Molly stood looking thoughtfully at Ruth who was just shutting the door of her bedroom. She had not uttered a word since Molly had come upon her in the ladies room at Stauch's. Since then she had moved as if she were in a trance. Molly still could not believe that she had actually danced with Jack.

"Now there's a man with guts," thought Molly.

"I think that for once in her life, Ruth has more than met her match. But boy, Jack or no Jack, I've got my hands full with her"

Ruth undressed with a great deal of difficulty. For the first time in her life, she did not have a maid to assist her. She twisted and grimaced as she struggled out of her corset. By the time she had donned her nightgown and brushed her hair, she was exhausted. This whole day had been a big strain on her emotions. Between the Hockley's and Jack Dawson, her mind was a muddle of thoughts. While she did not understand him, one thing was becoming a little clearer to her. He was far different from the stable boy of her past. Jack was clean, he was articulate and he had proper manners. Maybe Molly was right about his decent upbringing.

"But could I possibly have misjudged him? He still was a third class passenger after all. Oh God, I am so confused and tired."

Just then Ruth heard a commotion in the hall. She moved to the door that led to the hallway and listened. It sounded like someone was squealing.

"Jack, what are you doing? Put me down. You can't carry me around like this."

Jack chuckled.

"Why not? I was planning to carry you over the threshold."

There was a giggle from Rose.

"You mean people really do that?" she asked.

"Well yeah, at least where I come from."

There was a slight grunt from Jack.

"Stop squirming Rose, I don't want to drop you."

After that Ruth heard only the sound of heavy breathing, some soft murmurs, the metallic click of a key in a door, and then silence. Ruth stood by the door, struggling to breathe. She took a few staggering steps to her bed and threw herself down. And Ruth Dewitt-Bukater wept. She wept for the cold humiliating life she had lived with her parent, and for the chance at love that she had thrown away with Edwin. The sobs grew louder as she thought of the greed she had displayed when she had tried to force Rose into a loveless marriage, and for the bitter woman she had become.

"Why have I realized this now? Oh Rose, can you ever forgive me?"

She buried her face further into the pillow. The tears would not stop flowing. She thought of Rose as she saw her tonight. Looking more radiant and happy than she had ever seen her before.

"Please Rose, forgive me. I want things to be better. I want us to have a chance."

She slammed her fist into the pillow as all the buried emotions of her entire life burst forth. Ruth thought of her own wedding night so long ago when she had been reluctant to have Edwin touch her. She knew that no such problems existed for Rose. No Rose and Jack really seemed to be in love and she sensed that he would care for her. She found it hard to believe and harder still to admit, but in his own way, Jack Dawson was gentleman. For the first time in years, Ruth thought about Rose's future without placing a material value on it.

"I just want her to be happy."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jack pushed the door shut with his foot. He carried Rose into the room and set her down on the bed. The only light came from the outside. He reached down and turned on the lamp next to the bed.

She smoothed the bedspread with her hands, suddenly nervous. For the first time all day she was alone with Jack as his wife. She felt inexperienced and naive, despite their lovemaking on Titanic and she did not want to disappoint Jack. Rose watched as he looked into his leather art folder.

"What are you looking for?"

He looked up and answered, "I have something for you, a sort of present."

Jack walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. The drawing he held was face down.

"Rose, this really isn't much of a wedding gift, but it means a lot to me and I hope it will to you as well. Here."

He turned the picture face up and handed it to her. Rose studied the couple in the picture, puzzled for a moment. Then she drew in her breath and looked at Jack.

"Your parents."

He nodded.

"Oh, Jack, it's a beautiful drawing. Let me see who you look like."

She looked at him and then at the drawing.

"I guess you really look more like your dad. But you do seem to have your mother's eyes."

He smiled.

"That's what everyone used to say. I wanted to do this for a long time. But couldn't. Not until I met you. That's when I finally felt healed enough. This is what I went to do a couple of days ago when you were shopping with Molly. I, I guess this was my way of having you meet them."

Rose traced her finger along the lines of the picture.

"I'll treasure this always Jack. Now our children will know who their grandparents were."

"That's what I thought too."

Jack took her hand and touched her wedding band.

"Take off you ring Rose."

She looked at him startled.

"Why, I just got it."

He started pulling it gently off her finger.

"Don't worry. But this is another part of your present."

When it was free of her finger, he handed it to her.

"Hold it up to the light. There is something inside to read."

She leaned closer to the light and turned it until she saw the inscription inside.

It said "You jump, I jump."

"Jack, you remember every special detail. I don't know what to say."He put his arm around her and she put her head on his shoulder.

"Here, let me put it back on."

She handed it to him and held out her finger.

"There, now don't ever take it off."

"Never Jack, never. I promise."

Their lips met in a tender, demanding kiss. Rose felt giddy as she and Jack slipped out of their embrace. The kiss combined with her nervousness had totally wiped out her usual aplomb.

"I almost forgot, I have something for you too. Stay here Jack. I'll go get it."

She went to the top dresser drawer and pulled out a small wrapped box.

"This is for you. I hope you like it."

She sat back down next to him and he took the small box from her. Jack was quiet. He bit his lower lip and stared at the box.

"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" questioned Rose worriedly.

Jack turned the box over and over in his hands.

"If you only knew how special this is for me. Not only because it is from you, but because it's the first time since my parents died, that I have gotten a real present. Something wrapped up like this. Mom and Dad gave me some art supplies on my birthday before they died. My mother had wrapped them all up. Even though the gift was inexpensive, I felt rich when I was opening it. That's a long time ago."

"Open it," she urged.

Jack slowly peeled back the burnished gold paper and untied the white satin ribbon. He lifted the lid of the box. Inside lay a soft flannel bag. Jack looked at Rose mystified. She smiled at he opened the bag and pulled out the watch. His eyes opened wide in amazement.

"Oh this is too much. I've never had anything like this. Nothing ever of any value."

"Turn it to the back and see what it says."

Jack looked at the engraving and read the words "Make it count." The words that had started it all.

"Rose, I really don't know what to say."

She gave him a mischievous look.

"I do. Let's start."

"Start what," asked Jack, looking confused.

Rose looked at him, not knowing what to think. She couldn't tell if he really didn't understand or if he was just teasing her as he sometimes did. Jack put the watch and box on the night table and turned out the light. Rose felt herself being pushed against the bed.

"You mean start making it count Rose?" he asked.

"Yes, that's what I meant," she whispered.

She felt Jack's hand fumbling in the dark as he reached behind her and slowly started to unbutton her blouse. Her heart was pounding. He was breathing heavily as he planted light kisses on her face and neck and struggled with her clothes.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Yes, it's been a long day."

Finally he succeeded in undoing the last button. She heard rustling as he removed his clothes. She moaned slightly as his weight shifted over her.

"Rose," he said his warm breath tickling her ear, "it's going to be a long night too."

"Oh, Jack ..."