April 12, 1912
2:20 A.M.

Rose,

I can proudly say that I've never met a girl...woman as stubborn as you! Don't ever lose that fire that I love about you.

In all the years I spent around the world I've never felt such heaven on earth as when I met you. I could clearly see your misery, that you tried so hard to hide, when our eyes met our first day aboard Titanic. And if you had jumped, we wouldn't be here together now. When I saved you from falling, I broke the chains Cal put on your heart but it was always up to you to step out of them.

When you said you felt you were screaming for attention and no one noticed, I knew that hellish dinner was the perfect opportunity to show you how laid-back my world was compared to the stuffiness of yours. I have to admit it was more than an honor to escort the belle of the ball. I truly felt like I was holding an angel in my arms, forbidden as she was, as we danced in steerage. I might have appeared shocked but I was quite impressed when you were not ashamed to let your hair down at the party, and when you came back to me after breaking off your engagement to Cal.

The hardest thing I'd ever done was trying to keep my professional composure while I was drawing you. We'd never before had a reason to go that far. After our liaison in the Renault, I knew you'd never return to him. You were, and still are, my first and only true love, and I could never dream of breaking your heart.

Somehow I always knew you could see through your mother and Cal's lies, and that low-life valet of his, that I stole the necklace. "This is what I get for falling in love with a first-class girl?!" is what I kept thinking until it was your turn to break my chains.

As the lifeboat you were in was being lowered, I felt as if my heart was being ripped from my chest. I didn't think I'd ever see you again until you jumped back to be with me to the end. Somehow I knew we'd survive the sinking, but for how long? I made you promise to go on with your life as if I'm here with you, because I am.

As long as you'll have me, I'll be safe in your memories. I would give anything to physically spend the rest of my life with you but it's not meant to be. Before you die I want you to reveal my secret.

Next year when you give birth to my baby, I want you to promise to give him or her all the love you never knew. Don't ever let go, Rose. Always remember what I wrote you after dinner:

"Make it count. Meet me at the clock."

"I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go." are the last words I hear you whisper as I sink to my watery grave. I've never said those three words because I'd always felt that my actions spoke louder than words ever could. I know you can't hear me. I love you, Mrs. Rose Dawson! More than you'll ever know. I'll forever be your guardian angel.

Jack