FOR ALL ETERNITY
Chapter Nine
The happy couple walked out onto the upper
deck, holding hands. It seemed as if the entire ship’s population had decided
to watch their approach into New York’s harbor. There were kids running around
chasing each other, with some nannies chasing after them! Huddles of mourning
widows, who still looked like they were in shock. The original passengers of
the Carpathia seemed happier. It was like they couldn’t wait to be free of the
morbid air that hung around the ship.
"Look, Jack! Mother is over there. Molly
is with her," said Rose, as they headed in her direction.
Ruth and Molly were standing on the bow, deep
in conversation. It was quite a wondrous sight to Rose, as they had never been
the best of friends, let alone on civil speaking terms. Molly had always been
new money, no matter what she did. Therefore, to see them quite close was
amazing. It was a pity, however, that it took the tragedy of Titanic’s sinking
to make them realize just how much they really needed each other.
"Good morning, ladies," greeted
Jack, as he and Rose closed the last few feet between them. "Can you see
anything yet?"
"I’m sorry we took so long, Mother,
Molly," said Rose, giving each lady a hug.
"No, not yet. I believe we should any
moment..." began Ruth, but was cut off by Molly’s excited shrill.
"Look! I can see land! Look, everyone!
New York! Ah…to be back home once more!" shouted Molly, nearly behaving as
a young child would on Christmas Day.
The others were stunned at Molly’s outburst,
but soon saw the land for themselves, and grew excited. The news spread like
wildfire, and the whole ship erupted in laughter and cheers.
Fabrizio and Tommy had been on the stern when
the news first broke, and had decided to come and see the land for themselves.
There they met Rose, Jack, Ruth, and Molly, exchanging their stories of what
had happened the night before, and what their plans were once they got off the
Carpathia.
Before long, the Carpathia was sailing into
New York’s harbor. There were hundreds of people waiting on the docks, along
with another hundred comprised of press photographers and media persons. The
group had decided to go down below once more, to make a final check that they
had not forgotten anything. They were to meet at the docking entrance in one
half hour.
"Jack, it is so unbelievable to have
finally made it to dry land. Now, we can truly start our lives together!"
exclaimed a happy yet relieved Rose. She hugged her husband, and once more
thanked her lucky stars for bringing Jack into her life.
"Yes, my dearest Rose. Now the good
times begin!" said Jack, returning the hug. "Come, sweetie. We must
meet the others."
The group once more assembled, and together
they walked down the ramp. There were photographic flashes, and many people
shouting questions all at once. It was practically too much to handle. They
were guided to the waiting cars, and then whisked off to the hotel assigned to
them. Each was once more lost in their own thoughts, still unable to come to
terms with the fact of how dramatically their lives had been changed.
Rose and Jack were united, finally. Ruth and
Molly were good friends, and Fabrizio had found a new confidante in Tommy. Each
was happy, and looking forward to their successes, which they knew would happen
and be with them for all eternity.
The End.