Thursday, August 21st, 1890

My Dearest Katherine,

Please understand me when I say, that I will never let anyone or anything stop me from being with you. You are the reason I look forward to getting up each morning, in hopes of seeing your beautiful face as I walk down the street. You are my reason for living. You have such passion, such life. It's quite the rarity in women – not that you could be compared to any other. You bring this light and beauty into my life that cannot be measured. I promise you, we will be together. No matter what obstacles we may face, love always finds a way. And I will find you. I need you in my life. I want to hold you. I want to marry you. Have children with you. Grow old with you. Sweetheart, do not lose faith, please I implore you. I love you with all my heart. I will write you again tomorrow, as I do every day.

All my love,

Edward.

I folded the letter neatly and placed it back into its worn out envelope. Flipping it over, my finger traced over the letters, feeling the indentation that had been etched onto the paper. My mother's name, printed neatly on the front in my father's hand.

Sighing heavily, I turned to the box beside me that contained hundreds of other letters that looked similar to the one in my hands. I flipped through the envelopes, which were catalogued by date, finding the correct home for this particular letter. My parents love story was rare and unheard of. No one married for love, they only married for money. I thought back to the stories my parents would share; how their union was not one that was acceptable.

My mother, a middle class woman, with limited financial standing in this world. My father one of the most eligible bachelors in all of America. Yet they overcame the hardships and were soon married.

"It was a long road, of hardships, heartache and determination. But we managed to get through all of that. I wouldn't do it any differently". My father would always say. My mom's nose would crinkle as she smiled, then she would mouth out "I love you".

This was routine. I would hear it every day. Not once was I annoyed or bothered by this. It gave me hope. Hope that one day I would experience all of the magic and love my parents felt every day of their lives since their marriage.

I placed the lid on the box, and stood from my bed brushing the skirt of my dress, removing any wrinkles that may have formed while sitting. I looked down at the black fabric that had become all too familiar to me. It had been one week to the day since I buried my parents.

I picked up the box, placed it on the floor, giving it a small nudge with my foot, sliding it under my bed.

"You must've read those a hundred times over by now". I turned my head to see my life-long friend Alden Kinston leaning against the doorway to my bedroom.

"One hundred and one, actually." I responded. The corners of my mouth turning upwards slightly.

"You always have a smart ass answer for everything"

Alden has been in my life since I can remember. He and I were absolute trouble makers. We grew up living next door to one another here in Rye, a small town in England. He was the older brother I never had. We spent every minute we could with each other. When it came to me and him, all decorum was lost. Anything could happen.

"I learn from the best."

"And who is that, pray tell?" he said with a wide grin, exposing his almost perfect teeth.

"Ali, I'm not in the mood for games." I started for the door but he quickly put his hand on the door frame, his arm blocking my way through.

"Luce." He said, dropping all humor from his voice. "Look at me." I slowly looked up into his bright green eyes. "You are not alone. Remember that. I'm here for you, Sarah is here for you-"

"Alden, sweetheart!" And just like that the high pitched voice of Sarah reverberated through the house. I rolled my eyes and ducked my head under Ali's still outstretched arm.

I turned to face him, taking small steps backwards.

"I'm fine Ali, really. No need to worry about me. Besides, you're fiancé" I said dramatically with a thick French accent "needs you right now." I turned around, continuing down the hallway.

"Lucy." Ali called after me, but I didn't turn around.

XXX

I rounded the corner of the house, my fingers grazing the wooden walls. I did my best to avoid the pictures hanging perfectly side by side. They were all of my parents and me. A reminder of the happier times. I decided I needed to clear my head. I made my way outside to the garden, fresh air would do me some good. This last week had been nothing but an emotional roller coaster, which I never thought would end. I didn't know what I was going to do next.

Here I am, 20 years old, an orphan, with absolutely no direction. My parents were the only people I had in my life. Them and Ali. He would soon be gone as well. He and Sarah were due to depart on the Titanic in 3 days-time to prepare for their impending nuptials in America.

I sat down on a stone bench located in the middle of the large yard, looking out over the ocean in the distance. Instead of appreciating the beauty, I thought of how this was only one of the millions of things to see that I wouldn't be able to share with my parents. A small tear found its way down my cheek.

I was ripped away from my realization when I heard Sarah yelling. What she was yelling about I couldn't discern. I imagine it had something to do about how underappreciated she felt. That's all they ever argued about. Sarah would yell and Ali would listen. She would tell him to pay more attention to her and he would just say "yes dear". The yelling suddenly stopped. I turned my head around and saw Ali, leaning up against the balcony both of his arms stretched out on either side of him. The French doors leading out were closed behind him. He was looking out towards the ocean when he looked down and noticed me. He smiled ever so slightly and nodded his head.

I thought about how Ali was different from any man I ever met. He didn't carry himself in a way most men of privilege did. He was thoughtful, considerate, kind and above all else, respectful. He didn't mock the less fortunate or turn his nose on what other people thought. He listened carefully and responded honestly. I always liked that about him. He was always popular with the ladies. He was tall, broad shouldered, with dirty blonde hair and deep green eyes. He was an absolute catch, fine quality breeding. But unlike anyone else, he never let it get to his head. He was just Ali. My best friend.

"Stay right there!" he called. "I'm coming down."

He didn't give me a chance to say anything. He quickly turned on his heel, pulled open the french doors and moved quickly inside.

I turned back to the ocean, thinking about my parents again. They would always tell Ali and me that we would end up together. We would both scrunch up our faces as if we smelt something awful and say "EW" in the highest voices we could muster. It was one of many personal jokes we shared.

It was one of the many reasons Sarah didn't like me. She found our relationship odd and inappropriate.

"It's just not natural." she would scold. "A man and woman acting the way you two do. Especially in such a manner one wouldn't dare express unless you were to be betrothed."

She didn't understand our relationship. They became engaged 8 months ago. After that she told him it was no longer appropriate to spend so much time alone with another woman that was not his fiancé. He stopped coming around every day. It soon turned to every other day, then twice a week, to maybe once in a while. He came as often as he could, trying to avoid her scrutinizing eyes.

This was the first time in 8 months that we had spent so much time together. Ali had convinced Sarah that it was only right for him to stick around for a while.

It was the day of the funeral, I had escaped to my room, when I could hear them outside my window.

"She has no one else right now! She needs me Sarah! I don't know how you cannot see that!" he didn't give her a chance to respond. "I am staying here as long as Lucy needs me. End. Of. Story."

I had never heard him use that kind of tone with anyone. It was a tone that lacked patience and understanding, something I thought Ali would never run out of.

"Hey" he said sitting down to my left. It was quiet for a long time before he spoke.

"Remember the time that we snuck out in the middle of the night." He said bending over and picking up a stray twig.

"Which time?" I asked.

He laughed. "It was right before I left for college. We walked to the beach and just sat in the sand and talked until the sun came up. We were both young and carefree. It was the last time I can honestly remember not having a care in the world." He fumbled with the twig, breaking off little pieces. He turned towards me then.

"Lucy. What I said back there, I meant it. I will always be here for you. I know you feel absolutely alone in this world, but I assure you, I'm not going anywhere."

I just stared at the ocean as he continued.

"Sarah and I, we're headed out on the Titanic in three days, which you already know. I was just speaking with her in regards to the trip, and I believe it best if you come along." He couldn't be serious.

"Ali, I don't think that's the best –"

"I AM NOT LEAVING YOU HERE ALONE!" He shouted taking me completely off guard. He dropped the remaining piece of the twig on the ground. He lifted his hands running them through his hair. "I refuse to get on that ship knowing that you will do nothing to help yourself." He took a moment before finally turning towards me. He gently grabbed my chin and turned it so I was looking at him.

"Luce. You don't have any reason to stay here." He said softly. The words stung me like a thousand bees.

I closed my eyes turning away from him. "I know." I said in a whisper.

"Then come with me." It wasn't a question.

"But what about Sarah? I can't imagine that she is all too thrilled with the idea."

"I've already handled it." He scoffed. "God she can be so infuriating sometimes. Ya know that?"

It wasn't like Ali to talk ill of someone. He found gossip to be both vulgar and unnecessary.

"She never has anything nice to say to anyone! She constantly complains about every little damn thing!"

"Why are you marrying her Ali?" It was a question I had been dying to ask, but was always too scared to.

"I…I…" he sighed, pushing out all the air that was in his lungs.

"She is perfect in every other way." He finally said.

"You can't possibly be serious. Ali she-"

"Enough." He stood quickly. I felt wounded. He never acted this way once with me.

I looked up at him, the hurt clear on my face. His features softened instantly.

"Lucy. I am so sorry. I don't know what's come over me. I think I may need to lie down." He bent over placing his hand on the back of my head, kissing me on the forehead before turning and walking inside.

I turned back towards the ocean looking for something, anything to take my mind off of everything that just happened. Titanic, going to America, leaving behind my home, the last remaining thing I had of my parents. As much as I didn't want to go, I knew Ali was right. I had nothing left here; Just memories. The sudden realization made the dam behind my eyes burst. I buried my head in my hands, wishing now, more than ever, that my parents were here to hold me.