Disclaimer: This story is written for the sole purpose of entertainment. I own no rights to Titanic; James Cameron is the lucky genius who is the rightful owner of this film.

Chapter Ten

A Mother's Despair

May, 6, 1912

Her words faded as soon as she heard the soft jingle of the café's bell by the entrance door. Rose looked up and felt her heart jump to her throat when she recognized the woman who just walked in.

Sylvia sensed her tension and started to worry. "Rose, are you all right?" she asked as she followed her gaze and discovered a well-dressed woman standing by the door. She had the same fiery red hair as Rose which was neatly pinned under a hat. The woman seemed to keep her attention focused on Rose, looking at her as if she were a criminal.

Tears welled up in Roses eyes as she stared at her mother from across the room. She held her breath when her mother started making her way toward her, her ice-cold gaze never once leaving hers.

"Rose," Ruth said in a bitter tone. "What a surprise."

Her heart was pounding now as she looked into her mother's eyes and felt nothing but disapproval generate through her. She closed her eyes for a few moments and breathed out slowly as she finally mustered up the courage to speak.

"Yes," Rose's voice was hoarse, but firm. "It is."

Sylvia was confused as to who this woman was that made Rose feel so defensive.

"Would you mind stepping out so I can have a few words with you?" Ruth said in a tone that matched the harshness of her eyes. "There are certain things that need to be discussed in private."

Rose glanced over at Sylvia, who simply shrugged, as Rose reluctantly led her mother out of the café and toward a bench further down the block. Rose kept a distance from her mother as they sat down and waited for the other to speak. A few minutes have passed when Rose finally regained her composure.

"How did you find me?" Rose asked, curious.

"It doesn't matter how I found you," Ruth declared in a harsh tone. "What I don't seem to understand is why you had us all believing you were dead!"

For a brief moment, Rose could've sworn that she saw a hint of sorrow and regret flashing in her mother's eyes, but they vanished as quickly as they came."

"You disappointed me, Rose."

Rose shook her head and scoffed. "Well, that's typical."

"Pardon me?"

"All my life, I've done nothing but obey your every command, and never once have you shown any sort of gratitude. Then again, why would you? Everything I've done was for your benefit, not mine. I only agreed to marry Cal so that you would stop badgering me. I don't care for him or his stupid money. He could be the richest man in the universe and I still wouldn't want to marry him, but of course none of that matters to you. All you care about is money."

"That's not true!" Ruth declared, shocked that her own daughter would think of her in such a manner.

"Of course it is," Rose snapped. "That's all you ever talked about since father died."

"What did you expect from me? I wasn't going to sit back and let our possessions go to waste."

"Oh, but you could sell your daughter off to the richest bachelor in all of Philadelphia," Rose replied, sarcastically. "That makes a lot of sense."

"I was only looking out for your well-being!" Ruth said defensively. "Your father wouldn't have wanted to see you running off with some . . . street rat and live your life in poverty."

"Father would never have forced me to marry someone for the sake of retaining his social status," Rose bitterly stated. "You weren't looking out for my well-being . . . you were looking out for yours."

"I don't understand you! You had a good life with Cal. He would've given you the financial security your father would've wanted you to have, but you threw it away the moment you ran off with that steerage scum."

"I would do it all again if I had to," Rose snapped. "I'd rather burn in hell than marry that pompous bastard."

"Mind your tongue, young lady. I will not have that kind of talk in my presence."

"And I will not have any more of my time wasted," Rose declared as she got up and faced her mother. "I am not going to tolerate your ignorance any longer, mother. I've already sacrificed so much for you and never once have you appreciated any of my efforts. I have a life of my own now and I would greatly appreciate it if you left me in peace."

"Rose, I am your mother. You cannot shun me out of your life!"

"I can and I will," Rose threatened. "You may be my mother by birth, but you were never the mother you should've been."

Rose could tell that her words hurt her mother, but Ruth never once faltered. "So this is what you think of me? Your own mother."

Rose looked down at her hands, not knowing what else to say. She was never close with her mother to begin with, and now, she may never get the chance to. "Why did you come here?" she asked with tears brimming her eyes. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to come back home."

"Come back home to what? The same old miserable life I've led these past eighteen years?"

"You deserve better than this, Rose."

"Why don't you say what you really mean, mother," Rose spat. "You only want me back home so that, by some off chance, Cal and I will get back together." When her mother remained silent, she knew she was right. "It's never going to happen. I don't know how many times I have to tell you this, but I am not going back to him. Not now, not ever. Do you understand?"

Ruth could see the resentment in her daughter's eyes as she spoke of Cal. She thought of Cal as a very respectable man who will help bring them to their victory. After her husband's death, a large sum of debts had to be paid along with the expensive medical bill after his illness overtook him. Ruth couldn't fathom the thought of living a life as a seamstress so she had to do the only thing she thought was best; find a suitable husband for Rose. It was the only way she could continue living in a life of luxury.

"Am I worth that little to you, mother?" Rose asked, breaking into her thoughts. "Do you not care for me at all? Your only daughter?"

Ruth looked up at her in surprise. "Of course I care for you. I cannot believe you would think otherwise!"

Rose sat down on the bench beside her and sighed. "What did you expect me to believe? All my life, I've done nothing but obey your every command, and still, it was never enough."

"I was only doing my duty as your mother, Rose. That is no reason for you to think that I do not care for you!"

"This has nothing to do with your duty as a mother," Rose snapped. "You were never there when I needed you, especially after father died. All you cared about was what dress I would be wearing to the next cotillion or some other stupid and pointless party. Never did you stop to think that maybe what I really needed was a mother."

"There is no need to shout!" Ruth stated through clenched teeth. "You are going to cause a scene!"

"So what if I do!" Rose shot back as she stood up again and faced her mother. "I am fed up with having you treat me like some insignificant child! I am a grown woman now and fully capable of doing what I want without your approval. If you cannot respect that, then I suggest you leave. I never asked for you to come in the first place."

Ruth stood on her own feet and glared at Rose. "Why must you be so stubborn? Your father and I raised you better than this! You deserve a better life than this, Rose, and you know it!"

"What could possibly be better than this, mother? Living the rest of my life with that wretched scoundrel?"

"That scoundrel will keep you safe!"

Rose's face suddenly turned cold. "If that is what you believe, mother, then you are a fool."

"What are you talking about?" Ruth asked, perplexed.

"That man that you so desperately admire nearly shot me while the ship was sinking," Rose stared at her mother with anger in her eyes. Cal was really aiming for Jack, but as he was chasing them down into the flooded dining room, he narrowly missed her a few times. "So what do you think of your prince charming now, mother? Would you dare bring me back to the man who could've killed your only daughter?"

Ruth's face had gone pale. "He wouldn't . . ."

"The Cal you know is only a mask of a man that he really is," Rose stated in a low voice. "Jack saved my life. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be alive today."

Ruth could barely bring herself to speak. These past few weeks have been hard on her. She thought she lost her daughter to the Titanic, but when she read the survivors list in the paper a few days after the sinking, she noticed the name Rose Dawson among the third class section. I might have been mere coincidence, but she had to make sure. She couldn't live the rest of her life not knowing if this Rose was her Rose. She secretly hired a private investigator to help find her about a week ago, and within a few days, he came across a Rose Dawson living in downtown Manhattan. He gave her the exact location and she went on her way to find her. She didn't know what to expect or what she would've done had it not been Rose, but she knew that she had to see for herself.

Ruth remembered the moment she found out she was pregnant with Rose. Her late husband, Harold, had been overjoyed. She thought that having a child would bring them closer together, but she was wrong. Harold hadn't been happy since the moment they were arranged to be married. He already had his eyes set on someone else, but his parents were adamant about him marrying Ruth so he had no choice but to oblige. He had done his duties as a husband, but he never did any more than he had to.

Once Rose was born, she noticed a change in Harold. All the love and compassion that he neglected to give to his own wife was instantly directed to their daughter, and it was only when he was around Rose, when Ruth ever saw him smile.

When Rose was five years old, she would spend most of her time in her father's study, playing with him whenever he had the chance to. Ruth couldn't help but envy her daughter for receiving Harold's constant love and attention. She tried to get Harold to warm up to her since they married, but to no avail. Every attempt only made him distance himself from her more and more.

As the years passed on, it was becoming more and more unbearable. By the time Rose was ten, Ruth had sent her to boarding school. She wanted her daughter to have proper manners and act like a lady. She was spending way too much time with her father and it only resulted in her unruly behavior.

Rose was fifteen when Harold had fallen ill. He spent the majority of the year on bed rest with Rose by his side. He passed away a few days after her sixteenth birthday. Rose was devastated. She spent most of the month locked in her room, crying. Ruth couldn't even shed a tear. She tried to, wanting to prove to herself that she cared for her late husband, but when she felt no sense of grief plague her, she knew she never did.

After the month slowly passed, Ruth had had enough. She sent Rose to finishing school for the remainder of the year, and when she returned for the Christmas holiday, Ruth had introduced her to Cal. Rose was not impressed by him in the slightest, and she definitely did not like him, but when he proposed at the start of the new year, she had no choice but to accept. She knew the reason why her mother wanted her to marry Cal; he was the wealthiest bachelor in all of Philadelphia. There is no doubt that he is going to be the key to their financial recovery, considering that they have lost a large sum of money after her father's death.

Ruth had no idea that they were running out of money; not until after Harold's funeral when his attorney came in to discuss his debts with her. Her husband had apparently been an excessive gambler, and in order to cover up the fact that he lost the majority of his money, he took out loans from different companies so that Ruth wouldn't find out. Now, she was left to pay off the debts which would eventually leave them homeless.

The thought of living her life in poverty terrified her. She had to do the only thing she knew would prevent them from ever entering that lifestyle; she had to find Rose a proper suitor, and she did. Cal was the perfect gentleman with great prospects and a lot of money. There was no reason for Ruth to believe that he was wrong for her daughter; up until now.

"Look, I have to get back to work," Rose said as she got up and faced her mother. "I finish my shift at five. You can either wait for me or you can leave; it's your choice."

Ruth watched her daughter walk away from her while she was left sitting on the bench, shocked and confused.

"What was that all about?" Sylvia asked once Rose came back from her very long break.

"Nothing," Rose said as she grabbed a rag and started to furiously clean the counter. "It was nothing."

"Hmmm, how come I don't believe you?"

"Sylvia, I really don't want to talk about it right now," Rose admitted with a sigh. "It's just not something I'm ready to share yet."

"All right," Sylvia said. "I just hope that everything's okay."

Rose simply smiled and went back to cleaning the counter. She couldn't believe what had just happened between her and her mother. How could she possibly expect her to go back into the life that made her absolutely miserable? Her mother could never understand the pain she has undergone in her relationship with Cal. Her mother saw him as this fantastic rich man who would save him from the debt they're buried under, but what she didn't and refused to see was this horrid man who was selfish and cruel. He didn't care for her the way Jack did and he most definitely didn't care for her feelings or for her dreams to be an actress. Cal wasn't right for her and she knew her mother refused to accept that. Rose didn't care for the money, but her mother did. For so long, Rose did everything she could to please her mother, but enough was enough. It was time for her to make her own decisions now.

The rest of her work day passed by much slower than she expected. She cleaned the tables, swept the floor, cared for the customers, and she was now getting ready to leave.

"See you tomorrow, Sylvia," Rose said as she made her way to the door.

"All right, bye Rose!"

Rose waved to her and stepped out of the café, taking in a breath of fresh air. She was finally starting to relax when she caught sight of her mother who was still sitting in the same bench she left her in. It took her a few moments to register what she was seeing and what it meant.

"Mother?" Rose said as she reached the bench.

Ruth wiped away her tears and looked up at her daughter. "I'm sorry. I couldn't leave. I thought about what you said."

Rose remained silent for a few moments as she thought about what she just heard her mother say. It took a minute for her to let it sink in; her mother was sorry. She never thought such a thing would be possible. She watched as her mother got up from her seat and stood in front of me, trembling through her tears.

"I'm terribly sorry, Rose. I hope you could find it in your heart to forgive me."

Rose didn't know what to say. This was such a shock to her. All her life, her mother had a set mind to what she wanted Rose to do with her life, and now, here she was, standing in front of her crying as she apologized. This was a big and sudden change in her mother and she didn't know if it was genuine or if she was playing it out. Either way, she has never seen her mother cry before and she couldn't bear the sight of it so she pulled her mother into a hug and calmed her down.

"Why don't I take you back to my apartment?" Rose said as she held her mother at an arm's length. "I could fix you up a hot cup of tea, if you want. Then we can talk. We have a lot to discuss."

"I would like that very much."

Rose managed a smile and led her mother to her apartment. Rose had to admit that she was a bit nervous about bringing her mother home; after all, the apartment she stayed in wasn't as extravagant as their house back in Pennsylvania; the house that will pretty soon be sold due to the great debt that her family has been buried in since the death of her father. She climbed the stone steps in silence and pushed open the heavy front door. She clenched her teeth and led her mother down the hallway and toward her apartment door. She fumbled in her cloth purse for the key. Once she found it, she took in a breath and opened the door.

"I must warn you now that this apartment doesn't fit the standards of first class," Rose began as they stepped inside. "It's rather small and inexpensive, but it's my home, and I would very much appreciate it if you would respect that."

Ruth took one look around the room and nodded. Rose could see in her mother's face that she disapproved of her current home, but she didn't voice her disapproval, which Rose was glad of.

"Um, have a seat. I'll put the kettle on."

Rose tossed her purse on the coffee table and stepped into the makeshift kitchen. She took a small pot from the top cabinet and filled it with water. After doing so, she lit the burner on the stove and set the kettle on top of it. Knowing that it was going to take a while for the water to boil, she went back to the parlor room and sat beside her mother. It was a while before any of them spoke.

"You're living alone?" Ruth asked.

"Um, no," Rose replied, suddenly realizing that she forgot to mention Jack's survival. "Not exactly."

As if on cue, Jack's muffled coughs were heard from behind the closed bedroom door. Ruth looked up, startled.

"It's a long story, but I'm engaged," Rose said as she played with the ring Jack gave her. "To Jack."

Ruth suddenly fell silent. Rose could see in her mother's face that she didn't look too pleased with the news, but it didn't bother her as much as it would have months ago. She simply waited for her mother to say something. When minutes ticked by and no words were exchanged, Rose took in a deep breath and broke the silence.

"Look, I know you're not fond of him, but the least you could do is give him a chance," Rose paused for a few moments and watched her mother closely before continuing. "I love him, mother. There's nothing you or anyone can do to change that. He means the world to me, and I'm sure it's difficult for you to accept that, but you're going to have to. Especially if you want things to get better between us."

Ruth didn't know what to say; she just sat there, stunned. She looked at her daughter and saw a brand new woman. A different woman. No doubt she had Jack to thank for that. Jack; he was the man she despised from the moment she laid eyes on him. He is also the man who caused for her plan to come to ruins. Most of all, Jack is the man who saved her daughter's life. She owed a lot to him, but most importantly, she owed him an apology.

"Well," Ruth took a breath in and sat up straight. "I suppose I have no choice in the matter."

Rose blinked; had she heard her mother right? "Pardon?"

"I guess I have no choice but to accept the new lifestyle you've adopted because I would hate to have to lose you again," Ruth fought back her tears. "I don't think I could bear it."

Rose felt a lump piercing her throat as she pulled her mother into a tight embrace and sobbed against her shoulder. She couldn't remember the last time she was held in her mother's arms. Her mother was barely ever affectionate toward her during her childhood years, especially on moments when she needed her the most. Ruth was adamant about composure and proper etiquette that she failed to acknowledge her daughter's feelings. To know that her mother has suddenly transformed into the woman she was embracing right this very moment shocked her. It took a few minutes for her to let it sink in; her mother was accepting her choices. For the first time in her life, she wasn't being criticized or judged. Her mother accepted her. The thought alone made her cry tears of relief.

"Oh, mother . . ." Rose pulled away and wiped her tears.

They were suddenly interrupted by a sharp whistle coming from the kitchen. The tea was ready. Rose quickly excused herself and spent the next few minutes preparing the tea that she promised her mother earlier. Once she was finished, she brought the cups over to the sofa and handed her mother a steaming cup of lemon tea.

"I should go check up on Jack," Rose said. "I'll be right back."

Rose walked toward the bedroom door and peeked her head in. She found Jack leaning against the headboard. He looked as if he hadn't slept for weeks. She took a step inside the room and shut the door behind her.

"Hey," his voice was still hoarse, but it was much clearer than before. "How was work?"

"It was . . . interesting," she said as she set the cup of tea on the nightstand. She then took a seat on the bed beside him and felt his forehead; it was warm now, not burning hot as it was before. "Are you feeling any better?"

"A little bit," he replied. "My throat still hurts."

"Here, this will help," Rose took the cup from the nightstand and handed it to him. "Drink slowly. It'll soothe your throat."

Jack accepted the cup and took a small sip. "Who were you talking to?" he asked suddenly. "I heard voices."

"Well, you may find it hard to believe, but my mother stopped by the café earlier this afternoon. We had a long talk about everything and now she is sitting in the living room drinking tea."

"Wait, your mother's here?" Jack asked, genuinely surprised. "Right now?"

"Yes. She's in the next room."

Jack cleared his throat and took another sip of his tea. "Well, I suppose she won't be thrilled to see me."

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say that," Rose said as she thought back on her mother's reaction when she announced her engagement. "I know she hasn't been fond of you, but somehow, she's changed. I think the sinking has had a great effect on her."

Jack remained silent for a few moments while Rose told him about the conversation she had with her mother earlier in the afternoon. She also mentioned how surprised she had been when she discovered that her mother actually waited for her after her shift was over.

"I have never seen my mother cry; up until today," Rose concluded. "My mother has always been adamant about composure and etiquette. She hasn't even shed a tear when my father died."

Jack set his cup on the nightstand and tried to get out of bed, but Rose stopped him.

"Jack, don't strain yourself. You need your rest."

"I've been in bed all day," Jack said. "I think I've had enough rest."

"The doctor said that it's vital for you to maintain your strength," Rose pointed out. "You're still running a fever."

"I can't be lying around like this while your mother's here. What would she think?"

"Look, it doesn't matter what my mother thinks. You're ill. I don't want you getting any worse because of your pride. You need your rest."

Jack sighed as he leaned back against the headboard. "I hope I get better soon. I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"You will, trust me," she bent down to kiss his forehead. "Finish up your tea. I'll go get you a nice hot bowl of soup."

"Thanks," Jack said as he fought another bout of coughs.

Rose got up from the bed and walked toward the bedroom door. She took one quick glance at her fiancé and smiled before shutting the door behind her. Ruth had just finished her tea and was sitting quietly on the sofa while Rose simply stood there, trying to think of what to say.

"Um, Jack says hello," Rose finally said. "He's not feeling well at the moment. He sprung a fever last night."

Ruth looked up at her daughter. "Is he okay?"

"He's getting better, but he's not well enough to get out of bed. I'm going to stop by Denny's and get him a bowl of soup. Would you mind coming along?"

"Not at all," Ruth got up from her seat and fetched her shawl. "I could do with some fresh air."

The two women then walked out of the apartment and left the building. Denny's was a local restaurant a few blocks away from where Jack and Rose lived. They discovered it just a few days before Jack's unexpected departure. Rose bought Jack a bowl of chicken soup with a piece of bread. After purchasing the meal, she and her mother took a stroll back to the apartment. When they reached the building, Ruth stopped.

"I should probably get going," Ruth said, hesitating.

"Right now?" Rose asked; she was hoping her mother would stay for dinner.

"I'm afraid so."

"Won't you stay for dinner, at least?"

"I would love to, but I have a few errands to run," Ruth suddenly fell silent; it took her a few moments to speak again. "I have to find a new place to live. I cannot bear to stay with Cal, knowing what he's done."

"Well, in that case, you can stay with us," Rose said.

"I couldn't possibly. I'd only be in the way."

"Nonsense, you're staying with us and I am not taking no for an answer."

Ruth was touched by her offer. She didn't know how to thank her. She never imagined that her life would change so drastically. Just last month, she was in the process of planning her daughter's wedding to the richest bachelor in all of Philadelphia, and now, she was standing in front her daughter in a rundown neighborhood. Despite the conditions that caused for them to be where they are today, Ruth was glad to have her daughter back in her life. After all, Ruth loved her daughter, and for the first time, she did not hesitate to express it; and that is what brought her out of her despair.