Written by Gemini524
Based on some situations originated by James Cameron.
Pain…deep, penetrating, agonizing
pain. I could feel the cold air and water biting at my skin. It was unbearable
and I didn’t know how much more my body could endure before my soul decided to
abandon it. Shit, I’d give anything to be back in that car again with Rose
right now. It was definitely a lot warmer, not to mention more comfortable. I
smile at the thought. I must admit I was a little surprised at the initiative
she took at that moment, but that’s what I loved about her--always full of
surprises. Rose, you never cease to amaze me. You are truly something far
more precious than any diamond. It’s too bad Cal couldn’t see that.
I felt something sharp travel
through my body, almost as if someone jabbed a knife in my back. My mind yelled
at the pain as it slowly spread through. I looked at Rose. I could tell she was
suffering as well. Her face wasn’t as lively and vibrant as it once was. Her
long, flowing red hair had lost its radiance. She looked so tired and weak, yet
still so beautiful. My Rose was wilting and it hurt to see her this way. But
what could I do? I’d done all I could at this point. I’d give anything to get
her out of this freezing hell.
"It’s getting quiet."
I could hear the despair in her
voice. I had to convince her that everything would be all right, even though a
part of me had my own doubts.
"It’s just gonna take a
couple minutes to get…the boats organized…I don’t know about you, but…I intend
to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all this."
I smiled, trying to sound hopeful
despite the situation, but Rose didn’t respond. Maybe she could sense my doubt
as well. There was a moment of silence between us as we continued to wait for
the boats. Then, Rose said something I wasn’t expecting to hear.
"I love you, Jack."
My heart suddenly began to race. She
loves me. She really loves me. No! I can’t let her talk like that! No! We’ve
come too far to quit now!
"Don’t you do that…don’t you
say your good-byes…not yet. Do you understand me?"
"I’m so cold."
"Listen, Rose…you’re gonna
get out of here. You’re gonna go on…and you’re gonna make lots of babies, and
you’re gonna watch them grow. You’re gonna die an old…an old lady, warm in her
bed…not here. Not this night. Not like this. Do you understand me?"
It seemed as though what I was
saying wasn’t getting through to her. It was as though she were somewhere else,
balancing between life and death. I wanted so badly to tell her how I felt,
anything that would bring her back to me this one last time.
"I can’t feel my body."
Suddenly, the words I needed to
say became so clear, and I was determined to say them.
"Winning that ticket, Rose,
was the best thing that ever happened to me…it brought me to you, and I’m
thankful for that, Rose. I’m thankful."
A smile grew on her lips and her
eyes were brimming with tears. I managed to break through to her. She heard
me; she knows how I feel. I want to tell her more. I want to tell her how much
she means to me, but time is running out. I could feel my body growing
tired. I realized now I wouldn’t be able to build a life with Rose, and the
more that truth sunk in, the more it hurt. Even though I knew I wasn’t going to
survive, I had to be sure that Rose would live on for both of us. I could feel
my own tears beginning to form. I swallowed them back and remained firm for
Rose’s sake. It was no longer Jack and Rose. It was about Rose now.
"You must…you must do me
this honor." I grasped her hand in mine. "You must promise me that
you’ll survive, that you won’t give up." My voice was beginning to crack
through my words as my own tears threatened to escape, and Rose’s tears weren’t
making this any easier. "No matter what happens, no matter how
hopeless…promise me now, Rose…and never let go of that promise."
"I promise."
"Never let go."
"I’ll never let go, Jack.
I’ll never let go."
I kissed her cold hands. My lips
were numb and I could hardly feel them against her skin. It was only a matter
of time now. The moments I had spent with Rose slowly began to pass through my
mind, taking in every detail. Being apart from her will hurt for a while,
but she’ll share her love again with a lucky guy who is truly worthy of her.
She’ll be all right now; I know she will.
My eyes were beginning to close
and my body was starting to feel warm and soothing. This was it.
I love you, Rose…more than
words…more than life itself.
I love you.
I…love…you.
I…love…
I…
The End.