A/N: Thanks for the reviews! They really help me keep going on this! P.S. Just an interesting fact. Did you know that trains on wedding gowns were a symbol of wealth and importance? The bigger the train, the more rich and important you were. Ok, on to the story.

Molly and Rose sat on the couch. Rose really did look beautiful in her wedding gown. It was square cut in front, yet not revealing. The sleeves were short and off the shoulder. The gown was of course full length, with a three foot train. Down the sides, and along the shoulder line were little silver beads. "You really do look beautiful Rose."

"Thank you," Rose said sincerely. Molly's face was serious. "What is it Molly?"

"Oh Rose! You may look beautiful on the outside, but I know this isn't what you want! Why, the contempt you feel for Cal and this whole situation is practically radiating off of you like heat from a stove! Why are you allowing yourself to do this?"

Rose gasped, but she was surprised that Molly could see through her facade. Silently, she cursed God for taking Jack from her.

"Because it's my responsibility," she muttered. Molly shook her head.

"You don't believe that for one second do you?" Rose looked up at her.

"No Molly, I don't. But if I don't marry Cal, what will become of my mother? He will simply abandon her and she'll be all alone. I pity her Molly."

Molly thought it over for a minute. Rose was brave, that was a sure thing. But none of it made sense. There was something else.

"That's not it Rose. And you know it, even if you won't admit it to yourself. Why you had fallen in love with Jack!" Rose winced at the mention of his name. "Would you have really forgot all about him if Titanic hadn't sunk, and docked in New York as planned?" Rose opened her mouth to speak, but Molly held up her hand, indicating that she was not done. "You know damn good and well that you were planning a life with Jack. I could tell at dinner. You're eyes sparkled like a school girl when he talked, and the smile you had was real, not a fake one you held for Cal."

Rose opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again. Molly was right. No wonder her and Jack got along so well, they were like twins separated at birth, just with a wide age difference. Instead, Rose placed her head in her hands, and began to weep.

Molly wrapped her arms around her, and attempted to comfort her as she wept. And wept she did, her sobs growing louder and louder, her tears coming faster and faster. In the past two months, Rose hadn't cried since she boarded the lifeboat. She hadn't allowed herself. She tried so hard to push Jack to the back of her mind and focus on making someone else happy. The fire that Jack loved about her, hadn't gone out yet, but it was burning very low. Memories flooded her mind.

"Hello Jack. I've changed my mind."

"I want you to draw me like one of your French girls wearing this. Wearing only this."

"Put your hands on me Jack."

"When this ship docks, I'm getting off with you."

Rose felt a heat in her spirit that she had not felt since that cold night in the middle of the North Atlantic. Finally, she allowed herself to calm down. She pulled herself from Molly's embrace.

"You're right Molly. This isn't me! I can't do this! But I'm scared. Terrified of striking out on my own with no one to protect me. I don't know the first thing about...well anything really. I don't know how to cook, I don't know how to sew, I wouldn't even know how to get a job! I suppose I could steal some money from Cal's safe here and go to California and try my luck with becoming a moving picture actress, but what if I fail? What then?" Rose stood and began to pace the room.

"Rose...Rose...Rose!" Molly hollered, finally getting her attention. "Sit back down before you wear a hole in the carpet. Cal would be pissed." With that Rose burst out in giggles. She began to laugh so hard, she had to sit down right where she had been standing. Molly smiled and let out a laugh as well, feeling the warmth of Rose's laugh. After a few minutes, the women managed to compose themselves.

"Rose darlin', do you really love your mother? Or Cal?" Molly asked seriously.

"Honestly, no. I pity them. Mother hated Jack, and all she cared about was getting me married so she could maintain her social status." Something dawned on Rose just then. "Oh my God Molly, what she was doing was no more than selling me! And the same with Cal, he just wants a pretty girl on his arm, a trophy wife!" Molly nodded in agreement. The girl had a head on her shoulders alright.

"Come here and sit down." Rose got up from the floor, and returned to the couch were Molly was sitting. "Now you listen to me. I love you like I love my own children. If you want to break free from this, I will help you."

"Molly, I couldn't..."

"Now, I won't hear any of that nonsense! I'm not going to give you a million bucks and tell you to go crazy. I am simply offering you a place to stay with me until you get up on your feet. I'll help you get a job, teach you to cook and sew. My son Lawrence is married and out of the house, and my daughter Catherine is engaged and will be leaving soon."

Rose sat in shock. A mere hour ago she was on the verge of living a very dull and miserable life. Now Molly was here, and offering her the lifeline she so desperately wanted and needed. "But how would we do this? When? I'm supposed to marry Cal in a week!"

"Well as I'm not invited to the wedding because first, you didn't know me before Titanic, and second, I'm considered vulgar and crass in your family's social circle, I'll be returning to Colorado." Molly reached into her purse and grabbed a wad of cash. "Here, take this. There's a train leaving Thursday evening for Denver. It'll take a couple days to get there, but I'll meet you there. Buy yourself some clothes, and this will cover food expenses on the trip."

In shock, Rose gingerly took the money. Then she threw her arms around Molly. "Thank you Molly! Thank you so much! Do you think I could ask you one more small favor?"

"Sure."

"Help me get out of this wretched dress!"