Chapter Twelve
It was nine o’clock in the morning on the twentieth of April--Jack and Rose’s wedding day. Rose was still sleeping on the bed, while Jack was out getting his suit for the wedding, with Mike. Rose was soon awoken by the sunlight, which crept through the window. Rose opened her eyes, and sat up on the bed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes with her hand. Once she had woken herself up, she found that Jack wasn’t beside her. Rose then noticed a note on Jack’s pillow. Rose picked it up and read the note.
You don’t need to worry about me, I’m out with Mike, buying myself a tuxedo, or so he said. I already told Annie that the wedding will be today. She’s out buying herself a dress. She said she was inviting a couple of friends, hope that’s okay with you, Rosie. I’ll see you at the church. I love you, and I can’t wait until you become my wife.
Love Always,
Jack
She went to her bedroom and grabbed clean underclothes and a clean dress, which was lavender in color. Rose then went to the bathroom and filled the tub. She filled the tub with soap particles and stripped out of her nightgown. She then went into the tub and felt relaxed at how warm and relaxing the water felt against her naked body. Rose then began to scrub her body with soap and began shampooing her hair. After she rinsed herself, she just lay in the water, closing her eyes and imagining how her wedding will be like to Jack. A smile played upon her lips as she thought of their wedding night.
Minutes passed by, and Rose got out of the tub, pulling the drain plug out of the drain and watched as the water disappeared. She then grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body, to dry herself off. When she did, she began putting on her underclothes and the dress that she had chosen. She then began drying her hair. She grabbed her brush and began brushing her hair until it shone and until her curls were soft and bouncy. Rose set the brush down and just looked at her reflection on the vanity mirror. She smiled at her reflection and ran her fingers through her fiery red hair. Sighing happily, Rose left the bathroom and went back to her bedroom, where she took out her wedding dress out of the closet.
She set the dress on the bed and smiled. The dress was beautiful to Rose, and it meant more to her than any other bridal gown she had seen when she was engaged to Cal. Rose smiled as she picked up the dress and put it up against her body. She then went to the full-length mirror and looked at her reflection. She smiled, and thought of how she should have her hair. Rose smiled and decided to put it down, since Jack loved it down. Rose then hung the dress behind the closet door and tried to find something to do.
She then remembered that she needed to pick up the clothes from the cleaners, so she grabbed some money, her key, and put on her shoes as she left her apartment, closing the door behind her. She then walked down the stairs, and went into the lobby, where she saw Annie come in with a bag. She smiled and went over to her.
“Hi, Annie.” Rose smiled.
“Hey, Rose.” Annie said. “Jack told me that you two are going to get married this evening, so I went out and got myself a dress.”
“Yes. We thought it was best if we get married sooner, than later.” Rose said. “Besides, I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t married to him sooner.”
“With that handsome man by your side, I can’t blame you, Rose. You have good taste in men.” Annie said. Rose smiled.
“Mike isn’t too bad looking, either, Annie.” Rose said, smiling. Annie blushed. “You should go for it. Don’t hide it. Tell him how you feel, that’s all you need to do.”
“I know, but I don’t know if he feels the same way, and I’m afraid that he’ll reject me.” Annie said.
“Annie, you wouldn’t know unless you try.” Rose said, encouraging Annie to tell Michael how she feels towards him.
“Well, I’ll think about it, okay?” Annie said. Rose smiled and nodded.
“That’s good enough.” Rose said. “Well, I have to make some errands. I’ll be back soon, okay?”
“Okay, Rose. I’ll be by your apartment at five to help you get dressed.” Annie said.
“Okay, thanks Annie.” Rose said, before leaving the apartment building.
Rose walked up the block until she reached the cleaners. She went inside to retrieve the clothes. She saw two men behind a counter and she went towards them and told them about the clothes that Jack had dropped off yesterday. She described the clothes to the men, and they handed them to her. Rose smiled and gladly paid for the amount they asked. Rose bid them goodbye and left the cleaners. Rose passed a florist shop and smiled. She went inside the shop and went to the counter.
“Hi, how may I help you?” The woman asked Rose politely.
“Uh, I need a bouquet for my wedding.” Rose said.
“Certainly.” The woman said. “What would you like?”
“Uh, I would like red, pink, and white roses, with a white ribbon tying them together, please.” Rose said.
“No problem, miss.” The woman said, as she began preparing Rose’s wedding bouquet, the way she wanted it. Five minutes passed, and the woman finished the bouquet. “How’s this?” The woman asked, showing her the bouquet.
Rose smiled as she saw fifteen roses of each color she had chosen, tied together with a white ribbon. The white ribbon had gold trim, making it look more elegant and beautiful. The bow was perfectly made, making the bouquet look more beautiful. The woman had cut half the stem, so it wouldn’t be too long for Rose, when she holds it. Rose smiled as tears glistened in her eyes. She knew her wedding would be perfect. More perfect than what her wedding to Cal would’ve been.
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” Rose said, taking the bouquet from the lady. She then gave her twenty dollars. The lady gave Rose her change and bid her good luck on her wedding. Rose thanked her and left the florist shop, as she began heading back towards her apartment building. Once she reached her apartment building, she went inside and walked up the stairs, to her apartment.
She took her key out from the small pocket on her dress and opened the door, going inside. After closing the door behind her, she walked to her bedroom and put the clothes on the bed. She then went to the kitchen and put the bouquet in the icebox, so they wouldn’t wilt by the time her wedding arrived. She then went back to the bedroom and looked at the clothes which were spread out on the bed. Rose sat on the bed and caressed her dress. Jack’s shirt, pants, and suspenders were beside her dress, looking the same as it did the last time Jack had worn it. A smile appeared on her lips as she remembered the night in the Renault.
Rose got up and went in the closet, to see where she could put the clothes. She looked up and saw a wooden box on the shelf. Rose tip-toed and reached up to retrieve the box from the shelf. Once she got the box from the shelf, she went to the bed and sat down. She blew the dust off the top. She then opened the box, finding it empty. Rose smiled and thought that this box could be the box that would hold the clothes they had worn onboard the Titanic, and it will be their ‘memory’ box throughout their years together.
Rose folded the clothes and put them in the box. Rose closed the box and put it under the bed, planning to show it to Jack later on. Rose looked at the clock on the wall and noticed that it was only ten thirty in the morning. Rose decided to take a walk in the park, to kill time. Besides, she wanted to have some time for herself, before she gets married. She grabbed the key and left the apartment once again, going towards the park.
Jack was wearing a black tuxedo, which fit him perfectly. The black bowtie made him look even more handsome. Mike smiled at him and nodded. Jack smiled and had to agree with Mike. This tuxedo was the perfect one for his wedding, and Jack wanted his wedding to Rose to be perfect and he wanted to provide her with everything, just so he could see her happy. He didn’t want to see her cry. It broke his heart to see tears fall down her cheeks and to see her eyes full of sadness.
Jack looked at his reflection in the mirror once more and smiled, knowing that this was the tuxedo he would wear for his wedding. He had everything planned. Jack and Mike had went to Freddy’s Italian Place and asked the owner if they could have the reception there, and the owner agreed, telling them that he’d be happy to have the reception at the restaurant. Jack also bought the wedding ring for both himself and for Rose with the money he had left. Jack then walked towards Mike, who was choosing himself a new suit.
“Hey, Mike, I can’t let you pay for this. I’ll just get a regular suit, a tuxedo is much to expensive.” Jack said, hoping to change Mike’s mind.
“Hey, Jack.” Michael said, facing him. “I’m doing you a favor. It’s your wedding, and I know you want it to be special, that’s why I’m doing this. Don’t worry about the price. I got enough money to get five tuxedo’s at once.” Jack looked at him, perplexed. Michael sighed. “Yes, I’m a rich man, but I don’t want to live in a big mansion, like most rich people do. I’m not stuck up or conceited. I care for other people, and I want to help them when they need it. You’re my new friend, and I want to help you. I don’t want to see your wedding become a bore, okay?” Jack smiled and hugged him.
“Thank you, Mike. I really appreciate this.” Jack said.
“Ah, there’s no need to thank me. Just wait for your wedding present. Then, you’ll thank me.” Mike said.
“Mike, you didn’t have to.” Jack said.
“I know. But I wanted to.” Mike said. “You’ll know once you get it. Trust me. And there’s no giving it back, just to let ya know.” Jack just smiled. “Okay, how about we pay for that tuxedo and for my suit, so we could head on our way to my apartment. Now, there’s no seeing Rose at all today. At least not until the wedding. You know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. You’re going to stay in my apartment until we have to leave for the wedding, okay?” Jack laughed.
“Okay. Just hope Rose is fine with it.” Jack said.
“Don’t worry about her. She has Annie to help her. That’s what maid of honors are for.” Mike said. “Now change back to your normal clothes, that way we could pay for your tuxedo and I could pay for my suit.” Jack nodded and went to the dressing room, to change back into the clothes he had worn before. When he changed into his clothes, he held the tuxedo with the hanger. He found Mike holding his suit that he would be wearing. “Okay, let’s pay for these and be on our way.”
Jack followed Mike to the counter, where Mike would pay for the tuxedo and his suit. Jack just stood beside him, thinking about Rose and how in less than four hours, that they’ll become husband and wife. He hoped that Rose wasn’t worrying about him. She didn’t want her to be worried on her wedding day. He knew that the wedding was all too soon, only eight days after the tragedy, but he knew he couldn’t wait any longer, and he knew Rose couldn’t either.
He knew if she married him today, Cal would probably leave them alone and go find himself a new debutante to marry. Jack loved Rose, and he would do absolutely anything just to make sure she’s safe and happy. He noticed that Mike had already paid for the formal wear, so Jack followed him out of the store, and back to the apartment building. Jack followed Mike to his apartment and sat down on the couch. He had six hours until he would be married to the love of his life.
Rose then noticed Annie walking towards her. Rose smiled and watched as she took a seat beside her on the bench. Annie was wearing a light blue dress, which was sleeveless. The dress brought out her eyes, making them a deep blue. Annie had her hair in a ponytail, but a few strands escaped from the ribbon that was holding her hair together. Annie smiled.
“Are you nervous?” Annie asked.
“A little.” Rose said. “But I can’t wait until I become his wife.”
“I could tell you’re in love with him.” Annie said. “Honestly, I have never seen anyone so much in love as you and Jack are. Your love to Jack will probably last a lifetime.”
“I know it will. I’m still glad that I have met him.” Rose said. Annie smiled.
“Well, shouldn’t we be heading off to your apartment and get things ready? Besides, we could just talk and enjoy ourselves, before the wedding arrives. It will kill time, and before you know it, you’ll be walking down that isle, to your beloved Jack.” Annie said. Rose smiled.
“I agree. Let’s go.” Rose said, standing up. She couldn’t wait until she got ready for her wedding. Until she finally become Mrs. Jack Dawson, married to the love of her life, and to her best friend, who saved her life more than once and who loved her for who she was, not for what she was. He captured her heart, and sure enough, she captured his, both becoming deeply in love with each other. More than life itself. Both Annie and Rose headed towards their apartment building, and went up the stairs to Jack and Rose’s apartment, so they could talk for awhile, before getting ready for Rose’s wedding. All Rose knew, was that she was the luckiest woman alive, to be Jack Dawson’s wife.