4. A Ghost

DECEMBER 1920

A few days after Imogen had dinner at the Calverts, she invited them to Christmas Party hosted by herself and her husband. Over 100 guests were to attend, many of which were successful on Broadway in directing, producing, acting and singing. It was the kind of party you would never see anyone who was not at least a C List Celebrity. Rose and Henry however, were an exception to this case.

The party was brilliantly lit. Imogen was thrilled when the Calverts arrived and happily introduced them to Jonah to greeted them heartily, completely unaware that the man standing before him was sleeping with his wife. Jonah also introduced the Dawson's to Imogen, who was unaware that the woman before her was sleeping with her husband. Later on in the party, Rose and Henry were talking alone as they were unacquainted with most of guests who all seemed to know each other fairly well.

"Mr Calvert! Mrs Calvert!" Jonah called to them. "Allow me to introduce Lizzy Dawson, a very talented actress I'll have you know. And this, is her charming husband, Mr Jack Dawson. Lizzy, Jack these are the Calverts, Henry here, is a successful banker and his lovely wife Rose, is a new and upcoming actress. Isn't that right, Rose?"

Rose however, had stopped listening completely. As soon as she laid eyes on the man named Jack Dawson she had fell into a deep trance. His name, his tanned skin, his golden hair and the way it cascaded around his face, his sea blue eyes. They were unforgettable. This was Jack. She absolutely, 100% certain, without a doubt, this was her Jack Dawson. But he was dead. Almost nine years ago she had watched his frozen body sink away into the dark depths of ten Atlantic Ocean. But this was undoubtably him. How?

Jack to found in immensely hard to hide his disbelief. He had checked from every officer on board the Carpathia, desperately searching for Rose DeWitt Bukater and failed. She had died he was told. But she was here. 25 years old and thinner faced but it was still her. Her fiery spirit still shined through her mesmerising, green eyes and it still enchanted him. They shook hands for longer than necessary, neither wanting to let go. Both their spouses noted their sudden strange behaviour and thought nothing of it.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dawson" Rose said, composing herself.

"The pleasure is ours." Lizzy replied politely before "Oh, look it's Macy Hardwood over there. Come darling, let's say hello." she said dragging Jack away.

"Are you alright?" Henry questioned his wife after they had left.

"Y-yes I'm fine Henry." She said. She had never told her husband of Jack or Titanic or Cal or even how she had run in upper class circled before her marriage. When she met Henry, she was a poor, struggling actress and Henry was an aspiring banker, pursuing wealth.

"Alright, well I'm just going to relieve myself." He whispered to his wife and escaped.

Rose stood alone for a couple of minutes before someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Jack. "We have to talk!" He exclaimed. He led Rose to another room in the house which was almost empty apart from a couple of other guest.

"I thought you died on Titanic!" He said.

"You thought I died? I thought you died! I saw you drift away into the bottom of the Atlantic! I tried to wake you and you didn't reply!" Rose gasped.

"I don't remember what happened. I remember... I suddenly couldn't breathe... And I must have .been unconscious, because I awoke and managed to get on Lifeboat 4... I think... I can't remember which boat it was. I was saved. I asked around for you but they told me you'd died... But you didn't..." He explained.

"No, I also got on a boat, number 14... When you tried to find me, how did you go about it?" Rose asked.

"I checked the survivors list for a Rose DeWitt Bukater. Eventually you were proclaimed dead and added to the victims list." He said sorrowfully.

"Oh no! Oh it's so stupid! Jack, I changed my name... So Call or Mother wouldn't find me. I called myself...well...I told them my name was Rose Dawson...after you know... You." She said slightly embarrassed.

"Why...after me...?" Jack said smiling shyly and "Cal survived!" He said more angrily.

"Yes and because... Well in your memory, firstly. And also... Well...I presumed we would have married if we had found eachother." Rose mumbled.

Jack smiled, "yes, I suppose we would have."

Rose couldn't take it anymore and through her arms around him and he embraced her back. Rose let out out trembling, sobs whilst a few silent tears escaped from Jacks eyes.

"I'm so glad you're back in my life. Tell me you won't go anywhere!" Rose begged.

"I won't... If you promise not to let me go." He replied.

"I'll never let go, I promise." The words came with great meaning once again, it this time, they were filled with joy and appreciation rather than grief and loss.