15 years later,
"Thanks Bob. I'm standing at the National History Museum as staff prepares for a special gala commencing the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, where a century ago, 1500 souls lost their lives in the greatest maritime diaster of the twentith century. And one of the items on display is the stunning 56 caret blue diamond necklace called, 'the Heart of the Ocean'. It was discovered fourteen years ago admist the stern section of Titanic by treasure hunter Brock Lovette, his sister Dr. Rebecca Lovette-Andrews and her husband titanic historian Thomas Andrews." reported the newsachor on CNN.
Watching the report in house in California was a little brown haired girl, about five years old. She clutched a teddy bear wearing a White Star line captain's uniform. The little girl smiled as they cut to a live video feed of the Keldysh.
"And now here to talk to us about the importance of their discovery and the anniversary of the Titanic, Thomas Andrews via satallite. Good morning Thomas." the reporter said as a handsome man in his late forties with gray hair came on the screen.
"Morning Susan." the man in a sweater and blue jeans said.
"First of all I've got to ask. You're Irish, and your name is Thomas Andrews. Any relation to the famed shipbuilder of Titanic?" Susan asked.
"Prehaps." Thomas shrugged with a twinkle in his eye.
"Anyway fourteen years ago you and your wife and brother in law led an expedition to find the Heart of the Ocean after hearing the story of Rose Calvert. A 100 year old first class survivor who had fallen in love with a thrid class artist named Jack Dawson, who's artwork you also recovered. But sources tell us that Brock and Becca were about to give up finding the gem after hearing Rose's story. What happened?" Susan the newsanchor asked.
"We realized that someone was going to pull it up anyway. It might as well been people who cared about what the diamond represented. It's a symbol of a moment in time. When two people from different worlds shared their first intimacy of true love." Thomas replied.
"In fact you all only took a small percent of the standard finders fee treasure hunters ask for. I suppose you all think rather highly of Titanic." Susan said.
"Yes Susan. For I always say she's not just a ship that sank. She's a ship that lived." Thomas said.
"Well said. So what are you searching for now?" Susan asked.
"We're actually working with 3d artists to compose a 360 degree computer model of the Titanic's interiors." thomas reported as the little girl watching the report smiled.
"Hey squirt! Come on the Skype's linking up." her thirteen year old sister reported poking her head into the room. The little girl grabbed her teddy bear and scrambled to the office where Lizzy sat before the computer.
"You ready to say hi to your Mommy?" Lizzy asked pulling the little girl up in her lap.
"Yeah." the little girl said.
"Here we go." Lizzy said making the connection. Becca's face came on the screen and smiled,
"Hey sweetheart!"
"Hi Mommy." the little girl said.
"Hi Becca. Where's Brock?" Lizzy asked.
"Your husband is coming up from a dive. He should be in a few minutes." becca reported.
"Well tell him the twins can't be here. They're in detention. And the boys are fully aware they're going to miss talking to their father." Lizzy said.
"Will do. So how are my girls?" Becca asked.
"We're good Mom. Where's Da?" asked the oldest girl.
"Here I am. Sorry they wanted to interview me for CNN." Thomas said rushing into the lab.
"Because the last time Mommy tried to be interviewed she threw up. Right Mommy?" the little girl asked.
"Right honey..." Becca blushed at the memory.
"So Rosie? Molly? How are my favorite women in the world?" Thomas asked.
"What am I chopped liver?" Becca asked teasing him.
"Never." Thomas said pecking her lips.
"Eww!" chorused the girls.
"Alright, alright...how's school?" Thomas laughed.
"I'm gonna be a princess in the school play!" Little Molly replied.
"And I'm sewing her costume." Rosie said.
"When is it? we'll have to come home to see it." Becca asked.
As they continued to talk, the sunshine from the nearby window danced over the pictures on the fireplace mantel. One was of Becca and thomas' seaside wedding. Another was of Brock and Lizzy in front of a Las Vegas wedding chapel. There were pictures with dogs, camping trips, Thomas holding Rosie when she was born, another of Becca holding Molly as a baby. Lizzy with her arms full of twins, Brock by her side. A trip to Paris and then a trip to Disney World. Trips of expeditions on the Keldysh with Uncle Lewis and a formal unveiling of the Heart of the Ocean. Finally a current family portrait of Thomas, Becca and their daughters with Brock, Lizzy and two red headed eight year old boys and two dogs. That picture was next to the picture of Great Grandma Rose horseback riding on the beach near the Santa Monica pier. And next to that, Thomas' framed sketch of Jack Dawson, who always made each moment count.
The End