Ch. 21: A Promise Kept (Rose's POV)

1996

Rose Dawson-Calvert could hardly believe that she's lived such a long life. Rose was now one hundred years old; fixing to turn 101 the next month. Rose was no longer the young woman she once was, but her mind was still as sharp as ever.

Rose was proud of how her life turned out; she married a wonderful man and gave birth to two beautiful children during their early years of marriage. Rose was blessed with a son and a daughter, Andrew Jack and Lily Josephine Calvert. Andrew was born in December 1922, and Lily was born in April 1925. Rose was considered an "older" mother since she had her children in her late 20's, which didn't bother her one bit. Rose was glad she had her children later in life, and felt she was able to be a much more responsible parent to them. And she was grateful she had Bobby at her side… Bobby was not only an amazing husband, but a wonderful father. Every time she saw Bobby with their children, she couldn't help but smile… she would always say a quick thanks to Jack for helping her to have this happy life.

Rose and Bobby did indeed have a long and happy marriage… of course they had their moments but would always find a way to work things out. They were considered an adventurous couple, and they traveled the world together… taking many photographs that would become so special to Rose. Most of the photos were of Rose (since Bobby was always the one usually taking the pictures), but it showed that the couple lived a life with freedom and adventure.

Bobby and Rose had lived in Cedar Rapids, Wisconsin during their early years. Bobby had gotten an offer to run the local newspaper there, and Bobby couldn't refuse. His parents had moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to his grandparents, and by then Rose had become pregnant with Andrew so the young couple decided to settle down there for a while.

After the children were somewhat older, Rose and Bobby were missing California. They returned to California in 1935 and returned to Santa Monica for a while. Eventually Bobby started his own photography business, which he would run until his retirement. Rose had worked as an actress in the 20s but had slowed down with her pregnancies. Once they had moved back to California, Rose was too focused on her family to return to an acting career. Rose was still determined to make every day count… she found joy in her hobbies; she learned how to make pottery, fly a plane, and even fish! Rose also would help Bobby with his photography business; she pretty much ran the business side while Bobby handled the cameras. Bobby didn't mind… he loved that his wife was intelligent enough to help him with his business.

Rose felt lucky that she had built a loving relationship with her children… she didn't want Andrew and Lily to have the controlling type of childhood that she had. Although Rose had loved her parents, she always wished they could have had a warm and loving relationship. Rose always encouraged Andrew and Lily to follow their dreams; she made sure to listen and give them good advice when they needed it.

Rose's life when through some turmoil when Andrew decided to join the military after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Rose had thrown a fit because Andrew was only 19 years old at the time and didn't want anything to happen to him. It took both Bobby and Andrew to calm her down, and it made her realize that her son had grown into an honorable young man. Andrew was injured during the war but was able to make a full recovery. He became a teacher, eventually becoming the principal at the school he worked at. Andrew ended up marrying the nurse that cared for him at the hospital, and they ended up having 4 children.

Lily was almost exactly like Rose… she had her mother's love for life, but also inherited her stubbornness. The Calvert men knew well not to interfere whenever Rose and Lily were arguing, but the mother and daughter never stayed angry at each other for very long. Lily would become a nurse, and she ended up marrying a doctor that she met at the hospital she worked at. Lily and her husband ended up having 3 children.

After their retirements, Rose and Bobby settled in Ojai, California. They allowed themselves to slow down and just enjoy their retirement and their grandchildren. Rose would be known as Nana to her grandkids, while Bobby was just Grandpa or "Pa" to the little ones. Rose enjoyed being a grandma, and Bobby joked all the time that the kids were making him feel old whenever the family grew.

Rose and Bobby were married for 67 years when Bobby passed away in 1987. Bobby was 95 years old and had died peacefully with his family by his side. Rose felt awful losing her husband, but she was grateful that she got to say a proper goodbye to him… she never got that with Jack since she lost him so suddenly. Life continued, and Rose continued to stay active despite being in her nineties.

As Rose grew older, Andrew and Lily started becoming concerned about their aging mother living on her own, and Rose refused to enter a nursing home. Luckily Rose's youngest granddaughter Lizzie came up with a solution… Lizzie knew her nana needed someone to help her around the house and offered to become Rose's caretaker. Lizzie loved her Nana Rose and was more than happy to help take of her. Lizzie felt it was a good arrangement… Lizzie had just gone through a heart-breaking divorce, so she didn't want to be all alone. Rose happily agreed to the arrangement, and Lizzie moved into Rose's house.

The two women became thick as thieves, and Lizzie was grateful that she was getting this time with her nana. Lizzie was amazed that her elderly nana still had a youthful spark to her, and she loved hearing the family history from Rose. But Lizzie noticed that her nana would shy away whenever she was asked about her youth… especially when it came to Nana's side of the family. Rose would quickly change the subject… her own children never knew that their mother was a former first-class beauty that survived one of the deadliest disasters in maritime history. Despite that Rose had been able to rebuild her life after Titanic, the memories continued to haunt her throughout her long life.

It was an ordinary day at home. Rose was working at her pottery wheel, while Lizzie was in the kitchen. The TV was on, and Rose got up when she thought she heard the news anchor mention the Titanic. She grabbed her cane, and asked Lizzie to turn up the volume on the TV. The news anchor was talking to a man named Brock Lovett, who was apparently leading a controversial expedition to the Titanic. When the news anchor mentioned that many were calling Mr. Lovett a grave robber, he made a reference to King Tut's tomb and that he and his team were working hard to preserve the artifacts that they recovered. He mentioned that he and his team had just discovered a drawing that they were able to preserve intact. A close-up of the drawing came on the screen, and to her amazement it was the drawing of her! Rose was in shock and said, "Well I'll be god dammed!"

Seeing the drawing of her younger self…she still couldn't believe how Mr. Lovett and his team were able to preserve it. It looked just like Jack had drawn it yesterday, only it was now 84 years later. The memory of him drawing it brought a smile to her face, and she knew that she needed to contact this Mr. Brock Lovett.

She contacted the news station and got the contact information for Mr. Lovett. One of his associates answered her call and she mentioned her name and that she had important information about the Heart of the Ocean. The man could hardly contain his excitement and said he would get Mr. Lovett on the phone. After a pause… another voice came on the line and quickly replied, "This is Brock Lovett. How can I help you Mrs.… Mrs. Calvert?" She replied, "I was just wondering if you had found the Heart of the Ocean yet, Mr. Lovett?" She could tell that Mr. Lovett became speechless and heard him reply, "All right, you have my attention Rose. Can you tell us who the woman in the picture is?" Rose smiled and replied, "Oh, yes. The woman in the picture is me."

She could tell that Brock Lovett was amazed and he asked if she would please come to his research ship, so she could tell him her story. He also figured that she must be Rose Dewitt-Bukater, as everyone else who knew about the diamond was dead. She didn't confirm or deny it, but she agreed to make the journey. Lizzie, who was at her nana's side as she made the phone call, was also amazed that that the woman in that drawing was her own grandmother. Lizzie wasn't sure what to think, but she agreed to accompany her Nana and talked to Brock Lovett to finalize the arrangements.

A few days later, Rose and Lizzie were on the way to Brock Lovett's research ship. Brock Lovett personally welcomed them as they arrived onboard the vessel. Brock and his men assisted the Calvert women off the helicopter and allowed them to get settled in their rooms. Rose could tell some of Mr. Lovett's men were skeptical of her but decided to focus on unpacking her things.

Lizzie was helping her nana, while Rose was busy putting her pictures around the cabin when Mr. Lovett and one of his men entered the room to check up on their newest guests. Brock kindly asked, "Are your staterooms alright?" Rose quickly answered, "Oh, yes… very nice." The old woman not missing an opportunity then asked, "Have you met my granddaughter Lizzie? She takes care of me."

Lizzie kindly smiled as she turned towards Brock and replied, "We met just a few minutes ago. Remember, Nana? Up on deck?" Lewis Bodine just shook his head, while Rose also shook her head hating that she had forgotten that simple detail. Rose then turned her attention onto her pictures and said, "There… that's nice. Have to have my pictures when I travel."

Brock was patient and asked, "Can I get you anything? Is there anything you'd like?" Immediately Brock noticed a change in the old woman as she said, "Yes… I would like to see my drawing." Brock quickly agreed and led the women to the preservation room.

Rose looked at the drawing for the first time in 84 years… she closed her eyes and let the memory of Jack drawing her take over. Brock quickly started talking about the Heart of the Ocean saying, "Louis XVI wore a fabulous stone that was called the Blue Diamond of the Crown which disappeared in 1792… about the same time that old Louis lost everything from the neck up. The theory goes that the crown diamond was chopped too. Recut into a heart-like shape that became known as the Heart of the Ocean" Brock had a picture of the necklace and showed it to Rose and Lizzie and continued, "Today it would be worth more than the Hope Diamond."

Rose scoffed and replied, "It was a dreadful, heavy thing. I only wore it this once." Lizzie was still skeptical and asked, "You actually think this is you, Nana?" Rose quickly said, "It is me, dear." The old woman then teased, "Wasn't I a dish?"

Brock chuckled at the old woman's words and said, "I tracked it down through insurance records. An old claim that was settled under terms of absolute secrecy. Can you tell me who the claimant was, Rose?"

Rose wasn't surprised she was being asked that question and said, "I should imagine someone named Hockley." The men around them grinned and Brock answered, "Nathan Hockley, that's right. Pittsburgh steel tycoon. The claim was for a diamond necklace his son Caledon bought his fiancé… you."

Rose was amazed that Brock was quickly able to make the connection to her, while Brock continued, "A week before he sailed on Titanic. And it was filed right after the sinking, so the diamond had to have gone down with the ship." Brock then turned towards the drawing and said, "You see the date?"

Lizzie looked over the drawing and read the date out loud, "April 14, 1912." Lewis Bodine chimed in and said, "Which means if your grandmother is who she says she is, she was wearing the diamond the day the Titanic sank."

To which Brock grinned at Rose and said, "And that makes you my new best friend." Brock then pointed out some more artifacts to Rose and said, "These are some of the things we recovered from your stateroom." Rose picked up an old mirror and gasped in amazement. She replied, "This was mine. How extraordinary! And it looks the same as the last time I saw it." She turned the mirror over and saw her reflection and sighed, "The reflection has changed a bit." Rose then proceeded to pick up an ornate butterfly comb… the same comb she had been wearing in her hair before she changed for the drawing. Brock then leaned in closer to Rose and asked, "Are you ready to go back to Titanic?"

The group went into another room where Lewis Bodine played a simulation of Titanic's sinking, thoroughly explaining the aspects of the sinking. Lewis was very proud of his simulation and ended by saying, "Pretty cool, huh?" Rose responded, "Thank you for that fine forensic analysis, Mr. Bodine. Of course, the experience of it was… somewhat different."

Brock asked, "Will you share it with us?" Rose then proceeded to get up from her wheelchair and saw the images of the sunken Titanic on the screens. Rose then had a flashback seeing the images of the first-class entrance to the dining rooms and was overcome with emotion. Lizzie quickly went to her nana's side and said, "I'm taking her to rest." Rose refused, but Lizzie still tried to insist which lead Rose to shout out a definite "NO!" Rose went back to her wheelchair, and Brock quickly asked one of his men to hand him the tape recorder. He turned on the recorder and said, "Tell us, Rose." Rose replied, "It's been 84 years-", but was interrupted when Brock kindly said, "It's okay. Just try to remember anything. Anything at all."

Rose surprised everyone when she said, "Do you want to hear this or not, Mr. Lovett?" Brock and the others nodded their heads and Rose continued, "It's been 84 years and I can still smell the fresh paint. The china had never been used. The sheets had never been slept in. Titanic was called the ship of dreams. And it was… it really was."

Rose began her story the day of April 10, 1912… the day Titanic set sail from Southampton, England. She confirmed that she was indeed Rose Dewitt-Bukator, the long-thought dead fiancé of Caledon Hockley. She talked about the excitement of that day and that Titanic was the ship of dreams to everyone else, but that to her the ship was a slave ship taking her back to America in chains. That outwardly, young Rose appeared to be everything a well brought up girl should be, but that inside she was screaming… fed up with everything being forced upon her.

She talked about her love of art and gave a little insight into her relationship with Cal as she remembered how they voiced their different opinions in art as she decorated their adjoining staterooms.

Rose mentioned in Cherbourg, Margaret "Molly" Brown boarded the ship, and how the woman would be known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown", but that she was referred to as "new money" by her mother and the other first-class women. By the next afternoon, Titanic set sail west from the Irish Coast into open water.

Rose remembered how frustrated she was during the infamous lunch scene where she ended up insulting J. Bruce Ismay, and thoroughly amusing Molly Brown and Thomas Andrews with her antics. That was the afternoon she and Jack Dawson first laid eyes on each other.

Her memories came to the night of April 12… the night she tried to commit suicide. How she felt that she had seen her whole life as if she had already lived it… an endless parade of parties and cotillions, yachts and polo matches. Seeing the same narrow people, the same mindless chatter. How she felt as if she was standing on a great precipice, with no one to pull her back… no one who cared, or even noticed how she was feeling.

She remembered how she tore her room apart in her anguish, and that she made up her mind to end her life as she ran towards the stern. The tears she had cried… and the emotion she felt as she gradually pulled herself over the railing to jump. And the surprise she got meeting Jack Dawson, and how he talked her down and convinced her not to jump. Then she slipped on her stupid dress, nearly going overboard and taking Jack with her. She talked about how Jack helped her get back to safety and falling in an awkward heap, causing the guards to come to the wrong conclusion thinking that the young man tried to assault her.

Rose remembered how furious Cal was with Jack, and how she quickly came to Jack's defense. How she claimed that the whole ordeal was an accident and that Jack had saved her after she "slipped" trying to look at the propellers. That she was grateful that Jack was noble enough to keep her secret, and not tell everyone that she had tried to kill herself. She mentioned Cal tried to throw money at Jack for saving her, but because of her Cal ended up inviting Jack to dinner with the first-class the following night.

It was later that night that Cal presented Rose with the Heart of the Ocean in the privacy of her room. How Cal tried to use the diamond to gain her affections and to cheer her up after her accident… and how Cal tried to convince Rose to open her heart to him.

She talked about the next day (April 13) when she sought out Jack Dawson to thank him for saving her life, and that was how their friendship and love affair fully began. How Jack was the only person who asked her about she felt about her engagement and if she honestly loved Cal. She discovered Jack was a very talented artist, and that he had traveled around the world. How Jack was the only person who listened to her and cared about her hopes and dreams, and even encouraged her to follow them.

She remembered Jack teaching her how to "spit like a man", and the embarrassment of being caught by Ruth and the other first-class ladies. The other ladies were curious about Rose's rescuer and were kind to Jack, but her mother looked down at Jack… looking at him as if he was a dangerous insect that must be squashed quickly.

Molly Brown had taken pity on the young artist and managed to find Jack a fine tuxedo, so he could blend in among the first-class passengers. Rose recalled her amazement seeing Jack dressed up and how handsome he looked… he truly looked like a first-class gentleman that night. She remembered how surprised Cal and Ruth were seeing Jack all dressed up… Jack ended up being her escort that night (and even escorted Molly Brown to their table). She remembered pointing out some of the most famous passengers on the ship to Jack… the Countess of Rothes, J.J and Madeline Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim and Madame Aubert, and the Duff-Gordons. Rose figured Jack must have been nervous, but he never faltered. He played the part so perfect, that the other passengers thought he was one of them… "new money", but still a member of the club. But of course, her mother tried to embarrass Jack by revealing he was third-class. Jack took it all in stride, and he managed to charm and gain the respect of the first-class people he was dining with.

She remembered her shock getting the note to meet Jack at the clock, and how they snuck off to the third-class party. Looking back, Rose believed that was the night that she and Jack began to fall in love with each other.

Sunday, April 14, was the day that everything changed. It was the day Cal was furious at her for sneaking off with Jack. Ruth had been furious with her actions and had given her a stern talk in her room. It was that talk that shook Rose up… forcing her to resign herself to a loveless marriage. On the tour with Thomas Andrews is when she saw the Captain receive an ice warning, and the man had calmly told the group not to worry and that he was ordering more speed. On the boat deck is where she came to the realization that there were not enough lifeboats for everyone onboard. It was where Jack had surprised her, and they had that heartbreaking moment in the gymnasium. It wasn't until she was at tea with the other ladies, and saw that little girl trying so hard to please her mother… it made her realize her mistake, and that she was falling in love with Jack.

She remembered finding Jack on the bow at sunset, and that was where they had their first kiss. She could still see them kissing on the bow; remembering the joy she felt in that moment, but also feeling sorrow as she said that was the last time Titanic saw daylight.

Brock nodded, realizing Rose's timeline, and said, "So we're up to dusk the night of the sinking… six hours to go." Lewis Bodine was amazed at the tale and at Captain Smith as he said, "Incredible. There's Smith and he's standing there, and he's got the ice warning in his fucking hand-excuse me- his hand, and he's ordering more speed!"

Brock already had formed his own opinion about the Captain due to his research and replied, "26 years of experience working against him. He figures anything big enough to sink the ship, they're going to see in time to turn. But the ship's too big, with too small a rudder. Doesn't corner worth a damn… everything he knows is wrong."

The next part of the story was the part that everyone wanted to know. After Rose and Jack left the bow, Rose had taken Jack to her stateroom. It was there where she asked Jack to draw her wearing the Heart of the Ocean… drawing her like one of his French girls. It was a memory that was so intimate and private, but a memory that Rose would treasure for the rest of her life.

Rose smiled at the memory and said, "My heart was pounding the whole time. It was the most erotic moment of my life." Rose looked at the people around her… they were spellbound now and in shock at how intimate the drawing really was. Rose let her amusement come into her voice and said, "Up until then, at least."

Lewis Bodine let his curiosity get the best of him and asked, "So what happened next?" Rose knew what the man was insinuating and replied, "You mean, did we do it?" The group, even Brock and Lizzie, all had amused expressions on their faces knowing that Lewis had asked about Rose's sex life.

Rose continued with her tale and honestly replied, "Sorry to disappoint you Mr. Bodine. Jack was very professional." It was true… Jack had been very professional throughout the whole drawing. After the drawing, Rose had written Cal a rather insulting note and put it with the drawing… she remembered she had asked Jack to put the necklace back into the safe. Rose had just finished changing, when the young couple heard Lovejoy knocking on the door. In the process of running away from Lovejoy, Jack and Rose had left behind the drawing in the safe, where it would be later found by Cal.

Rose looked back fondly at the memory of her and Jack running away from Lovejoy, and the thrill she had shooting Lovejoy the middle finger as they made their escape in the elevator. That it wasn't until they were in the cargo hold, where they made love in the back of the Renault.

The memories were coming in full force now… she remembered that intimate moment in the car with Jack, and their amusement at the look on the steward's faces when they opened the car but there was no one there. She remembered how hard they were laughing when they made it back onto the deck. In that moment… Jack and Rose were completely in love with each other. It was where Rose had made up her mind to leave her world behind to run away with the young man she knew she loved. She knew it was crazy, but she trusted her instincts. That perfect moment was so cruelly taken away when Titanic struck the iceberg.

Jack and Rose saw the iceberg and felt the collision. Jack even pushed Rose back as a piece of ice came crashing on the deck in front of them. It wasn't until they were making their way back inside, when Jack and Rose overheard the serious of the collision. Rose had convinced Jack that they needed to warn her mother and Cal, but little did they know Cal had cooked up the ultimate betrayal.

Cal had found the drawing and had come up with a plan to get rid of his rival once and for all. When Jack and Rose made their way to the cabin, Lovejoy slipped the Heart of the Ocean into the pocket of the coat Jack was wearing. Cal had framed Jack for theft… although Rose didn't know it at the time. All Rose felt in that moment was confusion and hurt; she felt that the man she loved and trusted had betrayed her. Jack had maintained his innocence but was still arrested. It didn't help that Jack had been wearing a stolen coat; he had borrowed the coat to get close to Rose to talk to her and fully intended to return it, but he didn't get a chance to. Jack was taken away… leaving Rose alone with an angry Cal.

Rose remembered how furious Cal had been with her… she could never forget the hard slap he gave her. The relationship between Cal and Rose had been broken beyond repair. They were interrupted by a steward telling them to put their lifebelts on and to head up to the boat deck. Cal was annoyed, but Rose was still reeling from the slap and everything that had just happened.

Cal, Ruth, and Rose made their way into the first-class areas. There was confusion and chaos all around, as people were trying to figure out what was going on. Rose spotted Thomas Andrews and she could see the distress on the man's face. Rose went up to the man and admitted that she had seen the iceberg and could see it in the poor man's eyes; she asked for him to tell her the truth. Thomas Andrews sadly admitted that the ship was going to sink, making Rose realize the horrible truth. Mr. Andrews told Rose to quickly get to a boat, to which Rose knew that many innocent people were going to die that night.

Cal, Ruth, and Rose made their way to the lifeboats. Rose remembered being appalled by her mother's attitude and snapped at her to just shut up and enter the boat. To drive home that the ship was sinking, Rose told her mother that the water was freezing and that there were not enough lifeboats for the passengers; more than half of the people onboard were going to die. When Cal callously said that not the better half were going to die, and that it was a pity that he didn't keep the drawing… something in her snapped. Rose realized what an unimaginable bastard Cal was, and how foolish she had been to doubt Jack's innocence. She said her goodbyes to Ruth and walked away from the lifeboat.

Cal quickly realized that Rose was leaving him to go find Jack. He tried to stop her, and even went so far to insult her and Jack. That was when she stood up for herself and told Cal she would rather be Jack's whore than his wife… and spat in his face when he still tried to stop her from leaving.

Rose found Mr. Andrews again, and convinced him to tell her the way to find to the room where the master-at-arms had taken Jack. She remembered how she forced her way into the elevator, and the fear she had as she made her way into the flooding lower levels of the ship.

She talked about how she found Jack handcuffed to a pipe, and that the room was quickly flooding. They had a quick, but passionate reunion as she remembered telling Jack how sorry she was for doubting him. As she searched for a key, Jack had asked how she found out the truth… she smiled saying she didn't, but realized she already knew the whole time of his innocence. Rose had to search for help, but only found a stubborn steward that didn't listen to her at all. She found an axe and made her way back to Jack, only to find the flooding had gotten worse!

Rose used the axe and was able to free Jack from the pipe, but they found that the way out was fully blocked by water. They searched for another way out, and they managed to break their way into the third-class areas. Jack was reunited with his friends Tommy and Fabrizio, and the young couple found out that the stewards were refusing to open the main gates. Jack, Rose, and their friends quickly went to find another exit, only to be met with another locked gate. In his fury at the unfairness, Jack and his friends broke down the gate and the group made their way to the boat deck.

By the time Jack and Rose got up to the boat deck, the lifeboats were almost all gone! Jack convinced Tommy and Fabrizio to go to the other side to find a boat, while he stayed at Rose's side.

While the couple waited for a boat, they were spotted by Lovejoy who then told Cal. Cal gave up his chance to escape and went to find them. The boat was filling up quickly, when Rose saw families being ripped apart because of the "women and children only" rule. Rose did not want to leave without Jack, and while Jack was trying to change her mind Cal had shown up on the scene. Cal tried to be affectionate towards Rose, and even put on his coat on her. Cal also tried to convince Rose to get on the lifeboat, but she still refused to leave without Jack. Cal mentioned his arrangement and said that he would use it, so he and Jack could get safely off the sinking ship. Jack went along with Cal's story, and the two rivals were able to finally get Rose to move towards the boat.

Rose held onto Jack's hand for as long as she could. The boat began to lower, and both Cal and Jack watched the boat leave… with the woman they loved safely onboard. As the boat lowered, Rose kept looking around… she didn't like the situation at all! She looked up and saw both Jack and Cal looking at her. The distress rockets illuminated the night sky, but there was only one man Rose had her eyes on. She saw the look of love and heartbreak in Jack's eyes and she knew she could not leave him behind. She jumped from the lifeboat, and back into the sinking Titanic!

The young lovers found each other at the Grand Staircase and shared a passionate kiss, and they just held each other. Jack asked why she jumped from the boat, and Rose repeated the same phrase that he told her in the gymnasium, "You jump, I jump." It was better for them to be together than apart.

Little did they know Cal had seen and heard their declaration of love… causing his jealously to boil. Cal had grabbed Lovejoy's pistol and chased after the lovers in revenge! Luckily Jack saw the gun, and the young couple took off running. Cal chased them back into the flooding lower levels, and finally stopped running after them when he ran out of bullets.

The couple wasn't out of the woods yet; they faced more obstacles and even nearly drowned thanks to a locked gate. They fought their way back to the upper levels… as they made their way back to the boat deck they spotted Thomas Andrews. Rose remembered how Mr. Andrews refused to make a try to survive and how he felt so guilty for not building a stronger ship. The humble and noble man gave Rose his own lifebelt, wishing her good luck. Rose wished him good luck as well and hugged him goodbye; she would never forget Mr. Andrews for the rest of her life.

By the time Jack and Rose made it back to the boat deck again the boats were all gone. The ship continued to rapidly sink, and the couple made their way to the stern. They hung onto the railings, and they stayed there until the ship's final moments.

Rose vividly remembered every aspect of the sinking… how the ship broke apart and how the stern stayed afloat for a few moments before finally sinking under the sea. How Jack told her to take a deep breath and hold it since they were going to be sucked under, and how he told her not to let go of his hand. She remembered how cold the water was, and how the suction ripped her and Jack apart. Rose had kicked her way to the surface to find absolute pandemonium. She couldn't find Jack, and then that panicked man nearly drowned her! Luckily Jack had found her, and he punched the panicked man. Once Rose was free, Jack led her away from the chaos and found the floating door that would save her life.

She remembered how cold it was that night, and how the screams of the dying faded away in the night. How she had nearly given up all hope, which lead to Jack telling her not to give up. Leading to her making the promise that she would go on and live her life. When one lifeboat finally came back, she was all alone and devastated to find that Jack died from hypothermia. Rose wanted to give up, but she kept her promise and used that whistle to get the lifeboat's attention.

Rose opened her eyes and said, "1,500 people went into the sea when Titanic sank from under us. There were twenty boats floating nearby and only one came back. One." The whole group was stunned, and tears were flowing freely because of the emotion of the story. Lizzie had been crying, and even burly Lewis Bodine had tears flowing down his cheeks.

Rose continued, "Six were saved from the water, myself included. Six… out of 1,500. Afterward the 700 people in the boats had nothing to do but wait. Wait to die, wait to live… wait for an absolution that would never come."

Her memories went back to being in the lifeboat, and finally getting onboard the Carpathia. That she settled amongst the third-class passengers and hid from Cal when he went looking for her.

Rose commented on Cal and said, "That's the last time I ever saw him. He married, of course, and inherited his millions. But the Crash of '29 hit his interests hard and he put a pistol in his mouth that year… or so I read." She revealed that once she arrived in New York is when she changed her name to Rose Dawson.

Lewis Bodine commented on Jack and said, "We never found anything on Jack. There's no record of him at all." Rose just had a soft smile and said, "No, there wouldn't be, would there? And I've never spoken of him until now. Not to anyone."

The old woman turned towards her granddaughter, but continued addressing the group as she said, "Not even your grandfather. A woman's heart is an ocean of secrets. But now you know that there was a man named Jack Dawson, and that he saved me. In every way that a person can be saved. I don't even have a picture of him… he exists now only in my memory."

Rose's story had touched everyone who heard it… the whole crew started to feel like they were graverobbers. The one person who was most affected by it was Brock Lovett… who would lament to Lizzie that he spent 3 years thinking nothing except Titanic, but that he never got the tragedy. He never let it in, but now he finally understood. He understood now because of Rose.

Later that night, Rose made her way outside. She made her way to the railing and climbed up. In her hands she had the Heart of the Ocean… she had kept it all these years. Rose came to the ship to tell her story, but also to return the necklace to the ocean… where it should have been all along. She threw the diamond into the sea and watched as it sank. Rose felt a sense of peace; somehow returning the diamond was her way of finally saying goodbye to her lost love.

Rose went to bed, surrounded by her pictures. The pictures indeed proved she lived a life of happiness and adventure in Jack's honor. The old woman was safe and warm in her bed and seemed to be peacefully sleeping.

Rose feels as if she's floating underwater…. She sees the sunken Titanic, but she doesn't shy away from it. She feels as if she is walking along the ship again, and a warm bright light overcomes her. The ship transforms from a wreck to its former glory.

Rose is surprised that she's returned to Titanic. She makes her way down to the Grand Staircase, where a lot of people are waiting. The kind doorman opens the door, and Rose makes her way to the Staircase.

She is surrounded by people… the innocent victims that died that horrible night. Rose realizes she must be in some sort of heaven. To her amazement, the people are smiling at her. They are welcoming her home.

She sees Trudy, J.J Astor, the noble members of the Band, Tommy, Mr. Guggenheim, Fabrizio and even little Cora with her father Burt.

At the staircase, she spots Mr. Murdoch and Mr. Andrews smiling at her and that's when she spots a familiar person waiting at the top of the staircase. As she makes her way up the stairs, the person turns around with a huge smile on his face. It's Jack… looking as handsome as ever. He's wearing the same clothes he normally wore, but it didn't bother Rose at all. This was the man she never forgot… the man she never stopped loving.

Jack held out his hand, and Rose happily took it. That's when she noticed she was no longer 100 years old… she was 17 again, looking beautiful and wearing a long, beautiful white dress. Rose still couldn't believe she was seeing her Jack again, and the two smiled at each other. The two lovers were finally reunited, and the lost souls applauded as Jack and Rose began to kiss. The kiss gradually became more passionate; Jack and Rose both knew that this was the beginning of the forever that they should have gotten in life.

Wow... I can't believe that I finally completed this story! It was so bittersweet to write this chapter since I wanted to stay faithful to Rose's character. It's hard to believe that I started this story over a year ago. I promise that I'm still going to write more stories... I may come back and do a series of one-shots for this story (since I know I did some major time jumps for this story). If anyone is interested... let me know. It might be a while since I'm in the full swing of college, but I hope I'll be able to start writing again once things settle down a bit. I want to thank everyone that has read this story and left reviews... I appreciated all the kind feedback. Thanks again! :)