Hello everyone! Long enough? Haha. Hope it's good =)
I do not own Thomas Andrews or anyone related to him. I hope you enjoy, and please rate/review! =)
Chapter Eight
March 30th, 1906
Oh, that is it. I can't do it any longer. Guilt has overridden me. I can't let Thomas think that I don't love him. I know where he would be; Ardara, or somewhere around Comber. He should finish work around now. I know it doesn't take him long to drive from Belfast. I pulled on my coat and shoes, and opened the front door. I had no need to tell Mother where I was going, she's in Glasgow with Milne. Only Jane and I were in the house. But when I stepped outside, I met my first obstacle: rain. I hadn't the time to go back inside and rummage for an umbrella, so I will have to make do with what I have. A hat. A very nice hat, mind you.
I ran through the route of Lisburn to Comber in my head quickly. On foot, I will take ages…. A ha! I could use Father's old motorcar! I think it still has fuel in. He never drove it much. I hope. I ran over to the car and opened the door, sitting at the wheel. I had no idea how, but I managed to get the cars engine to start rumbling.
The car lurched forward along the road. Lucky no-one else was out then. I probably would have killed a few people. It took me a while, but I finally managed to get to Comber.
I parked the car in a deserted street and prayed to God that I would remember where to find it later on. Right. The rain still hadn't let up after all this time. I jumped out of the warm, comfortable car and into the street. A puddle splashed up and around my ankles. Why hadn't I worn my boots? I must have been quite a sight at that point. I grimaced as the cold water seeped into my shoes and soaked my tights and feet. Yet, I remembered I had a mission. I set off out of the street, and into the Town Centre.
The whole town was empty, except for a few latecomers from work. It was slowly getting darker, and I was beginning to lose hope and was becoming more and more doubtful. I reached a large, muddy green and walked across it to a bench in the modest shelter of a tree. Who was I kidding? Thomas was probably still in Belfast. As the moon began to shine through the breaking clouds, I was pretty sure there was NO chance that I would find him. I was a wealthy young woman, alone in a park. At night. I was an easy target. I took my hat off, and shook my hair free of their grips. My soaked red curls tumbled down onto my chest. I was cold, and I was hungry. But most importantly, I was stupid. Why did I even think that Thomas would give me a second look, after the sadness I caused him? Guilt washed over me. At least the rain had gone, I thought. But trying to think of comfortable thoughts came to no avail. I broke down, crying. I drew my knees to my chest, and hugged them tightly. I heard the muffled hum of a car engine in the distance, across the length of the field, before it stopped abruptly. The headlights switched themselves off. None-the-less, I could see a tall, dark figure step out the car. He must have seen me. I started to panic, and began to stand up, making a feeble attempt to make myself look more presentable. The figure was rapidly approaching now. The bright moon was useless, because it was behind him. But he could see me. I wanted to scream, to run, but couldn't find it in me to. My life felt worthless without Thomas. "Helen?"
A familiar voice was calling my name. "Thomas?" I whispered, more to myself. It was him! I hitched my skirt up and ran towards him. I was most probably the most sorry-looking thing he had ever seen. I threw my arms around his waist, and buried my face into his chest. I felt his welcome arms envelope me into an intimate embrace. "Helen….. Nellie, what the heck do you think you're doing?" Thomas scolded me gently.
"I was looking for you!" I sobbed.
"For me?" Thomas was puzzled.
"Yes…. Thomas, I needed to find you…. I'm sorry…" I choked the words out. "I love you, Thomas. I love you! Please don't leave me…. I need you more than you need me. Please, Thomas… Tommie, marry me." I blurted out. I was speaking my mind. This was the first time I had ever called him 'Tommie'. I laughed the last part. "Helen, I should really be the one asking you." Thomas smiled. I nodded. I released him from my tight grip. He obviously didn't kneel down, because of the mud, but he did crouch down so he was my height, bless him. After all this, he still loves me! This time, when he asked me, I did everything I had planned to. I said the words I had been so craving to say, and…. Dare I say it…. We kissed! Wooohoooo! Oh my God, it was splendid. His lips… my, I don't even know how to describe them! All I know is that we were kissing for a good, solid minute or so. He was glorious. And he was mine. All mine.