Making It Count (Titanic Rose Fanfiction) part 2

Chapter 11

George's pov

The next few weeks Rose continued to work and I took care of Josephine. She is everything like Jack and Rose. Smart, beautiful, artistic, funny, full of life and loves adventures. And today she is turning five years old.

Me and Rose decided to throw a party for her. I began to bake a cake with her while Rose was out shopping for supplies.

***

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to Josephine. Happy birthday to you. Hip hip. Hooray. Hip hip. Hoooray!", me and Rose sung to her. She then blew out her five candles, "yayyyyyyy", we cheered and clapped for her. "Happy birthday darling", Rose kissed and cuddled her daughter, "Now for you presents then cake", Rose said the order of things for her.

"Yayyyyyyy", Josie jumped for joy. She then grabbed and opened her first one, "oh wow! And who's that from", Rose asked.

"You mummy", Josephine cheekily responded rubbing her face into Rose chest.

"Right now for papa George's", she grabbed mine and opened it up with joy that lit up her face.

"Thank papa George thank you thank you!", she jumped out of Rose lap and ran straight to cuddle me.

"Go ahead. Open it. There's more to it than that", she ripped it open even more to see a new set of pencils, as well as a few of Jacks old sketches, and a photo of him and the family. As well as a new portfolio for her that I bought. "You like it", she stopped and stared at all the stuff closely.

"I LOVE IT!", her arms flew around my neck. Giving me a peck on the lips, "look what papa George got me mummy", she showed Rose.

"How about you put your presents in your room", Rose told her. She then ran away happily smiling.

Johns pov

I don't know where Rose lives but going to George's boat was the next best thing. I bought her a bouquet of red Roses. To show my feelings that I have for her. I then boarded the boat only to hear voices.

"Happy birthday to Josephine. Happy birthday to you! Hip hip Horay! Yayyyyyyy", they all celebrated. I then heard Roses voice.

"Happy birthday darling. Now for presents then cake"

"Yayyyyyyy", I small girl cheered. Wait what?

"Oh wow! who's that from?", Rose asked.

"You mummy", the child said.

Wait what. Rose has a child. A daughter. How could she tell me that. I thought we were getting along and that I knew her very well. But she kept a massive secret from me. She probably has a man back in New York. But no she doesn't. Shen doesn't have a ring on her finger. She must be all so alone. Poor girls. The little one growing up without a father. And Rose trying to support them both. I feel hurt. Betrayed.

The first night I met her she was so upset, she had lost her. Now I understand why she didn't tell me. Most young men wouldn't a basterds child. But I like Rose and clearly loves her child that doesn't sound that old. She's probably just a little girl under the age of five. I'm sure she's a cutie like her mother. But I really like her. But can I do this? What will happen? Ah I just need to go home and think things through before I see her again. I don't want to loose her and screw this up now knowing there's a small child involved.

Roses pov

"Right time for bed birthday girl", I tucked her in bed above Jacks photo.

"I want a story. Can you please tell me a story mummy?"

"Sure what do you want?", I asked.

"Can you and grandpa George tell me more about daddy. I want to know more about him. I'm a big girl now mummy I'm five", she held five fingers.

"Yes. Yes you are", I kissed her hand.

"You want to know about your father Jack aye", George walked in, "me and mummy will tell you", he sat in the bed opposite to her. I then slowly straightened up and sat next to him. Afraid of what she will ask.

"How did you meet him mummy?"

"We ah. We um. We met on a boat. It was the biggest ship in the world. And it was called the Titanic. Have you ever heard about that?", she shook her head, "ok. Well mummy doesn't want to tell you the story till your much older alright"

"But I am older now mummy", she wanted me to tell her.

"I know. But mummy is just not ready", I kissed her, "one day I will tell you what happened or you might find out by yourself"

"What mummy is trying to say here Josie is that...It's a very sad story. One that you're not ready to hear. We don't want you to be sad that daddy is not here. But he's always here, you know that. You've seen him. And he loves you with all his absolute heart Joe. And I know that he would do anything to be here right now", he bent down beside her bed holding her hand, "you just have to wait a little longer"

"Then what was daddy like then?", she moved on.

"He was the most hottest boy around", he pulled the picture off the wall, "I mean look at him. He's got a button nose. That hair and clear skin going. It's hard not to see why your mummy liked him and how beautiful you are", we both giggled, "no, but your father was a good man Joe. Before he met mummy he travelled all around the world. He loved going to new places and meeting people. He was always up for a good old chat. But he loved his art. And you've seen some of his artwork haven't you? And that's the last of it. I have no doubt that you will top him one day. I can see it. I can see it happening Joe I can, and so can your mother. You're very talented, beautiful, and extraordinary Joe. You are going to do great things in life. Just like mummy in her acting. You're good girl. And since you're a good girl it's getting far past your bed time!"

"But papa", she wanted to hear it all.

"No", he kissed and tucked her in bed, "goodnight sweet pea. Rose lets go", he called. I then gave her a kiss goodnight and left, "ah that went all well", he went to get his liquor from the cupboard. While I just sat down. "What's wrong Rose? Didn't like the way I answered the question?"

"No no no. It's not that it's just. How can I tell a five year old that over a thousand people died and most froze or drowned to their deaths? I can't tell her. She knows that Jack saved us both and that he died trying. But it's just the other people that I can't tell", I drank his glass, "I don't how to tell her when all the images and screams are going round in my head. That's all. Maybe one day when she's old enough to understand. But still. She will know more by then. Maybe even ask challenging questions. How will I deal with that. I don't know. But it's just hard", I sat at the table looking into my glass.

"Well... just say it, minus all the people. Forget about them"

"I can't. I was engaged to someone else on the ship. That's why I wanted to throw myself overboard and that's how I met Jack. I can't leave that out knowing that I was 1st class and he was 3rd it wouldn't make any sense!", I grew frustrated knowing their was no way to tell her.

"Then tell her everything. When you are both ready. Just sneak in a few hints here and there. It should lighten the burden a bit more", he gave some advice.

"Yeah ok. That's a good idea. Thank you George"

"Your welcome Rose", we drank our glasses.

"Ok well I'm off to bed now. It's getting late and I'm tired. Goodnight George"

"Night Rose", I then got ready and slept next to Josie in the bed beside hers.