1Chapter 11

Note: This is my first attempt at writing a story of this magnitude. I haven't written any stories at all in fact since graduating high school. I apologize if the pace seems a little slow, but if you'll bear with me I have a great ending, in my own humble opinion. It's everything that happens in between that has me stumped. I am still working out all the details as I go along so don't be surprised to find some inconsistencies and delays between chapters, however I am doing my best to make it flow. Any feedback, positive or negative, is greatly appreciated. Thanks to all for your kind reviews so far and I hope you keep reading! Now, on with the story...

They had just received word that the Carpathia was just a few short hours from New York and Rose was growing frantic. She had been so consumed with finding Jack, then later hiding from Cal, that she hadn't really thought about what she planned to do when they arrived back home. She was so panicked that for an instant the thought crossed her mind that she might reconcile with mother and Cal. After all, what was she going to do. She hadn't a plan or a place to go, but most of all, she didn't have Jack. Jack. That was it. Everything came rushing back to her. The promise she had made to him to survive. A promise which didn't merely entail breathing, but living life to it's fullest. A life that she could never possess if she went back home to the life which had already been decided for her. She wasn't quite sure what she would do but perhaps that was the most appealing part about it. She remembered Jack's words at dinner that night. Every new day brought with it unlimited potential. You never know who you might meet, where you might end up. As long as you had air in your lungs and did what made you happy, what more was there to need? For Jack, art was his passion and a very fine artist he was. The question was, what was her passion? She was never encouraged to discover what it might be. She had spent the last few years learning etiquette and how to be a proper wife and mother. Roles that she was not yet willing to play. She had a great admiration for art, but an artist she was not. Her passion had yet to be discovered. In the meantime, she would have to settle for heading out for the horizon, meeting new people, seeing new places. That was enough to make her happy for now. After all, life was a work in progress and there were many wonderful things still to come.

Rose still needed a short-term plan for what to do once back in New York. She had already decided she wanted to stay in the city for a little while. Deep down inside she knew Jack was gone but she couldn't bring herself to leave right away. The last time she had spoken to him, he promised he would meet her there. She couldn't let go of that one ounce of hope she had left until she was absolutely, positively sure he wasn't coming. She knew she would spend the remainder of her life wondering if she didn't stay. But where would she stay? She had never known anything but a life of privilege and comfort and as exciting as the concept of her new found freedom was, it was also terrifying. She hadn't worried about it at all when she thought Jack would be by her side, but what if he doesn't show? She would have to do it alone. That was the frightening part. She wished she had at least one person to turn to.

As if reading her mind, Delia popped the question. "Rose, what are you going to do when we get back to New York?"

"Well, I don't know exactly. I do know that I need to stay in the city for a while. I know it sounds absurd, but when I last saw Jack, he promised me he would meet me in New York. I know what you must be thinking."

"I understand Rose. Where are you going to stay?"

"I don't know. Wherever I can find I guess. I don't know Delia."

"Well, I've heard that several organizations are setting up shelters for survivors. We can stay there until we figure out something else."

"We?", Rose questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, we. That is, as long as you don't mind the company", she replied with a smile. Rose just shook her head and threw her arms around Delia, hugging her tightly and crying tears of relief.

"Mind? Oh goodness, no! I would be so grateful if you would, but please don't feel like you have to. I'll be ok, really!"

"Rose, I want to. Partly because you're my new wonderful friend who I adore and I don't want you to be alone, but also for my own reasons. This may sound crazy but you have inspired me Rose. Much to the same effect as Jack has had on you I suppose. I'm tired of my life. The way things are right now, it seems that I can predict exactly what is going to happen to me, down to the very day. My parents are also eager to marry me off to the next eligible bachelor, though not necessarily for the same reasons your mother was to you. They run their own business but everyday is a struggle to survive. They can't wait for me to find a man who will take care of me, thus lifting some of the financial burden on them. They remind me every day that I'm of age, and plenty of my friends have already married. I've always wanted to just take off and see the world. That's why my sisters and I took this vacation. We had saved up for years to take this trip, but it's not the same as what I really dreamed of. A vacation is just that. When it's over, I return home to the same old same old. I don't want to go home Rose. Take me with you. Please."

"Well, I'll think about it," Rose began. She burst out laughing from the look of disappointment on Delia's face.

"What?" Delia asked, bewildered.

"Oh Delia I'm only teasing! I would be so enthralled if you were to join me. Honestly, I have no clue what I'm doing. I was hoping you might come along. Maybe you can help me figure it out. Any suggestions?"

"Well, first stop, New York. Then, well, I guess we're on god's good humor."

Rose gasped, drawing a hand up to cover her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears. "That's just what Jack said." She rebounded quickly with a smile, fighting back the tears.

"He sounds like a very special person. I'd like to hear more about him."

"I can't talk about him now, not yet. Someday, I'll tell you everything. I promise. Just give me time."

"Of course. And whew, speaking of time, it won't be long before we reach New York. Should only be about another hour or so."

"Oh good! I was beginning to think I'd never see land again. Do you have to pack?"

"No", Delia replied, patting the top of her suitcase. "All ready to go!"

"Have you seen my beloved ex-fiancé up on deck lately?"

"Actually, no. Not today. I think maybe he has given up on you. Why?"

"I want to go up on deck. I can't wait to set my sights on America."

"Maybe you'd better not though. What if he does see you?"

"I don't care anymore Delia. I am not going with him or mother. Besides, he's probably too busy figuring out what precious belongings he needs to file a claim for with the insurance company", she said giggling. "It's sad, but true."

"Well, alright but you'd better take your coat. It's pretty chilly and they're talking of rain as we get closer."

Rose nodded and grabbed her, Cal's, coat and slipped it on before going up on deck. It was very cold and it immediately sent chills up her spine. Never again did she want to feel that awful, dead cold as she had over the last few days.

"Delia, wherever we go after this, let it be somewhere warm ok", Rose said, laughing.

"No argument there!"

The deck was busy with passengers and survivors, rushing to prepare for arrival in New York. Much too busy to notice the reappearance of Rose, and she and Delia were able to remain on deck undisturbed until they pulled safely into port.

"Look Rose", Delia pointed toward a shiny gold object off in the distance. It was the Statue of Liberty, and Rose's eyes were fixated upon it. Never had it been more meaningful than this very moment. Though she was already a citizen, like the millions of immigrants who passed her on their way to the new world, she symbolized the new found freedom which was soon to be hers, and she began to shed tears of happiness. Her hands fumbled around in the pockets of the coat, hoping to find a handkerchief. Instead, she found a thick bundle of cash containing hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars in the inner breast pocket. She quickly tucked it back away and wrapped the coat around her protectively. In one of the side pockets, she found another surprise. The Heart of the Ocean. She cried out in delight.

Delia glanced over and noticed the very beautiful, expensive looking jewel in her hands. "My goodness. What is that?"

Rose smiled and cupped the pendant protectively in her hands and raised it up to her chest, holding it over her heart. "It's all that I have to remember Jack by."

Delia wrapped a comforting arm around her friend's shoulder. Rose pressed the jewel to her chest tighter then began whispering, seemingly to herself at first. "I'll never let go. I promise. I love you Jack."

When the ship pulled into port and docked, the Carpatia's passengers were the first to disembark, and Delia and her sisters managed to escort Rose out with them undetected. Delia instructed her sisters to head for home in nearby New Jersey and promised she would meet them back home soon, explaining that Rose needed to stay in New York for a few days and she needed someone to stay with her. She would return home briefly, but only to say goodbye. Rose and Delia escorted the sisters to the train station and saw them off back home. It was very late and they were both very tired so they sought out a shelter quickly. It was the beginning of an incredible journey.