Thanks for the comments, surprised there's still an interest in this. This chapter and the next aren't so great or major but I needed them to make way for the chapters afterwards.


Ruth glanced at her daughter between sips of her tea. Their afternoon had been spent alone as Jack had taken the children fishing.

'Does it sound hideous mother?' Rose asked, warming her hands on her warm cup. The relationship with her mother had deepened since Nathan died two years before.

'No Rose. I have told you before though I will take care of the boys if you and Jack want to go to Italy. You need a break, Rose.'

'Oh no, I couldn't possibly ask for you to take care of the boys alone. They are such a handful.'

'Are you trying to say I cannot cope? Rose I am a mother myself and I look after the boys perfectly fine whilst you and Jack are working besides I have Trudy for help and I love seeing the boys.' Ruth smiled to Rose, who softened slightly. Her and Jack had endless discussions of whether they should actually go to Italy although it was Rose who was a lot more weary than Jack and Ruth had offered endlessly to look after the boys.

'I know that but it's the thought of been on a ship too. I don't know if I am ready.' Taking a sip from her cup, she placed it on the table in the parlour of her mothers house.

Ruth glanced at her daughter, she was a woman now and a mother herself but still she saw the child inside of her. She was a hardworking woman who had married a wonderful man who doted on his wife and children. 'Look Rose, you and Jack work hard. You should have a vacation.' Ruth pointed out. 'Its perfect for you both.'

'I'd miss the children too much.'

'Yes I know, but it is only for a few weeks.' Ruth smiled. 'I do wish you'd stop making excuses Rose. I know of your fear and I understand but you are young Rose.'

Stroking his hair softly, Rose glanced down at her two sons who had already fallen asleep laid in their bed together. She kissed each of their foreheads gently and felt a sense of happiness come over her. How much pride she felt as a mother of the two little boys her and Jack had created. The door creaked open slightly and Jack entered, the small light from the moon illuminated the small room which the children slept in. In fact the whole house wasn't exactly large but it suited both Jack and Rose, even though they both had each earned good money they saved most of it away, only spending what they needed to. Quietly Rose tiptoed out of the room, Jack placed him arm around her back and led her quietly across the hallway and into their bedroom in the dark. Clicking their door shut, Jack pulled off his shirt and began to unbutton his pants. Rose settled herself on the bed and folded her arms, she could feel a little chill. She also didn't feel present, maybe she was tired. The conversation which had taken place earlier that day maybe her wonder, should she go to Italy? Her mother obviously didn't understand her reasons for not wanting to go because she hadn't witnesses the Titanic disaster. Her stomach sunk at the thought of it, and her eyes misted. She sensed Jack looking at her so she snapped out of her thoughts, raising her head to meet his eyes.

'I know what you're thinking Rose.' He said softly, sitting beside her on the bed. Ten years he had known her, since she was a sixteen years old girl.

'Is it so obvious?'

'It is to me.' He smiled. He touched her arms which were placed in her lap. 'I know the letter was out of the blue. It was quite a shock.'

Rose nodded in agreement. 'Mother thinks we should go. She had even offered to take care of the boys.'

'You're still uncertain?' He asked and she nodded.

'If we did go Jack I don't want the boys on a ship.' She told him, her voice forceful. She felt her stomach churn. 'God took away the best ones that night. Poor Tommy and Sharon and the baby.' Rose fought back tears, she didn't want her own babies boarding a ship.

Rubbing her back, Jack understood his wife completely. But he didn't want her to be afraid of ships all of her life, he would be there with her. During the war, Jack had to face his fear and now maybe it was time for Rose to face hers. 'Rose…ships are different now. They were different back in the war.' He told her and her eyes opened and she turned her head to face him. 'They are stronger and filled with enough lifeboats, the law insisted they have to since the disaster. I know that wont be much comfort to you but I swear.'

'The thing is Jack. I actually want to go.' A smile crossed Rose's face. 'Remember when we first met and we talked of travelling and seeing the world even when we had no money at all.'

'We have been some places Rose. Paris, England, Ireland and back to America to Santa Monica, New York, Chippewa Falls and now here.' He stroked her hair. 'Then of course the boys were born so we couldn't travel. We needed to make a home for them.'

Jack was right and she never regretted having children so young. She had been just nineteen when Will was born but he and Harry were the most precious things in her life along with Jack. 'Maybe this could be our only chance Jack. If mother takes care of the boys, it could be our only chance to see Maria and to travel again.'

Jack nodded, he sensed Rose was coming around to the idea a little more. 'Besides, I want to see Fabri's grave. Its been a long time coming for me, I have to make peace with that just like I did my parents.'