It was a year and a half later. Jack and Rose were downstairs drinking coffee when Jena barged into the house. "Hey Jena," said Jack. "Thanks for knocking, come on in," he said sarcastically.

"We need to talk," said Jena, as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "There's no time for knocking."

"And why is that?" Jack asked.

"I got a call from someone the other day."

"Who was it?" Jack asked.

"Mom," said Jena.

Jack scoffed and looked at her. "Well, Mom's dead, Jen, so I don't know how that could be."

"Well, that's just it," said Jena. "She's not."

"What?" Rose said.

"Apparently it was a misunderstanding," said Jena. "After the accident, she left, and let us believe she was dead."

"How did your parents die?" Rose asked them.

"Boat accident," said Jack, and he looked at Rose. "Ironic, right?"

"Yeah, it is," said Rose.

"So what did she want anyway?" Jack asked.

"To see us," said Jena.

Jack crossed his arms. "Why now? If she's been away this whole time?"

"She says she regrets leaving us," said Jena, rolling her eyes. "I mean, when she called, part of me wanted to just hang up on her, but part of me really wanted an explanation."

"I can't believe this," said Jack.

Jena had left, and now Jack and Rose were about to go to sleep. "What are you going to do?" Rose asked, kissing his cheek.

"I don't know," said Jack with a sigh. He turned to look at her. "Tell me what to do."

"I can't tell you what to do here, darling," said Rose. "It's up to you."

Jack looked at her. "Please. I need your advice."

Rose sighed. "Remember when I said I had been thinking about seeing my mother?"

"Yes," said Jack.

"Well, you told me that if I didn't do it, then I would always wonder what could have been," said Rose, stroking his hair. "I think that's your answer."

Jack smiled and kissed her. "Thank you."

Sure enough, the next morning, Jack called Jena. "Jack?"

"Hey, Jen," said Jack. He sighed. "I've decided to see her. To hear her out." Jena had given Jack their mother's phone number, and Jack called her and asked her to lunch that day. She had accepted.

Rose came downstairs and saw Jack sitting in the living room. "Well? What happened?" she asked, sitting down next to him.

"We're going for lunch later," said Jack he sighed.

"Well, that's a good thing, isn't it?" Rose said.

Jack smiled and put his hand on her thigh. "I guess so," said Jack. "I just… I don't know what she could say that would make it okay to fake her death when we were sixteen."

"I don't either, Jack," said Rose. "But I guess you could just hear her out, right?"

Jack kissed her. "Right."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Rose asked.

"I think this is something I have to do myself."

"I agree," said Rose with a smile, and she kissed his cheek.

Jack went to the diner where he agreed to meet his mother. He walked in and immediately recognized her, sitting in a booth, drinking a cup of coffee. She had dirty blonde hair that was graying, and blue eyes. "Jack?"

"Fran," said Jack, and he sat down across from her. A waitress poured coffee for Jack. He didn't know why he called her by her name, but it was a snap decision he made at the time.

"You look exactly the same," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, well, things have changed," said Jack coldly. "It's been thirteen years."

"I know," said his mother. "I'm really sorry I haven't been here."

"Let's just cut to the chase here," said Jack. "Why am I here?"

Fran sighed. "I needed to see you."

"And you have," said Jack. "Why did you leave? And why are you back now?"

"I didn't know your father had died," said Fran. "I thought he survived."

"And that would make it okay?" Jack demanded.

"That would make it… legitimate," said Fran.

"What?"

Fran sighed again. "Your father was abusive. When that boat crashed, it was my chance to get away. He always loved you and Jena but he hated me. I knew he wouldn't ever hurt you. So I left. And I didn't know that your father had died and I had left the two of you all alone."

"Oh my god," said Jack quietly. "I had no idea."

"I know," said Fran.

"But you were always a good mother. You loved us both so much. How could you just walk away?" Jack asked.

"I had no choice, Jack. You have to believe that," said Fran. "And I only found out the other day that your father had died in that accident, so I came back to see you and Jena. And if you'll let me, I would really love to have a relationship with you."

Jack sighed and took out his walled to pay for the coffees. In his wallet was a picture of him and Rose, and another one of the three kids. "I have to think," Jack said. He placed a five dollar bill on the table and left.

He drove straight home and crashed down on the couch. Rose heard him and quickly went downstairs "Jack, when did you get back?" She sat down and kissed him. She saw how upset he was and took his hand. "What's going on?"

"I just…" Jack shook his head and looked down. He put his shoulder on Rose's and started to cry. Rose stroked his hair with one hand while holding his hang in the other.

Finally, Jack stopped crying. Rose kissed his hair and whispered, "Talk to me."

"She said that my dad was abusive and when the boat crashed, she used that as an excuse to get away from him. She didn't know he died, and she only found out a few days ago."

"Oh my god," said Rose quietly. "Do you think it's true?"

"I don't know," said Jack. "She was always the most amazing mom. I don't know why else she wold have left. But I don't know how to move forward with her. She wants for us to have a relationship."

"Is that what you want?" Rose asked.

"I don't know," said Jack. "I always thought about what a great grandmother she would be to our kids, and I was always close with her. But I don't know if I can move forward."

"If she never disappeared, do you think you would still have a relationship with her?" Rose asked.

"Absolutely," said Jack.

"Well, darling, I think that's your answer," said Rose.

Jack smiled. "You're amazing," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "I think I'll invite her over for tomorrow night. I want her to meet you."

"I hope she likes me," said Rose with a sigh.

"Well, I never had to worry about that with your mother since I always knew she hated me."

Rose giggled. "That's true."

"It's irrelevant, though, because she'll love you," said Jack.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Rose asked. "I hope I didn't just convince you to do something you don't want to do."

"I want this," said Jack, kissing her lightly. "I want her to meet you, and our children. Regardless of what happened, I want her to know that I'm happy."

"Good," said Rose. "What time is it?"

Jack looked at his watch. "Four o'clock."

"I have to pick up Josie from dance. Call your mother and invite her," said Rose.

"I will," said Jack, and he kissed her goodbye.

•••

It was the next day. Rose was at home with the children when Jack had gone out to pick up his mother for dinner. She was staying at a hotel in Santa Monica when Jack had invited her over for dinner, and he said he would pick her up.

"Alright, I'm going to pick her up," said Jack, as he picked up the car keys.

Rose wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "Are you nervous?"

"No," said Jack. "I'm not sure why, but I'm not."

"Well that's good," said Rose. She kissed him. "I'll see you when you get back."

Jack got in the car and sat there for a moment. He sighed. "Don't be a coward," he whispered to himself. He finally put the keys in the ignition and drove away.

He pulled up to the hotel, where his mother was waiting in the lobby. "Hello, Jack," said Fran as she sat down in the car.

"Hi, Mother," said Jack. Once Fran had closed the door, he drove away. They were driving for a few minutes before Jack spoke again. "By the way, there are going to be some people at the house that I want you to meet."

"Who?" Fran asked confusedly.

"My wife and kids," said Jack. He thought he had made it obvious that he was at least married.

"You're married with kids?" Fran exclaimed. "I had no idea."

"Well, we haven't seen each other in thirteen years," said Jack. "But I thought it was obvious. Regardless, I want you to meet them."

Finally, Jack pulled up at the house. "This is your house?" Fran asked. "It's so… large."

"We designed it ourselves," said Jack. He got out of the car, and he led her toward the house. He opened the door, and Josie came to greet them.

"Daddy!" Josie exclaimed, jumping into his arms.

"Hi sweetheart," said Jack, kissing Josie's cheek. "Josie, this is my mother."

"Hi," said Josie.

"It's nice to meet you Josie," said Fran.

"Josie, where's Mommy?" Jack asked.

"She's upstairs," said Josie. "Myles was crying so she's upstairs putting him back to sleep."

"Okay, can you go tell her that we're here please?" Jack asked.

"Of course, Daddy," said Josie. Jack put her down and she ran away.

"She's beautiful, Jack," said Fran. "Does she look more like you or your wife?"

"Are you kidding? She's beautiful. She's all Rose," said Jack with a smile.

Rose slowly walked downstairs. "Sorry, I didn't hear you come in."

"That's okay," said Jack. "Mother, this is Rose."

"Hi, Mrs. Dawson," said Rose. "It's so nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you."

"Oh, please call me Fran, dear," she replied. "You have a beautiful home."

"Thank you," said Rose. "We certainly love it."

Jack wrapped his arm around Rose's waist and kissed her cheek. "Are the twins asleep?"

"They're getting there. Maddie put up a bit of a fight tonight," said Rose.

"You have three kids?" Fran asked.

"Yes, we do," said Jack. "Josie's seven, and Maddie and Myles are two."

"Oh, I'd love to meet them," said Fran.

"Well, the twins are down for the night, but sometime, for sure," said Rose.

Josie returned back downstairs. "I'm hungry," said Josie. "What's for dinner?"

"Mommy made you pasta," said Jack.

"Yummy," said Josie. "Daddy can I show you my new dance?"

"Tomorrow, okay? Maddie and Myles are sleeping upstairs," Jack said.

"Okay, Daddy," said Josie. She jumped onto Jack's lap and gave him a hug.

"So, how did you guys meet?" Fran asked. Jack and Rose suddenly looked at each other. Rose could see that Jack was panicking.

"Oh, well we were both traveling around Europe, and we met on the way back," said Rose, and she saw Jack sigh in relief. "Josie, come here and eat dinner, please."

Josie jumped up and grabbed a stool at the kitchen island. She quietly ate, while Jack and Rose sat with Fran in the living room. Soon after, Rose left to put Josie to sleep.

Rose returned a few minutes later as Jack was setting the table. "I would say that it's not usually like this, but it is."

"It's true," said Jack. "It's usually more of a mad-house than this even."

Jack, Rose, and Fran ate dinner, and later Fran left. Jack called a car to take her back to the hotel. "Do you realize it's only nine thirty, and all three kids are asleep?" Rose asked. "Whatever will we do?"

Jack wrapped his arms around Rose's waist, and Rose put her hands around Jack's neck. She kissed him slowly, intertwining her fingers in his hair. They walked upstairs, where Rose pushed Jack onto the bed and climbed on top of him. "You are so beautiful," Jack whispered, holding her in his arms.

They were lying in bed, and Rose kissed Jack's cheek. "Can I ask you a stupid question?" Rose asked.

"No such thing," said Jack.

"Do you think your mother liked me?" Rose asked with a sigh.

"Yes, of course I do," said Jack. "I think she loved you. But I wouldn't care if she didn't. You know that, right?"

"Well I should hope so," said Rose with a smile. "It's a little late to change your mind about me now, Jack."

He kissed her again and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you."

"I love you too," Rose whispered, and they promptly fell asleep.