FOR ALL ETERNITY
Chapter Five
The group of friends entered the cabin, each
a little nervous in their own way. The captain began to bustle about, searching
for all the correct documents, before they could move off to the chapel for the
ceremony.
"Can you believe that all this is real?
I feel like I’m in a dream, about to wake up at any moment. Please tell me that
everything will be all right."
Rose was beginning to panic again, and
clutched Jack’s hand a little tighter. Not only was she nervous concerning her
upcoming nuptials, but the threat of Cal and her mother still hung over her
head.
"Never fear, when Jack’s near!"
laughed Fabrizio, who had overheard this comment. "Jack, old buddy, how
are your nerves doing?"
"Rose, Fabrizio, I am fine, thank you,
and everything will be fine!" he answered, turning towards Rose with his
last comment.
"Okay. I’m ready now. Will you kindly
follow me as we go to the chapel?" asked the captain, cutting into their
conversation.
"It looks like it’s time. Come, my
Rosebud!" Jack had just discovered a new nickname for her. He got quite
excited over it, too. The look on Rose’s face, however, did not share the same
excitement. It had reminded her of Cal when they had first started courting. He
used to call her that all the time, until they were discovered, and it was
thought of as improper.
"Jack, honey, thank you for trying to
make me feel better, but please don’t call me Rosebud again. It does not hold
fond memories for me," Rose quietly said, while looking at the floor.
"Sure thing. Anything my love asks of
me, I’ll do. Try not think of the past, but of our future just beginning."
"Oh, Jack, I’m sorry. I never meant to
hurt you. I just won’t allow Cal to interfere in our love," soothed Rose.
They had now reached the chapel, and the
group went inside. The captain immediately walked to the front, and sorted out
his books. There were other people already in the chapel, but the loving couple
didn’t seem to mind. They never noticed, however, that among the congregation
was Ruth DeWitt Bukater.
She had been praying since she was brought
aboard. Ruth was mourning the death of Rose. The scene of Rose bidding her
good-bye was replaying itself over and over in her mind. She kept trying to
make sense of Rose’s actions throughout that whole fateful Titanic trip. Fear,
regret, remorse, and extreme sorrow ran through her mind. She had loved Rose
with all her heart, and had never wanted to see her unhappy, only that was what
she had succeeded in doing to her before her death. Ruth prayed for forgiveness
and the peace of understanding. Little did she know, her prayers were about to
be answered.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to
celebrate the union of these two souls in holy matrimony," began the
captain. A few mourners looked up in surprise. They hadn’t noticed the group
enter. Rose and Jack glanced at each other and smiled. This was their big
moment.
The captain continued to drone on through the
vows and promises and got to the part of, "Is there anyone here who does
not agree to this union? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Once more, Rose and Jack glanced at each
other, each unaware that they were holding their breath. Tommy and Fabrizio
also exchanged a look, before each began to search the room for any
interruptions. At that precise moment, someone burst through the doors. The
intention was not to stop the wedding. However, but it did receive everyone’s
attention. Irritated that everyone was looking at him, he searched for Ruth. He
had to tell her about Rose, before that gutter rat did something drastic. He
did not like the look in Jack’s eyes when they had spoken. Mildly put off by
the interruption, the captain continued with the ceremony.
"As there seem to be no objections, we
shall continue. Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater, you have come together in
this place to be joined together in holy matrimony, to declare to each other
your eternal faith, love, and loyalty."
Having not noticed a wedding ceremony in
progress, Cal whipped around in the direction of the voice when it said Jack
and Rose’s names. He couldn’t believe what he had heard. Jack and Rose, united
in marriage? How could that be. Rose was his fiancée! He strode purposefully
towards the captain, with a look of pure anger on his face.
"Just what do you think you’re
doing?" boomed Cal’s voice across the chapel.
Rose and Jack turned around to see Cal
walking towards them. Instinctively, Jack grabbed Rose’s hand and stepped in
front of her. He couldn’t believe his luck. Not again! Just when everything
looked like it was going to work for them, too!
"I asked you a question. How can you
marry this...this boy…" Cal dragged out this last word. "…when you’re
engaged to be married to me?"
Rose turned her back on Cal and faced the
captain. "I’m sorry, Captain. We never expected this. Please continue. I
wish to be married to this man."
She put her arms around Jack and drew him
towards her. "Very well," said the captain, now clearly irritated by
all the disruptions. "Let’s continue. Excuse me, Mr. Hockley. As you can
see, your presence is not required here."
Tommy and Fabrizio, outraged by Cal’s
behavior, stood on either side of him, ready to do whatever was necessary to
prevent further disruptions to Jack and Rose’s happiness.
"Where were we? Oh, yes, who gives this
woman to be married to this man?" asked the captain, smiling warmly at Rose.
It was to be at this stage that Tommy would
stand up for her. But he never had a chance to answer the question.
"I do," answered a quiet, yet
determinedly clear voice.
Surprised by yet another shock, everyone
turned towards the direction of the voice. Ruth stood up quietly and walked
slowly to the front. She had sat through everything that had happened, watching
to see the reaction of her daughter. She was pleased to see that Rose was
indeed happy with Jack, and very much in love. She had made up her mind. She
was now going to rectify all that she had done wrong, and please Rose.