World War One

Goodbyes

TWENTY TWO - 'GOODBYES'

SUNDAY

Jack and Rose were in the twins rooms, packing up their stuff so they could all enjoy their last day together without having to pack or stress. The twins came in from playing outside and sat on their beds "are you OK?" Jack asked, they nodded "can you read us a story?" Harry asked "of course... give us 2 minutes to put this away" Jack smiled gently, putting their bags in the wardrobe, not wanting the luggage to upset them.

"Rose?" Harry said quietly "yes darling?" She looked at him "are we allowed to take our toys back to New York? Or do we have to leave them here?" "Of course you can take them back to New York! They're yours!" "We haven't had any toys since Daddy was alive... thank you" Harry said. She smiled sympathetically and kissed his head "now, what book would the two of you like?" "Can we have this one?" Poppy said picking one up "is that OK with you Harry?" Rose asked, to which he nodded. "Can we go and read it on your bed? There's more room" Poppy asked "of course... come on" she walked in to hers and Jacks room as Jack and the twins followed.

SUNDAY NIGHT

It was around 11pm when Jack and Rose headed to bed. Jack opened the twins bedroom to check they were asleep - as they did every night. "They're not there" Jack said to Rose, who was in their room. Rose sighed, knowing exactly where they'd be. She rubbed Jack's arm and walked past him, creeping to Grace's room. She opened the door and saw the 3 of them asleep in Grace's bed "they've not slept with Grace for ages" Jack said "they're probably just trying to get back to what they know they're going back to..." Rose whispered and lifted up Harry's teddy that had ended up on the floor and put it beside him, before quietly walking out.

—

Jack and Rose fell asleep fairly quickly once in bed, it had been a long few days and they were warn out physically. They were also warn out mentally, knowing that they would soon be saying goodbye to the children.

—

3am Monday Morning

Rose groaned as she opened her eyes, noticing Jack getting out of bed "what's that noise?" Rose asked, referring to an aggressive banging that sounded like it was coming from downstairs "it's someone at the door I think... stay here" he said "no, I'm coming with you" Rose said, getting out of bed quickly and wrapping a dressing gown over her pyjamas "stay behind me then" Rose nodded and they walked on to the landing where Grace was "Grace, go back to bed darling" Rose whispered, not wanting to wake the twins, who were somehow sleeping through all the noise. Grace turned around, pretending to go back to her room.

Jack and Rose got to the front door, Jack reminding Rose to stay behind him "hello?" he opened the door and frowned confused at the woman stood in front of him "hello, I'm Lucy, I'm here to collect my children" "I'm sorry?" Rose raised an eyebrow and moved from behind Jack to beside him "Grace... Harry... Poppy... you know, my children" the woman looked at her like she was stupid "Mum?" Grace said confused as she walked downstairs "Hello Grace, can you go and get your stuff and the twins?" "Sorry Miss, but it's 3 o'clock in the morning. Grace isn't getting her stuff and the 3 of them aren't going anywhere at this time of night. Come back tomorrow and we'll talk about it further" Jack said "No" Lucy said, raising her voice "they're my children, and I am taking them now" "Grace?" Poppy said, rubbing her eyes from the top of the stairs, her other hand holding on to Harry's "why is everyone shouting" "go back to bed you two, I'll be back soon" Grace smiled gently, hoping they were too sleepy to realise their mum was there "Harry? Poppy?" Lucy said, making Rose sigh. The twins came down stairs and stood behind Grace. Poppy looked terrified, but Harry showed no emotion "come here!" Lucy smiled at them, pushing past Jack to get in to the hallway, opening her arms out for the twins, but neither moved.