TOMORROW'S APRIL
Chapter Sixteen

"ALL ABOARD! ALL ABOARD!" The conductor's shrill voice cut into the night air like a sharp knife. His tired face seemed to droop, and looking around, there was absolutely no reason for him to yell so loudly. The station was nearly dead. Midnight, and the only people milling around were for this train, bound eventually for Los Angeles. The tracks appeared listless, and even the engine of the smoky train sounded as if it would give at any moment. Rose lifted her chin to see the car her friends would be occupying, watching as several rather exhausted looking passengers boarded. She shivered in the cold, damp tunnel, and moved closer to Jack, curving her shoulder into his chest. The excitement of today still hung in her chest, and it seemed her heart would not stop its incessant pounding.

"Well this is it." Betsy sighed, smiling as she threw a leather bag over her shoulder. In one hand, she clutched a suitcase, and in the other she held their thick tickets. Her knuckles were turning red, against the night wind, and she turned her head to prevent her hair from flying into her face.

"Oh...." Rose's face sported a wistful smile, and she stepped forward, opening her arms to her friend. Jack rubbed his hands together, placing them in his pockets for warmth, and watched amused as Rose made a fuss over Emily and Betsy. He was sad to see them go, and he knew that Rose would miss them. But this was their wedding night, and so far they had spent an hour in this chilly station, saying goodbye repeatedly. He chuckled lightly to himself, watching as Rose stumbled to hug Emily as well, stepping over her suitcase.

"Oh, Rose don't worry. We'll see each other again soon." Betsy nodded confidently, and began walking. All four continued down the platform, bracing themselves against the unseasonable wind. Rose felt Jack's comforting hand on her back, trying to warm her. Poor guy, she thought. Since the reception had ended, she had been dragging him around, while she helped her two friends pack and prepare to leave. And then the trip to the station, which had taken much longer than expected. But Jack, as usual, had been understanding and incredibly patient. She only wished that the train would leave soon, as much as she would miss Betsy and Emily. Hopefully they would keep in touch, and remain good friends. But it seemed that that part of her life, in California, was over. Always would it be a wonderful memory, but also one full of periodic sadness. Now she had to move on, in her life with Jack, here in this moment.

"We'll be out there soon. I promised Rose a trip anyway." Jack smiled, stepping forward kindly to hug both women. He squeezed Rose's hand and rejoined her.

"I hope you'll be able to make the trip, but maybe it will have to wait awhile?" Betsy's eyes were twinkling with mischief, and Rose glared good naturedly at her, very much aware of what she had meant. But maybe Jack would not pick up on that joke. Rose shook her head back and forth, blushing lightly. Jack first glanced at Betsy, contemplating what she had said, and then to Rose, whose cheeks were the palest shade of red. He lowered his eyebrows, shaking his own head once.

"I'm sure we will." Jack nodded, still not aware of what had been implied. A loud giggle escaped Emily, and she placed her free over her mouth. A second of silence, and suddenly the conductor was behind them, urging the group to finish up quickly. He looked quite aggravated. Rose swallowed hard, recovering swiftly, and motioned for her friends to go.

"Write us as soon as you can." She smiled, helping Betsy with her heavy bag, and watched as each woman gave one more last wave. Their faces were visible through the thick window, but only slightly. Unmistakably, each carried a playful grin, and Rose could only smirk as the train roared to life. The wheels cranked up slowly, and soon Jack's protective arms were around her. And the last thing she saw was Emily's bright blue hat, as it pressed against the glass and the light reflected there.

She was quiet for a moment, relishing the feel of Jack's embrace against the bitter night. She watched as the train became only a stream of light in the distance, and soon she was aware that no one else was even around. Her ears pounded against the noisy silence, and finally Jack spoke. His breath was warm against her cheek, sending tender jolts of electricity down her spine. For the first time in two days, they were alone.

"You okay?" His voice was warm, concerned, and anxious all at once, and Rose turned in his arms to face him, placing both of her hands against his cool skin. She looked into his eyes, the blue there magnified by the darkness.

"Yes... I'll miss them, but this is where I belong." She nodded her head confidently. Rose leaned in closer to him, trying to escape the wind. She felt Jack kiss her forehead, and then the gentle pull as he led her back down the platform, towards home. He did not say anything for a few minutes, just walked, closing his eyes briefly to the whipping air.

"You know what I was thinking about this morning?" Jack sounded serious, as if remembering something, and Rose lifted her head to listen attentively.

"What Jack?"

"My parents. Somehow I had forgotten that they'd never be able to meet you." He swallowed, smiling faintly. "I guess in my mind, they already had. Because it's been so long....since the accident, since I left....and then everything is a blur. Time is a blur to me." He realized just how melancholy his words had been, and pulled Rose closer. "Except, of course, certain times." He smiled, lighting up his entire face.

"Ah...I see." Rose lifted her chin and giggled, rubbing her hand up and down Jack's back. But then her own face turned a bit serious, and she cleared her throat. "I wish I could have known them Jack. And I wish you could have known my father. He loved this city. He came here as much as he could, and as often as Mother would let me, I came with him...."

"Hmm..." Jack lifted his eyebrow, noticing a bright star in the corner of his line of vision. "I have this strange feeling that they're all looking down on us....probably laughing because we're worrying so much." He chuckled, never taking his eyes from the sky. "They know how much we miss them."

Rose opened her mouth in awe as she looked toward the same place he was staring at, completely and utterly silent as one solid streak of powerful light raced across the velvet sky. A shooting star. She looked at him, amazed and exhilarated all at once. Not knowing what to say first, she nuzzled her head into Jack's neck, whispering softly. "Jack Dawson, if I were crazy, I might believe that you planned that."

Jack laughed heartily, joy spreading over his face. "I didn't plan that, but I think someone did." Rose nodded contentedly, trusting Jack to lead them safely down the darkened streets. She savored his voice. And suddenly she remembered that soon, there would be someone. A child. On pure instinct, her head shot up, and Jack seemed to think of something at just the same time.

"Rose?"

In a daze, she only widened her eyes. "Hmm?"

"Just wondering- what Betsy meant when she said we may have to wait to visit...." Jack studied Rose, grinning wildly, "I know when two people have a secret." He leaned in to kiss her gently, watching as her eyes then roved his own. If he was seeing right, her lips seemed to be shaking the tiniest bit, and her hands were fumbling with the buttons on his jacket. Stopping where they were, just under a street lamp that allowed him to make her out perfectly, he waited.

"I..." Rose's face froze, her hair dancing magically on her shoulders. She saw a look of worry cross Jack's eyes, but still it took a moment for her to compose herself. She hadn't planned it this way- not at all. In her head, she had created several quite detailed enactments, but now she knew none of those would happen. This was the time, and Jack deserved to know right away. She thought quickly, taking hold of his flapping collar.

A smile broke out on Rose's face- a bright one, that rivaled only that of the streetlight she stood under. Jack leaned back slightly, confused and not quite understanding his wife's change of expression. "Are you okay Rose? If you don't want to tell me..." His mouth was dry from the wind, and he watched breathless as Rose giggled, placing one delicate hand over her mouth.

"Jack I think I may have to tell you. If I didn't, you'd be in for quite a surprise in a few months." Her eyes were flaming with anticipation now, with joy, and she watched diligently as Jack's face contorted. The first signs of a smile were penetrating his lips, and finally he moved back toward her, pulling Rose close.

"Rose, I think you just gave a me a hint, but I still don't..." Jack laughed as Rose turned her head to side, smiling. She waited for a minute, knowing that soon something would trigger him. He continued to stare, racking his brain for what Rose could possibly be up to. He felt his foot scrape the ground, and for some reason, he thought back to this morning, when he'd stood in the soft carpeting of the church, looking into that mirror. And suddenly, Mr. Carlson's voice was ringing his ears. Had he said something significant this morning...

"Dawson, I swear, I'm just going to have to say it." Rose opened her mouth, showing the dimples in her cheeks.

"Alright, I th...." Jack moved his eyes along Rose's face, running his hands tenderly over her waist, and then to her abdomen. She saw a light of knowledge sweep over his face, his eyes bugging in wonder. "Rose, are..."

She nodded once, placing her forefinger on her lips. Momentarily distracted by a passing cat, who had wandered from a nearby alley, she knew that her nerves couldn't take this tension anymore.

"Yes, Jack. That's what Betsy meant. I.....well, there is going to be someone else around.....We're going to have a...a baby." She sighed, deliriously happy as she felt Jack's grip on her tighten, and his mouth moving rapidly toward her own. She braced herself, feeling lightheaded as he kissed her so strongly. His lips were warm and they felt so comforting, so safe in the darkness. When he finally pulled away, he kept his face very close to her own.

"Rose, you don't know how...." He kissed her again quickly, not quite able to express his feelings in words. He looked down at her, encasing her entire face in his hands.

"I know Jack." She smiled reassuringly.

"This is amazing Rose, I want you to know that...." he shook his head as if in disbelief. "I was...I was just thinking this morning....what a child of ours would look like....we've never really talked about it. Are you alright?" His voice was soft but rushed, and Rose could tell he was as happy as she was. But she had expected no other reaction.

"I'm fine Jack." She leaned on her toes to kiss his forehead, running her hands through his smooth hair. "But I do think we ought to get out of this cold." Her eyes appeared a little mischievous, and she motioned to a still shocked Jack.

Jack swallowed, seeing Rose illuminated, the only light in such a dark and solemn night. And truly, she was his light. And now....He hurried to grab her hand, leading her once again down the street.

"So certainly we wouldn't be able to....I see," he mumbled. Rose laughed at Jack's verbal thoughts, placing her free hand across her stomach.

"I just hope everything goes well Jack. I was as surprised as you." She glanced up at him almost shyly, feeling a wonderful heat flow through her as his gaze pierced through her.

"It will Rose. Trust me. And we'll be the best parents in the world."

"A baby." Rose shook her head, hearing that word out loud for really only the second time. A million thoughts were flying inside her head. Yes, Jack would make an excellent father. There was just so much to think about now. "We'll take it one step at a time," she whispered.

Jack nodded in agreement, and pointed toward the direction of their apartment. "One step at a time Rose. And I say we get inside and warm- that will be the first one," he smiled, "and besides, this is our wedding night..." As if this thought had not occurred to Rose. She smiled, throwing her head back.

"I'm quite aware of that, Mr. Dawson. So why are you walking so slow?" She lifted her eyebrows humorously, amazed at the sight of her new husband, and completely exhilarated by the promise of the future. Always would she have this strength by her side, always now, would Jack be with her. And now, there would be a family to take care of.

"Okay, come on Rose. We've got a lot to look forward to." Jack raised his arm in the air with a flourish, picking up speed as if to mock Rose's comment. Soon she was practically skipping, attempting to catch up. His blond hair no longer fell in his eyes, but Jack's playful face had not changed, and she knew it never would. The sound of their combined laughter, to her, rung like the most beautiful symphonies of the world. And their hearts, beating in unison, were mercilessly matchless.

The End.

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