Heart of a Rose
AN: This is my very first Titanic fanfic. I wish Jack didn't die but I
don't want to make a fanfic where he's with Rose because that didn't
happen in the movie and I want this to be what happened when Rose woke after the survivors were picked up. Okay, this is getting long but
last thing. Maybe I'll make a fanfic where Jack lives instead some
other time but for now, this. And, I tried to make this as accurate
with the story as possible. Reviews will be appreciated! This is not
meant to offend the memory of those on the ship or the event itself
but just a fanfiction on the 1997 movie, Titanic.
Disclaimer: I do not own Titanic in any way. I didn't make the story
too. It belongs to James Cameron.
Chapter 1
After Caledon Hockley forced himself to leave the 3rd class quarters
in defeat, he slumped on the 1st class lounge where the high society
people were. For a moment no one even cared if a duke was slouching
but then they all suddenly remembered they had higher social status
than the other survivors and sat up straight. Including Cal. Cal saw
Rose's mother, Ruth, he immediately went up to her and grabbed her arm
courteously.
"Cal," Ruth said. "Have you found Rose yet? Molly told me you went
looking for her."
"No. I fear the worse." his words pained him but he had to say it.
Tears began to stream from Ruth's eyes.
"How about the boy?" she could barely speak.
Cal grunted. "No. I haven't asked."
"Cal, I know this is such a shame for you but ..." she was talking
about her family's debts which Cal perfectly knew.
"Mrs. Bukater," he said. "I know. Even if Rose is not here, I'd pay
for the debts."
"Oh thank you, thank you Caledon!" She was so happy. Her social status
would be cemented but upon remembering no one was there with her on
her high social status, she grimaced. She caught sight of Cal's face,
straight.
"But Mrs. Bukater," his tone was cold. "Do not assume I am paying for
your debts because of your daughter. Your Daughter brought me nothing
but humiliation. I am only doing this because I don't want people to
think Caledon Hockley planned to marry a peasant. And besides, news is
bound to come up since she has passed on. With her lover." he sneered.
Ruth could only smile faintly. Ruth stood up and was approached by
Molly Brown. The woman didn't seem to be bad after all as she first
thought. Molly Brown led Ruth to her room where she allowed Ruth to
stay.
Hockley went to his own quarters and lay on his bed. He pondered about
his fiancé. Not once did Rose give herself to him. Not even a kiss, it
was always only on the cheek. Yet that Jack, that peasant. How could
she feel that way towards him. He loved money. He loved his status. He
loved Rose. Rose was a fine match for him. In truth, he was willing to
pay her debts because he loved her. Loved her so much that anyone
could have ever done with him. He was willing to pay a mighty sum for
the heart of the ocean for Rose if she would stay with him. But she
didn't. So he had to get the stone back but it remained with her much
to his irritation. He knew Rose had been melancholy and he tried to
change that by showering her with gifts fit for a queen yet she didn't
return his feelings. Cal thought about it. If Rose just boarded that
lifeboat. Everything would be alright but she still had to rescue that
man. Cal laughed at himself. How could he have been so stupid. What
was it about Rose anyway? He really followed Rose even if the boat was
already sinking. His laughter was cut short when he remembered Rose
looking at Jack so passionately at the foot of the stairs he longed
for her to look at him. When They both convinced Rose to board one, he
felt the sadness coming from Rose when she was about to leave Jack but
he ignored it at the time. It was supposed to go on well but then Rose
had to jump. Then Cal remembered seeing them in each other's arms. He
recalled shooting bullets at them then realizing the diamond was gone.
He sighed. He just lay there in his room. All alone. He didn't go out
until the boat docked.
Ruth found comfort with Molly. Molly gave her a job. Yet, she was
still miserable.
"You don't worry Ruth." Molly chirped in. "We're lucky we survived."
Ruth frowned.
"And I'm sure both Rose and Jack are in a better place now." she
added. Ruth didn't say anything.
"Come on Ruth," Molly said. "Remember how they look at each other. How
everything is happy between them. How Rose sacrificed for Jack and how
Jack fought for her. Remember the dinner we all had with him. At the
ship. Remember?"
By now Molly had to stop. Ruth was in tears.
"How could she have been so selfish?" Ruth said. "She knew if she
didn't marry Cal, I would be a seamstress."
"Perhaps, you're the selfish one." Ruth glared at her.
"Pardon me but she's miserable with the rich man. Remember how Cal
always chose what she eats, dictates her every move?"
Ruth looked away.
"But you know, in my opinion, it's not so bad being middleclass.
You've lived more than half of your life the way you wanted. Why not
let Rose enjoy hers the way she wants it?"
"Wanted." Ruth added. Molly stared at her. "Ruth," she called. "We're
not sure of this yet. I know even if Cal well even if I don't care for
Cal, I'm sure he'll look for her."
Ruth didn't say anything. Neither did Molly. They went together for
dinner but never spoke a word to each other.
-
Rose was on the third class section. She turned around to see who was
familiar there to her. No Jack's Italian friend. No Jack's roommate.
No Jack's little friend, Cora. No Jack. She quietly sobbed on her seat
on the boat. Food for the third class was limited due to the demand of
the first class people. Her food, which was delivered beside her was
left untouched. She knew she must be starving but she didn't feel
anything. She was so numb. So cold. So broken. She was missing a part
of herself and that part was somewhere under the ocean. Minutes ago, a
crew member asked her who she was. And she said Rose Dawson. She
couldn't help but smile. Her life was beginning, free from the high
society. From her mother and from Cal. But her life was also starting
without Jack. She couldn't think of a better way to spend her life
than be with Jack when the ship sank and be with him under the ocean.
But no, she had to go on. She promised Jack. She hated Jack. Hated him
for making her promise. Promising to live life even without the one
person who taught her how to break free. But then, she recalled. At
the time, the promise wasn't so sad. They were both going to live and
be happy. Rose pondered on what she was going to do. Life was not the
hopeful one she envisioned with Jack. It was a life with a din light.
Darkness everywhere. She didn't have any plans. She thought of showing
herself to her mother and to Cal but something inside her made her
stop herself. She dozed off after much crying.
Ruth was grieving the loss of her daughter. Cal was unshaven and shaky
but he still tried to hide it. Rose was not herself at all and as she
dozed off, she kept on muttering Jack's name until it stopped. And
everyone fell asleep. Silence.