The days after the anniversary were easier to deal with, if not better. I visited Mother and Morgan, both of them rather testy after apparently having decided to drink a good deal of sherry the day of the sinking. Not that I blamed them, although I wished I could have joined in. Peggy had locked the liquor away after finding the mess we had made of the library and I had been lucky to get a glass of wine with dinner for the past few nights. It had been a short visit, for the Vanderbilts were finally being summoned back to their own house.

Liz was rather teary when bidding James goodbye, "Oh, I just don't know what to do."

"It's not as if you're not seeing him before he leaves again." Oscar grumbled, watching as their car was loaded. "You know Father wants to have him over for dinner before then."

"I know, I know." Liz repeated, pressing one last kiss to James's cheek before climbing into the car. She had managed to stop herself from crying, but she was gazing after James as the driver started up.

Oscar bowed over my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "Anastasia, thank you for allowing me to stay."

"Thank you for all that you did." I smiled as he stood, drawing him into a hug. "I know you were trying your best, and you truly have been a great comfort during all of this."

He held onto me for just a moment too long, enough to whisper in my ear. "Oh, you'll see my best. I'm coming back in a few days, for I have something I know you'll love." He stepped away, smiling at Will. "I'll see you soon."

"What for?" Will chuckled, "Drinking more of our whiskey?"

'Hardly, I have to give you your wedding gifts." The impish grin on his face made my brow furrow, even as he stepped onto the riding board of the car. "You'll be quite pleased with them, the both of you!" He had barely ducked inside before the car started out of the drive. The house seemed all the much smaller, for James went back to the Anastasia soon after.

The only relief was that Will was allowed back into my bed, and that the nightmares were slowly starting to fade away. It actually felt rather like things were returning back to normal now, if still a slight bit awkward. Louise thought it rather odd that Will had been banished so viciously, and then returned in such a short time. She didn't let it effect her too much, although she insisted that he leave when I was being changed. It was bad enough that she found me wrapped around Will one morning, it was totally innocent but I had just wanted to hold him to me.

She did not see it that way.

"Miss Dalian, you should send him away again." Louise muttered as she dressed my hair in a variety of twists. I was dressed in a simple walking suit for the day, I wanted to visit the offices and while I loved my tea gowns and wrappers, they were hardly appropriate for work.

I rolled my eyes, unable to shake my head as Louise was pinning my hair. "Louise, Will is a perfect gentleman and you know it. I was just rather cold when you found us this morning, and he was warm."

"Then you should have gotten a blanket." Louise snorted, coming up with a perfume bottle. I kept my eyes closed as she gave it several puffs, letting it settle over me.

I stood, grabbing my gloves from the vanity. "But here was there and he is oh so much warmer than a blanket." I did pause and give her a smile though. "Besides, we'll be married soon and it's good for us to get used to sharing a bed. After all, soon it will be all the time."

She furrowed her brow. "You're not keeping separate rooms?"

"I know, it's rather odd." I shrugged, and truly it was an oddity. Men and women kept their own bedrooms, even after marrying. I knew Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt did, but that had never been the case for me. Father and Mother had their own offices and sitting rooms, but they shared the same bed. In fact, their bed was shortly becoming mine. Most of the furniture in the hunter green room would look just fine being reupholstered in the navy blue silk Will and I had decided upon. It was foolish to throw them out, and the dock house was already unfashionable in the eyes of New York society, so what did it matter that we kept the old furniture?

That was what the Fifth Avenue house was for.

Louise pursed her lips. "Not odd, Miss Dalian, just a bit strange." She shook her head, smiling though. "But I'm sure everything will be just fine. I wasn't fortunate enough to know your father, but it is quite apparent that he and your mother loved each other deeply. Why would you ever turn away from an example like that?"

"Why indeed?" I muttered, pulling on my gloves and heading out. I was fully prepared to collect Will and get into the carriage when I stopped short in the parlor. It wasn't because Will was there, he was actually quite handsome in his checked charcoal suit and bowler with its blue hat band. Then again, I always found him handsome. Instead it was Oscar that drew me to a stop, an easy grin on his face. "What are you doing back here so soon?"

"Dropping off my wedding gifts!" He stood, coming to kiss my cheek. "Or rather, bringing you to them. They are rather large, I hope you don't mind that I haven't had them wrapped."

I chuckled, smiling at him. "It's an unforgivable breach of etiquette, you know."

"I do." He gestured to an absolutely massive display of flowers in a fine china vase in the parlor. "Which is why I brought these, for the both of you." I couldn't help the sigh that came out of me seeing the delicate glazing of the blue figures on the vase, almost hidden by the draping olive branches and ivy that overflowed from the bouquet. Heather, hellebore and sweet William dueled with dahlias to overwhelm the eyes with color while the cattails disdained the riot beneath them. Oscar reached down and brushed one of the bundles of red and white flowers. "I hope you don't mind, I was unable to resist myself."

"Meaning?" William stood, coming to look closer at the flowers.

"Ah, simply that this is called sweet William." Oscar smiled, "Something that I'm sure Anastasia here has called you before."

I laughed, "Well thank you for the flowers Oscar, they are lovely."

"And they are not the only thing!" He stood, coming and taking my arm. "Grab your hat, my dear, for I am taking you and William out." He didn't even wait, simply plucking my hat from Peggy's hand and plopping it on top of my head. He only paused at the door to look back at Will, still sitting stunned in the parlor. "Are you coming or am I going to be forced to steal Anastasia away?"

Will groaned, standing and taking my hand from Oscar's arm. "Whatever madness you have planned, I suppose I must tag along." Oscar only grinned at that, holding the door for both of us and assisting me up into his car. At Oscar's tap on the glass the driver started off, apparently knowing right where to go.

I watched the city roll by outside the windows, a brisk spring day that had gotten people out and walking. "So where are you taking us?"

"Where's the fun in a surprise if I tell you?" The self-satisfied grin on Oscars face was rather infuriating, and I snorted at him. He laughed, his voice light. "Oh and you had so much planned for today, didn't you? Where were you planning to go, your offices?"

I sighed. "And what if I was?"

"Then you should be thanking God that I saved you from it." He rolled his eyes. "You're going to be married in less than a month, you have got to stop shutting yourself up with those numbers. Your men have been doing good, you should allow yourself to be a bride-to-be for awhile." He glanced out the window, smiling. "Ah, here we are."

"You must be joking." Will said once we had disembarked. "Tiffany's?"

"I never joke about gifts." Oscar chuckled, nodding to some of the staff as we walked in. I couldn't help my eyes being drawn to the cases, the displays that dominated the room. Glittering diamond necklaces, sweeping around in the new style that made it look almost like they had been grown from some kind of plant rather than shaped by human hands. I stood staring at a massive diamond pendant, both aware of and completely ignoring the salesman that was eyeing me. I felt Oscar's hands on my shoulders, gently pulling me back. "Anastasia, please step away from the jewels. Not even both our fortunes combined could afford it."

"Oh, it's not for sale." The salesman preened, his eyes alight. "However, it is for lease. Does the lady have an event coming up that she would care to wear it to?"

I had just opened my mouth to reply when Oscar jumped in. "No, unfortunately. However, is Mrs. Vanderbilt's watch repaired? I told Mother I would come and pick it up for her."

"Of course, a moment." The salesman bowed, stepping away.

"You brought us here to pick up your mother's watch?" Will pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oscar, please stop tempting my fiancée with jewels."

"She'll like what I'm giving the two of you far more than jewels, I can promise you that." Oscar slipped the velvet bag into his pocket after checking the watch, "But now, we are off again!" Oscar set us a rapid pace as we exited Tiffany's, although I couldn't help one last longing look at the diamond necklace. It was completely gaudy and not my style, but it was so large and I couldn't help but want to at least try it on.

But Oscar didn't even stop at the door, instead jumping right into the car and pulling us after him. Will kept up a line of grumbling as we rattled off, although Oscar seemed to take it stride. Will wrinkled his nose, "You know, it's rather cruel to tempt her with everything there."

"Oh relax, William." Oscar grinned, "You'll be able to buy her anything in the store soon enough."

"I'd hardly spend the money on that." Will shook his head, although he looked over. "Unless you'd like something like that?"

I shrugged, "I'll never say no to jewels, but you don't have to buy the whole store." Will muttered something under his breath about not indulging that kind of foolishness, but he did reach over and run his thumb over my engagement ring. The jeweler that had resized it had done a marvelous job, keeping the braided pattern even after he had cut a bit of it out. He'd saved that bit though, using it to reinforce the mount of the small diamond.

"Ah, Sothby's. Perfect." Oscar grinned as the car pulled over yet again. "Come along, let's head inside." I twined my fingers through Will's as we made our way in, a salesman immediately recognizing Oscar and whisking us away through the various rooms. Priceless antiques were displayed as if they had simply been gotten at a dry goods store, masterworks in bare frames as they awaited their turn on the auction block.

I examined the painting that the salesman had stopped at, a woman in a white dress combing her mane of auburn hair as she looked at herself in a mirror. "Is this Rosetti's Lady Lilith? I wasn't aware it was being exhibited here." I knew the painting, it was a rather famous one. A Pre-Raphaelite, and I couldn't help but sigh as I saw the gentle beauty that it conjured.

Oscar was examining it with a critical eye. "It's not, it is shortly going to be moved."

"Oh Oscar, you didn't." I lightly smacked his shoulder. "Don't say you bought that painting for us."

"Anastasia, please. Father wants this for Newport, and besides it's only a copy." Oscar grinned, chuckling a bit. He turned to the salesman, "Have it boxed up and sent, it's quite acceptable."

"Of course, Mr. Vanderbilt." The salesman nodded, "And the payment?"

"Will be given on receipt." Oscar turned on his heel, waving for us to follow him. "Come on you two, we've got plenty more to see." He paused, his eyes lighting up. "And we're having lunch at Delmonico's."

Will rolled his eyes. "Did you buy the restaurant too?"

"Hardly, but the maitre'd owes me a favor." Oscar smiled, and the car wound up depositing us in front of Delmonico's. It turned out that it was open for lunch, but only for us. The dark paneled dining room had a table fairly groaning with food as we arrived in. Will helped me to my seat, a waited fanning a napkin out into my lap. I couldn't help but gawk at the way the man began to pile my plate full of caviar and oysters. Oscar looked over, "Help yourself, Anastasia, William. It's all paid for."

"Dear God," I heard Will gasp as he bit into one of the crackers piled high with caviar, a groan of pleasure following. He chewed slowly and swallowed, "If this is what following you on your errands gets me, just let me know when your mother sends you out again."

"Well, she does want my opinion on some new linens she's considering before we head up for the summer." Oscar chuckled, "Although Liz is the main arbiter for those matters, I simply told Mother I could run some of her errands while I took you two out."

I had to bite back a moan as as I tasted the rich seafood soup that had been brought out. "And where exactly are we headed too after this?"

"Oh, someplace you know quite well." He grinned, popping a piece of bread in his mouth. "But I'd love to see you guess."

"The opera?"

"Hardly."

"One of the museums."

"No."

I tapped my finger against my temple, stymied for a moment. "Unless we're going to your house, I'm afraid I just can't manage to think of it."

"We are not going to my house." Oscar shrugged, "So I guess it will simply have to remain a surprise." By the end of lunch, stuffed full as I was of food and with the heat of the day, I could not be blamed for nodding off against Will's shoulder as the car started off again. It was only the slight tang of salt water that brought me out of it, making me stir from my spot. I blinked away the sun from my eyes as Will handed me out, Oscar looking proudly out past the side of the car. He gestured for us to follow, "Come, come!"

"We are." Will rumbled, "Although if you were planning on having us walk a mile you shouldn't have fed us like that."

"It's hardly a mile, and look." He smiled, looking out over the waterfront. "There is your gift." Oscar gestured out to the harbor, and I found myself feeling rather confused. I couldn't see much out beyond the ships tied up at the dock, and those appeared to be laid up with no crew tending to anything. Perhaps I had to wait for a moment, he had arranged for something to come into view?

I kept my smile on my face, raising my brow. "I don't see it."

"They're right there!" Oscar rolled his eyes, waving his hand again. "Can't you see them?"

"All I see..." I found my mouth go slack. "Not those."

"Yes, those!"

Will furrowed his brow. "The ships? You're giving us the ships?"

Oscar practically clapped his hands. "Yes! I hope you don't mind that they're secondhand, although you should enjoy the story behind it." He stepped between the two of us, taking our arms and walking us down the dock towards the six ships that were tied up. "You see, after hearing about what Henry, that bastard, tried to do to you, I wanted to tweak his nose a bit." He slapped the steel side of one ship as we came up. "It took me some time to get Zachary to get used to me, enough to let me know that his dear old daddy had given him some responsibilities at the company."

"And then you swindled him." Will snorted, stepping away to slowly pace the length of a ship. "Didn't you?"

"I did!" Oscar proudly, gaining a bit of swagger to his step. "I told him that my father was looking to expand a portion of our company and had placed me in charge of it, we didn't need new ships but that a company like Reichster Transport surely had some old hulks laying around that he could sell to me for a discount." He rolled his eyes at me. "After all, his father just ordered four new ships, he needed to clear some out of the ledgers."

"These are not old hulks." I shook my head, staring up at one of them. "Less than ten years old."

"I know! And in remarkably good shape." He shook his head. "It's a shame he doesn't have your head for the business."

"Their names." Will spoke up, having made his way down the dock and back. "They're gone, all of them."

"Yes, well, they were rather vulgar names." Oscar snorted. "Centurion, Kaiser, things of that ilk. And I know there's some superstition about all this-"

"It's a very important ceremony." Will almost snapped. "Otherwise it's bad luck for everyone to sail on her."

"So I had the names removed according to it." Oscar continued, turning to me. "I thought you might like to name them."

I considered the ships for a moment, thinking aloud. "You know, my father named two ships for my mother and I. The people important to him, so perhaps I should do the same." I pointed from ship to ship as I spoke. "The Gareth, the Ezekiel, the Abraham, the William," I saw Will duck his head at that, but he didn't speak up. "The Oscar," That even managed to fluster him, some kind of mumbled thanks slipping out of his mouth. I let my finger rest on the last one. "And the Charles."

"Absolutely not!" Will almost exploded. "He's going to be hard enough to deal with as it is, if he finds out about this he's going to be insufferable."

"Then you would you prefer it to be the Rigel?" I smirked, stepping up and resting my hands on his lapels. "For I've quite run out of names."

Will screwed his lips up, but snorted. "Fine, the Charles it is. But you're telling him."

"Of course," I stepped up, kissing his cheek. "And you get to tell him I named one for you."

"And for me." Oscar chuckled, and I stepped over to kiss his cheek as well. "I take it you approve?"

"I do." I kissed his other cheek. "Thank you, Oscar."

"William?"

"Thank you for the ships, Oscar." Will shook his head. "You'll excuse me if I don't give you a kiss?"

Oscar rolled his eyes, "Oh, I'm not sure Will. I might take such offense that I take the ships back." But then he grinned and shook his head. "I'm just glad to give you something useful, for the Lord only knows the gifts you'll be inundated with."

"Oh yes, plates and linens." Will chuckled, "Such a hardship."

"You forget you're marrying into society." Oscar clapped an arm around his shoulders as we began to make our way back to the car. "Forget the plates and napkins, you'll be getting paintings and sculptures. Jewels, and not just for Anastasia. A hundred things that have no use except to be expensive. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if someone gifted you two a country house."

"Bloody hell." Will grumbled, although he perked up when I looped my arm through his.

I cocked my head to the side. "I might enjoy a country house, a nice retreat from the city."

"Well, perhaps." He sighed, "Although no telling my parents about that one, otherwise they'll never leave."

"Your parents?" Oscar raised his brows. "Are they arriving soon?"

"Yes, and the best man." I cut in before Will could reply, "They'll be here soon."

"And making me miserable." Will muttered, but he still smiled. "It will be good to see them again."

"It will." I agreed, letting him help me up. "I've missed Sylvie."

"I wish I could say the same for Charles."

Oscar was beaming in his seat. "Ah yes, Mr. Lightoller. I'm looking forward to seeing him again, he was quite fun last time." Will's groan was drowned out by the engine starting and the car pulling away from the docks, leaving my six new ships bobbing peacefully at their moorings.