AFTER TITANIC
Chapter Thirty-Eight

It had been a week since the shooting and Rose had stayed by Jack's side the whole time, despite Ruth's and Molly's pleas for her to go back to the beach house and get some rest. She was determined to be there when Jack woke up. She was sitting by Jack's side now, fighting the tears as she watched him grow more thin and gaunt. She'd give anything for him to open those beautiful blue eyes.

"Rose, darling." Molly stuck her head through the door. "Why don't you give it a rest and come home? You're making yourself ill doing this, and Jack wouldn't want that."

"I'm fine, Molly. And I'm getting plenty of rest. The nurse brought in a portable cot for me to sleep on and the hospital food here isn't all that bad." Rose tried to smile but failed. "I'm fine, Molly. Trust me."

"Your mother and children miss you. You know, it's hard for the twins. It's bad enough not to see Daddy around the house, but Mommy's gone, too. And you're missing every step of their lives. Jack wouldn't want that, and you know it."

"Molly...I can't. I can't leave him." Tears began to flow from her eyes. "Look at him, Molly. He's so thin and pale."

"I know, darling. That in itself is a reason for you to take a break. You're sitting here watching him waste away, and it's not good for you."

"Can you believe, Molly, that two weeks ago was our anniversary and we were so happy? We did everything we ever talked about. We were so happy. And now look at us..."

"That's it, Rose." Molly came over to her and pulled her out of the chair. "You're going home and getting some sleep. Real sleep, not this drifting in and out like you've been doing. Then you're going to have a real meal and you're going to play with your children. Do I make myself clear?"

"But, Molly..."

"You have no choice, Rose. You're going to go home and rest. I'll stay here and watch Jack."

"But, Molly." Rose began to protest again, but caught the glint in Molly's eyes and knew she wasn't going to win. "If there's any change...any change at all...promise to send for me."

"You know I will." Molly hugged the girl tightly. "Don't worry, Rose. Our Jack is a fighter and a survivor. He'll make it through this."

Rose nodded and took one more look at Jack and walked out the door.

*****

"Rose, you're home!" Ruth exclaimed in delight. "How are you, darling?"

"Tired and hungry. Where are Molly and Tommy?" Rose asked.

"Eliza and Maxwell took them to the beach. They thought the fresh air would do them good."

Rose just nodded, her eyes not revealing the fear she felt. What if Lee came back, and this time hurt her children like he hurt Jack?

"It's only for a couple of hours, Rose. I hope you don't mind," Ruth tried to reassure her.

"It's fine, Mother. If you don't mind now, I'll go upstairs and get some sleep. The sooner I get some sleep...the sooner I can get back to Jack." Rose sighed.

"That'll be fine, darling." Ruth nodded, watching her daughter go upstairs. She couldn't help but be moved to tears. The light she had seen in Rose's eyes last week when she was about to renew her vows with Jack was now gone and her voice was now flat with despair. Would her daughter ever be happy again? And what if Jack died? Would her daughter have enough strength to go on without him? If this was any indication, she was very afraid for her daughter...very afraid...very afraid indeed.

*****

Rose woke up in her room to find Tommy Ryan waiting for her, his derby hat in his hands and a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

"Tommy." Rose sat up. "I suppose you're here to take me to Jack."

"Not really, lass." Tommy smiled.

"What? I don't understand." Rose got to her feet, her voice alert.

"I'm here to tell you not to bother. He's not here."

"You mean..." Rose's eyes widened.

"Yes, lass. He's awake. But he told me before he left to tell you to sleep as long as you like and get plenty to eat. He'll still be there when you return," Tommy said. "He told me to make you promise."

Rose threw her arms around Tommy excitedly and hugged him. "I promise, Tommy." She laughed. "Thank you. Thank you so much!"

"Well, Rose, this is good-bye." Tommy held out his hand.

"Good-bye, Tommy. And thank you for taking care of Jack. It really meant a lot to me." Rose squeezed his hand.

"It was nothing, lass. It was kind of like old times." Tommy smiled. "Well, this is indeed good-bye, Rose. Take care."

"I will, Tommy. I promise." Rose waved as he left the room.

*****

Two hours later Rose awoke, her gloomy mood lifted. If the dream was correct, Jack was now awake and waiting for her, but first she had to keep the last part of her promise and get cleaned up. She wanted to look her best for Jack.

"Rose, darling, you're awake," Ruth exclaimed, as she spooned some cereal into baby Molly's mouth. "And you look better, too."

"Molly and Tommy are home, I see. Mother, be a dear and get them ready for another outing. I'm taking them to see their father."

"Rose…" Ruth's voice was cautious. "Do you think that's a good idea?"

"It's a grand idea, Mother. Jack will want to see them. On our way there, there's a quaint little cafe. We can stop there and get a bite to eat. Then we can go on to the hospital. I'm sure Jack will want to see you, too," Rose said, picking Tommy up out of his chair.

"Rose...Jack..."

"I'd love to help you get the children together, Mother, but I must get cleaned up myself. I'll be down in a half hour."

Ruth looked worriedly after her daughter, afraid of the heartbreak that was sure to be waiting for her when she got to the hospital. But she wasn't going to argue with her. At least a little bit of the old Rose was back, and she was no longer buried in her depression.

*****

True to her word, Rose came back down a half-hour later, looking better than she had in a week. She was, of course, wearing the locket Jack had given her on their anniversary, something she had drawn strength from during this ordeal. She'd slipped into a yellow dress that had reminded her of the dress she wore on the deck of Titanic, except it wasn't as fancy, and her hair was pulled up into the same style she wore that day on the deck.

"Rose, you're beautiful." Ruth grinned.

"Are you three ready?" Rose asked, looking at the twins, who were now in their stroller.

"We're as ready as we're ever going to be." Ruth smiled.

"Well, then, let's be on our way." Rose took control of the stroller and rolled it out the door.

Please let Jack be awake, Ruth silently prayed, before following her daughter out the door.

*****

An hour later they were right outside Jack's hospital door. Rose couldn't help being a little nervous. What if her dream was wrong? What if Jack wasn't awake and she had made a big mistake bringing the children here? Rose was about to turn around and go back home when she heard Molly's laughter, the kind of laughter that she only laughed when she was with Jack.

"He's awake!" Rose grinned, leaving the twins with Ruth, and dashed through the door to see Jack wide awake and smiling at Molly, who was doubled over in a fit of laughter. "Jack!"

"Rose, you're finally here. I was going to send for you, but Jack here said not to bother. That you had made a promise that you had to keep." Molly stifled her giggles.

"Was I right?" Jack asked, hugging Rose back twice as hard as she was hugging him.

"You were right," Rose cried, her tears flowing freely. Oh, how she missed his arms.

"Dada!" Tommy exclaimed, pointing towards Jack as Ruth rolled them into the room.

"Oh, my goodness. You are awake. Rose, how did you know?" Ruth asked incredulously.

"Mother, you know Jack and I have a special connection. Of course I'd know when he woke up." Rose smiled. "I just regret not being here when he did open those gorgeous blue eyes of his."

"Well, I don't, Rose. Molly said you've been here day and night and haven't been eating properly," Jack lectured. "Rose, I don't want you to do that again okay? I love you and want you to take care of yourself."

"Dada!" Tommy called again.

"Yes, Jack. You've made yourself perfectly clear." Rose kissed him again.

"Hey, Daddy! You're wanted here!" Molly laughed, taking Tommy out of the stroller.

"Dada!" Tommy called once again, pointing at Jack.

"Oh, my goodness. Did he just say his first word?" Jack asked.

"His only word at the moment." Molly brought the baby over and handed him to Jack. "This little fellow sure did miss his daddy."

"Dada!" Tommy laughed, once he was in Jack's arms.

"Oh, Rose, I missed him so much." Jack hugged the baby.

"They missed you, too. Especially Tommy." Rose smiled at the scene.

Suddenly, there was a slight knock at the door. Rose looked up to see Eliza poke her head through the door. "Is it okay if I come in?"

Before anyone had the chance to protest, Jack smiled brightly and beckoned her in. "Of course you can come in. Who said you couldn't?" Jack happily laughed.

Rose was in awe. Despite the fact that it was because of Eliza that he got shot, Jack didn't hold it against her, unlike Katherine, who still held a grudge against the Calverts. Of course, Rose shouldn't have been surprised that Jack wasn't angry or bitter. Those feelings just weren't in his nature.

"Oh, Jack, I'm so happy to see you awake. Maxwell and I were so worried." Eliza entered the room, a little nervous. She didn't know what to expect. Katherine was so angry with her...she was certain that Jack would be, too.

"Well, you should know that if an iceberg couldn't do me in, a bullet wouldn't be able to do the job, either." Jack laughed. "Where's Maxwell?"

"At the beach house, getting the rest of our things. Katherine thought it'd be best if we left."

"What? When did this happen?" Rose asked, turning to her mother.

"Oh, a couple of hours ago. She wanted to wait until Rose and Ruth weren't home. But I just came over to say good-bye, and we'll be in touch when we find a place." Eliza looked down at the floor.

"Now, wait a minute. You're saying Kathy kicked you out of my house?" Jack asked in disbelief.

"She thinks it's dangerous for us to stay there, and she's right. Look what happened to you because of us, Jack. You could have died." Eliza sobbed. "It's best that we leave before Lee does something worse."

"Now, listen here, Eliza. The beach house is my house, and you and Maxwell are welcome to stay there as long as you want. This isn't your fault. It's just one of those things that happen. And as much as I love my cousin, I'm not going to allow her to chase our friends away. So call Maxwell and tell him to unpack your things. You two are going nowhere."

Eliza was silent. Then, she turned to Rose, who'd been silent during the whole exchange. "Rose...do you feel the same way as Jack, or do you share Katherine's feelings? Do you blame what happened on me?"

"It wasn't your fault, Eliza," Rose mumbled half-heartedly.

"But you do think it's best that we leave, don't you?"

Rose was on the spot. She could feel Jack's, Molly's, Ruth's, and even the twins’ eyes on her. "Eliza, forgive me. I don't blame you, but I do have a family to think about. I can't risk the twins getting hurt, or something worse happening to Jack. I just don't think it's a good idea for you to stay at the beach house anymore, at least until Lee is put away for this."

Eliza nodded in understanding. "I understand, Rose, and I will honor your feelings. Maxwell and I will be gone by the time you return tonight. But we do want to thank you two for everything you have done for us. If it wasn't for you, we would never have gotten together."

Rose looked down at her hands guiltily. She felt awful for how she felt, but she couldn't help it.

"I better get going. Maxwell's waiting. We'll keep in touch." Eliza exited the room.

The room was silent. No one wanted to say anything. Finally, Ruth spoke up. "Well, Molly, I think the twins need to be changed. You don't mind coming to help me, do you?"

Catching the hint, Molly took Tommy from Jack and nodded. "Let's go, Ruth. I say these two need to talk."

"We'll be back." Ruth nodded to Rose, exiting the room.

Jack was silent. A good ten minutes passed before Rose couldn't take it anymore.

"Jack, say something. Please. I know you don't appreciate what I just said, but I couldn't lie to her. Honesty is a big thing with you. I can't believe you'd prefer me to lie to her." Rose sighed.

"It wasn't her fault, Rose," Jack said emotionlessly.

"I know that, Jack. But she's a target for Lee to come back and try again. I'm afraid that he'll hurt you again...or worse, hurt the twins. Jack, please, all I'm trying to do is protect my family. Is that so wrong?"

"It's not wrong, Rose, but it's not right to ostracize Eliza for what Lee did. I mean, where are they going to go? How are they going to live?"

"I'll talk to Molly," Rose answered. "Molly will take them in. She'll be happy to."

"We've already imposed on Molly enough, Rose."

"Jack...fine. If you want them to stay, they can stay." Rose sighed in defeat.

"It's not about what I want, Rose. It's about what's right...and it's not right just kicking them out in the street."

"I'm not kicking them out on the streets!" Rose cried. "Oh, Jack, why can't you understand?"

"Understand what?" Kathy entered the room a vase of flowers in her hand. "Well, I see sleeping beauty has awakened."

"Hi, Kathy." Rose sniffed, quickly wiping away her tears.

"Rose, are you crying? Why? Jack's awake. You shouldn't be crying." Kathy sat by Rose and took her hand. "Jack, why is Rose crying?"

"Eliza's leaving the beach house," Jack flatly replied.

"Well, that's great. Now there's no danger of the twins getting hurt."

"There never was a danger of the twins getting hurt." Jack sighed.

"Oh, really? Then what was last week? You know that bullet could have easily hit one of the children instead of you, Jack. You both could be burying your children right now because of that woman," Kathy said. "Really, Jack, you should put the welfare of your children before your friends."

"I do put their welfare first." Jack sighed. "I just don't think it's your place to kick guests out of my house."

"When Rose is here every day by your side in tears, it is my responsibility. And here she is again in tears."

"You're not her protector, Kathy."

"No, I'm not. That's your job, Jack, and you're doing a bang-up job of it, too!" Kathy snapped.

"That's harsh, Kathy," Jack quietly replied.

"Stop it! Please!" Rose cried. "I can't take this arguing anymore, and it's not doing Jack any good."

"I'm sorry, Rose." Kathy placed an arm around her shoulders. "But I'll tell you what. Since Jack wants Eliza at the beach house so much, why don't you and the twins come stay with me. The house is big enough."

Rose looked at Jack, but he refused to look at her, causing her heart to break a little more. "Maybe that's a good idea, Kathy. If you don't mind, I'll go tell Mother." Now sobbing uncontrollably, Rose exited the room.

"I guess you're happy now. She's a bigger mess than she was before." Kathy sighed. "You know, Jack, you're being incredibly selfish. That poor girl has been doing nothing but staying by your side for the past week. She's been wasting away to nothing, Jack, and all you can do now is worry about where your ex-girlfriend's going to live. Well, answer me something, Jack Dawson, where was your ex-girlfriend this past week? Let me tell you where she was. She was in LA on her honeymoon!"

"Kathy...I think you should leave now," Jack said. "I think you've done enough damage for one day."

"And what about Rose? She needs you, Jack...she needs you now more than ever. The girl is teetering on the edge."

"That's not funny, Kathy." Jack glared at her.

"I'm not kidding, Jack. At night, when she wasn't here, she'd lay in bed, staring into space, singing that song Come Josephine In My Flying Machine. Jack...this shooting has almost destroyed her. Don't make it any worse."

"Will you send Rose back in here, please?" Jack requested. He needed to talk to her and reassure her that he still loved her. This disagreement didn't mean anything.

"Are you going to yell at her again?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "No, Kathy. I'm not going to yell at her again. I'm just going to talk to her, if that's okay with you."

Kathy just looked at her cousin before going to get Rose. Five minutes later, Rose entered the room. "Kathy said you wanted to talk to me."

"Come here, Rose." Jack patted the space beside him. "We need to talk."

Rose nodded and went to Jack. She bowed her head so Jack couldn't see her tears.

"Rose..." Jack lifted her face and wiped away her tears. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I love you. I never want to be the reason you're in tears."

"I'm just so scared, Jack. Can't you see that? I'm so scared that something is going to take you away from me."

Jack pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, ignoring the pain it caused from the gunshot wound. "Rose, nothing can take me away from you. Nothing. No matter what, I'll always be with you, whether it's physically or in your heart. Do you understand?"

She nodded and pulled away from him to gaze into his eyes. "But you still want Eliza to stay, don't you?"

Jack nodded, his gaze not wavering. "We owe them a lot, Rose...we do. They took you in last year when you needed a friend. And Maxwell delivered our children. At least give them time to find something else. That's all I'm asking."

Rose smiled and nodded. Jack's suggestion was pretty reasonable. "I'll call Eliza right now and tell her to unpack. That she's staying."

"Thank you, Rose." Jack kissed her forehead.

"You don't have to thank me, Jack. Making you happy is one of the pleasures I have." Rose sighed happily as he pulled her to him again. "I love you, Jack. I'll love you forever."

Jack smiled, having a faint memory of telling her the same thing. They had been through so much together. A sinking ship, a painful separation, a haunting, and a shooting. Who knew what else awaited them, but whatever it was, they'd go through it together. Of that he was sure.

Chapter Thirty-Nine
Stories