The Point of No Return

Chapter 4

I loved the third class dining room as soon as I walked in. It wasn't overdone, like the first class dining room was, and just like everywhere else I had been with Tommy, it was full of life. People didn't isolate themselves at a lot of separate tables. Instead, there were long tables aligned from wall-to-wall, everyone sitting together, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

Tommy led me to a seat towards the center of the room where Fabrizio was sitting with a pretty blond girl. They both looked a bit confused as they tried to talk, but at the same time were still laughing and smiling at each other. It didn't take long to figure out that the two had fallen for each other rather quickly.

"Who's that?" I asked Tommy as we walked up.

"Helga," he answered with a smirk that said my suspicions were correct. "He's been trying to impress her. Might work a little better if they spoke the same language."

"Looks like they're doing just fine to me," I grinned as we sat down. Fabrizio and Helga were so wrapped up in each other they barely noticed us as we joined the table – we got a smile and a quick hello from Fabrizio before he went right back to trying to talk to her.

I decided to take a cue from them and focused my attention on Tommy. "So you never did tell me, what are you heading to the States for anyway?" I asked before taking a bite of potatoes.

At first he just shrugged. "It's not as interesting as you seem to think it is. There wasn't much work to be found back home, so I did as much as I could and saved up my money. A friend o' mine went to New York a few years ago, and when I told him I was thinking about going there as well he worked it out with his boss to get me a job as well."

"Well, that's still more interesting than why I'm going," I replied, laughing.

"I guess that's true," he laughed along with me. "I think if I were in your place, I'd be more likely to shoot myself than go to that wedding."

"I've considered it," I joked. "I mean, I am going to spend that whole day pretending to like my brother!" I paused and shook my head at myself. "I really am a nice person, I swear."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, lass," he said. There was a teasing smirk on his face – he had already heard all about Cal, and had seen his mark on my face, so he knew why I said the things I did.

We sat and talked some more while we ate. I also got to meet the two children I had seen up on deck earlier who had boarded Titanic with their mother when they took seats on the other side of me. The little girl was named Áine and she introduced her brother as Sean. She had just begun to delve into a story about one of her adventures on board the ship when her mother scolded her.

"Áine, don't talk the poor lady's ear off now. I'm sorry, Miss, she gets to be quite talkative at times."

"Oh, that's all right, I really don't mind at all. And you don't need to call me 'miss', just Emma is fine."

"All right, Emma," the mother nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips. "And I'm Sarah Riley, Áine and Sean's mother." The last word had barely left Sarah's mouth before Áine jumped right back into her story. I think I may have talked with that girl more during one dinner than I had with Tommy over the past two days.

Shortly after we had both finished eating, Tommy leaned over and asked, "You think you've got time for a party before your brother starts hunting you down?"

I smirked for a moment, partially enjoying what I would imagine to be the look on Cal's face if he realized he'd have to go to third class to come find me. But then I realized the truth, shook my head, and smiled at Tommy. "Cal is too worried about whether or not Rose is being the perfect little fiancée, it'll be a while before he remembers to bother with me. I think a party sounds wonderful."

And even on top of that, Cal wouldn't come down himself, he'd send Lovejoy. With that thought, I thanked God that Cal probably hadn't realized my absence (he only notices me when I'm mouthing off), because the last thing I wanted was for Lovejoy to come after me and then shamelessly stare at me for the entire walk back to the suite.

"All right, then let's go," Tommy grinned and held his hand out for me. I took it gladly and allowed him to lead me back to the smoking room, where the party had already begun. "D'you want a beer?" He had to raise his voice to be heard over the sound of the band and all of the other people crowded into the room.

"Please," I replied, nodding just in case he didn't hear me.

He returned a moment later with a pint in each hand and snagged us some seats at a table which was occupied by only one other man. I'm not sure if he was already drunk, or naturally friendly, but the stranger kept talking to me in a language I didn't understand. He seemed harmless and I didn't want to seem rude, so I smiled at him and nodded, laughing when I guessed it might be appropriate.

Somehow I managed to finish my first pint even before Tommy. I definitely liked the beer better than the wine they served upstairs. And by the time we had been there, talking with each other and our new companion for about half an hour, I was halfway through my second glass.

I had started off into space for a moment, just taking in the sounds of the room and watching the people around me as they drank, smoked, laughed, made friends, and some even brawled. I was pulled back to myself when Tommy nudged my arm. The band had just started into yet another fast paced song and more and more people were moving about the center of the room.

"Dance with me," he said, holding out his hand. I nodded almost instantly, an excited grin on my face even though I honestly had no clue as to how to do any of the steps I was seeing the others do.

"I have no idea what I'm doing," I laughed, holding onto him tightly as we moved. He just responded with a laugh of his own and pulled me in closer so that there was little-to-no space between us.

A thought popped into the back of my head that my mother would probably suffer a heart attack were she to see me now, sweating, tipsy from the beer, and pressed up against Tommy. I giggled and let the thought go. Things like that didn't matter when I was with Tommy. Something about him made everything else seem inconsequential.

Two songs later and we were back at our table with freshly filled glasses. I had just taken slammed mine back when I head a familiar voice.

"Emma, is this where you've been?" It was Rose. She approached us alongside Jack, there were smiles on both their faces.

"Where else would I be," I shrugged and grinned over at Tommy. Then I turned to Jack, who was dressed up in extremely first class-esque evening wear. "Look at you, Dawson," I giggled. "Are you trying to impress my Rose?" I winked at him and laughed again.

"I'd like to think I'm past trying and have succeeded in that," he joked back and pulled off his jacket as he and Rose both sat down with us.

"I guess we're gonna need some more beers, I'll be right back," Tommy said as he stood.

"I'll come help you," I said, standing as well.

We'd made it halfway across the room when someone slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. I let out a small shriek as I fell, but was giggling by the time I was on the floor. But apparently, Tommy didn't find it as funny as I did. When I looked up he had grabbed the man by the shirt and was getting ready to throw a punch.

"No, Tommy, it's all right, really," I said quickly as I pulled myself up off the floor. Once I was up I grabbed his hands and pulled him away from the other man. "I'm fine," I added, smiling to prove my point.

"You sure you're all right?" he asked. He moved his hands so they were resting on my shoulders and looked me over carefully.

"Tommy, I promise, I'm really fine." I placed my hands on his chest and leaned up to kiss his cheek. I was about to pull back when he moved one hand into my hair and the other went down to my waist, once again holding me close to him. Before I could begin to wonder what he was doing his lips were on mine.

When he finally released me, I was out of breath and I'm sure my face was probably a horrendous shade of red. "I . . . we . . . uhm." Whatever I had wanted to say had been lost somewhere on the way out of my mouth. I stopped trying to speak and instead leaned up to kiss him again. I had a flashback to when I had met him. Then, I had felt like I could talk to him forever. And I was feeling something similar while we stood there in the midst of the music, the dancing people, and all the smoke. Instead of wanting to talk to him forever I began feeling like I could gladly kiss him forever.

"We should probably go a get those beers," he said once we finally were able to stop ourselves. I just nodded as we once again went on our way over to where the drinks were being served.

OooOOooO

It was nearly midnight when we realized that I needed to be back to my cabins and fast. I told him he didn't have to, but Tommy insisted on walking me back at least as far as the first class entrance.

"I don't want to go back," I wrinkled my nose when the entrance came into view. "But I have to," I sighed. "I'll see you again tomorrow?" I looked up at him hopefully. It was getting hard to imagine ever spending a day without him.

He smiled and kissed me slowly. "O'course you'll see me again tomorrow, Emma."

"Good," I grinned. I felt lighter than air as we said goodnight and kissed one last time before going our separate ways.

The tune of one of the songs the band had played was stuck in my head, and by the time I was in my room I was humming it and began dancing around as I changed into my nightclothes. I couldn't remember ever being this happy before. At least nothing since I was a very little girl.

But then, when I was about to go down the hall to tell Rose I was back as well, I overheard Cal, Ruth, and Lovejoy in the sitting room. At first I wondered what on earth those three were doing still awake. Then I heard what they were actually saying and it was all I could do to stay on my feet.

"Well, it's about time she gets a husband. Hopefully it will get her under some control, because I think we can all agree her current behavior is unacceptable," Ruth said. I had no doubts that she was talking about me.

"Those were Mother and Father's feelings," Cal replied. "And who could be a better match than our very own Lovejoy? Especially since Emma is so adverse to the idea of marrying someone she doesn't know. Lovejoy has been with the family for years."

I wave of nausea hit me and I had to lean against the wall for support. They expected me to marry Lovejoy?

"And I'm sure you're pleased about this, Mr. Lovejoy," Ruth said.

"Yes, very pleased," was all he said in response. But that was all it took for me to lose the battle with the nausea. I ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind me before finally losing it.

Hello my loves!

So, this one was a tad longer than my usual, but I hope you enjoyed it! I especially hop you enjoyed reading the party, because I really loved writing it. And things are definitely going to be picking up from here. Although, I do have an announcement to make - I seem to have made an error in my timeline. From what I've been able to gather, the movie's events with Rose and Jack began on the 12th, however I began my version on the 11th. It doesn't change too much as far as how they play out, it just means I have one more day to cover. So, for reference, that means this chapter takes place on the night of the 12th, thought it was the 13th in the movie.

To make up for this difference, I've decided that, as far as movie events go, Rose and Cal's disaster breakfast ("My wife in practice if not yet by law") is being pushed back to Saturday morning, the 13th. But the rest of the events (Rose touring the boat with Mr. Andrew's, the confrontation with Jack, the drawing, etc.) will all stay on the 14th as they were depicted in the movie.

Anyway, I'm so sorry about this, I really wish I had caught that mistake sooner. But I hope this cleared things up, and if any of you have questions please do feel free to ask.

Love,
Meagan