Muriel laid in Tommy's bed as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her father hurt her so bad with his bad names and hitting her. She always thought Cormick loved her too much to ever do that to her. Muriel never thought she would be forced to stay away from her family, the way she was now.

"I'm sorry to be such a burden", she said burying her face into her pillow.

"You're not a burden at all", Tommy said. "But are you sure you want to stay here? Won't you miss your family?"

"If I want to see them, I know where to find them."

Tommy sat next to her and ran his hand up and down her back, trying to comfort her. Muriel sighed as she watched him. This whole voyage really was a life-changing experience as their family thought it would be. Muriel didn't know how her life would be if she hadn't met Tommy. She sat up and looked at him.

"Thank you", she said.

"For what?" Tommy asked.

"Everything", she said. "For being my friend, for just being there for me."

Muriel smiled as she leaned in and kissed her cheek softly. Tommy looked at her and ran his finger down her cheek, softly. She looked at him and gently placed her hand on his cheek. Tommy's heart raced. He had never felt feelings like this for any woman. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lips softly.

Muriel looked at him and returned the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

"Tommy…" she murmured.

He kissed her deeply and laid her down on the bed with him on top of her. She moaned softly as she felt his lips leave hers and began to plant kisses along her neck. Tommy ran his hand down her body, making her moan and shiver in possible delight. Muriel opened her eyes and watched him. She didn't know if she was ready for what she and Tommy were about to do. They had known each other for only three days, far too soon to do anything like this.

Muriel quickly sat up as Tommy started to unbutton his dress.

"Tommy, stop", she said.

He quickly sat up and pulled away from her, surprised. She turned away and buttoned her dress back up.

"I'm sorry", Muriel said. "I'm just not ready. It's just too soon."

Tommy looked at her and nodded.

"Sorry, Muriel", he said. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Didn't mean to scare you."

"I know", she answered. "Tommy, I do care about you, so much. But I can't do this this so soon. Especially out of wedlock. I can't prove my father right and act like a whore."

"Muriel, you are not a whore", Tommy said wrapping his arms around her. "You're far from it. "You're one of the kindest and most beautiful women I have ever known. You're one of the best women I know. You mean a lot to me."

He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head. Muriel wrapped his arms around him and kissed him softly.