As told to me by my mother, Molly's husband had "struck gold someplace out west", and Molly had become rich seemingly overnight. It had been near two years since her husband's wealth had increased, and she had small cottages in several parts of America already, one coincidentally in New York. She compared her money spending to a ravenous wolf that hadn't eaten in weeks.

"Haven't had much money all my life, Rose." She explained, "Figure I might as well make the most of it while I'm rich." I couldn't argue with that.

On our way to her house, Molly talked seemingly nonstop, though I only halfway listened. I did find out, however, that we would be taking the train to her larger house in California after I was "fully recovered." What she didn't realize is that a broken heart does not mend in a few weeks.

I suppose I drifted off again listening to Molly talk, because my eyes suddenly opened when the car jerked to a stop.

"Welcome home, Miss Rose." Molly's soothing voice said into my ear. I looked at her and returned her smile weakly, as Eric helped us out of the car.

Molly showed me to my room; it was a small, yet beautiful, room with a red floral print on the queen-sized bed and the curtains. A bed had never looked better to me, and I gapped at it longingly. Once again, Molly seemed to read my mind.

"I'm sure you're tired, Rose. If you want, you can rest a bit. I'll tell Michael, our butler, to make us some tea."

It could have been the way she said "our" butler that made me feel uncomfortable. It was Molly's butler, not mine. Oh, but all was forgotten as soon as I flopped myself onto the bed, its sheets surrounding me. I fell asleep almost upon contact with the comfortable mattress. Sleep came surprisingly fast, but the screams...I couldn't forget them. And I couldn't forget Jack.

I didn't want to forget Jack.

*****

I jerked awake breathing uncontrollably fast, hyperventilating. I tried screaming, but nothing came out. Closing my eyes and trying to get my breathing back to normal, I let the dream I had just had play over in my mind.

It was Jack.

It seemed he was all I thought about lately, who could blame me? I swore I'd need counseling; it would be a long road before I could fully recover. True, I had only known him a few days, but by then, I was a firm believer of love at first sight.

I furrowed my brow, trying to remember, as the dream slipped away from my grasp and soon, there was nothing. The only thing I knew is Jack's face had surrounded my mind, leaving me feeling warmth...but somehow he had been taken away from me again...and he would never come back.

Never.

I blinked and let the tears fall from my eyes. What was I going to do without him? It was a question I had been thinking about ever since he whispered his last words to me...Never let go. I'm sure by that time, he knew that he was a goner; why else would he have told me to live? He didn't say "together"...oh, curse the ocean.

There was a small tea set on the end table next to the bed. I assumed Molly had come in, because I also had a blanket atop of me that I had not had when I had fallen asleep.

I reached across the bed to the table and shakily poured myself a cup of fresh, hot tea. I lifted it to my lips and blew absently, thinking to myself. The last time I had had tea had been on the Titanic with my mother. I wondered if I'd ever miss her in years to come. She was a witch at times, but she was my mother. She wouldn't come look for me; I was dead to her.

I sipped the teacup and felt the warm liquid travel down inside my body; what a wonderful feeling. I hadn't even bothered to stir in lemon, as I liked it. The taste didn't matter. I was focused on the warmth.

Molly knocked softly on my door and walked in.

"You're awake." She smiled as she spoke quietly. "How's the tea?"

"Wonderful." I smiled at her faintly as I took another sip. She walked over and sat on my bed.

"Molly --," I began, "This...all of this...is way to much. You're being much too kind. I don't deserve this."

But, Molly held up a hand to silence me, "Rose, I won't desert you. You deserve it plenty. I'm just thrilled that you're alive."

She seemed lost in thought for a moment, then whispered.

"It was a hell of a night, wasn't it?"

I sighed and nodded. A hell of a night.

***