Through her diary, found after her death, much more is learned about things that Rose Dawson (formerly Rose DeWitt Bukater) had kept in her heart during her life. After being rescued at sea, Rose lives in New York several years, goes to California, then to Wisconsin where she meets Jack Dawson's relatives, learns much more about Jack, and marries his cousin Jeremy, who is apparently murdered by her ex-fiance Caledon's men. Rose moves to Milwaukee and marries Darrell Calvert. Rose dreams often of Jack and feels his presence in her life. Jack helps Rose in various mysterious ways during her life, but most importantly by inspiring her to sacrifice herself for others and by gradually helping her to forgive the survivors of the Titanic for their failure to return and rescue those in the water. Other facts about Rose's life are revealed at her funeral. Story continues with events in the life of Rose's granddaughter Lizzy and her husband Brock. Authenticity of various paranormal experiences of Rose involving Jack, at first uncertain, seems to be gradually confirmed.