Chapter 2: An unexpected announcement

To say that Jack was surprised was an understatement. He had not suspected for a second the identity of this stranger, who was not so much of a stranger, since he was the eldest son of his parents' best friends. However, Jack did not remember ever meeting him, or he may have had some blurry memories from his childhood, buried somewhere in his memory.

After a few seconds of amazement, he noticed that Harry was still reaching out to him and hurried to offer his hands for greetings, while sending a shy smile to his interlocutor. But instead of shaking his hand as he expected, the older man carried the smallest hand to his lips. Jack felt himself blush. Of course, it was not the first time that someone greeted him in this way, he was no stranger to this, but this gesture coming from this person made him... well, he didn't know exactly what.

- Your son is a true gentleman, George. Said Marian Thayer, with a charming smile of which only her had the secret.

- And yours is adorable Marian, he is already a charming young man. Replied Eleanor Widener.

Jack did not know whether to thank her or not, but he was very embarrassed by the attention received from his parents and the Wideners. He would not have had time to say much since Margaret "Molly" Brown made a sensational entrance. Jack's parents didn't like her, she was one of the "new money" with her husband, and the old aristocratic families did not like it. Nevertheless, Jack appreciated her, partly because of her eccentricity but also for the rights she defended.

- Good evening ladies and gentlemen! She greated them. Oh, good evening, my little Jack!

This made Jack smile, she thought he looked so much like her son Lawrence, who is a little older than him.

Molly was accompanied by J.J. and Madeleine Astor, whom she had met during the couple's honeymoon in Egypt. The latter had told her about the Titanic, and the fact that her grandson, Lawrence Jr., had fallen ill, made her board with them to return to the United States.

The group politely greeted the new arrivals. The latter three then headed to the large dining room. Jack watched them go, he was starting to get hungry. He turned to his relatives and friends; they had continued their conversation as if nothing had happened. Nevertheless, the Wideners' son saw his distress.

- Perhaps we should go to the table to continue this discussion? He asked the two couples. It was a pretty trying day.

- Absolutely. You're right, Harry. Let's go. Jack's father said, joining his arm with his wife's.

The couple made their way to the dining room, followed by the Widener couple and finally Harry and Jack who walked next to each other without saying anything. When they arrived at the door opening onto the dining room, a steward accompanied them to their table. Jack noticed that there were not a lot of people; all the good company that got aboard in Southampton ate much earlier, so there were only passengers who boarded in France. They arrived at their assigned table; it was in the center of the room. The men helped their wives to sit down by gesture of gallantry. Jack was going to pull his chair when Harry did it before him, he couldn't help but blush again, he gave another little smile to Harry to thank him.

After everyone had sat at the table, the two patriarchs resumed their conversation about their respective businesses. One steward offered alcoholic beverages to adults while another took orders for dinner. After that, the steward joined the kitchens to announce the orders. He returned a few minutes later with the hors d'oeuvres. Everyone began to eat, which left room for silence with only the sound of cutlery in the plates as a background noise. No sooner they finished the first entry than the other dishes followed very quickly. And there was something for everyone: from beef fillet, roasted duck with apple sauce, turbot with lobster sauce. Although all this was delicious, Jack was no longer hungry long before dessert was served. He looked around the table, his mother discussed the latest gossip of the Philadelphia society with Mrs. Widener, while Harry was in the middle of conversation about money deals with his father and Jack's father. However, although he was not included in the conversations, he did not mind, there was still a good atmosphere at the table. But it was by the time of the dessert that an announcement would turn Jack's world upside down.

- Very well. Now that we had a good dinner, we must now discuss something very important. John Thayer announced, looking at his son.

Jack pause as he was bringing a spoonful of ice cream to his mouth. Everyone had their eyes fixed on him, which made him uncomfortable.

- I guess... that it does concern me? He asked, looking at the people around the table.

It was strange that his parents wanted to talk to him about something important in front of other people who were not part of the family.

- Yes. Continued his father. We spoke at length with our friends here, and we decided that our two families should unite to strengthen and seal our friendship.

Jack froze at those words. What did he mean? No, did he understand what his father was saying ?

It was his mother, Marian, who continued and confirmed what Jack feared.

- Jack, I think you understood what your father was trying to say. So, George, Eleanor, your father and I, have decided on a marriage between you and Harry. She declared, as serenely as possible.

For Jack, it was as if the time has suddenly stopped. He suddenly felt weakened. And without being able to control himself, he got up.

- I... Excuse me. I need to get some fresh air.

And without waiting for a reply from anyone, he turned around to get out of this room. At the table, everyone remained silent, until Marian spoke.

- It didn't go too badly...

Harry got up as well.

- I'm going to go talk to him. He told them.

It was his turn to leave the room, leaving the four parents in dismay for a few seconds.

- Let them get to know each other, Jack will eventually get a grip on himself. Tomorrow morning, Marian and I will discuss about this situation with him. Said John Thayer. With a clear head.

Then he turned to face George Widener.

- George, will you join me for a brandy in the smoking room to celebrate ?

- Of course, John. Answered the other man.

The two men greeted their respective wives to go a few decks up, while their wives would retire to their cabins.

On Jack's side, he was now on A Deck after climbing the Grand Staircase, and he had finally found an exit that led to the Promenade. When he went outside, there was no one there. A draft went through him, which is surely what discouraged some passengers from taking a night walk. Indeed, although it was spring, it was still very cold at the beginning of April, and temperatures were still very often negative at night, especially in the open sea. Jack shuddered slightly, he wondered if he should rather go back to his cabin, but he gave it up: he didn't want to face his parents, not tonight. He walked towards the bow, at the end of the Promenade deck and pressed his elbows on the railing and began to admire the dark and calm sea. He would like to be like those waves, they were free to go where they wanted, he would like to do the same. He felt betrayed. He was so happy to go on this trip to Europe with his parents, finally able to leave, for a few weeks, the country that saw him grow up, before starting university. The university. He didn't even know if he'll be able to go now. He began to curse his "special ability" as his mother liked to call it. Jack sighed deeply he had done it a lot today.

Suddenly, a voice rang out in the silence of the night.

- Can I join you ? Asked a familiar voice.

Jack started. He took a deep breath before turning around. He found himself face to face with Harry.

- Yes. He answered.

Jack went back to his initial position facing the sea, Harry joined him and took a similar position.

They looked at the sea, barely cleared by the stars.

- I... I wanted to apologize. Said Harry, with hesitation.

- Why ? Jack asked. You're not the one who have kept me in the dark and hidden this whole situation from me for several weeks, or maybe months...

- Aren't you angry about this wedding announcement ? Asked Harry, not hiding the surprise in his voice.

- Of course I am. But, I guess you didn't have a say in that either. The youngest replied to him again.

Harry hesitated a little, before continuing.

- To be honest, I am not entirely innocent in this case.

This brought Jack's gaze to the older man, who continued to speak.

- It was my parents who thought about it. You know, I'm 27 now. My parents are impatient with the fact that I have never been interested in anything other than my books; Although they admire my passion and my work, they want to see me marry someone and have children, heirs to the Philadelphia's greatest fortune. So when they told me about this case that they had discussed with your father beforehand, I agreed, without question. I think I just wanted them to leave me at peace with these wedding stories...

He paused to take a deep breath, still looking at the vast expanse of water in front of them, before continuing.

- But now I realize my stupidity. We both suffer from it, and I am sorry. I don't want to give you false hope, promising you that I can cancel this whole thing because, knowing our fathers, they won't go back on their words. But if you wish, I would like us to get to know each other. I think we both deserve to find happiness, even if we can't control this situation...

He stopped and turned to face Jack, who was still looking at him.

- I also want you to know, that even if this adventure begins without love, I know that I will learn to love you very quickly. I... You're a beautiful young man, Jack.

It wasn't seen in the dark, but Jack was blushing. Again. Before he could open his mouth to answer him, Harry resumed.

- I hope you can love me too, Jack...

It was almost a whisper. The older man continued his monologue.

-You don't have to give me an answer right now. We have a week before arriving in New York, we have all the time in the world to learn from each other.

There was another draft that made Jack shudder, unintentionally.

- But for now, we should go back and rest. Come on, I'll take you back to your cabin. Harry continued.

Without any hesitation, Jack walked away from the rail and walked beside Harry to reach their cabins. They walked in silence, and met some night passengers in the Grand Staircase, but no one in the corridors of C Deck. When they reached Cabin C-70, Jack's, Harry waited for Jack to unlock and open the door. When Jack turned to him to wish him a good night, it was Harry who again got ahead of him.

- If you ever want to meet me tomorrow, I heard that there was a reading room on the ship, then... You'll know where to find me. I wish you a very good night.

Not even waiting for a reply from the youngest, Harry turned and walked away.

- Good night Harry, and... Thank you. Jack told him, just loud enough for him to hear it but not enough to disturb the sleeping passengers.

That made Harry smile, but Jack didn't see. The latter watched the other man walk away to his cabin, which is a little further away from his, then Jack entered his cabin and closed the door. He stood against it for a few minutes, reflecting on that evening which had started so badly. Maybe this marriage wasn't going to be so bad after all, and then he had to say that Harry was a lovely man. He hoped they would get along well.

He went to his wardrobe to pick up one of his pajamas. He changed quite quickly, leaving his belongings on the floor of the room, he would worry about it in the morning. He turned off the light and lay down on his bed, covered himself with the warm blankets, and soon fell asleep, dreaming of a possible future with his fiancé.