DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN OR OWN ANYTHING TITANIC (THE MOVIE) AS WELL AS THE LITTLE MERMAID OR ANY RIGHTS TO THEM.
Chapter 4: The Red Rose
"You're such a beautiful woman," he said. "Please. . . . take this rose as a symbol of my feelings for you."
"But, we've only just met!" she answered.
"Yes, that's true," he said. "But I feel you're the most interesting woman I have ever met in my life."
"It's strange, but I feel that way about you, too . ." she answered.
* * *
That morning Amelia awoke from sweet dreams to happy thoughts. She thought of the night before and the charming man whom she had met. All of a sudden, the door to her room opened and there stood her father.
"Good morning, Princess," he greeted.
"Good morning, father. You know I'm not a child anymore," she said, irritated that her thoughts of Erik had just vanished. "Just call me Amelia, not Princess."
"Okay, Amelia," her father answered with a chuckle. "Breakfast is ready, so I'll send a maid in to help you get dressed."
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit, father," Amelia said.
* * *
"Excuse me," Erik asked a servant. "Do you know where I can get a red rose for a lovely lady friend of mine?"
"Oh, Mr. Erik. Good morning," he said. Erik nodded. The servant cleared his throat. "Sir, I believe I can get you a rose while you eat your breakfast. I will see to it that this rose is delivered to you before the morning religious services."
"Thank you," Erik said as he slipped some money in the servant's hand.
"And thank YOU, sir!" the servant happily answered.
* * *
"O wind of Heaven, by thy might, protect them all. . . eagles' flight. . . " the passengers sang. The song finished, and the religious service ended.
"What a lovely service," Amelia's mother commented.
"Yes it was," herfather said.
"Amelia!" Erik called out at he walked toward her and her parents.
"Erik! Why, good morning!" she greeted as she blushed. Amelia's parents just looked at each other. "Mother, father, may I introduce Mr. Erik."
"So good to meet you both," Erik said. "I was just wondering if I could by chance speak with Miss Amelia. I was hoping she'd grace me with her presence as I toured the ship." Amelia pushed her parents aside.
"Mother, father. This is the man I spoke of at breakfast. May I please go?" she asked with a longing look in her eyes.
"Go ahead, sweetheart," her father said. Her mother nodded in agreement, only after looking a little worried. Amelia just smiled at her parents and joined up with Erik.
"Maybe we won't have to look so hard for a suitor," Amelia's father said with a chuckle.
* * *
"Oh, Erik, what a pleasure it's been touring the ship with you! I'm glad I got to see you again!" Amelia said excitedly with a blush in her cheeks.
"But of course," Erik answered. "Amelia, will you sit down a moment? I have something I want to give to you." Amelia and Erik sat down on a nearby bench.
"What is it, Erik?" Amelia asked. Erik reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a red rose.
"You're such a beautiful woman," he said. "Please. . . . take this rose as a symbol of my feelings for you."
"But, we've only just met!" she answered.
"Yes, that's true," he said. "But I feel you're the most interesting woman I have ever met in my life. Besides, we're moving rather slowly, I think. . . sort of. Look, we have the entire voyage to get to know each other," Erik proposed.
"Yes, you're right," Amelia agreed as she took the rose. "It's strange, but I feel that way about you, too," she answered. Amelia looked up at the sunset in the sky. Erik put his hand on hers, and the two relished the moment. Suddenly, the dinner horn blew.
"Oh, it's dinner time," Amelia said, almost as if she was waking up from a dream. "Would you like to join my family and I for dinner?" she asked cheerfully.
"I'm afraid not. I have a friend who is waiting for me to meet him."
"Hopefully we'll see each other again, soon," Amelia said.
"I know we will. I'll make sure of it," Erik said with a smile. The two stared at each other for a moment, then departed to get ready for dinner.