February, 1915

Jack was lying awake in bed, while Rose was still asleep. He was thinking about the time on Titanic when he and Rose talked about someday going to Santa Monica.

"We'll drink cheap beer, we'll ride the roller coaster till we puke, and we'll ride horses, right on the surf. But none of that side stuff, no, you have to ride like a real cowboy."

Jack smiled to himself, and thought. "We can't go to a bar with Vanessa, so I guess the beer idea is out. And Vanessa is too little to ride on any roller coaster. Jack thought some more. "What about riding horses, is she too young for that? No. I don't think she is." Jack smiled. He knew exactly how he was going to surprise her, now.

Just then, Rose's eyes fluttered open. "Good morning, Rose." She smiled.

"Good morning, Jack." Rose lightly kissed his lips. "It's quiet."

"Yeah, I wonder why." Jack gestured towards Vanessa's room. Rose laughed.

"She's not the quietest child, is she?"

"No, she's not." Jack smiled. "But that's why we love her so much."

"Of course." Rose thought for a moment. "I think I'll wash Vanessa's blanket today." She thought out lout. "It's getting kind of dirty."

"Jack chuckled. " I swear, I think that Vanessa would take that blanket in the bath tub, if we let her."

Rose nodded and laughed. "And everywhere else."

"Uh-huh."

"Mommy! Daddy!" They heard from Vanessa's room. Rose was about to get up.

"I got her." Jack said. He walked out of their room and into Vanessa's.

"Daddy!"

He picked her up. "Good morning, Nessa. He kissed her forehead. "Let's go see mommy."

He walked back into their room. "Hi mommy!"

"Hi baby!" Rose smiled at her daughter. Jack placed her in her arms. " Nessie, you're getting so big." Vanessa smiled. She stood up and started jumping on the bed.

"Jumpy Jumpy Jumpy!"

"You having fun there, Ness?"

Vanessa smiled and jumped on Jack. "Whoa!" she said with the cutest expression.

"Whoa!" Jack imitated her. She laughed and clapped her hands.

"Mommy, I want dinner."

Rose giggled. "Sweetie, for the last time, it's not dinner, it's breakfast."

Jack chuckled. "Let her think what she wants. She'll learn eventually. I hope."

"Oh god, could you imagine a seventeen year old girl who doesn't know the difference between breakfast and dinner?"

"It's not a big deal. I wouldn't worry about too much."

"You're right. It's just pretty funny."

"Yeah. She's a funny kid."

"And she's such a good girl. Well, most of the time."

" Defiantly. She's good. When she wants to be." Rose nodded in agreement. "Mommy, I want dinner!"

"Alright." Rose picked her up and began to walk out of the room. "Are you coming?"

"Yup." Jack got out of bed and walked downstairs with Rose and Vanessa. Rose made breakfast while Jack watched Vanessa play in the living room. She ran up to the couch and climbed on next to Jack. She placed herself in his lap and arched her bag towards the edge of his knees. "What are you doing, Nessie?" Vanessa just laughed and grabbed Jacks finger with her tiny hand.

About an hour after breakfast, I was eleven o'clock, Vanessa's naptime. Jack took her upstairs. He caressed her little chin in his hand, and carefully moved her face towards his. She was fast asleep. Jack thought for a minute before walking into his room. He set Vanessa down on his bed and got his portfolio. He took out his charcoal pencil and began to draw. He loved drawing her when she was asleep. He tried drawing her when she was awake, but that girl couldn't stand still for more than two minutes. Jack smiled and shook his head at their extremely energetic daughter.

"Oh ,Nessa. What are we gonna do with you?"He thought."Love her." He told himself.

When he was finished, he looked at the drawing, and smiled. He put it back in his portfolio, and put it in the desk in the corner of the room. He picked up his sleeping daughter and placed her in her cot, in her room. He kissed her head and pulled the blanket up to her chest.

Jack walked downstairs, and sat next to Rose on the couch. "Is Nessie asleep?"

Jack nodded. "Uh-huh. She fell asleep when I was carrying her upstairs."

"Really? I guess that she didn't sleep a lot last night."

"I guess not."

"So Jack, was there a specific reason why you took the day off, today I'm not complaining, I was just curious."

Jack smiled. "Maybe. You'll just have to wait to find out."

"Oh really, now? And why is that?"

"Because it's a surprise."

Rose sighed. So, when will I be able to know about this surprise?"

"Today."

Rose laughed. "Well, I knew that!"

Jack laughed back. " Then why did you ask me?"

"But seriously, Jack. When?"

"Soon, Rose. Soon."

Rose sighed. "Alright, Jack."

After hours of anticipation, Jack finally said "Alright, It's time for your surprise."

"Really, Jack?"

Jack picked Vanessa up. "Uh- huh."

They walked out to the pier, which was only a block away from their house. " Jack? What are we doing?"

Jack chuckled. "You'll see, Rose. He walked up to a man with a horse. "How much for the hour?"

The man thought for a moment. "Two dollars." Jack gave him the money.

"Hop on, Rose. One leg on each side."

Rose suddenly became nervous. "Jack wait. I don't think I'm ready."

Jack just chuckled. "Sure you are, Rose. Come here, I'll help you." He helped Rose get onto the horse.

"Oh!" Rose gasped. She began to panic.

"It's okay, Rose. You're alright." He lifted Vanessa and placed her on the horse. Keeping his hands on her so she didn't fall off. Jack got on last, wrapping his arms around Rose, so her and Vanessa would be safe. "Okay, Rose. You're doing good. Just stay calm."

Rose gained control of the horse. She smiled, pleased with herself. "Jack! I'm doing it!"

Jack smiled. " I told you I'd teach you how to ride like a man."

"And chew tobacco like a man." Rose said in a fake southern accent."

"And spit like a man. Don't forget about that!"

Rose laughed. "How could I?"

They had been riding on the beach for about forty five minutes when Vanessa began to blink heavily. She turned to Jack. "Daddy, I tired."

"You're tired, Nessie?" He looked around. "Alright. Rose?"

" I'm already doing it Jack." She turned and smiled at him for a quick moment. She turned the horse around and made it go faster. She kicked the horse again. It went even faster. In twenty minutes they were back at the man. Jack got off first, then taking Vanessa, and then helping Rose off with one hand. They walked to their home. On the way, Vanessa fell asleep in Jack's arms.