Southampton, April 10th 1912

"Miss Rose." A soft whisper awakened her from her sleep. Not knowing where she was for a moment she was welcomed by the sweet eyes of her maid. She sat up straight, blinded by the light that was coming from her window.

"What time is it?" She asked Trudy as she put down the breakfast tray next to her.

"Nine O'clock, miss. Today is the big day," She smiled at her. Rose knew Trudy was more excited to go back to America than she was. She dreaded it, for it meant the wedding was coming closer by the day. Her maid couldn't wait to go back to her home country and the routine of her existence. The papers were full of today's major voyage of the Titanic. It was all of luxury locked up within a floating device. She wanted to close her eyes and drift off again. A knock on her door interrupted their conversation. Cal's voice. came bursting through.

"Sweet Pea, are you up? We must make haste!"

Rose rolled her eyes and put her tray away. Not having any for of appetite, she headed straight towards the bathroom.

"I want to wear the black dress today, Trudy." she told her. But as soon as Rose came walking down the stairs, Cal shook his head drastically. Wearing black on a day like this couldn't mean anything but bad luck. She had to change immediately. She was furious when she walked back into her room, only to see that Trudy had already laid down another outfit.

"When you tried this on, miss, I thought you looked radiant." She gave her a quick smile. It was her purple and white striped suit which Rose had bought in London the previous week. It was a tight dress, yet perfect for the occasion. The hat that matched with it was big enough for anyone not to see the despair in her eyes. Heading back down again her mother and fiance were already waiting in the car.

They were just in time for the ship was about to leave in ten minutes. Their white Renault, leading a silver-gray Daimler-Benz, pushed through the crowd, leaving a wake in the press of people. Around the handsome cars people were streaming to board the ship, jostling with hustling seamen and stokers, porters, and barking White Star Line officials. As the young woman stepped out She looked up at the ship, taking it in with cool appraisal.

"I don't see what all the fuss is about," She said calmly, "It doesn't look any bigger than the Mauretania."

"You can be blase about some things, Rose, but not about Titanic. It's over a hundred feet longer than Mauretania, and far more luxurious. It has squash courts, a Parisian cafe... even Turkish baths." Cal was now standing next to her and laughed sarcastically yet also trying to break the tension between the family. Cal turned and fived his hand to Rose's mother, "Your daughter is much too difficult to impress, Ruth."

After listening to them chatting about it being unsinkable she took Trudy, the only one she wanted to be around, close to her. She was not about to leave her side anymore, Rose simply didn't want to. Slowly they moved into the crowd. The maid carefully hustled behind them, laden with bags of her mistress's most recent purchases... things too delicate for the baggage handlers. Cal leads, weaving between vehicles and handcarts, hurrying passengers (mostly second class and steerage) and well-wishers. Most of the first class passengers were avoiding the smelly press of the dockside crowd by using an elevated boarding bridge, twenty feet passed a line of steerage passengers in their coarse wool and tweeds, queued up inside movable barriers like cattle in a chute. A health officer examined their heads one by one, checking scalp and eyelashes for lice. A sudden rush of wind passed them and Cal was jostles by two steerage men, rushing by. Rose watched as she she heard one of the two yell something in Italian to them. The other guy turned his head for a second, gave them a mischievous smile and they were gone.

"Steerage swine. Apparently missed his annual bath." Cal growled whilst trying to regain his balance.

"Honestly, Cal," Ruth scolded him, "if you weren't forever booking everything at the last instant, we could have gone through the terminal instead of running along the dock like some squalid immigrant family."

"All part of my charm, Ruth. At any rate, it was my darling fiancee's beauty rituals which made us late."

"You told me to change." Rose quickly snarled back at him. Of course it was her fault.

"I couldn't let you wear black on sailing day, Sweet Pea. It's bad luck."

"I felt like black."

Then Cal took hold of her arm, leading her towards the entrance. He wanted to show the world his price, his possession. Taking her first step over the threshold of the ship felt as if she took her first step into her own grave. This was it, she thought to herself. Then they disappeared into the gangway of Titanic as if it swallowed them into the disaster no one could ever believe to happen.

Chippewa Falls, 1912

"I didn't know you had a cousin." Jack told Florence. They were walking on their way home as he had picked her up from work. Having prepared tonight's dinner with Mrs. Hughes he was ready to surprise the family. Florence was surprised by his sudden remark. She barely talked about her family to anyone.

"How do you know?"

"Your mother told me. I found this pile of newspapers about the sinking of the Titanic."

"Well you can't read them again when my father is near, Jack. He's been like obsessed with it or something. But we can't blame him for the things he does because of his illness. I've only met Trudy like four times in my life, but she was a really nice person. Despite the tension between my father and his side of the family she was always kind and wrote us many cards and such."

Jack simply nodded his head as she continued her story, "Her death took such a toll on him and we still don't know why. He won't say. But please, Jack. Don't mention anything related to that ship to my father."

He kissed her and shook his head. He wouldn't and besides that, he couldn't. He could only say he was apparently on the ship, but who would believe him, who would believe his amnesia. Arriving home, everyone was already gathered around the table waiting for the two to join them. Jack had to laugh a bit and felt some sort of pride when he saw all the food on the table. When he was younger he would always help his mother cook whenever they had guests around. She would trust him with a knife, allowing him to cut up all the ingredients before they'd be prepared by Mrs. Dawson. Jack would be so concentrated on his task, a form of calmness he would also feel whilst drawing. It was those little moments of joy with his parents he loved to reflect on.

"Quickly," John urged the two to take their seats, "before it gets cold."

It was a night to never forget. It was an ambiance of pure joy and laughter. Louise had positioned herself behind the piano and started to play the most popular songs of the time.

Come Josephine in my flying machine and it's up she goes, up she goes. Everyone sang and cheered. Florence turned towards Jack who was just smiling, observing the situation.

"You don't know this song?" She asked him.

He shook his head. "I think I recognise the tune form somewhere, but I can't remember."

After a while of singing some more, Jack cleared his throat and stood up, asking for everyone's attention.

"I want to ask you all something. Ever since I've gotten back I've had my eye one someone special. I've already asked her a special question and luckily for me she said yes." Everyone was staring at him in awe. They knew what was coming, but also didn't at the same time. Florence tried to hold in her smile, butterflies taking over not only her stomach, but it seemed as if they were flying throughout her whole body. "But I also want all of your permission. I want to ask for Florence hand in marriage."

The silence seemed to grow further for a second, before, out of everyone Mr. Hughes broke the silence.

"Yes, Jack." He smiled sympathetically, "You have our permission."

April 14th 1912.

The silence was devastating. Rose was swirling the lemon in her tea drastically, afraid to say anything or even move. He knew, she knew he knew about her adventure of last night. When she arrived back in her room, she thought everyone was already sound asleep. It was only when she laid in bed herself, her door opened and she heard footsteps coming straight towards her. Fortunately it didn't last for long. But as she heard those same footsteps now heading towards the breakfast table, there was no way to avoid them anymore. Then the moment was there. He was furious, screaming at her and throwing the table to the other side of the promenade deck.

"Yes! You are! And my wife," Cal yelled, "in practice, if not yet by law. So you will honor me, as a wife is required to honor her husband! I will not be made out a fool! Is this in any way unclear?

Rose shrunk into the chair. She looked at Trudy, frozen, partway through the door bringing the orange juice. Cal followed Rose's glance and straightened up. He stalked past the maid, entering the stateroom. Trudy came rushing towards the distressed girl and started cleaning. Rose kneeled down beside her, crying.

"We had a little accident, Trudy. I am so sorry."

"It's alright, miss." She tried to calm her down as she fell back, wiping the tears from her face. Trudy took her inside and sat Rose down onto her bed. She started stroking her head just like she always did when Rose was younger and in despair. It calmed her mind most of the times, yet this time it hardly seemed to work.

"I don't ever want you to leave me, Trudy." Rose cried, "You are all I have that I trust and can count on."

Trudy kissed her head and smiled. "I'll never leave you, miss. Not in a million years."

Pittsburgh, 1912

Rose had roamed the streets of Philadelphia for the whole night. She was not angry nor scared or anything, she felt completely numb. Arriving back home in the early hours of the day Meredith came rushing over to her. She in fact was scared. Scared for what could have happened to her friend, frightened for the future. They both did not sleep anymore, bur went on to prepare for their journey to Pittsburgh. Rose insisted on taking her maid with her. She couldn't lose a friend, not again.

As the train moved along, Rose looked over at Meredith who had been sleeping the whole time. For her, sleep was an impossible task for her body was wide awake. Her gaze moved towards an older couple sitting in front of them. They smiled at her. She smiled back.

"Excuse me." The older woman said to Rose.

"Yes?"

"I have this feeling that I recognise you from somewhere, but I can't wrap my mind around it."

"I am afraid I have no idea, ma'am."

As they arrived at the station, Meredith's eyes shot open. Being confused by her surroundings, her stomach dropped as soon as she came to the conclusion what was about to happen. There was no way, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater would allow her to stay, but Rose was determent to win this fight. Rose's luggage had luckily been already taken to Mrs. Hockley's residence so they only had to carry some of Meredith's belongings.

"This is going to be scandalous, Rose." She tried to warn her mistress one last time. Rose turned to her and couldn't help but smile a little bit.

"I've fallen in love with a penniless artist, Meredith," she said, "I wanted to elope with him, even carried his baby for a while. I think my ideas of scandalous are a bit different than yours."

The motor car stopped in front of the house and the two girls looked at each other. They squeezed one another's hand, a final sign of encouragement. As they stepped out the door opened immediately. There they were: Cal, his mother and Ruth, whose eyes shot opened by the sight of not only one girl, but two. Her fiancee smiled brightly, walked over to her and planted a kiss on her lips. Even for his mother he had to show what kind of trophy wife he had scored. Mrs. Hockley followed behind her son and welcomed her future daughter in law with open arms.

"Isn't your father here?" Rose whispered to Cal.

He shook his head. "On a business trip as usual, but he'll be back in time for the wedding."

"It's so good to see you, Rose." Mrs. Hockley told her.

"Thank you for having me, Ma'am." She was let inside and as she walked passed her mother, she only gave her a nod op recognition. Meredith quickly hasted behind her, afraid to look Ruth in the eyes. Being inside the maid was send down immediately to say hello to the other servants. Tea was being served in the drawing room, the tables filled with cakes and biscuits that could feed a whole orphanage. Finally sitting down, Rose finally felt how tired she was, but she had to go on with the game. There was no room for her to falter.

"How was your journey, Sweet Pea?" Cal asked as he sat down beside her.

"It was alright, darling." He was surprised by the sudden affection towards him, but he adored it. It seemed to look like he was finally getting what he was hoping for.

"You do look exhausted, dear." Mrs. Hockley remarked, "You don't want to get some rest before tonight?"

"Tonight? What is happening tonight?"

Another dinner party, terrific. The Hockley's had invited their closest friends and family to celebrate their engagement. It would be a small gathering of fifty people, all waiting to admire Cal's price. As Rose entered her room she could already see the shimmering object waiting for her on the vanity. The blue diamond looked at her like the villain it was. She traced her fingers over it, feeling the coldness of it. Without a knock, her door opened and Ruth came bursting in. She was furious.

"What on earth is this ridiculousness?" She hissed like a poisonous snake, ready to attack her pray at any moment.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Rose responded calmly, "Could you please send up Meredith for me? I want to get dressed for dinner."

"You have been playing me ever since you could walk and talk, Rose. You enjoy causing me pain!"

"Playing you? You have been putting me in situations unwillingly ever since I was born!" She turned around and fired back, "I have lost everything I have ever loved in my life. People, my freedom. I have agreed to marry Cal because of this family, for you."

"After being persuaded a million times and behaving like an inappropriate child with your disgusting little love affair."

"Yes. But I am here now, Am I not? I could have taken the train and go to whole different place if I wanted to, but I am here now!" She took a step closer towards her mother, her breath almost touching her skin, "I will be a good wife, mother. I promise that. But I have lost Trudy and I cannot lose another friend. Meredith is staying, now do I have you word like I have given you mine?"

Ruth did not respond and burst out of the room. For a second, Rose thought it was over, that she had lost. Sitting down onto the bed she threw her face in her hands, cursing loudly. Her heart was pounding in her chest. All she could do was wait. Wait for the moment she would hear the front door open and watch as Meredith walk out of her life for good. It was not the front door, but her bedroom door that suddenly swung open. It was her mother again, followed by her maid.

"I want her dress to match her diamond," Ruth instructed Meredith, "And I want her hair all the way up."

"Of course, ma'am." Out of the corner of her eyes, Rose saw Meredith's trembling hands as she opened the wardrobe and took out a dark navy sparkling dress. The colours of the gown and necklace were identical. She was going to steal the show tonight once more. Ruth stayed the whole time, observing the two's every move. No one shared a word until her mother signed the maid to leave the room.

"Thank you, mother," Rose whispered, "for letting her stay."

"There is no need to thank me, Rose. We'll see if she can keep up with Hockley household. Perhaps she wants to leave herself."

Pretending she didn't hear the comment, Rose rushed past her mother, ready for another night of entertainment.

Not a single soul that visited that evening was someone the bride to be recognised. She had to introduce herself almost over forty times and everyone wanted to know as much about her as possible. Cal was by her side the whole time, making it impossible to breathe properly. He planted a kiss on her cheek once more before taking hold of her hand and leading her towards another group of people. As Rose introduced herself once more, two people turned around. It was the couple she met on the train.

"I knew it." The woman laughed at her, "When I looked at your pretty face I knew you had to be related to out dear Caledon. And now to find out that you are his fiancee."

"It's a small world." Rose laughed awkwardly. They were Cal's grandfather's best friends Mr. and Mrs. Harper. Mr. Harper, having been a well known banker in his time, met the old Hockley during their Harvard days. They were inseparable. The old woman kept talking and talking and Rose could feel herself starting to zone out. As her head turned towards the left, she could see a group of servants through the creak of a door. They were marching through the hallway very still on their way outside.

"If you'll excuse me," She suddenly said, "I need to refresh myself for a moment." She didn't wait for a response and headed towards the hallway herself. The servants had sneaked outside, their silhouettes still visible from the inside. She followed them and as she headed down the small stairs into the backyard, the whole group froze. She saw the fear on their faces and felt immediately bad for them.

"I am not going to bite." She reassured them.

One of the servants, a boy about her age scoffed. "That's what they all say, ma'am." The other guy bumped him slightly in the side of his stomach, warning him about his behaviour.

"Don't worry," said Rose, "he is right. I was only asking if I could bum a smoke." It was now for the young maid to take action and handed her a cigarette. Rose thanked her and put out her hand, shaking the other's, "I am Rose."

"We know who you are." It took her a while before getting them at ease. But as soon as she had asked the group a few questions, making them realise that she was truly interested, the relaxed a bit.

"How long will you staying here for then?" Maria, the maid, asked her.

"Until the wedding, which is in a month. I am not asking anything of you and you don't have to do anything you don't want to do for me. The only thing I ask is if you'll be kind to my maid, Meredith. She is really dear to me." But before the group could answer they heard a door open and the sound of a voice from out of the darkness.

"Sweet Pea? Sweet Pea are you there?"

"Quickly, go!" She hissed towards the servants. Just in time they could flee from the garden without being seen by Cal, who was now heading down the stairs. He looked at his fiancee, then at the cigarette in his hands.

"What on earth is this? Everyone is waiting for you at the dinner table."

"I am sorry, Cal. I just needed to get some fresh air." As he took a step closer towards her, she could sense the smell of alcohol hanging around him. She took a step back from him.

"No more lies, Rose. You can't keep running off whenever you like. My mother has put so much effort into this dinner for you. Now come inside at once!"

"I will not be commanded like I am some sort of dog," She hissed back at him, "If you want me to listen to you, you need to talk to me like I am your equal." Taking a sprint, afraid that he would get a hold of her, she headed back inside. Everyone was in fact waiting for her, but most of them could appreciate her big entrance. It looked as if it was part of the show. Everything looked just how it should.