But tonight, I had a revelation, you might even say a calling. You see, Bellamy has unfinished business with our world, with the life that was cut short from him. He yearns to live again, with the woman he loves. That woman is you, Rose. He chose you the first instant he saw your picture. I believe Fate intervened to bring you together. Just as I believe he came to me, because now it is my turn to help him, and by that I really mean help you both find the happiness you deserve.

I never did feel like I was ready to retire. This way I guess I don't have to. It's calling me, Rose—adventure is calling me. I don't know how it works or who I answer to exactly. All I know is that I have to choose. Bellamy chose, and he saw the wonders of the universe. But my reason for choosing is far simpler and far more important to me: it will give you this chance to be happy. When I'm gone, be kind to him. If he isn't there with you, go find him. Never stop looking. Don't let doubt stop you. Find him and keep him and make a life together. Do what Hank and I could not. And always remember, this was meant to be.

With all my love,

Mom

***

The cries of seagulls and the intoxicating scent of sea air accompanied her every step of the way through historic Portsmouth town as she strolled, just strolled, as if in a dream, parallel to the ancient-looking stone wall protecting the old town from the sea, toward her rendezvous. Passing quaint, cobbled side streets, she enjoyed the smell of beer from the pubs and especially the aroma of fish and chips.

Six thousand miles from home, Rose felt strangely comfortable here. It may have been memories of her mom reading her stories of British naval history, some of them amazingly detailed and specific, conjuring images and vibes that translated in subtle ways to the sights and smells and the ambience of what she was experiencing now, decades later. That idea took the edge off her grief. Several weeks had passed since her mom had died, and not an hour had gone by when Rose hadn't thought of her, of what her mother had said on that eerie midnight walk and in her final diary entry, with a crazy mix of emotions. Most of all, Rose just missed having her there, her best friend, her anchor. The mysterious events surrounding her mom's passing merely added fog to a time in her life she already couldn't see clearly, objectively. What it all meant. Why it had happened to them. Rose believed everything her mom had said but she still couldn't make a reality out of it. Too much of it was ineffable. Far-reaching. Impossible to get her head around.