Tommy couldn't believe his eyes. Clara stood before him, with an almost breathless expression. He felt out of breath himself. Here she was, a vision in a blue so dark it resembled the ocean beneath them, and all she could say was, "I'm here for you."
Tommy blinked. He didn't know what to say, let alone think. After the way they left off the night before, he was certain that was the last he saw of her.
Clara once again broke the silence. "I'm here for you," she repeated. Clara thought she had planned what to say, and now she was forgetting all of it here with him. She took a deep breath. "You, Tommy Ryan, are the most fascinating man I've ever met. As well as the kindest. The gentlest. And I almost let you go. I know that we're practically strangers, but … I don't care right now. You asked if there was a world where we'd work together, and I don't know if that world exists yet. We'll have to make it ourselves. I just… want you. So… what do you say?"
As she finished, Tommy rose from his seat, towering over her. He cupped her face and pulled her in for a kiss. And this time, she didn't hesitate to meet him. They ignored the whoops and hollers coming from Tommy's table. For one moment, the rambunctious energy of the general room melted away.
Tommy pulled away. "I say, that should've been our first kiss."
Clara laughed. "We've got time to make up for it." Her stomach was in complete butterflies. "Can we step outside?"
Tommy grabbed her hand and led them out of the general room and out onto the breezy deck. Just as the night before, the deck was a stark contrast from the general room. Tommy led Clara to a bench, and they sat.
"This is where we sat that first night," Tommy said.
"Feels so long ago," Clara mused. She watched their intertwined hands. His fingers played with hers. "Last night… it wasn't fair of me to lash out like that."
"I'm not faultless either," Tommy offered.
"I didn't want us to get ahead of ourselves. I don't know what I'm doing."
"What do you mean?"
"What happens when we're off the ship? I've never been on my own. I wouldn't know where to start. And I wouldn't want to be burden to you."
"Clara, I've been on my own for a bit now. I know how to survive." Tommy wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in. Her head rested on his shoulder, and he kissed her hair. And I'd provide for you, for us. In no way would you be a burden to me. I'd give everything for you."
"You would?"
"Yes. I know it's only been a few days. But ever since we met, I haven't stopped thinking about you. You've brought a new spirit to me that I didn't know I could have. I know you're scared, and I understand why. We'd figure it out. Together. I'd work myself down to the bone if it meant I could come home to you each night." He kissed her head again and stroked her hair. His voice softened. "I want you as mine, Clara."
Chills ran down Clara's spine. "And I, you." she said. "Are we crazy?"
He shrugged. "That's why it's fun." Tommy's eyes glanced down her bodice. "I have to say… this gown… it's driving me crazy, Queenie."
"I hoped you would like it," Clara confessed. His thumb traveled slowly down her arm as he continued to stare. Clara broke them apart. "Come on, let's go back in before you push your luck again."
Tommy groaned, but he obliged. He took her hand and they made their way back toward the general room. Just outside the door, Tommy sneaked in one quick kiss before stepping inside.
Though they were only out for a few minutes, the room was livelier than before. The band, comprised of a piano, accordion, fiddle, drums and tambourine, stomped out a rhythm that enticed people to the dance floor. Tommy received pats on the back as they passed the table he was at earlier, which made Clara laugh. Tommy led them to a table and pulled out a stool for Clara. She settled in and was more than surprised to see who was across from her.
"Rose?" she asked incredulously, staring at the redhead. "What are you doing here?"
"Jack brought me," Rose answered. She was still dressed in her dark red dinner gown. She smiled, full of light and joy. "And what are you doing here?"
Clara glanced at Tommy as he sat down next to her. "I'm making it count," she said, quoting Jack's toast from earlier that evening. Rose understood, smirking at the couple in front of her.
"So you're Jack's gal," Tommy said. He stretched a hand across the table. "Tommy Ryan."
"Rose DeWitt Bukater." She shook his hand.
"You ladies thirsty?" Tommy asked. He didn't wait for an answer though and went off in search of refreshments.
Rose smirked at Clara. "Who's that?" Rose asked. "He's very handsome."
"We met on the first day. He's … incredible. I'm afraid I'm starting to fall in love with him." Clara surprised herself at that last part. The words came out effortlessly, yet they felt true.
Rose nodded and looked at the dance floor. "Sometimes it's too easy."
Clara followed her gaze. Rose laughed and clapped along as she watched Jack dance with a little girl. Tommy returned with pints of beer for the whole table. Rose hardly noticed as she continued to watch Jack dance.
As the song drew to a close, Jack pulled Rose from the table and onto the dance floor for the next song. While she initially hesitated at not knowing the steps, she soon got the hang of it. The two practically floated on the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Clara and Tommy were perfectly happy cozying up at the table. He had an arm wrapped around her waist and she leaned into his warmth.
"I have to tell you something," Clara said quietly.
Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Another grand speech?"
Clara took a deep breath. "I'm a writer. I want to write. And get paid for it."
"That explains the notebook. Do you mean like an author?"
"Like a reporter. I want to be a reporter in New York. " She glanced at Tommy. He nodded for her to continue. "More women are getting reporting jobs and I want to be like that. And I need you to be comfortable with me having a job."
Tommy was quiet for a moment as he thought over her words. A twinkle came to his eye. "Never thought I'd see the day when the Queen had to get a job."
Clara laughed. "So you wouldn't mind if I worked?"
Tommy shook his head. "Not one bit." To emphasize his point, he kissed her on the cheek.
Clara felt content. While she had no way of predicting the future, she knew everything would be just fine with him at her side. Satisfied, Clara took a long drink of her beer and Tommy followed suit.
"Thing is, Queenie," Tommy said, "if you're going to be a working class gal, you better start acting like one."
Before Clara could say anything, he whisked her away to the dance floor where they joined Jack and Rose. The dancers rollicked as the band kicked up another song. Clara recognized most of the dance from the night before, so she quickly fell into rhythm. It wasn't long before Jack and Rose cleared a space and the two spun around and around as the crowd watched.
The evening continued in a blur of dancing, drinking and entertainment. At one point, Rose showed off her years of ballet training while the men gaped in awe. She tumbled into Jack's arms after losing her balance, and their romance was clear to everyone in the room.
Meanwhile, Tommy and Clara romanced in a corner of the room. She perched on his lap, and his arms held her at the waist. Her stomach hurt from his jokes. In between her giggles, Tommy found a new freckle on her cheekbones to kiss. Had they been up in first class, Clara would avoid this public affection at all costs. But in the general room, with all the unbridled camaraderie, no one batted an eye.
"Have you ever been in love?" Clara asked quietly.
One of his hands traced up and down her back as he thought through his answer. "At the time, I thought it was love. We were young. Her brother and I were classmates in primary school. But soon enough, I had to spend more time on the farm and she ended up marrying someone else in another town. I wouldn't know where she is or what she's doing now. But I do wish her the best."
Clara nodded. "That's sweet of you to say."
"And what about you, lass? Any English gentlemen sweep you off your feet?"
Clara shook her head. "None in particular. It was perfect timing to leave for school and avoid my parents marrying me off to God knows whom." She gently tugged on one of his curls and smiled. "All for the best though."
"Tell me about your parents," Tommy said.
"I haven't seen much of them in years. And even before I went to England, they were distant. Neither of them were home much, my father with work and Mother with her social life."
"It's a shame they don't know you better," Tommy said.
Clara shrugged. "I've never been that sad about it. It was just… how life was for them. And anyways, I've got my aunt."
"The one who's on the ship, right?"
She nodded. "I think in another life we were sisters. She's my best friend. I think she'd like you."
"I'd love to meet her."
Clara's eyes lit up. "Come to lunch tomorrow!"
Tommy was taken aback. "What?"
"Come have lunch with me and Aunt Molly tomorrow. After church. It could be just us three in our stateroom."
Tommy hesitated. "I don't know, Clara. It's one thing for you to come down here, but me up there?"
Clara shook her head. "Aunt Molly doesn't care. She'll love you. Please?"
She was so eager and excited. Tommy couldn't say no. "All right. Anything for Queenie."
"Thank you. Don't be nervous." Clara kissed him. "I don't want to go back."
His arms tighten around her waist. "Then don't."
"I should."
"But you don't have to."
As badly as Clara wanted to take him up on his suggestion, she knew she needed to keep up some appearances. "Yes, I do." She stood and pulled Tommy up. "Come on. Walk me back."
They walked slowly toward her gate. The boisterous sounds from the general room soon melted away to the waves lapping against the ship. They reached the gate and neither made any move to open it.
"Thank you for coming tonight, Clara," Tommy said.
"Not doing so would've been my biggest regret," Clara replied.
"Mine is still hurting you last night," he admitted. "I never want you to cry, least of all about me."
She placed a hand on his cheek. "Don't think about that. That was last night. This is now." She reassuringly kissed him. One of his hands cupped her chin, and the other went to her back to pull her in. She tangled a hand in his curls. Out of all the kisses they shared tonight, this one was different. This one put any tense memory of the night before to rest. This one promised a tomorrow, a day for the both of them together.
Clara wasn't sure if she felt his heart beating against her chest or if hers was pounding that hard on its own. She pulled away, once again breathless before him.
"Do you think you're in love now?" Tommy whispered, still holding her close.
"Yes," Clara said just as quietly.
"Me too." He placed a small kiss on her forehead, and his lips lingered for a moment. "Me too."
Clara hesitantly pulled away. "I'll meet you here tomorrow morning? Around 11?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Tommy replied. "Should I, you know, dress up? Because... " Tommy awkwardly looked down at his current outfit, "this is about as nice as it gets."
"I'll bring you something. Molly's likely to have a jacket you could borrow." She smiled. "Don't be nervous. Goodnight Tommy."
"Goodnight, love," Tommy said. He watched her go until she disappeared back into her world.
Settling into his cramped bunk, Tommy wished Clara was in it with him. Not for intimate reasons, but only to hold her close as she slept. No fancy hairstyle, clothes or jewelry. Just Clara as she was.
Tommy couldn't believe how lucky he was to have found Clara. Or rather, she found him. One misplaced suitcase and now here he was days later, falling in love with a woman he swore was actually from Heaven above.
He wished he could tell his parents about her. They would've adored her. Tommy usually thought that their kind of love was impossible, but now he knew he had a chance at it, too.