Chapter 2: Ellie

I woke up the next morning feeling completely rejuvenated. Sunlight peaked across the room through a small window on the left side of the bed. The hustle of the city echoed below us, muffled by the brick walls.

Still in Tommy's arms, I looked up at him to find him awake. He smiled warmly at me, brushing hair out of my face.

"I can get used to this."

"Me too," I grinned, going in for a kiss.

"How'd you sleep in this tiny bed?"

"Oh just fine," my eyes trailed to a clock above the door, "My God, it's after eleven."

"I haven't slept that late in years."

"Me either," I sat up abruptly, "We should really get going and find your aunt and uncle, they're probably worried sick about you."

"Hey, settle down," he took my arm, pulling me back towards him, "Just slow down a minute."

"But we-" he kissed me long and hard before I could get my thoughts out, making my stomach flutter.

"We'll get there when we get there, ok?"

"Ok," I was still dazed from the way he kissed me.

"We won't be alone anymore when we find them, you know," he said, his hand trailing down to my thigh, "We should take advantage of it."

"You make a compelling argument..." my voice trailed off as he started kissing my neck.

Maybe we didn't have to go anywhere. Maybe we could just stay here, closed off from the world. Once we got out there, our plates would be full. We needed jobs, sustainable income, a place of our own. I feared my choice of leaving my family would catch up to me. This was the first I was ever on my own.

My thoughts were silenced quickly as Tommy pulled me on top of him, his hands all over my body and in that moment, it was easy to believe everything would be alright. He made me feel safe. I couldn't help but give myself to him once again.

Yes, I could definitely get used to this. Maybe we could just stay in this room and make love all day.

Our bubble had to be burst by checkout time. After being able to bathe in the communal bathrooms, we were on our way, still wearing the same clothes we had on the night of the sinking. I felt somewhat cleaner after having a bath, but I could not wait to get into fresh clothing. I knew others must have noticed, we had some strange looks going around the city. Tommy didn't seem to care. He was extremely invested in the map given to us by the front desk staff and for his first time being in the city, he did a great job of bringing us to the Washington Heights neighborhood.

"I think that's the building across the street," he pointed to a large, stone structure across the street. It looked like it was newly built. My eyebrows furrowed.

"You sure?" I didn't mean to judge, but it looked different from what I expected his Irish immigrant aunt to be living in. He shrugged, shoving the map in his pocket.

"It's the address. She wrote it was the new Washington Heights building. Her and John moved here when it was first opened, shortly before their daughter, Lizzie, was born."

"Really?"

"According to her last letter. I think they've had another child since then," we crossed the street, passing through a melting pot of people- German, Russian, Irish, Italian. It had been years since I've been to the city, and it was definitely more populated. It felt more crowded than Philadelphia anyway. "I feel like I'm intrudin," Tommy stated.

"Oh she's family, Tommy. I'm sure she's looking forward to seeing you."

"Its been at least 15 years since I've seen her, feels a bit strange to me."

"It'll be alright," I gave his hand a squeeze as we approached the building.

"Well regardless, I won't let us be here long. I don't like relying on anyone for anything and-" he stopped mid-sentence as we entered the lobby.

It was beautiful. It looked like a modern hotel I would have stayed in. the building still smelled new. A chandelier twinkled, making the polished marble floor shine. I was taken aback.

"Wow."

"Looks like Sarah's doing quite well for herself," Tommy almost had disdain in his voice.

"Can I help you both with something?" I felt my face grow hot as an older man in a suit with graying hair approached us from the front desk. We must have looked homeless.

"Uh, yes actually," Tommy said pleasantly, not letting the judgmental eyes of the front desk man get to him, "I'm looking for my aunt and uncle. They live on the eighth floor, Sarah and John Englewood."

"Are they expecting you? We can't just let anyone up to the apartments."

"Yes, they are."

"Well I don't think we were notified of anyone-"

"We just came off Titanic, sir," I blurted, "I'm sorry for how we appear, but I promise his family is here expecting us. They're probably worried sick."

"Oh," the main blinked in disbelief, "My apologies to the both of you, terribly sorry."

"Apology accepted."

"Just give me a moment," he awkwardly shuffled back to the desk, paging through a log, "They're in 801. I'm just going to need you both to sign this, we keep track of everyone in the building."

"Fine," I approached the desk and signed. Thomas and Ellie Ryan.

I officially decided I was going to keep his last name. DeWitt Bukater was in the past, and well known. I was not about to have someone who recognized my family name ask me questions.

"Elevators are to your right, there'll be an operator there to bring you up."

"Thank you," I had a bit of a tone in my voice. He nodded me off, and Tommy and I made our way across the lobby to the right. The operator was already there.

"What floor?"

"Eighth."

I could feel Tommy staring at me as we shuffled in the elevator. I looked up at him.

"What?"

"'I'm sorry for how we appear?'" he said, quoting with his fingers, "The hell was that?"

"He thought we were from the streets, Tommy, we wouldn't have been let in otherwise."

"That's beside the point. We don't have to apologize for anything, and we don't have to go off telling strangers we were on Titanic," he spoke as if the elevator operator wasn't even there. I sighed. I knew his defensiveness came from being judged. Maybe he was a bit more insecure than I realized. He would just never admit it.

"I understand, it's just the American way."

"It was almost as if you were embarrassed."

"I wasn't!" Now I was defensive, "I was just trying to get in the building, and I was telling the truth."

"Uh huh."

I rolled my eyes as the elevator stopped. The operator opened the elevator gate sheepishly, trying to act as if he wasn't listening in on our conversation.

"I wouldn't have taken your last name if I had any sense of embarrassment," I stated as we made our way down the hall.

"You're really set on that?"

"Well-" I stopped to look up at him, "I hope that's alright with you."

"We're not married."

"It's more a matter of leaving my past behind. I don't want DeWitt Bukater following me anymore."

"It's fine," his face softened, "I understand. Sorry for gettin' on ya a bit back there."

"It's alright," I paused, "You can keep your defenses down around me. I would never be embarrassed being with you. I love you."

"Love you too," he gave my hand a squeeze and I took his tightly as we continued on.

The hall was adorned with green carpets with gold symmetrical designs. A window at the end allowed daylight to pour in. A small table topped with a vases rose sat under it. It was simple, but showed the small details that were put into making this building a true home for many. After walking only a few more feet, we stood in front of apartment 810.

"Are you ready?" I asked Tommy. The grip of his hand felt tense. I couldn't blame him, I felt just as uncomfortable myself. I didn't know these people at all, and they were almost strangers to him.

"As ready as I'll ever be," he shrugged, letting go of my hand to knock on the door. "This is awkward," he whispered.

"How do you think I feel?"

After hearing some rustling and some voices behind the door, it swung open.

There stood Sarah, holding a bright blue eyed little boy who couldn't have been more than two. Her dark golden hair was tied tightly in a bun, and she wore a high collared white lace top with a long blue skirt fitted at the waist. She was polished, clean, yet casual.

She nearly dropped her child when she took a moment to process who was standing in her doorway.

"Oh my god," she gasped, "You made it! John, John, get over here!" She shrieked happily. Her Irish accent was noticeable, but much more subtle than Tommy's.

"Hi Sarah," Tommy seemed to relax a bit, seeing her reaction.

"I can't believe it, after reading what happened in the papers and everything," she looked like she was in shock, "We went to the pier to try to find you, but it was impossible trying to make it through the crowd. And I mean, I haven't seen you since you were a boy and-"

"I know, I know, I understand."

A man then came up behind Sarah, who must have been John, with a little girl trotting behind him. He wore a navy suit, his chestnut colored hair slicked back and had sky blue eyes, which looked exactly like his son's. Even with a little girl now clinging to his leg, he came off as extremely professional. The little girl looked up at us, spitting image of her mother with green eyes and the same golden hair.

"Thomas made it!" Sarah laughed, still in disbelief and quickly handed her little boy to his father to give Tommy a hug. "You have to write your mother first thing, the news must have gotten over there at this point, she's probably sick to her stomach with worry."

"I know."

"I can't believe how tall you are!" She was emotional and I guess she would have been. By the way Tommy made it sound, she had no other family from Ireland here. "You look so much like your father when your mum met him, last time I saw you, you didn't even make it to my shoulders."

"And you didn't have kids then," Tommy chuckled.

"My god, that's right, you haven't met anyone. That's my husband, John" she nodded towards him and he waved, attempting to keep control of the little boy trying to climb over his shoulders, "The little acrobat there is James, and that's Lizzie hiding behind his leg, she's a shy little thing," she motioned for her to come out, "It's alright love, this is your cousin Thomas! He came all the way from Ireland."

"Hi there, Lizzie," he gave her a warm smile, crouching down to her level, "It's so nice to finally meet you, your mum has sent us so many letters telling us about you and your brother."

Lizzie let out a small smirk, but she still clutched to her father's leg.

Sarah then seemed to notice me standing there. Suddenly I felt like I was the one intruding.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Thomas's mother never mentioned he was bringing a wife along."

"Oh no," I chuckled awkwardly, blushing.

"This is Ellie," Tommy stood back up, putting his arm around me. "We uh, actually met on Titanic."

"Oh?" Sarah appeared perplexed.

"El doesn't uh, exactly have family to get back to."

"It's a long story." I expressed, feeling uncomfortable.

"We met and really bonded the past few days," Tommy said.

"We're together," I said, attempting to justify why her nephew would bring a stranger to her home for...who knew how long "Just not married."

"Yet." Tommy smirked. I grinned sheepishly.

"We're getting to know each other," I felt like I was tripping over my words.

Sarah looked over at her husband, both of them now chuckling.

"Well of course you can stay here, I'm glad Thomas finally met someone."

He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I'm sure mum has been sayin' to ya for years how she wishes I was married by now."

"I'm not sayin' anything," she threw her hands in the air, "But please come in, I'll show you to your rooms."

"Rooms?" Tommy's eyebrows raised. She shot him a look.

"Yes, Thomas, seein' as you're not married...yet."

Tommy and I exchanged glances, thinking back to what we did this morning. I felt Jesus on the mounted crucifix above the door as we entered silently watching and judging me.

"So let me show you around," Sarah began, "John and I moved here when I was pregnant with Lizzie."

"It was just built four years ago," John said, setting James down near a pile of toys. Lizzie scurried off to play with him.

"We were very lucky to find this place," Sarah expressed, "it filled up fast. You don't see too many five bedroom places in the city."

"It's true," John agreed, "And it's close to my firm, that makes it even better."

"You're a lawyer?" I inquired. The apartment all made sense now.

"That's right, been practicing for about ten years now."

"What do you practice?"

"Criminal law."

"Wow," I nodded, impressed.

"It's amazing he actually has a day off today," Sarah exclaimed, "New York certainly keeps him busy."

"Unfortunately, it does," he sighed, "But anyway, the bedrooms are down this way."

The apartment really was beautiful. The floors were finished with polished mahogany, except for the kitchen which was finished with cement. The walls were painted burgundy in the parlor, sage green in the dining room and kitchen. The bathroom was a bright yellow, with extra wash basins in between chambers. There was even a modern refrigerator in the kitchen, which astounded me.

They had just enough room to fit us both. As Tommy was getting settled in his room, Sarah brought me to mine. The guest bedroom I was in was quaint, with the same hardwood floors, same burgundy walls as the parlor with black trim. Along with the bed and vanity stood a desk, covered with loose papers, boxes piled up the sides.

"Sorry for the mess in here, we're in the process of turning this into John's office," Sarah apologized.

"That's quite alright, this is perfect," I smiled, "Thank you for allowing me to stay here."

"Of course. I can't imagine what the both of you have been through."

"I'm still processing everything," I admitted.

"You take all the time you need. I can bring you some fresh clothing to hold you over until we can take you shopping."

"Oh, that's alright you've already done so much."

"No, no, I insist," she placed her hand on my shoulder, "Make yourself at home."

"Thank you," I smiled. I was humbled by her generosity.

Sarah briefly left and returned with fresh clothing as promised. I thanked her once more before she gave some privacy to change. It was such a relief changing into a comfortable blue, chiffon day dress, finally able to take off the sweater from Tommy and nightgown I've been wearing for days. It was like taking off the last reminder of Titanic.

I used the privacy to my advantage and took the money and Heat of the Ocean out of my coat pocket, shoving it all under the mattress. I still wanted it to be my secret.

I made my way over to the vanity, looking at myself for the first time in days. Seeing my disheveled hair, I threw it into a quick braid. I was the picture of exhaustion, but I could see the weight lifted off my shoulders. I looked like a whole new woman.

My only question now was what was next.

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