"Ruth, where is that girl?" Alexander demanded. "It's late and she's nowhere to be seen."
"She'll turn up," Ruth stated matter-of-factly from the chair she was sitting in. She didn't look up from her knitting. "There are people to help her if she gets lost. Besides, you're going to wear a hole through that floor if you keep up that pacing."
"I hope she's not hurt."
"She's a grown woman, Alexander. If she were to scream for help dozens of men would come rushing to help her."
"It's..."
"What Alexander?"
"I've got a bad feelin'. Somethin' is not right 'bout this," Alexander began to look worried again. "I've been feelin' it for the past few days but it's gotten stronger. If somethin' were to happen I want you and Josie to get onto a life boat and get away to safety."
Ruth could only stare at her husband.
~*~*~*~
"I have an idea," Charles commented.
"What is it?" Josephine asked.
"Tomorrow is Sunday, right?"
"Yes."
"Isn't it good luck to be married on a Sunday?"
Josephine thought about that. She had never heard that idea before but it wouldn't surprise her. "Is there a pastor on board Titanic?"
"I believe so but I believe Captain Smith is also ordained. I shall talk to him tomorrow. In the meantime I suggest we get out of this room before we're discovered."
Charles took Josephine's hand again as he escorted her out of the room. He ducked back in for a moment to turn out the lights. Charles yawned, "Excuse me, I'm more tired than I thought I was."
Smiling to herself Josephine shook her head. "Then you should get to bed. You won't be any good falling asleep on duty."
"Nagging me already, are we?" Charles joked. He looked down to Josephine who was smiling back up at him.
"And what kind of wife-to-be would I be if I didn't start naggin' my husband-to-be early on?" Josephine shot back.
"Do you have any idea how silly that sounds?"
"Oh, go to bed."
Charles laughed again. He felt his spirits rise even more if that were possible. The laughter he was engaging in was so good for his soul.
Charles raised his fingers and caressed Josephine's cheek. He enjoyed the feeling of her smooth skin against his fingertips. "Good night, Josie," Charles whispered to her. He ignored anyone passing by and bent in to kiss his wife-to-be. If anyone gasped in surprise or made any comments he failed to hear them. "I love you, Josie," he whispered against her lips once the kiss had ended.
"I love you, Charles," Josephine whispered back.
"Good night then."
"Good night."
Charles felt as if he were walking in the air, he could barely keep his feet on the ground. If he could get away with it he'd run through the decks screaming. It was funny what love does to a person.
~*~*~*~
Josephine kept smiling until Charles was out of sight. This was it; she was going to marry Charles tomorrow come hell or high water.
She spun around on her toes and found her way back to her cabin. "Mama? Da? Is anyone in 'ere?"
"We're in here, dear," Ruth responded.
Josephine half skipped, half walked into the area.
"My, you're in a wonderful mood tonight," Ruth remarked.
"And what's there not to be happy about Mama? It's a beautiful night out, people are happy, and we're aboard the Titanic!"
"Just how much sugar do they put into the food?" Alexander remarked to his wife. He laughed when Ruth smacked him across the arm.
"Speaking of happy moods I'm glad that you two are in one. I'm goin' to pick out my Sunday best and then retire for the evenin'."
"You do that, Josie," Alexander said after his daughter's retreating form. "If only we could capture that energy she has right now and bottle it."
~*~*~*~
"Will!" Charles called out. He didn't know what drew him to the bridge but he had to ask his friend his question not now but right now.
William Murdoch looked surprised to find Charles come running towards him. "What are you doing up so late? Aren't you tired?"
"Yes, but that's not important."
"What is it, Lights?"
It took a few tries for Charles to get his words out, "Will, I want you to be my best man."
"Best man for what?"
"I'm getting married Will! Josie told me she'd marry me!"
"That's wonderful! But...who's Josie?"
"Do you remember that girl that you said 'isn't she the prize'? That's Josie and she agreed to marry me!"
"When are you getting married?"
"Tomorrow!"
"But that's so soon."
"I know but I've been waiting years to be able to ask her to marry me."
"That's wonderful, I'm so happy for you!" Murdoch found himself laughing as Charles seized him in a tight hug. Giving his friend a light pat on the back he continued, "And, yes, I will be your best man. Now go to bed and get some sleep. We can't have the groom falling asleep at his own wedding."
"Yes, Dad," Charles walked past James Moody at a quick pace. He shouted making the younger man jump, "I'm getting married!"
Moody blinked. Once. Twice. "What just happened Mister Murdoch?"
