12

Jack and Rose returned to find Mrs. Gladys peeling potatoes for that night’s dinner.

"So you two are back. How did you find your parents home Jack?"

"Very nice. My cousin’s staying there now and he’s kept it in tip-top shape."

"So you and your lovely wife will be living there?"

"Uh…no. There’s just too many memories and I can’t deal with them right now. You can say my plate is full of painful memories right now," Jack sighed.

"Well you two are perfectly welcomed to stay here. So I take it you’re allowing your cousin to remain at the house?"

"Yes mam. At least that way the house will be cared for and lived in," Jack explained.

"Jack, I’m going to go lay down now," Rose replied, yawning tiredly. It’s been a long week for Rose and she wanted nothing more than to lay down somewhere and sleep for a month.

"Are you feeling ok?"
"Yes. I’m just tired. It’s been an extremely long week," Rose sighed. "You don’t mind do you?"

"Of course not sweetie. Go on up. I’ll be up soon," Jack let go of her hand and watched her disappear up the stairs.

"She’s a lovely girl Jack. Your ma and pa would have liked her if they were alive," Mrs. Gladys sadly smiled.

"I wish they could meet her. Rose is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She’s my other half. I think Ma especially would have liked her," Jack gazed at the carpeted floor.

Mrs. Gladys got up from her chair and embraced the young man. "We all miss them Jack. You’re not alone in your grief. Know that all of us are here with you."

"Thank you," Jack forced a smile, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "I guess I better go and make sure that Rose gets settled in ok. We’ll be back down for dinner."

"Ok dearie. Sweet dreams," Gladys waved

watching the young man disappear up the stairs.

*

Jack found Rose in the bed, staring out the far window onto the deserted streets below. For a couple of minutes he just stood and watched her. Soon he moved from the door and layed down behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"It’s the sunset Jack. Some people will never see it again…we almost never saw it again," Rose sighed.

"But we are seeing it again Rosie. We’re safe now. No sinking boat, no ice cold water…just a nice warm bed in a nice warm house safe and sound," Jack tightened his embrace.

"Fifteen hundred people lost their lives, and the world is going on. How can that be?"
"It’s the circle of life. We live, we die but the world keeps turning. That’s why it’s so important to make everyday count. We never know what the next day is going to bring," Jack kissed her cheek.

Rose sighed and held Jack’s hand tightly. "I’m so thankful that you made it. I would have died if you hadn’t."

"No you wouldn’t have Rose. You’re strong. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. If you weren’t you never would have come back down for me wielding that ax," Jack smiled at the memory.

"I wasn’t thinking when I did that. I think I was I shock during the entire sinking," Rose sighed.

"So was I and a whole lot of other people. Some unsinkable ship."

"But it did bring us together and for that I’m grateful," Rose sighed, turning around to kiss her husband passionately.

"So what’s in the works for tomorrow?" Rose asked.

"That my love is a surprise," Jack grinned, pulling Rose closer.

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