Hello! Just thought i'd post this chapter for all of u wonderful readers and update u on what's going on. I'm on the last chapter of the fic and should be done within the next few days. so, i thought since im on the last chapter that i'd post this chapter as my thanks for waiting and being understanding. hope u enjoy
Later that night, it was time.
Gabriel walked along the deck, towards the sound of classic music being played. The steward at the door looked at her with a curios gaze, wondering why she was in mens wear. But, he said nothing. He just opened the door to the First Class Entrance and bowed his head. Gabriel nodded her head and walks through the door, her breath taken away by the splendor spread out before her.
Overhead is an enormous glass dome with a crystal chandelier at it's center. Sweeping down at least six stories is the First Class Grand Staircase, the epitome of the opulent naval architecture. And all of the people! The women wore floor length dresses, elaborate hairstyles and tons of jewelry. The men were in evening dress, standing with one hand at the small of the back as they talked quietly.
Gabriel descends the stairs, a few wondering eyes looking at her. She just smiles and nods, keeping it simple and easy. Walking past him is Edward and Judy, both not recognizing her. Edward nods at her, thinking that she was a gentleman. Then, walking slowly behind them, was Rosalie. She had on a blue and black, low-cut dress that showed off her neck and shoulders. A bracelet of gold and silver was on her left wrist.
Rosalie turns and nods at Gabriel, then does a double take when she realizes who she was. Gabriel smiles and shrugs her shoulders. Gabriel takes Rosalie's hand and kisses the back of her fingers, the way a gentleman usually does to a lady. Rosalie flushes, beaming noticeably. She can't take her eyes of of the redhead. Gabriel brings her head up and smiles, still holding onto Rosalie's hand. "I saw that in a nickelodean once, and I always wanted to do it." Gabriel said. Rosalie smiles a bit and looks down.
She then hears a cough and turns to see her mother and Edward both gazing at her, wondering who the redhead that kissed her hand was. "Edward, you remember Mrs Swan." She said. Gabriel smiles at the shocked looks that come across Judy's and Edward's faces. Both caught off guard that she was in mens wear and that she looked rather good.
"I barely recognized you Mrs Swan, but why are you in mens wear?" Edward asked. "Because I know how to properly treat a lady and show her a good time." Gabriel answered, a smirk on her face. Rosalie just chuckled.
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As the party descended to dinner, Alice graced the party. She looked lovely with a simple green dress and pearl necklace. Jasper was by her side in the usual mens wear. When she found Gabriel, she smiled at her. She spoke lowly with her, barely above a whisper. "Not much to it, is there?" She asked. Gabriel shook her head, "Pretty easy and straightforward. Just act like an ass." She said. Alice chucklied and nodded. "A friendly reminder, the only thing that these people respect is money. So, just act like you have a lot of it and you're in the club." Gabriel just nodded her head.
Rosalie found the redhead and dragged her around the floor, leaning in close to her as she pointed out several notables. "There's the Countess Rhodes. And that's Jimmy James Allen, the richest man on the ship. His wife, Maria, is my age and in a delicate condition." She then nodded towards another couple, "And over there is Sir Casper and Lady Lucy. She designs all sorts of naughty lingerie and is very popular with the royals." Gabriel chucklied at that.
Rosalie guides her smoothly threw the crowd, showing her another couple. "And that's Nathan Franklin and his mistress, Madame Lincoln." Gabriel raised an eyebrow at Rosalie, "Mrs Franklin is at home with the children, of course." She said.
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The dining saloon looked like it was meant to be in a palace. It seemed to be alive, and was lit by a constellation of chandeliers. It was full of elegantly dressed people, with beautiful music being played by a small orchestra.
Sat around a medium sized table was Gabriel, Rosalie, Judy, Edward, Thomas Andrews, Alice and Jasper, and the notables that Rosalie had pointed out to Gabriel.
"So, Mrs Swan, tell us of the accommodations in steerage. I hear they're quite good on this ship." Judy asked, an elegant eyebrow raised. Gabriel didn't miss a beat and smiled, "The best I've seen, ma'am. Haven't seen a rat yet." The people around the table looked at Gabriel like she was bonkers. Edward cleared that up, "Mrs Swan is joining us from third class. She was of some assistance to my fiancee last night." He said.
Gabriel becomes the subject of gossip and glances around the table.
"How do you take your caviar, ma'am?" The waiter asked Gabriel. Before she could respond, Edward spoke for her. "She'll have it with a soupcon of lemon," He smiles at Gabriel, "it improves the flavor with champagne." He told her. Gabriel looked at the waiter with a smile, "No caviar for me," She turns to Edward, "never really liked the taste all that much." She then glances at Rosalie with a poker face, and she smiles.
"So, where exactly do you live?" Judy asked Gabriel. The redhead just shrugged her shoulders, "Right now it's the RMS Titanic. After that, wherever the wind takes me." She says. The salad is served, and Gabriel reaches for the fish fork. Rosalie gives her a look and picks up the correct fork. Gabriel changes her forks, wondering why there is so many silverware. "You find that sort of rootless existence appealing, do you?" Judy asked Gabriel.
Gabriel shrugged her shoulders as she ate the salad, actually tasting surprisingly good. "Well...it's a big world, and I wish to see all of it before my time is up. My father, a soldier during the civil war, was always talking about seeing the rest of the world. He died in the town he was born in, only seeing where the war sent him. He told me that you can't wait around, cause you never know what hand you're going to get dealt next. My father died in a fire when I was fifteen, trying to save me. So, I decided to see the world for him and been on the road since. I try to make each day count."
Alice raises her glass in a salute, "Well said, Gabriel." "Here, here." Nathan Franklin said. Rosalie raises her glass as well, looking at Gabriel. "To making it count."
Judy glares at Gabriel, angry that she has scored a point. And so, presses her further. "How is it that you have the means to travel, Mrs Swan?" She asked. "Well, I work my way from place to place. Tramp steamers and such. I actually won my ticket on Titanic here in a lucky hand of poker." She glances at Rosalie, "A very lucky hand." Rosalie looks down at her plate, a small blush crossing her face.
Thirty minutes later, all of the men go into the smoking room to smoke and drink. Gabriel got up, "Well, I believe that's my cue to leave." She says. Rosalie looks at Gabriel, her eyes pleading. "Must you go?" She asked. Gabriel smiled, "It's time for my coach to turn back into a pumpkin." She says. She leans over and takes Rosalie's hand, slipping her a piece of paper.
Judy scowls as she watches Gabriel leave, giving Rosalie enough time to open the paper underneath the table to read it. "Make it count, meet me at the clock." Is what it says.
Rosalie excuses herself to go to the ladies room, which is near the clock. So, she leaves and crosses the enormous room. She finds Gabriel with her back to her, studying the clock with its carved figures of Honor and Glory. She comes shoulder to shoulder with redhead, who was still looking at the clock like it held the key to life. She then turns her head to Rosalie and smiles. "Want yo go to a real party?" She asks, eyebrow raised.
The third class general room was filled with life and music, laughter and joy. A band made up of the rusty piano, fiddle, accordion and tambourine plays out lively stomping music. People off all ages are dancing, drinking beer and wine, smoking, laughing and even brawling.
Dylan offers Rosalie a pint of stout. She drinks it all. Meanwhile, Gabriel is dancing with a five year old, Mary Malcolm. Or, tries to. Mary is standing on Gabriel's feet, smiling up at her with her missing tooth. As the tune ends, Rosalie leans down to the little girl. "May I cut in, miss?" Rosalie asks. Mary pouts, but gets off of Gabriel's feet. "Your still my best girl, Mary." Gabriel says. Mary smiles, then scampers off, leaving Rosalie and Gabriel facing each other. Rosalie is trembling as Gabriel takers her right in in her left. She slides her other hand to the small of Rosalie's back. It's an electrifying moment.
Rosalie shakes her head, "I don't know the steps." She says. Gabriel just smiles, "Just move with me. Don't think."
The music then starts, and they're off. A bit awkward at first, but Rosalie starts to get into it. She's grinning at Gabriel as they move with the rhythm of the band. Rosalie stops all of a sudden and bends down, pulling off her high heeled shoes and flings them at Dylan. Then, she grabs Gabriel and they plunge back into the fray, dancing faster as the music speeds up.
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The scene is rowdy and rollicking. A table gets knocked over as a drunks crashes into it. In the middle of the scene is Rosalie dance with Gabriel in her stocking feet. The steps are fast and she shines with sweat. The crowd opens around them, and people watch the duo. They all start clapping as the band plays faster and faster.
Emmett and Helga, the Norwegian beauty, are dancing and laughing. Dancing had obviated the need for a common language. He whirls her, then surprises him as she whirls him. Emmett's eyes are wide, as he realizes that she's stronger then him.
The tune ends in a mad rush. Gabriel steps away from Rosalie with a flourish, allowing the blonde to take a bow. Exhilarated and slightly tipsy, she does a graceful ballet ployer, feet turned out perfectly. The whole room laughs and applauds. Rosalie and Gabriel move to a table, both flushed and sweaty. Rosalie grabs Emmett's cigarette and takes a big drag, feeling cocky. Emmett grins, holding hands with Helga. Dylan walks up with a pint for each of them. "Rosalie chugs hers, showing off. Dylan laughs and Rosalie raises her eyebrow at him, "You think a first class girl can't drink?" She asked. Dylan held up in hands in surrender.
The band starts another tune and everyone begins to dance, save for Rosalie and Gabriel. "Has any of you lady friends ever sat in your lap?" Rosalie asks. Gabriel turns her head and raises an eyebrow, "No, why?" She says/asks. Rosalie smiles and gets off of her chair, just to plop down onto Gabriel's lap. "Because, I wanted to be the first." She answers, before she softly pecks Gabriel's lips with her own. Gabriel smiles into the kiss, her hands now gripping Rosalie's thighs. Rosalie feels her entire mouth explode with pleasure as Gabriel's tongue dominates hers.
Everyone was busy having a good time, that they didn't notice the door shutting quickly.
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The stars shined brightly above the Titanic, so bright and clear that you could see the Milky Way. Gabriel and Rosalie were walking along the row of lifeboats, there shoulders just touching. There both still a bit tipsy as the reach the First Class Entrance, but they don't go straight in. They didn't want the evening to end, so they both just leaned on the railing and stared at the cosmos.
"Isn't it magnificent?" Rosalie asked. "It's so grand and endless." She said. She then closed her eyes. "They're such small people, Gabriel...my crowd. They believe themselves to be giants and everyone else are ants that they can step on. But, the truth is that they're not even dust in God's eye. They live in this tiny bubble, but one day that bubble will burst and all hell will break loose." Gabriel inches her hand so it's just touching Rosalie's. Silence surrounds them for a moment, then Gabriel speaks. "You're not one of them. There's been a mistake." She said. Rosalie raised her eyebrow, curios at what the redhead meant. "You got mailed to the wrong address." She explained. Rosalie laughed and nodded, "I did, didn't I?" She said. She looked up at the sky and a small crossed her face, "Look! A shooting star!" She yelled, pointing at it. Gabriel smiled, "My father used to say that whenever you saw a shooting star, it was a soul going to heaven."
"Is that how you got your name, Gabriel?" Rosalie asked. Gabriel shrugged and nodded, "More or less. My father was in the Civil War and almost died in battle. He said that he got visited by the Angel Gabriel and he saved his life. Whether or not that's true, I have no clue. But, he named me after the Angel that had saved his life."
Rosalie nodded, "That's very nice." She said. "Aren't we supposed to wish upon it?" She asked. Gabriel turned her head, and just realized how close the two of them were. Just an inch more, and her lips would be on Rosalie's. Rosalie blushed, thinking the same thing as Gabriel. "What would you wish for?" Gabriel asked. Rosalie looked at Gabriel, her eyes full of sadness. "Something I can't have." Rosalie answered. She gave Gabriel a sad smile and kissed her cheek, "Goodnight, Gabriel. And thank you for the wonderful night."
Before Gabriel could say anything, Rosalie disappears through the doors and back into her own world.
It was a bright, clear day. Sunlight splashed across the sky and reflected off of the sea.
Rosalie and Edward were outside, eating there breakfast in silence, the tension palpable. Jane, in her maid's uniform, pours the coffee then goes back inside. Edward cleared his throat, "I had hoped you would come to me last night." He said. Rosalie just shrugged her shoulders, "I was tired." Edward laughed, "Yes, your exertions below decks were no doubt exhausting." He said. Rosalie went stiff, wondering how he knew that and what he knew. She then glared, "I see that you have your manservant stalking me." She accused.
Edward didn't confirm nor deny it, he just glared at her. "You will never behave like that again!" He yelled, his voice demanding. "Do you understand?" He asked. Rosalie squared her shoulders and looked at Edward, "I'm not some foreman in your mills that you can command! I'm you fiancee-" Rosalie said, but got cut short by Edward slamming his hands on the table. He pushed all of the breakfast china off of the table, the dishes landing on the floor with a crash. He moved to Rosalie, whom was in shock. He gripped both sides of the chair, trapping Rosalie between his arms. "Yes! You are! And my wife...in practice, if not yet by law. So, you will honor me as a wife is meant to honor her husband. I will not be made out a fool!" He yelled. He then moved his head closer to Rosalie, "Is this in any way unclear?" He asked.
Rosalie shrank into her chair, to shocked to answer. She then noticed Jane off to the side, frozen at the doorway. Edward follows her gaze and see's Jane. In an instant he straightens up, like he wasn't just yelling at her, and stalked passed Jane.
"We..we had an accident." Rosalie said, "I'm really sorry, Jane." She told her maid/servant.
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Rosalie was helping Judy with her corset, herself already dressed for the day. "You aren't to see that woman again!" Judy yelled at her daughter. "Do you understand me? I forbid it!" She told her. Rosalie just rolled her eyes and pulled the corset strings with both of her hands, "Oh, stop it, Mother. You'll give yourself a nosebleed." She said. Judy pulled away and crosses to the door, locking it. She turned sharply and glared at her daughter, "This isn't a game! Our situation is precarious. You know the money's gone!" "Of course I know it's gone, mother. You remind me every day!" Rosalie told Judy. Judy just went on, "Your father left us nothing but a legacy of bad debts hidden by a good name. And that name is the only card we have to play." She told Rosalie.
Rosalie turns Judy around and grabs the corset strings again. Judy sucks in her waist and Rosalie pulls. "I don't understand you. Edward is a fine match and it will insure our survival." Judy said. Rosalie was hurt by her mothers words, "How can you put all of this on my shoulders?" She asked. Rosalie turns her around, seeing her mother's fear in her eyes. "Do you want all of your things to be sold at an auction? See all of our memories scattered in the winds like dust?" Judy asked. "How can you be so selfish?" "It's so unfair." Rosalie said, her head looking down at the floor.
Judy laughed, "Of course it's unfair! We're women, our choices are never easy." She told her daughter.
A few tears run down Rosalie's cheeks as she pulls the corset tighter.
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The First Class dining room was being treated to a chorus of songs, Judy and Rosalie both taking the lead.
Edward's manservant kept his eye on Rosalie, never leaving the blonde out of his sight. That was, until a commotion at the entry doors caught his attention. He walked forward and saw Gabriel arguing with the doorman and another steward. She was dressed in her tattered, third class clothes. She defiantly looked out of place.
As he got closer, he heard bits of the argument. "Your not supposed to be here." and "You let me in yesterday." "Ah, Mrs Swan. Mr Cullen would like me to give you this." He said, handing Gabriel two twenty dollar bills. Gabriel shook her head, "I don't want your money! I wanna see.." She began, but got cut off. "Mr Cullen also wanted me to remind you that you have a third class ticket and your presence here is no longer appropriate." He turned to the stewards, "Gentlemen, please see the Mrs Swan gets back where she belongs." He asked, giving them each a twenty. They both nodded, "Yes sir." They said, before they escorted her away.
The manservant turned and watched Rosalie threw the doors, giving no indaction if she saw Gabriel or not.
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