Hi again everyone! So, after nearly 3 years, I've decided to revise my old fanfiction 'Married to the Shipbuilder' and give it a new lease of life! Better writing, a few extra chapters and some improvements will hopefully make this a little bit better :) Once again, I am basing the story off of what is known of their actual relationship, and real events in history. The rest is down to my imagination. So, here we go again! I hope you enjoy :D
Disclaimer: I still don't own Titanic, Thomas Andrews or anyone related to him. Obviously. Although based around some real life events, this story is fictional.
When people ask me of the most memorable moment of my life, this seems to be the first thought that surfaces. I will always think of this as the day my life changed... for better or for worse. At the risk of sounding too cliché, I'll let you be the judge of that... but I will forever hold this and the years that ensued in my heart as the best and most bitter-sweet time of my life.
The day that I am referring to is Christmas Day, in the year 1903. As was typical of my Mother, a party was to be thrown at the same time every year. Every year since my Father died, a large and exciting celebration was held, with lots of people, alcohol and activity. I think the reason for all of this was to fill the loneliness that my Father had left behind after his death in 1901. But I didn't think this then. I was 22, and my focus was on the good-looking gentlemen who would flock here every year. Some were here every year, some were just passing through, and some were 'old friends' who we hadn't seen since time immemorial.
Huddled round each other with a glass of champagne each, my friends and I inspected the interesting crowds dotted round the large room. The Harland's were in one corner of the room, chatting relentlessly to Mother. They were some of the old friends. There was one in that group, Henry, who was a few years older than me who I'd small-talked with numerous times throughout the evening. He had big ambitions and was planning on going abroad one day. I knew Mother would find him a suitable man for me to marry. That's probably what they were talking about right now.
"Henry had quite an interest in you then, eh?" One of the girls in my circle murmured.
"I think he had more of an interest in sharing his thoughts on the future of architecture than his feelings about me." I laughed half-heartedly.
"What about Mr. Andrews then?" She giggled like a little girl.
"Who?"
"Oh, that one over there." My eyes followed her finger to a small bunch of young men, engaged in conversation near the door. The one standing on the edge glanced momentarily up at me, and as he saw me looking, gave a small smile. I turned away, trying to conceal my ever-growing blush. Five times we made made little glances at each other that evening, but not a single word was spoken between us.
I went to bed that night feeling giddy, both off the champagne I'd consumed and of the unexpected attention from the mysterious Mr. Andrews. Before slipping into a deep slumber, I made a mental note to inquire about him at some point. And maybe I'd finally be able to... learn a little more about him.
