Overcoming the Past

Disclaimer:

The movie Titanic and its characters don't belong to me but to James Cameron, I suppose.

A/N:

This my first attempt in trying to write a Titanic fanfiction and though I've written lots of other stories I'm not so sure about this one. So please review.

What I almost forgot: The story is set in 1929, just before the Great Depression where, according to the movie, Caledon Hockley killed himself. I suppose I changed a few things that are mentioned in the movie just so this works out.


Chapter 1 – Surprise

Rose Dawson was sitting on a chair, learning her lines for her latest role when the doorbell rang. Yawning and stretching her muscles briefly she rose to her feet to see who was paying her a visit.

Outside stood a stranger; a tall, very young, ginger haired man with gray eyes.

"Is there anything I could do for you, Sir?" she asked reserved but politely.

The man smiled sincerely, handing her a small, white envelope with her address on it.

"I was asked to deliver this letter. The gentleman who hired me would like you to sign this document, Miss. He needs to make sure you received the letter."

Rose took the piece of paper into her hand, reading it carefully for anything suspicious. After all, such events didn't occur every day, and since she was sort of famous, it could well be some sort of trick.

Finally, after a few minutes, Rose took a pencil and signed the document. She smiled at the man.

"Thank you for the delivery, Sir."

"You're welcome, Miss. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," she said, her mind already focused on the letter. When the man had turned around to leave, she closed the door, went back to her chair and sat down to read. Without even looking at the sender's address, she opened the envelope and took out the expensive looking sheet of paper. The date indicated that the letter had been written four days ago, on the first of February.

As she read the first few words, her face turned pale in shock. One moment, Rose thought about just throwing the letter away, but then she went on…


1rst Feb 1929

Dear Rose

How are you? It has been very long since we have last seen each other – 17 years to be exact…

You are probably wondering how I found out your address and why I am writing a letter instead of just coming to kidnap you.

Well, I'd say I am no longer the short-tempered man I once was. But fortunately I still know how to find an address.

But there is something more important I need to say. Why did I write this letter? I don't know how you think of our former relationship, but I suppose you have tried to forget completely about your one-time fiancé.

I owe you an apology and an explanation, Rose. And, of course, answers for all that happened. My behaviour towards you, especially on the Titanic seventeen years ago, was extremely inappropriate. I apologize for trying to destroy yours and that Dawson chap's chances of surviving. And I'm sorry that I was so cruel to you. I can't believe what I've done.

You remember that breakfast on Titanic where I told you that you were my fiancée and had to honour me? I know there's no excuse for such behaviour, but let me try to explain a bit of it.

I loved you back then. I know it sounds odd, but possessing you was my way of loving you. I was afraid you would break things off with me as soon as you found another man you were attracted to.

Maybe you still remember it wasn't that difficult at the beginning. Somehow, I changed during the first few weeks we were engaged. When that Jack stepped into your life and you fell in love with him, my world broke into a million pieces.

To be honest, it didn't matter to me that he was in steerage, it could have been John Jacob Astor himself and I would still have behaved like I did. Jealousy is able to destroy everything or so I was told.

Maybe you would like to know what happened to me after all these years. If you don't, just stop reading.

As you can probably imagine, I married and inherited my father's estate. My wife – she reminded me of you the first time I saw her. The same red, curled hair, the same green eyes. Only one thing distinguishes you from her. She didn't have the fire and the strong will in her eyes…

Anyway, I'm not married anymore. I'm a widower, now. Sarah's – that was her name – and mine relationship lasted only until our first child was born.

Sarah died giving birth to Joshua Caledon Hockley, our only son. The first months alone with Josh were exhausting. I didn't think I would make it, but somehow, everything worked out well. Today, Joshua is almost seven years old. His birthday will be the third of March and although it's still a month off, he's already quite excited about it.

What happened to you, Rose? I often wonder whether you are working or if you are married and a mother. Normally, I would of course expect a woman your age to have a husband, but since you lost the one you loved…

By the way, what is your family name now? I first tried to find a "Rose DeWitt Bukater", but they told me this person doesn't exist.

I suppose I am making a complete hash of this, so… What you need to know is that you don't have to fear me. I won't pay you a visit if you don't want me to. I assume then that you will never see me again. I just wanted to make certain that you received the apology that you deserve..

Well then. Goodbye, Rose. Whenever you need something, just let me now and I will be there.

Love,

Caledon Hockley


Rose let the paper drop down to the floor. Now she was totally confused. Why had Cal written her a letter if he didn't want anything? Why was he so friendly? Sighing, she went to bed, deciding to think about it a bit and to trust his promise about not visiting or kidnapping her.


To be continued