A New Fate
Here is the official final chapter to the story. This one will hopefully wrap things up with a more satisfying note than the one before. I originally meant for this to be part of the last chapter, but I felt that it needed a separate chapter to itself, and it made sense to do it as an Epilogue.
This will feature a time-jump, but things will be explained of what happened between the years.
So, yeah, after this, consider the story complete. I hope the experience has been good and I apologize for grammar mistakes, even continuity errors. Please leave a review of your opinions. I'm open to criticisms too. I want to read what you have to say.
There will be an Author's Note following this.
Anyway, enjoy the final chapter to "A New Fate"!
Epilogue:
Three Years Later
On a roller coaster at Santa Monica, Los Angeles, a man and a woman were screaming at the top of their lungs as the cart finally dropped from the top, after a long suspenseful build from the other side. The woman had tears in her eyes as she closed them, hands high in the air. The man did the same, though his eyes were wide open. Both their screams were of pure excitement.
After getting off the roller coaster, they went to get ice cream and sat down at a bench nearby, staring out towards the ocean ahead, enjoying the final minutes of the day as the sun got closer to settling on the horizon.
"I wish we had more time," said Rose, smiling at Jack. "I have an audition for a role tomorrow."
Jack's eyes widened, "What?! Why didn't you tell me?!"
Rose laughed, "Because I was embarrassed!"
"Not a very good actress if that can get to you."
Rose punched him on the shoulder, nearly making him drop his ice cream, "Jerk!"
"So?" he nudged her. "What role is it?"
Rose paused, her smile fading.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked.
Rose looked up at him, "It's a role for a woman on a ship. A tragedy film about the... Titanic."
Jack was almost going to eat more of his ice cream until she said that last part, making him pause. He closed his mouth and turned toward her, meeting her eyes.
Tomorrow was the 15th. The day that would mark three years since that night.
How odd it was to them that an audition for a role of the event they went through would happen on such a day. Let alone be a film Rose would choose. She had spent a great deal of time trying to put the event behind her, to move on from her previous life. She had even slightly changed her appearance to keep from being recognized, even choosing a stage name to hide her identity.
He couldn't help but think back to the day they docked and everything that happened after.
As the heavy rain fell upon them, Jack, Rose, Tommy, and Fabrizio stared up in awe at the Statue of Liberty as the California neared its docking point in New York. Tommy had managed to 'find' a couple of umbrellas for them to shield against the rain.
Thankfully, the California had managed to get ahead of the Carpathia, granting them a head start.
"Jack," Rose whispered. "He's coming."
Jack turned and saw an officer of the California coming towards them. Turning back to her, he squeezed her hand and smiled. Unable to help herself, she smiled back.
They watched as the man asked and wrote down the names of their friends before reaching them.
"Can I have your name, love?"
Rose paused, panic rising within as she tried to think of a response, until...
"Dawson!" she exclaimed. "Rose Dawson!"
Jack, Fabrizio, and Tommy stared at her with wide eyes.
"Thank you," the man nodded before turning to Jack.
"Oh... um, Jack Dawson."
The man frowned upon looking at their hands.
"Married or related?"
Rose smiled as she squeezed Jack's hand before he could respond.
"Married. We unfortunately lost our rings during the sinking."
The man nodded as he wrote down Jack's name, "Good luck finding replacements. And thank you."
They waited until he had walked away.
"Dawson?" Fabrizio asked.
Jack raised an eyebrow and smiled, "And married?"
Rose shrugged, returning his smile, "Why not? 'Rose Dewitt Bukater' isn't a name I can use freely anymore."
"And using Jack's last name provides good cover," said Tommy.
"And I give it one week at the most before you two are in front of a preacher."
They all laughed.
"Probably be best if we skipped town tonight," said Jack. "Knowing Hockley, he'll have every officer in the city looking for you."
Rose nodded.
"And us, considering we're still wanted for 'allegedly' stealing the diamond," said Tommy.
"Which we technically did," added Fabrizio.
"Don't try taking responsibility for something I did," Rose teased. "But Jack's right. The sooner we are out of New York, the better."
All three nodded as the ship neared the city.
The moment the ship docked; they were immediately met with surprise at the audience that had gathered to celebrate their journey. News of the Titanic has spread quickly, bringing forth newspaper journalists and worried civilians.
But they also found three special people waiting for them.
"Jack!"
As they entered the station, Jack turned to the source of the yell and felt something small crash into him. He looked down to see Cora hugging him, tears sliding down her cheeks. Smiling, he hugged her back and picked her up, while Rose smiled as she watched.
"I thought we would never find you!" she exclaimed.
Jack's smile grew, as did the rate of his heartbeat.
"Rose!"
Rose turned to see Trudy running towards her. Feeling her heart race, she began to run and embraced her friend.
"Fabrizio!" a woman cried out in Norwegian.
Fabrizio turned to see Helga running towards him and he charged right back, the two colliding as they embraced and kissed. From behind, Helga's parents turned away, hiding their disapproval.
After their high emotions calmed, they exited the station and into the streets of New York, which were still alive in the night. Not wishing the moment to end, they talked and lost themselves into their conversations, until the time came to part.
"Cora!"
The young girl turned from Jack and saw her father rushing towards her, "Father!"
She ran to him and jumped into his arms.
Jack smiled as he walked towards them.
Bert sat his daughter down and embraced him, "Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
"Don't thank me," he turned to Trudy, who was deep in conversation with Rose. "Thank the maid."
Bert nodded as he took off his hat and walked towards the two, immediately thanking her.
Cora turned to Jack, tears filling her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked, bending by the knees to get down to her level.
"This... this is goodbye... isn't it," she sniffled as she wiped away the tears. "We won't see each other again."
Jack's heart sank, "Hey, just because we'll be going our separate ways doesn't mean this is the end. We'll met again."
"But... how?"
"Well, I'll get your dad to give me your address so I can mail you letters."
"Can't you give me yours?"
Jack laughed, "That's going to be a little hard. I don't normally have an address like you and your dad do. But one day..." he looked towards rose, "... maybe one day I will. Until then, I'll make sure to let you know where I'm going next."
Cora smiled, winking at him before looking towards Rose, "You better!"
Offering his hand, she accepted it and they walked towards her father.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio and Helga shared one last kiss before she departed with her family. Fabrizio watched with tears as she left, wishing they could spend more time together after everything that had happened. But at least he had managed to get a small piece of paper that contained the address of her grandmother's home in Florida, a parting gift she gave him so they could write each other.
After getting the address of where Bert and Cora were going, Jack turned to the young girl and embraced her one last time.
"I'm going to miss you," Cora kissed his cheek, making Rose and Trudy smile.
"I'll miss you too," he patted her shoulder. "You be a good girl. And I promise to visit when I can. Alright?"
She nodded, wiping away the tears as began to smile, "Deal!"
As they waved goodbye, Bert and Cora disappeared into the large crowd.
Suddenly, a loud horn was heard in the distance, and they turned to see the Carpathia coming in to dock.
"Let's get out of here before Hockley docks," said Jack.
Everyone nodded and began to walk towards the city.
Suddenly, Rose came to a stop and grabbed Jack's arm, "Wait!"
Everyone turned to her.
"Let's get married!"
Jack, Tommy, and Fabrizio's eyes widened, while Trudy covered her mouth, hiding her shock.
"If I'm going to start my new life with you, then let 'Rose Dawson' become official."
Jack was taken back, but he smiled and leaned to kiss her, which she returned.
"Well, then, we better find a church."
Trudy smiled as she looked towards the city, "I know a place."
"Dear lady and gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight to witness and celebrate the union of Rose- Um, what was your maiden name again, dear?" the priest asked.
Rose smiled as looked into the eyes of the man she was about to call husband, "It doesn't matter. Let my former name disappear like the dust in the wind."
The priest's eyes widened before smiling, having had his fair share of discrete moments like this. It filled him with happiness to hear such motivation and clarity in her voice. Whatever she had went through was clearly something she wished to put behind her, starting with this short-notice wedding. He silently prayed to the God above that their love would be strengthened their bond in the years to come.
In the very small church that rested on the outskirts of New York, an attendance of only three people filled the building, not including the priest or the couple to be married.
The priest was about to lock his doors for the evening until he heard a knock, surprised to find Trudy, who he had not seen in a long time. Her request was a bit of an odd one, especially when it concerned the drenched couple ready to be married as soon as possible, along two men to be witnesses the special event. Although tired, he was more than willing to allow the small group into the House of God and prepare for a wedding.
Standing at the altar, the priest held a bible in his hands and began.
"We are gathered here tonight to witness and celebrate the union of Rose and Jack Dawson in marriage. Through their time together, they began the journey to become husband and wife. To form a bond that will stand the test of time and fight through the hardships of life until death do them apart, under the watchful eye of our Creator."
Tommy, Fabrizio, and Trudy smiled.
"True marriage is more than just joining the bonds of two people in marriage; it is the union of two hearts. It begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage will continue well beyond this ceremony's end. A brief moment in time and the stroke of a pen is all that is required to join two souls together in a legal bond of marriage, but it is the commitment of love and compromise that truly makes a union in marriage durable and everlasting. Tonight, you will declare your commitment to each other before family, friends, and the Almighty himself. Your pasts have led you to this moment, your starting point to new future of togetherness that will hopefully become clearer with each new passing day."
The priest paused upon seeing they had no rings, "One second."
Jack and Rose frowned as the old man left the room and returned a few seconds later with two pieces of string.
"As we do not have rings at the moment, may these serve as your wedding rings in their place to signify your love and bonds of marriage to one another."
Smiling, they each took a piece of string.
The priest turned to Jack, "Raise your hand."
Jack did as he was told.
"Do you Jack Dawson, take Rose to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, from this day forward until death do you apart?"
Jack stared into Rose's eyes, "I do!"
The priest smiled as he motioned for him to take the string in his hand, "As this representation of your love, your bond, and your promise, please tie this string around Rose's marriage finger."
Once Jack was done, the priest turned to Rose.
"Do you Rose, take Jack Dawson to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, to obey and follow him, from this day forward until death do you apart?"
"I do!" she declared.
"Take the string you hold and tie it around Jack's marriage finger, so it may be a representation of your love, your bond, and your promise."
As Rose did, she struggled not to kiss him just yet, knowing he was doing the same.
"With the power blessed within me by the Lord and his son, Jesus Christ, I now pronounce you both Husband and Wife!"
Before Tommy, Fabrizio, and Trudy could begin clapping, Jack and Rose met in the middle as they kissed to their hearts content, completely lost in their intimacy.
Unknown to them all, a figured watched from the dark corner, silently leaving before anyone could notice.
It was late into the evening following the wedding of Jack and Rose when the group finally got their chance to rest without being on a ship. Once it was all said and done, they bid farewell to the priest and immediately out as far from the city as possible, managing to find a small motel to spend the night. The moment they got to their room and into their beds, they fell right to sleep.
After getting much needed rest, the group left the next morning. Arriving at a train station, Trudy decided to take her leave. Rose paid for her ticket and also gave her a little bit of cash, to help in starting over.
"I guess this is goodbye."
Trudy smiled sadly as she nodded and hugged Rose at the entrance of her train, "I wish I could go with you, but my place is with my parents in DC. It'll be nice to be with them and to find a new job there."
Rose nodded, struggling to keep the tears at bay, "Just a fair warning, there's a chance some people may come asking questions."
"Well, it'll be a waste of their time," she winked. "I could have sworn I saw Rose DeWitt Bukater disappear on a train for Canada. Too bad I didn't get to say goodbye."
Rose smiled, "Yeah, it's a real shame."
The two waved goodbye before going their separate ways.
Rose joined Jack, Tommy, and Fabrizio on a train of their own, heading out west.
"Okay, so what happened to Taylor?" Tommy asked.
Jack swallowed his drink as they sat around the campfire, having put some distance between them and New York in the last two days. Fabrizio watched him, wondering how he was going to respond.
"Long story made short, Taylor's involved with some... dangerous people. He left so we would be safe from them."
Tommy's eyes were wide, even taking a drink of his liquor before throwing the bottle across the corn field, "Well, that would explain why he had so much money. I hope he's okay."
Jack nodded as he looked up towards the stars, "Yeah, me too."
He hated lying to them, even if he was telling a small portion of the truth. He knew Fabrizio understood, despite not entirely knowing everything like he did. There were times when it was tempting to reveal all that he knew, but he feared how it would affect his Italian friend.
Meanwhile, Rose watched him, frowning at how he seemed to answer as little as possible. But she understood it wasn't his secret to tell. She was willing to wait and hope that he would one day tell her, so he wouldn't have to hold the burden on his own.
"So, this is where you grew up," said Tommy.
After months of traveling, they had managed to arrive in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
"Yep," Jack nodded as they walked through the small town.
He doubted anyone there would recognize him. He had changed and experienced so much in the last five years. He couldn't recognize himself at times when looking into the mirror.
They even paid a visit to the area where his family's house once stood. Little remained of the foundation, but it wasn't too hard to find it.
Coming back hit Jack harder than he realized. It was only through the feeling of his wife's hand intertwined with his that kept him from losing control. But later, when he had a chance to get away, he allowed himself to cry and mourn. He eventually found the lake where he and father would come to. Such memories made him smile.
"That bitch!"
Jack rose from the bed as he ran to the kitchen, finding Rose trembling as she stood over the table, holding a copy of the daily news in her hands.
"What's wrong?" he approached her, slightly touching her arm.
She turned to him, recognizing his presence.
"She found a way!"
Jack frowned as Tommy and Fabrizio entered the kitchen, worried.
"Who?"
She slowly offered him the paper and he took it, reading what was printed on page 3.
/
Wife of the Late Howard DeWitt Bukater remarries into the Gordon Family!
/
"She always finds a way," Rose whispered, though loud enough for Jack to hear. "She always does."
Jack sat the paper down and embraced his wife, "Hey, look on the bright side. Now she won't be on the search for you anymore."
Rose slightly smiled as she buried her face into his chest, "Still..."
Jack laughed, "You say that like you wanted her to lose everything."
"And you act like it's a bad thing."
The two laughed and continued to embrace each other as Tommy and Fabrizio left the kitchen, smiling.
"Wow! The sky is beautiful!" Fabrizio exclaimed as he stared up towards the stars in the evening sky.
Nearly a year had passed since they left New York. Now the group had settled in Deer Lodge, Montana for the time being. An area they all fell in love as soon as they arrived. After traveling south to escape the cold winter, they had immediately journeyed north once spring arrived, to visit the place that Jack wished to go.
Being there reminded Jack of why Taylor loved the landscape so much. He only wished his friend could be here to experience it along with them.
All four were on their backs, not far from their campfire as they stared up towards the sky, with the full moon and countless stars above.
"Isn't this what Taylor was talking about?" Tommy asked.
Jack nodded as he continued to draw on his piece of paper from his book, using a small lantern for light as he did.
"I wonder where he is right now?" Rose asked.
Jack paused, wondering the same thing. His heart sank upon remembering that one week from that night would mark the first-year anniversary. A fact that also felt like a dream to them all.
Once Tommy and Fabrizio had left for town, Rose made her move to talk with her husband in private.
"I know you're lying."
Jack paused in his drawing of the landscape of the Yellowstone, turning to his wife. He had known this day would come when he would be forced to explain everything to her. He only hoped she had the mind to believe and understand it.
He turned to her, "Are they gone?"
She nodded, "Yes."
Nodding back, he sat the unfinished drawing down and turned to her as she sat down the piece of wood.
"Are you sure you wish to know?"
"Yes!"
He saw no hesitation, no doubt to be found.
"What I am about to tell you must never be repeated to anyone else. Not even them."
Rose nodded, "I understand."
'Do you?' he couldn't help but wonder.
"Then let's start at the beginning."
As he explained everything to her, he felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. A burden that he had been carrying for so long. Not even Fabrizio knew all that he was sharing with her. And it felt reliving to share all that he knew with someone he called his wife.
As Rose listened to every word, every explanation, she never once detected a lie or a half-truth. By the time he was done, her eyes were filled with tears.
"Rose?"
"We need to tell them!" she declared.
Jack's eyes widened, "We can't!"
"We can't just sit on this and not let the world know what he did."
"Even if we did, no one would believe us."
"They will if I reveal myself."
"Not even that will help. All we would end up doing is revealing ourselves to Hockley."
She began to cry, "Then what do you expect us to do? Nothing?"
"It's what he would want."
"How would you know that?"
"Because I know him better than better than most. Say that if the world does believe you, how do you think they would react knowing that he had the power to do such things? They would drag his name through the mud, label him as something he isn't. Maybe even blame the event on him. Not everyone can handle such knowledge as you and me."
Rose sobbed, "Is there a way to find him? To thank him?"
Jack shook his head, "Knowing him, he's probably in another multiverse. What he did that night has made him a fugitive for the rest of his life. The last thing he would want is for us to try and look for him. It would attract the attention of those hunting him."
"It's so unfair."
Jack sighed and nodded, "Yep, that's normally how it goes. But he gave us a chance to live. To truly live, Rose. I don't know if anyone of us would have survived that night if it wasn't for him. It would have been a miracle if only one of us did."
Rose shivered at the thought, "I can't imagine a life without you. Which is why I can't stand the thought of him not being recognized for it."
Jack smiled as he rose to his feet and walked to her before getting to his knees and taking her hands, "I've thought the same. Believe me, I have! I wish I could thank him too and let the world know. But we can't. All we can do now is live our lives to the fullest and make this life count for something. To make his sacrifice mean something."
Rose sniffled and squeezed his hands, nodding, "You make it sound so easy."
"Nothing worthwhile ever is. But it's what we've been given. And it's better than most."
He embraced her, looking up towards the sky as the moon and stars shined down on them.
As they began to enter the state of Colorado and settled in for the night at a motel, they planned their next journey.
"So, where should we got next?" Fabrizio asked.
"The Rocky Mountains!" Rose announced.
"I'm in!" Tommy cried out.
"Ah, but I was hoping for Florida!" complained Fabrizio.
Jack patted his friend on the shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll visit Helga in the future."
"You know, they might walk in on us," Rose teased as she laid on the couch, posing for Jack as he drew her nude, except for the diamond that rested against her chest.
Jack laughed, "Come on! You know you feel excited that we could get caught at any moment. Besides, we still need to replace the one we lost."
She laughed, "How much longer?"
"Just a little bit longer."
"Jack Dawson, if you don't hurry up and finish, you'll be the one sleeping on the couch!"
He shivered, remembering the last time he had pushed his luck.
As the year moved along like the wind, they made their way to Oregon, renting out a small home to stay in for a short while. It was during their stay that the subject of Florida came up.
"Come on, when are we going to Florida?!" cried Fabrizio. "We've been putting it off for too long now."
Jack laughed, "He's got a point. Maybe we should go there once our time here is done."
"But it's so far," whined Rose.
"We can afford train tickets to Florida," said Tommy. "Be a lot faster."
Jack nodded, "Then it's settled. Let's reunite Fabrizio with his love."
Fabrizio blushed, "It isn't like that."
"Sure it isn't," Rose teased, making them all laugh as they continued to eat.
They had kept up on the news surrounding anything having to do with Titanic, especially on the trials that were held for those deemed responsible for the accident. An unidentified number of workers on the ship had lost their lives in the engine and coal rooms. Captain Smith managed to get off the charges, as did Ismay, but they were both ridiculed in the eyes of the public. Andrews never got much public attention, nor brought to court.
Although, a lot of rumors surrounding the Titanic's sinking were surfacing, especially one about how there were reports of the water being frozen over. As well as Mr. Andrews' interest in studying if it was possible. A rumor that only made Rose feel more terrible as she and Jack knew the truth behind it.
Jack and Rose had considered many times buying real rings, but they couldn't bring themselves to buy replacements for the pieces of string on their fingers. Instead, they opted to keep the strings for as long as possible, doing all they could to keep them from breaking down. But it wasn't long before the elements of nature and their finger growth eventually wore the strings out and broke. It saddened them but they then decided to buy real rings one day during their time in Montana. The strings that had broken were kept as souvenirs, tapped to the inside of Jack's drawing book.
Letters from Cora, Trudy, and Helga would arrive from time to time, though it was mainly them who were writing and sending off the letters due to how much they traveled. It was easier that way.
Cora had sent a picture of herself and Bert, giving them a glimpse of how big she had gotten and matured since they last saw her. She had begun to take art lessons, wishing to follow in her 'Uncle Jack's' footsteps.
Helga was living with her grandmother, who was growing older and frail, which was making her parents become impatient about when she would marry. A fact that worried Fabrizio to the point of becoming jealous of the thought of another man stealing her from him.
As for the Heart of the Ocean diamond, Rose couldn't bring herself to sell it or do anything with it. It was too precious to her as it represented the moment she had fully given herself to Jack, in both body and soul. It was a representation of her old life and her new one. She didn't know if she could ever let it go.
As for Cal Hockley, they had learned from the newspapers that he had married a high-class lady from a wealthy family. Something that put Jack and Rose at ease, especially since the bounty for Rose's whereabouts had seemed to be no longer active.
And finally, Trudy had gotten a new job as maid and was currently living with her parents. She also found a suitable man to court, though no word had come back if their relationship had become serious. She mentioned that Ruth had tracked her down and demanded if she knew anything about Rose, but she kept her word and refused to tell her anything.
But she also mentioned something else that greatly disturbed Rose, who immediately informed Jack after reading one of her letters. About a time when two men claiming to be from the Federal government wished to speak with her about an individual named Taylor Huston, who they claimed was a wanted criminal. Thankfully, due to never having interacted with him, they bought that she knew nothing about him.
But it was still a very worrying fact that made them more concerned than that of Ruth or Cal. A concern that they hoped would remain in their imaginations and not become reality.
Their stay in Oregon brought about a change in Tommy, who began to show signs of wanting to stay in the state. Jack knew that this day would come when the group would start to go their separate ways and live their own lives. It just a matter of time.
They had planned to leave in the first two days for Florida, which left Tommy with a difficult decision to make. Jack knew what he was going through but never confronted him or told the others. He wanted him to make the decision on his own.
Then, one day...
"Guys," Tommy announced at the dinner table one evening. "I don't know how to say this but... I've decided to stay here."
Everyone turned to him, shocked to hear him announce such a thing. Only Jack seemed to be the least bit surprised.
"I like the country here and the work pays fairly well. Even the guys I've spent time with have recommended me to their boss and... I want to see what he has to offer."
Silence followed, until Jack smiled and offered up his glass of water, "Best of luck to you, mate."
Rose and Fabrizio followed, though saddened by the news, making a toast before drinking.
"We're going to miss you," said Rose, who was struggling not to cry.
Tommy smiled as he stood up and walked around the table to hug her, "Hey, don't be so sad. We'll see each other again. Just remember to come visit when you can."
"We will," promised Jack. "Make sure to give the address of the place you're working so we can correspond with letters."
"Sounds like a deal," Tommy approached him next and the two embraced before hugging Fabrizio last.
The next day, they went out to the beach and swam in the ocean for hours before returning to the small house they were renting, where they celebrated with one last dinner together as a group.
By the next morning, three set off for a train station to head to Florida, leaving Tommy behind with some cash to begin his new life.
After a few days on the train, they finally arrived in Florida, where Fabrizio was reunited with Helga. They rented out another house by the beach, visiting Helga when they could, who was already speaking English much better than when they had first met her.
About two months into their stay did Jack start to realize a change in Fabrizio as well. The moment they began talking about finally visiting California did Fabrizio start to act strange whenever it was brought up. Like with Tommy, Jack left his Italian friend to his thoughts and let him come to a decision, even if he knew what it would be.
Then, one day, Fabrizio made it.
As they sat on the sand, looking out towards the ocean, Fabrizio turned to his friends.
"I'm staying."
Jack closed his eyes and did his best to keep the sadness within from coming out, to make this easier for his friend. It saddened him that his friend was moving on, that their days of adventure were coming to an end. But he was also happy to know that he was doing it for the right reasons.
"You're leaving too?" Rose's voice was filled with shock and sadness.
Fabrizio smiled sadly at her, "Helga's parents are pressuring her to get married and I decided to grant them their wish."
Both Jack and Rose stared at him in awe.
"You proposed?" Rose asked.
He laughed at their expressions, "I know, I'm shocked that I was able to do it too. But it's better than watching her marry some Norwegian man she barely knows. Her parents will be very disappointed, but they're have to make do with me."
"Or you two could disappear like we did," Rose teased, making them laugh until their laughter died out and silence followed.
They remained sitting there, letting the reality of the moment sink in. Eventually, they went for a swim and went back to their beach home for the night.
Over the next month, they did everything they could together, even traveling a little ways to visit some towns and swamps. It wasn't long before Helga and Fabrizio announced their engagement, which upset her parents but otherwise accepted it. Although, it made Helga's grandmother very happy.
But by the time the third month came to an end, Jack and Rose made their decision to leave for California but not before their friends' wedding.
On the day of the wedding, Jack was the Best Man, while Helga had chosen a close friend of hers as the Maid of Honor, though Rose was one of the bridesmaids. They clapped when Fabrizio and Helga were officially wedded at a small church, with a small audience. They celebrated at the ceremony and danced to their hearts content. When the time came for Fabrizio to take his wife to their home, which ended up being the house they were renting, Jack and Rose approached him.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, old friend," Jack embraced him, followed by Rose.
Fabrizio was taken back, "You're leaving?"
"We're leaving the house to you," said Rose. "There's some money waiting in the master bedroom. Hopefully it'll help in finding a new home for you and Helga. But tonight, is supposed to be between you two."
"But... you two didn't mind when Tommy, that maid, and me were with you."
Jack and Rose laughed.
"That was our decision, and we had plenty of private times," said Jack. "But something tells me Helga will not feel the same. We already got tickets to leave tonight for California."
"But... why didn't you tell me?"
"Because we didn't want it to be hanging over your head," said Rose.
Fabrizio nodded, saddened by the news, "I'm going to miss you."
Jack and Rose nodded, smiling.
"We'll miss you too," Jack embraced him one last time. "You take care. Especially her."
"Fabrizio!" Helga cried out. "It's time to go!"
Jack laughed, "Not even to the house and she's already bossing you around."
Rose elbowed him.
"OW!"
Fabrizio laughed as he hugged Rose.
"Take care. I hope you guys have fun in California."
Rose hugged him back, "We will. Now, you better go before your bride comes looking for you."
He nodded and waved as he ran off to find his wife, leaving them alone.
Jack turned to her, "Ready?"
Rose nodded, "As I'll ever be. Let's go."
After grabbing their things by the front door of the church, they made their way to the train station, where they boarded a last-minute train ride to California.
About a few days later, they arrived at the one state they had been planning to visit for years.
Jack smiled sadly at the memories of the last three years.
Now it was just him and Rose, traveling together like they promised to do. Drinking to their hearts content, riding horses, chewing tobacco, and anything else they wished to do. But Jack knew that the day would come when Rose would ask to settle down and begin a family.
It scared him that his adventure days were coming to an end. It was all he had ever known since the day his parents died in the fire. But it was a day that was bound to come sooner or later. And he was more than ready to accept it. All he needed to hear was Rose's asking for it. Although, he couldn't help but wonder where they would make their home.
Chippewa Falls? Somewhere in Montana? California? Or maybe North Carolina?
Regardless, he hoped it was a place where he could draw to his hearts' content.
He also wanted to talk to her about selling the diamond, believing that it was time to let it go and get some more money that they could use to retire off on.
Returning to the question at hand, Jack smiled and put his hand over hers, "You'll do alright. And who knows, maybe it'll be a hit."
Rose smiled, "You don't think Cal or mother would notice?"
Jack shrugged, "Well, he hasn't found us yet and he's married now. Plus, your mom has solved her problems without you."
Rose frowned, "Please don't remind me."
Jack laughed as he rose from the bench, "I'll be back. Gotta use the restroom."
Rose nodded as she finished the last of her ice cream, "Hurry back! I don't want to miss the sunset without you."
He waved back at her as he ran to the newest bathroom, coming back out a few minutes later to rejoin his wife.
"Evening."
Jack stopped, his eyes widening.
Turning around, he came face to face with an old friend he was beginning to think he would never see again. Tears filled his vision as his heart pounded against his chest like a drum.
Taylor Huston stepped forward from the shadows, revealing himself into the light.
Jack was taken back by his appearance. He looked older than when he last saw him. His hair was nearly white, and his face looked like it had aged nearly a decade. He looked tired, in many ways than one. There was even a scar on his face, close to his right eye, and another right on his neck.
But it was his eyes that were the most different.
They retained their brownish color but there something inside that gave him pause.
"Taylor?"
Taylor smiled, walking forward as he pulled him into a hug, "It's been too long."
It took a moment for Jack to hug him back, tearing up as he relished this.
"Where have you been?"
"Oh, you know. Here, there... everywhere."
Jack laughed as they parted, "I mean it! Where have you been?"
Taylor rolled his eyes, "Well, it's a long story. One I'm afraid I don't have time to tell."
Jack's smile disappeared, "What do you mean?"
Taylor reached for his backpack and placed it on the ground, reaching inside to grab a notebook and hand it over to him, "You're going to need this. And whatever you do, do not let anyone else see it."
Jack frowned as he took the notebook, almost opening it until Taylor's hand grabbed his, stopping him.
"Look at it after I'm gone."
"What is it?"
"A survivor's guide. One that will help you and Rose out for the next thirty years. And trust me, you're going to need it."
Although confused, Jack nodded as the two stared at each other.
Taylor sighed, looking over towards Rose, "You're a lucky man, Jack. So many men wish they could have what you do."
He turned back to him.
"I'm proud of you."
Jack's face started to fill with concern, "What's wrong?"
He stared at him. His face now blank.
It was a little scary for him to see such an expression.
What the hell has happened to you?
Taylor smiled, "I wish I can say that I just came here to just pay an old friend a visit but… I don't have a lot of time. I needed to come to say goodbye… before it's..."
"Before what?"
Regret filled his expression as he placed his hand on his shoulder, "I have a chance to fix everything. To make things right. But..."
He paused, a look of fear showing on his face for a brief second before he replaced it with a smile.
Jack touched his hand, "Taylor, what's going on?"
He remained silent, trying to figure out how to explain it all to him.
"There's something that I must do in order to make things right again. But... regardless of how it goes, I don't think I'm coming back this time."
Fear struck Jack's heart as he began to understand what he was trying to say, "Then don't do it!"
Taylor shook his head, "I can't. I forfeited the right to reclaim a normal life when I choose to save fifteen hundred lives. Staying was never an option for me."
"But... you don't have to go-," tears were forming in Jack's eyes again.
Deep down, he knew that this was different.
"I wanted to thank you for the amazing years we spent together. They're some of the best years of my life. I only wish we could have had more of them."
Jack opened his mouth to continue but couldn't think of anything to say. His mind and voice completely failed him.
Taylor's smile grew as he handed him a napkin, which he used to wipe away the tears and blow his nose.
"Whatever happens next, just remember to live your life to the fullest."
He turned towards Rose, who was oblivious to them.
Jack looked towards his wife, watching as her hair moved with the wind and skin bathing in the sun that her all the more beautiful. And somewhere in that moment, he found the strength as he nodded and turned back to his friend, embracing him.
"Thank you for the amazing adventures. I'll tell them to my children one day. The Adventures of Jack Dawson and Taylor Huston!"
Taylor smiled, "Sounds like a best seller."
They laughed with wide smiles before they slowly faded.
"Thank you for giving me such great adventures, Jack. In a time during my life when I was on the verge of losing myself, you helped keep me together."
He paused.
"But now… there are no more adventures to be had. Except one."
Jack felt the tears trying to come forth, but he resisted letting them fall. There would be time for that later.
"Thank you for coming to see me… one last time," one tear managed to fall through his eyelids.
Taylor smiled, "No problem, kiddo."
Suddenly, a small noise activated on the hybrid gun, drawing their attention as the hologram light turned to red.
Taylor took the gun in his hand and read the message on it.
ALERT – Convergence Imminent – ALERT
Taylor's face fell as he closed his eyes and sighed.
The wind brushed against them, sending a chill down Jack's spine.
"It's time."
He barely heard those words as time itself seemed to slow down.
Looking back at him, Taylor offered one last smile and pulled him into a hug, "Goodbye."
Jack, knowing he wouldn't get another chance, hugged him back, squeezing as hard as he could, "Good luck!"
Nodding, Taylor turned away and selected something on his gun, putting in the coordinates.
Jack watched as he pulled the trigger and vanished.
It took everything he had not to fall to his knees or scream. He could barely contain the tears. It felt as if his own body was trying to turn against him. But remained strong and wiped away the tears before heading back to his wife.
"Hey, what took you so long?" she asked.
Without thinking, Jack pulled her against him and hugged her, struggling not cry again. Rose, though taken aback from his embrace, moved her arms around him and hugged back.
When they parted, she asked, "Where did that come from?"
"I just... felt like doing it."
"Well, you should do it more often."
He laughed as he took her hand and looked out towards the horizon, just as the sun was setting in the background. Catching it at the exact perfect moment.
He couldn't help but remember when his new life of adventure began on a dark, rainy day when he met someone who would become so important in his life. And now, here he was, witnessing a sunset that would mark the beginning of a new life with the one person who could make it happen. A new beginning for the both of them.
As the sun was just about to vanish over the horizon, a bright light suddenly rushed forward and engulfed them, like as if they and the world itself had suddenly ceased to exist. Until it faded and they were greeted with the last bit of the sun setting down.
"What just happened?" Rose asked, looking around in confusion.
Jack looked around too, stunned and feeling uneasy by what had just occurred. And it wasn't just them who had experienced it either. Those who were in the park were trying to make sense of what they all had seen and felt.
Staring back at the spot where he last spoke to his friend, a smiled formed on his face as a tear fell from his eye and he softly whispered, "Thank you."
Rose frowned, "What?"
Jack took her hand and pulled her toward him. His lips clashing against hers, pouring forth renewed passion and love. Rose gasped but quickly followed along as she kissed him back with equal passion, moving her arms around his neck and lifting one foot.
Lost in their kiss under the sky, a bright shooting star passed them by.
Although this marks the end for Jack and Rose's story,
Taylor Huston's story will conclude in:
"Convergence"