23
A month had passed since the hostage incident and Jack had yet to wake up. Rose of course stayed by his side, playing music and talking to him. Hoping that something would trigger him to open his eyes. But so far, nothing has helped. Jack was still in a coma and showed no real signs of life.
"Jack please wake up," Rose forced the tears back. For the past month, it’s been nothing but tears and she was tired of it. She wanted Jack awake so she could smile again.
"No change?" Irene stood in the doorway, her arms crossed as she studied the girl her grandson thought he loved. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Rose. The girl came from one of Chicago’s finest families and she was well behaved. It was the fact that they both were so young. Too young to be in such a serious relationship. "…you love him?"
"Very much," Rose tried to smile, but failed. Sighing, she wondered if she would ever have reason to smile again. "I love him more then anything. I know that you probably think that we’re too young, but we honestly do love one another. I’d do anything for him."
Irene just looked at Rose and shook her head. She didn’t like this relationship. They were too attached to one another. An attachment that had almost gotten Jack killed. "Hmmm. We’ll see," Irene just turned and walked out of the room.
Rose sunk down onto the bed, not knowing what to think about the short encounter. She had a strange feeling that her and Jack’s days as a couple was numbered. Sighing, she wiped a blond strand of hair away from Jack’s closed eyes, wishing that he’d wake up and once again reassure her that they’ll always be together. No matter what.
"I love you Jack. No matter what anyone says."
He didn’t respond, but that was ok. She knew that he felt the same way. She just hoped that their love would be enough to keep Irene from tearing them apart.
~*~
Two hours later, Rose was still there, praying and hoping that today was the day Jack woke up. The doctor said that things didn’t look too good. Usually, coma patients woke up long before now, if they woke up at all. Rose wanted to break down and beat the floor with her fists. She wanted to kick things and scream about how unfair life was.
She needed Jack. She needed him to wake up and be with her. But according to the doctor, that may never happen. Jack may be gone from her forever. Sighing, she closed her eyes against the stone cold reality. She pretended that it was months ago and her and Jack had just started dating. Mae was there, still alive and there never was a baby. So there never was a miscarriage. Jack awake, happy, and in love with her. His blue eyes sparkling.
Sighing again, she opened her eyes to stare into those exact blue eyes she was daydreaming about. Rose blinked a couple of times, just to make sure that she wasn’t hallucinating. She wasn’t. His eyes were still open, yet void of emotion. But that didn’t register with Rose. All she saw were open eyes.
"Jack! Jack, you’re awake!" Wait…I’ll get the doctor!" She ran out of the room, her heart beating with excitement. Finally her prayers were being answered. Jack was awake and now they could be together forever. But when they got back to the room, Jack’s eyes were shut again, as if they had never been open. What was going on here? Why did he close his eyes?"
"Jack?" She asked, dread building up inside of her. "Jack, I’m back with the doctor. Come on. Stop fooling around and open your eyes back up."
Checking Jack’s vitals, the doctor shook his head. "There’s been no change."
"What? What do you mean there’s been no change? He opened his eyes. He looked right at me."
"Involuntary action. Happens every now and then in coma patients," The doctor gave a sympathetic smile to the young woman he had grown accustomed to seeing everyday. "I’m sorry. I really do wish it was a real response."
"Rose?" Ruth stuck her head through the door, frowning when the doctor patted Rose’s shoulder. "What’s going on?"
"I thought Jack had woke up," Rose sniffed. "He had opened his eyes and I thought that everything was going to be ok again. I got the doctor, but when we came back…Jack’s eyes were closed. The doctor said that it was an involuntary action. He hadn’t woke up at all," tears erupted from her eyes and suddenly she was on the floor, her head in her hands. "Why won’t he wake up mother? Why?"
"Shhh Rose. Let’s go home. You’ve been here nonstop. It’s time to go home and get some rest," Ruth pulled her sobbing daughter off the floor. "Come on Rose. Let’s go home."
Taking one last look at Jack, Rose followed her mother, finally feeling the month she had stayed by his side. She felt as if she could sleep for a week.
~*~
It was a foggy night on the wharf. Rose slowly made her way through the fog, searching for someone, but did not know who. She soon found out when he suddenly materialized, the fog pushing aside. Jack.
"What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you," he grinned, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Jack!" Rose’s heart did somersaults at the sight of him. Awake, tanned, and beautiful. "You’re…you’re here."
"And waiting for you. Every time I think you’re coming, you don’t."
"Oh Jack," She raced into his waiting arms. "I’ve missed you so much."
"I missed you too."
"Well then wake up Jack. Please, open your eyes and come back to me."
Jack laughed his eyes full of amusement and love. "Oh my silly, beautiful Rose. I never left you and I never will. I’m with you all the time. In the air, the wind. I’m all around you Rose," Jack pulled her into his arms, holding her close. She sighed in pleasure as she felt the steady beat of his heart and the tickle of his warm breath on her skin. "Like this."
A feeling of love and safety overtook her. A feeling that’s been with her all along. "You were with me," She gasped. "Jack."
"Never let go Rose," he softly kissed the top of her head. "I’ll see you soon."
"I’ll never let go," She lifted her face up to meet his gentle kiss.
At just a touch of his warm lips, she woke up, feeling totally refreshed and optimistic. Jack was going to wake up and she was going to be there to greet him. "I love you Jack Dawson." She sighed, getting out of bed. It was time to lift herself up out of this depression and beginning living again. Encouraging Jack to do the same.