May 23, 1918

Rose arranged the flowers in the vase. She loved spring. The sun was shinning through the apartment windows and a cool breath was causing the flowers sent to fill her cozy home. She loved having fresh flowers in the apartment. She put the vase on Jacks drawing table. The portraits caught her eye. It had been so long since new sketches had been placed on this table. Rose sighed. She wasn't going to let anything get her upset today. It was far to beautiful.

Rose decided to go downstairs. She walked into the living room. Brian and Maggie were playing with Andrew. He had just started walking. His tiny steps were wobbly but he could get a few feet and then fall into someone's arms. Right now his arms were around Brian's neck and he was laughing hysterically. It had taken a little while but Andrew had bonded with Brian. Of course Brian was ecstatic.

Rose smiled. Brian and Maggie looked over at her.

"Hello love! It's a beautiful day isn't it?" Brian smiled brightly.

"Yes, it is." She came and sat on the couch. She smiled at Andrew. "Hey big guy!"

Andrew burst into more laughter. He put his hands up for Rose to lift him. She pulled up on the couch. She smiled when he put his hand on her stomach. "That's a baby." He laughed. Rose continued. "I hope the baby is a sweet as you." Andrew stood up and wrapped his arms around her neck. He kissed her cheek. Maggie and Brian looked at each other and smiled. Andrew was so close to her.

The three adults played with Andrew all morning. It was such a happy time. So happy...

"The mails here." Maggie said making an observation.

"I'll get it." Rose got up off the couch and picked up the few envelopes. There was one from her. From the war department. She ripped it open and begin to read the letter:

Dear Mrs. Dawson:

We regret to inform you that on May 15, 1918, your husband, Jack Dawson, went missing. We have found no trace off him since. The United States Government is doing everything in it's power to track him down. He is not dead but missing in action. We are confident that he will be recovered soon. You both are in our prayers.

Rose felt her body start to shake. Her hand went over her mouth. The tears streamed down her face. Brian looked over at Rose. He shoot up. "Rose.....Rose!" He ran over to her and she fell into her arms. Her body wracked with sobs.

"He's missing...he's missing." She said in agony.

Maggie picked up the letter and immediately felt the tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Brian and Rose. "It's going to be ok. They'll find him. I know they will."

Rose cried for a little while longer but then she shocked Brian and Maggie. She straightened herself up and said. "Everything will be fine. They'll find him. It's their job. Right now I have to stay calm for the sake of the baby. It's not healthy for the baby if I cry all the time."

Rose picked up the letter and went upstairs. She placed it in the bundle of all the letters she had received from Jack. "Someday I'll get another letter form Jack. I know I will."

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

Erik sat at his desk doing some paper work. He was relieved when there was a knock at his door. "I'll get to stop doing this." He mumbled. "Come in!"

Tim entered. "We need to go over these script revisions."

"Right, right. I forgot all about that. Sit we'll do it now." Tim and Erik got to work.

There was another knock at the door. "Come in!" Erik looked up. "Brian! What are you doing here?"

"Erik...something's happened."

"What?" He asked cautiously.

"It's Jack. Rose got a letter yesterday. He's missing."

Erik sat back in his chair. He was silent. "Oh my God. Is she all right?"

"She cried when she got the letter but then she said she needed to be strong."

"I have to go see her." He stood up quickly. "Tim do you mind?"

"No of course not. Go on. She'll need you. Tell her I'll come by later."

"Thank you. Thank you." He ran out the door with Brian.

Tim sighed. He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. All this time he had been wanting Jack out of the way. Now he was, but he could only imagine the pain Rose was going through. He had never even thought about what it would be like for her if Jack was out of the picture. He looked up at the ceiling. "I'm sorry, Rose. I'm so sorry."

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

"Erik. How are you?"

"I'm fine...but how are you?"

"I'm good."

Erik sat down on the couch next to her. "Are you sure?"

"Look...I know what you're talking about. I'm going to be fine. They'll fine Jack. I know they will. He promised me he would come home."

"You know I'm here for you."

"I do know. And Brian and Maggie are here for me too."

Erik hugged her. "You're my world. And that baby too." He smiled.

Rose smiled at him. "Would you like something to eat or drink?"

"No....no, I'm fine." He sat back. "Tim said he would come by later."

"That's nice of him." She looked at Erik. "He really doesn't have too."

Erik thought for a moment. He liked Tim a lot, but he had been picking up signals for a long time now that Tim may have had feelings for Rose. Even that play her wrote. "The Secret Love of Tommy" The characters names: Tommy, Lilly, and James were awfully similar to Tim, Rose, and Jack. Erik couldn't blame Tim for being in love with Rose. She was an amazing women, but Erik knew Tim would only end up getting hurt. Rose loved Jack with all her body and soul. The only way Tim could be with her was if something was too happen to Jack. Erik dreaded that thought. Not only because he knew it would kill Rose, but because Jack was like his son. He had always felt that. Jack was good young man, who took care of his wife and treated everyone with the utmost respect.

Erik stayed and Rose made him dinner. They made plans for Rose to come back to work a few months after the baby was born. Erik asked about Jack. Rose told him all about the letters she had gotten from him. She told him that he had promised her that he would come home, before he even left. She trusted that he would. Erik listened intently and prayed that Jack would come home. He was also grateful that Rose was handling this so well.

"Well, I better go. You'll need to get some sleep."

"I'll walk you to the door."

Erik and Rose walked to the door together. He turned to her.

"You stay as strong as you are now and you'll be fine. But remember I'm here for you, and it's all right for you to be upset. You can even come stay with me if you like. You know how big the house is. A lot of empty rooms. And the servants could take care of you and the baby when I'm not around."

"Erik, I appreciate all of this, I really do. If I need anything I promise I'll ask you. Now, get going. It's dark out and people will wonder where you are."

Erik gave her a kiss on the cheek and left.

Rose leaned against the door and put her hand on her stomach. "Things are going to be fine."