Chapter Three

Rose was leaning over the railing as she looked at the freezing water splash up as the Carpathia made its way through the ocean. She was still cold from last night, but she didn't mind the cool breeze. She just hugged the coat closer to her as she watched the sunset. Rose didn't know what time it was, and she really didn't care. All she knew was that it was evening and the day was Tuesday, the sixteenth of April. Rose sighed as she stood up straight and rubbed her hands together, in attempt to warm them from the freezing weather.

Rose felt something hard on her left ring finger. She looked down and noticed that Cal's engagement ring was still on her finger. Giving out a small chuckle, Rose took it off and looked at it. This ring had ruined her entire life. This ring had also saved her life. It was Cal's engagement ring, that's why it ruined her life, but Rose knew if she wasn't engaged to Cal, she wouldn't have met Jack. And Rose was thankful that she met Jack. She looked at the big solitaire diamond which shone under the sunset. The silver band was shiny and small. Small enough to fit her ring finger.

Rose didn't know if she should keep it or dispose of it. She really didn't want to keep the ring, since it was Cal's--her worst enemy. But then, she thought of her life with Jack. They didn't have money of any sort, and they were going to live in New York, together, or so she hoped. She knew Annie was allowing them to live in her apartment with her, but she didn't want to live there forever, unless there was another apartment available, in which Jack and herself could rent until they could find a place of their own. Rose sighed as she looked at the ring.

"Maybe I should sell this piece of junk." Rose said to herself. She then placed the ring in the coat pocket and decided to come back inside. She lay down on her bed and turned over to glance at Jack, who was still unconscious. Rose just wished that he would wake up soon, so that she could see his blue eyes again. The wonderful blue eyes, which always made Rose weak to the knees. Rose then stared up at the white ceiling as she tried to get herself to sleep. She was still very tired, and for some reason, she couldn't sleep. Sighing, Rose got up and sat on Jack's bed, holding his hand. She caressed his hand with her two thumbs, as she stared into his pale face. "Oh, Jack." Rose said. "Please wake up soon. I love you and I need you with me. I don't know what I'll do if I lost you." Rose said. She then kissed his hand gently and just held it. Rose laid her head on his chest as she heard his steady heartbeat. Rose smiled. After a few seconds, she slept like that. Her head on his chest, and her holding his hand.

Rose slowly woke up from her slumber. She saw Jack's sleeping face from where she was lying. Rose got up and sat on her bed. She looked around and realized that it was morning. Everybody was sitting up, eating the food that the nurses gave them. Rose sighed as she sat upright on her bed, a bit tired, but still awake. She looked down at her trembling hands when Annie came towards her with her breakfast.

"You haven't eaten at all yesterday, so I figured you'd be hungry." Annie said, giving her a tray of scrambled eggs and hotcakes. Rose smiled and thanked her as she took the tray. Rose almost forgot that she was hungry. Annie watched as Rose ate her breakfast slowly. When she finally finished, she took a sip of her orange juice that Annie brought with the tray.

"I feel much better now." Rose said, smiling as she set the glass on the tray.

"That's good to hear." Annie said, taking the tray and got up to put the tray away.

"Annie..." Rose said, as she watched Annie turn around.

"Yes, Rose?" Annie asked. She saw Rose looking at the man who was unconscious. Annie went towards her and set the tray on the small table as she sat on Rose's bed, holding her hand. "What's wrong, Rose?"

"I-I'm just afraid." Rose said, looking down as a single tear fell down her pale cheek.

"Afraid of what?" Annie asked.

"Afraid that he will die." Rose said, staring at Jack's motionless body. Annie followed her gaze.

"Rose, he'll wake up. Don't worry. Just give him time." Annie said.

"He was in the water too long." Rose said, looking up at Annie with tears in her eyes. "I was lying on a driftwood, while he was in the freezing water. If he dies...I..." Rose said, as she covered her face with her hands, crying.

"Oh, Rose..." Annie said. "He'll make it, I assure you."

"You must think I'm such a baby for crying." Rose said, wiping the tears away with her fingers. Annie shook her head.

"No, Rose." Annie said. "You've been through something very tragic. I wouldn't know how you felt when it happened because I haven't been through it. But you have. And so has that young gentleman there." Annie said, nodding towards Jack.

"I just wish that it hadn't happened." Rose said. "I just wish that the captain had listened to the iceberg warnings. I..." Rose said, before crying.

"Shhh." Annie said, hugging Rose close. "Don't think about it now. Relax, okay? Get some sleep, you still look pale." Rose nodded and lay down, as she fell fast asleep, yet again.

Rose woke up, finally feeling refreshed and relaxed. She stretched as she sat upright and yawned. She looked around and noticed that everybody was sitting in an upright position, except those who were unconscious--like Jack. Rose noticed Annie walking around with fresh blankets. She went over to Jack and checked his forehead. A smile appeared on her lips.

"His temperature is almost back to normal. He should be awake by tomorrow." Annie told Rose. Rose had a smile on her face.

"I certainly hope so." Rose said, her eyes shining. Annie got up and went towards her.

"How are you feeling?" Annie asked.

"I'm fine." Rose said. "I finally feel relaxed. I'm not so tired anymore."

"It's about time. You slept for the rest of the day yesterday." Annie said.

"Really?" Rose asked, surprised. "What day is it?"

"The seventeenth." Annie said. "Tomorrow evening we should be docking in New York."

"It's about time." Rose said. "I'm about sick and tired of being stuck in ships. It's starting to give me nightmares."

"I know. What you've been through, I wouldn't even go on ships anymore." Annie said.

"I'll go out on deck for a bit." Rose said, getting out of bed. "I'm actually sick and tired of being stuck in bed for the whole day."

"Go on." Annie said. "You need some fresh air." Rose smiled and left the infirmary and out on deck.