I just wanted to say that Annie is based briefly on two people. Firstly my little sister Emmie, who loves singing but takes it too seriously for her own good and also the character of Veda in Mildred Pierce. I hope you like it. Thank you all for the reviews as well.

My instincts were right, the day was quiet much too quiet. I blamed the fine day of course who would want to stay cooped up inside when there was a glorious beach to visit? I sat at my desk sighing, I leant over my paper work but I just didn't have the concentration to take in the number and customer comments. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" I called.

Polly, the receptionist, walked in holding a few letter and a clip board.

"Post for you Sir,"

"Thanks Polly," She placed the letters down on the desk and handed me the clipboard.

"Mr MacAfee needs your signature for the plus orders,"

I signed away and handed her back the clipboard.

She walked to the door but remembering something turned back around. "I forgot to mention, Mr Austin was asking about the drawing again,"

I looked up from my desk. Mr Austin was one of the richest men in Santa Monica; he had a keen interest in art and was always coming to the museum. He often bought pieces for high prices. I hung some of my drawings up in the museum; they were quite popular amongst tourists probably because they were different. They were always interested to know who the beautiful model was.

I had done this drawing ages ago, I lost my sketch pad aboard the Titanic it hurt, Rose knew that all my precious memories were in that pad especially the drawing of her wearing only the heart of the ocean. I had often mentioned how much I wished I still had that drawing.

It had only been a few weeks since the sinking of the Titanic. I turned the key in the door of the apartment and noted the curtains were closed and lanterns and candles lit. I placed my coat on the stand and looked around.

"Rose?" I questioned.

I walked into the lounge and saw my new sketch pad and all my charcoal laid out on the table directly in front of the couch which had been moved. The door to our bedroom slowly opened and I cast my stare to it wondering what was going on. Rose appeared wearing a silk dressing gown.

"Rose what's going..." I began. Rose made her way over to me and placed a finger on my lips. She gently pushed me down towards the chair and sat me down placing the sketch pad in my lap. She then stepped back.

"Jack, I want you to redraw me like one of your French girls," Without waiting for me to reply she slipped it off and my eyes widened. My heart began to beat while she stood in front of me bearing nothing but the heart of the ocean. I cleared my throat,

"On the bed, I- I mean the couch," I said I didn't know why I was so nervous, she belonged to me her body belonged to me now we were man and wife.

Rose smirked slightly and made her way over to the couch, lying down in the exact same position. I was eager to begin and her eyes didn't leave mine once. I worked hard to make this even better then the last one taking into account every last detail.

When I had finished Rose was quick to throw back on her gown and make her way over to me. She gasped.

"Jack this is even better then the first one," She said resting her head against mine.

I turned to face her, "Thank you," I whispered. She reached out and stroked my face before latching her lips onto mine and both of us became lost in a passionate embrace.

"Was he now?" I said, there was no way I was selling it.

"Yes he offered to raise the price again,"

I shook my head. "I'm not interested, that drawing is not and never will be for sale." I said sternly.

"He said if you are unwilling to sell that piece, is it possible to for you to draw another one," Polly continued.

"Definitely not it is one of a kind I'm afraid,"

Polly nodded her head. "I will inform him Sir," Before leaving the room.

That man just didn't understand the meaning of the word no. I would never sell that drawing, it was too precious to me it was by far the best drawing of Rose I had created, losing it would be like losing a limb. I had contemplated taking it down several times, but it was proving a big hit with tourists.

I ripped open the letters knowing they would be most likely bills. I smoothed out the first one.

Dear Mr Dawson,

The monthly bill for Annabelle's music lesson is due...

Dear Mr Dawson,

Your tab is now ready to be paid...

I flicked through the bills, finding that most of them were for Annie. It was then I noticed a letter very different from the others. The address had been handwritten and the postage stamp was from New York. I was intrigued to know what this letter was about so I ripped it open in eagerness.

Jack,

I can't believe I have found you after all these years. I knew you had both survived my instincts told me so and when I saw your name on the survivors list, and Rose's too though of course it was under your name.

I must be really confusing you right now, it's Molly Brown Jack. I just wanted to know how you were doing. It took me a while to find you but when I heard about your recent success with the museum in Santa Monica, I knew I had to congratulate you. How is Rose? I have to say it was hard to pretend she was dead, but I couldn't let her go back to Ruth and Cal, they didn't deserve her.

I would love to hear from you Jack, just to see if you are both ok.

Yours Molly

I slowly lowered the letter from my face and placed it down on the desk. After so long, Molly had got in touch. I didn't know what to make of the letter and before I knew it, I eagerly pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. I placed the tip of the pen down on the paper and then paused. Where did I even begin? How could I put down word for word what had been happening over these past few years? I would have to tell Molly the awful truth that Rose had died five years ago. I put the pen down and rubbed my face in despair before putting the letter back in its envelope and shoving it in the drawer. I just couldn't talk to her right now.

I checked my watch before leaving the room; everyone was sat around reception with little to do. They all sprung up when I walked in trying to show they weren't slacking off.

"Look it's pretty much dead today so why don't you all just go home?" I told them. They all smiled a sign of relief and were quick to pack up and grab their belongings. I held the door open for them as they left.

Fredrick was the last to leave. "See you tomorrow boss," he said before escaping out of the door.

I closed the door behind me and looked around the eerie museum. The only noise heard was the clacking of my shoes as I walked around. The letter still burnt in my mind. It had been a long time and I often wondered what had happened to Molly, Ruth and even Cal. Rose and I had decided to keep a low key, she was terrified of been dragged back to that society and to tell you the truth I was terrified of losing her.

It had been wet and windy when the Carpathia docked in New York. I held Rose close to me as the statue of Liberty came in sight. The blanket remained over her head to hide her fiery curls. Cal had come looking for her yesterday and she had been terrified ever since.

Soon the time had come for us to leave the ship. I guided her through the dozens of reporters all desperate to hear a story from the survivors. Bulbs flashed in our face and we were careful to keep our heads down. Rose pressed herself against me in fear.

"Make it stop Jack, take me away," She pleaded.

I wanted nothing more for them to leave us alone. I pulled her through quickly and out of sight until we hit an alley. There I gently wrapped my arms round her and she sobbed in my chest.

The whole experience had certainly been traumatic and devastating. The memories of that night would haunt us for a lifetime.

"Come Rose, I will take us some place we need to rest," I explained.

We found shelter at a rundown hotel that was offering free hand outs to Titanic survivors. Mostly those of third class. Once I got the room key, I led us both upstairs and watched as Rose collapsed onto the bed. She curled up in a ball and held her hand near her mouth.

I hesitated before lying next to her. I reached out and invited her into my arms.

"I don't want to go back Jack," She whispered.

"You're not going anywhere, I won't let them,"

"What happens if they find me?"

I had been thinking the same thing, but I was determined not to let that happen.

"We will be careful, I will keep you safe. I promise,"

Rose was silent for a few moments before speaking again. "Remember when you told me in the water to never let go?"

I was slightly confused at what she was getting at but decided to let her explain. "Yes,"

"You made me promise. Well you have to do the same Jack,"

I didn't respond at first. Rose sat up slightly and stared at me with her beautiful emerald eyes.

"Promise me you will never let go,"

I nodded. "I'll never let go, I promise,"

She rested back down and linked her little finger through mine, the tiredness began to consume us both and for the first time since the sinking we had managed to fall into a comforting sleep.

My mind inked away from the memory and I was left with the sadness that I always got. I had promised to keep her safe but I couldn't even do that. I looked at the clock one last time. Annie was due to finish school in half n hour this gave me plenty of time to plan our remaining afternoon on the beach. I grabbed the keys off the desk and escaped out the door before locking it.

It had been so long since me and Annie would do something like this. I couldn't wait to spend time with her, just me and her.

I hope you liked it. Sadly I am going away in two days for two weeks so I won't be able to update for a while. I hope you enjoyed this chapter though and will stick with me because as soon as I'm back I promise an update. Remember to review or I will leave it longer than two weeks to update because I'm mean! No if you don't review I will probably just break down in tears haha,

Until next time!

Leah xx