An hour passed of the 2 of them talking about the fun times on the Titanic before the tragedy, then Rose noticed the time; 11.30pm. "I really must be getting back now" she smiled "do you have to?" Jack frowned, clearly disappointed. "Yes" Rose chuckled "you don't have to walk us back if you don't want to" she smiled gently. "No, no, it's not that at all. I would never let you walk home alone. I just don't want you to go, that's all. I'm worried that if you leave, I'll never see you again" he said embarrassed. "Oh Jack… I promise I'll see you again. Hey, are you working tomorrow?" Rose asked "no, it's a Saturday" he shook his head "well how about you meet me and the girls for breakfast in town? We've been apart for 8 years, I'm sure one more night won't hurt us" she said, trying to lighten his mood a little. "That sounds nice" he nodded. "Would you like me to go and get Tilly?" He asked "oh, yes please" Rose nodded and smiled gently as she put an extra blanket over Sophia, knowing it was going to be cold out. "Do you want me to wake her or should I just carry her asleep?" "Just carry her asleep please if that's OK" Rose replied "sure" he nodded and headed upstairs.
He returned a few moments later holding a sleeping Tilly. He had put a blanket over her and she had Jack's teddy underneath it. "Let's go" he said to Rose quietly to which she nodded and pushed Sophia out of the house.
—
They got to the door of the boarding house when Jack spoke up "would you like me to carry her to your room?" He whispered, still holding Tilly "yes please" she replied. He stepped inside and held the door open so Rose could get the pram in.
It was late but as Mary heard the door open, she went in to reception, seeing Jack "Mr Dawson? Care to explain why you're in my inn?" She asked, aware he knew no men were allowed inside after 9pm. "Good evening Mary. Sorry, I've been catching up with Rose this evening and Tilly fell asleep. I offered to walk them home of course. I just wanted to carry Tilly upstairs for Rose as she's not able to yet after the birth of Sophia…" he replied nervously, despite telling the truth. "OK" she eyed him, believing him "I want you out as soon as that child is lay in her bed though, clear?" Mary said "crystal" Jack nodded and watched as Rose carefully picked up Sophia. "Good night Rose, I'll see the 3 of you in the morning" Mary nodded. "Thank you Mary, sorry if we disturbed you" she said feeling guilty. "Oh don't worry dear" Mary smiled as she walked away.
—
Rose held the door open and let Jack inside "just the single bed by the window please" she whispered "I'm surprised she's stayed asleep" Rose laughed quietly and watched as Jack gently put Tilly down, leaving her with the blanket, and unbeknownst to Rose… his bear too. "Take the blanket back home with you if you like!" Rose insisted "oh, it's OK. She seems comfy, I'll grab it off you whenever" he nodded as he walked away from Tilly. "Thank you" Rose replied gratefully. "What time should I meet you tomorrow?" He smiled, walking towards her "around 10?" She answered "OK… it was so nice to see you… I'm so pleased you're here Rose" he gave a genuine smile "likewise" she smiled. "I best be going before Mary comes to check up on me" he chuckled lightly before kissing her cheek "goodnight Rose" he said as he stroked the top of Sophia's head as Rose was still holding her "goodnight Jack" she nodded and watched as he left.
She wanted nothing more than for him to stay, she knew she loved him just as much as she did on the Titanic. Being in Jack's presence this evening was the safest Rose had felt since the time she had spent with him onboard the ship. She sighed to herself as she placed Sophia in the Moses basket that Mary had somehow found her, then went over to Tilly and kissed her head, noticing she was holding on to something. She lifted the blanket back to see that Tilly was holding tightly to the bear that Jack had given her to sleep with. She chuckled to herself and kissed Tilly's head before climbing in to bed herself.