The grand clock in the station's atrium ticked away the seconds, each one echoing through the bustling crowds as Jack and Rose made their way through Boston's South Station. The marble floors shimmered under the light streaming through the high arched windows, reflecting the busy lives of travelers hurrying to and fro. The hum of conversation mixed with the screech of trains pulling into platforms, the scent of coal and steam hanging thick in the air.

Jack strode confidently, his steps purposeful yet unhurried. He was the image of a man at ease, dressed in a tailored wool coat, his cap pushed back casually on his head, revealing strands of hair tousled by the wind. But the most telling feature of all was his grin, wide and unrestrained, as he bent over the stroller, entertaining their son. His voice was a playful lilt, a series of soft coos and gentle nonsense that made the baby gurgle with delight. Jack's eyes sparkled with joy, completely absorbed in his role as a new father, oblivious to the stares that followed them.

Rose, on the other hand, felt every gaze like a needle on her skin. The whispers were just loud enough to reach her ears, fragments of sentences flitting by like gnats.

"There she is, the new Mrs. Dawson…"

"Such a pretty thing, but have you heard…?"

"Can you believe Jack Dawson brought her back from the other side of the country? A bit of a scandal, isn't it?"

Some spoke with a tone of admiration, marveling at her poise and beauty, but others—those were the ones that stung. The nasty rumors of her past, twisted and embellished by those who thrived on gossip.

Rose had to remind herself to keep her chin up, her shoulders back, her steps even. She wore a dress of soft green silk today, a color that brought out the warmth in her hair and the depth in her eyes. The fabric was delicate, the cut impeccable, a testament to the new life she had chosen, but she couldn't shake the unease that came with it. The dress felt like a costume, as if she were playing a part in a play where the audience didn't believe she belonged.

She glanced at Jack again, searching his face for any sign of discomfort, but there was none. He was utterly content, lost in the simple joy of fatherhood. His hand rested on the stroller handle, and when he looked up at her, his expression softened, as if he saw only her and nothing else. There was a warmth in his gaze, a steadfastness that made her heart swell. How could he be so unaffected?

They stepped out of the station and onto the bustling street, the clatter of hooves on cobblestones and the rumble of carriages adding to the cacophony. Rose's fingers twitched at her sides, wanting to clutch the stroller for stability, for some anchor in the storm of public scrutiny, but she resisted. Instead, she clasped her hands in front of her, forcing herself to focus on the man she loved and the life they were building together.

Jack stopped suddenly, turning to face her fully, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a knowing smile. He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle, reassuring.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice low and intimate despite the surrounding noise. "You doing alright?"

Rose forced a smile, nodding. "Yes, just…taking it all in."

Jack looked at her for a moment longer, as if weighing her words. Then he grinned, that easy, boyish grin that had melted her heart from the moment they'd met. "Don't worry about them," he said, jerking his chin toward the passing crowd. "Let them talk. They don't know you. They don't know us."

Rose wanted to believe him, wanted to let go of the anxiety that gnawed at her. She looked down at her son, who was now dozing peacefully, his tiny face serene. She envied him, his innocence, his ignorance of the world's harshness.

"I know you are right. I just…"

"I understand," he smiled gently before kissing the top of her head, "I'll get us a cab and we can go to the apartment, get some rest."

Rose wanted nothing but to lay in bed and take another long sleep. The journey had taken them over a week, with many breaks in between for Timothy to feel at ease, yet without success. Sleeping restless between Jack and Rose, the whole trip had taken quite a toll on his little body. Although the circumstances were far from perfect, in the core, Rose did feel happy and content. As she looked at her ring, the gold shimmering slightly in the autumn light, she realized that, in the end, love always wins. They were a real family now, something she had longed for ever she was a child herself.

"Actually, before we go to the apartment, there is someone I would like to see first."

….

The door to the pub creaked open, the tiny bell above it jingling as Jack held it for Rose to step through. The place was dimly lit, the last rays of afternoon sun filtering through the windows, casting long shadows across the wooden floor.

Rose scanned the room quickly, her heart racing as she saw Julie at the far end, her back turned, wiping down tables with brisk, efficient movements.

"We're closed," Julie said, her tone brisk and businesslike, not bothering to look up from her task.

Rose swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. "I was hoping I still might get a glass of water," she managed, her voice steady but laced with nerves.

Julie froze, the rag in her hand dropping to the table with a dull thud. Slowly, she turned, her eyes wide with disbelief as they landed on Rose. For a moment, neither woman moved, the air thick with the weight of all that had gone unsaid between them.

"I'll be god damned," Julie breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper. Her gaze darted from Rose to Jack, then to the stroller, her confusion evident. She blinked rapidly, as if trying to make sense of the scene before her.

Rose took a tentative step forward, her heart pounding in her chest. "Julie," she said softly, her voice filled with both hope and apology.

Julie's expression shifted, a mixture of emotions playing across her face. Relief and joy at seeing her best friend alive and well after all this time, but also hurt and betrayal for the way Rose had left without a word. And then there was the shock—utter confusion—as she took in the sight of Jack standing beside her, cradling a baby, a man who had once been at the center of so much pain.

Julie's eyes, now dark with pain, flicked back. Her jaw tightened, and she took a step back, bracing herself against the edge of the table she had been cleaning. "You've got some nerve," she said quietly, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Just showing up like this."

Rose felt a stab of guilt, the weight of all the months she had spent thinking of this moment pressing down on her. She had imagined it so many times, but now that it was here, the reality was much harder to face.

"I know," Rose said softly, stepping closer.

"You left," she said, her voice tight. "You left without a word, without even saying goodbye. Do you have any idea what it was like, not knowing if you were dead or alive?"

"I know I should have… I should have told you. But I didn't know how. I didn't even know where I was going myself."

Julie's eyes narrowed, and she folded her arms across her chest, the gesture more defensive than angry. "And what's this?" she asked, nodding towards Jack and the baby. "What's he doing here, with you? The last I heard, he was supposed to marry someone else."

Jack, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, his expression open and earnest. "It's a long story," he said, his voice gentle. "But the short version is… things didn't turn out the way anyone expected. Rose and I, we found each other again."

Julie's gaze darted back to Rose, searching her face for the truth. "You… you really found each other?" she asked, her voice softening slightly, the anger giving way to something more vulnerable. "After everything?"

Rose nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes," she whispered. "We did. And this is our son, Timothy."

The baby cooed softly, reaching out towards Julie, breaking the tension for just a moment. Julie's eyes softened as she looked at the child, the innocence in his gaze cutting through the anger in her heart.

She let out a long breath, the fight leaving her all at once. "I should be furious with you," she said, shaking her head as a small, rueful smile tugged at her lips. "But damn it, Rose, I'm just glad you're safe and sound."

Rose felt a sob of relief escape her, and in an instant, she closed the distance between them, pulling Julie into a tight embrace. "I've missed you so much," she whispered into her friend's shoulder, her tears finally breaking free.

Julie hugged her back, her own eyes glistening. "I missed you too, you reckless fool," she murmured, a laugh in her voice despite everything. Then she looked back at Timothy.

"He does look an awful lot like you, Dawson. Mind if I hold him?"

"Of course not." Jack handed him to Julie.

Julie looked back at them, her eyes sparkling with something more than just the joy of holding a baby. "Tommy's going to be so pleased to see you both," she said, her tone warm. "He's out right now with Lucy, but he'll be back soon."

The mention of Lucy stopped Rose in her tracks. She felt the world tilt slightly as she processed the name, her heart skipping a beat. "Lucy?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Julie nodded, her smile turning wistful as she glanced down at Timothy, still cradled in her arms. "Yes, Lucy. I got her back, Rose. After all these years…" Her voice cracked slightly, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "It took time, and a lot of fighting, but she's home now. My little girl is home."

"Oh, Julie…" Rose's voice faltered as she reached out, her hand finding Julie's arm. "I—I don't know what to say. I'm so happy for you."

"And that's not all. I'm also three months pregnant." Julie let the words hang in the air, watching as Rose's mouth dropped open in shock.

"Pregnant?" Rose then managed, her eyes wide.

Julie laughed softly, nodding as she glanced down at her still-flat stomach. "I know, it's a lot to take in. But it's true. That Irish bastard has managed to sweep me off my feet in a way I never expected. I've fallen quite in love with him, Rose. I didn't think it was possible after everything, but here we are. Now let's get you all something to drink and you have to tell me every detail of what happened this past year."

It did not take long for Tommy to arrive back home. The sun had already dipped beneath the horizon as the party moved upstairs towards the little apartment above the pub. Their reunion was sweet and gentle, the sense of two siblings reuniting after years apart. Lucy's dark curls moved around the room, her attention fixated on the baby now wiggling in his mother's arms.

"Can I play with him?"

"He would love that, Lucy."

Meanwhile, Rose and Julie moved to the kitchen, where Julie began to prepare a simple meal. Rose offered to help, but Julie waved her off with a chuckle. "You're a guest tonight, Rose. Just keep me company."

Rose leaned against the counter, watching as Julie moved about the kitchen with practiced ease. The light from the stove cast a warm glow on Julie's face, highlighting the contentment in her expression. As they worked together, Rose glanced out into the main room, her gaze landing on Jack, who was animatedly telling a story to Tommy, his hands gesturing wildly as he spoke. Timothy, now seated in Lucy's lap, was listening with wide eyes, as if he understood every word.

Julie followed Rose's gaze and then chuckled softly, her voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and joy. "Who would have thought," she murmured, shaking her head slightly, "both of us, married with children."

Rose nodded, her breath catching slightly as she took in the scene before her. "Yes," she breathed, the word carrying all the emotion she felt in that moment. Her eyes softened as they rested on Jack, who caught her gaze and smiled, his eyes filled with the same deep love and admiration she felt for him. In that instant, it was as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them, their connection stronger than ever.

Julie noticed the look in Rose's eyes, the way her entire being seemed to radiate love and contentment. It was a side of Rose she had never fully seen before—a side that was at peace, despite everything they had both been through. "I can see it now," Julie said quietly, her voice filled with understanding. "Why you love him."

Rose could only smile and nod her head.

"Are you planning on staying here? In Boston I mean."

"I don't think so," Rose admitted, "Despite the good things in this city, it still holds a lot of pain. I really want a fresh start. But I promise you, I won't disappear out of nowhere again."

The walk back to Jack's apartment was quiet, the evening air cool against their skin as they strolled through the dimly lit streets of Boston. The weight of the day's emotions hung in the air between them, a mixture of joy, nostalgia, and something else—something darker, unspoken but felt deeply by both. When they finally arrived, Rose couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity mingled with unease. The apartment still carried the unmistakable marks of Jack's life before everything had changed. The walls were adorned with sketches, some of her, some of places she didn't recognize.

They put Timothy to bed first, the little boy already dozing off as Rose gently laid him in the middle of the grand bed. Once they were settled into bed themselves, the room dimmed by the soft glow of a single candle, they lay side by side, neither speaking at first. The silence was heavy, filled with thoughts and memories that neither could bring themselves to voice just yet.

Jack turned onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked at Rose. Her eyes were closed, her breathing even, but he could tell by the slight tension in her face that she was still awake.

"Rose," he whispered, careful not to wake Timothy. "Are you asleep?"

She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze in the dim light. "No," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just… thinking."

Jack studied her face for a moment, his expression gentle but serious. "I've been thinking too," he said, his tone steady, though there was an undercurrent of uncertainty. "About what comes next."

Rose waited, her heart tightening slightly.

Jack took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "I think it will take at least a week before I have everything settled. The paperwork and all."

"Take as long as you need, Jack."

"Not to forget the fact that I have to face my family."

Rose's heart ached as she saw the flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. ""What about your grandmother?" she whispered.

Jack nodded, his expression softening. "She's the only one I missed, Rose. The only one who truly cared about me, who saw me for who I am, not just what I could be. I want to see her again, to say goodbye properly."

Rose's eyes welled up with emotion as she nodded. "I want to see her too," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "She was always kind to me. She deserves to know that we're all right, that we're… happy."

"She already knows that." He chuckled, "I called her when we were about to leave, for she might have gotten a heart attack if we suddenly showed up."

"She knows we are coming?"

"I believe she is expecting to see us any day now."

….

As they approached the drawing room, the soft murmur of voices reached their ears. Jack's steps faltered for a moment, and Rose felt a flicker of unease pass between them. They had expected to see his grandmother alone, but now it was clear they were not the only ones visiting today.

When they reached the doorway, Rose's grip on Jack's hand tightened instinctively. Standing in the middle of the lavish room, surrounded by ornate furniture and heavy drapes, were not only Jack's beloved grandmother but also his mother and sister, Cecilia. The conversation halted abruptly as all eyes turned toward the door.

The room seemed to freeze in that moment, a palpable tension hanging in the air. Jack's mother and sister stared at them, their faces drained of color, as though they had just seen a ghost. Rose could feel their shock and disbelief like a physical force, making her heart pound in her chest. She could only imagine what was running through their minds—Jack, the prodigal son, returning with a wife and child they had never met, a woman who had never been part of their carefully curated world.

But before anyone could speak, the silence was broken by a joyful cry from Mrs. Dawson, the elderly matriarch of the family. "Jack! My dear boy!" Her voice was filled with genuine delight as she rose from her chair, her frail frame moving with surprising energy as she crossed the room to embrace him. "I had hoped you would come back to us."

Jack returned his grandmother's embrace warmly, a smile of relief breaking across his face. "I've missed you, Gran," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "It's good to be home."

As Mrs. Dawson pulled away, her attention turned to Rose and Timothy. "Oh my dear girl, how good it is to see you again as well. And this little one—" She leaned in to look at Timothy, who was blinking up at her with wide, curious eyes. "Such a handsome boy. You've given me another great-grandchild, Jack. I couldn't be happier."

Yet, the warm reception they had received from the matriarch was not mirrored in the expressions of the other two women in the room. Jack's mother now dared to face them, first her son, before she locked eyes with Rose. She kept looking, her expression blank until there finally fell words from her lips.

"Well, you have a lot of nerve."