Written by Emma Wilson
Based on some situations originated by James Cameron.

November, 1912

Bessie Dawson sat on the front steps of her old home and remembered when she and her brother used to sit on these exact same steps. He had been gone for five years. The last letter Bessie had received from him had come from Paris. She slowly got up and walked into the rickety old house. The walls were still stained black from the fire. She made her way to the stairs and walked up to his old room. It had been untouched for years now. She sat down on the bed and smiled as all her memories came back to her.

*****

"Jack?"

"What, Bess?"

"I'm scared. Can I sleep with you?"

"Of course. Come on. Hop in."

"Thank you, Jack. You are the best brother I have."

Jack laughed. "I'm the only brother you have."

She smiled as she snuggled underneath the warm covers.

*****

Bessie walked over to his dresser and opened the drawer. Inside was a white envelope. She took it out and carefully opened it. Inside was a letter dated May 5, 1908.

Dear Bessie,

I'm sorry I had to leave. There are just too many memories that I can't take right now. I hope someday you can forgive me. But I promise I will be back again. Remember, I never break my promises. And I will always love you.

Love,
Jack

The tears welled up in Bessie's eyes. Jack was more than a brother to her. He was her best friend. She could still remember the day when everything had gone wrong. She could still smell the smoke, even now.

*****

"Bessie, wake up."

"What is it, Jack?"

"The house is on fire," he choked out between coughs.

"What? Where's Mama and Papa?"

"They told me to get you. Now, come on," he said as he grabbed her.

They covered their mouths as they ran through the smoke-filled house. Once they got outside, they took a big breath of fresh air. But then they noticed that their parents weren't there.

"Mama! Papa!" Bessie cried.

"Stay here."

"No, Jack!" she yelled as she held him back.

"Mom! Dad! No!" he screamed, but there was nothing he could do.

*****

The fire hadn't damaged the house much, but it was enough to kill their parents. Jack was never the same after that day. It was like all the life in him had left. Bessie had never forgotten the day he came to her to say he was leaving.

*****

"Bessie..." He couldn't look her straight in the eye. "Bessie, I gotta leave."

"What?"

"I can't stay here. I just can't take it anymore."

"But, Jack..."

"Bessie, I'm sorry, but I just have to leave. The Larsons will take good care of you."

"Jack, you can't."

"Bessie, please understand. But remember, wherever I may go, I will still love you," he said as he hugged her with tears in his eyes.

"I love you, Jack," she whispered to him as he walked away.

*****

Bessie sighed as she stuck the letter in her pocket. She made her way down the stairs, making sure they wouldn't cave in. She walked into the living room and noticed a familiar picture on the floor. She walked over to it and picked it up. She was ten and Jack was twelve.

They were sitting on a swing and she was on Jack's lap. They both had big smiles on their faces. Bessie held the picture close to her as the tears ran down her cheeks. She went over to the blackened couch and covered her face in her hands. She wished he would come home soon. Suddenly, her head lifted up as she heard voices coming toward the house.

"Come on, Rose. You wanted to see it."

"Is it safe?"

"Of course. I just can't believe it's still here. The fire did some damage to it."

"I'm sure it was a beautiful house in its day."

"It was. It really was." Bessie recognized the voice and walked to the doorway. She gasped as she saw him. He had changed quite a bit, but she could still see the eyes of the mischievous boy she had always known. Jack stopped dead in his tracks when he saw who it was. He let go of Rose's hand and raced toward her. Bessie's face lit up as he flew into her arms.

"Bessie! It's so good to see you!"

"I know! I know!" She smiled at him as they both cried tears of joy.

Rose stood behind them with a confused look on her face. Jack remembered that she was there and walked back over to her.

"Rose, this is my sister, Bessie. The last time I saw her was when she was thirteen." Rose held out her hand and Bessie shook it, but she still wondered who Rose was.

"Bessie, this is Rose. She is my wife."

"Wife! Well, well, Jack Dawson, you have been busy." She smiled at Rose.

"Yup, and I love her so much." Rose smiled at Jack.

"It's nice to meet you, Bessie."

"You, too, Rose, but may I ask how you met?" Jack and Rose looked at each other. They had never told anyone about how they had met, but they were ready now.

"Well, Bessie, I was in England and won two tickets for the Titanic..."

Three hours later, Bessie lay on her bed as the tears fell down her cheeks. Jack and Rose's story had touched her heart. She was so glad they had found each other, and so glad that Jack was home to stay. Before she went to bed, she said a silent prayer, thanking the Lord that he had saved Jack and protected him when she couldn't be there to do it herself.

The End.

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