Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the characters, and the specific plots related to those characters, obviously I don't own the Titanic itself, and I'm not James Cameron. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Author's Note: This is a Titanic love story not featuring Jack and Rose, but with a similar cross-class romance. It's structured in a similar flashback/storytelling manner as the movie, because I like that, so this first chapter is just the short prologue, and doesn't feature the ship at all, though I promise, the Titanic will make an appearance in the next chapter. So without further ado, I hope you like it.
Prologue
Palm trees sway ever so slightly in the gentle breeze as a red-haired woman made her way through a quaint retirement community. Evidently having been there before, she smiled at a few residents who waved to her before stopping at a door and ringing the bell. The door opened to reveal an old woman with a bright smile.
"Maggie!" The door opened wider, the old woman opened her arms for an embrace. "Congratulations, sweetheart."
"Grandma!" Maggie gave the woman a hug, going into the large suite. "Nana, Papa!" She called into the living room, waving to an even older woman sitting on the couch, next to an old man in a wheelchair right next to the couch. Maggie took her grandmother by the arm, walking with her over to the living room, embracing the other two, giving the old man a kiss on the cheek.
No sooner had she sat down when the old woman she'd addressed as Nana spoke up, "Come on now, dear, let's see the ring."
Maggie's smile widened as she held her left hand out towards the three to show off the brilliant diamond ring sparkling on her ring finger. Both of the women repeated their congratulations, and praised the lovely ring. It was simple, but big enough that an effort had clearly been made, and the white gold band fit Maggie's finger perfectly. Maggie thanked them, blushing a little at all the compliments, before leaning over to give Papa a better look at the ring. He gave it an approving little nod before handing Maggie a black velvet jewelry box. Maggie opened the box to reveal a stunning antique necklace and pair of earrings, covered in diamonds and emeralds. She gasped a little at the finery, looking up at the three in confusion.
"Something old for your wedding." Nana told her, dabbing a tear from her eye at the sight of the necklace.
Grandma moved over on the couch to sit as close to Papa as possible, taking his hand in hers, giving it a comforting little pat while Nana waved away Maggie's confused concern, assuring the young woman that she was alright. "There's a story that goes with your engagement gift." She told Maggie, watching as the young woman closed the jewelry box and placed it on the glass coffee table to listen to the story. "That necklace is one of the few things that made it across on the Titanic with us."
Maggie's eyes widened a little as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees to pay attention to the story. She knew that the three had been on the Titanic, but ever since childhood she'd been told not to ask about it, since of course the experience had been traumatic, and that she would hear about it when they were ready to tell her. And it seemed as though now was that time…