A DEEP OCEAN OF SECRETS
Chapter Twenty-Eight
And just like Rose, warm in her
bunk, the wreck of Titanic lay on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. Like a ghost
out of the darkness. A great ruin of something big and grand. It was silent in
the peaceful abyss.
Through Rose’s eyes in heaven,
she floated down through the forecastle, down into the B-Deck promenade. From
the watery, rusty, old damaged ruin of the grandest ship ever built, before
flashes of light; she was suddenly flashed back to the beautiful interior as it
was in 1912. The decks were clean and rust-free, the walls white, sun shining
through the windows. Deck chairs lined the walls in welcome, plants between
them, adding color and sparkle to the deck. There was distant waltz music to be
heard. It floated through the rooms, through the entire ship, beckoning,
calling…
Rose seemed to float past the
corners and was swept into the first class B-Deck foyer. The door was opened
for her, and as she looked inside, it was just as beautiful as she had seen it
in 1912. The Grand Staircase loomed ahead of her, and at the foot and A-Deck
landing, people saw her and smiled as she entered. There were so many people!
Rose recognized many of them.
They were all people who had perished when the massive ship failed so long ago.
But they all looked like they did when they were happy onboard, warm and safe.
All dressed nicely, all with smiles and pure happiness. People of different
ages, different classes…Rose smiled at them warmly, knowing that she was being
welcomed.
Rose recognized her faithful
maidservant, Trudy Bolt, and Elisabeth’s, Kathy. They gave a slight wave and a
big grin. Bert and Cora Cartmell, who Jack loved to dance with. She was on his
shoulders, smiling and waving at her. She saw Thomas Andrews near the front of
the steps, dressed elegantly in a tux. His graying hair was just like she
remembered, his half-smile warm and loving. He looked at her and gave a nod of
his head. Next to him stood William Thackery, his nephew and Elisabeth’s love
on the ship. His dark hair sat on his forehead and he grinned at her, hands
behind his back. His eyes gleamed happily with mischievousness, and although
Rose did not know him, he smiled at her like they had known each other for all
those years on earth.
And next to him, which made
Rose’s heart leap with joy, was Elisabeth. She wore the beautiful dress she had
worn when the ship had sunk, but it wasn’t water-stained, looking elegant and
stunning. It looked fit for a princess. Her hair cascaded down past her
shoulders, the curls Rose could always imagine--blood-dark and thick. Her eyes
were lit up, the flames burning brightly, the jade color never ceasing. She had
the widest, happiest, most mature, patient grin on her face, like Rose had
remembered for so long. She was the young age of fifteen.
Rose reached the bottom steps and
looked up to the top of the first flight of stairs. There, back to her, was
Jack. He was dressed in his simple third class clothes, his blonde hair shining
in the light. As Rose continued up the stairs, he turned to her and a big smile
grew on his face. He held out his hand to her, she took it, and he pulled her
up the final steps. He took her in his arms and stared into her eyes for a
minute.
Rose, a young girl of seventeen,
her fiery red curls gleaming, dressed in a beautiful white gown, looked up at
him. In a flash, they were kissing for all of heaven to see, the biggest smiles
on their faces. Everybody applauded, and Rose and Jack stayed in each other’s
arms.
Jack was the first one to speak.
His voice was just like Rose had heard all those years ago. "I’ve been
waiting for you," he said softly, looking into her green eyes that he had
missed so much.
"I know you have," Rose
replied lovingly. "And I’ve missed you."
"You died an old lady, warm
in your bed."
"I never gave up, no matter
what happened, no matter how hopeless. I made lots of babies and watched them
grow. I didn’t die that night, Jack. I went on, and never let go."
Jack kept her in his arms and
smiled. "I know, and I’m proud." He kissed her softly. "I’ve
missed you."
"I’ve missed you, too,
Jack," Rose replied, smiling and staring into his eyes.
"Rose?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"I love you. I love you, and
I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before."
Rose smiled softly and wrapped
her arms around Jack’s neck tighter. "It’s all right," she said
gently. Jack gave her the slightest confused look. "I already knew. I knew
every single one of those days I’ve lived since I met you."
Jack’s face lit up, his heart
full of emotion and love, and he kissed Rose again, wrapping her tightly in his
arms. Everyone applauded again, grinning and whispering amongst one another, in
the utter silence of the abyss.
The End.