"Rose, we're going to be boarding the Carpathia. They'll be taking care of everyone until we make it to New York."
Rose was so exhausted from their ordeal that she just nodded and lay her head against Jack's chest. Once aboard the Carpathia, they were given hot liquids to warm them up. Jack and Rose just sat there next to each other, sipping their hot tea and looking at each other.
"We've made it, Rose."
Rose looked at Jack with tears of joy in her eyes.
"I know, Jack…and I love you…"
They held onto each other, not wanting to ever let go.
Suddenly. in the corner of Rose's eye, she saw a man with a suit on. She would know this man anywhere. It was Cal. He was a mess.
He's looking for me.
"Jack, it's Cal…he's looking for me!" she cried.
"Shh, Rose. Just keep the blanket around you. He won't notice us."
Jack and Rose just sat there with blankets around both of them, breathing silently. Rose looked to the side to see Cal give up on his search and head back to first class.
Rose sighed with relief.
Thank God he didn't find us. I truly do not know what he would have done. He would've probably dragged me away, back to Mother, where I would have been back where I started.
*****
A crewman from the Carpathia was making his rounds of steerage. He was holding a clipboard, asking for names. Before he got to Rose and Jack, he told a poor old woman that the name of her husband was not on the survivor list. Rose winced as she heard the old woman. She felt almost guilty for being relieved that Jack was with her and not dead.
He looked at Jack and Rose.
"Names, please?"
Before Rose could even utter a word, Jack stepped up.
"Dawson. Jack and Rose Dawson."
As the man thanked him and walked away, they smiled at each other.
"I hope you don't mind, Rose. It's just that we both know you can’t use your last name or Cal would be able to find you. And…I want to spend my life with you."
He held her hand.
"Of course it's fine, Jack. I wouldn't have it any other way".
Rose smiled with happiness.