TOMORROW'S APRIL
Chapter Fourteen

A Gathering of Thoughts

"They're here." Mr. Carlson twirled the cigar in one hand, turning away from the window, his other hand still on the lace curtain. Jack moved from his position in front of the small mirror, coming to stand next to him. In one swift movement, Mr. Carlson let the drapery fall, blocking Jack's view. "Oh no you don't. A groom never sees his bride until she walks down the aisle. Thought you knew that?" The old man chuckled to himself, pulling out a cushioned chair, his hand still ready to prevent any peeking on his young employee's part.

Jack sighed, giving an almost annoyed look, but quickly took a seat across from his boss, running his hands down his face. He'd been in this room for what seemed like hours, but was, in reality, only about 15 minutes. He'd arrived at the church half an hour ago, dressed and ready- with Bill Townsend and Mr. Carlson in tow. Five minutes exchanging last minute words with the pastor, five minutes checking on the flowers, and then to this cramped dressing room, to wait patiently for Rose and her two friends. And now he couldn't even steal a glance at her? It had been twenty four hours since he talked to her last. Was she nervous?

"Jack, get a hold of yourself. Only an hour more." Mr. Carlson stood, making his way to the door.

"An hour? Jesus..." Jack murmured into his hands, messing his perfectly combed hair slightly. "Where are you going?" He questioned the man, who had opened the wooden door that led into the hall.

"To talk to Bill. He's outside with Pastor Williams. Now you calm down son." Jack stared after Mr. Carlson's bent over form as he ambled from view. Standing again, Jack lifted the curtain, only to find an empty street. Rose must be inside already- only a few rooms away. Would it hurt, to just knock....to hear her voice?

"Ah!" Why was he so jittery? The words of Bill, of Mr. Carlson failed in comforting his unraveling nerves. Jack hadn't expected this. He wasn't scared to marry Rose- not at all. But in a way, he guessed he was afraid of all the responsibility, all the aspects of being a husband would entail. He thought back to his parents, how he'd watched them as a little boy, then as a young teenager. They had made it seem so easy, so simple. And he had known how strong their love was. Jack was certain that the love he and Rose shared was just as strong, and maybe just the slightest bit more special. How many couples could claim all he and Rose had been through?

And then early this morning, Mr. Carlson had asked an innocent question, a simple one. But it had Jack's mind running wild. He had asked about children- were they going to have children. Those had been his exact words. And Jack had realized that he didn't even know the answer to that one. For once the charming and usually wise Jack was speechless, and he'd tossed the thought out of open discussion, simply shrugging his shoulders in an attempt to change the topic. But that didn't help him, now did it.

"We haven't even talked about, she hasn't even mentioned it!" Jack tugged on his short hair, trying to tame his leaping heart. His voice echoed through the room, but nobody was there to hear it. Taking a deep breath, he made his way back to the mirror, chewing on his bottom lip. "I just hope she knows...that's what I want....oh God..." His hand trembled strangely as he grabbed the collar of his suit.

"Dawson, Dawson. There you go- there you are." Jack whispered to himself, examining his presence in the silver rimmed glass. His black tails made him appear taller than he actually was. His feet, clad in shiny black shoes, sunk into the plush cream colored carpeting. He adjusted the white tie, holding his breath as he ran his hands through his blond hair, putting it back in place. How he wished his parents could be with him, on his wedding day. He closed his eyes, imagining their kind, warm faces. Surely they were watching- The father whose blue eyes and noble face so resembled his own, his mother- who had always known just the right words, to ease a pain, or a worry.

"You would have loved Rose, I know." He was talking to his own image now, his words meant for only his missing parents. "Mom, you always said you wanted me to find someone I loved, someone I would want to take care of." He watched his own mouth as he talked. "Well I have. And I'm marrying her in an hour."

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"You're not nervous Rose? You have to be nervous!" Emily seemed as anxious as she looked, squirming in her armchair as she watched her seemingly calm friend. Rose appeared as cool and collected as Emily had ever seen her- composed and ready for the walk down the aisle. Then again- who wouldn't be ready to become Jack Dawson's wife? Rose had certainly made an extraordinary catch.

"Actually....a little I suppose." Rose's eyebrows wrinkled in thought, but then a smile spread across her delicate face. "But not about.....oh never mind." She seemed to smirk slightly, turning to finish powdering her face. Emily watched her steady hands as they applied the light makeup. Rose's eyes twinkled in the mirror.

"What then? What are you nervous about?" Emily stood, walking to the old-fashioned vanity that Rose sat at. They were in a small dressing area near the back of the church. The swaying trees of Central Park could be seen clearly through the dusty little windows, and every once and a while- a passerby would walk across the sunny stone path.

"Can't you see that I'm busy?" Rose glanced at her friend good naturedly, undeniably teasing her. She reached for the lipstick she had chosen the other day- a glossy spring pink, just enough color to accentuate her face. She applied it expertly, an exasperated Emily staring at her reflection.

Rose continued to drag her along, changing the subject quickly. "So where did Betsy run off to?"

"She went to find a needle and thread. One of your flowers fell off your veil. I guess I never was the best at sewing." Emily seemed to forget the secret in Rose's eyes for a moment, running her hands through her hair, straightening several strands of it.

Just then, the door creaked open, squeaking as Betsy entered holding Rose's veil. In one hand she balanced a spool of white thread, and in the other her fingers clenched a tiny silver needle. "All done!" She laid the veil over her hands, proudly pointing to the peach colored flower she had just fixed. "You know Rose- that clock in the hall says you only have half an hour before you get married." Betsy grinned wildly, placing the veil she held on a nearby table.

"Oh, I couldn't have done any of this without you two." Rose turned in her chair to face them, looking up through grateful green eyes. Betsy pulled two chairs for her and Emily, and they both sat, huddled close to Rose, who seemed to sport the most infectious smile.

"We know, we know." Betsy replied in a mock tone, lifting her chin high. Rose laughed, glancing her hand in the rung of her chair. Now it was empty, but in just a little while, Jack's gold wedding band would be in place there. It seemed so amazing, and although outside she appeared calm, inside her heart was fluttering rapidly. There was so much to be excited about, so much to think about.

"You look so happy Rose." Betsy smiled genuinely toward her best friend, a bit of wistfulness in her eyes. "We're going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too, both of you, so much." Rose felt a tear threatening in her eye, but smiled, reaching to wipe it away. "But Jack and I are going to come visit soon. And we'll have a wonderful time, I promise. And you are welcome here anytime."

"We'll see each other Rose. And there are always letters." Betsy swatted a hair from her face, adjusting the neckline of her dress, which matched Emily's. It was of a delicate silk material, in the shiest shade of mint green. The sleeves ran to their elbows, ending in a finely etched design. And the skirt of it fell just below their ankles, creating a small train.

"So who is going to be here Rose?" Emily inquired quietly, fanning herself from the warm air.

Rose tapped her finger on the chair as she spoke, counting off the guests. The invitations had been sent a mere two weeks earlier. "Hmm...well there are Jack's co-workers, the ones from the studio. I think he said there were six- they do contract work for Mr. Carlson. And then Mr. Townsend's family, plus Jack has a few friends from Long Island." Rose nodded to herself, making sure she was not forgetting anybody. She and Jack had decided on a relatively small wedding, and of course- Rose did not know anyone here quite yet. But she had insisted that Jack invite his fellow employees, and a few close friends he had from the art world. Emily and Betsy would serve as her bridesmaids.

"We told the restaurant twenty. Oh Rose- it's going to be wonderful...." Emily, in her usual blubbering, was flustering herself with excitement. "So, Rose. I still have one question though."

"And what's that?" Rose bit her lip, listening as the time ticked away on the hallway clock.

"What did you mean a few minutes ago? When I asked if you were nervous?" Betsy eyed Emily curiously, having missed the discussion. Neither noticed the far off, almost dreamlike look that had taken over Rose's eyes. But as they turned their attentions back to her, a blush fell over Rose's cheeks. Bringing a hand to her face, she sighed and shook her head back and forth gently.

"Come on, Rose. Tell." Rose gulped, thinking as rationally as she could. She could tell them, she knew. Her two closest friends would not judge her, would not have any rude comments. As if one cue, she sighed. Emily's eyes bulged as she watched Rose's hand lightly graze her stomach. She leaned forward, as did Betsy, and opened her mouth as if to speak. A few seconds passed, before Betsy had tired of the silence and placed her hand on Rose's free one.

"Rose, you're not.....are you?"

The gleam in Rose's eyes told the answer to the question before any words were spoken, and she simply straightened herself in the chair. "I'm almost sure. But I haven't told Jack yet. We haven't even talked about the possibility of a family. But now..." Rose looked down, smiling to herself. Inside, she knew Jack would have no problem with her sudden news. He would be happy- she just had to find the right moment, the perfect time to tell him they were going to have a baby.

"Oh my goodness." Both friends could only smile, clapping their hands together. Betsy stood up, leaning down to hug Rose. "I'm happy for you." She whispered in her friend's ear, then took Rose's shoulders in her hands, turning her so she faced the mirror. Emily joined them, reaching for Rose's hairbrush. She began to sweep several tendrils of it into a silver clip, checking her handiwork.

"You should tell him this afternoon Rose. At the reception. Oh, it'll be so romantic. While you're dancing. Yes, indeed- while you're dancing." Emily seemed convinced that her suggestion was absolutely the best, and she grinned proudly, reaching to once again place the veil on Rose's head.

"Well, we'll see. I just have to....it has to be perfect. I couldn't believe it myself, at first." Rose's voice faltered, and several tears of joy sprung to her eyes. Without bothering to wipe them away, she centered her gaze in the mirror. The future held so much promise, and now there was the responsibility of a child looming. It was more than she could have ever hoped for. Remembering for just a split second, the many dreams she had created by the shores of the ocean in Santa Monica, she sighed.

There was a light tap on the door, and Rose's heart leapt inside her chest.

"Fifteen minutes, ladies." The rusty voice of Mr. Carlson echoed through the door, and Rose giggled, followed by her two friends. Somewhere there was the muffled call of a flock of birds. Rose lifted her gaze, closing her eyes. When she was a child, there had always been the fantasies of the perfect wedding. But now she realized that what really mattered- was the perfect groom. And she had certainly found him.

Chapter Fifteen
Stories