Chapter 1
Never Let Go
Rose lay cold and stiff on the piece of wood as she gazed into the brilliant night sky above her. The stars shone down on her as she thought about the past few days that had change her life forever. It had only been mere hours since she had made up her mind that Jack was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. "When the ship docks, I'm getting off with you". These bittersweet words seemed to ring throughout her head like church bells on a Sunday morning.
Her senses had been violently thrown around. She couldn't tell you which way was up and what was real and what was not. Everything seemed surreal to her. Everything is going to be all right. The boats will come back for us and Jack and I will be safe and warm…and… "Is anyone alive out there?"
A brief and struggling grin spread across Rose's face as she thought just how far into insanity she must be falling. Great…now I'm hearing voices. I guess I'd better just except the fact that… "Can anyone hear me?" Rose struggled to turn her head as a faint light shone over her face. Wait a minute…it can't be…it is…it really is! The voices continued to call out their desperate pleas. She could barely make out the silhouette of some men rowing away in a lifeboat. This was it- they would live after all. She had given Jack every bit of trust that lie in her and she knew that she had been right to do so.
Rose gathered up all of her strength to turn around and face Jack. A pang of guilt and concern spread throughout her heart as she looked at his motionless body, the freezing water gently lapping against his shoulders. Her voice was hoarse and only in a whisper as she spoke his name, willing him to open his eyes and smile his beautiful smile at her once more. There was no answer. This can't be happening- not to me… not to Jack…not to us. She tried once more, shaking his clutching hand. It was then that reality finally hit. She looked around at her surroundings as a tear gently rolled down her paled cheek. The other nameless faces in the water, so grim and lifeless like Jack's, seemed so peaceful…like they had gently fallen asleep. Another tear fell as she looked back down at him, his sweet and sleeping face resting gently on their joined hands.
Oh Jack…please wake up. My life's not worth living without you She laid her head back down, contemplating whether to end everything right here with Jack or to somehow muster enough courage to get up and live a life without him. "You must promise me Rose…no matter how hopeless…" Her eyes fluttered open as she reluctantly knew the answer. Gently, as if saying a final goodbye, Rose pulled her frozen hand away from Jack's. I can't do it Jack…I'm sorry…I just can't do it.
Rose frantically glanced around her, her eyes falling on an officer with a whistle dangling from his lifeless lips. Preparing herself for the coldness that would engulf her body, Rose slid off of the board clumsily falling into the icy water. Dragging Jack's body behind her, she swam to the deceased officer. She picked up the whistle and blew with all her might. To her surprise, she heard a crewman from the boat yell out as the lifeboat slowly came to their rescue.
They pulled her and Jack aboard, immediately rapping her in layers of blankets. One of the officers looked at Jack's lifeless body and a look of complete sadness took over his face. He looked at Rose's shivering body as she cuddled into her blankets. As he looked back at Jack, his eyes narrowed slightly and he bent over to Jack's side. He put his hand on Jack's neck and after a few seconds he jumped back in shock. "Holy Jesus…this man is alive. I can feel his pulse! He's not lost after all." The man shouted in disbelief. Another crewmember rushed to his side to witness what was happening. "Oh God, he must be unconscious…" He muttered under his breath. "Hey Will, fetch me those blankets will you? Jesus…"
All of the commotion had brought Rose out of her trance. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she sat up. A newfound joy seemed to run throughout her body and warm her despite the freezing conditions. She gently held Jack's hand as she patiently waited by his side. His hand was cold at first, but she could feel the warmth and life coming back as she held it. One of his fingers moved slightly and it made Rose's heart stop. Even though his eyes were still in a peaceful sleep and his body was limp, she bent down to kiss his forehead. There was hope after all.
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