A New Beginning

Chapter 43: Freedom

Chapter 43: Freedom

Rose wakes up, expecting to be in her old room back to Philadelphia, her bed empty and cold. Instead, as she opens her eyes and sees Jack' beautiful face lying next to her. Her heart soars in happiness being back with him. It was clear to her that they were meant to be together because not even a sinking ship could get in their way. They were going to be parents and they could live a life of freedom together. Forever and always.

Rose tries to move and the pain of her ankle comes back, reminding her of the incident that brought all of them back together last night. She winces slightly and lets out a groan of pain.

Immediately, Jack's eyes open. He looks at her with concern.

"Are you okay Rose?" Jack asks.

Rose smiles.

"I'm fine, now that you're here," she says before kissing him. Jack runs his fingers through her curls and holds her close. Once again the pain comes back when she turns towards him and she winces.

Jack immediately backs off.

"Sorry," he said.

"It's okay," Rose says. "Just hold me."

Jack wraps his arms around Rose gently, laying his chin on her shoulder. He embraces her scent; he hasn't felt this wonderful since their night together in the car in the cargo hold. She fits so well into his arms, it's as if they truly were meant to be together. He kisses her cheek and feels her warmth.

"You sleep okay?" he asks.

"Best I've had in a long time," Rose replies.

"Me too," Jack says. "I could never sleep in peace if I knew you weren't here next to me."

Rose blushes and smiles again. She never wants this moment to end.

Suddenly, there are tiny footsteps pounding around the upstairs hall. Rose and Jack look at each other.

"Aunt Emma, Uncle Peeta are you awake yet?"

"Who's that?" Rose asks. She knows that Sybil was young, but she wouldn't be able to walk yet, let alone talk.

"Must be Holly's kid," Jack says. "I saw a ring on her finger and a bunch of kids toys that didn't look like Sybils on the floor last night."

Rose holds out her hands and looks at the engagement ring Cal had given her. In all the chaos of last night, she had forgotten to take it off.

Jack feels a surge of guilt in his stomach. He would never be able to buy Rose a ring as nice as the one she had on. He realized that he wouldn't be able to give Rose a lot of the things that she had, something that scared him from the beginning. He did have the money from the auction, but that would go more towards their house or food or clothing, things that were more important. He did want to buy her a ring, someday soon, but the world is a hard place, he knew that first hand. Society would not treat her the same if she was with him and things would be tougher, making ends meet and such and he wondered if Rose was ready to give up everything she knew just to be with him. He knew that she had sold a lot of her things to make money for herself, and their baby, but it was still going to be hard for her to adapt to a completely different life. He shifts uncomfortably in the bed.

"You okay?" Rose asks, sensing Jack's sadness.

"It's nothing..."

"Don't lie to me, what's wrong?"

"I'm just worried that I won't be able to care for you."

Rose rolls over to look at Jack's blue eyes. She gives him a smile.