Jack and I walked among the crowd of over 700 Titanic survivors, our suitcases in our left hand and each other's hand in our right. Our fingers were intertwined, and I kept staring at the gleaming silver band that was perfectly wrapped around my ring finger. I felt Jack's soft lips touch my hair, so I looked up at him.

"Looking at it again, Mrs. Dawson?" He winked at me. I blushed.

"I guess I am, Mr. Dawson." I pecked him on the lips and put his arm on my back so I could put mine on his.

It took awhile to get on the New York streets. We had to go through a little bit of inspection, and a lot of people were crowding us. I got afraid when I saw people I didn't recognize look at me with the same eyes Cal gave me when he "loved" me. When Jack saw I was scared he simply pulled me closer.

We walked along the streets for about a half an hour to get away from the endless crowds until I jumped when someone ran into me full-force. Jack was incredibly afraid but then calmed down seeing it was Molly.

"There you kids are! I've been chasing you since we got off the ship." She gave us a hug.

"Why were you chasing us, Molly?" I asked with a laugh.

"I just wanted to make sure you had someplace to stay." She said, fixing Jack's shirt collar.

"I think we'll be just…"

"No, I need to lend you some pieces of advice." She turned to me.
"Now I've lived in New York City for five years and am still afraid of how dangerous living here is. You should settle someplace east, like Vermont or New Hampshire."
Jack and I exchanged glances.

"Molly, we just got off the ship."

"I know, I know. I've just been thinking about it for awhile and had to get it out of my system." She fixed a couple flyaway hairs from my face.

"Where are you going to stay?" Jack asked.

"Well, my estate in Texas of course!" Molly said with a smile.

I smiled. Just like Molly. I looked to Jack and he was smiling too.

"Follow me, I'll find you two a hotel." Molly said, smiling and leading the way.

I took Jack's hand and we followed right behind Molly as she led us through the overcrowded streets. We kept our eyes on her the whole time; it was good we didn't lose her.

We ended up at what seemed an abandoned alleyway. I was very frightened. Jack squeezed my hand as a reassurance.

"Yeah, I know. It's scary." Molly said. "I'm sorry…I lost most of my money, and the only way to get it back is to…"

"It's alright," Jack said, turning the doorknob to the hotel. "We'll be okay."

We went to the front desk and the man at the desk who didn't seem very interested in us, asked very boringly: "May I help you?"

"2 rooms, please?" Molly asked, winking at us. Jack beamed.

When Jack and I entered our room, I was shocked. It was nothing I was used to at all. The walls were a worn out greenish color, with brown stains and a couple holes. The floors were also greenish but had a lot of multicolored disgusting stains on it. The beds were neatly made with what looked like clean sheets, but they were creaky and squeaked loudly when Jack sat on it.

The shower curtain was a dark salmon pink, and the white tile floor had cracks and blackish spots on it. The sink was brown with shows of running water, and the tub was the same. I loved it.

This, to me, was what it was like to be free. What it was like to live with the man I would have forever and to love and to cherish from now until my death, and even beyond that.

I sat next to Jack and kissed his cheek. I put my head right where his shoulderblade and neckline met and wrapped my arms around his middle.

"Hey honey." Jack said kissing my hair. "You're okay with this, right?"

"Of course I am, Jack. It's really nice here." I said softly.

He laughed. "You don't have to lie, Rose."

"I'm serious." Jack looked confused.
"It's nice to not live in luxury anymore. This is where I feel free, and it reminds me of you."

Jack laughed again. "You callin' me dirty and disgusting?"

I was shocked. I didn't mean to say that at all. To make up for it, I kissed him deeply, causing him to lay on his back while I was on his stomach. "If you were dirty and disgusting, I wouldn't have just kissed you."

Jack looked at me with a loving look and his crystal blue eyes sparkled.

"I love you."

"I love you t.." Right before I could get out the "too" his lips crashed into mine.