Chapter XXXV: An Anniversary to Avoid

A/N: The first anniversary of the sinking, in story. You'll get to see how some of our heroes deal with the event. Thank you for cowgirlbookworm for all of your help, especially with the chapter title! Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD!

April 13th, 1913 midmorning Washington DC

The dreaded day was nearing. The first anniversary of the Titanic's sinking and Cecily could not stop thinking about it.

During the day it was easy enough to distract herself from it with planning for her wedding. The detail of colors had been decided: Hunter Green, which surprised no one. She'd sent the choice of metallic colors to Harry. He had chosen silver.

When Aunt Mina saw the reply telegram she smiled, "That would do well for a dress for your reception."

"Why would I need more than one dress," Cecily asked befuddled.

"Do you want to be in the wedding dress the whole time? Also I doubt you'd want to risk Harry ripping it off of you," her aunt joked.

"I would think that I'd have a chance to get out of it before he gets his hands on me," Cecily drawled, blood heating at the thought.

"There's no point in risking it. Speaking of the dress, we do need to get started on it."

"I do have some ideas," Cecily smiled again.

Aunt Mina motioned for her to continue once she sat down. "I'd like to wear an off white. I look like a drowned cat in regular white."

"That's still white and there are plenty of shades to work with. You two have restrained yourselves enough to permit that right," Mina asked pointedly.

"It's a pain in the ass, but we have," Cecily groaned.

"Remember this is me you're talking to. I won't tell your father anything unless we need to hurry things up!"

"There's no need to worry. Haven't done anything beyond what you suggested last summer," she replied carefully in an undertone. Her father was in the house, and God only knew where he was.

"I suppose I should educate you more. And send Arthur a telegram to have a chat with your fiancé. He does have... shall we say experience in dealing with Lethbridge women?"

"I understand perfectly," Cecily cut her aunt off. She still hadn't told her aunt about reading the letters, being aware of the prior relationship, or the suspicions about Randall.

Several of those letters still made her blush. Cecily wasn't sure it was possible to move in the manner implied in the letters.

April 13th late afternoon

They were full up on whiskey, vodka, tequila, and most importantly, that excellent moonshine Antin made.

Her niece planned to drink from sunup to sundown tomorrow and Mina did not blame her. She would be joining in.

Quite a bit had changed in the last year. Cecily had found Harold again, they had courted, and were now engaged.

Her own life had also gotten far more... interesting. Mina had found Arthur again. Walking away from him had been one of the hardest things she'd ever done.

Then she'd turned up pregnant afterwards. Wyndam was a complete utter bastard (more so than usual) and threatened to drown the child as soon as it was born.

The pregnancy was also the hardest of the four. Mina had been kept under house arrest, no letters to her brother to tell him of the news. However, her husband underestimated the cunning of her sons and their worry for her. Whilst Brandon and Alistair were on a horse ride, they mailed a letter to their beloved uncle, which was full of worry for their mother and her condition.

Wyndam had also been snippy about the diet the doctor had told her to eat. Mina had always been nice to the servants, so they brought her the needed food anyway.

The birth had been rough for Randall tore out of her at 21 inches long and 10 pounds even. If Mina had been able to speak to Arthur at the time she would have cursed at him the next time she saw him!

He'd aged well. The next couple of nights she wanted him close just as Cecily wished for Harry's presence. Those two would have to wait for next year.

Multiple telegrams had been received and sent between all who'd gone through hell on Earth the year before just to check on each other.

April 13th, evening USS Utah.

Fabrizio still sometimes had trouble believing it. It had been a year since the sinking, now he was on a US Navy ship as part of her Marine contingent.

They would be making it into Pensacola before nightfall on the 14th. Ned and Steve that a night on shore would cure anything he had. Fabrizio just didn't want to come back to the ship with anything unpleasant for the doctor to treat.

"Hey Fabrizio! Quit being gloomy and come plan with us! The bar we go to is Treasure Island. Best beer and prettiest barmaids this side of the Gulf of Mexico," Steve called to him.

Ned rolled his eyes, "You say that about every bar on the Eastern Seaboard!"

"We need to get Fabrizio here drunk as a lord and laid. He doesn't need to think about what happened last year. And we are the best people to help him with such a thing," Steve exclaimed.

As the other two made further plans for tomorrow's shore leave, Fabrizio knew they'd get along with Lightoller and Erik!

April 14th, 1913, early evening, Southampton

The only thing keeping Ada from murdering Will right now were her wedding vows. Having a guest was only making Will worse.

Yet Harold was being ever so helpful. Carrying groceries and packages for her. Will was doing that as well. It was the only time he wasn't making a complete utter nuisance of himself!

To keep both men occupied Ada ordered them to help with dinner. Harry was cutting up potatoes, Will was making the salad. The fact that Harold didn't drink was going to be handy tonight.

Dinner was lamb curry. It was going to be particularly spicy as she was feeling the craving for it. Ada wanted to see how Harold reacted and how long he lasted. Will was eying the curry warily as he helped her into her chair.

After taking their helpings, they got to eating.

Much to Ada's amusement Harold only lasted three bites before swearing in what she assumed was a mixture of Welsh and German and started shoveling in the mashed potatoes to cut the heat.

Will lasted three more bites before grabbing the milk for the same purpose.

"I think it could use some more, don't you," Ada speculated during the theatrics of the men. She was calmly eating.

With watering eyes, Will coughed, "Ade, you are not cooking anything spicy for the foreseeable future!" Harry giggled at that.

"I'm not stopping, it's your child that's driving me to eat this," Ada said as she spooned more lamb curry into her mouth.

Kneeling before her (still) growing belly Will begged, "Please stop making your mum want spicy food! My mouth can't handle it anymore!"

Harry giggled again, this time a bit louder.

"If I didn't know you better, Harold, I'd think you were drunk," her husband muttered as he got back to his seat.

Knowing full well why the Welshman was giggling, Ada smirked, "Cecily will be far worse than me!"

"That'll be years from now. I don't have to worry for a while," Harry laughed.

Ada grinned to herself. It'd happen far sooner than he thought. Those two would have far too much fun far too fast!

"Anyway Will, I do have something to ask you in regard to the wedding," Harry began.

Will was pouring whiskey and was about to take a drink when the younger man asked, "I was wondering if you'd be my best man?"

This caused Will to choke, but managed to swallow before asking, "Why me?"

"You've been helpful to me during this time, and unlike Lights, you won't spend the entire ceremony teasing me about the honeymoon," Harry explained drinking some more milk.

"Who is my counterpart on Cecily's end," Will inquired.

"I believe it is Lucy," was the answer.

"No surprises there. Yes, I will be your best man. But I will not be in the room when you tell your fiancée," Will declared.

"I think your father is scared of your aunt Cecily," Ada said whilst rubbing her tummy.

She got a slight nudge in reply.

April 14th, 2330, NYC, Saint Patrick's Cathedral

James was waiting for Turner to get out of church. It didn't feel right for him to enter the cathedral, not being Catholic. Even with being invited, it felt weird. Mr. Turner had felt the need to pray for the lost lives from the year before.

He'd gotten a letter from Olive asking if he'd like to come down to Washington for a visit. James had agreed quickly, and sent a reply by telegram to notify her. She'd sent her own reply, with her joy.

Finally Turner came out. "Don't worry Mr. Moody, you'll make the train tomorrow to see your lass. Even get some sleep beforehand. Do ye have a gift?"

"Not yet. I was going to get something in Washington when I got there," James replied.

"Flowers would do nicely."

April 15th, 12:30 PM, Southampton

Harry had put his belongings back on the Adriatic. Will and he stayed up well past the time of the sinking before going to sleep.

Today he was meeting Lights at a pub by the docks. Harry remembered that the place had excellent fish and chips.

Charles was found quickly. The now father of three was already devouring a shepherd's pie with two beers on the table.

When Lights saw him looking at the two beer bottles he said, "They're both mine, I didn't want to have to go back up to the bar. I ordered your fish and chip for you, they should be up soon."

This proved prophetic, as soon enough the fish and chips arrived. After eating in silence for some time Harry looked at his friend to say, "You look like shite."

"And you look like a lovesick idiot," Lights replied not even looking up from his food.

"I *am* a lovesick idiot," he grinned back.

"We both are," Charles paused for a drink before asking, "How many are you planning for? I'd like an even half dozen."

"How many what?" Harry ate some more fish.

"Sausages. Children you git! That tends to happen when you marry someone, or do I need to elaborate further? I educate on how they're made if needed," Lights drawled.

"That subject matter hasn't come up yet between Cecily and I," Harry hoped he sounded calm.

"Shocking. Positively shocking. You've been wanting to jump on her, she on you, and this quite important topic hasn't come up yet in conversation," Lights clearly couldn't believe him.

"We've barely had time alone. That discussion should be a private one," he insisted.

"Her aunt can make herself scarce. Now have you thought about children with Cecily," Lights inquired looking over his beer bottle.

"Well... I've heard it's rather painful. I don't want to put her through that just to meet a certain number," Harry replied running his finger around the rim of his cup of water.

"I was only asking to make sure you weren't going to force her into anything, otherwise I would've involved Mr. McLewis. I was fairly sure you'd be fine," Charles wiped his mouth.

"I would never force Cecily to do anything she didn't want to do," Harry declared.

"Good. You do know she's coming over here in May?"

"Yes. For Randall's graduation festivities from Dartmouth. I hope I'll be around to see her at least some time." Harry was now soaking up some vinegar with the chips.

"In the congratulatory telegram she sent Sylvie and I for Mavis, it was mentioned that her aunt had arranged the trip over on Cunard. Most likely the Mauretania. Harold, as much as you might want to greet Cecily upon arrival, you can't be seen at the Cunard docks. You do work for White Star after all," Lights warned.

April 16th 1913

"Did you know that Cecily, Mina, and Lucy went looking over dresses today?" Maeve had been having fun with her husband now that he could see her.

"Jesus Christ how much should I be expecting to spend today," Albert groaned theatrically.

"Not much today. They only found the designer," she grinned.

"How much is this going to hurt," her husband inquired.

"Not sure as of yet."

"This one better make it hurt. I don't intend to walk her down the aisle in anything but the best. I want Harold's eyes falling out of his head. Like mine did," his eyes flicked over to her.

"That could be accomplished with rags," Maeve then slyly added "Or it could be a green dress?"

"I'm not planning an orgy!" Albert was all too aware of his future son in law's liking for Cecily in green.

Cecily's considering a second dress for the reception. That one would be a dark green," she smirked.

"They'll be leaving for their honeymoon as soon as possible. I do not need to hear or see my daughter being ravaged by her husband!"

"My parents did hustle us off to a hotel fairly quick after our wedding," Maeve grinned.

"And we scandalized the other guests and owners!"

"I wasn't the one who forgot to shut the door!" Maeve giggled at the memory.

"Mina is planning the honeymoon. She won't tell me what she's doing," Albert grumbled, "Any hints?"

"Nope!"

April 18th 1913

It still haunted Matt a year later that but for an emergency at work, he would have been on the Titanic. And he had no idea how he would have gotten off the damn ship.

Matt wanted to get blind drunk, but that was not an option. For like last year this time, there was too much garbage going on at work. Still, it meant he didn't have to think about his near miss.

Matt had however sent Harry some congratulatory gifts. One was a telegram. The other was a book that Roland would likely beat him to a pulp over for giving Harry called The Pearl.

Matt hoped Harry found it useful and enlightening.

A/N 2: This chapter took quite a bit of doing to type. Kept on getting booted from the computer. I did have fun with it. The second anniversary of the sinking will be far more fun for Harry and Cecily, let me tell you! ;) Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD