A/N: Thanks for your reviews and for voting for me at the contest of Blue-eyed-artists-girl!

Out of contingency Ella got to spend the last day in liberty of her life with Ruth. The two of them had talked about Ella's wedding mostly.

They were seated in the parlor, Ella somehow glad that Roger wasn't there, although she found it strange. Her aunt had managed some kind of tradition for the bridegroom not to see the bride 24 hours before the wedding. Ella didn't think that this would matter to Jack and Rose. Ruth gazed at the clock, remembering Lettice had been mentioning a very big surprise Ella was going to get after the wedding.

'Please keep her company, Ruth. She's shouldn't be alone on a day like this. Sure she's already nervous enough.'

For whatever reason – maybe because Ella reminded her so much of Rose – Ruth enjoyed the talks with her and had instantly said say to Lettice's request. Ella was very mature for her age and still Ruth felt that she could give her some advice. Indeed Ruth longed to tell her all those things and help with what she never had a chance of assisting her own daughter. Slowly but surely Ruth now realized this was her doing mostly and her unwillingness to even declare subjects that weren't appropriate, let alone discuss the theses behind them.

Ruth had promised Lettice not to tell her niece about the surprise, so they frequently talked about the city again and in between about Roger Lindsay.

Ella didn't have the guts asking about the Titanic.

Her hair was glistering in the lights, Ruth once more memorizing Rose and her wish to be an actress.

"You look so much like her and yet you're so totally different."

Ella watched her closely, not having to ask Ruth who she was.

The question inside her head made its way to her mouth again, but there it remained, choosing not to come out.

Ruth took another sip from her tea, seemingly as well wanting to say something.

She found this wedding a bit strange so to say, Mr Lindsay and Ella together, it was like – she daren't even think it, the angle in the hands of Lucifer. She shuddered inwardly, trying to laugh it away. It was ridiculous.

Not every match needed to be made in heaven.

In fact her husband and her, though never in love, had gotten along quite well, hadn't they?

Rose, Ella – both were far too young to know what was good for them. They needed elder persons, who would be able to decide for them, considering all options, not just a childish infatuation.

Mr Lindsay wasn't a dream husband maybe, but he was nice and decent – Ruth convinced herself half successfully.

Ruth Dewitt Bukater wasn't the kind of woman to shed tears in public, secretly still she did sometimes when she was sure no one was around.

"You miss her deeply?"

Ruth looked up, only now noticing the tears streaming down her cheek.

Just why had Rose been so stubborn?

She nodded just as silently, quickly wiping her tears away, getting on a straight face again – smiling.

Like Ella's words, hers too were trapped in her throat. After all what could she say? Something similar to – Why didn't I tell her, what I wanted, when I was still alive? – Or maybe – If I had only accepted her as the person? – If I had listened to her necessities?

Whatever it was, it all came down to ailing, pitying oneself – it was dreadful.

Ella noticing Ruth's silence deciding to go along with it.

She hadn't seen Jack and Rose since her escape; they were hiding from everyone and therefore she hadn't been able to ask for Rose's permission. Now Ella felt like she needed to tell her anyway, seeing how Ruth was looking around.

As if she's mad at god and herself that she survived.

Suddenly however, Ruth was changing the topic in a direction Ella could've never foreseen. She took a deep breath, holding up her teacup, as if drawing strength from it.

"You know, Ella…I might call you this?"

"Sure."

Ruth gave her a quick reassuring smile.

How stupid of her to even come up with this, but still in was probably her last chance. The wedding was tomorrow and she didn't plan on staying much longer after that. And with Lettice there, the probabilities of being close to Ella again would be fading to zero.

Especially, when she's married young…

Her thoughts about Roger Lindsay and his strange looks were up again in her head; like if he was…she pushed that thought away, concentrating on what she wanted to tell Ella.

Roger Lindsay was a good man.

"Now, Ella what I'm going to tell you here, needs to stay absolutely among us."

There was another nod.

"On the Titanic…well… it's seems so ridiculous…," she laughed out loud like she would be degrading herself just by talking about it "…there was this boy. I don't even remember his name. However Rose was quite charmed by his looks – after all what else could she have found in him…?" another uneasy laugh followed.

And you want to tell me what exactly? – Ella's eyes gazed her questioningly.

She knew already that Ruth had never been fond of Jack.

"I just…," she stared again, stopping herself. "Rose had taken a liking in him and her fiancé even invited him to dinner…," her eyes were dwelling up tears again, while she gulped in an obvious attempt to make them go away.

Silently Ella lay her hand on hers, squeezing it gently.

"How could she have chosen to stay with him, on a sinking ship? How could she leave her family, me, her own mother?" her voice was something between angry, accusingly and sad. "She knew this boy for three – three days! And yet…"

Her words died down again.

Ella didn't ask her anything more.

"I'm sorry," Ella felt committed to say.

In a way she could understand Ruth. What had she really known about Jack? Other than him being third class and disrupting a perfect match…Jack Dawson had been a total stranger to her.

Who could've certified that their relationship would've lasted, that Jack wouldn't have dumped her afterwards? Fear enough Ella had to give that one to Ruth. She was a cold woman, sure, but still she wasn't the heartless person Rose briefly had described her as. Ruth Dewitt Bukater had dearly loved her daughter.

"I don't even know why I told you this. It's just…"

"As I said no problem…I realize how hard this must be for you."

"Thank you for listening," her voice was full of gratefulness, seemingly not getting very often to actually have a real conversation with someone.

It was past seven and Ella felt that now, as they were approximately telling each other the truth, she might do as well.

"Can I ask you something?" her voice a barely audible whisper.

Ruth nodded.

"You knew my mother?" it was a statement more than a question.

"Yes, we were close friends in youth," Ruth smiled at her.

Ella ducked her head at this, refusing for the tears to come up. She wouldn't cry now.

"She was a very gentle person," Ruth added.

Of course Ella would've wished for her mother to be there at her wedding.

"Was she…do you think she would've approved of my marriage?" she got out shyly, but still sternly.

'She's so much like her mother and I fear something bad might happen to her, if we aren't careful.'

In reality she had meant, if I'm not finding a suitable husband for her in time.

The front door opened and Ruth's eyes wandered around, until there were seeing Lettice, standing at the end of the corridor.

She shot her a swift, but specific glance.

Ruth understood that she had heard everything.

She took Ella's right hand in both of hers, looking her deep in the eye, before answering.

"Yes, my dear, I think she would've been proud of you," she began gazing at Lettice once more, who indicated for her to go on, mentioning to her – say something more – "I'm sure she would've given you her consent."

Ella's gaze fell.

Obviously she hadn't awaited that answer.

Only now did Lettice come into full view, telling Ella hello, commanding her into bed – "It's you big day, tomorrow. You need you be up early," – as Ruth was feeling all over again like she had just made a terrible mistake.

Roger Lindsay the perfect gentleman, dressed up in the best clothes, his eyes, his handshake, his whole attitude…so full of…

It wasn't that of a noble person.