FOR ALL ETERNITY
Chapter Four
Jack and Rose were walking hand in hand along
the deck, talking about the events that had happened within the last
twenty-four hours. It was unbelievable. Exactly twenty-four hours ago, they had
been in that beautiful Renault. It seemed like a lifetime ago. One thing they
were certain of, though, was if they could get through possible death together,
there would never be anything big enough to drive them apart.
"When we were still in the dining hall
and you and Fabrizio had gone to fetch our supper, Tommy really confused me. He
asked me if I knew how lucky I was. No matter what answer I gave him, he wasn’t
satisfied," stated Rose, with a puzzled look on her face.
"Rose, you know how the Irish are!
They’re very deep thinkers! Remember Thomas Andrews and his ever-present
notebook? I’m sure he was just trying to tease you! I know how lucky I am. If I
hadn’t won that hand of poker, I wouldn’t have found the love of my life."
Jack noticed the look of surprise on Rose’s face, but decided to continue
anyway. "I’ve been fighting myself over the last couple of hours, as to
whether I should say something or not. Although, I have come to a conclusion
now." Jack stopped walking, and looked out to the sea of blackness. He had
never anticipated how nerve-wracking this could be. How could Rose stand there
so patiently?
"Jack? Whatever you have to say, it will
be all right. I’m here for you, no matter what," said Rose, gently placing
her hand on his arm. She could feel his nervousness vibrating through him.
"Well, well, well! What do we have here?
If it isn’t my delightful fiancée and her gigolo?" boomed a frightfully
familiar voice. Cal stood there, with an evil grin on his face. He couldn’t
believe his good fortune. Here he had thought both had drowned. Yet, they were
standing there, declaring their loyalty to one another. What to do now?
"Cal! What are you doing here?" was
all that a surprised Rose managed to get out, before Jack forcefully stepped in
front of her.
"Cal, I see you managed to live, too.
How nice for you. If you don’t mind, we were just leaving." Jack took
Rose’s hand and began to walk away. Just how does he manage to ruin all the
good moments? thought Jack, annoyed at the intrusion, yet somehow relieved
that he was saved from admitting his love just yet.
"Yes, run away! You won’t get very far
on your own, you know!" laughed Cal, as he watched their retreating backs.
This should prove interesting. I wonder what Ruth will say when she hears
this little tidbit, he said to himself, as the couple disappeared from
sight.
"Oh, what are we going to do?"
cried Rose. "I didn’t think to realize that Mother and Cal were saved,
too. This means we probably have trouble ahead of us. Mother so desperately
wants me to marry Cal. She’ll do her utmost now that she knows I’m alive and
well. We’ve got to do something!" Rose was shaking in fear while she
spoke. Her happiness at being alive and with Jack was now shattered in a
million pieces.
Jack was thinking the same thing. All he knew
was that he had to think of something fast. Maybe, if they went to the captain
and asked him to marry them now, they’d have a chance. This might prove to be
tricky, though, as they might not be in international waters anymore. It was
worth a try, anyway. They found a bench and sat down. He had to do it now. He
really had no choice.
"Rose, this isn’t the way I wanted to do
this. I wanted to plan something real special for you, and make it a moment
you’d never forget. Rose, I love you, with every fiber of my being, from the
first time I saw you, standing at that rail. You are so beautiful and so
strong. Whatever you do, you must keep that fire burning inside of you. As you
know, we have a situation here with Cal and your mother. I don’t want you to
think that I’m doing this just because of what’s happening now. Like I said, I
wanted to plan a special moment. Rose DeWitt Bukater, will you marry me?
Please, be my wife, and make me the happiest man on this ship!" Jack
looked a little anxious, as he waited for the answer to the most important question
he had ever asked in his life.
"Oh, Jack! Yes, yes, yes! I will marry
you. I know we have this problem, but together we can solve it! I have an idea.
Why don’t we go find the captain and ask him to do it now?" cried an
ecstatic Rose. She literally threw herself into his arms, kissing him
passionately. She was the happiest woman alive.
"Rose! Rose, I love you! Thank you for
making me the happiest man ever. I’m sorry I can’t give you a ring like that
rock you had, but I do promise I will make it up to you. Before we find the
captain, we are going to need witnesses. Let’s go find Fabrizio and Tommy, and
share our news."
They ran off hand in hand to find their
friends, oblivious to the strange looks they were receiving from the other
passengers. Eventually, in the dining hall, the two men were found, locked in a
serious game of poker, only this time, the stakes were a friendly round of
drinks. Jack quietly walked behind Fabrizio, while Rose went to Tommy. After
exchanging a quick glance, together they leaned down and whispered in their
ears that they were going to be married. From a serious quiet, there was a
sudden whooping and sound of chairs scraping back, as both whirled around to
hug their confidant and his fiancée. It wasn’t long before the whole hall knew
of Jack and Rose’s betrothal.
After having a quick celebratory drink, the
poker game now forgotten, the foursome made their way to the captain’s cabin.
They had agreed that if there were some complications as to why they could not
be married, they’d find a small chapel as soon as they docked in the morning.
But, if Cal and Ruth found out before they were married, nobody knew what would
happen. They followed the directions they were given, and knocked on the cabin
door.
"Yes? May I be of service to you young
people?" the captain asked politely. He could feel the excitement
vibrating from the young couple standing in front of him.
"We were wondering if you could please
marry us. Now, if possible," said Jack, nervously running his fingers
through his hair.
"Oh, is that all? I thought it was more
serious. Certainly. Come on in and we’ll start the preparations," laughed
the Captain, watching the different expressions change before him.