April 14, 1912 – Day of the Sinking
Melody awoke to see Harold shrugging on his trousers. She stretched lazily and rolled onto her side, propping her head on her hand. Harold turned and saw her awake. He smiled sleepily at her and came to the bed, sitting next to her.
"Good morning, beautiful," he said, leaning in to kiss her.
"Good morning," she managed to murmur, just before his mouth covered hers. He leaned into her, pushing her back against the pillow, his hands moving under her to grasp her shoulders. Melody lay back and lost herself in him. He broke the kiss, moving over her cheek and down her neck, burying his face there and gently caressing her skin with his lips. Melody moaned. "I love you," she whispered.
"And I, you," he said, sitting up. "I'm afraid I have to go on watch now."
"What time is it?"
"Just before 4 'o clock. Stay here and sleep. I'll come back after 8 'o clock and wake you up. Then we'll go tell your parents and get the Captain."
Melody smiled. "I wish you didn't have to go," she said, pushing the bedclothes aside so she lay unashamedly nude, wearing only the black ribbon at her throat and Violet's onyx drop earrings. She wiggled her back suggestively against the pillows, smiling coyly.
Harold's jaw dropped, his eyes seeming to grow larger. He chuckled a little. "Oh God, don't do that to me. Watch is going to last forever if I have to think of you looking like that all morning."
Melody laughed and pulled the sheets up far enough to cover her breasts. She yawned, snuggling into the pillows. "I'm so sleepy."
He reached out and touched her face. "Sleep then." He smiled at her, a faraway look in his eyes. "God, you're lovely. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
"You say such sweet things," said Melody, squeezing his hand.
"I mean them all," said Harold. He stood and continued to dress. Once he'd tied his shoes, put on his coat and found his hat, he came back over to Melody in the bed. He leaned over her and graced her with one more sensual kiss. "Sleep well, sweet Melody. I'll see you soon."
Melody sighed in answer. Harold smiled and left the room. Melody rolled onto her side, smelling Harold's scent on the pillow, breathing him in.
"This is what love feels like," she sighed aloud. Soon, the ever-present sound of Titanic's engines lulled her to sleep once more.
The staterooms Melody and Violet shared were a flurry of activity. Constanza and Grace were skittering about, fussing over Melody. As soon as Constanza and Richard heard the words "We wish to be married today," come from Harold's mouth, they were hugging Melody and Harold, crying and telling them how happy they were for them. Richard had clapped Harold on the back, welcoming him to their family. Before Melody could take a breath, Richard and Harold had left to speak with the Captain, and she was in the bathroom listening to the water running into the tub. When she was drying herself off, Constanza burst through the door, the wedding dress she'd worn when she married Richard in her arms.
"Momma, I didn't know you brought that!" cried Melody.
Constanza laughed. "I guess I was just hopin' one of you girls would need it." She lay it across Melody's bed. "Let's get you into that corset. Richard should be back soon. Church services should have just let out."
Melody's stomach lurched with joy at the thought. She would soon be Mrs. Harold Lowe.
Soon she was laced into her corset and buttoned into the dress. The lacy ruffles on the cap sleeves accentuated her slender neck, and the soft lines of the skirt enhanced her supple figure. Grace pinned Melody's dark hair up with pearl-tipped hairpins and carefully applied light cosmetics to her face.
She was slipping on Momma's white wedding slippers when Violet burst into the suite, carrying an armload of pink roses. "I know you don't like pink, Melly, but this is what they had. The damn florist was such a snooty little . . ." She entered Melody's bedroom and stopped short when she saw Melody sitting at the dressing table in their mother's wedding dress. "My God," she breathed. "And I thought you were pretty last night." Tears began to come to Violet's eyes. "Oh, baby sister, I just can't believe how grown up you are."
Melody laughed. It was all she could do. The love and acceptance her family felt for her and Harold was overwhelming.
Violet wiped at her eyes, laying the flowers on the bed. She ran into her own room and returned seconds later, a string of pearls in her hand. "Wear these, Melly. Remember that one johnny that always came by Momma's looking for me on Friday nights? Gavin? He gave me these. He was always so kind to me. I think you should wear them." She unhooked the clasped and placed them around Melody's neck, rehooking them. "Perfect," she said with a smile, smoothing the skirt of her cornflower blue dress.
Grace had been busy separating the pink roses into two piles. She handed one to Violet and the other to Melody. Melody stood up and looked at herself in the mirror, hardly able to believe she was about to be married.
Grace stood behind her and Melody smiled, her face reflected in the mirror. "What a beautiful bride you are," said Grace, a soft smile on her lips.
Melody walked down the grand staircase on Richard's arm, clasping her bouquet of pink roses in her free arm. Momma and Violet followed, giggling and whispering to each other. Melody had asked Richard why he wanted to go by way of the grand staircase when there were quicker routes to the Captain's quarters. He smiled and replied, "Because I want to show these other folks what a pretty bride my daughter is. I am so proud that you're marryin' this young man that I could explode." He lovingly touched Melody's cheek. "Sweet Melody, it don't matter that I've only known you a little over a year. You're my daughter, and nothing can change that."
Melody felt tears springing to her eyes. "I love you Richard . . . Dad . . .""I love you too, darlin', just as if you're mine." He wiped at his own eyes. "Now come on. We shouldn't keep that young man waitin'."
They continued, talking and laughing, as they reached the bottom of the staircase. Melody turned her head to see Rose standing with a small group of people, probably a tour group, as Thomas Andrews was there speaking to the group about the design of the ship. Rose looked up, her mouth dropping open when she saw Melody with her family. She saw Melody's white dress and the bouquet of flowers she carried. Rose's face drooped with sadness. Melody looked at Rose, suddenly unable to smile. She felt bad for Rose. She knew she was envious, seeing Melody's obvious happiness at being on her way to marry a man she truly loved. Melody sighed, but allowed Richard to lead her past Rose and on toward the Captain's quarters, where Harold waited.
When they arrived at the Captain's door, Richard knocked. All was silent, save the giggles coming from Momma and Violet, until the door swung open. The Captain smiled. "Come in, Mr. Pembry. I take it this is the girl that has Officer Lowe in such a state?"
Richard looked at Melody proudly. "This is she."
The Captain held out his hand and Melody took it. He kissed her hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, my dear."
She smiled. "I'm pleased to meet you, sir."
He looked beyond her at Violet and Momma. "I take it this is your lovely wife and the bride's sister?"
Richard smiled proudly. "Yes sir. This is my wife, Constanza, and my oldest daughter, Violet."
"Well, do come in, and we'll get started. I must say this was a bit of a surprise. The White Star Line generally does not want its officers mingling with passengers, but Lowe was so obviously taken with the girl I couldn't refuse to marry them." He stood back so Melody and her family could enter the room. Richard patted Melody's hand and led her into the room.
Harold was sitting in one of two chairs that sat facing Captain Smith's desk. When he saw them enter, he immediately stood. His eyes grew wide when he saw Melody, who blushed and buried her nose in the soft petals of the roses she held, breathing in their perfume. She smiled at Harold, the memory of their lovemaking the night before making her suddenly feel shy around him. He smiled back and squeezed the brim of his hat, which he was holding in his hands.
Captain Smith shut the door behind Constanza and Violet, gesturing to the chairs. "If the couple will sit, I have a few papers I need you to sign.
Melody and Harold sat down in the chairs and signed the papers. Violet stood behind Melody's chair while Constanza and Richard took seats in two more chairs at the back of the room. Captain Smith sat at his desk, looking through the papers when they had finished. He shuffled them together, placing them on his desk before standing up. He gestured for Melody and Harold to stand up.
"If the two of you would please join hands," he said with a smile, picking up a small book from his desk and opening it.
Harold turned to face Melody and they took each other's hands. Melody could already hear Violet and Constanza sniffling behind her. She felt a tear begin to slide down her cheek, and when she looked at Harold, she saw that he was crying too.
The Captain began. "Dearly beloved . . ."
Melody was lost in Harold's deep brown eyes. He was all see could see. They both had a little trouble getting through their vows, each of them was drowning in emotion. But soon they had finished and the Captain was reading the final lines of the ceremony.
"With the authority invested in me, I now pronounced you man and wife." He smiled and turned to Harold. "You may kiss the bride."
Harold smiled sweetly at Melody, taking her into his arms. They kissed lovingly, gently stroking each other's faces. When they finally parted, even the Captain was wiping at his eyes.
The air rushing by on the deck was frigid. Melody tried to pull her coat tighter around herself, but it didn't do much to make her feel any warmer. She heard bells go off on the ship, signaling the end of Harold's watch. Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing him again. Once their marriage ceremony was complete, he and the Captain had gone back to the bridge. Melody had heard talk of ice warnings in the area where Titanic was headed. The Captain assured them that they would be able to avoid icebergs by changing course a bit. Harold had kissed her over and over, promising to meet her on the promenade deck next to the first class entrance closest to the grand staircase right after he left watch at 8 'o clock. She and her family had spent the day together celebrating. Once dinner was over, she decided she wanted to take a walk alone. Constanza and Violet had exchanged knowing looks, but Melody could not figure out why.
Melody exhaled forcefully, watching a thick cloud of vapor rush from her mouth. She hoped nothing would delay Harold from getting back to her. The cold almost convinced her to wait inside by the staircase, but she didn't want to make Harold search for her.
She was deep in thought when Harold slipped quietly up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She jumped a little, not expecting it. She whirled around to see his smiling face.
"Hello, wife," he said sweetly, leaning in to kiss her. "Have you been waiting long?"
She returned his kisses, which deepened until she finally pulled away to answer. "Not too long," she lied. She'd actually been standing on the deck for quite some time.
"My God, you're freezing," he said, touching her face with warm hands. "Let's get you inside."
He quickly escorted Melody through the first class entrance. He smiled, rubbing her arms through the sleeves of her coat. "This isn't nearly warm enough," he said. "Didn't you have a heavier coat?"
"No," she replied. "I live in southeast Texas. It doesn't get that cold there."
He shot her a beautiful smile with a hint of impishness. "Well, I think we should get you to your room and warm you up."
They walked together, Harold's arm around Melody, until they reached the door to the suite Melody shared with Violet. Once inside, Harold helped her remove her coat. He was hanging it up for her when they both noticed the golden glow that seemed to fill the sitting room.
They looked around and realized that every available surface was covered with lit candles. Melody gasped and looked at Harold, smiling.
"How?" he asked.
"I don't know . . ." said Melody, taking his hand.
Harold smiled and led her to her bedroom. They stepped into the doorway to see Violet straightening up from lighting the many candles she'd placed on the night table. Violet lay a finger across her lips. "Shhhh . . ." She placed the lit taper she held in an empty holder on the night table and looked at Melody and Harold, winking at them. She came over and silently kissed each of them on the cheek before slipping from the room. They heard the stateroom's outer door shut as she left.
Harold turned to Melody, his eyes picking up the glow of candlelight. "We're alone," he said.
"Yes, we are," said Melody.
Harold stepped close to her and lay his hands on her upper arms. He frowned. "You're still so cold," he said. He rubbed her arms, his face concerned. "Why don't I draw you a warm bath? It'll warm you up."
Melody smiled. Her heart was pounding. She couldn't understand why, but she felt unbelievably nervous. "All right," she said, shakily.
Harold smiled and headed for the bathroom. She could hear him turn the water on and the sound of it filling the tub. She sat on the bed, slipped her shoes off and let them drop to the floor. She pulled the pins from her hair and let it fall around her shoulders. She wrapped her arms around, still shivering a bit with cold, but partially out of nervousness. Harold looked out through the bathroom door. "It's ready," he said.
Melody smiled nervously and got up from the bed, keeping her arms crossed over her chest. She walked to the bathroom door, where Harold put his arms around her and kissed her gently. He pulled back, smiling sweetly. "Would you like a few minutes to yourself, beautiful?"
Melody nodded. "I won't be long."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Take all the time you need."
Melody went into the bathroom and shut the door. She shivered out of the deep lavender dress she had worn to dinner and unlaced her corset. Her skin was so cold that when she stepped into the water it seemed to burn. She took the sponge that lay on the edge of the tub and began to wash herself with honey-scented soap, and after a few minutes she was beginning to warm up. Harold had made the bath quite warm, so by the time she was finished her skin was slightly flushed. She dried herself with a soft bath towel and pulled the thin shift she'd left hanging on the door that morning over her head. She finger-combed her long, dark hair and plaited it into a loose braid. After taking a deep breath, she opened the door. We made love just last night. Why am I so nervous? she thought.
Harold was sitting on the edge of the bed wearing just his uniform pants and his undershirt. He was leafing through one of Melody's books. He looked up and smiled lovingly at Melody. She gasped at how sensual he looked in the glowing candlelight. She smiled and stepped toward him as he stood up.
He didn't say a word, but lay his hands on her bare shoulders and kissed her forehead. She reached out and caressed his chest through his thin undershirt. He sighed a bit at her touch, and leaned forward to kiss her gently on the lips. Melody looked down and took the hem of his undershirt in her hands, pulling it upwards. He allowed her to slip it over his head. Melody dropped the shirt on the floor and took his hands in hers. She looked at him shyly, but he only smiled. He took hold of the thin fabric of her shift and lifted it. Melody raised her arms so he could pull it over her head and let it fall to the floor. Harold smiled down at her before putting his arms around her and pulling her close. She lay her head on his chest, stroking his back with gentle fingers.
"I love you forever," he breathed.