September 17th 1925

Me and Molly had been in contact for over a year now. Weekly letters between us were written. I loved hearing from her, when Polly delivered the mail the first letter I ripped open was hers. Me and Rose had always said that we would forget everyone in the past, this was going to be our future now nobody needed to know we survived, nobody needed to know who we were it was none of their business we were going to be happy just us three.

That promise didn't matter anymore because Rose was gone, and what use would her gutter rat husband whom everyone detested and their child be to Cal Hockley or her mother. I trusted Molly anyway; I would always be able to trust Molly. We hadn't seen each other in more than thirteen years but that was all about to change.

The afternoon I heard Molly was going to visit, I had just come home from grocery shopping. My hands were full of bags and I struggled to open the front door. I tripped over the post on the floor and swore under my breath. Dumping the shopping in the kitchen I made my way back over to the front door and picked up the post which was scattered over the floor. Flicking through the letters I knew what I was looking for and a rush of excitement flew through my body as I spotted the familiar hand written address across the envelope.

I ripped it open and smoothed out the letter.

Dear Jack,

Great to hear from you again, you don't realise how much it means to me to get your letters. I hope you're doing well and Annie's singing is going good to. Send her my congratulations for getting the lead solo part in the school concert!

It's just going to be a short letter today I'm afraid, home life is pretty hectic at the moment and I don't have much time on my hands. I just wanted to let you know that I think it's time I made a visit down to Santa Monica, how does next weekend sound?

Hope it's not too short notice, it's just Robert is going away on business that week and I couldn't of thought of a better time to visit.

Let me know I will be staying at the Flamenco Hotel, hope to see you soon!

Yours Molly

My eyes widened in shock and excitement.

"Annie!" I shouted. "Annie! Get in here I need to tell you something!"

There was thumping as Annie ran towards the living room.

"What?" She asked appearing at the door.

"Guess who I just heard from?"

Annie folded her arms. "Hmm let me think." She said sarcastically tapping her finger on her lip. "Molly at a guess, she's the only one who bothers with you," She said kind of cruelly.

"Alright Annie no need to get the attitude out. I just thought you would like to know that she plans on visiting next weekend," I said smiling like some kind of idiot.

Annie raised her eyebrow, "And that affects me because? I don't even know the lady,"

"Yeah well this is your chance to get to know her better. She's a lovely lady the only one who supported mine and your mother's relationship." I tried to explain.

Annie rolled her eyebrows. "Yeah yeah yeah. I've lost count of the amount of times you've told me this. Can I go now?" And she began to walk out the room.

I went after her and grabbed her arm. "Come on Annie, why are you been like this? What's happened?"

Annie leant against the wall and lowered her head.

"Is Mrs Pearson giving you a hard time again?" I asked.

Annie snapped her head up. "What? No, why do you always assume it's about Mrs Pearson!" She said defensively.

"Alright, I'm sorry but what's the matter,"

"Nothing,"

"Come on you used to tell me everything,"

"We had to do a family biography today. And, and I couldn't put anything about Mom except that she's dead. I don't know anything about her family or anything like that,"

"I told you about your Mom,"

"Oh please, you know about the same as me. You only knew her for the same amount of time as well. I don't know anything about her family, except they're out there somewhere not knowing I exist. Or what she was like as a kid, did she look like me? The feeling of not knowing anything hurts me every day," Annie explained.

I paused; I always knew this day would come. When Annie would start asking questions. I just never knew what to say. She was right, I hadn't known Rose all that long but I knew everything I needed to know. She didn't want to talk about her past, although she talked a lot about her dead father.

"I told you everything you need to know Annie," I promised, putting my hand on her cheek.

She pushed it aside.

"But it isn't enough Dad, it never will be." Annie said shaking her head.

"I don't know what you want me to say,"

"Nothing Dad, because that's what you do best," and she pushed past me slamming out the house.

"They were dark days Jack, very dark days," Rose began. Her face was pale and her eyes dark and sunken. She wanted to reveal all about her past, she didn't want secrets between us. I had already told her everything she needed to know about me, when we were aboard the Titanic.

Now we sat in our apartment just a week after the sinking, it was time to get to know her better.

"I suppose, I always felt kind of neglected by my mother. I never really saw her growing up, like I was just put on nannies and maids. My father used to dote on me though he was the best person ever, I used to think. I always wondered if my mother was jealous of that relationship we had." Rose began.

"I remember when I turned thirteen. On my birthday, my mother packed me off to finishing school," She said biting down on her lip.

I reached out and stroked her hand while she smiled at me softly. Taking a deep breath she continued.

"I spent two years there, my father used to visit me every weekend and take me out, buy me new dresses and jewellery. My mother she visited me once or twice to see how I was coping. Then one day the phone call came. I was told to pack my things and return home at once because, because my father had died," And she broke down in tears.

I wrapped my arms round her and she sobbed on my shoulder.

"You don't have to tell me anything else if you don't want to," I reassured.

"No," Rose gulped, pulling out of the hug. "I want to,"

"I cried the whole way home. Then I got home and my mother literally did nothing but send me to my room. I rarely saw her and after the funeral I couldn't actually wait to go back to finishing school, but I couldn't go back. I wasn't allowed, no money for it. My father had left us bankrupt."

I stared at her in surprise, although obvious that her marriage to Cal was arranged. I always thought it may have been more for publicity reasons.

"The search began for perfect husbands. The worst by far was Cal; I met him when I was sixteen. Then he proposed to me on my seventeenth birthday, I had no choice but to accept. My life as far as I was concerned was over, the physical abuse I suffered at the hands of that man, and then the emotional abuse my mother put me through. I had no reason to believe my life was ever going to get better," Rose turned to look at me.

"Then I met you, and suddenly I felt there was hope, things could actually work out," She smiled tears falling down her cheeks.

I pulled her into my arms again and kissed her on top of her head.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you again Rose. I promise,"

There was a knock at the door; I went over to answer it. Rebecca Young stood there, her brown hair normally pinned up in a bun, flowing freely down her back. She wore a skirt and blue top which really brought out the colour of her eyes.

"Oh hi Rebecca, what can I do for you?" I asked stunned she was here.

"Well I was just in the neighbourhood visiting a friend and I thought I would stop by," She smiled.

I stood leaning against the door nodding my head.

"So can I come in?" She giggled.

"Oh yes of course!" I said opening the door.

She walked past me and sat down on the sofa.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Errm a glass of wine would be great,"

"Sure,"

I made my way into the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine and grabbed two glasses. I pulled the top off and began to pour.

"Is Annie in?" Rebecca called.

"Errm no she went out about an hour ago,"

I made my way back to the living room and handed her a glass. I thought about sitting down next to her, but for some reason couldn't do it. I stood swaying from foot to foot with the glass of wine in my hand. Rebecca stared at me strangely.

"There's room to sit down you know," She smiled taking a sip of her wine.

"I don't mind standing,"

She patted the space next to her. "Please your making me feel uncomfortable stood up like that,"

I paused, before slowly sitting down next to her perching on the edge. Rebecca giggled.

"How is everything going Jack?"

"Good thanks," I lied.

"I'm sort of impressed, can't be easy bringing up a girl as a lone dad. Especially the teenage years,"

I faked a smile. The truth is I wasn't coping all that well, Annie was getting increasingly difficult to look after. She lied, she argued, she had gained an attitude, she was constantly pushing me away. There was no doubt in my mind that things were going to get worse before they got better.

Rebecca could see right through me. "Jack, are you sure everything is ok?"

"It's just there are days I wake up and think I'm a useless Dad. Annie would be better off without me. She needs Rose, and Rose just can't be here," I admitted.

Rebecca put her hand on my leg. "I think you're doing a great job,"

I looked at the hand on my leg and turned to face Rebecca, whose face was getting incredibly close to mine. At first I kept my distance but forces beyond my control pushed me closer towards her. Our lips were just inches away, when the door slammed and we sprung apart.

Annie appeared at the door a suspicious look in her eyes.

"Hi sweetheart," I smiled.

Annie folded her arms and looked at Rebecca in disgust.

Rebecca stood up and patted down her dress. "Well I should be off really, thanks for the drink Jack. I'll let myself out. Bye Annie,"

And she was gone.

"Where have you been?" I asked trying to sound as normal as possible.

"None of your business," Annie said and she stalked to her room.

"Annie," I sighed.

My mind ticked to what happened just moments before Annie walked in. Guilt ran through my body, how could I do that to Rose? Use these lips that had once kissed her to kiss another. I missed her so much, but when I looked at Rebecca I had to struggle not to lose control. I didn't know what to do anymore, I needed normality. What even was that?

I hope you liked it! Remember to review to make me happy =)
Leah