Okay so so so sorry for the lack of updates during these couple of days, this chapter (for some reason I still don't understand) was really hard for me to write... Probably because its sets up the mood for the rest of the story...

But oh well, its here! Finally!

Disclaimer- Don't own Titanic

Enjoy!

.xoxo


Annie lay awake for many hours that night. She couldn't sleep, and to be truly honest, she didn't want to. At first she believed it to be because of Tiber, but as the hours progressed and her mind got deeper into her thoughts, she realized that it had nothing to do with Tiber at all. Sure, he unnerved her, but it wasn't something that would keep her up during the night- she wasn't terrified of the man by any means. The true cause of her restlessness was much simpler than that. The Titanic had left an imprint on her that could never be erased. She knew that there would not be one day that passed that she wouldn't think of that night. Of the screams, of the icy waters, of Paolo's unconscious face…

Truth be told, she was grateful to God that Paolo and his brother had made it out of the water alive. It was extremely rare that it happened, most women had lost their husbands, boyfriends, fathers, and brothers. But yet, here she was- alive with her fiancé and his brother. It seemed almost unfair to everyone else that she had gotten so lucky.

But again, that wasn't what was bothering her.

What bothered her was how much things had changed in such a short period of time. Just a couple of days before she had been on the "unsinkable" ship traveling to America and later back to England as a second-class maid. Just a couple of days before she had been completely independently caring for herself. Just a couple of days before she was not engaged to be married. And not all of these things were bad by far, she really wanted to marry Paolo - as soon as they could afford it of course.

But now she was unemployed, her fiancé had almost died in her arms, and she was depending on both Mario and Paolo for protection and a roof. She wasn't used to it, and the only remedy for that would be time.

She hoped that she would get used to it all in time, this dreamer lifestyle of Paolo's was not exactly her forte. She had never really been spontaneous and unpredictable as him. Agreeing to marry him was probably the craziest thing she had ever done.

But it was the best kind of crazy, a decision that she knew, no matter what happened in the future, Annie would never regret.

She loved him that much.

At this thought, she was surprised to feel cold tears on her cheeks. With the back of her hand, she wiped them away, getting up from the bed and walking over to the window. She drew the curtains apart a bit, and sat on the window seat. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalled just how close she had come to being one of those women. She had almost lost him…

My god Annie, you're acting like a ninny, she mentally chided herself, shaking her head and exhaling as she cleaned her face.

You didn't lose him. He's alive and well.

She fixed her eyes on the dimly lit street below. The street was empty, and there was a cat sitting atop some boxes in the alley. The night was dark, the moon just barely casting a light beam into her window.

Mother, Father… I hope you like him. I hope you approve, she closed her eyes tightly, conjuring the picture of her deceased parents into her head. Her mother with the small frame and golden brown hair, her dark eyes twinkling with laughter; Her father, tall and broad with dark hair, his blue eyes staring warmly down at his mother. They had been so much in love.

She wanted that growing up-to be that much in love. It seemed as if she had finally gotten her wish.

Her dream.


After Paolo entered the room he would share that night with his brother, he started to undress, taking the white shirt off and kicking off his shoes.

"Allora" (so) Mario began, already ready for bed " Quale l'problema di Annie?" (What's wrong with Annie?)

"Niente" (Nothing) "Non e importante" (Its not important) Paolo said, folding his pants and putting atop the nightstand. He didn't really want to talk to Mario about Tiber. He really didn't want to talk at all. Its not that he could not trust his brother -that was not it at all… It just felt like something Annie would have wanted to keep between them only.

Mario chuckled softly.

"Solo tra voi due?" (Just between you two?) Paolo nodded, smiling briefly at his brother who shrugged and moved to turn the light off and climb into bed with him.

"Sta bene. ( Its ok)" he said, "Caspisco. Rispetto tua vita privata" ( I understand. I respect your privacy) Mario smiled a bit to himself in the dark, thinking to himself about how funny it was that his little brother, his fratellino, was going to get married before him. He drifted off to sleep quickly, his exhaustion over the past couple of sleepless nights wearing down on him.

Paolo stayed awake. He wasn't tired, but he could tell by his brother's light snoring that he was. He didn't want to disturb Mario, so he didn't get up from the bed. He let his mind wander, thinking about nothing and at the same time about everything. He knew Annie would be okay for the night, she knew how to take care of herself in case Tiber showed up or something.

But he still wished he was in bed with her, framing her body to his- keeping her warm and safe. Paolo couldn't wait to marry her, to be her husband, to start a family in America with her. He longed for the day that he could introduce her as his wife.

However, first things first, they had to find a job. He wasn't going to let Annie get married to him without a ring, without a ceremony. He thought briefly about his parents in Italy. He should write to them to let them know of his engagement. They'll be thrilled, and they'll want to meet her.

It would be amazing to get married in Italy.

He thought of this not because he was fond of Europe -there was a reason he and Mario had boarded the Titanic after all. He though of this because he knew it would mean a lot to his parents and family back home if they could see him on his wedding day.

But, alas… Here they were in America, and they were going to start a new life. After he acquired a decent amount of money, he would marry her properly. Then, when they were financially stable, they could get on a ship to Europe and visit his family. But for now, he did not want to step foot in an ocean liner for a long, long time. Paolo could still feel the cold clasp of the brisk water on his legs, crawling up his torso, reaching into his lungs. He really had thought he had died that night. He thought he would never feel Annie's lips on his, her body against his -the cold water had numbed him. All that was going through his mind as he had floated atop a broken table was that he was freezing and Annie. How sorry he was for leaving her so soon. But he had been given a second chance, and he was going to make it count. By God, he'd have to. It was the least he could do for asking her to take a chance on him. He was going to give her the better life he had promised, one way or another.


Annie awoke to the brightness of the sun, her head leaning against the window pane, her legs curled under her on the cushioned window seat. She shook her head, waking her self up fully. Yawning and stretching her arms overhead, she made her way over to where her dress lay, folded on top of the small dresser. She fingered the fabric between her fingers, teeth gnawing thoughtfully against her cheek.

Would this make a proper wedding gown? she contemplated, her eyes scanning the light blue fabric. Brides often wore something blue at their wedding, why not the dress? They could get married this very day if they wanted to, and she very much did. Annie wanted to leave the whole Titanic ordeal behind and start a new life.

Maybe after, I could study nursing? She was not afraid of hard work, and she felt strangely optimistic about trying to make something of herself. If she was a good nurse, it would give her a far larger purpose than accommodating ladies during their voyages. She would actually be helping people, making them get better and seeing their loved ones be grateful for it. She could hardly remember the last time a lady had said "thank you" for something other than the turning the bed for them.

It would be a nice change of scenery.

She quickly dressed, buttoning up the cloth buttons in the back with little difficulty. Once you help women dress themselves for a living, it makes dressing yourself a thousand times easier, she thought to herself with a silent giggle.

She took in her reflection in the small mirror above the washbasin, her fingers quickly combing through her hair and twisting it to fashion a bun. She rinsed her mouth with rosewater and applied some to her wrists. With quick fingers and a couple pins, she did her hair as she had done so every day for the past couple of years. A chignon was simple, classic and quick -three things that during her years with the White Star Line had been a characteristic in all her wardrobe. Maybe now that she would have more time, she'd dress her hair differently…

Just not today, there was much to do than lay around in the room toying with her hair. She rinsed her mouth with rosewater and applied some to her wrists. She shot a glance at herself in the mirror, and pictured herself in a very different attire.

Long pearl white sleeves covering her arms, a satin bodice which blossomed into a full skirt, draped over with detailing of embroidery and a long line of pearl buttons all down her back. A snow-white veil over her face, white slippers peering from the hem of her dress.

Snap out of it, Annie… Its time to be realistic, she thought, chiding herself for letting her thoughts stray. Glancing a the clock besides her bed, which read about a half-hour after seven in the morning, she collected her room key in a dress pocket, hoping that Mario and Paolo were already awake as she was.


Paolo awoke to the sound of the bed creaking with effort as Mario heaved himself up. Paolo groaned, already feeling the consequences of spending almost the entire night half-awake, lost in thoughts and trying to plan ahead. There was no way he was going to be able to go back to sleep, so reluctantly, he got up from the bed, the iron groaning under him.

"Buon giorno" (Good Morning) Mario said to him, already half-dressed.

Paolo groaned in response, reaching for his pants.

"Stati svegli tutta la notte, o che?" (Were you awake all night, or what?) he chuckled, brushing his hands through his hair in the mirror.

Paolo shrugged, "Non ho pot uto dormire" (I couldn't sleep) He finished buttoning up his shirt and walked into the washbasin, where he washed his face and teeth.

Mario opened his mouth to say something, but a knock at the door interrupted his flow of thoughts. Paolo smiled, running expectantly to the door.

He opened it to find Annie, as he knew he would, looking slightly sleepy as she waited for him to open the door.

"Buon Giorno, mia principessa" (Good Morning, my princess) he kissed her fully on the mouth, his earlier drowsiness almost having dissipated into thin air.

Annie squirmed against his mouth, giggling and pushing him away at the same time. When he pulled away, she peered around him towards Mario."I am so sorry that you had to witness that, your brother is something of a scoundrel" she chided Paolo, her eyes mockingly narrowing as he pulled her to him by her waist.

Mario laughed heartily, throwing his hands into the air.

"Lui e tuo problema ora" (He's your problem now) "I clean my hands and him off to you, my impressionable little brother is a hard one to shake off"

Annie still playfully struggled against Paolo's caresses, finally giving up and letting him hold her.

"You're telling me" she said, to which both Paolo and Mario responded with laughter.

"Colazione?"(Breakfast?) Paolo asked, having let her go and watching her smooth out her dress.

Annie scoffed a bit playfully, and pushed him away with one hand as he reached out to grab her waist.

"I think you've had enough, don't you think?"

Paolo smiled earnestly at her.

"Of you? Non e possible" (Its not possible)


Whew... Not my best chapter, but hopefully you guys liked some of it... I really needed to create a background for both of them in order to progress with my story.

Until next time (oh and leave a review!)

.xoxo