January, 1920

In December Jack and Rose had reached a major a discussion. They made up their minds to move to Santa Monica. They felt they had lived their lives in New York and it was time to move on. It also had a lot to do with the bad memories. The bad memories Rose had. So they took a train to Santa Monica and found a development that was in the stages of being built. They found the perfect house. It was in a perfect location, within walking distance of the ocean and pier. Plus their was a park just down the road. It was a dream home. They hadn't gotten it yet. But they were sure they would. Even if they didn't they would find another place to live.

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

Today Jack was cleaning out his office while Rose cleaned out her dressing room. Erik was heart broken when he found out that they were moving. He begged them to stay but they said they had made up their mind. Erik knew why they wanted to get away. He felt it was best for them.

Rose stood in her dressing room. She was taking down years worth's of photographs. She heard her door opened. Figuring it was Jack she smiled. "Darling I was wonde..." As she was saying this she turned around and was horribly embarrassed when she saw it was Tim at the door. Rose blushed. "Tim. Was there something you wanted?"

"I wanted to apologize..."

Rose put her hands on her ears. "Tim please don't. I don't want to hear it."

"But Ro..."

"No! Stop it." She moved in a stood right in his face. "Listen to me." Her voice was quiet but firm. "I didn't tell Jack about what happened. And I don't plan on it unless he asks. By you insisting on apologizing every time you see me, Jack is bound to pick up on it. I don't want him to know about it because I don't want to hurt him. Now please, please, I'm begging you. You've already ruined your relationship with me. Don't do that with Jack."

Tim felt a lump in his throat. He nodded his head. "All right." He turned to walk out. "But Rose please you need to understand I really am in love with you I..."

"Stop!" Rose yelled. "Get out!"

Tim's face fell and he walked out. Seconds later Jack walked in. Rose was facing the wall. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck. "I'm almost ready."

Rose smiled weakly. "Great."

"What's wrong?" He had immediately noticed the lack of emotion in her voice.

"Nothing." She shook out of his arms and walked over to her vanity.

Jack stared at her. "What is it?" He sat next to her. "Rose? What's wrong?"

She looked at him and smiled. "Nothing."

Jack laughed. "You can't hide anything from me." He put his hand on her cheek. "Now tell me. What ever could be bothering you? You're sad about leaving aren't you?"

Rose nodded quickly. "Yes, that's it."

Jack looked down. "No, it isn't." He frowned as he looked up at her. "Tell me."

Rose felt tears in her eyes. "Please don't make me tell you."

"Rose..." He put his hands on her face. "What's the matter?" he asked gently.

Rose sighed. There was no use. "Jack I didn't tell you everything that happened while you were gone."

Jack gave her a questioning look.

"The night Cal showed up, I asked Tim to walk me home. I just didn't want to be alone." She took a breath. "So he took me home and right before I went inside." She looked directly in his eyes. "He kissed me."

Jacks hands fell in his lap. He felt all the air go out of his chest.

"And...He told me he was in love with me. He has been since we met." She saw how upset Jack was. "I slapped him and told him I was in love with you. And that I was yours. But then he said...he said you were dead." She shook her head. "It didn't mean anything to me."

Jack stood up. His back was turned to her. "If it didn't mean anything why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to hurt you." Rose stood up. She was standing directly behind him. "I knew you would be upset. And I was afraid that you would doubt me. That maybe you would think I had feelings for him too. Or that I questioned my love for you. Jack, I couldn't live with myself if you thought that. I love you so much and I'm always so scared you don't know it. I know you love me but your so good at showing it. I never feel like I can prove it to you. And I thought for sure if you heard about this you would think I really didn't love you as much as I should." Rose crossed her arms over her chest.

Jack brushed the tears from his eyes. He turned to face her and saw that she was holding herself and looking down at the floor in shame. His heart broke. He wrapped her arms around her. Jack was more than relieved when he felt her arms encircle his waist.

He rested his head on hers. "You think that?"

"You seemed so angry just now." She said quietly.

"Not at you Rose. Never at you. I was just shocked. The very idea of someone else's lips touching yours." He shivered. "I can't even think about it." He held her face in his hands so it was impossible for her to look away. "More importantly though, I know you love me. I've known it since Titanic. In the gymnasium, I saw that look in your eyes. I knew you wanted to be with me, even though you walked out. But you came back and that's all that's important. You've stayed married to me all this time even though I can't support you like Cal could. Men, on top of me would kill for you, but you stay with me. I know you love me. At times it's been the only thing I've known. It's been the only thing that keeps me going. The knowledge that you love me."

Rose smiled faintly.

Jack pressed his lips to hers. He wanted all her doubt gone. As he pulled away he sensed that the kiss had succeeded.

Rose laid against his chest. "I'm sorry for doubting."

"It's all right. As a matter of fact it's already forgotten." He smiled.

Rose laughed. "I'm almost done packing. It will be sad to leave."

"I know." He held her at arms length. "Look, I'm going to finish packing then we'll go."

"Ok." Rose kissed him and smiled brightly as he left.

As Jack walked down the hall Tim passed him.

"Hey Jack."

Jack didn't know what came over him but his hand curled into a fist and he punch Tim square in the face. He hit him so hard that he fell to he ground. Jack stared blankly at him. "I...I'm sorry."

Tim looked up at him and knew Rose had told him. "It's all right. I deserved it."

Jack helped him up. "I know you did." He looked down at the ground and felt a heat rise in his body. "Jesus Tim! It's not so much that you kissed her. But you kissed her when I was missing. When I was out of the picture. You took advantage of my absence." Jack sighed heavily. "Damn it! I'm supposed to be one of your best friends." He shook his head. "She's my wife. I don't blame you for being in love with her. Who isn't? But how could you act on it? On my wife." Jack pushed Tim against the wall. Not hard but forcefully. "Just stay away from us." Jack turned and walked to his office.

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

A Week Later:

"Rose!" Jack ran into the apartment. "Rose!"

Rose popped her head out of the kitchen. "What is it?" She asked with a smile.

His smiled broadened. "Have I got news for you!" Jack ran over to her, took her hands and pulled her into the living room.

Rose giggled. "I have news for you too."

"Well, what ever it is I guarantee you it's not as great as my news."

Rose smiled. "If you say so."

Jack twirled her around. Then he kissed her and hugged her tightly. Holding her at arms length he smiled. "I got a letter today. A letter from Santa Monica." He laughed. "We got the house!"

"Jack that's wonderful!" Rose yelled. She hugged him and kissed him repeatedly. "We get to live there."

Jack sat her down on the couch. "Yep, we can move in right away." He put his hands on his face. "Can you believe it?!?! The house of our dreams, in the place of our dreams." He laid his head back. "This is fantastic. All my life I've dreamed of living in a wonderful house." He looked over at Rose. "With a wonderful wife."

"And a wonderful family?"

"Doesn't that go without saying?" He kissed her hand. Jack sighed. "All right. What's your news? It's not as good, is it?" Jack asked with a playful grin.

Rose bit her lip to hide her smile. "Well, I think it's pretty good news." It was to much she couldn't hide her smile. Her face radiated with joy. "Jack." She took a deep breath. "I'm going to have a baby."

Jacks jaw dropped. "You.........you're." His eyes grew wide and he put his hands on her stomach. "We're going to be parents?"

Rose nodded excitedly.

Jack looked up at her. He wrapped himself around her and showered her face with kisses. Then he lifted her into his arms and spun her around and around. Rose laughed hysterically.

Jack set her back down on the ground and laughed. "That news was a lot better than mine." His face lit up. "I'm going to be a daddy!" He stopped for a minute. "When exactly will I be a daddy?"

Rose smiled. "August."

"Fantastic. We'll be settled into the house by then."

Rose smiled but then her face fell.

"What is it?" Jack tilted his head.

Rose sighed. "The new house, the baby." She looked at Jack sadly. "Maggie and Brian aren't going to get to see any of it. They'll be here. We'll be on the other side of the country."

Jack nodded. "I know. I'm upset about it too," he put his hand under her chin. "If it bothers you too much we can stay here."

Rose shook her head. "No, I want to live in Santa Monica. I do. But I'll miss everyone so much."

Jack hugged her. "I understand, but they'll come and visit. And we'll always visit at Christmas. And we'll get together in the summer."

Rose smiled. "I know." She looked up at him. "Santa Monica will be good to us." She moved her mouth to his ear. "Remember how good our honey moon was?"

Jack laughed. "Very clearly."

"Well, if it's half as good as that. It will be heaven."

Jack started to laugh again.

"What?" Rose asked.

He smiled. "I just can't believe we're going to have a baby."

"I know. It's wonderful!" She looked down. "I'm scared though."

Jack hugged her again. "Listen, don't think about that now. What happened with the first baby was awful. I can't think of anything worse. I wish more than anything in the world we could hold the baby in our arms and watch it grow. But we can't. We also can't let that spoil our second chance. All right?"

"All right." She sighed.

Jack rocked her for a little while. "Do you want to tell Maggie & Brian?"

Rose smiled. "I think we should."

Jack took her hand and they walked downstairs. Maggie, Brian, and Andrew were in living room. Jack and Rose sat on the couch. Andrew ran over and sat in between them. He laid his head on Roses knee. She smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Where's Will?" Jack asked.

"He's sleeping." Maggie smiled.

"Did you hear the news?" Brian asked Rose.

"About the house?"

"Yes."

Rose smiled. "Jack told me. It's wonderful isn't it?"

Maggie frowned. "It's wonderful for you. But what about us? We'll miss you terribly."

Rose nodded. "We'll miss you."

"Don't talk about that. Not now." Jack smiled. "Not when we have something to tell you two."

Brain smiled. "What is that?"

Rose gave them a dazzling smile. "I'm going to have a baby."

Maggie ran over to Rose and gave her a long hug. Nearly squashing Andrew. Tears fell from her eyes. "I'm so happy for you." She whispered into Roses ear. "You deserve a baby. You will be the greatest mother in the world. I know it."

Brain and Jack embraced each other. Brain smiled. "Congratulations. I don't even know what to say. It's the most wonderful thing you'll ever experience, fatherhood. You have lucky children. They'll love having you as a father."

Andrew tugged Roses skirt. She looked down at him. "Yes, sweetie?"

He put his hands up and shrugged his shoulders. "What happened?"

Rose smiled. She sat down next to him and pulled him into her lap. "I'm going to have a baby soon."

Andrew patted her stomach. "In your tummy?"

She giggled. "Yes, in my tummy."

He frowned. "I wish you wouldn't."

"Why not?"

"When Mommy had Will I wasn't by myself no more. And Will's no fun. He can't talk or walk or nothin. He's just a baby. If you have a baby I won't be special to you no more, because you'll be it's Mommy. And Mommy's love their babies more than other Mommy's babies." He looked up at Maggie and Brian then back to Rose. "Mommy and Daddy are all right but they yell at me and do Mommy and Daddy stuff. You don't do that."

Maggie and Brian laughed.

Rose smiled. "Don't worry. You'll always be special to me. Always. I'll love my baby very much, but I love you different."

Andrew laughed. "Really?"

"Yes, really." She kissed his head.

He jumped off her lap. "All right. Then you could have a baby."

"Thank you for your permission."

Andrew asked Maggie to pick him up. He hugged her. "I hope Rose is as good a Mommy as you are."

Maggie smiled and kissed Andrew. "She will be."

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

That night Rose lay in bed thinking about the future. Jack climbed in, and while wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her to his body. She smiled.

"You know in a few months I'll be to big for you to do this."

"Nonsense. No matter how big your stomach is, I'll always hold you."

Rose smiled. She knew he would. "Jack? Do you want a boy or a girl?"

"I don't care. As long as it's healthy. But if it's a girl, it better look like you."

Rose laughed. "As long as it's healthy." She agreed. "But if it's a boy it better look like you."

Jack smiled. He ran his hand around her stomach. "A little baby Dawson." He kissed her neck. "Thank you." Soon after, Jack fell asleep.

Rose stared out the window. She couldn't wait for the baby to be born or to move in to the house. But she was perfectly happy waiting and living in the now. The present was a gift and she didn't intend on wasting it by waiting for the future.