Chapter 21

"Jack?"

Rose sat down at the side of the bed and grasped onto his hand. His eyes were closed but he was clearly in a deep slumber. He looked relaxed and content and he had a small smile on his face. Rose smiled, he looked better than he had done the last few days when she had visited. She hadn't had much chance to speak with him as he had slept most of the time that she had been there. She stood from her chair and perched on the side of the bed, still holding onto his hand. Her thumb rubbed gently over his knuckles, feeling the softness of his skin. Rose took the time whilst he was asleep to take in his features. She realised it had been the first time since she had found him again that she had really looked at him. Rose remembered really taking in his features the first time they had met. She shuddered at the thought of the night. She remembered it being so cold and she recalled how scared she felt that night. After dinner, she had gone back to her cabin, desperately trying to get out of the binding clothes she was wearing. She had called for Trudy several times but had no response. Trudy. Rose sighed at the thought of her. She couldn't even remember the last time she had spoken to Trudy. She was her maid but she was also her only friend. Her confidante. The only one she felt like she could have a true conversation with without being judged. Then she had snapped. She couldn't get the damn dress off and suddenly she had realised what her life was going to be like if she didn't get out. She would be confined and trapped, constantly struggling for freedom. And then the next thing she knew, she was running along the A Deck Promenade towards the stern of the ship, barging past everyone in the way. Then she was holding onto the railings, leaning over across the water until she heard that voice.

"Don't do it."

Jack's voice. That sweet, innocent voice that finally talked her into coming back over the railings. When she had turned around, she had gotten a chance to look at him up close. She had taken in his dimples, his smile with a hint of cheekiness behind it and then there were those eyes. Those baby blue eyes that she felt that she could swim in. The twinkle that was in them made her feel instantly at ease with him. It was only now that she was sitting here looking at him that she could really take those features in again. How she longed to see those blue eyes again.

"Jack?" she whispered again, leaning over and gently kissing his eyelids.

His eyelids gently fluttered open and finally Rose was able to see those beautiful baby blues. She smiled as his eyes searched the room until finally landing on her.

"Rose." He sighed, his smile reaching up to the corners of his eyes. He sat up in bed and pulled her to him. "I'm so glad you're here."

She allowed herself to be wrapped up in his embrace before insisting he lay back down against his pillow.

"How do you feel?" Rose asked.

Jack fidgeted as he tried to get comfortable. "I'm alright, just a bit sore."

"What do you remember now? Whats the last thing you remember?" Rose asked, not wanting to push him but she needed to know exactly what he was aware of.

Jack smiled. "I'm alright Rose. I've spoken with the doctor. I think I remember everything."

Rose looked unsure.

"I promise Rose, the only parts I can't remember is after being pulled from the water. After that is a blur and the next part I remember is waking up in hospital but I remember getting a job with Costello and finding you again." He kissed her as he recalled the moment. "Then I remember being asked to carry out this job. I found out it was Cal but I didn't know who he was. The going back to the guest house with William...William!" Jack stopped and looked up at the door. Rose followed his gaze until her eyes landed on a shy looking William standing in the doorway.

"Jack?" he walked in slowly. "You remember me?"

"Yeah, mild concussion the doctor said. Things have started to come back slowly but I'm getting there. Its probably done me the world of good because it's brought back the memories that I had lost before."

William smiled with relief and pulled up a spare chair to the side of the bed.

"So where's Hockley?" Jack asked, remembering the body lying at the top of the stairs.

"Costello came back with me. We managed to get back before that landlady of yours appeared back." William laughed. "Let's just said there as some well fed fish in the Hudson right now."

Jack laughed while Rose shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Whats wrong?" He asked.

Rose sighed. "Jack, Cal is a powerful man in Philadelphia. Eventually someone is going to realise he's missing and come looking for him. They're going to be looking for us."

"I know. We're not safe here. As soon as i'm well enough, we're getting out of here." Jack promised her, gripping onto her hand.

"Speaking of that, you'll need this then..." William stood up and handed Jack an envelope.

"Whats this?" he asked, taking it and gently opening the seal.

"Consider it a leaving gift."

Jack opened it up and gasped as he pulled the notes from inside. He quickly counted the notes realising that Costello had given him $1000. "But he already gave me $500. He only owed me another $500"

"He knows that but he decided to give you more. He's a man who appreciates someone going the extra mile for him and that's what you and Rose did."

"This will set us up Rose, you realise that?" Jack laughed, pulling her towards him. "We're getting out of here!"

"Well I will leave you both to discuss your plans" William exclaimed, getting to his feet. "Make sure you come and see us all at the club before you leave."

...

It had started to get dark outside and the light that had once been streaming into the room was starting to fade. Not noticing, the two of them laughed and talked together for some time, not realising the lowly figure standing in the shadows of the hall way.

"We'll be able to get a house in the country!" Rose said excitedly. "Away from the city. We can have a garden and I can learn to bake and do things that i've always had someone else doing for me."

Jack laughed at her enthusiasm. He had already contemplated the life they would have together. He hoped it would eventually involve children for them that he could play with outside and teach how to draw. Rose could teach them to sing and they could play games. He imagined Rose and the children putting on plays and being silly. He hadn't had a family for so many years that he wanted to grab this opportunity with both hands, and now to have such an amazing start to their life thanks to his boss, he couldn't help but feel appreciative.

"We'll do it all Rose. Anything you want, we'll do." Jack promised, kissing her gently.

"Not if I can help it." The figure in the shadows thought.