Chapter 62
December 18, 1912
Two days had gone by after Jack notified Jesse of Cal's whereabouts, he decided to board the train a day early, leaving Jesse one more day in Albuquerque, with Fabrizio. The house was quiet, save for the winter winds blowing against the structure. Jesse tried to gain some pounds, but was unsuccessful, and he was colder than he had ever experienced; not since the night of the sinking was he ever this cold. The fire was blazing in the stove, but Fabrizio began to whine and complain that it was too hot. Jesse tries to do exercises that would warm him up, but he was still shivering, so he sat at the table, wrapped in blankets. He and Fabrizio played cards to pass away the night.
...
December 19, 1912
It is noon as Jesse stopped at the hotel after closing his shop for the Christmas week. Jesse ballooned his cheeks and slowly exhaled as the operator handed over a couple of telegram papers, most of which were from his father, saying that he was stuck in St. Louis, after the train had lost a wheel, and had nearly derailed. Jesse flipped to another telegram, where he read a coach from the city came to pick up the passengers, along with his father, and had made arrangements for them to stay at a nearby hotel, courtesy of the railroad. He will board the next train going out to Pittsburgh the following morning. It was a busy Christmas schedule, and Henry hoped his son makes it onto a train, in time for his wedding, if there were any available. He wished Jesse had closed the shop a day or two early so he can take a train out to St. Louis, or the very least, Cincinnati, but Jesse was sure there was going to be a train later in the afternoon.
...
December 21, 1912
Laughter filled the house, while upstairs Henry paced around his large bedroom of Jon and Eric's parents' large home in Pittsburgh, worrying whether his son was going to make it time for his wedding. A man puts a gentle hand on his shoulder, nearly startling him.
"When is your son coming?" the man asked, putting a pipe in his mouth, as he lit the tobacco inside.
"I-he should be on his way here, but with the weather and all. I told him Tom would take care of things back there, but you know how boys are."
"I understand. He must've learned it from you." the man points his pipe at Henry, and chuckled. Henry only gave him a glaring look.
"What? My eldest is like this. You know that. Though he's more stubborn than I am. I'm fairly certain your son is that way as well." the man says. They heard laughter coming from downstairs once more.
"Come on, let's go meet our big, growing family. You're going to be a fungus in this dark, cold room." the man says, half-jokingly. Henry sighed deeply, then followed him to the living room.
"There's Mr. Williams now." Jack says, holding a small glass of champagne, and was holding Rose tightly.
"Careful with your drinks now. Everyone, I want to introduce ourselves. I'm Mr. Almstead, and my wife sitting there, she's Mrs. Almstead. We are both Jon and Eric's parents." Mr. Almstead says, then picks up his champagne, holding his glass in the air.
"A toast. To Jesse, and Marion. For a happy, healthy, and prosperous marriage." He winked at Marion, before downing his glass.
"Here." Everyone agrees.
"I'm glad we had the wedding here. Our own homes are much too small for an occasion as this. And the prices for renting such a place. Atrocious!" Henry says.
"Please, make yourselves at home." Mr. Almstead groaned, as he sat down next to his wife. "My knees ain't workin' like they used to."
"Oh, I hear you there." Henry says, as Eric came running down the stairs. He handed a piece of paper to Mr. Williams.
"Oh my. This is not looking good. He says he's stuck in Cincinnati, with a terrible snowstorm. I told him Tom would take care of things back at the shop." Henry crumpled the paper.
"I'm sure he'll make in time for the wedding." Mr. Almstead says, coolly drinking his champagne.
"But, Cincinnati is more than a day away-"
"I've made many a trips that way, especially during this time. Trust me, even if he was delayed, he'll still be here in time for the wedding." Mr. Almstead says, laying a gentle hand on Mr. Williams' shoulder.
"Sounds to me like your boy needs a discipline in time management." A woman's voice could be heard. Marion jumped from her seat, then hugs her mother.
"Oh my dear. I missed you so much. We haven't heard from you since you left for Philadelphia." Marion's mother tearfully hugged back.
"Ah. You must be Mr. Williams I've been hearing about lately." the woman then turned her attention to Henry, while still hugging her daughter.
"Yes. I am. Where are you-"
"We're staying at a local inn. Heard there's a marriage, or so my husband thought. My name is Highland." the woman says, shaking Henry's hand, then greeting everyone in acknowledgment.
"We'll see you at the wedding dear." Mrs. Highland tearfully embraced her daughter for the last time, before leaving the large house.
...
December 23, 1912
Jesse finally arrives in Pittsburgh the day before Christmas Eve; the big day they were to be married, but he had an unfortunate ride because the train had no heat, and leaving him and the passengers shivering in the cold cabin. Things were worse in Jon's parents' car, as that had no heat as well, and he was totally unprepared for the Pennsylvania weather, much less the New Mexico winter. Jon had arrived from New York a day earlier as he finally got the approval for a couple of days off to support his brother-in-law's wedding.
Meanwhile at Eric and Jon's parents' house, Marion and Rose were laughing amongst each other, as Jack, Jessica, Henry, Ruth and Jon's mother listened on. John Almstead, Jon's father, had left for a trip a day prior, but promised to be back as soon as possible, and his mother, Anna-Mae Almstead, stayed at home. The house was a small Victorian style building, and it was large, but nowhere near as big as the Dewitt Bukater residence, and slightly bigger than Jon and Jessica's house back in New York.
They were drinking their luxury of warm cocoa, and as they did, Rose and Marion were discussing what their future husbands would look like. Rose wanted someone more like Jesse, and Jack came in his place. Marion was also the same way, about a boy who was hired once in her house, taking care of the handy and yard work. He was pushed around by her father, even bullied, as he was seen as weak. She had thought of the same of Jesse, until he was an exact opposite of that boy. Both were very handsome for their time, but Jesse was more muscular, despite his thin frame, and he was more aggressive, as Rose told her Jesse fought Cal not once, but twice. They laughed as Rose told her again that Jesse punched Cal, back on the Mauretania, as Cal didn't know how to fight. He kept missing, and Jesse nailed him in the eye. Cal stumbled backward, before flipping around and tripping over a table, then collapsing into the chair, but he and the chair took a nasty fall, and he tumbled out of the chair. Everyone burst out laughing, as Jesse and Jon walked in the door. They soon turned their attention to the future groom, who was covered in blankets. Marion leaped from her chair and gave Jesse a huge hug, then kissing him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as she helped him to a seat.
"Save some for your wedding day." Henry told her, as she couldn't contain her excitement. Marion helps her groom-to-be to a warm stove, as Jesse shivered. Marion held her fiancé as tight as she can, to give off some of her body heat off to him. Jon's mother came downstairs, with a thick blanket, and covered the couple as they made their way to a couch.
"Let's feed him, try to get him fat." Jack laughs, but Jesse shook his head. He had done that numerous times, since the sinking; no matter how much he ate, he couldn't gain any weight, while Jon's mother tightly wrapped Jesse into the blanket. Soon, he held his arm out, as Marion fell in, and wrapped her around him, as the blankets were finally wrapped around the couple. Jon had nearly forgotten his plans to go to the church to talk to the pastor about the wedding plans for the following morning, hoping Christmas Eve wouldn't put a damper on anything. He left, along with Rose and his mother. Jessica checks up on her still napping son, while Marion wanted to see a Christmas play and carol at another nearby local church later that evening, after their wedding and the dinner. Jack begins to prepare for the festivities, before telling Jesse to take it easy. Jessica came down from the stairs, then comes back to the room, where she hears a metal dish clatter from the kitchen.
Jessica, Ruth and Anna rushed in, hoping to see if Jack needed any help. Jack had only dropped a dish after he was trying to get at the pan at the back of the cabinet. Jesse began nodding off in the living room, as the room was too stuffy, and that good filling of warm, sweet hot chocolate hitting his stomach, something he hadn't drank in a while. Marion gave Jesse a gentle kiss to his soft lips, then ran a hand through his soft hair as she pushed it back so she can see both his forehead and eyebrows, all the while taking in the sweet, spicy scent of cinnamon off of him.
"Maybe we'll get to see jolly ol' St. Nick riding his magical sleigh after the play." Marion says softly in Jesse's ear, then sniffed, as she kisses him on his cheek, letting her tears fall on his beautiful face. "A sleigh ride after to end the magical night." She tearfully kisses Jesse's soft cheeks, before gently falling asleep on his chest, her warm tears falling onto his shirt.
"For the good little boys and girls..." She thought she could hear Jesse's quiet, deep, soothing voice, as she felt a gentle hand run through her soft hair, then tightly gripping her shoulder.
She also thought she could hear him humming a little tune, as she wrapped themselves deeper into the blanket...
...
It was getting dark outside, as Jesse and Marion stood on the porch, watching a lamplighter lighting a gas lamp, before he moved to the next post. He didn't seem to notice the kids watching as he lit the Almsteads' small lamp post, as Jesse drank another steaming hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, laced with cinnamon, to keep him warm. Each lamp flickered, giving off a golden, warming glow that surrounds the lamp. The man soon saw the kids, took off his hat, and waved, before he moved on to the next post. Marion looked up, then tapped Jesse's arm, then pointed up. Jesse craned his head upward, trying to look through the wispy, thin clouds. There, above them, was a bright star that shone through the clouds.
"The North Star." Jesse says, coming out of the porch. Marion wrapped her arms around Jesse's waist, then he did the same, while being careful not to spill his warm drink. They heard the slow clumping of horse hooves as Jon and Eric's father's coach began to arrive to the house.
"Whoa!" The coach operator says, gently tugging the reins, then groaned, as he slowly got off his seat, to open Mr. Almstead's door, while the horse blustered. Mr. Almstead stepped off the carriage, nearly losing his balance as the coach rolled slightly and having to step on the ice, before brushing himself to meet Jesse and Marion.
"Your father wants to meet the groom. We're going to get his belongings and take him to the hotel tonight." Jon's father says, as he had decided to take Jesse to the hotel, where Marion's parents were, as they had traveled a considerable distance from a small village in Vermont. Back in the large, opulent living room, Jesse and Marion embraced each other, even as they walked to the porch, with Jack and Rose following, with tears in their eyes. Jack hugged his friend very hard, then rubbed his nose, as he tried to hold back his crying. Rose also hugged Jesse, congratulating him and her friend, then cried in Jack's arms, as he gently rubbed her shoulders. Holding hands, Jesse and Marion stood on the porch, then they shared their final kiss.
"I'll see you at the wedding." Jesse says, hugging her for the final time, then he made his way to the carriage, as Marion watched from the porch, wiping tears from her eyes. Mr. Almstead followed, then closed the door. The operator groaned once more as he climbed to his seat.
"Ya!" The operator yelled, followed by clicking his tongue, as he gently yanked the reins. Mr. Almstead opened a window, and waved to everyone, as the horse and coach carrying the groom-to-be trotted towards downtown Pittsburgh, then they disappeared in the mist. Once they arrived at the hotel, in the lobby, Marion's father, Mr. Frank Highland shakes Jesse's hand, with a slight nervousness, while a close female relative of Marion's watched, with fascination and awe. She appeared no older than himself, as she couldn't help herself from looking at Jesse. Jesse pushed back his hair, and gave a knowing smile, which made the girl blush, and sent her spine tingling. A porter soon arrived to the group, as he begins to take whatever belongings Jesse had with him.
"Take this up to our room, my good sir." Mr. Highland says, giving the young man a handful of dollars. They followed him to their room. Once to their room, Jesse could see how nervous the young man seemed to be, as he struggled to insert the key into its lock. The young attendant stared at Jesse intensely as he was the last to enter the room. Jesse put his head down, let his hair flow, then pushed it aside, knowing full well the attendant was watching him, before the attendant closed the door behind him.
"So, you're Mr. Williams' son, I presume. Ah, Henry Williams. You know, I used to know your father; we once attended the same school down the road at Harrisburg at one point. That place has changed greatly, and has finally gotten a new Capitol building. Please, forgive me, but you don't look like your father much." Mr. Highland says, with a hint of nervousness, noting how well the young man held himself, and of his firm stature.
"No problem. I get that all the time." Jesse says, giving a small chuckle, and leaned back into the chair, while the girl looked on, and blushed at his smile. Meanwhile his wife, Mrs. Annie Highland, was in a slight disagreement, just like Ruth. She had hoped her daughter would marry someone into a higher society status; instead she was hired by some man named Caledon Hockley as a lowly maid, in a next city over. Mr. Highland had no idea who the Hockleys were, even though the name was well known throughout the northeast region, even portions of Canada, and to all steel companies who buys his steel. Mrs. Highland was slightly disgusted Marion would be marrying someone of a lower socioeconomic status. Mr. Highland, however, wanted what's best for his daughter, just like Rose's late father, as he had also known Mr. Dewitt Bukater, since they were children.
Mr. Highland ran a successful coal mine just outside of town, and he had an office there as well. Only on weekends does he run his farm, raising pigs and chickens, even horses and small amount of cattle. He asked Jesse if he knew how to ride a horse.
"I have been riding horses since I was a young whippersnapper; that's what my grandfather called me anyhow. I haven't been on a horse since last year. I've been kicked in my back by a small pony." Mrs. Highland literally spews her tea, as she couldn't contain her crude laughter.
"Oh, my." was all Mr. Highland could say. He hoped after the marriage Jesse could tame some of his horses back at the farm, and Jesse obliged. He would be happy to help out on the farm, then return to work back in Albuquerque after the New Year. Mr. Highland embraced his new son-in-law to-be, then he got ready for bed, for it was a big day for Jesse in the morning.
Cal gets a telephone call from an anonymous person, informing him there would be a wedding held in Pittsburgh. He had finally gotten his big break, after hitting a dead end in Albuquerque, and being thrown out of the marshal's office. He was lucky he wasn't thrown in the slammer with those other low lives, and his father might've disown him right then and there, and he had no one to bail him out this time. He was sitting at his desk in his office, thinking where else Rose and that gutter rat would've run off to.
"Thanks." was all he could say. He hangs up the telephone slowly, then smiling. He knew if that gutter rat would be marrying his precious fiancé Rose, all bets would be off at that point, and his father would be on him why he didn't secure her first. Cal contained his anger, even though it was boiling within him, seething, white hot anger, but he managed to keep a lid on it. He banged a fist on his mahogany desk.
He'll need a way to sabotage the wedding plans before it went forth-.