Chapter 20

Harlean stood in front of her mirror. Seamstresses were rushing about helping her into the dress. Her hair was sitting on top of her head with a long white veil.

Downstairs she could hear people coming into the house and being led through the house into the back yard.

"Does that feel comfortable enough Miss Harlean?" Holly asked.

Harlean nodded, "That's lovely."

Her dress was made with beautiful soft white fabric, with a long train hanging from her back.

After a few minutes the women helping Harlean announced they were finished.

"Thank you…may I have some time alone for a few minutes?" she asked.

They all nodded and left the room, closing the door silently behind them.

Harlean stood there for a moment staring at her appearance. In just a few minutes, her dreams would all come true. She was going to be married to a man she loved and adored, and all of her family would be there. Well…not all of them.

She sighed sadly as she thought about the circumstances that had even brought them together. If she had never gone on the Titanic…she would have never met Harold to begin with.

Harlean thought for a moment, remembering the last time she saw Captain Smith.

XX

She welcomed her Uncle's loving yet sad embrace and heaved back a sob, "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," her Uncle said softly.

He kissed her on the forehead and went to hand her over to Harold Lowe so he could assist her into the boat but she reached over to Bride and she pulled him to her. This was definitely not proper behaviour but if this were to be the last time she would ever see Harold Bride, she would let him know how much she loved him.

When they pulled away she knew her Uncle and others were staring, "I love you Harold, more than you might ever know, and I am so grateful to you for how you have treated me these last few days, and I love you so much I," she bit back a sob, tears falling from her eyes, "And I just want you to know that," but before she could finish Harold kissed her again, "I love you too…Harlean Carpenter," he whispered as he pulled away.

Harlean had tears pouring out of her eyes as she was put into boat fourteen, by this time it was very crowded and Harold Lowe had to stand up in the boat. She looked up at the fifth officer and when she looked back her dear Uncle was gone and she cursed herself for not keeping her eyes on him. But Sparks was still there, she tried to smile but her face could not be twisted into that.

XX

Harlean had tears in her eyes but she quickly pulled out a hankie and wiped them away.

"Harlean darling? It's time."

She turned to see her mother in the door way, "Oh…yes…I'll be right there," she sniffed.

Her mother's expression softened, she closed the door behind her and walked over to the sofa and sat down. She patted the seat next to her and Harlean went over to sit with her mother.

"Tell me what the mater is dearest."

"I just never expected this day would come and Uncle would not be present," Harlean said, trying to keep from crying.

"Oh my darling, but he is here. In our hearts he is here. Your Uncle is here in spirit, in our hearts, in his wife's face and your cousin. Harlean, though you can not see him…Edward is everywhere. He is here with you today, in spirit. Watching down upon us and smiling. He was so proud of you and he loved you more than you will ever know. God blessed us with him, and you should focus on all the beautiful and wonderful times we had with him. Do not always ponder on his death; if you do…you will never survive. I know you loved him like a second father, but he would be very angry with you for crying on your wedding day," her mother paused and Harlean looked at her. She wiped her face dry and Mrs Carpenter continued, "He loves you and he is here. Just remember that, and he would want you to be happy. The happiest you have ever been, alright?"

Harlean nodded slowly.

Her mother smiled and kissed her daughter on the forehead.

"Good, now we have a wedding to attend."

Harlean laughed, picked up her flowers and followed her mother out of the room. Her father was waiting at the foot of the stairs to walk her down the aisle.

Harlean went down the stairs and she looped arms with her father. He kissed her on the cheek and she smiled, "Thank you father," she whispered.

As Harlean walked down the aisle to her future, she pondered about what her mother had said. She was right of course, her Uncle would be angry at her for being sad on her wedding day. It was then that she felt a large wave of comfort cover her up. She had a feeling then that he was there. Harlean could feel his presence; she smiled and knew she would be fine after this.

Then she was at the altar, her father gave her away and she joined hands with Harold. This was the beginning of the rest of her life, and for the first time since the sinking; Harlean couldn't have been happier…

The End