Rose grabbed a piece of paper and quickly wrote Jack a note;
Jack,
I'm sorry, I couldn't face saying goodbye. Cal has Tilly, he's taken her back to Philadelphia. Going back to him is my only option.
I'm so grateful for everything you've done for us. We will miss you more than I can explain. I'm so sorry.
I love you with all my heart
- Rose.
She placed it on the coffee table before running down the street towards the inn. She banged on the door and Lucy opened it "Rose? What are you doing?" She frowned, confused "is there any news on Tilly?" "Cal has her. I need to go back to Philadelphia to be with her… where's Sophia?" She said frantically "she's here…" Lucy said as she picked Sophia up and passed her over "thank you… for everything, Lucy. Please thank your Mother and tell Jack I'm sorry" she hugged her "you're not telling Jack you're leaving?" Lucy asked "no… it'll be too painful… plus, I need to get the next train… bye Lucy" she gave her a weak smile before leaving and rushing to the train station.
—
She arrived at the station and thankfully there was a train leaving in 15 minutes. She quickly purchased a ticket before boarding, holding Sophia close as she watched the train leave the town she had begun to call home. She began to cry, realising it was likely she would never see Jack again, but it would be worth it to be back with Tilly. Nothing mattered more to her than her daughters.
—
3 hours had passed since Jack had sent Rose home. He decided to go and check on her and was confused to find the house empty.
"Rose?" He called as he walked around downstairs, before noticing the piece of paper on the coffee table. Tears began to fall as he read it.
He rushed upstairs to get Cuddles and Arthur from Tilly's bed, assuming she would want them back, before sprinting to the train station himself.
—
He quickly looked around for Rose but seeing her nowhere. He ran to the desk "the next train to Philadelphia?" He asked, a glimmer of hope in his voice. "Not until tomorrow morning son" the gentleman replied "would you like to buy a ticket?" "Yes please" Jack sighed.
—
After buying a ticket, he went to inform the police officers to call off the search for Tilly before heading home. He sat on to the sofa, defeated, still holding the teddies.
After a while, when he had managed to compose himself, he went to grab a drink from the kitchen, only to begin crying again when he saw the drawing Tilly had done of the 4 of them hanging on the fridge.
"Pull yourself together Jack" he muttered to himself "you'll be back with them in a few days" he tried to convince himself, not sure if it was true or not.