Arrival at titanic
The 3 months in Paris flew by faster than I would have liked.
I was now at 24 weeks and unable to hide my bump any longer.
Not that I wasn't excited at becoming a mother, I was, but it just I knew John and I were already judged by society and this baby would be judged, I'd just rather not bring attention to my expanding waist.
At present we were beginning the last leg of our journey.
Molly had been called back to America by her husband, so she had been able to book a cabin on titanic.
John was escorting me from up the gangway that connected the tender to the ship.
I could only gaze up at the ship in awe, it truly was its namesake, never before had I seen a ship so large, it drifted on the sea like a fortress.
A fortress of steal.
Victor, dotty and Caroline were following closely behind us.
"Oh for goodness sake give me those!"
Curiosity spiked I turn my head, to my amusement Molly had taken her bags off the stumbling crewman.
I laugh.
Only Molly
I think fondly.
We step onto the ship straight into the first-class reception on D-deck.
We like a few others had boarded from Cherbourg.
Another crewman is there to welcome us.
"Welcome aboard Sir, mam, welcome to titanic."
"Thank you."
I gaze in wonder.
Similar to the Mauretania, yet so much more.
The grand staircase Truly was a work of art, It had many chairs and tables.
With the number of passengers dressed in their finest, I guessed this was the reception space for 1st class passengers to converse before dinner.
I recognised a few familiar faces such as Guggenheim, duff-Gordon's, candee, Carter's and several others.
"Well, I wasn't about to wait all day for you, sonny. Take them the rest of the way if you think you can manage." Molly handed her carry on to the steward.
I recognised a few familiar face's such as Guggenheim, duff-Gordon's, candee, Carter's and several others but it was one that stuck out the most for me.
"Rose!"
I let go of johns arm and rush to engulf my sister in a hug and kiss her cheek.
"Oh, Marigold!"
We both stood in the reception of first-class holding one another, uncaring of the audience.
I had not seen my sister in months let them say what they wish.
Finally, we part.
I take the chance to examine Rose.
Red hair was done up and dressed In a beautiful champagne gown with black assents a red flower in the middle and black gloves.
"Has it only been 7 months since I last saw you, you've grown so beautiful."
She certainly had grown.
She was a lady now.
"Well look at you, you're practically glowing." Rose smiles at me with a playful hint in her eyes.
I had my muff Resting in front of my stomach.
"Marigold."
The smile slips of my face.
"Mother."
"It's wonderful to see you, rose come along we shouldn't keep Mr Hockley waiting."
Rose looks between the two of us.
"But mother we haven't seen..."
"It's all right rose we shall catch up later, besides we really should be finding our suite," I reassure Rose.
Rose with one last look follows mother to the dining room.
"Darling there is an elevator here."
The five of us get in the elevator.
"Which deck sir."
"C-deck."
We can our room easily.
Parlour suite 42
There were only 4 parlour suits on the entire boat 2 on B-deck and 2 on C-deck, john had been able to book us one of the VERY expensive suits, ironically, mother & rose shared on and celadon had the other, to my relief theirs was on the B-Deck.
Only when we entered the suite did I realise why it cost so much.
The suite comprised of two large bedrooms, two walk-in wardrobes, a private bathroom, a lavatory, and a spacious sitting room.
Plus a private promenade deck.
Victor, dotty and Caroline had their rooms on the lower deck.
John had informed me off handily that many of the rooms had been decorated in various period styles.
To me, our room had a very Louis XV or French regency element to it.
"Darling I will have dotty bring us some tea unless you would like to do down to dinner."
I look around our busy cabin, Victor and dotty are busy unpacking our bag, Caroline is no doubt already in her room waiting to be of service.
"No I'm satisfied, tea would be lovely."
John sits on the arm of the chair I'm in and places his head on mine.
I let my eyes fall shut, content to just lay here.
"Dotty after you have Finished unpacking would you please fetch us some tea and perhaps a few pastry's."
I give John a look.
"Are you trying to fatten me up?"
John affectionately kisses me.
"You are eating for 2, my love."
"Are you sure you would not like to visit the gentlemen's club tonight, I overheard that there is going to be a rousing debate on who's the most successful?" I was unable to the amused smile on my face
John continued to hold me close.
"I have plenty of time In the next few days to converse with my fellow gentlemen, however right now I wish to spend the evening with you, besides's If I were to attend it wouldn't be fair to the other gentlemen, everyone knows I would win hands down." John boasts.
I playfully hit his arm.
All of a sudden I felt a kick in the side of my stomach.
"I think the baby liked that idea, feel."
I direct johns hand to the spot I had previously felt the kick.
"I don't feel anything." Utters John.
"Just wait for it."
Kick
Johns's face breaks out into joy.
"I felt it, he's strong."
"Or she"
I remind him.
John is convinced I'm carrying a boy his logic.
"He's always moving about, he's restless just as little boys."
Since we are not going to dinner and John isn't going to attend the gentlemen club, we decided on a thrilling game of cards.
It had been so long since we played.
I knew this would be my last quiet evening until we dock in New York so I intend to make the most of it.
