2:30 P.M.

Edward had returned with the doctor, and on the way, he had informed the man of his soon to be mother-in-law's condition.

As they stepped inside the house, Edward could hear Violet's soft sobbing and he turned to the doctor and said, " Right this way, Dr."

Inside the bedroom, Violet sat up, and stared at Edward, her beautiful purple eyes, red from crying.

Dr. William Dunstan moved over to the woman's bedside, then asked Violet and Edward, if they would mind waiting outside the room.

Violet shook her head, refusing to leave her mother, but Edward took her by the arm and gently led her out of the room, and into the hallway.

Edward then turned to Violet and said softly, " Dear, sweet Violet, you must be strong, love for I don't know that your mother has much time. I was hoping that we could be married before she passes away, but I don't think that that is going to be possible."

Violet started to cry softly, and Edward took her into his arms and held her against him, and whispered in her ear, " I'll be here for you, love. It's going to be all right, you'll see."

Dr. Dunstan came out moments later, and said, " Miss Duncan, Captain... Mrs. Duncan is very ill and doesn't have but a few hours to live. I'm very sorry. If you don't mind, I'll just wait here, for the inevitable."

When he said that, Violet went into a fit of crying, and the doctor looked to the Captain and said, " Would you like for me to give Miss Duncan a sedative, Captain? It might help ease some of her pain."

Edward sighed, thought about it for a moment, then said, " Well, perhaps after the inevitable has occurred, then it might help her, but I don't think so right now. She needs to remain clear and lucid, so as to be there for her mother."

Violet nodded and turned her tear streaked face towards the doctor and said tearfully, " I thank you, Dr. Dunstan for coming out here, and tending to my mother in her final hours. May we go back inside now?"

He nodded and then Edward said, " You can go downstairs, and wait in the parlour then. If you'd like, help yourself to a drink, I shouldn't mind, at all."

5:30 P.M.

Violet sat on the bed, and Edward, pulled up a chair and sat close to the edge, his knees touching Violet's and held her hands, as they sat there, with Marie, who was laboring on towards her final breath.

Marie was growing more disoriented, and in a hazy fog, she could see William, her beloved husband. She knew that it had to be either a dream, or she really was near death. She hoped that it was the latter, although in the farthest recesses of her mind, she wished that she could have been here to see her dear, sweet Violet marry Captain Edward J. Smith, that dear, kind man, who through no fault of his own, managed to survive a traumatic shipwreck.

A smile crossed her lips, as she thought about her dear, sweet Violet, saving that man from the icy, waters of the North Atlantic, and she was so proud of her then.

Violet saw the smile cross her mother's lips, and looked to Edward and then back at her dear mother, and wondered what could possibly have made her so happy for a moment.

Then, Marie sat up, struggling for her breath, took a deep gasp, and fell backwards on the bed, eyes closed, and it was all over for her.

Her world crumbling around her, Violet fell over on her mother, and her shoulders were shaking with her sobs. And even through her grief, she felt Edward's hands on her shoulders, and he was standing, and leaning over her, pulling her up, off of her mother.

He brought her up off the bed, and into his arms and held her to him, and said, " Shhh.. Violet, love. It's all over now, and she's in peace. Look at her.. she isn't in any pain now."

And it was true, Violet thought, as she turned to gaze back at her mother. There was a peaceful look on her face, but oh.. it did hurt so.

Then Edward said, " I'm going to call for the doctor to come back up here." Then he paused, and said, ..' are you going to be all right, Violet?'

Violet nodded, and brushed the tears from her eyes, and said, " Yes, I'll be all right."

He nodded, then left the room.

8:30 P.M.

The doctor had long since gone, and had taken Violet's mother's remains, and informed both Miss Duncan, and Captain Smith, that they could come to the funeral home, for the wake and viewing, and that the funeral would be in two days, henceforth.

After he left, Violet felt a deep sense of loss and tiredness, and just wanted to go to sleep.

Edward noticed the tired lines etched across her face, and said, " Come with me, Violet love. Let's go upstairs, and rest." And as he led her up the stairs, he said, " I'll show you to your room, love."

At the door to the room she supposed was to be hers, she looked to Edward and in a tearful voice, said, " Please.. I don't want to stay here by myself. I don't want to be alone, right now. I'm afraid, Edward, really I am."

It wasn't any wonder, he thought, and so without another word, he led her into the room, closed the door behind him.

To hell with it, he thought, he would stay with her in this room. No one would know, and no one would need to know. It wasn't any one else's business, and he was going to be married to her, and soon, if he had his way about it.

Violet sat down on the bed, in weary tiredness, and removed her boots, and then sat up on the bed, smoothed her skirts out, and then leaned back against the pillows. She could see that Edward was going to stay in here with her, and she was grateful, for she truly didn't want to be alone, not after just having witnessed her mother's death, only a few, short hours ago.

Edward removed his coat, and loosened his tie, then unbuttoned his waistcoat, and moved over to the bed, and sat down next to Violet, and said, " It's all right, love. I'll stay here with you, dear, sweet Violet." And he moved up on the bed and sat next to Violet, stretching his legs out in front, then he reached over for her and pulled her over to him.

Tiredly, Violet let her head drop down on his shoulder and closed her eyes. It had been a long time coming, and in a way, she was relieved. For she had even said to Edward, after she had first met him, that her mother was up in years, and was not in good health.

Soon, however, she drifted off to sleep, feeling Edward's arms around her, holding her close to him, and it was a great comfort.

Edward, however, had a harder time trying to rest. He kept seeing Mrs. Duncan's face, as she struggled for her final breaths, Violet's tear streaked face, the violent sobs, as she fell over her mother's lifeless body. He gazed down at her, as she slept there, her head resting on his chest, her red curls spilling down around her, like a scented pillow. Damn, she was so beautiful, he thought, and he put his hand against her hair, and brushed the stray curls away from her face.

As he sat there on the bed, Violet sleeping soundly, here with him, he thought that perhaps tomorrow, he would go to the solicitor's office, perhaps Violet could go as well, and find out if her mother had a will, or had left anything to her, and also to find out about the divorce from Eleanor. He couldn't help but wonder how she was faring. It was only natural, he supposed, after all he had spent the last twenty-five years providing for her care, loving her, thinking that she loved him, but obviously he had been wrong on that count, for in the greatest crises of his life, she had deserted him, had abandoned him. And poor Helen, he wondered, how she must have felt about being wrenched away from her father.

Well, he pushed those thoughts aside, and tried to close his eyes, and soon fell asleep.

12:30 A.M. Wednesday, May 8, 1912

Violet awoke with a start, and unfortunately, she had awakened Edward, too. He sat up, and looked over to Violet and said tiredly, " What is it, Violet?"

She glanced around the semi-darkened room, and in a panic, she jumped up from the bed, and started to cry. She wanted her mother back, that and to marry Edward.

Edward moved from the bed and came around to where she was standing at, and said gently, " Come on love, let's get some rest. I know that you're upset, but I'm here, and I won't let anything happen to you, not ever. I'm going to marry you, sweet Violet, and I'll love you and protect you for as long as I have left to live."

She sniffled, and brushed some tears away from her face, then said, " Where is your bathroom at, Edward?"

He laughed softly and said, " I guess you really haven't seen the house, as of yet, now have you? Well come along, then. Say, let's go downstairs, and go outside. You haven't seen the outside, at night. It's very pretty, and it's a beautiful night outside. I'll show you first to the bathroom, then perhaps a bite to eat. I'm rather famished as we didn't have any dinner last night."

Violet laughed softly and said, " No, I suppose we didn't."

He was happy to hear her laugh, she had such a pretty, delicate laugh. Edward took that as a sign, and hopefully a good one, that she would make a quick recovery from her mother's death. After all, he had been told, when they had first met, really on board the Carpathia, that her mother was up in years, and not in good health.

1:15 A.M.

After she had used the bathroom, and freshened up, she came back downstairs, and into the kitchen where Edward was seated. Then she said, " Well, I'll see what I can do to make us something to eat. Would you like that, Edward?"

He smiled at her and said, " Yes, that would be nice."

She moved around the kitchen, trying to familiarize herself with the layout of the kitchen, and when she had found what she was looking for, she began to hum to herself, as she went about making the both of them something to eat.

1:45 A.M.

After Violet had made them something to eat, he said, as he finished up his plate, and set it aside, " Come along, Violet, let's go outside. Back to the garden, if you will."

And when he said that, Violet went moody again, and he immediately noticed the sadness that came over her again, and then he realized what had not happened. He pushed his chair back, stood up and came around to where she was now standing at, and took her by the arm and led her through the hallway, into the living room, out the French doors, and down to the garden, once more.

This time, it was night time, and the sky was filled with stars, twinkling like diamonds, and although she could see many stars, there still weren't as plentiful, as they had been at sea.

She found herself, once more in that beautiful garden, seated on that same bench, where she had sat, just yesterday afternoon, while Edward kissed her, touching her body and soul, in every way possible, emotionally, and then to have him say to her, that he would make sure that her mother got out here to this garden, and then she died just a few hours later. What a devastating blow, it was to her.

Edward sat there, momentarily at a loss for words, for he too remembered having said to Violet, that he would do anything for her, that he would make sure that her mother got out here to the garden, and then to have her die, only hours later. He felt really badly about that, and he turned to Violet, and said quietly, " Violet, love, I'm very sorry about your mother. I'm truly sorry that I didn't get a chance to know her better. She seemed like such a remarkable woman. And she raised a beautiful, and intelligent daughter, kind and caring as well."

Violet felt tears burning her eyes, and she leaned over and let her head rest on Edward's shoulder, and he put an arm around her shoulders and brought her over closer to him and they sat like that for some time, in quiet solitude and remembrance, and while Edward was reminiscing, he thought about his friends, that he had lost on Titanic. He knew that Henry Wilde had perished, as had Will Murdoch, Charlie Lightoller had survived, as had Bert Pitman, Joe Boxhall, and Harold Lowe. But alas, the youngest one, James Moody, Edward knew, that he had perished as well. What a tragic shame, as he had only been 24 years old.

And yet, he survived, when all these others had died. Well, it was because of this lovely woman, sitting here with him, that he was alive and despite the fact that he didn't feel worthy of living, yet he was glad that he was. He was grateful, for a second chance. He leaned over, and kissed the top of her pretty head, and she sighed and closed her eyes, willing the tears away. Oh how her mother would have loved this pretty garden.

After a few more minutes of silence, Edward finally said, " Violet, love, what are you going to do about your mother? Where is she to be buried at?" For he had an idea, and he thought that perhaps Violet might love the idea, at least he hoped so.

Violet's head came up from off his shoulder, and she sat there staring off into the darkness, beyond the garden, and then said quietly, " My mother wants to be cremated, I believe. Oh, by the way, Edward, my mother was talking to me, not too long before she died. It was while you were gone, to fetch the doctor..." She paused, and was staring off into space again.

Edward put his arm around her and said gently, " Yes, love? What was it you wanted to say? Something that your mother said?"

Violet came out of her reverie, and said, " Oh, yes. My mother told me that she had made her will, not too long ago. It is in town, at the local solicitor's office, a Mr. James Cooper. And, she told me, that she was leaving the little house and the land with it, to me. And that I was to let you know, so that you could take care of it, for me. Would you, Edward, I mean, take care of it for me?"

Edward let his arm drop from around her shoulders, and he turned her towards him and he said, " It would be my pleasure, Violet, to help you with the care of that house. It is such a charming little house."

Then he said, " Why, Violet, we should live there, then. I've got a mind to sell this house, after all, what do I need with such a big, rambling old house?"

Violet was sorry that he was going to sell this house, as it was so beautiful, and the garden was a haven of peace.

Edward could see that she seemed rather disappointed and he figured out why and then he said, " Violet, sweet, gentle, kind Violet. Look at me, love."

She turned her face up to his and she could see that he was smiling and he then said, " I think I know what it is. It's the garden, isn't it?"

Violet started to cry and then said tearfully, " It's just, that I hate to think of you having to give up this beautiful place, and I love it here."

He took his dear, sweet Violet into his arms, and as he held her against him, he said, " We'll have another garden, then, at your house, just like this one, if you wish. Do you know that Eleanor and I did most of this ourselves?"

She stared up into Edward's face, and said, rather surprised, " No, I didn't realize that. Why, it's even lovelier than before, just knowing that you did this yourself, well you and your wife, that is."

He noticed how she hadn't wanted to mention Eleanor's name, and he figured that it must be rather uncomfortable, with him still being legally married. Well he wasn't going to say anything, why make her any more uncomfortable, when she didn't deserve that at all.

Then Violet said, " Edward, did you mean it when you said, that you would like to live in my little house, with me? And could we really have a garden, just like that?"

He laughed softly as he hugged her to him and said, " Yes, yes, dear Violet, I meant every word of it. Now, I think we should go in and try to get some rest. For in the morrow, I think that I shall go to the solicitor's office and find out what's going on with the divorce, and where Eleanor is, and how she is faring. Then perhaps we should talk to him about your mother's will, for the formality of it anyway, since you already know what is in the will. And, while we're there, we'll see about getting married, as soon as that damned divorce comes through."

Violet was afraid to ask him what he was feeling, towards his wife, right now. And she wasn't going to ask, so she stood up and followed him back inside the house.

8:45 A.M. Wednesday, May 8, 1912

Violet had awakened, and she was in a separate room, away from Edward. He had taken her to this room, when they had come in earlier in the morning, and although she didn't want to be alone, she didn't want to seem to afraid to be away from him, so she had gone inside, closed the door and then laid down, promptly falling asleep.

She got up and moved over to her luggage, and rummaging through it, she found a pretty, full pink skirt, with cutout designs around the hem, and a sheer, pink blouse to go with it. It was rather sheer, she thought, but she was going to wear it anyhow. It was a pretty spring outfit. And then she found her pair of white lace up boots, and added those over her silk nylons. Well, she felt about as ready as she could be. So before she left, she brushed out her curls, then added a pink ribbon to hold them back for the day, sprayed on a spritz of rose scented water, took her shawl and gloves, and walked out of the room. Then she turned and ran back in, for she had forgotten her hat. She had bought a lovely pink straw hat, that went with the dress. Oh, she did want to look so pretty for Edward. She hoped that he liked this outfit.

Edward came out of the living room, and as he looked up, he saw his pretty Violet coming down the stairs, and my, but she did look pretty as a picture, and very spring like, in that pretty pink ensemble that she was wearing.

He couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her, as she walked down the stairs, and then over to where he was standing. He said,
" Good heavens, but you look so pretty this morning." And he took her into his arms, and as he kissed her, he murmured how beautiful she was, how much he loved being with her. Then he let her go and said, " Come, Violet, let's go, for I'm taking you out for breakfast, then we'll go to see the solicitor." She slipped her arm through his, and they left the house.

12:00 P.M.

After they had returned home, Violet removed her hat, and put her shawl and gloves down on the front hallway table, and then said tiredly, " I'm going upstairs for a rest, Edward. I'm just so tired, now."

It had been a long morning, he thought, and then he had heard from the solicitor that Eleanor, wanted the divorce to go through as quickly as possible, and he was very angry, thinking about how she had hurt him, leaving him the way that she had. And how dare she, take his child from him.

Violet closed her door, then moved over to the windows first, and opened it, letting a cool, spring breeze come in, the lace curtains being gently ruffled. Then she sat down on the bed, and rubbed her temples, a headache coming on. Edward had been so angry, when he had found out that Eleanor would decide when and if, he could see his own daughter again. And at the moment, as the solicitor had said, Eleanor wasn't being reasonable at all.

A tear slipped from her face, and she stifled a sob, so that he wouldn't hear, and come up here, for she was feeling so sorry for him. And for the first time ever, she thought that she would like to curse out that Eleanor, for taking his child from him. And quite frankly, she couldn't understand how the woman could have deserted her husband, at his greatest hour of need. Well, it was her loss, and Violet's gain, for she was to be married to Edward. The divorce, she had learned, could be granted within the week, so that by next week, she could be Mrs. Edward J. Smith.

That thought, of course, pleased her, and she finally fell asleep, thoughts of Edward still in her mind, his being angry at Eleanor, then his gentleness with her, and how he had kissed her, and loved her so.

3:30 P.M.

Edward had decided that he had best check on Violet, as she hadn't yet come down, and she had been up there for some time. So he went up the stairs, knocked on the door and waited.

Violet was awakened by the knock at her door, and she knew that it would be Edward, so she rose from the bed, sleepily, and moved to the door.

Edward gazed at her, standing there, sleepily, and wished he could have been in here with her, as she slept. Well, soon enough, he thought, as he could marry her next week. He wondered, though, why Eleanor was pushing so hard for this divorce. He couldn't believe that it was just because he had survived the sinking of his ship. That wouldn't have been enough, he thought, and for a moment, the thought crossed his mind, however insane it may have sounded, that perhaps she had found someone else. God only knew, he was gone from home, most of the time, and during the twenty-five years of his marriage, he hadn't been home very often.

And that was something, he thought, that Violet, at least, would benefit from their marriage. He wouldn't be gone, anymore, as he was retired now. Of course, he hadn't gotten any such notice from the White Star Line, but he was bound to. They wouldn't let him keep on being captain, when he had failed and so utterly miserably, too. He pushed that thought aside, and said,
" Violet, love, I was just checking to see if you're all right. You've slept for some time now. I hope that you feel better now. I've a grand idea, and I think that you'll like it, at least I hope so."

A sweet smile crossed her face, and she rubbed her eyes sleepily, and said, " Yes, Edward?"

Good Lord, he loved this woman so, and he never thought, ever in his lifetime, that he would have ever loved anyone but Eleanor. But now, here he was, and he was in love with another woman. He reached over, and touched the softness of her cheeks, and ran a finger gently across her lips, and said, " Do you have any evening wear, something pretty and elegant? Because I'd like to take you out to dinner. There's a really nice hotel and restaurant, right outside of Southampton, and they have dinner and dancing, and well.. it would be something really nice, and God knows, you certainly deserve it. I'd call for a taxi for us, if you want to go."

A beautiful smile lit up her face, and she said, " Oh, yes, I would like that very much, Edward. Yes, I do have something very special." And she knew that she just had to wear that lovely violet colored evening gown, the one that her mother had bought for her, before she had left, to board the Titanic. It had been very expensive, but her mother had been saving for this trip and for Violet to have a pretty evening gown, for a while now. And yet, she had not worn it, not on the Titanic, at least.

He then said, " Very well, then, love. Take your time, getting dressed. We're not to go out, until say, at least 6:00 or 6:30. Then I'll call for a taxi." Then he pulled her forward some, brushed his lips against her cheeks, and said, " Go on, rest now, Violet, then get yourself prettied up. We're going out tonight."

As he walked down the hallway, toward his room, memories came back to him, of how he had spent all of those years of marriage, in this room, with Eleanor. He did not want to bring Violet into this room, and into this bed. Edward had to start over with Violet, nothing that had been with Eleanor, either. Eleanor, he resigned himself to admit, was in his past, but, Violet, with the lovely red curls, and the beautiful violet eyes, was in his future.