World War One

Complete

FOURTY - COMPLETE

July 1922

Now 18, Grace sat in the hall along with fellow pupils. Looking around, she spotted Jack and Rose sat with the twins - who were now 11, and Archie sat on Jack's knee. "There's Grace!" Harry grinned, pointing her out and waving, getting a small wave back from Grace.

Poppy and Harry began to talk amongst themselves whilst waiting for the ceremony to begin whilst Archie rested against Jack. "Can you believe our little girl is actually graduating?" Jack smiled at Rose "absolutely not" she chuckled in response. As he went to respond, the ceremony started, they sat quietly, clapping each time a pupils name was called out. "Grace Dawson-Smith" the man read out, causing a huge 'woop!' from Jack and Harry whilst Poppy and Rose clapped loudly.

—

After the ceremony, Jack, Rose, the twins and Archie waited outside for Grace, who joined them shortly after saying goodbye to her friends "here she is!" Jack grinned and hugged Grace "congratulations!" "Thanks Dad" she smiled and hugged Rose before Archie held her arms out to her "Gracie!" He reached over, Grace took him from Rose and kissed his head, before leaning down and kissing the twins heads. "Come on, let's go get some food" Jack smiled and the 6 of them left for the restaurant.

—

Sitting at the table, they spoke about the day "who'd have thought, hey?" "What?" Grace looked confused "that the sassy 13 year old that moved in 5 years ago would still be with us, graduating!" Jack grinned "never an ounce of doubt" Rose smiled "I know something though, I definitely wouldn't be doing this well if you hadn't taken us in... thank you" Grace smiled gratefully "it'll be the twins next" she smiled proudly and looked at Harry and Poppy "oh god, don't make us feel old!" Rose joked

"But really, getting to be yours, Harry and Poppy's parents has been the honour of a life time. We know it wasn't an easy start, but it was all worth it... we love you all more than anything" Rose stroked her hand "we love you too" Grace, Harry and Poppy said in unison, making their parents laugh.

"So, what are your plans now, Grace? Now you're a woman in the big wide world?" Jack asked "goodness Jack, you make it sound like we're kicking her out and she's on her own now!" Rose said "no... no... sorry Grace, I didn't mean it like that... you can live with us forever if you want! I just meant what are your thoughts?" he said apologetically "I know what you meant" she laughed "well, I don't have to rush to find a suiter right away, do I?" She gave a grim look "no! You never do if you don't want to! That's your decision" Rose said firmly "still, no one will ever be good enough for my little girl" Jack joked, causing Rose to roll her eyes "well... after all the stories Dad's told me... I think I want to go travelling" Grace said nervously "then that's what you will do" Rose nodded and smiled, Grace relaxed, knowing that she had their blessing.

—

20 years later

Grace was now 38, she'd travelled the world and seen all she wanted, meeting a young man - Luke - along the way. They fell head over heels for one another before moving to Chippewa Falls to get married and had 3 children. She vowed to give her children the family and stability she didn't have for the first 13 years of her life, wanting her and Luke to be the next Jack and Rose you could say, loving her husband and children and giving them everything Jack and Rose had given her.

Harry went on to be a Doctor, also remaining in Chippewa Falls. He hadn't found anyone yet. Sure, he'd had a few girlfriends here and there, but wanted to focus on his career a little longer before settling down. He was happy, and as Jack described 'the free spirit of the children' he remained incredibly close to his parents, seeing them almost daily and teaching Archie the way of the world. He spent a lot of his free time with Jack, drawing. He'd sure picked up on the skill from all the time Jack had spent with him when he was younger, teaching him.

Poppy moved to Boston a few years after graduating. She left to go and pursue a career in fashion, something she had always been interested in. She had a husband she loved dearly and 2 small children herself. Just as Grace was, Poppy was also ensuring her children had everything she didn't when it came to her start in life. She kept in almost daily contact with Jack and Rose, along with an incredibly close relationship with her siblings; they'd been through far too much together to ever let them drift from one another.

Archie was training to be a lawyer, but spent a lot of his free time with Harry and Jack, drawing too. It was something the 3 of them loved to do together. He had a lovely girlfriend who the whole family got along with, and had a plan to propose once his career was a little more settled.

Whilst Grace, Harry and Poppy almost never spoke about Lucy - in fact, they'd almost forgetting about her, they did speak of their other Dad fondly, something Jack and Rose encouraged.

As for Jack and Rose? They continued to grow old together - living a much more drama free life now, rid of the fear of Cal and comfortable knowing that their children were happy and thriving, and they absolutely LOVED spoiling their grandchildren, more than their own children some may say...

I know this probably isn't the best ending, but I didn't want it to become repetitive. Thank you SO much to everyone who's read and stuck with it. I really appreciate it! Love you all xx