LOVE DOESN'T ASK WHY
Chapter Seven
After Rose’s reception, and after Jack’s
reception, they were on their way to get on board the Titanic II. Rose and Mark
were one of the first couples to enter the first class area. Rose giggled when
Mark opened the door of the suite, and they were both in awe.
"Wow. Now, see, Rose? I told you that we
would put our money into something good, didn’t I? Say it. Say it, Rose,"
Mark said, coming over to Rose.
Rose sighed. "Yes, Mark. You did put the
money into a good honeymoon," Rose said, rolling her eyes. Mark came over
to her and kissed her while hugging her. "Mark, do you remember that
couple from the wedding boutique?" Rose asked.
"Yeah. What about ‘em?" Mark asked,
as if he didn’t really care.
"Well, they are supposed to be on this
ship. Why don’t we ask them to join us for dinner tonight?" Rose asked.
"Sure. That sounds like a good idea,"
Mark said, kissing her forehead, and Rose smiled.
"Let’s go take a walk on the boat deck.
I want to say good-bye to beautiful New York. It will be a while before I see
it again," Rose said as she grabbed her sun hat and took her newlywed
husband by the hand. As they walked along the boat deck, they watched the
sunset and waved good-bye to the Statue of Liberty.
*****
"Oh, Jack, I’m getting so excited that I
gotta go to the bathroom!" Maria said, holding her champagne glass in her
hand.
Jack took the glass of champagne out of her
hand, and said, "And I believe that you had a little too much fun at the
reception with the champagne." Jack helped Maria out of the limo.
"Jack, I think I’m dreaming. There are two
of you," Maria said drunkenly.
"Well, that’s a fantasy two of me."
Jack chuckled as he helped Maria to the ship’s entrance. Jack turned the key to
his and Maria’s first class honeymoon suite. "Wow. This is nice,"
Jack said.
"Jack..." Maria said softly. Jack
turned his head "Where’s the bathroom?" she asked.
Jack pointed, and said, "I think it’s through
there." He chuckled as Maria hurried in there. Jack could hear Maria
relieving herself, and then the sound of the drunken sickness of drinking too
much champagne. Jack smiled down at the carpet, chuckled, and asked, "Are
you okay, Maria?"
"Yes. I’m fine," Maria said, sitting
down on the bed.
"I know just the thing for you. How
about some fresh sea air on the boat deck? We can watch the sunset, and then
have a peaceful candlelit dinner," Jack said, opening the curtains.
Maria stood up, and said, "Okay. I think
I’m feeling well enough to do that." She put her shoes on, and Jack opened
the door.
When Jack and Maria approached the boat deck,
they waved good-bye to the people at the dock. As they set sail on the endless
ocean, Maria started a conversation. "Jack, do you remember that couple
from the wedding boutique?" Maria asked.
Jack looked at Maria, and said, "Yeah. What
about them?"
"Well, I wonder if they made it on here
or not," Maria said, and with those words, Jack became a little happier.
He had forgotten about the fact that they were on the same ship, and Jack was
determined to find Rose.
"Yeah, I wonder," Jack said.
"Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we
invite them to dinner?" Maria asked happily.
"That’s a great idea," Jack said,
smiling.
Then he saw Rose and Mark walking down the
deck with their arms interlocked. Rose looked so beautiful with her sun hat on
and the sunset glowing on her face. Rose did not even notice that Jack was
there until they were a couple of feet away.
"Jack, it is so good to see you and
Maria," Rose said happily.
Jack smiled and nodded his head. "It’s
also good to see you," Jack said, looking at Rose and Mark.
"Maria, I really don’t think you’ve met
my newlywed husband, Mark. Mark, this is Maria," Rose said.
"Charmed, I’m sure," Maria said,
shaking Mark’s hand.
"A pleasure," Mark replied,
smiling. Maria pretended to clear her throat, and then nudged Jack.
"Rose, Mark. Maria and I were wondering
if you would like to join us for dinner."
Rose and Mark chuckled. "Well, that's
odd. Rose and I were also going to ask you, too," Mark said to Jack.
"So, is that a yes?" Maria asked,
giving Mark a seductive look.
"Why, yes, it is," Mark said,
giving Maria the look back.
"Well, then, tonight it is," Jack
said.
"I guess it is," Rose said.
"Well, then, Maria and I will meet you
at the bottom of the grand staircase," Jack said.
Rose nodded her head, and said, "See you
at dinner, Jack."