April 20, 1923
Jack, Rose, and their children were at Brian's funeral.
When they buried him, Jack cried on Rose's shoulder, hysterically.
Rose cried also.
She did her best to soothe Jack and his mother, and the kids, too.
Jack soothed her, too.
Brian was one of the kindest men.
Jack was so much like him.
Jack and Rose stayed up late that night, talking.
"Jack, I think we need to move back up here. Cora's going to college, and you need to be here for your mother," said Rose.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Of course I am. We've done everything we've talked about doing in Santa Monica."
"Thanks, Rose. Thank you for being there for me."
"Don't thank me. You've always been my shoulder to cry on. I don't mind being yours."
He smiled.
"Tomorrow, can we go visit my mother? I haven't seen her in two years."
"Of course we can."
She smiled and snuggled close to him.
He eventually fell into a restless sleep.
*****
He saw a blond haired little boy run up into his father's arms.
"Daddy!" the boy exclaimed.
"Hello, Jack. How was school today?"
"Fine. I drew a picture of you and Mommy."
"Oh, you did? Can I see?"
A bright light flashed, and he was in Europe with Fabrizio.
He was sleeping under a bridge.
A bright light flashed by, and he was on the Titanic.
"You're crazy!"
"With all due respect, Miss, I'm not the one hanging off the back of a ship here."
"You have a gift, Jack. You do. You see people."
"I see you."
"And?"
"You wouldn't have jumped."
"To making it count."
"Wanna go to a real party?"
"I'm flying, Jack!"
"To the stars."
"Not without you."
"You jump, I jump. Right?"
"Right."
"Jack, this is where we first met."
"Never let go."
"Cora, want to live with us?"
"Yes, Dad. It's me."
"I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, son."
*****
Jack woke up in a cold sweat.
He looked down at Rose and kissed her cheek.
She woke up.
"Jack, honey, what are you doing up?" she asked, kindly.
"I just had a dream. It was weird."
"Do you want to tell me about it?" she asked.
"Well, it started out with me as a little kid running into my dad's arms, and showing him a picture that I drew. Then a bright light flashed and I was with Fabri in Europe, sleeping under a bridge. Then another bright light flashed by and I was on the Titanic. I saw us talking at the stern, looking at my drawings, the first-class dinner, the steerage party, flying, the stars. The promise. Everything. Then I saw when you asked Cora to live with us. Then I saw my dad for the first time in five years. Then I told him I loved him."
He had tears in his eyes.
"Come here," she said, and wrapped her arms around him.
He cried on her shoulder.
"I love you, Rose. Thank you so much."
"I'm the one that should be thanking you."
"What do you mean?"
"You've been there for me more than once. I am here for you all the time, Jack. I love you."
They held each other tightly, neither one wanting to let go.