JUST ONE MORE NIGHT

Rose Dawson tossed and turned under the covers that sheltered her from the cool air. Her friend Gloria stood above her worriedly pressing a cold cloth to her forehead as doctor Lewis tended to her friend.

"Doctor what’s wrong with her?" Gloria asked, frightened.

"It’s pnuemonia. The next twenty-four hours are critical. She could live or she could die at this point. Keep a close eye on her and call me if there’s any developments," The doctor explained leaving the room.

Gloria sighed unhappily as she slid down into the chair seated next to her friend’s bed. She had known Rose for an entire year and she’s become like a sister to her. She couldn’t lose her now.

Rose sighed as she woke up in very familiar surroundings. Setting up, she realized that she was in her stateroom on Titanic. But that was impossible. Titanic had sunk a year ago, taking over fifteen hundred people with her. Sliding out of bed, Rose went to her closet and took out one of the dresses she had brought in Europe that had gone down with the ship. It was lacy and was lavendar. Her mother had outright forbiddened her to wear it, but Rose had brought it anyway.

"Miss. Rose?" a familiar voice spoke up from behind.

Shaking, Rose turned around and gasped. Standing before her was her maid Trudy, her maid that had died that horrible night. "T-Trudy?"

"Yes Miss. Rose. May I help you dress?"
"Uh…" Rose became flustered. No one has helped her dress for a full year. She didn’t know what to think of it now. "No thank you Trudy. I have it. Uh…Trudy…where are we? What date is this?"

"Why madame, it’s April 15, 1912. As always around here. Don’t you know that?"
"No Trudy. I don’t. I don’t even know how I got here…wait a minute…if you’re here…that means that…he must be here too!" Rose’s eyes widen with pure joy. For the past year all she had wished and hoped for was to see her love again and now it looked like her prayer was going to be answered.

"Miss…are you feeling well?"

Rose felt her head and noticed that the fever she’s had for the past couple of days was gone and she could breathe clearly. "I feel great. Trudy…have you seen Mr. Dawson?"

"Around and about Miss. Shall I ring him for you?"
"Uh…no. I want to find him myself. Thank you," Rose quickly dressed and rushed out the door.

She walked along the deck, taking in all the sights and all the memories. This was where her and Jack spent most of their time together. Talking and walking, and laughing about their hopes and dreams. Hopes and dreams that were never to be fulfilled.

"Oh Jack," A tear fell from her eye as she thought about Jack. He was so talented and kind-hearted. It wasn’t fair that the cold Atlantic took him and left Cal in the world of the living.

"Why the tears? You’re finally rid of Cal I see. I knew you could do it Rose," A familiar voice spoke up from behind her. She whirled around and stared into the most beautiful sight before her. Jack was standing behind her, a grin plastered to his face. He looked the same as the night of the sinking except he had a heavenly glow about him.

"Jack? Is it really you?"
The young man nodded. "It’s me Rose. You’re more beautiful now than the first time I saw you."

"Oh Jack!" Rose cried out, flying into his outstretched arms, holding onto him for dear life. She noticed how warm he now was, compared to how cold he had felt the last time she had touched him. "It’s really you! It’s really you!"

"Oh Rose it’s so good to hold you again," Jack sighed, pulling her close.

"I’ve prayed Jack. I’ve prayed and prayed that I’d see you again and here you are."

"Come Rose. It’s cold out here and I don’t want you to get sicker than you already are," Jack wrapped a arm around her shoulders and led her into the interior of the ship.

"Sicker? Jack I’m not sick. I feel great," Rose laughed.

Jack just smiled at her sadly and led her deeper into the ship. "How do you feel about going to a real party?"
"I’d love too?" Rose smiled, remembering the steerage dance.

The third class general room was just as crowded as it was the first night Rose had been there. Everyone was gathered around talking and laughing and Rose even noticed a couple of first class people down below. She looked at Jack curiously.

"There’s no more class discrimination here Rose. It’s great. Now everyone gets along and you can go anywhere on the ship we want," Jack grinned.

"Oh how marvelous," Rose smiled at her beloved. "Jack let’s dance. Let’s dance like we did the night you brought me down here."

"Ok," Jack grinned, standing up and taking her hand. "Now we’re going to have to get a little closer like this," He placed his hand on her lower back and pulled her closer to him. "Just go with it. Don’t think."

"Jack!" Rose squealed with delight as they whirled around the room. Her heart beat even faster when he pulled her upon the same platform he had pulled her upon the first time.

"Do you remember Rose?" He looked at her?

Rose nodded and did the exact dance she did a year ago. After the music was over Jack and Rose went back to the table where Tommy and Fabrizio and Helga was waiting for them.

"Having fun Rose?" Fabrizio asked.

"The best," Rose laughed, laying her head on Jack’s shoulder.

"Come on. I’ll take you back to your room," Jack smiled, leading her back up to first class.

"Oh Jack I had a wonderful time tonight."

"I’m glad Rose," She noticed how his voice had grown a bit sad and he gazed at the ground, avoiding looking at her.

"Jack?"
"Yes?"
"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong Rose. I just love you so much and missed you. I don’t regret giving my life for you Rose. It was the best thing I’ve ever done," Jack pulled her into a hug.

"Oh Jack," Hot tears spilled from her eyes. "I’ve missed you so much…all I ever wanted was to be with you…even if it was for one night. I wanted a chance to say good-bye and let you know that I love you and no matter what I’ll love you forever. Stay with me tonight Jack."

"I thought you’d never ask," Jack smiled whistfully, gently carressing her cheek. Together they disappear into Rose’s stateroom and spend the rest of the evening in each other’s passionate embrace.

The next morning, Rose awoke to find Jack staring out into the coming sunrise.

"It’s almost time Rose," Jack replied, his voice sad.

"Time for what?" Rose asked, dreading the answer.

Jack sighed and turned to her. Tears shone in his eyes as he returned to the bed holding her hands tightly. "Time for you to go back to the world of the living."

"What? But Jack I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with you," She began to cry. "We belong together Jack."

"Not yet we don’t Rose. I’m sorry. We were only granted one more night together. It was a chance to say good-bye and I love you. I’ll always love you Rose."

"But Jack! I don’t want to go! I don’t want to live! Not without you!"

"Rose you promised. Remember? You promised me you’d go on. That you’d never give up, no matter what. Rose I’ll always be with you, looking out for you, loving you. That will never change. And when it is your time, I’ll be right here waiting for you. And then we’ll never be apart. Never. Do you understand what I’m saying?" Jack asked, his blue eyes pleading with her to understand why he was letting her go.

And she did. He loved her too much to keep her here with him. He wanted her to go on and live a full life. To keep her promise he made her make that horrible night. She nodded, letting her tears fall freely.

"Look Rose, the sunrise," Jack looked towards the window. Rose’s eyes widened at the brightness of the sun streaming through the window and stretching out before her.

"It’s beautiful," Rose sniffed.

"It’s life Rose. Walk into the light and you’ll return to the land of the living," Jack stood up and stood to the side. "I’ll be waiting for you Rose. I promise. Right now you have a life to live."

Rose nodded, understanding that this was good-bye. "I’ll never forget you Jack. I’ll love you forever."

Jack sadly smiled. "I’ll love you forever too Rose."

She ran into his arms and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let him go. She would have done anything to take him with her, but she knew it was impossible. "I"ll never let go Jack. I’ll never let go."

"Good bye Rose," He pulled away from her.

"Good-bye Jack," She forced a smile and then turned to disappear into the light, returning to the world of the living. She never forgot that night when she said good-bye to Jack.

Gretchen was hovering over Rose when she woke up. Her fever had broke and she felt like a weight has been lifted off her chest.

"Rose you’re awake!" Gretchen hugged her best friend. "For a minute there we thought we were going to lose you!"

Rose weakly smiled, a sad tear in her eyes. "I had a promise to keep."

Just then, Rose heard the faint whisper of Jack’s voice. "Never let go Rose."

Rose smiled and thought to herself. "I’ll never let go. I promise."

The End

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