The boats had better come soon. I was already shivering, and Rose and I just found a piece of debris floating in the water. I helped her helpless body onto the plank, and then I tried getting on. Rose screamed as the plank almost seeped underwater. I hopped off. I bit my lip as Rose helped herself back on it. I struggled over to where her freezing hands were and clutched onto them. Rose shook like a leaf during a fierce hurricane. Oh, how I wanted the water to be warm! It broke my heart just to see her suffer.

I huddled closer to her, as close as my strength would allow.

"We'll be alright now." I whispered.

We were so close that all we could see was the clouds of air coming from each other's shivering mouths. I looked around and saw everyone screaming and pleading for help. A man nearby was blowing on his whistle. I looked desperately to try to find at least a glimpse of a lifeboat.

"The boats are coming back for us Rose! Just hold on a little bit longer. We'll wait for the suction, but now they'll be coming back." My words huddled together, as I tried convincing her and tried keeping at least her hands warm.

We looked around at more huddling passengers. I looked at Rose as she was terrified. I kept rubbing her hands. I hoped the metal handcuff on my left wrist wouldn't make her colder.

I shivered harder now.

"It's getting quiet." Rose whispered. Her head was laying on my freezing arm.

"It's just gonna take…a couple minutes…to get the…boats organized." I said, struggling with my words. I was too cold…just too cold…

"I don't know about you but….I intend to…write a strongly worded letter to the…White Star Line about all this." I struggled a smile. I tried my hardest to get Rose not as scared, but I could tell it hurt her way too much to smile.

I closed my eyes. Maybe that would slow the shivering.

"I love you Jack." She whispered.

My heart stopped. It hurt my lungs too much to talk, but now I had to say something. Tell her everything that's on my mind.

"Don't you do that." I said as I stared into her terrified eyes. "Don't you say your goodbyes."

"Not yet. Do you understand me?"

"I'm so cold…"

"Listen Rose…" She looked at me.

"You're gonna get out of here….you're g-gonna go on…and you're gonna make…lots of babies. And you're gonna watch 'em grow. You're gonna die an old…an old lady. Warm in her bed. Not here…not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?"

"I can't feel my body…"

I cringed. I was in so much pain. My lungs and heart were frozen cold.

"Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me."

I smiled a little. "It brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful."

Rose smiled. I brought my other arm over and I clutched both her hands.

"You must do me this honor. You must promise me…that you'll survive. That..you won't give up."

She sobbed. She still had a faint smile on her face.

"No matter what happens." I continued. She clutched onto my hands tighter.

"No matter how hopeless…" I winced. I didn't have very much hope for myself at this point. "You must promise me now Rose. Never let go of that promise."

"I promise."

"Never let go." I whispered.

"I will never let go, Jack…I'll never let go…"

I smiled and kissed her hands. They felt like a large chunk of ice beneath my lips. I shivered harder and tried to control my breathing. We both looked down as we shook. We closed our eyes.

I felt her body turn around. My shivering slowed. I opened my eyes as much as I could handle and looked at her. She was staring up at the stars. I saw her mouth moving, but I couldn't make out or hear what she was saying.

I knew it was my time. My heart rate slowed and inhaling hurt me. I tried my best to lift up my lips and kiss Rose's hands, but I was just too weak. I clutched her hands with every little but of strength I had and closed my eyes. I let the world close in around me.

Then my breathing stopped completely. Death did not hurt as bad as I thought it would.