Serenity

Breaking of Barriers

'Jack,

Meet me at the rear gates shortly.

I must speak to you urgently.

Rose.'

It was quiet for a while, with Jack stealing an occasional glance as he focused on the wheel and the road. The flat, straight stretch of road required little attention, allowing his mind to wander elsewhere. He could feel his heartbeat and breathing quickening, contrasting sharply with their usual rhythm. Everything felt faster.

When the maid hurried towards him with an envelope, he sensed something was wrong. When he opened and read it, he gathered his things and got into the car without hesitation. If he would be in trouble for it later, so be it.

''You came,'' she could only smile at how he had been standing beside the Daimler in an oversized shirt, half opened from the breeze and rolled up sleeves exposing tanned, toned forearms. His trousers hung low on his waist from the lack of braces, and his hair ruffled in the winds.

''Of course, I came.''

''And you just...stole the car?''

''Are you going to report back to your mother on me?''

Rose smiled, knowing that she was not. "Of course. You petty thief." It faded off quickly. "I am glad you responded so quickly."

''I'm glad to see you. It feels as though it has been a while...''

Jack's voice was gravelled, although soft, as his hands were on the wheel. There was no destination in mind, just an open road ahead. It was freeing out here, with nothing ahead but the gravel and fresh air. It seemed endless and welcoming to them both, as though they had been fraught since they had last been in each other's company. A lot had come to pass. None of it currently mattered.

''It has been merely days. My mother and Elizabeth are abed, Madame Laurant-'' Rose stopped, remembering how ridiculous she sounded, and Jack had no clue who she was, ''the modiste had brought my wedding trousseau to try. I have been out of my mind all day. The sun was so warm, I couldn't sleep much last night and then-'' she stopped again, feeling Jack's warm gaze upon her but sensing that something else was amiss, she realised how when a nervous one chattered far too much and so she clasped her mouth closed. ''It's all right. I wanted to see you, too.''

Jack remained silent for a moment, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead. He cherished the sensation of her presence in the car, and the comfortable yet weighty silence between them suddenly felt beautiful.

''Rose.'' Jack paused, his eyes off the road momentarily. ''I just wanted to talk to you, too.''

Rose stilled. ''It's about Cal, isn't it?'' Her stomach knotted, knowing the answer already before more was even said. She supposed that at one time, they would be required to cross this bridge, although she was still not sure if she could get to the other side of it without feeling as though she would fall into the abyss below. It was terrifying.

Jack kept his eyes on the road. ''Yeah, some of it.''

Rose nodded, wringing her hands in her lap. He sensed her worry, and his hand dove into her lap to comfort her.

Taking a deep breath, Rose pushed aside the urge to scream at him to turn the car around and bring her home. Home was where she could retreat to her bedroom and escape from everything. She could forget it all and lock herself away, but underneath it all, she was trembling in her brown calfskin coat and wedding negligee.

''What is it?'' Rose raised her chin, preparing herself.

Jack pressed his lips together as he started to process his thoughts. ''Cal may know who I am now or have an idea anyway.''