Chapter XIV: Visions of the Future

A/N: And here is the birthday celebration. Sorry about the wait. Had some technical difficulties getting to the computer. Looking forward to seeing what you all think. Thanks go out to the Cowgirl Bookworm! SSD

April 26th, Noon

Lucy was quite thankful that part of Cecily's habit of getting ready for a party was napping for a few hours.

Her friend made good on her threat and had been trying to figure out what she was up to, but to no avail. Cecily did not like not knowing something.

Lucy was trying to wrangle a birthday surprise for her closest friend. Which was would be getting her relationship with her and her brother's old friend out in the open. Cecily had done so much to help her and Erik, she needed to return the favor.

Getting Cecily out on the dance floor would be easy enough. Dancing was her favorite part of parties. The trick would be getting Harry out there.

Unlike earlier in the week, Roland was going to be around tonight. It would not do if he realized what she was up to and put a stop to it.

"Cecily may not have figured out yet what you are doing with her wearing all of that green but I have. Lowe looks like he's been wanting to eat her alive all week," Mina said from the doorway.

Turning around in her chair she replied, "Well, if things go according to plan, he might just faint tonight."

"According to Fabrizio, the other officers and Mr. Turner have a betting pool going as to whether he'll make a fool out of himself tonight," Mina gave a low chuckle.

"He's been acting like a fool all week, what's so special about tonight," Lucy wondered.

"I am not entirely sure. Neither was he. If I were to hazard a guess, it's probably something to do with tonight being a party and her clothing likely being more… revealing," the older woman drawled.

"I'm sure you had nothing to do with that," Lucy replied.

"You were there when she picked out the dress. His eyes are going to fall out of his head. It has enough skirt for a waltz or two," Mina suggested.

"That's what I was thinking, I had the perfect tune in mind," Lucy giggled.

Mina took a look at the song that she had written down. "That one will work nicely. How are you going to get him to dance?"

"Stuck on that one. I'll probably leave that till right then. Maybe I can rope Erik into it? Got a telegram from him saying that he got weekend liberty and that he'll be at the party," Lucy knew that she was smiling.

"Perhaps there will be two speechless sailors tonight," Mina smirked.

"It takes quite a bit to render Erik speechless," Lucy laughed thinking of the burgundy dress in her closet.

"Didn't take too much for Harold to be rendered speechless. You should have seen his reaction to Cecily in that icy blue dress. He probably would have agreed to anything the second officer said as long as he could keep his eyes glued to her!" Mina grinned.

"I hope to manage it a second time!"

April 26th, 1745

One of the first things Charles heard when he and the others got downstairs again was Randall grousing, "I've never been more glad that I don't have sisters. Girls take too damn long to get ready!"

"Cecily's taking longer than usual for her. Can't think why," Roland wondered. He was in his dress blues as well. His friend Lieutenant Sperling was with him. There was a definite spark of mischief in his eyes, which would have to be investigated further.

"Well, it is her birthday party. Maybe she wants to look nice for someone in particular," Charles drawled.

"Who here would she want to look nice for? She knows everyone," her brother snorted.

He hasn't been around much this week. Lieutenant Lethbridge has not seen Harold and Cecily interact to the degree the rest of us have.

Charles had missed some of the conversation before Randall said, "Well I'm sure everyone here can guess who Lucy's getting dolled up for. I've seen the dress she's wearing Erik, you're in for a treat."

"The bigger question is Randall, am I the only one in for a treat," Erik winked at someone behind Charles, likely Harold.

Making sure Roland was occupied by talking with his cousin and friend Charles leaned towards Harold hissing, "He means you, you useless git, in case that hasn't made it through that thick Welsh skull of yours!"

"I've managed to get that sir," was the sarcastic reply.

"Mr. Lowe is not the only one with a thick Welsh skull. Miss Lethbridge's brother is oblivious to how you have been acting around her," Will muttered towards Harold.

"A thick Welsh skull is better than a stubborn Scottish one," Charles fired back.

"Lieutenant Sperling certainly seems to have been rendered speechless," Will nodded towards the younger American naval officer who was completely transfixed by the blonde in the dark red dress.

"If he's as much like Mr. Lightoller as we've been led to believe, him being rendered speechless must be a rare event indeed," Pitman drawled before asking, "What do you think Harold? Harold?"

Charles turned towards the Fifth Officer who as completely ignoring the rest of them in favor of Cecily's arrival.

His eyes, like the night on board ship, were the size of dinner plates. Charles had never thought that eyes as dark as Lowe's could change color, but they'd turned pitch black drinking her in.

Harold had started forward before stopping himself. Her cousin walked her in, but Cecily did flash him a smile.

"Lowe, mind your eyes!" Will growled in an undertone as they walked in.

"Trying. Failing," the Welsh officer answered.

"You're the luckiest sod here," James added.

"Mind your hands as well. Wouldn't want her brother to chop them off," Charles cackled, clapping Harold on the shoulder.

April 26th 1805

Mina could not help but chuckle at what Randall had told her about Harold's reaction to Cecily's arrival. Lucy had planned well.

Her niece seemed to have finally caught onto what her friend was up to. "I think he likes you in green," the blonde snickered.

"I think he wants to ravage me in green! You've been driving Harry up the wall all week. Small wonder he looked at me like I was ice cream when I came down the stairs," Cecily fired back in an undertone.

"You lick ice cream with a nice long tongue," Mina said so only the three of them could hear.

Judging by her niece's reaction, her interludes with Harold had gotten more involved since their last conversation on the matter on board the Carpathia.

"How is your relationship with Harold moving along," Mina inquired.

Cecily fought her blush, which nearly clashed with her dress.

"You have got to learn how to control that particular reaction of yours. You don't want to like a tomato all night or have your brother notice? The two of you have been lucky in Roland's absence from the house. He's got weekend liberty like Erik. You'll have to be a lot more careful," she continued.

Her niece moved towards an open window, which was letting in a slight breeze. Deciding that Cecily had been given enough chaffing for the moment, Mina continued her circuit of the room.

Given that her nephew was in the room, Harold was trying to be discreet in how he stared at Cecily. Thankfully, Roland was occupied with introducing Erik to First Officer Murdoch.

"The two of them really are idiots aren't they?" It was Second Officer Lightoller.

"They're young fools in love, it's obvious to most around them," Mina replied.

"Don't we all act like fools when we fall in love? Though I would like to move things along for them," Lightoller drawled.

"You are far from the only one. Maybe you could be of some assistance in getting the two of them out into the open," Mina asked.

April 26th, 1930

Dinner went well. Though Rafaela had Erik and Lightoller next to each other. Clearly she had not been warned that those two were to be kept away from each other as much as humanely possible. Everyone would now have to be on their guard for any and all kinds of tomfoolery.

Shortly after the meal ended, Cecily saw Antin speaking to Harry. He seemed to be instructing him to do something. Harry appeared to be quite nervous about doing whatever it actually was. She hoped Antin was not threatening him.

Cecily saw Max whisper to her father who then motioned to Antin.

"It seems that we have some uninvited guests. They will be dealt with shortly," her father said tightly, nodding to Antin.

Antin, several of the 40 Thieves, along with Erik and Roland, left the room. Soon her favorite part of any party would begin: dancing.

With her brother gone, likely for a significant period of time, she could get away with dancing with Harry. Cecily knew her father was at least semi-aware of their interest in each other and would not likely object to one dance.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she spied Lucy talking with the band leader as the musicians were tuning up their instruments.

Cecily was so focused on watching her friend that she almost missed the quick tap on her shoulder. Turning around she saw that it was Harry, with a nervous smile on his face.

"What is it Harry?"

Holding out his hand he asked, "May I have the first dance with the birthday girl?"

Her reply was a smile and took his hand as she was led out onto the dance floor. Cecily heard her aunt and others snicker, when she turned to glare at them Harry turned her back towards him saying, "Just focus on me, we're all that matters."

Shortly before the music began, Cecily warned, "We are about to dance in plain view of everyone. You are declaring your interest clearly. Are you ready to deal with my father?"

"I would deal with another shipwreck if it meant I could keep holding you," he replied smoothly as the first bars of the Sleeping Beauty Waltz began. Lucy definitely picked this on purpose.

"I'd rather you be safe and waiting for me," she replied.

Talking ceased. Waltzing was her favorite dance, especially when you had the right partner. Harry definitely was the right partner. Even with him keeping his hands in perfectly appropriate places for the dance, Cecily was still having trouble thinking.

It was in the little things he did. She would almost have her thoughts all together, than Harry would squeeze her hand, with his thumb brushing the back of her hand as he reversed her. The way he kept pressing gently on her waist, driving her mad, made her forget everyone in the room but him.

Cecily lost track of how long they had been dancing until too her horror Murdoch drawled, "You two do realize the song is over?"

"Why is it always him," Harry muttered.

"I do not know. He just keeps on getting those opportunities and takes them, Cecily replied when they stopped before asking, "Will I get to speak to later?"

"Yes. Besides, I haven't given you your birthday present yet," he grinned with a gleam in his eyes that promised that she would thoroughly enjoy what was to come as he kissed her hand.

1945 April 26th

Roland could not help but smirk as the contingent of 40 Thieves frog marched the group of six reporters off the property.

"I'm surprised that Thornton isn't here," Erik remarked next to him.

"I'm not. He knows it would be open season on him if he comes onto any of our properties uninvited. And he still might get some warning shots even if he was invited," Roland answered.

Antin, Max, and Adam came back after the rest of the 40 Thieve went back to their watch stations. "That never stops being fun," Max grinned.

"Were any of them Heart's?" Roland asked.

"No. Other newspapers. Hearst is many things, but he's no fool. He would not tip his hand like this. It's going to be a long game. Let's get back to the party," Antin suggested.

Roland and Erik followed the other three at a slightly slower pace, wanting to talk about other things.

"So what do you think of how Cecily and Lucy look? It's been a dog's age since they've had a chance to dress up together," Erik said.

"They looked great. But who's Cecily trying to impress," Roland groused. His sister had always liked looking nice for parties, though her efforts tonight seemed to be a bit overboard.

"Perhaps she was trying to impress your guests that are not me," his old friend replied with a crooked grin.

"Cecily knows better than that!" Roland growled at Erik.

Before his friend could reply, another voice cut through, "I can assure you that you Lieutenant Lethbridge that your sister is not involved with either Mr. Murdoch or Mr. Lightoller. Both are happily married." It was Master at Arms Turner. Who he suspected to be a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy Reserve.

"Would you care to enlighten me as to who she might be interested in," Roland asked.

"I can't tell you everything, Lieutenant. Some things you have to figure out on your own," the Scottish noncom replied before leaving.

"Damn noncoms. I hate it when they get vague like that. So which one do you think it is," Erik inquired.

"I know which one it isn't," Roland replied.

"And who might that be," Erik answered.

"I think I'd be able to tell if my sister was sniffing around our old friend from Wales!"

2100 April 26th

Once he saw that Will was completely distracted by Charles offering him drinks, Harry made his was back to Cecily who was talking to Randall.

"Cecily, might I speak to you outside? I would like to talk to you about your birthday present," he asked trying to keep his voice even.

Before she could reply, Randall did for her, "Have a nice rest of your evening you two!" He even winked.

"We probably only have about 20 minutes to half an hour alone before we're noticed. Come on," she dragged him outside.

Once they were outside and the music was in the distance but still audible in the distance, they hugged.

"Thank you for the dance. You couldn't take your eyes off of me," her green eyes shone clear.

"Your dress suits you magnificently," he let his eyes rove up and down her form.

"I do apologize for Lucy, Harry. She is quite aware that you seem to like me in green. And has been teasing you all week by having me wear something that's green every day this week," Cecily had a tired smile on her face.

"I didn't mind," he started stroking his fingers up her arms before coming up to rest on her shoulders. "It was far from unpleasant."

"What did you think when you first saw me in this dress," she asked.

I wanted to drag you back upstairs, tear it off of you and ravage you against a wall until you couldn't walk!

Aloud he replied, "When I saw you coming down the stairs, I thought I had entered a dream."

Pulling Cecily by the waist so she was right in front of him, he murmured, "And I don't want to wake up just yet." And he swooped in to kiss her.

Harry was startled by how quickly she caught up with him. Since the early morning of the 14th, Cecily's confidence had grown.

He was glad for it, the way she melted into him as he pulled her tighter against him. She was letting him do far more than he should be doing and he was not going to let that go to waste. If she told him to stop, he would. No matter the cost to himself.

Harry let his fingers play with the buttons on her back, teasing her. Cecily retaliated by nipping at his lips and wriggling in his arms. He was almost hoping she would stop squirming, otherwise she might get frightened by what she was doing to him.

Coming up for air, lips millimeters apart, he whispered, "Cecily, you're driving me mad."

"The feeling is mutual, schatz," she whispered back.

Hearing the endearment again, Harry drew Cecily's mouth back to his for another round.

There was a gazebo nearby, and without taking his lips from hers, he walked Cecily towards it and pinned her to one of the columns.

Swiping his tongue across her lips caused her to open her mouth, their tongues began dueling.

Cecily is a fast learner.

And Good God did he love her commitment to practicing to what she'd learned!

Matters may have gone on longer were it not for Randall coughing, "Ahem. You both have been gone for a bit more than 20 minutes. If you're out for much longer both of your absences will be noticed. Straighten yourselves up. I'll bring Cecily in."

As they smoothed their clothing out, Harry decided to mention, "Randall you are the most like your mother, and nothing like your father!"

"Thanks be to God for that!"

2130 April 26th

Albert pretended not to notice that some of Cecily's hair was coming out of it's pins or that Harold looked rather flushed when he came in about five minutes have his daughter came in with a smirking Randall.

His youngest nephew was definitely aware of what was going on between those two. Randall's smile was very much his mother's as he twirled Cecily around the dance floor as was his laugh.

Then there were the things about Randall that could not be easily explained away by his clear resemblance to his mother. Chief among them his grey eyes (which no one on either side of the family had) and his high skill level at the craft of sailing. Which pleased his instructors at Dartmouth to no end. But no one other than Roland had any kind of sailing experience in the family.

Unless one were to switch some pieces around, then things would start to make sense.

Albert was so caught up in his thoughts, he almost missed Harold approaching him. The young man was obviously nervous with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Mr. Lethbridge might I speak to you about Cecily," he was trying to keep his voice calm.

Looking at the clock, Albert feeling tired said, "I know what you want to speak about. As it is getting late, this is something that can wait until morning. How about we talk about this first thing tomorrow?"

Harold's face fell. Albert could not help but say, "One night will not change anything. Tomorrow morning we will both be fresh and not tired."

"Yes, Mr. Lethbridge," he replied.

"Now why don't you go dance with Cecily again? Try and make sure not more of her hair comes out of its pins," he chuckled as Harold flushed but returned towards Cecily.

"So how early do you think he'll be back up," Antin drawled.

"You are assuming he will be sleeping much at all," Albert replied.

Maeve had been right after all. If she was alive, she wouldn't be letting him hear the end of it!

A/N 2: This chapter was quite fun to write! Much lighter than the previous one! Yes Roland is handling the idiot ball right now, but he won't be handling it for long. He will start to get suspicious next chapter. Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD