Chapter 23 Swinging herself around the banister and onto the wooden floor, Rose felt an almost giddy and excited girlishness that she hadn't experienced for as long as she could remember. Her heart was pounding and her breath became ragged, even though the rest of the house was quite and held a sort of peacefulness to it that Rose had not felt in all the years she had inhabited it. For once, she had finally been given the upper hand. Life was certainly turning out for the better. Rose couldn't help but grin widely as she neared the beautifully constructed set of French doors that lead to the large backyard and shaded porch. She could see Jack resting peacefully in the hammock her father had proudly brought back after his business trip to a series of tropical islands in the Caribbean. She remembered how she had insisted that he hang it between their two large oak trees so she could lay outside in the shade and comfort of her backyard. Ruth had insisted many times that it be taken down, but somehow Rose was always able to keep it there. Quickly running out to the backyard where Jack lay, Rose slowed her steps considerably and hushed herself as she sneaked up behind Jack unnoticed until she was hovering over him. She carefully slid her hands over the top of the hammock and down onto Jack's chest and through the little unbuttoned opening of his shirt collar. A soft mumble of inaudible words came from his mouth as he shift slightly. Rose gently kissed the top of his head, slowly working her way down his neck and up to his partially opened lips. She was slightly surprised to receive a kiss back and before Rose could think any further, Jack had pulled her onto the hammock as well. "Jack! No!" Rose squealed as he flipped her over and onto him and the hammock began to swing violently. A string of laughter escaped their lips as Jack tickled her excitedly and tried to maintain balance. "Jack…", Rose giggled. "Jack, stop…Jack…" "Stop? Whatever do you mean Miss Rose?" Jack joked. He kissed her gently on the forehead, his arms settling on Rose's back as he pulled her close. They're faces took on a more serious look, yet they were still smiling brightly into each other's eyes as all lovers do. "So…" Understanding what he meant, Rose looked down slightly as she tried to hold back her grin. She looked back into his gleaming eyes and simply smiled. "Well Jack…" she paused to rest her chin on top of her folded hands that lay on top of his chest. "It's all going to work out. I'm just positive of it." Jack seemed slightly confused. "What about your mother? Did she-" Rose smiled brightly. "She's fine with it Jack. She might even help us get to wherever we might want to go. I was able to really talk with her just now in a way that I honestly don't think I ever have before. I truly believe she's changing Jack, I really do. I also believe that from now on, everything is going to be just fine." Searching her eyes as if he were searching her soul, Jack carefully leaned into her and planted a gentle kiss on her softened lips as if it had been the first time. "You know Rose, with the house being lost and all of my uncle's money gone, I know I can't promise you a perfect life. All that I know I can promise you is my love…until death do us part." He looked at her carefully, his face serious and nervous almost as if he were afraid she would suddenly reject him. "Jack," Rose paused to study his face. Life without Jack was certainly no life at all. This was the man that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She wanted them conquer the world together, to learn the lessons of life together, and to finally settle down and have a family together. This was the man. "that's all I ever wanted anyway." From the bedroom window of Ruth Dewitt-Bukator, Rose's mother watched the delicate scene taking place in her backyard. A hint of sadness, love and even a bit of jealousy filled her as she watched her daughter pass through one more stage of life. Deep down, under all of the barriers that had separated her in the past from Rose, Ruth was truly happy for them. For months she had watched the two of them fall deeper and deeper into the abyss of love, knowing deep down that it was right. Jack was certainly a good man…a great man whom she knew would take care of her daughter past eternity. For Rose, it would mean sacrificing everything she had ever known, but perhaps she knew it was worth it. Maybe she knew that for the love of a man like Jack Dawson, it was worth all the riches in the world. And to Rose, it really was. From The Author | Story Index | Post Your Review | Email Author | Home |
