My first non-Harry-Potter fic. Please R&R!
Rose stared at the wide, dark ocean in front of her. It was the first time she had set her eyes on the Atlantic since the day she reached America. She breathed in deeply, cherishing the salty ocean scent. She stepped forward slowly, making her way towards the front of the ship. Her pale, wrinkled hands gripped the railing tightly. She stepped up onto the cold rails, closed her eyes, and tilted her head back.
Memories flooded the old woman's mind. Memories of long ago, of the Titanic, and of Jack.
She hadn't broken her promise to Jack. She had, almost, all those years ago. Rose remembered feeling so cold, so tired. She had known that if she had simply given up, she would have died that night. But she didn't. She got herself rescued. Rose had reached America, although so many others hadn't. She had done something with her life. She had married, and had children. And now, here she was. An old woman standing at the edge of a ship, directly above the final resting place of the Titanic.
Rose lifted her arms up to her sides. Her wispy white hair blew back in the wind, and for a moment, she felt young again. She breathed in deeply.
In that moment, Rose truly felt that Jack was with her. Jack was holding her up, Jack was lovingly caring for her. Jack had always been with her. Always.
Rose opened her eyes, and gripped the railing once more. She pulled the necklace out of her nightgown pocket. She held it tightly for a moment, and held her hand out over the ship, above the dark ocean. Slowly, she opened her hand, and the chain slid through her fingers, falling gracefully into the cold water.
"I'll never let go." Rose whispered to the water.
Without a second glance at the ocean, Rose walked slowly back to her room. She pulled back her covers and nestled into her warm bed. She fell asleep quickly.
Rose brushed her long hair in the mirror. Satisfied with her reflection, she set the brush down on her table. She picked up her favorite dragonfly pin, and slid it into her curly hair. She stood up, and walked out of her state room.
Jack was waiting for her. He turned as she approached, and smiled warmly. He held out his hand, and she took it. Together, they walked outside.
"I can't believe it, Jack. I thought you were gone." Rose said softly, gazing into Jack's eyes.
Jack smiled and squeezed her hand. "I was never gone, Rose. I'm always with you. And I always will be."
He kissed her gently, and Rose closed her eyes. She stepped towards the rails, and lifted her arms. Jack held her softly, and sang:
"Come Josephine in my flying machinegoing up she goes
up she goes."
"It's not fair, Jack. It's not right that Cal survived, and you didn't." Rose cried.
"Nothing's ever fair, Rose. But I think I did what I needed to do on the Titanic."
Rose frowned at him. "What on earth do you mean, Jack."
He smiled. "I met you."
That night, Rose Calfart died peacefully in her sleep. He hands were folded over her breast, her hair spread out across her pillow, and her lips graced with a small, yet beautiful smile.
