Ch. 15: A Visit from New York (Rose's POV)

November 1915

After their talk, Rose and Bobby's relationship continued to grow. Rose began to confide more in Bobby, which greatly surprised her. Bobby truly was kind and understanding, just like Jack was. Rose could never confide in people… Trudy, Jack, Maggie, and now Bobby were the only people that got to see the real Rose. Rose didn't have many friends growing up since all the girls she was forced to spend time with were shallow and vain. They were typical snooty high-society girls who only cared about their station in life, and Rose could only tolerate those girls in small doses. Her mother was never warm and caring; Ruth was so concerned about the debts that she never took the time to listen to her daughter. Cal was indifferent, and expected her to be the perfect little wife.

Trudy was her closest confidant… the only one of the maids that Rose could trust with her secrets. Trudy was the only one who knew that Rose felt stifled by the engagement. She was the only one there to comfort Rose after Cal's outburst. It broke Rose's heart finding out that the poor girl died on Titanic. Rose was angry with her mother for a long time for ordering Trudy back to their staterooms, instead of allowing her a chance to get to the lifeboats. But it didn't surprise Rose; her mother ruled their home and had a reputation for being strict with her maids. Even though Trudy was Rose's maid, Trudy still had to obey Ruth's orders since Ruth was the lady of the house. Because of that, it led to the young woman's death. Rose did not just lose the love of her life, but also lost a true friend that horrible night.

Rose was so grateful that she met Maggie on her arrival in New York. Not many people would have helped her like Maggie did. Maggie was so good to her, and was more of a mother to Rose than Ruth ever was. They kept in touch with letters, and Maggie was thrilled to hear that Rose was doing well in California. Maggie was also happy that Rose was finally in a loving relationship, and was secretly hoping that Rose would take the plunge and marry the man. From Rose's letters, Maggie knew the young woman was happy and that her new beau was a kind, adventurous soul. Maggie could see Rose settling down eventually, but knew that she wasn't ready for marriage yet.

Rose and Maggie hadn't seen each other in two years, so Rose was really surprised that Maggie wanted to visit her for the Thanksgiving holiday. Rose had been spending Thanksgiving with Bobby's family since they had become a couple, but she was looking forward to seeing Maggie. Bobby quickly agreed that Maggie was more than welcome at his home, so Rose was looking forward to a happy holiday seeing an old friend.

Maggie arrived in Santa Monica a couple of days before Thanksgiving; she hadn't traveled in a long time and found California to be quite sunny. Much happier and brighter than New York… she didn't blame Rose for wanting to move out here. Rose and Bobby met Maggie at the train station, where the two women had a heartfelt reunion.

The two women were so happy to see each other. Rose couldn't stop smiling and said, "Maggie, I'm so glad you're here. I'm amazed that you were able to leave the boarding house for a few days."

Maggie laughed and said, "It helps when you are the owner. That and I left Sarah in charge… she's been such a great help. I started to train her how to do the books over a year ago, so she's basically like my assistant now. Sarah was the one who convinced me to make the trip."

Rose said, "Well, that's wonderful. I'm so glad Sarah turned out to be a worthy replacement." Maggie said, "Yes, it all worked out in the end. Now who is this handsome fellow with you?" Rose smiled and said, "Maggie, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Bobby Calvert."

Bobby said, "It's a pleasure to meet you Maggie. Rose has told me a lot about you." Maggie said, "I hope all good things. I've been looking forward to meeting you as well from hearing so much about you in Rose's letters."

The three caught a cab, and made their way to Rose's apartment. Bobby helped Maggie with her bags, but had to leave for work. Rose had taken the day off from the diner, and luckily didn't have anything going on at the theater. Maggie quickly made herself at home, and couldn't wait to catch up with Rose.

Maggie said, "Well, now that I'm all settled in… tell me everything that has been going on with you." Rose laughed and said, "I've been great Maggie. I'm a lot happier here than when you first took me in."

Maggie said, "That's apparent. You do look happier… does it have to do with your young man?" Rose blushed and said, "He does have a little something to do with it. I needed a change of scenery from the East coast."

Maggie said, "I'm so proud of you Rose. You've made yourself a nice life here." Rose said, "Yes, it's not much, but I'm happy. It feels nice to be independent; I wouldn't have this in my old life."

Maggie said, "I can imagine… I've heard how restricting high society is for women. Does Bobby know about your former life?" Rose said, "It took me a while, but I told him. I even told him my birth name, and to my surprise he was so understanding."

Maggie said, "So he knows you are a Titanic survivor? That you escaped by changing your name?" Rose said, "Yes; I was so afraid that he was going to be furious with me. He told me he doesn't care about my past; he loves me for who I really am."

Maggie said, "He seems like a kind and understanding fellow. I could tell right away that the man is clearly head over heels in love with you. Do you two plan to get married?"

Rose said, "I love Bobby, but I'm still not ready for marriage. I know Bobby wants to marry me, but he's not pushing me for it. I'm so grateful for that."

Maggie said, "Don't leave the poor man waiting too long. You've got a good one, Rose." Rose laughed and said, "Believe me; I know. I fear sometimes that Bobby is too good to be true. After my awful engagement and Titanic, I'd never thought I would fall in love again."

Maggie caught on to that and said, "You lost someone very special to you on Titanic, didn't you?" Rose got slightly uncomfortable and said, "I did, but I rather not talk about that."

Maggie knew not pry further and said, "It's okay, Rose. I'm sorry if I pried too much; I had forgotten how painful Titanic is for you. I wish I could slap that awful bastard that you were engaged to; he sounds like a nightmare."

Rose let out a sarcastic chuckle and said, "It probably wouldn't work… Caledon Hockley is rather stubborn." Maggie was shocked and said, "You were engaged to Caledon Hockley?! That pompous Pittsburg steel heir that is always in the society pages. I read that he lost his previous fiancé on Titanic, which makes you…"

Rose smiled and said, "Rose Dewitt-Bukator. Yes, but she died on that horrible night. I'm much happier being Rose Dawson. I would have never been happy being Cal's little wife."

Maggie said, "Well, did you hear the rumors that the society pages are saying? That the new Mrs. Hockley is pregnant?" Rose couldn't help the sly grin forming on her face and said, "I figured sooner or later that we'd be reading about his little wife being pregnant. I bet she's waiting until she's showing more to make it official. I feel sorry for her carrying the spawn of that awful man."

Maggie said, "The society pages were going on and on about that wedding. Saying that it was quite the event… and that the couple seemed to be very much in love."

Rose said, "Well, good for them… maybe it was meant to be. Even though Cal was such a bastard, I'm glad that he found a love in his wife." Maggie gave Rose a look and replied, "That's very mature, and forgiving."

Rose said, "It was hard, but I've managed to forgive him a long time ago. Everyone deserves a chance to find a true love, even if they are egotistical bastards. I just hope he treats her right; better than he treated me."

Maggie said, "Did that bastard even love you?" Rose said, "Like I told Bobby, I honestly don't know if Cal really loved me. Even though we were engaged, we never really knew each other."

Maggie asked, "That's terrible… at least my Thomas and I were in love when we married. Why where you going to marry that man if you didn't love him?"

Rose said, "It was an arranged engagement. When my father died, my mother discovered that we were practically penniless. She was so desperate, that she sent me off to finishing school so I could become a suitable bride for a wealthy man."

Maggie said, "That's pitiful; how could a mother do that?" Rose said, "My mother never lived a day in her life without money; my mother was more concerned about money than she was about my happiness. I could never confide in her."

Maggie said, "Have you ever thought about contacting her?" Rose said, "No… Cal may be married now, but I wouldn't put it past my mother to try to set me up with someone else if I returned. Here I have my freedom, and a life I thought I would never have."

Maggie said, "I didn't think about that. Have you heard of what happened to her after Titanic?" Rose said, "My mother has dropped out of the limelight after my funeral. I don't even know if she was able to continue to live in our old home. If Cal was supporting my mother, I doubt that he would continue now that he's married and fixing to start his family with his new wife."

Maggie decided to change the subject and asked, "Well, enough depressing talk. Tell me how you met Bobby! I know you told me quite a bit in your letters, but I want to hear it straight from you."

Rose laughed and said, "Well, we met at the diner where I work. In fact, he defended me from a rather rude customer." Maggie said, "So he was your knight in shining armor? How romantic… how long was it till you two started to see each other?"

Rose said, "We became friends first… Bobby didn't ask me out until months later. And it took him a while to convince me to take a chance on him."

Maggie said, "Well, I'm glad you did. Rose, do you see yourself marrying Bobby one day?" Rose said, "I'm still working through my issues, but I do love him. When it's the right time… I could see myself as his wife."

Maggie was glad to hear that… hearing Rose's story, the poor girl lived a rather unhappy life before they had met. Rose deserved to be happy, and Bobby seemed to be the man that could do that. Maggie knew that Rose had been grieving after Titanic, and knew it wasn't due to losing her old life. Rose was grieving the loss of someone she truly loved, and this visit confirmed that Rose did lose a loved one. Maggie wondered who it was, but didn't want to pry. Rose deserved her privacy, and Maggie would continue to be there for her if she ever wanted to talk about her lost loved one.

Maggie spent the rest of her visit just catching up with Rose, and even got to know Bobby a little better. Maggie thoroughly enjoyed Thanksgiving at the Calvert home, finding Bobby's parents lively and very welcoming. It made Maggie so happy to see how the Calverts had fully welcomed Rose into their family, and Maggie felt easy that Rose would be loved and cared for once she married into this family.

Maggie left a few days after Thanksgiving to return to New York, which made Rose very sad. Maggie made Rose promise to visit her in New York in the future, and even told her to bring Bobby. Maggie also slyly told Rose that she better be invited to Rose's wedding once she came to her senses. Rose laughed at that, but knew that she would keep her promises to Maggie.

Visiting with Maggie again, Rose had a lot to think about for her future. Rose was happy with Bobby, and now could freely say that she loved him. It wasn't the same type of love that she had with Jack, but it was growing into something permanent. Rose would always love Jack, but Bobby worked his way into her heart. She truly found someone that she could love, eventually marry and form a family with. Rose smiled, and knew she was well on her way to keeping her promise to Jack. No longer was she sad; she was now looking forward to keeping that promise to Jack.

Despite a busy work schedule, I was able to crank out these two new chapters. And I'm halfway done with a third chapter! I hope to complete that chapter soon... I am fixing to head back to school soon, so I won't be able to write as much as I would like. I will still work on it and continue to update when I am able to.