A/N: So sorry for the long wait! I was in a rut after the last one, but I think I found my groove again. For those keeping track at home, we're now back on schedule with the film. It's now the day of Jack's first class dinner.
Molly eyed Clara carefully at breakfast the next morning. Her niece had come into their suite late last night clearly upset, but she ignored Molly in the sitting room and went straight for her room. The faintest cloud of smoke trailed behind her. Now, Clara sat across from her, eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. She stared and picked at her food silently. Molly didn't know whether to ask what was wrong, or stay quiet and let the young woman open up on her own accord. She opted for neither.
"Have any plans today?" Molly asked, peering over the rim of her coffee mug before taking a sip.
Clara looked up and blinked, as if suddenly remembering she wasn't alone. She shrugged. "Not yet. I might… spend some time on the promenade. I haven't really familiarized myself with this part of the ship."
"E Deck lose its appeal already?" Molly asked carefully.
Clara's face dropped and she looked down at her food again. "I just… I need a break."
Molly seemed to get the hint that Clara didn't want to delve into what made her upset. "Care if I join you? Seems like it's a sunny day."
Clara looked up at her aunt. Molly was clearly worried about whatever it was that bothered her. She came here to spend time with her aunt, and she hadn't filled that promise as much as she wanted. Plus, she didn't intend on seeing her usual company today. She wanted to clear her head and come to a decision before seeing him again. Clara smiled. "I'd like that."
"Wonderful," Molly said simply. The women quickly finished their breakfast and headed toward their individual rooms to get dressed.
Clara had hoped that a good night's sleep would clear her head after the events with Tommy the night before. She couldn't deny that she felt something for Tommy. She felt like herself with him, and the only other person she could say that about would be Molly. But any kind of romance with Tommy would have to be considered with what would happen once Titanic docked. Their own upbringings couldn't be further apart. Even though Clara tried to separate herself from the gossip and frigidness of high society, it was what she was used to. Having to live a life like Tommy's- or somewhere in between- would be brand new territory.
Not to mention, falling in love was the last thing on Clara's mind when she boarded. First, she was here to represent her father's company and save face for those who worked closely with him. More importantly to Clara, though, was returning home to the United States in search of a career. Women having careers wasn't fully accepted across the board, and she had no idea what Tommy's ideas on the matter were. She didn't want to pursue anything if he expected her to sit idly at home while he worked all day.
Of course, she had already considered all of these points as she laid in bed the night before, and even now as she fixed her hair. The kiss still tingled on her lips, and the smell of his cigarettes lingered in her hair. She placed a fingertip to her mouth, hoping that would give her an answer. She didn't mind kissing Tommy, after all.
She had questions. And the only person who could answer them was Tommy.
Deciding she was ready enough, Clara pushed away from the vanity. She grabbed her notebook before leaving her room. A movement in her periphery caught her eye; Jack's drawing of Clara and Tommy fluttered out of the pages and onto the floor. She picked it up, examining it again. Jack perfectly captured the joy in her soft laughter, and Tommy's eyes were full of admiration for her.
Looking at the drawing, Clara softened toward Tommy. She realized that even though she didn't know his family ideals, he still came from a working class. He was used to women having jobs, whatever they may be. He let her be her own person. She didn't blame him for kissing her and seeing something beyond their flirtations. There wasn't a doubt about their chemistry. He pursued her, and she had pursued him back. She still didn't know what she'd do, but she trusted that any decision that kept him in the picture would be safe.
Clara left the drawing on the table in her room and met Molly in the sitting room. Molly noticed Clara's change in attitude. She seemed more relaxed and at ease, which gave Molly great relief.
Clara and Molly cut through the dining saloon on their way to the promenade. Waitstaff cleared breakfast platters from those who chose to make the meal a social affair as opposed to staying in their staterooms. The staff weaved effortlessly around them, rearranging the room for lunch and afternoon tea coming in the next few hours.
Well-dressed couples passed by, giving the women polite smiles and nods. Clara recognized a handful of them, but no one stopped to talk. Clara suspected they only kept their distance because of Molly; had she been by herself, they'd no doubt approach her and ask about her parents or compliment her father's success.
It's just as well, Clara thought.
The women found a pair of deck chairs sitting in the light of the warm morning sun and took a seat. Clara placed her notebook beside her, wanting to write eventually but didn't want to come off as ignoring Molly. They settled into their chairs, taking in the late morning air and watching other passengers walk past.
"Are you excited to see your parents?" Molly asked. "It's been a while."
Clara hesitated; Molly didn't know about her plans to stay in New York City. In all honesty, Clara didn't think of her parents much. She loved them, yes, but she hadn't been close with them growing up. Her father was always busy with this or that, and her mother kept a busy social calendar. As a child and young girl, Clara would sit quietly with her mother and their guests, not saying much unless someone directed conversation toward her. Most of her days were spent reading books or playing with her nanny in the garden, only seeing her parents at dinner. By the time she was sixteen, Clara was so sick of boredom that she did her research on studying abroad. Her parents agreed to send her to England, so long that she come back ready to be married. She was used to being on her own.
"Father visited a few times when he traveled overseas, but Mother never did. So yes, it has been a while," she gave a small nod. "You're going west, right?"
Molly nodded, "To Colorado. James can hardly keep his head on straight with all the commotion of the oil and his mine."
"Give him my best. I miss him," Clara said. She had fond memories of her uncle and aunt visiting. James was a cowboy through and through, always dressed in leather and cowhide, with flashy turquoise and silver accessories on his belt and tie. He had a loud personality similar to Molly's, and they were perfect together. "How did you and Uncle James meet?"
"He was working in a mine in Louisville. My girlfriends and I liked to head to that part of town, as well as the rail yards, to see what strong fellas we could catch. 'Course, I spotted him the first time that we went to the mine, so I made a point to go there more than the others. He recognized me once and made a point to come over and introduce himself. We hit it off right away. The rest is history."
Clara laughed. Of course Molly would meet her husband by going out and getting one herself. "When did you realize you loved him?"
Molly paused a moment as she considered the question. "I guess it wasn't as much an exact moment as it was getting more and more used to him in my life. He was my best friend, my other half. Being next to him made me feel whole. Still does." She smiled at the thought of her husband.
"Did money ever scare you?"
Molly shrugged. "We grew up with similar backgrounds. I mean, you know what your father's childhood was like. We didn't pinch pennies, but we definitely had to be thrifty and wise. I think James and your father had similar mindsets when it came to their adult life and reaching success. So we were both used to being smart with our finances, and then God blessed us with that gold in his mine. Of course, your father was already more than a decade into his empire by then. He's really proud of himself, he is. Knows he's done good providing for his women."
Clara nodded. Her father always worked tirelessly. Because of her mother's fortune, they weren't considered new money like Molly. She grew up knowing high society. Her mother helped her father navigate the rough waters of this world. But together, they made it work, just like Molly and James did in their different situation. Clara contemplated Molly's words.
Molly glanced at Clara. Her niece was deep in thought, clearly figuring something out. She sighed, finally asking what she had known all along. "You're not going back to Philadelphia, are you?"
Clara's head snapped up. Molly had a suspicious look about her. "How did you know?"
"You've hardly spoken a word about your parents or home since I picked you up at school. Your interest has been divided between your notebook and E Deck."
Clara sighed in defeat. "It's just… Philadelphia isn't home to me anymore. It hasn't been for two years. Going back home to my parents is only going to spur a never-ending line of suitors, pressuring me into a life I don't want. I know how to be on my own now. I want to stay in New York and figure it out there. Or maybe I'll go west, like you. I don't know. Wherever I go, I want it to be on my terms."
Molly held up her hands. "No need to convince me. You seem set on the matter."
"Don't tell my parents?" Clara asked, trying not to sound too begging.
"I'll tell them you found a wild New York sailor who swept you off your feet." Molly winked and both women laughed.
Try an Irish fisherman, Clara thought.
Molly made a move to stand up. "I'll leave you to your notebook, then. Gonna head inside to see if there are any other gals I can meet up with." She headed off toward the dining saloon where tea was just ending.
Clara flipped to a new page in her notebook, deciding to write about her aunt. Molly had been one of Clara's closest confidants since she was a young girl. She was surprised she didn't already know more about her, so she was happy to listen to her stories. The time passed easily for Clara as she wrote about Molly, even pulling childhood memories with her: the two of them giggling over food stuck in her father's mustache; Clara's mother chastising her for speaking out of turn and Molly giving a comforting wink across the room; sneaking out of her bedroom late at night to meet Molly in the kitchen and steal slices of cake.
Clara basked in the solitude. She fell into a rhythm when she wrote alone. An hour passed before she stopped to give her hand a break. She closed her notebook and glanced around. The deck was plenty occupied by other passengers. She was surprised no one had come up to her to schmooze their way in with her father. She wasn't complaining.
A familiar laugh came from down a way and Clara craned her neck to see Rose walking with someone. Clara stood up, waiting for Rose to pass by. She wouldn't bring up Rose's incident in front of someone else, but she hadn't seen her since before then, so she wanted Rose to know she had a friend to talk to if need be.
Rose noticed Clara as they approached. "Hello, Clara!" she said rather happily. Clara was surprised to see Rose's upbeat mood.
"Hi, Rose," Clara replied. She glanced at Rose's companion and immediately recognized the blond boy. "And Jack." She eyed the two of them, surprised to see them together.
Rose's eyebrow raised. "You know each other?"
Had it been anyone else, Clara would've come up with a lie. But Clara could trust Rose to not spill secrets about deck-hopping, present company as an example. "I've been frequenting the lower decks to write."
Jack smirked. "That's what she calls it." Clara gave Jack a look of warning, and he quickly retracted. "We've run into each other down there. Seems we have a mutual friend," he joked again.
Rose seemed to piece together what he was alluding to. She gave Clara a knowing smile. "I see…"
Clara rolled her eyes. "What are you two up to this afternoon?"
"Oh, just familiarizing Mr. Dawson with the woes of our world," Rose mused.
"Ah, yes," Jack said. "The horror of a three-course dinner and hot water."
"Such a horror you'll be finding yourself in tonight," Rose countered.
"Are you coming to dinner?" Clara asked.
Rose nodded and glanced at Jack before replying. "Cal invited him the other night after… I'm sure you heard." Clara nodded in response to Rose's allude to the incident. It was hard to not notice Jack looking at his feet at the mention of Rose's fiance. "Will you and Molly mind sitting with us tonight, Clara?"
"We'd love to," Clara smiled. Having a few extra friendly faces to help Jack out in the snakepit was sure to ease the boy's nerves. "I'm heading back to my room now, but I'll see you both later."
They bid goodbye. As Clara passed, Jack called after her. "Be sure to bring your Irish friend."
Clara stuck her tongue out at the laughing duo as they walked away. She headed inside and toward her room. Her day away from Tommy still didn't do much to clear her head, but she had to say: the ship was rather boring without him.
A/N: Lots of background on our gal. The next chapter will be more fun than this! Our favorite Irishman is coming back. Be sure to review and let me know what you think!