My goodness, I have been so slow with uploading lately... My apologies! I must admit that I barely had any inspiration for the upcoming chapter, but luckily I managed to write something down for you all. I hope you'll enjoy it and not get bored of this story...

Chapter 28

Happy New Year

There, sitting on his couch, was Claudette. Jack froze, his mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, confusion, and hurt all battled for dominance within him.

"Jack," Claudette said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation.

Rose fell quiet beside him, sensing the tension in the air, silently observing the interaction between the two.

"Why are you still here?" Jack demanded, his voice strained with barely contained anger.

Claudette glanced nervously at Elise before meeting Jack's gaze. "I... I have nowhere else to go," she admitted, her voice wavering slightly. "I don't have any money, Jack. You promised me a future, you brought me here from France..."

Jack's jaw tightened as he fought to keep his temper in check. He knew she was right. He had promised her a future, had convinced her to leave everything behind and come to America with him. But Claudette had lied to him, betrayed his trust in the worst possible way.

"You lied to me, Claudette," Jack said, his voice low and dangerous.

In the meantime, Rose remained standing by the door, her grip tightening around the handle of her suitcase. She watched the scene unfold before her, a cocktail of emotions swirling within her chest. Jack stood now opposite Claudette, tension crackling in the air between them.

Part of her wanted to burst into the room, to confront Claudette for the letter she had hidden from Jack, a letter that could have changed everything. But as she observed Claudette's expression, she hesitated. There was a vulnerability in her eyes, a sadness that mirrored her own former pain in many ways.

The room seemed to shrink around them as Jack's voice spat in frustration. Claudette's defences were swift, her words sharp as she defended her actions, explaining the fear that had gripped her when she received Rose's letter addressed to Jack.

Rose stepped back, her resolve faltering. She couldn't deny the hurt and anger coursing through her veins, but there was something else too, something softer. She saw the pain etched into Claudette's features, the desperation in her attempts to make Jack understand.

Slowly, Rose released her grip on the suitcase, letting it fall to the ground with a soft thud. She shed her coat and draped it over the nearby chair, her movements deliberate as she made her presence known without intruding on their exchange.

Claudette's eyes filled with tears as she looked down at her hands, unable to meet Jack's accusing gaze. "I'm sorry, Jack," she whispered. "I never meant to hurt you. I just... I didn't know what else to do."

Finally, after a long moment of tense silence, Jack sighed heavily. "You can stay here tonight," he said quietly, his voice tinged with resignation. "But tomorrow, you need to find somewhere else to go. I can't keep taking care of you, Claudette. Not after everything that's happened."

Claudette nodded, her shoulders slumping with relief. "Thank you, Jack," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of Jack's heart.

….

The air in Jack's bedroom felt heavy with unspoken words as he and Rose settled themselves in for the night. Rose busied herself with unpacking her suitcase, the silence between them tinged with a sense of unease. Jack's gaze lingered on her, his mind still grappling with the encounter they had just had with Claudette.

"I'm sorry about all of this," Jack murmured, his voice thick with embarrassment. "I never expected her to show up like that."

Rose glanced up from her task, meeting Jack's troubled gaze with understanding. "It's not your fault, Jack," she reassured him softly. "You couldn't have known she'd be here."

Jack exhaled slowly, relief washing over him at her words. He reached out to her, his hand finding hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you," he whispered, gratitude lacing his voice.

As Rose then crawled into bed beside him, Jack couldn't shake the lingering weight of guilt that hung over him. "You know," he began tentatively, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "Claudette isn't a bad person. She's just…" as guilt crept within him, he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Why did you do it, Jack?" Rose asked softly, "Why did you want to marry her?"

Jack's breath caught in his throat, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he wrestled with his memories. "It's complicated, Rose," he murmured, his gaze distant as he delved into the past. "I met Claudette back in 1912, when I was staying in Paris."

He paused, his voice faltering as he recalled the woman who had once captured his heart. "She was working as a prostitute back then," he continued quietly, his words heavy with regret. "But she met a soldier during the war, and they fell in love. She got pregnant with his child."

Jack's eyes flickered with pain as he recounted the hardships Claudette had faced. "But the soldier died," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Leaving Claudette alone with Elise. She had to resort to working as a prostitute again just to make ends meet."

Rose listened in silence, her heart aching for the woman whose life had also been marked by such tragedy and hardship. The woman She had despised. "I couldn't bear to see her suffer," Jack confessed, his voice filled with sorrow. "I felt nothing but pity for her and Elise. And when I saw the way they lived, I wanted to give them a better life."

He reached out to take Rose's hand in his, his touch a silent plea for understanding. "I know it might sound selfish, Rose," he murmured, his gaze searching hers for absolution. "But I also wanted to fill the void left by you and Henry. I thought I could offer Claudette and Elise a chance at happiness."

Rose's heart swelled with empathy for the man beside her, his kindness and compassion shining through even in his darkest moments. "You have a good heart, Jack," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

"Not in the way I just spoke to her." Jack sighed, "First thing I am going to do tomorrow is apologize for my behavior."

"Is there anything we can do to help her?" Rose asked, but Jack shook his shoulders. He wanted to have a clear answer, yet he was clueless on what to do to help the woman and her child. Another moment of silence echoed through the room.

After a moment, Rose shifted slightly, her hand reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair from Jack's forehead. Her heart swelled with emotion as she gazed into his eyes, the depth of their connection stirring something powerful within her.

Leaning in close, she pressed her lips against his, a tender kiss filled with all the love and longing she felt for him. In that fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as the world fell away, leaving only the two of them lost in the sweetness of their embrace.

Pulling back slightly, Rose met Jack's gaze with unwavering intensity. "I love you, Jack," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath as she laid bare her heart before him.

Jack's eyes sparkled with joy and affection, his smile radiant as he returned her declaration with equal fervor. "I love you too, Rose," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth and adoration.

With Jack's words roaming around her head and warming her heart, it still felt impossible for Rose to catch any sleep. Hours later, as the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Rose stirred more awake than she already was. Her gaze drifted fondly over Jack's peaceful form beside her. He was still lost in slumber, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with each breath. She leaned in quietly, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of his head before slipping out of bed.

With gentle steps, Rose made her way through the apartment, careful not to disturb Jack. She dressed silently, the cool morning air of Los Angeles creeping in through the windows. There was a sense of purpose in her movements as she prepared to start her day.

The streets were quiet as Rose walked, the city still half-asleep under the fading stars. She navigated the familiar paths to Mrs. Taylor's house. The scent of breakfast greeted her as she entered, finding Cora already seated at the table, a steaming cup of coffee in hand.

"You're all alone?" Rose asked Cora as she joined her at the table.

Cora nodded her head. "Laurie and Mrs. Taylor are already out to run some errands for New Years. Do you want some coffee?"

"Yes please." Rose smiled softly as she watched Cora pour the hot liquid in a delicate cup.

Cora's brow then furrowed in concern. "Everything okay?"

Taking a sip of her coffee, Rose sighed softly. "Yeah, just... thinking about things. Like your plans for school."

Cora perked up at the mention of school, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "Oh, right! I'll be graduating in three months. Can't believe it's finally happening."

"That's wonderful, Cora," Rose replied, genuinely pleased for her cousin's achievement. But beneath her congratulations, there was a weightiness to her tone, a burden she couldn't shake.

Cora noticed the shift in Rose's demeanor, her expression growing more earnest. "What's really on your mind, Rose? You seem... troubled."

Rose hesitated, swirling her coffee in her cup before meeting Cora's gaze. "It's Claudette and Elise."

Cora's brow furrowed in confusion. "Claudette? The woman Jack was about to marry?"

Rose nodded, her gaze distant. "Yes. I can't stop thinking about them. They have nothing, Cora. No place to go, no one to turn to."

Cora's eyes widened with surprise, then narrowed with frustration. "But Rose, Claudette is... she's not a good person. Remember what she did with your letter to Jack? She purposely hid it from him. Can you really trust someone like that?"

Rose sighed, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her conflicted emotions. "I know, I know. But still... I can't shake this feeling that I need to help them. Maybe... maybe I could let them stay in our house back in San Francisco."

Cora's frustration mounted, her voice edged with disbelief. "Rose, you can't be serious. Living with Claudette? After everything she's done?"

Rose's gaze dropped, her hands fidgeting with her coffee cup. "I know it sounds crazy, but... I just can't shake this guilt, Cora. They have nowhere else to go."

Standing up, Cora marched through the room, shaking her head in disbelief. "And what does Jack say about all of this?"

"Nothing. He doesn't know it yet."

"Great."

"Cora," Rose spoke in an almost begging manner, "I know it's not convenient, but the house is empty anyway. You were supposed to stay and study here, weren't you?"

"Yes, but I still have to go back to make my exams. And then to have two strange people in my house isn't quite nice now is it?"

"I know," Rose whispered as she scratched the back of of her head.

But eventually, after a long and heartfelt discussion, Cora relented. "Fine," she conceded, her tone softening. "If it means that much to you, we'll help them. But we need to set some ground rules, Rose. And Claudette needs to know that this is a temporary arrangement."

Placing a warm and gentle kiss onto Cora's cheek, Rose headed back with a satisfied heart. The door to Jack's apartment creaked softly as Rose pushed it open, stepping into the living room. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Claudette kneeling on the floor, packing up a suitcase with hurried movements. Elise sat nearby, watching her mother with wide, anxious eyes.

"Hello, Claudette," Rose said softly, her voice breaking the tense silence that hung in the air. "Is everything alright? Where's Jack?"

Claudette glanced up briefly, her expression tense, before returning her attention to the task at hand. "Jack took Elise out for a walk," she muttered, her voice clipped with agitation.

Rose hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then, with a small sigh, she crossed the room and sat down on the couch, watching Claudette silently. "Can I help with anything?" she asked after a moment, her voice gentle.

Claudette glanced up briefly, her expression guarded, before returning her attention to the task at hand, ignoring Rose's offer of assistance. Rose sighed softly and sank down onto the couch, watching Claudette with a mixture of sympathy and concern.

"It's a difficult situation, isn't it?" Rose ventured after a moment, her voice quiet but filled with empathy. "I understand what it's like to have nothing and to take care of a child."

Claudette froze momentarily, her hands stilling as she glanced over at Rose, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You do?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Rose nodded slowly, her gaze steady as she met Claudette's gaze. "After our parents died, I had to take care of my cousin, Cora," she explained softly. "It wasn't easy, but we managed. We found a way to survive."

There was a moment of silence as Claudette processed Rose's words, her expression softening slightly as she realized that Rose truly understood the struggles she was facing. "I'm sorry, Rose," she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. "I didn't realize..."

"It's okay," Rose reassured her, offering her a small, understanding smile. "We all have our struggles. But we can help each other through them."

Claudette hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, before finally nodding slowly. "Thank you, Rose," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Rose smiled warmly at her, her heart swelling with compassion. "Would you like to stay at my home in San Francisco for the meantime?" she offered, her tone gentle but sincere. "I'll… I'll be moving out soon anyway, and it's the least I can do to help."

Claudette's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. "That's... that's ridiculous," she scoffed, shaking her head. "I couldn't possibly impose on you like that."

But Rose was undeterred, her expression earnest as she met Claudette's gaze. "It's not an imposition, Claudette," she insisted. "I want to help. Please, consider it."

Claudette hesitated, her gaze flickering between Rose and the half-packed suitcase at her feet. Finally, she sighed heavily and nodded. "Thank you, Rose," she said quietly, her voice tinged with gratitude. "That... that would mean a lot to us."

Rose smiled gently, a sense of relief washing over her. "Of course," she replied, "And please get your best dress out off your suitcase. We have a new year's party we need to attend tomorrow."

….

The air was alive with excitement and anticipation as Jack and Rose arrived at Mrs. Taylor's New Year's Eve party. They stepped into the elegant ballroom, greeted by the sound of lively jazz music and the chatter of the guests. Rose's heart swelled with warmth as friends and acquaintances approached them, offering their congratulations on their recent engagement.

Jack smiled proudly at Rose as they mingled with the crowd, his hand resting comfortably in hers. She felt a surge of love wash over her, overwhelming her senses. How had she gotten so lucky? After all they had been through, after the tragedy of the Titanic sinking, she had found Jack again, against all odds. It felt like nothing short of a miracle.

As she glanced across the room, her gaze fell on Cora, standing beside Lauren. A smile tugged at Rose's lips as she watched the child she had taken care of, now a grown woman, chatting animatedly with the man she also cared deeply for. Cora had been through so much in her young life, yet she had emerged stronger and more resilient than ever. Rose felt nothing but pride for the woman she had become.

Lost in her thoughts, Rose barely noticed when Jack took her hand and led her into the other room. The atmosphere was electric as the guests gathered around the large clock, ready to count down the final moments of the year. Rose's heart beat rapidly in her chest as she stood beside Jack, anticipation building with each passing second.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!" The crowd shouted in unison, their voices rising with excitement.

Rose squeezed Jack's hand tightly as they joined in, their voices blending with the chorus of others around them. In that moment, surrounded by friends and loved ones, Rose felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Despite the hardships they had faced, they had come through it all together, stronger than ever.

"Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!" The room erupted into cheers and applause as the clock struck midnight, signaling the beginning of a new year. Jack pulled Rose into his arms, his lips finding hers in a tender kiss. Fireworks exploded in the sky outside, casting a magical glow over the scene below.

As the celebrations continued into the night, Rose danced with Jack, their laughter mingling with the music as they twirled around the ballroom floor. And as she looked into his eyes, she knew that their love would only continue to grow stronger with each passing day.