Chapter Thirteen
Four hours passed by and Annie was helping Rose put on her wedding dress. Annie was wearing a floor-length lavender dress, which was short-sleeved and was low-cut. Annie was buttoning the back of Rose’s dress, which looked beautiful on Rose. The short-sleeves were off her shoulder, and it was low-cut. Once Annie had finished buttoning Rose’s dress, Rose turned around and smiled. Annie stared at her in shock and smiled.
“Wow, Rose.” Annie said. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Rose said, smiling.
“How would you like your hair?” Annie asked.
“Down. That’s the way Jack likes it.” Rose said.
“Okay.” Annie said, taking the tiara from the bureau. The tiara was silver, with little diamonds and rubies on the front. The tiara was small, but also noticeable. Annie handed Rose the tiara, and Rose took it, placing it on her head, before brushing her curls. Rose added a touch of Annie’s perfume, which she had borrowed from. Rose stared at herself on the full-length mirror and smiled. “You’re going to take Jack’s breath away with your beauty. I know no man could ever resist you.” Rose laughed.
“But, I’m already taken. Just hope that the other men understand that.” Rose said.
“Don’t worry, they will.” Annie said. Annie looked at the clock on the wall. “We better get going now. We have fifteen minutes to go.”
“This is it. I’m going to be married in fifteen minutes.” Rose said.
“You’ll do fine. Just remember, you’re marrying the handsomest man on earth.” Annie said. Rose laughed. She then hugged Annie.
“Thank you.” Rose whispered. Annie hugged her back.
“Anytime, Rose.” Annie said. “Let’s go.” Annie and Rose left Jack and Rose’s apartment and left the building, heading towards the small church.
“Come on, Jack. We don’t wanna be late!” Mike called out.
“I’ll be right there!” Jack called out. Earlier, they had gone to the barber shop, to cut Jack’s hair, which was now shorter, but strands still fell in his face. Jack swung the hair out of his face and sighed. In less than fifteen minutes, he and Rose would become man and wife, something he never expected to be. He never would’ve thought that he would be married to a beautiful girl, like Rose. He never would’ve thought that he would’ve been married, period. He wasn’t the married type, but with Rose, he knew he will be. He loved her, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Jack took one last look at himself, then left Mike’s bedroom.
Jack and Mike both left the apartment building and began heading towards the church that Jack and Rose would be married into. As they were walking, Jack began to get more anxious to become Rose’s husband. He took a deep breath and calmed himself down, telling himself that Rose wanted to become his wife, and that nothing would ever come between them. Before he knew it, they were in from of the church. Jack sighed, and climbed the stone steps, until he reached the front entrance. When he opened the double doors, he saw a white carpet covering the isle, and he saw about more than thirty people in the church. Jack was confused as to who the people were, but walked down the isle, with Mike by his side.
When Jack reached the alter, he turned and faced the people who were staring up at him. He saw Ruth smiling up at him. Jack smiled back and looked down the isle. Mike was standing beside him, smiling as well. Jack saw the priest stand at the front of the alter, smiling up at him. Jack smiled back and watched as the priest made his way to the center of the alter, holding the Mass book in his hands. Just then, the double doors opened, and a light tune began to play as Annie walked down the isle, with a bright smile on her face, holding a small bouquet in her hands. She walked down the isle in small, graceful steps as she reached the alter and stood at the opposite side Jack stood. Just then, the bridal march began to play, and Jack stared at the double doors, as they opened and revealed Rose.
There he saw her, wearing a beautiful white floor-length dress, smiling at him. She had a beautiful tiara on her head and was holding a bouquet in her hands. More elegant than the one Annie was holding. She began walked down the isle, not taking the smile off her face. Jack watched as she came closer to where he stood. He saw tears glistening in Rose’s eyes and he smiled. He held out his hand, and Rose took it, letting Jack help her the rest of the way. Rose handed her bouquet to Annie, who smiled at her as she took it. Rose smiled back and looked up at Jack. They then faced the priest who smiled at them.
“We are gathered here today, to join these two young couple in holy matrimony.” The priest said. “Who gives away the beautiful bride?” Ruth stood up and smiled.
“I do.” Ruth said.
“Very well. This special evening will bring these two people together. Now, if anyone in here feels that these two shouldn’t marry, speak now, or forever hold your peace.” The priest said. Jack and Rose didn’t dare look back, but waited to see if anyone would object to their marriage. Luckily, there was silence. Jack squeezed Rose’s hand and smiled at her. “Okay. Do you, Jack Dawson, take this woman to be you lawful wedded wife. To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death tears you apart?” The priest said, to Jack. Jack smiled and stared into Rose’s eyes.
“I do.” Jack said, loud enough for the priest to hear. The priest handed him Rose’s wedding ring, and Jack placed it on her ring finger, alongside the engagement ring.
“Do you Rose DeWitt-Bukater, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband. To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death tears you apart?” The priest asked Rose. Rose looked up at Jack and smiled.
“I do.” Rose said, her voice shaky with her tears of joy. The priest handed Rose Jack’s wedding ring, which Rose gracefully put on Jack’s left ring finger. Once she did, she held Jack’s hand with both of her hands and smiled up at him.
“By the power invested in me, I know pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest smiled. Jack and Rose smiled as well, and they kissed. At first, it was just a slow kiss, but soon grew into a passionate, loving kiss, for it was their first kiss as husband and wife. Once the kiss ended, Jack and Rose hugged. “I would like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dawson.” The priest said. Jack and Rose heard applause fill the room and turned around, to find everybody standing up. The priest lead Jack and Rose to a table, where they were to sign their marriage certificate. Once they did, Jack took it and put it in his breast pocket of his jacket. Jack and Rose then held hands and walked down the isle together--as man and wife. Once they were outside, Jack kissed Rose and spun her around.
“We did it!” Jack exclaimed happily. “We’re married!”
“I know!” Rose said. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Jack said, as he kissed her passionately. “I always will.”
Just then, they heard the double doors open, and everybody got out of the church, going towards Jack and Rose to congratulate them. Mike and Annie went towards them.
“Congratulations, Jack. I knew you could do it.” Mike said, patting Jack on his shoulder.
“Thanks.” Jack said. “Now, I’m the happiest man alive.”
“You better be. You got a good looking wife, now.” Mike said. Jack laughed and held Rose close to him.
“Congratulations. I knew you two could do it.” Annie said, smiling. Rose smiled and hugged her.
“Thank you for everything. You don’t know how good of a friend you really are to me.” Rose said, looking at Annie with tear-filled eyes. Annie smiled.
“I’m glad to be of help Rose, really.” Annie smiled.
“Annie, just out of curiosity, who are these people?” Jack asked, referring to the people who stood out of the church. Annie smiled.
“These are just people I know. I decided that it would be best to have a good amount of people at your wedding.” Annie said. “Besides, you two are my friends. I couldn’t just let you have a small wedding. You two deserve better than that.” Jack and Rose smiled.
“Thanks.” Jack said, smiling.
“Okay, guys. Let’s head off to Freddy’s Italian Place!” Mike said. “They’re waiting!”
“We’ll be right there, Mike.” Jack said.
“Okay, Jack.” Mike said, as he began walking towards the restaurant.
“Annie, why don’t you lead the guests to the restaurant. Rose and I will be at the restaurant shortly.” Jack said.
“Okay, Jack.” Annie said, smiling. “Don’t be gone for long though. We need our guests of honor, you know.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be there.” Jack said. Annie smiled and went over to the guests, leading them to the restaurant. Once they disappeared in sight, Jack turned to Rose and lifted her up, kissing her passionately. He slowly spun around and looked at her face. “So, Mrs. Dawson. How does it feel like to be a married woman?” Rose smiled up at him, as Jack set her down.
“Wonderful.” Rose said. “How does it feel like to be a married man?”
“Perfect. Especially since I’m married to a very remarkable woman.” Jack said. Rose smiled and tip-toed to kiss him.
“I love you, Jack Dawson.” Rose said.
“I love you too, Rose Dawson.” Jack said. With that, they kissed once more. “Come on.” Jack held out his hand. “Let’s go to our reception.” Rose slipped her hand in his and smiled.
“Certainly, Jack.” Rose said.
Jack and Rose walked down the block, to the restaurant where their reception will take place. Once they reached the restaurant, they went inside, only to be greeted by an applause and cheering from the guests who were at the church. Jack and Rose just smiled. They never expected that strangers would actually be happy for them. Besides, Jack and Rose didn’t know the guests, but they were glad that they came to their wedding, when they probably had other plans. Mike stood up in the middle of the restaurant and smiled.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please!” Mike said, loud enough for the cheering guests to hear. “I would like to introduce to you, for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dawson!” Mike said, clapping his hands together, as did the rest of the guests. Jack and Rose smiled and went to hug Mike, who hugged both of them back. “Okay, now the newlyweds have to have their first dance as husband and wife.”
To Jack and Rose’s surprise, music began playing. It was a soft tune, but the tune made Rose cry in joy. Jack took her hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor. Jack placed his hand on the small of her back, while the other held her hand, tightly. Rose looked up at him and smiled, as they began swaying back and forth to the beat of the music.
As the music was playing, Rose drifted off to another world. All the memories that she had with Jack came to her and she smiled. She remembered dancing with him at the third class party, she remembered kissing him at the bow, remembered him drawing her nude, and remembered him making love to her. Rose sighed happily as she leaned her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Jack, too, drifted into another world. All the memories had come back to him, and Jack smiled. He enjoyed the days he had spent with Rose onboard the Titanic. Those memories will be in his heart for the rest of his life. Jack could still remember the kiss they had at the bow, and the drawing he made in the sitting room of Rose’s suite. He could never forget how he made love to Rose. He was so nervous that night, that he thought his heart would pop out of his chest from beating to hard.
Jack and Rose both danced to the song that played and stayed close together, until the song finished. Once it did, Jack leaned down and kissed Rose with all the passion in him. Rose wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tighter. Soon, they broke apart, and took their seats beside each other, on a table where Mike and Annie were sitting.
“Jack, I told you before that I got you a wedding present.” Mike said. Jack smiled.
“I guess I forgot.” Jack said, going back towards Mike, Rose right beside him.
“Okay.” Mike said. “I know this is a lot, but I know you two need it more than I do. Besides, I got a whole bunch of them.” Jack and Rose were confused as to what Mike was talking about. “I gave you a hundred thousand dollars for your wedding present.”
“What?!” Jack said, a little too loud than expected. He closed his eyes and calmed himself down. “Mike, are you out of your mind? That’s a lot of money, you can’t give it to us.”
“I knew you were gonna say that, but Jack, it’s your wedding day. Besides, as I told you before, I got a whole bunch of them. I don’t really need about over five million dollars, so I gave you a hundred thousand. It’ll last you a lifetime. You two need it more than I do. I didn’t know what else to give you to, so I gave you money.” Mike said. “Besides, I never met a person who didn’t care for my money, but cared for who I am, and I appreciate that, Jack. You’re the greatest friend a guy can have, and I’m glad that you’re my friend.” Jack smiled and hugged Mike, in a manly way. “Congratulations, Jack. I’m happy for you.”
“How am I gonna ever repay you?” Jack asked. “I mean, that’s a lot of money to give a person.”
“There’s no need to repay me. It’s a gift, okay?” Mike said. “It’s your wedding day, so I decided that it would be a terrific wedding present.” Jack and Rose just looked at each other and smiled. “Well, what are you two waiting for? Get on out of here, and go home. You don’t need to stay here. Besides, you two gotta have your wedding night, you know.” Mike winked at Jack, and he blushed.
“Well, okay Mike. Thanks for everything, really. One day, I’m gonna pay you back for all this.” Jack said.
“How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t need to do that?” Mike said. “It’s a wedding gift. A present for both you and your lovely wife. I told you before that I’m not taking it back, and I’m serious. I’m not taking it back.” Jack smiled.
“Well, thank you very much, Mike. We really appreciate it.” Jack said.
“No problem.” Mike said. “Now get on outta here!” Jack laughed and held onto Rose’s hand, as he led her out of the restaurant and back to their apartment building, where they went up the stairs, to their apartment, to start their new life as Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dawson--a married couple.