MEMORIES
Epilogue
Home at Last
"Rose," the voice once
again whispered in her ear, gentle and loving. "Rose, come. It’s time to
come home now."
"Lizzy?" She frowned.
"Is that you, dear?"
"Come with me," the
voice whispered. A gentle hand grasped hers tightly, pulling her out of bed.
Keeping her eyes closed and
sighing tiredly, Rose allowed herself to be led out of the room and out onto
the cold deck of the ship that was floating six miles above the wreckage of the
Titanic. Shivering, she was led to the ship’s railing.
"Follow me," the voice
spoke. Rose frowned. The voice…it came from the other side of the railing,
facing her. What did the voice mean, follow it? It was certain death to follow.
Maybe she should open her eyes and see who this person was and how they were
keeping themselves from falling into the ocean below.
"Don’t be scared. Follow
me," the voice once again beckoned.
Sighing tiredly, Rose grasped the
rail and followed the voice, halfway expecting to fall. But strangely, she
didn’t fall. She was floating in midair. How extraordinary.
"Come, Rose." The voice
was now coming from below her, and quickly she followed. After a couple of
minutes, she opened her eyes and gasped. She was alone. Whoever had owned the
voice was long gone now. She was alone and surrounded by the blue calm sea and
heading straight for the ruined ship below.
She gasped as her feet met the
ruined deck. Frowning, she looked into a piece of broken glass and her eyes
widened in surprise at the reflection. She was young again! Her white hair had
turned back into a fiery red, and her wrinkled, spotted skin was now healthy
and smooth. She was seventeen years old once again. Sounds of soft music
reached her ears as she saw that she was now wearing a white 1912 ball gown.
The music grew louder as she stood there, staring in disbelief at her
reflection. Finally, her feet began to move to the first class saloon. Her eyes
widened as the ship began to transform from the ruined wood back to its grand
opulence. It was like the wreck had never happened.
Entering the now restored saloon,
she gasped once again in unsurpassed joy. Everyone she had ever known and more
were there. From the band that had played to the end to Mr. Andrews, who stood
at the bottom of the steps with a welcoming smile. And on the top landing, with
his back turned to her, was Jack. He had been waiting for her. That was obvious
by the smile that came to his lips when he turned to see her ascend the stairs.
Stretching out his hand, he led her into the warmth of his arms.
"Welcome home, Rose."
He smiled. "You did good."
"Never leave me again."
Her eyes shone with tears of happiness.
"Never again." He
pulled her into a deep, all-consuming kiss.
Applause thundered throughout the
saloon. Jack and Rose were together again at last. Really, nothing on earth
could ever come between them. Not even death. In one form or another, they were
always together. Now they were together in heart, body, and soul, and that was
they way they stayed.
The End.