April 1919

Rose sat in her dressing room. She pinned up her hair. The crowd had loved the performance and welcomed her back with open arms. She smiled in the mirror. April was a tough month for her, but she was getting through.

There was a knock at the door. "Come in."

Ben peeked his head around the door and smiled brightly. "You were great!" He walked in. "The crowd loved you."

Rose smiled. "They loved you too."

"Doesn't that go without saying?" He laughed.

"I guess it does." She said through laughter.

Ben smiled. "Did you hear the news?"

Rose smiled. "Yes! Congratulations on your engagement. I hope you and Jean are very happy together."

"Thank you." He blushed. "I love her so much."

Rose was about to say something but Jean walked in. She smiled.

"What's going on in here?" Jean asked in a cheerful voice.

Ben smiled at her. "Well, I just professed my love to Rose and it turns out she's madly in love with me. So we have decided to run off to Paris and get married."

Jean nodded. "Sounds good to me." She looked over at Rose. "Thank you for getting him off my hands. He's so obnoxious."

"Hey!" Ben said. "I'm offended."

Rose and Jean started to laugh. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." Jean gave Ben a hug and kissed him sweetly. "Now, get out of here. I want to talk to Rose alone." She smiled sweetly.

"All right. I'm going." Ben kissed Jean again. He smiled at Rose and left.

Jean sat down next to Rose. "How are you doing?"

"Good."

Jean looked at her. "I've been meaning to talk to you. But we've been so busy with rehearsing. I just wanted to make sure things were all right."

Rose smiled. "I'm fine. Honestly. I wasn't doing to good for a while there but I'm fine now. Thank you for asking."

Jean nodded. She studied Rose in the mirror. She had become one of her closest friends. She found that funny because before she met her she has been prepared to hate her. "You know something Rose?"

"What?"

"The first time I met Jack, I flirted with him." She blushed. "I must have looked like the biggest fool. Anita and Ella flirted with him too. But you know what? He stood up and said he had a wife. But she wasn't just his wife: she was his soul mate and best friend."

Rose smiled. "That sounds like something Jack would say."

Jean laughed. "I was ready to hate you, but I met you and immediately I liked you. I couldn't help it. Everyone here loves you. But no one more than Jack. I just wanted you to know. It's very obvious how in love you two are. Everyone sees it. I know he'll come back. He would never let anything keep him from you."

Rose wiped tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"No." Rose said gently. "That was beautiful. And I know you're right." She hugged Jean tightly. "Ben is a lucky man."

Jean smiled. She stayed with Rose for nearly an hour. They talked about some things but then Ben came and said he wanted to steal Jean. So she gave Rose a hug and left.

Rose looked herself over in the mirror. "That's as good as it's going to get." She smiled and walked out into the street. It was cool night. Spring was just around the corner. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "It's a beautiful night." As she walked by a fruit stand she bought some apples.

As she entered her apartment she laughed. She was so proud of how far she had come. Every day she was getting better and better. Rose knew a part of her would stay looked up and close off until Jack came home. But she would make due until then.

Rose climbed into bed. She still slept on Jacks side. When she fell asleep she dreamt. She saw visions of she and Jack dancing below the decks of Titanic. The carriage ride they shared. The night he gave her ring. Their honeymoon. And some of the best times they had on their trip. It was because of that dream Rose was now, more than ever, sure that Jack was alive and that he was coming home.