18th April, 1912
4pm
Rose and Lily were in the cabin, as Rose made up a story for her whilst they waited for Jack to return.
"Hey" Rose smiled as he walked back in "did you speak to someone?" She asked "yeah… Lily, will you draw me a picture of the 3 of us?" Jack said as he handed Lily a piece of paper and a pencil then nodded for Rose to follow him away from Lily.
"We're due in to New York around 8pm, crew are going to let everyone know when we're around an hour away so people can begin to get on the deck ready to leave. I checked the final survivors list… Cal isn't on there" he said, waiting for Rose's reaction, but she didn't really give one. "My Mother?" She asked. Jack nodded "she's on there… would you like to find her?" He offered "no" Rose replied quickly. "She's alive, that's all I needed to know… carry on…" Jack looked at her unsure but continued. "I collected the money they were giving out to survivors, so we have a little more than I thought" he said "what happens when we arrive?" She asked Jack. "They've arranged a hotel for Titanic passengers to go to when the ship docks, but if you want to avoid your mother it's probably best that we get a bed and breakfast… we could see if there's one by the train station then head there in the morning and be on our way to Chippewa Falls?" He suggested. She nodded eagerly "yes, I think that's for the best" she replied.
"What are you talking about?" Lily piped up from the corner "we're just talking about when we get off the ship" Jack smiled at her "we're going to go and find somewhere to stay tonight and then tomorrow we're going to get on the train I told you about, OK?" He smiled. Lily nodded "OK" Rose smiled at her from across the room. She felt so guilty for being grateful that Cal hadn't made it, but she knew being with Jack and Lily would be so much easier without the worry of him showing up.
—
7pm
"Right, are you both ready?" Jack asked as he put on his donated coat and looked at Rose and Lily who were sat on the bed "yes" Rose smiled and stood up, followed by Lily. "Let's go" Jack smiled as he held the door open for Rose, holding Lily's hand with his spare hand.
They made it up to the deck ready to disembark the ship. Between Titanic survivors and Carpathia passengers the deck was full of people, so Jack lifted Lily up to carry her and held Rose's hand tightly "don't let go of my hand" he said to her. She nodded in response "I won't". Jack battled the crowds and after around 45 minutes they made it off the ship.
They stood on the pavement, the 3 of them looking around, unsure where to go. The hotel for the Titanic passengers was clearly marked, but nothing else was.
"There…" Jack pointed at a sign that indicated the way to the station "come on" he said as he led the way.
—
The walk towards the station was about an hour and it was reaching 10pm, Lily was almost asleep with her head resting on Jack's shoulder and Rose was also becoming tired, so both she and Jack were grateful when they finally saw an inn a few minutes away from the station. "You've still got your engagement ring on, haven't you?" Jack asked. Rose nodded, looking down at the hideous thing "yes" she said. "Keep it on, if anyone asks, we're engaged. I don't think anywhere will let us stay if they know we're not" Jack said and Rose nodded, knowing he was right.
He held the door open for Rose as he still had hold of Lily who was now fast asleep.
"Good evening" the young lady at the desk said "hello" Jack smiled "I was just wondering if you had a room available please? There's 3 of us" he said. "Sorry, I hate asking this question, but it's my Mothers rules" the young girl rolled her eyes "are you married?" "Engaged… we met a few months ago" Jack smiled weakly, hating the fact he was lying "how long would you like to stay?" She asked "just until tomorrow if possible please?" He replied "that's fine, my mother is out of town until Saturday so what she doesn't know and all that…" the young woman said. "You're checking in rather late?" She frowned confused "did you get caught up in all the crowds from the Carpathia? I can imagine it's carnage up there right now, with all those poor Titanic passengers getting off too…" the woman said sadly "you could say that… we were on the Titanic, so I'm sure you can imagine, we're exhausted" he smiled weakly, in hopes it would speed up the process of the young girl handing the keys over.
—
Once the 3 of them were in the room Jack spoke quietly "how do you want to do the sleeping arrangements?" He said as he looked at the double bed and single bed in front of him. "Me and you in the double and Lily in the single?" Rose said, as though it was obvious "or would Lily prefer to be in with you?" She said but Jack shook his head "she won't mind, as long as she knows where I am" he smiled gently and carefully lay Lily down on the single bed and removed her coat before tucking her in, putting Lucky (her teddy bear) beside her. "How on earth did that bear make it off the Titanic and to New York" he chuckled, making Rose laugh "I don't know, but thank goodness it did… I'm just going to get changed" she said as she headed to the bathroom with the pyjamas she had been given as they left the Carpathia. Jack nodded as he she left.
—
She returned a few moment later "bathroom's free" she said quietly and smiled as he thanked her and headed to the bathroom.
"Daddy?" Lily groaned and rubbed her eyes. "It's Rose, darling. Daddy's just in the bathroom" Rose said as she knelt down at the side of Lily's bed "try and go back to sleep" she whispered as she stroked Lily's hair. Lily smiled sleepily and faintly at Rose as her eyes began to close again, but Rose kept stroking her hair for comfort, before resting her head on the side of Lily's bed and unintentionally falling asleep.
Jack came out of the bathroom a few minutes later and chuckled to himself as he realised Rose was asleep. He carefully lifted her up and lay her in bed before going back over to Lily to kiss her goodnight before climbing in to bed beside Rose and kissing her head. "I love you…" Rose said sleepily as Jack accidentally woke her up "I love you too…" he smiled back and held her close.