SURVIVING
Chapter Seven
It is a beautiful day for a wedding, Rose thought to herself, as she put the finishing
touches to her hair. Looking in the mirror, she wished that Helga were there.
Her friend would have loved it here in America, with the swing halls, sunshine,
and worry-free days. No more worrying about Nazis and whether something you
loved would suddenly become forbidden. She could freely be with Fabrizio and
not have to worry about the government taking him away.
"Rose!" Emma Jean came running into
the room, her eyes bright with excitement. "Are you ready?"
"Almost." Rose turned to her new
friend. She laughed as Emma began singing a song about weddings and true love.
Another American song that Rose had yet to learn.
"If you haven’t guessed already, I love
weddings." Emma Jean grinned, blushing a little. "Oh, Rose, I love
this dress. Lavender is my color, too."
"I’m glad you like it." Rose forced
a smile as doubts began to take her over, once again. What was she doing here?
Did she really think that she could make Jack a good wife? That Jack really
loved her enough to put up with her bad cooking and monthly mood swings? What
if he wanted to leave her, but was too nice to say so?
"Hey! Where are you?" Emma Jean
waved a hand in front of Rose’s face, bringing her back to attention. "Are
you okay? You seemed somewhere else just now."
Rose sighed. She was somewhere else. In the
world of self-doubt. A world she had visited often in the past couple of weeks.
"You’re not getting pre-wedding jitters,
are you?" Emma asked, her eyes shining with sympathy.
"Pre-wedding jitters?" Rose
frowned, knowing that the phrase must be a figure of speech. Every day she was
learning more about the English language. There was so much to learn that at
times she wondered if her brain would hold it all.
"Nervous. Having doubts," Emma
explained apologetically. She kept forgetting that Rose wasn’t as fluent as
Jack yet.
"Oh. Would you think it horrible if I
did have doubts?"
"Oh, of course not. This is completely
normal. Just keep reminding yourself why you love him so much. Why it’s so
wonderful to become Mrs. Jack Dawson."
"But, Emma…my doubt aren’t about Jack.
They’re about myself. What if I can’t be a good wife to him? I can’t cook. I
can’t clean. Every month, there’s one week when I’m in a terribly bad
mood."
"Rose, does Jack know all of this
already?"
Rose nodded, her eyes misting over with
tears. She wanted to make Jack happy. She wanted to be the perfect wife for
him.
"And he wants to marry you anyway. That
should tell you something. Jack loves you, whether you can cook or not.
Besides, you can always learn. And you’re going to be a wonderful wife. So, no
more of these pre-wedding doubts. Let’s go make you a Dawson."
Rose smiled, hugging her soon to be
cousin-in-law, grateful for the friendship and advice. She didn’t know what
would have become of her if Emma Jean hadn’t been there to calm her down.
"Thank you."
"No problem. Now, come on. Jack’s
waiting." Emma Jean got to her feet just as the wedding march began.
Rose took a deep breath, and looked around at
the room that she had spent her last hours as a DeWitt Bukater in. Careful not
to step on her dress, Rose followed Emma out into the hall, looking forward to
her new life.
*****
Jack nervously shifted from one foot to the
other as he waited for Rose’s arrival. He couldn’t believe that this day had
finally arrived. The day he would make Rose his own. He had looked forward to
this day ever since they had left Germany. Of course, he was nervous. He wanted
to be a good husband to Rose, but he didn’t have a very good role model. He had
asked his grandfather, and the old man had just told him to love her well and
hold her whenever she needed to be held, things Jack had already known. He
planned to spend the rest of his life holding Rose and keeping her happy.
He looked up, excited expectation rising in
his eyes as the wedding march began. It was time. At last, he was going to be
bonded to the woman he loved forever.
*****
Rose kept her eyes on Jack as she walked up
the aisle, led by Emma Jean, who was still full of excitement. There was
nothing in the world like a wedding, in her opinion. Especially when it was two
people deeply in love like Jack and Rose.
"Hey." Jack smiled as Rose came to
his side. She smiled, happy yet still a tinge nervous. But all nervousness
disappeared when her eyes met his. There was noting to be nervous about when
her whole world contained only Jack and herself.
Clearing his throat, the minister began.
"Dearly beloved, we are here today to witness the union of Rose DeWitt
Bukater and Jack Dawson. Two young people, special to each other and every one
of us here today. But if there is anyone that has a reason why these two should
not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
No one spoke up, even though Rose was
expecting Cal to come bursting in to drag her back to Germany. Breathing a sigh
of relief, Rose faced Jack, noticing how his face seemed to have this glow.
Like he was an angel, sent to earth specifically for her.
"Repeat after me. I, Rose DeWitt
Bukater, take Jack Dawson as my lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and
cherish, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, for richer or
poorer, until death do us part."
Rose repeated the vow, taking each and every
word to heart. The minister had Jack to repeat the same vows. As Rose looked
into his eyes, she saw that he meant each and every word also.
"Then with power invested in me, I now
pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Applause rang out as Jack pulled Rose into
his arms and gave her the simplest, sweetest kiss she had ever received,
sealing their bond.
"I love you." Rose wrapped her arms
around her new husband as the kiss ended.
Hugging Rose close, Jack swore to protect and
love her for the rest of their lives.