A/N: Sorry if this chapter is terrible! I'm just trying to get through all this background s tuff so that I can get to the good part that actually takes place on the Titanic…thanks for my reviews! =)

Chapter 2

April 10th, 1912

It had been nearly two weeks since Stephen's funeral services. With each passing day, the estate seemed more and more desolate and eerily dismal. Marie and Katherine had stayed with me almost every day since Stephen's death. However, after many debates and many tears, Marie finally accepted the fact that I needed to start a new life. I was leaving for Southampton the next morning, and it was my last dinner with Katherine, Marie and Sarah before my departure. No one spoke a word as we dined. About half an hour into the meal, Marie finally spoke up.

"Victoria, for the last time, are you absolutely sure about this decision?"

I nodded my head and replied, "I've never been so sure about anything in my entire life."

Sarah asked, "Are you excited, Miss Victoria?"

"More nervous than anything. I've never seen America, so I don't know what to expect."

Marie added, "Katherine and I will definitely come to visit you one day and see America for ourselves. Right, Katherine?"

Katherine looked up from her dinner plate with tear-filled eyes.

"May I be excused?" she said, in a soft and mournful whisper.

"But darling," Marie said, "You haven't touched your dinner."

"I'm not hungry. I just want to rest."

"Fine, dear. Go ahead."

Katherine left the table and as she headed to the room she was staying, I heard her start to sob.

"I should go make sure she's all right," I said.

"She's upset because you're leaving. She loves you so much and admires you more than anyone in the world."

I sighed and said, "But I'm sure she'll understand one day why I had to make this decision. Excuse me."

I got up from the table and headed to where Katherine was. The door was closed, so I tapped on it lightly.

"Katherine, it's me- Victoria. May I come in?"

"Yes, go ahead."

I opened the door and saw Katherine on the bed, wiping tears from her face.

"Were you crying?" I asked, sitting beside her.

She nodded her head and said, "I can't help but cry. Even though you're eleven years older than I am, I feel as if you're my best friend in the entire world. Who else will I confide in when you're gone?"

"You've plenty of friends, Katherine- and they all love you."

"Yes, but you're different, Victoria. I wish I could go with you. I've heard so many wonderful things about the Titanic. If it wasn't for Mother…"

I held her hand in mine and said, "One day, when you've experienced what I've gone through, you'll look back and be able to comprehend why I've done this. America holds so much promise for me- if I don't make a brand new start, I feel as if I'm going to go insane."

"I understand. But do you promise that you'll come back to visit?"

"Of course."

Katherine threw her arms around me and said, "I love you, Victoria."

"And I love you, Katherine. Now I've got to go finish my packing my belongings and get some rest."

"Can I help you?"

"I could use all the help I can get."

Katherine smiled and led the way to my room.

* * * * * * * *

It was now later in the evening. Katherine had just gone to bed, after helping me with my belongings. I had become overwhelmed with fatigue and I fell asleep on my bed. A knock on my door woke me.

"C-Come in," I said, yawning.

It was Marie, holding something in her hand.

"Darling, you look exhausted," she said, "Your train leaves early tomorrow morning. Get some rest- I'm sure that Sarah can finish this for you."

"I don't want her to sacrifice sleep on my behalf."

Marie sat at the foot of my bed and replied, "You always think of others before yourself. It's a quality that's very rare nowadays."

I brushed a stray strand of hair from my face and said, "I think I'm done, however. I've gathered up everything I need that's essential. It's still unbelievable that this is all happening."

"Well, you forgot one last thing that's incredibly essential."

"What's that?"

Marie opened her hands and when I saw the contents, I gasped. It was a pearl necklace that my mother wore before she died.

"That was my mother's," I said, "I remember her wearing it. And it's in the family portrait that hung in our dining hall."

"Yes, I know. I've had it in my possession for years, and I wanted to give it to you at the right time."

She placed it in my hands and I examined it thoroughly.

"It's beautiful," I replied, "Thank you."

"Victoria, I've watched you grow from an orphaned child to a well-respected woman. And even though it's going to be terribly difficult to see you leave for good, I know that this is something you need to do."

Tears brimmed at my eyes as I said, "Your blessing means more to me than you'll ever know. You're the only living tie I have to my mother and you will always hold a special place within my heart."

"And I feel the same about you."

The tears began to flow freely from the corners of my eyes as I embraced Marie with all of my might. Then she let go and took an envelope from the pocket of the nightrobe she was wearing.

"This is for you, too. Stephen left this money to you in his will."

I opened the envelope, and it felt as if all the breath in my body left in an instant. It was more than enough to start my new life in America.

"Marie, this is incredible. I can't believe this!"

I hugged her again and let out a cry of happiness. It was as if Stephen was sending me a post-mortem message- that he wanted me to be happy and free. Marie stood up and kissed my cheek.

"I'm off to bed. I'll see you bright and early in the morning."

"All right. Thank you for everything," I said.

"You're very welcome. Goodnight, Victoria."

"Goodnight."

* * * * * * * * * *

April 11, 1912

"Are you positive you have everything?"

"Yes, Aunt Marie."

"Absolutely everything?"

"Yes!"

"I'm just making sure."

We had just arrived at the train station and I was saying goodbye to Marie, Katherine and Sarah. First, I gave Sarah a long hug.

"I'm going to miss you terribly," I said, trying my hardest not to break down crying.

"I'll miss you too, Miss Victoria. I don't know what I'm going to do with you not around."

I handed her a small envelope and replied, "This is just a small gift from me. I'll send you something amazing when I get to America."
"Miss Victoria, I can't take-"

"Please. Take it for me, Sarah."

"All right."

We hugged again and then I looked at Katherine. Her eyes were red and she forced a smile.

"I don't do well with goodbyes," she whispered.

"This isn't goodbye forever. I'm going to be visiting again and hopefully, you'll be visiting me."

"I hope so."

I kissed her cheek and embraced her, saying, "Take care, Katherine. I love you."

"I love you, Victoria."

As I looked at Marie, she started crying.

I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes and said, "I'll get in touch with you as soon as we dock in New York."

"You had better. I'm already worried sick about you."

"Don't be. I have a feeling that this is going to the best decision I've ever made."

"And you have no doubts about this?"

"If I did, I wouldn't be going."

Marie and I looked at each other for a few moments and then she held me in her arms. I let the smell of her perfume linger in my nose- so that I would have something to remember her by.

"Keep in mind," she said, "that if you should get scared or become unsure, your mother and father are with you. They're your angels and they would never let harm come your way."

I smiled and replied, "I know they wouldn't."

A man's thunderous voice exclaimed, "Those departing for Southampton- all aboard immediately!"

I picked up my remaining bags and said, "That's me."

To avoid any more tears, I walked to the train without looking back at Katherine, Marie and Sarah. As I stepped aboard, I finally looked back. The three of them waved at me and I waved back, biting my lip in a vain attempt to keep from crying. I gave the conductor my ticket and found a seat with a window that faced where they were standing. During the next few minutes, we would all wave back and forth at each other. Finally, the train whistle blew and the car began moving. I kept the three of them in my sight for as long as I could until they became a blur in the distance. I closed my eyes and leaned against the headrest of the seat. Suddenly, those doubts that I had been denying were seeping into my mind.

Victoria, what have you gotten yourself into?

I reached into my handbag and double-checked to see if the Titanic boarding passes were inside. Indeed they were, as were some photographs. I knew that if I looked at those photographs, I would have to face the painful separation from the people I loved the most- so I put them away and drifted away into a peaceful sleep.

April 12, 1912

"I saw the Titanic yesterday. It's the most unbelievable sight I've ever laid eyes on."

"Is it that big?"

"They don't call it Titanic for nothing!"

I acknowledged the driver with a smile and sat silent for the rest of the journey from the train station to the Southampton pier where Titanic was docked. I was lost in so many thoughts that I didn't even hear the driver when he spoke to me again.

"There she is."

The sight of Titanic was breathtaking, to say the least. It was as wide and as tall as the eye could see. The driver pulled up to where the first class passengers where boarding the ship. As soon as he came around and opened the door for me, a man dressed in a White Star uniform approached me.

"Good day, ma'am. May I take your bags?"

"Sure."

I thanked the driver and gave him gratuity as my bags were taken out of the car. I took my own handbag and stood in line, waiting to climb the majestic walkway. I had never been so intimidated of anything in my entire life. Everywhere I looked, there were couples and families- no one alone like myself. When I got to the top of the walkway, I showed the steward my boarding pass.

"Is Stephen Camden with you?" he asked.

"No, I'll be travelling alone."

"Very well then. This gentleman will show you to your stateroom."

Another steward led myself and the man carrying my belongings to my stateroom.

"Here you are, Mrs. Camden."

"Thank you very much."

When he opened the door, I could not believe my eyes. The room was ornately decorated like something out of a palace. It was enough for four or five people to stay in, let alone one.

"Where should I put your bags, ma'am?"

"Anywhere- I don't mind."

He placed them in the middle of the room and then replied, "Good day."

"Wait," I said, grabbing my handbag.

I gave him money and said, "Thank you."

"My pleasure, ma'am."

As he closed the door behind him, I looked around the room. I felt like a little girl living out my greatest fantasy- but incredibly lonely at the same time. I looked around the room and examined it thoroughly.

Stephen would have been in his element, I thought to myself.

Suddenly, it was as if a freight train of emotion hit me. All of the pent-up frustration, sadness, anger, fear and anxiety that had been building up inside of me for what felt like all of my life came out. I started sobbing and collapsed onto a loveseat. The tears stung my face as I truly realized what I was doing- making a new and unknown life for myself. About 15 minutes later, there was a knock at my door. I got up from the loveseat and answered it.

"Hello there. Are you Victoria Camden?"

"Yes, I am."

"I have the manifest here. I just need for you and Mr. Camden to sign it."

"Actually, Mr. Camden won't be joining me. I'm travelling by myself."

"All right. Please sign here."

I took the pen and signed my name.

"There you go," I said.

"Thank you. Good day."

As I closed the door, I saw something in the middle of the hallway. It was a gold pocket watch. I picked it up and noticed that there was something engraved on it.

C. HOCKLEY.

Thinking that someone might step on it and destroy it, I held onto it and returned inside my room.

"I'll give it to one of the stewards at dinner," I said to myself, "I'm sure that whoever Mr. Hockley is, he'll want this back."

Now that I look back on it, I realize that I was meant to find that pocket watch- because if I hadn't, I probably would have never met Caledon. Within half an hour, I was in the midst of unpacking one of my bags when I heard a commotion in the hallway.

"I had it in my pocket, I know it! I must have dropped it or misplaced it somewhere around here!"

"Sir, I assure you- none of the staff have turned a gold pocket watch in."

"Then someone must have stolen it! My father gave that watch to me. It is a priceless heirloom and I will not rest- and neither will you- until it is found."

I glanced over at the watch, which was resting on a bureau by my bed. I walked over to it and picked it up.

But what if he accuses me of stealing it? I thought to myself.

I decided to take the chance anyway and I walked to the door. When I opened it, two men were standing almost directly in front of my door.

I cleared my throat and said, "I overheard you two talking. I found this right here when I was signing the manifest."

Initially, I didn't make eye contact with Caledon until I handed him the watch. When our eyes locked, my heart felt as if it froze in place. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of brown I had ever seen. Everything about him made me feel things I had never felt towards another human being- and it was my first time ever seeing him. Caledon carefully took the watch from my hand.

He looked at the steward and said, "You can go."

Then he looked at me again and said, "Thank you very much. This means a lot to me. That is, the watch does."

"Well, I'm glad I found it before it was broken."

"Your accent- it's quite lovely. Are you from England?"

"Yes. Hertfordshire."

"I-"

A woman's voice from down the hall interrupted our conversation.

"Cal, did you find the watch?"

"Yes, Ruth."

Caledon looked at me again and said, "I must be going. What is your name?"

"Victoria."

"Victoria. That's a beautiful name- I've always liked that name."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you."

He picked up my right hand and kissed it.

"Your husband is a lucky man."

"But I'm-"

He had been walking away, but he turned around as I started my sentence.

"Yes?" he replied.

"Never..never mind. It was nice meeting you."

"The pleasure was all mine."
The mere sight of Caledon's smile made chills run up and down my spine. I closed the door to my room and leaned my head against it.

I'm a fool. I'm simply lusting over this man..it's too soon for me to have any romantic feelings towards a man I barely even know.

Or was it?