AFTER TITANIC

BOOK ONE

Chapter Thirty-Eight

It's 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's determined to be there when Jack woke up. She's sitting by Jack's side now, fighting the tears as she watches him grow more thin and gaunt. She'd give anything for him to open those beautiful blue eyes.
"Rose darlin," Molly sticks 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 tries to smile but fails. "I'm fine Molly. Trust me."
"Your mother and children miss you. Ya 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 darlin. That in itself is a reason for you to take a break. You're setting 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 comes over to her and pulls 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 begins to protest again but catches 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 hugs the girl tightly. "Don't worry Rose. Our Jack is a fighter and a survivor. He'll make it through this."
Rose nods and takes one more look at Jack and walks out the door.

"Rose you're home!" Ruth exclaimed in delight. "How are you darling?"
"Tired and hungry. Where's Molly and Tommy?" Rose asked.
"Eliza and Maxwell took them to the beach. They thought the fresh air will do them good."
Rose just nods, her eyes not revealing the look of 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 reassures 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 nods, watching her daughter go upstairs. She can'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 daugher ever be happy again? And what if Jack dies? 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 sets up. "I suppose you're here to take me to Jack."
"Not really lass," Tommy smiled.
"What? I don't understand," Rose gets to her feet, her voice alert.
"I'm here to tell you not to bother. He's not here."
"You mean..." Rose's eyes widen.
"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 returned," Tommy said. "He told me to make you promise."
Rose throws her arms around Tommy excitedly and hugs him. "I promise Tommy," she laughed. "Thank-you. Thank you so much!"
"Well Rose, this is good-bye," Tommy holds out his hand.
"Good-bye Tommy. And thank-you for taking care of Jack. It really meant a lot to me," Rose squeezes 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 is 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 looks 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 comes back down a half-hour later, looking better than she had in a week. She's of course wearing the locket Jack had given her on their anniversary, something she had drawn strength from during this ordeal. She's slipped into a yellow dress that had reminded her of the dress she wore on the deck if 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 takes control of the strollers and roll them out the door.
"Please let Jack be awake," Ruth silently prayed before following her daughter out the door.

A hour later they're right outside Jack's hospital door. Rose can'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 is about to turn around and go back home when she hears 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 dashes 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 stifles 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, pointng towards Jack as Ruth rolled them into the room.
"Oh my goddness. 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 his 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 brings the baby over and hands him to Jack. "This little fella 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's a slight knock at the door. Rose looks 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 smiles brightly and beckons her in. "Of course you can come in. Who said you couldn't?" Jack happily laughs.
Rose is 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 be surprised that Jack wasn't angry or bitter. Thos feelings just weren't in his nature.
"Oh Jack, I'm so happy to see you awake. Maxwell and I was so worried," Eliza enters the room, a little nervous. She doesn't know what to expect. Katherine was so angry with her...she was certain that Jack would be to.
"Well you should know that if a 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 leave."
"What? When did this happen?" Rose asked, turning to her mother.
"Oh a couple of hours ago. She wanted to wait 'til 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 looks 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 welcomed 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 is silent, then she turns to rose, who's 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 mummbled half-heartedly.
"But you do think it's best that we leave don't you?"
Rose is on the spot. She can 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 leaste until Lee is put away for this."
Eliza nods 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 looks down at her hands guiltily. She feels awful for how she felt, but she couldn't help it.
"I better get going. Maxwell's waiting. We'll keep in touch," Eliza exits the room.
The room is silent. No one wants to say anything. Finally Ruth speaks 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 takes Tommy from Jack and nods, "Let's go Ruth. I say these two need to talk."
"We'll be back," Ruth nods to Rose, exiting the room.
Jack is silent. A good ten minutes past before Rose can'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 afriad 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 does. I mean, where are they going to go? How are they going to live?"
"...I'll talk to Molly," Rose answers. "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 enters the room a vase of flowers in her hand. "Well I see sleeping beauty has awaken."
"Hi Kathy," Rose sniffed, quickly wiping away her tears.
"Rose are you crying? Why? Jack's awake. You shouldn't be crying," Kathy sits by rose and takes 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 everyday 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 silently 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 places 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 looks at Jack, but he refuses 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 exits 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 nights, 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 had almost destroyed her. Don't make it any worse."
"Will you send Rose back in here please?" Jack requests, he needed to talk to her. Reassure her that he still loved her. This disgreement didn't mean anything.
"Are you going to yell at her again?"
Jack rolls 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 looks at her cousin before going to get Rose. Five minutes later, Rose enters the room. "Kathy said you wanted to talk to me."
"Come here Rose," Jack pats the space beside him "We need to talk."
Rose nods and goes to Jack. She bows her head so Jack couldn't see her tears.
"Rose..." Jack lifts her face and wipes 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 pulls her into his arms and holds 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 nods and pulls away from him to gaze into his eyes. "But you still want Eliza to stay don't you?"
Jack nods, 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 smiles and nods. 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 kisses 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 pulls 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 have been through so much together. A sinking ship, a painful separation, a haunting, and a shooting. Who knows what else awaits them, but whatever it is, they'll go through it together. Of that he was sure.

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