1925
Philadephia, Pennsylvania
Hockley Residence
Walking down the stairs to the dining room, Cal fixed the butterfly bow tie around his neck and ran his hand over his black single-breasted jacket with a velvet shawl collar.
A hand went through his hair slicked back hair as he entered the dining room just as Rose entered.
Running his eyes over her dark red coloured dress, Cal's dark eyes lowered to her swollen belly. His heart pounding in his chest with love for his wife and pride that she carried his child, Cal cocked a small smile and kissed her gloved hand.
"You are absolutely ravishing this evening," Cal sweet-talked her and rubbed a hand flat over her round belly.
"You flatter me," she sarcastically said, patting his clean-shaven cheek.
"Papa!" The little five years old sprinted into the dining room holding a small stack of papers in her small hand.
Forgetting about the dinner he was about to enjoy, Cal scooped his young daughter into her arms. "Hello, my sweet pea." He grinned kissing her cheek.
"Look what I did today, Papa!" Grace showed him the drawings in her hand. "Flowers from mama's garden."
Sitting down in the chair adjacent to Rose, Cal placed Grace onto his lap and rested his chin onto her small shoulder looking down at the childish drawings of flowers.
"My, my, you are a true artist, my girl." Cal grinned at the somewhat abstract looking drawings.
There were times likes these, Rose had to remind herself that this was her life. If she were told after the Titanic that she'd marry a man she loathed and eventually fall in love with, and on top of that, they'd have a little girl she was crazy for and another child on the way, well, she would've shooed you away in disbelief.
But this was reality.
She's married to a man she once disdained, she had a daughter she couldn't imagine life without and another child on the way.
Rose watched the interaction between father and daughter, laughing at their foolishness.
"Shall we eat then?" Rose broke the conversation between Cal and Grace.
Cal and Grace looked at one another and nodded their heads.
Crouching down for Grace to climb onto his back, Rose jumped out of the way as Cal comically galloped like a horse into the dining room.
Shaking her head at her husband's ridiculousness, Rose took a brief moment to relish his childishness that their five years old had brought outin him. Never in her life did she imagine she'd ever see the day that her proud, elitist husband gallop into the dining room with a child on his back.
Laughing to herself, Rose followed the father and daughter into the dining room.
April 13, 1912
RMS Titanic
3rd Class General Room
The music from the Irish band stomped to music. The fiddle, accordion, and tambourine bounced off the wall mixing with the loud chatter and laughter.
It had seemed impossible to break up the good time. Their pints were filled with dark beer, the air was clouded with smoke, and the floor was crowded with dancers of all ages.
The smells of sweat and stale cigarette smoke were familiar. The music lingered, ringing in Rose's ears.
"Dance with me," a voice whispered into Rose's ear. She could feel his breath against her neck.
Feeling a hand place onto her lower back, Rose whirled around to see a pair of soft blue eyes and a tugging smile.
Present-Day
Night
Master Bedroom
Rose gasped and her eyes shot open.
Panting for breath and feeling hot under the bed covers, Rose took a moment, realising where she was.
A hand smoothed over her round stomach, turning her attention.
She looked at Cal, who had been eyeing her with concern.
"Are you okay? You had been tossing and turning." Cal watched as Rose sat up in the bed, resting her back against the backboard.
"It was just a dream," she replied.
Following her actions, Cal sat up and rested his back against the backboard. "You've been having dreams a lot lately. You wake up in a gasping sweat. What are they about?"
"It's not important." Rose wanted to push away her dreams but they seemed more like memories. "Go back to sleep."
"Nonsense, I'm awake now." Taking her hand, Cal gave it a gentle squeeze, "You can tell me anything. Is it about the baby?—Because as I told you before, you are a wonderful mother and having more than one child won't overwhelm us. You're not the only parent in this you know," he smirked. "Are you worried about the birth? It's much safer than it was five years ago…" Growing frustrated with her lack of response, Cal huffed and said, "Your suspense is killing me, just tell me, Rose."
Giving him a good long look, Rose knew that she could tell him anything. After everything they've been through in the last thirteen years, Rose knew she could. But did she want to?
Just hinting at Jack Dawson made Cal instantly uncomfortable and agitated. He didn't get instantly angry anymore but Jack was still a can of worms better left unopened.
"It's not about any of that," Rose admitted, tangling her hands together.
Placing a hand over her fidgeting hands, Cal gave them a small squeeze, "Then why are you waking up in a frightful sweat every night this week?"
"I don't know why I'm dreaming about him now…" Cal frowned when she muttered the word, 'him'. He knew the 'him' she was referring to. Nonetheless, he stayed quiet and let her continue, "I was dreaming about Jack." Rose admitted and swore she heard his heart stop beating for just a moment.
"Oh?" Cal blinked and clenched his jaw.
"I-I can't control it."
Cal rubbed his chin, "What are you dreaming about?" He wasn't sure if he even wanted to know.
"It's more like memories. I don't know why this is happening… I haven't had dreamt like this in almost ten years." At that moment she felt a pang of guilt for not thinking about Jack every day. "But I've been remembering him and—" she looked at Cal and touched his cheek, "—But that doesn't mean that I don't love you. I do." She assured him. "But—"
"—You love him too. I know. I'm not mad, honestly." He looked at her into the eyes to prove that he wasn't mad. "I just hate that I have to share you with a ghost."
Pulling his hand over to her by his wrist, Rose placed his hand flat over her swollen belly. "You're not sharing me. I will always love Jack and I will always be so grateful for what's he's given me, but, Gracie, this baby… and you are my entire world. The strength and the will to live that had Jack given me, I use it every day for you and our children."
Cupping his hand against her cheek, Cal shifted closer to her and pressed his mouth against hers.
Slowly the kiss broke apart, Cal rested his forehead against hers.
Opening her eyes to look at her husband, Rose felt her genuine love for him. It had taken them so long to get to this place, but Rose was happy they finally had. It was getting much harder to imagine a life without Cal and their children in it.
I hope you're proud of me, Jack. Rose silently prayed.
