*Fifteen*
The Last Sunset
"Listen to me, Rose." Zipper started. "Do not worry about me. Okay? I don't want to change more than I already have."
"But, I can't see Jack. I told him I couldn't. And how can I not worry about you? My newest and truest friend?"
"Jack will be at the bow, at sunset. And Rose, you're a great friend. But, please try to understand." Zipper stated.
Rose nodded. Though she knew she couldn't just let her friend die, IF the ship sinks. She wasn't even sure that it would.
"Now come on, we have a dinner to get to." Zipper laughed.
Rose and Zipper walked down to the foyer first. Meeting up with several people. Including Frank, who was talking away with Mr. Andrews. The stewards were already decorating for the wedding. Which wouldn't take place for at least another three hours. It was scheduled for 8pm.
"Michaela!" She heard Officer Lowe call from behind her.
"Harold? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" She laughed as her hugged her.
"Ah, I tried. I slept some. I'm not on duty until eleven. So I thought I'd come down here to spend some time with you."
She smiled at him, then remembered Rose who was patiently standing beside her. "This is Rose DeWitt Bukater." She announced.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss." Lowe held Rose's hand in his and kissed her knuckles.
Rose politely smiled at him. "And you, sir."
They walked towards the dining saloon. Rarely did an officer eat here. But this was a special occasion.
"Sweetpea?"
Rose rolled her eyes as she heard Cal's voice from behind them.
All three of them turned to Cal. Officer Lowe glared at him a moment. But he was fairly good at hiding anger. Unless under a lot of pressure. Which he wasn't at the time. He was just excited about the upcoming wedding.
"Cal." Rose greeted, looping her arm through his.
"Good evening, Officer Lowe." Cal said, trying to sound polite. Though he knew he was making Zipper uncomfortable. "Joining us for dinner?"
Lowe nodded.
"Splendid." Cal said. "And might I say they're doing a lovely job with the decorating."
Cal looked around at the decorations, the theme was white of course. White ribbons, Roses. Table clothes. All that.
"Is White Star Line paying for all of this?" Cal asked, trying to make it sound like Officer Lowe was too poor to pay for it himself.
"Actually. The Captain and my fellow officers are doing it for me. A sort of wedding present. What can I say? They are true friends." He stared at Cal a moment.
Cal of course knew none of his friends would do this for him. He didn't have any 'true friends' only the bought ones. He nodded to Lowe, then led Rose to the dining area.
Zipper laughed a bit.
"Boy, he's a money-hungry one, ain't he?" Lowe laughed. "I wasn't trying to rub it in… I just happen to have good friends." He smiled innocently.
"Oh, come on you know he doesn't have friends like you do." Zipper slapped him playfully in the arm. "Try to be a gentleman to him."
"That takes a lot of effort." Lowe quickly replied.
She nodded knowing that was certainly right. She walked with him into the dining area. Leading him to the table. Of course he looked a bit out of place with his uniform, instead of a tux. But he was required to wear the uniform at all times.
"Good evening." J.J. Astor said when he spotted the couple.
"Hello, Mr. Astor." Lowe replied. He had met J.J. earlier that day, after Sunday services.
"Michaela, you look lovely as always." He kissed her hand.
She blushed. Then smiled. "Thank you, sir."
"Great to see you again, Lowe. See you tonight, I'm sure." With that J.J. left to seat himself at a table with his wife.
"Ah, young love." Colonel Gracie said from behind them. "Congratulations." He shook Officer Lowe's hand.
"Thank you, Sir." Lowe replied.
"Officer Lowe's joining us for dinner." She wanted to tell the Colonel, because if anyone would be understanding about it, he would.
"Marvelous. I'd say join me in a bandy, but I guess you can't while on duty, am I right?" The colonel asked.
"Well, I'm not on duty until eleven. So champagne with dinner is fine. But, I'm not really that fond of brandy." Lowe laughed.
The colonel was shocked. Someone didn't like brandy? It seemed so unlikely to him. But it didn't matter.
"Well, let's get seated then." They followed the colonel to the table.
Lowe sat between Zipper and Mrs. Brown. He made eye contact with Cal maybe twice before conversation started.
Rose, couldn't listen to what was being said. All she could think of was Jack. She knew she couldn't let him get away. She loved him. And that is how it was supposed to be. Just as Zipper had said.
"Officer Lowe, tell us, what's it like being an officer on the grandest ship of the world?" Ruth asked.
"It's amazing. I wouldn't trade it for anything." He looked at Zipper lovingly.
"Except maybe a position as captain. Right, Mr. Lowe?" Mr. Andrews smiled.
"Well, yes Sir, Mr. Andrews. I guess that would be a dream come true." Lowe agreed. "You'll have to design a ship especially for me. But, make sure it's a wonderful and grand as Titanic."
Mr. Andrews blushed a bit. Hating the attention. He knew his ship was great. Flawless. Well he did find some faults with her. But only little things like how many screws were in the coat-racks.
Surprisingly, the conversation didn't lead to ridicule. Lowe was just welcomed in like he was one of them. But of course he had no intentions of actually joining this crowd. He knew they didn't approve of the marriage, he wasn't blind to that.
After dessert Rose stood from her seat. "If you all will excuse me, I'm not feeling well. I think I'll go lie down."
She of course knew the wedding was in an hour, so after Cal and Ruth left, she could go to Jack.
"I'm sorry if I don't make it to the ceremony. But know my thoughts and blessings go with you both." She smiled at Zipper.
Zipper of course knew her plan. Before long everyone was retreated to their staterooms to dress for the wedding. Everyone would be there. Except of course, Rose.
Lowe and Zipper walked around for a bit. Visiting with the ones that were already waiting for the ceremony. Sitting around the foyer, drinking brandies. Zipper introduced Officer Lowe to everyone.
There were very few passengers that he knew already. His job was on deck, not mingling with passengers.
Ruth and Cal walked arm in arm over to them. "Shouldn't you both be getting dressed?" Ruth asked.
Lowe laughed. "Well I'm already dressed. But, Michaela said she wanted to spend some time with me. So here we are visiting with you great people." He glared at Cal a moment. Cal of course, didn't know he actually knew. He only figured Zipper had neglected to tell Lowe that small detail.
"Well I need to wait on Molly also. Since she's my matron of honor. After she's dressed. I'll go." Zipper said politely.
Ruth nodded, and walked on with Cal to get some refreshments from the steward.
"Come on, let's go watch the sunset." Zipper pleaded as she drug Officer Lowe to the lifts. He wasn't exactly used to using the lifts, he always took the stairs.
"Let's watch it from the bridge, we'll see it better." Lowe suggested.
"Okay!" She said. She only wanted to see the sunset. She hadn't seen one on the ship. And this would be her only chance.
Now she followed Lowe. He led her through the officer's quarters to the bridge.
"Coming to work so early, Lowe?" Murdoch asked. "You're wedding is in like an hour."
"I know, sir. Just bringing Michaela up to see the sunset." Lowe replied.
Murdoch smiled, shaking his head. He turned from them, and went for some tea.
They stood in the middle of the bridge. Looking off to the horizon. Her gaze fell down to Jack and Rose. They stood on the bow rail together.
"I'm flying, Jack!" Rose's voice carried on the wind.
Zipper just smiled. Lowe then noticed them. "Say, isn't that Miss. DeWitt Bukater?"
Zipper nodded.
"Why is she with that man from steerage?" Lowe asked.
"That's a long story." She laughed. "But come on watch the sunset, not Jack and Rose."
He smiled, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned her head against his chest. As the sun set before Titanic for the last time.
Jack and Rose were sharing their first kiss. Zipper was overjoyed, she hadn't changed everything, at least.
"Michaela. This truly is the Ship of Dreams. It brought me the woman of my dreams." He looked down at Zipper.
All she could do was smile at him. "I love you." She said.
"I love you, too." He kissed her deeply.
Moody came out laughing. "Can't you two wait until after the wedding?"
Lowe only chuckled a bit.
"Mrs. Molly Brown is looking for you, Miss. Rosenberg." Moody said.
"Oh, great!" She exclaimed. She looked back at the last lingering rays of sunlight. "See you in a little while." She kissed officer Lowe again.
Moody and Lowe watched her leave. "How is it you manage to hoard all the luck?"
Lowe laughed. "It's Titanic. I guess she has that affect on people."
Moody nodded. "That may be true, sir. But you don't see the rest of us meeting a girl like that, then marrying her almost immediately."
Lowe laughed. He leaned back onto the rail. When he looked down to the bow, Rose and Jack were gone. He knew the ship had brought at least two other people together.
He looked up at the skies as the first few stars began to appear. He was nervous clearly. In one hour he'd be a married man. He still had to meet her parents. He still had so much to learn about her. But, at least, he was in love, and being married at sea. What could be better?
