Rose and Ruth arrival in Pittsburgh was greeted quietly. Cal and Nathan were there to meet them, along with Cal's new valet, a young man that reminded Rose of Jack Dawson, except Jack was a head taller and didn't look so grim.

"Darling, welcome to Pittsburgh," Cal greeted, taking Rose's hand and giving it a quick kiss. "I do hope your trip was pleasant."

"It was quite uncomfortable. Really Nathan, Rose is your son's fiancee. Don't you think she is worth first class accommodations?" Ruth directed her displeasure straight to Nathan, who she knew was responsible for placing her and Rose in second class.

"First class was all booked Ruth and we did want my son's fiancee here in time for the engagement gala," Nathan explained, just as coldly.

"Second class was fine, mother. Please stop making such a fuss," Rose sighed, having had enough of her mother already. Ever since it was discovered that they wouldn't be traveling first class for once, she's been impossible.

"Come, let's me get you home to the mansion. Give you and Ruth a chance to relax after such a long trip," Cal smiled, offering Rose his arm. He glanced at his valet and smiled. "Thomas, please make sure that the women's belongings make it to the estate in one piece, please?"

"Yes sir, of course sir," The valet nodded, already collecting the luggage that Ruth and Rose had carried with them.

"Thomas is new, yet so much more efficient than Lovejoy," Cal chuckled.

"And more pleasant. I am sorry that the man is dead, but I am happy that you have a new valet now," Rose smiled, taking Cal's arm and allowing him to lead her to the waiting car.

"I do promise you one thing, sweetpea. This one will not be following your every step. When I think about how I had Lovejoy track your every move, I feel deeply ashamed," Cal sighed. He didn't think about his past behavior much, but when he did, he always felt deeply bad for it. He was rather lucky that Rose had given him another chance.

"I am glad that you had learned your lesson and now know that it is completely unnecessary. I love you and I will not be going anywhere."

Cal smiled at that, hoping that she'll always feel that way and that he could hold up to his promise that things will change and will never be like they were before. Lately, he's been feeling so trapped, having to carry out his duties as heir to the Hockley kingdom, he was afraid that he may have forgotten how to have fun and not take things so seriously.

The drive to the mansion wasn't as quiet as the trip to the train station. Rose talked nonstop about her dress for the gala, stating that Cal was going to love it when he saw it that night. Ruth was talking financial matters with Nathan, giving him estimates on the wedding dress and bridesmaids gowns and how much her own debt were adding up to be.

Finally, they did arrive at the Hockley estate. Eleanor Hockley, Cal's mother stood on the doorstep, holding her arms out in welcome.

"Ruth! Rose! Welcome! It's so wonderful to see the both of you again," She kissed Ruth on both cheeks and hugged Rose in greeting. "Oh and look at Rose! Even more beautiful than I remember!"

"It is wonderful to see you again as well, Eleanor," Ruth smiled graciously. "It's been such a long ride and still there's so much to do before the gala tonight."

"May I escort you to your quarters, Rose?" Cal offered, stepping up behind her, wanting to put off being shut away in his father's office again as long as possible. According to his father, there was a lot more work to be done, but Cal rather spend his time with Rose while she was there.

"Why of course," Rose took the offered arm. She was relieved to see that the standoffish Cal had not made a return, but she did sense some tension and stress in her fiancee that had her concerned. Stress would change her father's personality at a moment's notice and she didn't want Cal to revert back to the man he was before Titanic and she was afraid that would happen under the stress of running a company. It was important that they keep communicating. She really did love Cal and wanted him to be happy. "So how has everything been since your return home?"

"Chaotic. There always seems to be some problem that needs my attention, some paper to sign, some meeting to attend. To be honest, this gala is the first hint of fun that I've had since my return."

"Nathan certainly is keeping you busy," Rose frowned.

"Trapped is more like it. He keeps harping on how I'll be running the company soon. How all of this will be my responsibility. How the family's survival rests on my shoulders and I can't screw up. That I have to be the very picture of the Hockley heir..."

"That's awful..."

Cal sighed as they reached her bedroom door. He ran a hand over his perfectly styled hair. "I really do understand why you felt so trapped Rose. I really do, and I again apologize."

"You've more than made up for it. And don't you worry about being trapped. I won't let them lock you in that office."

"I don't know how you will stop them, but you are free to try," Cal wrapped his arms around Rose, pulling her close. He wanted to kiss her so badly, he could taste it. Staring into her eyes, he was about to do just that. When suddenly duty called.

"Caledon! Caledon come along now! We have business to tend to before the gala tonight! Come along, boy! We have delayed long enough!" Nathan called to him.

Cal moaned with displeasure, all thoughts of kissing Rose fleeing his mind. "It's starting already..."

Rose took his hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "We're in this together, Cal. He can't trap you unless you let him. Stand up to him. Just like you did with mother on Titanic."

"It's not that easy, sweet pea. If I do it the wrong way...we can end up penniless..."

Rose's eyes shined with anticipation. "Would that be so bad? I think we'd have a lot more freedom poor, you and I. We'd be like Jack and his friend. Footloose and fancy free..."

Cal just chuckled at that. "I think there's a lot more to it than what Dawson had shared."

"Caledon!" Nathan called again, this time his voice a lot more harsher than before. If Cal didn't answer soon, Nathan will go into a rage that will ruin the evening for everyone.

"I'll see you tonight, sweet pea," He kissed her cheek before releasing her hand and taking off downstairs to the office where his father was waiting.

Rose sighed and looked at the place where he had once stood. Poor Cal was just as cowed by his father as she had been by her mother. She wished that there was someway to loosen those chains on him, just like he had done for her. Cal deserved to be free to follow his own dreams, just as much as she was.

…..

The engagement gala was just beginning. Everyone was dressed in their finest and was gathered in the Hockley ballroom. Rose looked lovely in the green and black dress. Her curls were piled on top of her head and held in place by a diamond hairpiece. She stood next to Ruth and watched the guest go to and fro, talking and gossiping among each other. She listened to the classical music wafting through the air.

She had never been so bored in her life.

"Rose, do be present. All the people here are your future husband's business partners and friends. You do want to make a good impression," Ruth advised, giving a fake smile to a passing wife of a business man that Rose had seen at several other galas.

Rose sighed and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She already knew everyone here. It was the same narrow minded people that always attended these things. No one new and interesting to talk to or discuss something that interested her with. Sighing, she scanned the room for any sign of Cal and felt a wave of relief to see him escorting his mother into the room, with his father leading the way.

"Oh there they are! Rose, look sharp," Ruth elbowed her daughter, a bright smile already appearing as their hosts approached. "Eleanor! What a wonderful gala you have put together! It's just the thing that we needed in such a tragic time."

"Oh I thought so too. So much loss to society in the past few weeks. It's time for us to have something to celebrate again. Oh and look at Rose," Eleanor took Rose's hands and looked her over admiringly. "Such a beautiful girl. Doesn't she look lovely Caledon?"

Cal smiled and nodded. Indeed, Rose was the most beautiful woman in the room. She was the crown jewel in a room full of shiny jewelry. She was also bored, or at least that's what he read in the tightness of her smile and the way her eyes seemed flat with disinterest. It was obvious that she hated these thing a much a he did.

"Rose, how would you like to see our garden outside? Mother's lilies are the best in the state," He offered, wanting to break the monotony of an event that they both have been to numerous of times.

"Alone?" Ruth asked, taken aback by the offer. Normally the hosting family would remain among their guests. "Why that would be..."

"A grand idea, Cal. I'd love to see your mother's lilies," Rose quickly accepted his arm before her mother ruined their escape. "Not to worry mother, we will only be outside."

"Ladies," Cal nodded towards Ruth and his mother before escorting Rose through the crowded ballroom and outside into the quiet gardens.

Rose took a deep breath, feeling as if a heavy weight had just slipped off of her shoulders. "Thank goodness. I don't know how much more of these I can take."

"They are quite dull. Especially when compared with that steerage party on Titanic," Cal chuckled, leading her towards a bench surrounded by lilies and daisies and in view of the star lit night sky. He allowed her to sit as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. "The sky is beautiful tonight."

"It sure is. I never saw the stars shine so bright," Rose smiled, glancing up at the bright dots of light in the sky. "It almost resembles..." She left off and looked down at her hands, remembering acquaintances that no longer existed.

"It almost resembles the night of the sinking. I know," Cal sat next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. I think about it too."

"And yet, the world hasn't stopped. We continue with the business deals and the galas. It's like Titanic never happened. How could they forget Cal? All those people..."

"I'm afraid that the leisure class has made an art out of forgetting sweetpea. It's not right, but that's the way our society works. We never learn our lesson. We just keep on doing the same old thing," Cal sighed, taking her hand in his.

"I dream about it sometimes. I keep seeing that ship...breaking apart with you on it...god, what a depressing topic to be discussing at a party. Highly inappropriate."

"I don't know about that. I think we have a right to talk about it whenever we want to. Who cares what the others think?" Cal chuckled, kissing her hand and rubbing it between his own. "We'll get through it, sweetpea. We'll get through it together."

Rose closed her eyes as she met Cal in a short yet passionate kiss. It was funny how a month ago, the thought of marrying this man had filled her with dread, but now, after all that's happened, she didn't want anything more than to become Mrs. Caledon Hockley.