FOURTY SIX - FOUND

September 15th 1921

Molly Brown had been in New York for a week whilst visiting her son. She'd last heard from Jack at the end of July who had told her he still hadn't found Rose, that he believed she was alive and keeping herself safe so was close to giving up searching, he needed to give the children all his care and attention.

She was crossing the road in the middle of the city when she noticed a woman with bright orange hair on the opposite side of the street. When she made it to the other side, she picked up her speed, convinced it was Rose.

"Rose?! Rose!" Molly shouted ahead. Rose turned her head hearing her name but sped up when she saw it was Molly, she'd come to New York to get away, she didn't want to be found. But Molly caught up with her "Rose!" Molly said, thrilled it was actually her until she noticed the black mark by the side of her eye, frowning she looked at her concerned "shall we go for a drink?" Rose nodded, knowing that if she didn't go for a drink, Molly would question her in the street.

They sat down in a near by cafe after ordering their drinks.

"So, how've you been?" Molly asked "yes, good" Rose nodded "hmm… and now the truth? How did you get that bruise on your eye" "I walked in to a door" Rose asked quickly… almost too quickly "and who are you living with?" "Alone" Rose faked a smile "I know you're lying Rose. Who are you living with?" Rose sighed "Cal…" "Cal?! Cal Hockley?! Oh please tell me you're joking" to which she shook her head "I didn't have a choice… he found me… said if I didn't oblige then he would hurt Jack and the children… have you heard from Jack?" She asked and Molly nodded "how is he?! How are the children?!" Rose said relieved "he misses you… a lot… he's been looking for you since you disappeared. The children are good… they miss their mum" Molly nodded and filled Rose with guilt. "He'll be thrilled when he finds out you're OK" Molly smiled softly "No! Molly, you can't tell him! Promise me you won't tell him!" "Why?" Molly asked confused "I abandoned them Molly! He'll never forgive me regardless of whether he knows where I am. Please Molly… please" she practically begged "why did you leave Rose? How could you leave?" "My mother… she told me I'd never be a good Mum to children from 'that background'. That I would be a bad parent… I believed her, so I left…" Rose sighed, as did Molly "Rose, they just want you back… they miss you… please go and see him" "I can't… please Molly, don't tell him you've seen me" "OK… I promise" Molly lied.

"Anyway, back to that eye… you need to get away from Cal, Rose… you're not safe" "well Jack and the children won't be if I leave, and I can't do that…" "At least tell me where you live, so if you disappear again, I can check he's not hurt you" Rose sighed, she knew Molly was right, Cal could hurt her - really hurt her - so she wrote down her address and passed it over "Look, Molly, it's been really nice catching up with you, but I need to get home. Take care" Rose smiled and squeezed Molly's hand before standing up and leaving the cafe.

—

Molly rushed back to her hotel and called Jack who answered pretty quickly.

"Hello?" Jack said

"Hi Jack, it's Molly"

"Oh hi Molly, how are you?"

"I'm fine… Jack, I've found Rose"

"What? Where? How?"

"She's in New York. I spotted her in the street. She made me promise not to tell you, but you needed to know... grab a piece of paper and I'll give you her address" Jack scrambled around for a pen and paper and took the address from Molly.

"Jack, promise me something…"

"Yes?"

"Don't go to her apartment… wait outside the building for her…"

"What? Why? Why can't I go to her apartment?"

"Cal's there"

"WHAT?!" He almost shouted

"It's a long story, I'm sure she'll explain, but for her safety, just don't go there"

"I won't… thank you Molly… thank you so much…"

"Take care Darlin'"

"and you" Jack hung up

—

Jack ran round to Maggie's house - who already had the children - and almost begged her to watch them for a few days whilst he went to New York. He felt guilty asking, Maggie was getting old, but there was no one else the children knew enough to stay with. Maggie agreed on the basis Daisy would pop round and help when she could. Jack thanked her profusely.

—

After a meltdown from Teddy - who was worried Jack wouldn't come back - Jack threw a bag of stuff together before rushing to the station. He felt guilty for leaving the kids, but he knew he had to see Rose.