack enters the room and stops dead in his tracks when he sees Rose. "Oh my God."

"Jack?" Caitlin asked, noticing how pale her brother got at the sight of Rose and how the light that she remembered from so many years ago seemed to be seeping back into his eyes.

"Jack," Rose whispered, a tear leaking from her eyes.

"Jack?" Cory asked, stopping behind his friend who was glued to that exact spot. "Man what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"I have," Jack replied, not taking his eyes away from Rose. "Rose…is it really you?"

Rose begins to sob and nods, not able to speak. All her dreams were coming true, yet she couldn’t believe what was happening. For the past six months she has been in mourning over someone who was alive and well and right in front of her. Before she knew it, her feet were moving and in one quick motion she was back in his arms, holding on to him for dear life, sobbing in happiness. All the grief…all the heartbreak was quickly forgotten.

"Rose, I thought you were dead," Jack cried himself, holding her tightly. Determined never to let her go ever again. "She told me you died."

"I tried to wake you up Jack," Rose cried. "When the boat came back I tried to wake you up but you wouldn’t open your eyes. I called and called, but you wouldn’t wake up. After that…that I don’t even remember what happened. All I know is I woke up in my Aunt Molly’s room and she told me you were dead. She had searched all the survivors lists and you weren’t on any of them."

"That’s because Caroline had said our names was Jack and Carly Dahl. When I woke up I was in the infirmary and she was there. She said that you were dead…that they had tried to revive you but nothing worked. At the time she gave the officer our names…I didn’t even care anymore. With both you and Fabrizio gone…I no longer cared about what she did or didn’t do. I wanted to die to."

"Oh Jack I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have looked myself…I might have been able to find you easier than aunt Molly," Rose cried.

"Um…I hate to interrupt you two here, but will somebody explain to me what’s going on?" Cory asks.

"Jack?" Caitlin looks at her brother.

Jack for the first time notices that they’re not alone. He looks at his stunned sister and friend and smiles happily. This was the happiest moment of his life…a moment he thought would never happen. He was going to introduce the woman he loved to his sister and best friend.

"Caitlin…you remember what I told you about Titanic? About the girl I met on there?" Jack turned to his sister.

"Yes I remember. You said she died," Caitlin is still confused. "You said her name was Rose…wait a minute…"

"Caitlin, Cory…I’d like you to meet Rose Dewitt Bukater…the love of my life," Jack grins, tightly holding Rose’s hand. He never wanted to be apart from her again.

"We already met," Rose smiled at Jack, stepping closer to him.

"Rose?" Caitlin looks at the gorgeous red head who had a couple of hours ago cried over the loss of the man she loved…that man obviously was Jack. How extraordinary. "You’re Jack’s Rose?" Suddenly her eyes light up with complete joy. "You don’t know how happy I am that you’re here!" She runs to Rose and hugs her tightly.

"So you’re Rose Dewitt Bukater,"Cory stares at her. "Man Jack has all the luck doesn’t he?"

Rose blushed and smiled. Jack grins happily; happy that the two people he was closest to have accepted Rose so openly. Especially Caitlin, but he wasn’t surprised. Caitlin always did have a big heart. Which reminds him…how did Rose get here?

"Can I ask how you and Rose met up?" Jack asked his sister.

"Oh it was at the train station. Some jerk tried to steal her purse, but I stopped him and ran him off. I brought her here to stay since all the boarding houses are booked. I even letted her catch a nap in my room while I made up the guestroom. I had no idea she was the Rose you met on Titanic. Oh Jack I’m so happy for you."

"So am I Jack," Cory laughed, patting him on the back. "Now you don’t have to marry that shrew Caroline. Right?"

"What? You’re marrying Caroline?" Rose turns to Jack in shock. "Why?"

"Rose…when she told me you died…I had lost all will to go on and make life count for what it’s worth. Without you and Fabri, I wanted to die. But I knew that wasn’t an option, so I did the next best thing. I resigned myself to a life with Caroline. If I had known you were alive, I would never have thought of marrying Caroline."

"Oh Jack," Rose pulls him into another tight hug. "I promise to never be apart from you again. I love you so much and these past six months were miserable ones. I honestly didn’t know how I was going to live without you."

"Well you don’t have to worry about that now. We’re together and nothing will ever come between us again," Jack grinned. "I love you Rose Dewitt Bukater."

"I love you more Jack Dawson," Rose grinned.

"This calls for a celebration," Caitlin grins, her blue eyes lighting up. "I say I bring out the cherry wine I found down in the cellar. You remember Jack. Pa always brought it out for special occasions. Luckily the fire didn’t reach the cellar and all the wine survived."

"That’s a great idea Cait. Rose you will love this," Jack grinned, pulling Rose into the dining room.

Suddenly Rose remembers something very important that she had completely forgotten with all the excitement of finding out Jack was alive. She pulls back and remains in one spot. "Jack."

"Yeah?" Jack turned to her, his eyes shining with a mixture of happiness and concern. "What’s wrong Rose?"

"I have to tell you something," Rose nervously stares at the floor. She had no idea how Jack was going to take the news of her condition. Was he going to be angry with her? Would he regret what they did in the cargo hold that fateful night?

"Rose?" Jack looks at her closely, noticing her nervousness. It’s then that he notices her swollen abdomen and it suddenly dawns on him what she was trying to tell him. "Oh Rose." He goes to her and pulls her into a warm hug.

"You’re not angry are you Jack?" Rose asked.

"Of course not. Rose, I can’t tell you how happy I am about this. We’re going to be parents. I’m going to be a father," Jack grinned. "Wow, who would have thought?"

"Certainly not me," Cory laughed. "Gee Jack, this means you’ll actually have to grow up."

"Are you guys coming?" Caitlin reemerges into the foyer and looks at Jack and Rose. "What are you guys doing?"

"Celebrating. I’m going to be a father," Jack happily laughs and walks over to hug his sister.

"Oh of course! This makes me an aunt! Oh wow Rose, I’m warning you now, I plan on fully spoiling that child so be prepared."

Tears of complete happiness fall from Rose’s green eyes. She had never thought she would ever feel this loved and wanted again. But here she was with Jack, his sister and his best friend, making her feel right at home and accepting the baby with open arms.

"We’re so lucky," Rose cried.

"We all are," Jack wipes her tears away.

Caitlin frowns when a sharp knock raps against the door. She wonders who that could be at this time in the evening. Looking out she narrows her eyes. Of course…it was Caroline. There to ruin the evening. But Caitlin was going to let her in anyway. She knew that Both Jack and Rose had some choice words for her and Caitlin wasn’t going to stand in the way. But she had a few choice words herself, and she didn’t think Rose should be in the same room as Caroline just yet. "Cory…why don’t you take our guest into the dining room and begin setting the table?"

"Sure Cait. Come on Rose," Cory motions for her to follow.

"I’ll be in a minute," Jack replied, catching the sense that Caitlin wanted him to remain in the room with her.

"Why Caroline! What a surprise to see you here this evening! The evening before the wedding!" Caitlin loudly announces.

"I just wanted to stop by. I thought it was important for all of us get together and discuss the wedding tomorrow. Where’s Jack?" Caroline pushes past Caitlin and enters the house.

"I’m right here," Jack answered. "What do you want?"

"Like I told your sister, to discuss our plans for the wedding tomorrow. I will not have this wedding ruined Jack. And we all know how you have the tendency of being late. I want to make it clear that that’s unacceptable. So I suggest you leave those stupid drawings alone for a while and concentrate fully on this wedding."

"Oh really?" Jack asked, crossing his arms. "And what makes you think I’m going to listen to you this time Caroline?"

"Jack, this is no time to be defiant. Now stop being childish and set down and listen and that goes for your sister as well! Really, my mother is so right about you. I don’t know why I’m insisting on this wedding. You’re not rich; you’re not sophisticated nor mature enough for me. Just like you parents. That’s why they died you know. They were nothing but country hicks that didn’t even know anything about nothing. And obviously their son is the same way. Jack honestly your refusal to adhere to the rules of society proves that like your parents you’re never going to amount to anything. You never did and never will. I just hope our children don’t…" Caroline is suddenly cut off by an angry voice coming from the entrance to the dining room.

"How dare you talk to Jack that way!" Caroline and Caitlin turn to see a very angry Rose standing in the entrance with Cory gloating behind her.

Caitlin remembered Jack telling her about Rose’s fiery spirit and she had a feeling that Caroline was going to get hit with a fair dose of it.

"Rose?" Caroline stammers in surprise. Rose was the last person she expected to see from Titanic. She had made especially sure that she had thought Jack died on the doomed liner. "What are you doing here?"

"That is no business of yours Caroline," Rose glares at her. "Don’t you ever talk to Jack like that ever again!"

"Oh really and what are you going to do to stop me? You’re too late Rose. Jack and I are going to be married tomorrow at noon sharp. You see. I win."

Rose laughed sarcastically, her eyes still burning with hot anger. She strolls over to Caroline and places herself between Caroline and Jack. "I don’t think so. There is going to be no wedding tomorrow Caroline. Not for you anyway. I’d never let Jack marry you. You are nothing but a horrible witch to him."

"You have your nerve…"

"Yes I do! I have stood by on Titanic and watched you belittle and berate him millions of times and I’m not doing it anymore! Your days of emotionally tormenting him are over! I’m going to make sure of it!"

"And what are you going to do Rose? Huh? Jack is my fiancée! My soon to be husband. And there will be a wedding tomorrow! And I’ll talk to Jack as I very well please!"

"No you won’t Caroline. You want to know why you won’t, because you’re not marrying him. You know, that was real slick of you lying to Jack like you did aboard Carpathia and telling him I was dead…but the line stops here. I’m back and I’m never leaving his side again. And for now on when you speak to Jack, it’ll be with the utmost respect and you no longer call him Jack. It’ll be Mr. Dawson to you."

"Don’t make me laugh," Caroline laughed. "Mr. Dawson hah! Listen Rose, I have nothing against you really. Why don’t you just go back to Philadelphia and find a first class gentleman and leave Jack to me. It’s best for everyone. You see Jack needs someone who keeps him where he belongs"

"And where is that Caroline," Caitlin coldly replies, taking a stance beside Rose. "Rose’s right Carly. You’ve done nothing but treat my brother badly and neither of us are going to let you do it anymore."

"Looks like they’ve gotten you outnumbered Carly,"Cory grinned, enjoying this standoff.

"Look Jack, you’ve had your fun here. Now send Rose on her way and let’s get back to this wedding," Caroline crosses her arms.

"Not a chance Caroline. There’s no way I’m marrying you tomorrow or ever. The only woman I’m ever going to marry is Rose," Jack steps closer to Rose. Rose turns around and smiles at him.

"And Caroline, Jack will amount to something. He’s going to be a great famous artist and a great father."

"Very well then. Fine," Caroline snorts disdainfully. But she wants to get one last jab in. One last jab to hurt Jack most. "Really I’m glad. That way my children will grow up with some brains and won’t believe an outright falsehood like Jack here did. But then again I’m not surprised Jack did believe me that you were dead. He was never very bright. In fact, I’m surprised he can even find his way home much less remember his own name."

That was what brought Rose’s temper to the boiling point. No one talked about Jack that way. Before she could stop herself, her fist balls up and flies at Caroline’s face. Caroline goes flying back and up against the door. The same punch she threw at the steward back on Titanic. Caroline gasps and looks at her bloody hand that had come from her now profusely bloody nose.

"How dare you! You broke my nose!"

"Way to go Rose!" Cory claps happily.

"Take that as a lesson Carly. Never talk to or about Jack again. Don’t even look at him," Rose advances upon her, crowding her against the door. She stands face to face, toe to toe. She was going to drive this point home, one way or another. "Is this anyway unclear? Do you need me to clarify it anymore for you?"

Carly’s eyes widen with fear. Rose was dead serious. Carly can tell this by the angry flash in Rose’s eyes. She didn’t dare defy her. "Yes," Carly shakily nods. "I understand perfectly."

"Good. Now get up and get out. Don’t ever return here to bother Jack nor his family again. If you do you’ll be very sorry and you know I can make you very sorry indeed. Don’t you Caroline."

"Yes," Caroline nods.

"Now get out of here," Rose takes a step back away from Caroline. "And don’t ever let me see your face again."

Caroline takes one more glance at Jack, who just stands there watching the scene along with Cory and Caitlin. Then she turns and runs out the door, out of Jack’s life forever.

"Well I’m glad that’s finished," Cory grinned. "It’s about time someone put that witch in her place."

"Well I’m glad it was Rose who did it," Caitlin nods. "I think she’s the only one who could really."
"I just couldn’t stand back and let her speak that way to Jack. He deserves respect and love…not that," Rose takes Jack’s hand, still staring at the door. "Do you think she’ll listen to me though and stay away?"

Caitlin shakes her head. "I’ve known that girl for years and she was never one to back down so easily. She’s going to be out for revenge."
"Cait’s right. The sooner you two are out of Chippewa Falls, the better," Cory agrees. "Who knows what Carly’s telling her group of gossip mongers."

"I hate this," Caitlin sighs. "I feel like I’ve just gotten my brother back plus a niece or nephew on the way. But now you’re leaving again."

"We’ll keep in touch this time," Jack hugs his sister. I promise. No matter where we are, we’ll write."

"So when are you two leaving?" Cory asked.

"I guess first thing tomorrow," Jack shrugged. "Right now I want to get Rose to eat something, then we’ll probably spend the rest of the night catching up."

"Sounds good to me," Rose smiled up at him.

That night Jack and Rose lays in each other’s arms. Jack gently twirls one of her red curls around his fingers. Rose sighs happily. This was a dream come true for her. She had never guessed that morning that tonight she’d be in Jack’s arms, looking forward to a wonderful future with him.

"Thank you," Jack leans his forehead against her.

Rose is confused. "For what?"

"For standing up to Caroline for me like that. No one has ever done that before. Not even Caitlin," Jack smiled.

"Well I couldn’t just stand there Jack. I love you so much and I couldn’t stand how she was treating you. And as for the punch…I’ve been dying to do that since the first time I heard her berate you on Titanic. It was a long time coming. She’s lucky she got off so easily. Believe me, if I wasn’t pregnant…I’d do a lot worse to her."

Jack pulls her closer; she leans her head against his chest and listens to his heartbeat. "I’m gong to have to write Aunt molly," Rose smiled. "She’s going to be so thrilled to learn that you’re alive and well and that we’re going to be married as soon as possible."

"She sure did support us didn’t she Rose? On Titanic I mean."

"She knew you were my soulmate. She told me she knew that the minute she saw us together. That we completed each other."

"Well she’s right there Rose. I’m now complete with you here in my arms."

They looked into each other’s eyes and once again kiss passionately.

Rose smiles and snuggles closer to him "So Mr. Dawson. Tell me, when are you going to make an honest woman out of me?"

"You mean marriage?" Jack asked, taken off guard.

"What else?"

"Well…Gee Rose…I don’t know. I’ve barely called off the one with Caroline. When do you want to get married? Besides right now. And where do you want to get married?"

"Isn’t there somewhere we could elope?"

"Well…there’s the justice of the peace in Eau Claire, the next town over. We can stop by there and get married when we head on out. What do you say?"
"I say…"

"Wait a minute Rose," Jack gets up out of bed and pulls Rose into a setting position. He gets down on one knee and takes her hand. "I want to do this right Rose. I mean, everything about us has been right now…right at the moment. We really haven’t taken the time to court or anything like other couples. So I want this one moment…this moment that will change our lives forever…I want it to be the one normal thing about our relationship if nothing else. I love you Rose Dewitt Bukater. You and our baby are my life. What I’m trying to ask ya here is…will you marry me?"

Tear stream from her eyes as Rose nods vigorously. "Yes. Yes Jack I will marry you!"

Jack grins happily and they hug tightly, not wanting to let the other go ever again.

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