September 1917

Allan and Brandon went to basic training in North Carolina at the end of June. True to his word Brandon wrote Rose every day, telling her about boot camp. Training lasted two months due to the fact most of the men were out of shape, inexperienced, and ill prepared for war. Brandon and Allan both wrote about what a circus the whole thing was. This information did nothing to calm Rose's fears.

Rose had spent the summer campaigning for war bonds. The movie studio thought it was good publicity to have all their actors and actresses working for the good of their country. On top of that, she was working on a new picture called "Broken Blossoms" with Lillian Gish. In her spare time, she and Eliza shopped for baby things. Rose didn't complain; she was happy to be busy. By the end of the day, she was too tired to think about Brandon or Jack. She was fast asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Brandon and Allan came home for two days in September before they were shipped over to Europe. By the time they traveled back to California, they only had one day to visit and say their good-byes.

Rose was wearing a pair of men's denim blue overalls and one of Brandon's old shirts with the sleeves rolled to her elbows. Her long auburn hair was pulled back in a braid that hung down to her waist. When not dressed for a studio appearance, Rose still preferred her unconventional dress. Deep inside, she still enjoyed shocking the upper class of the world. Brandon's long hair was gone. In its place was a buzz cut. He wore a marine's uniform. Rose couldn't remember ever seeing him look so professional.

They stood on the platform at the train station. Brandon softly caressed her face. "I love Rose. I will keep my promise," Brandon said tenderly.

Rose swallowed hard. She didn't want to do anything to upset Brandon before he left. 'A weeping female would not benefit anybody,' she thought.

"I know you will. Because if you don't, I will find you and give a big karate chop you," Rose said smiling. Emphasizing her point, she waved her hands like she had seen Brandon do every morning. Then she looked into his eyes. "I love you, Brandon, more than you will ever know," she whispered as she buried her face in his shoulder. She clung to him like he was her lifeline.

Brandon stroked the back of her, inhaling her sweet scent. Trying to embed this memory in his mind forever. He knew it would be a long time before he would have the chance to hold her again. He wanted to make this moment count.

"Brandon, I wanted to tell you just how thankful I am to have you in my life," Rose started to whisper softly.

"Don't you say your good-byes! Not now! This isn't good-bye. Do you understand me?" Brandon said his voice thick with emotion.

"Yes," she whispered, never wanting to let him go.

Allan gently touched Brandon's arm and said, "Come on, we have to go. They are waiting for us."

Brandon kissed Rose passionately on the lips, then let her go. Allan looked into Rose's eyes and saw the familiar haunted pain. He bent down and gently hugged his sister.

"I love you, Allan. Please come back safely, and if it isn't too much to ask bring Brandon back with you," Rose said quietly.

"Consider it done," Allan said, smiling. Both men turned and walked away.

Eliza put a comforting arm around Rose. "It will be all right," she said.

When they got back to the loft, Eliza was tired and went to lie down. Rose felt surreal. She had been ready for Brandon to go to boot camp, but this was different. Now he was really gone, being shipped to God knows where to fight in some hideous war. She ran into her bedroom and shut the door. She didn't want Eliza to hear her and become upset.

In the corner sat Brandon's belongings, where they had moved them until he returned. She opened one of the boxes. Inside she found Brandon's favorite black shirt. Rose brought it to her face and inhaled deeply. It still had his scent on it. Then she went to the cedar trunk in the corner. Careful not to make too much noise, she opened the lid. There underneath the tattered dress she wore on the Titanic that fateful night so long ago was the Heart of the Ocean. Delicately she picked it up. It had been a long time since she had taken it out to look at it. In the beginning, when she was lonely or scared, she would take it out of hiding and speak to Jack, clutching it all the while.

She crawled on top her bed, tears streaming down her face. Quietly she sobbed herself to sleep clinging to Brandon's shirt, with the Heart of the Ocean wrapped safely inside.

Sometime later, Eliza knocked at the door. "Rose, are you all right?"

Rose groggily sat up, trying to get her bearings. "Yes, Eliza, I just fell asleep that's all," she replied.

"Well, you better come out here. You have a telegram," Eliza answered, sounding relieved.

'I wonder who it could be from,' Rose thought, placing the Heart of the Ocean safely back in the cedar chest, and leaving Brandon's shirt folded neatly on her pillow.

Dearest Rose,

I will be in town early next month. I expect to arrive on October 4. It has been so long since I have last seen you. I can't wait to catch up on old times. You have to tell me about all those handsome gentlemen in the moving pictures.

Love,

Molly

"Molly is coming to visit!" Rose exclaimed.

"When?" said Eliza excitedly. Eliza enjoyed Molly's company every bit as much as Rose did.

"Next month," Rose answered.

"Wonderful," both woman said at the same time.

Jack had to use all his strength not to go to Rose when she had begun to sob. He wanted so much to comfort her. But he would respect her wishes and stay back until she called for him. He knew she still loved him. Jack heard her thoughts. They were still connected. Their souls were one. Right now she needed space. She knew he was with her always. No matter how many times she had told him to go away, he would never leave her.

'She has Molly to help her now,' he thought. Once again, Jack made sure Rose would be all right without stepping on her independence. "I always will be with you, Rose, you never have anything to fear," he said as Tommy came and stood next to him.

"It will be all right, boy'o," Tommy said.

"I know," Jack answered.