Chapter 8: Ellie

Hours seemed to pass as I let my feet take me wherever they desired. I did not have a particular destination in mind, i just needed to walk off my anger. If that took all night, then so be it. Adrenaline was flowing through me and I had no plans of settling anytime soon. That was one of the comforting things about the city- it never seemed to settle. No one would stop to question you if you were just out walking around at night. It was easy to blend in anonymously. Late night food stands were up and running, the sounds of factories humming in the distance. Many seemed to just be getting off of work, some were heading to the night shift. The pubs were just starting to fill with tourists, and those who just needed to loosen up after a long day's work. Grabbing a drink was tempting, but a lone woman in a pub was just asking for trouble. Instead, I decided on a large pretzel from a food stand outside Central Park and started my way through. I wasn't surprised that I ended up here, it was one of my favorite places to visit after all. You didn't have much nature to enjoy in New York obviously, so the park was always a nice retreat. You could always see people picnicking out in Sheep Meadow or the Great Lawn, or you could see a play at Belvedere Castle. It was certainly a tourist attraction, but I enjoyed the open space.

My favorite spot was the garden and glass houses that held numerous flower beds and plants. You would have to walk pretty deep within the park to find them, and it always seemed to be sparsely visited. The area was lush, vibrant, and absolutely beautiful.

Luckily for me, no one was around as I approached the gardens. The door to one of the glass houses had been left ajar, maybe by accident. Taking a large bite of my pretzel, I slipped my way through, setting my suitcase down at the door. Skyscraper lights and moonlight beamed through the glass roof, bouncing off the flowers and plants, vines clung their way all around the walls. I paced through with racing thoughts, allowing my fingertips to graze the yellow and purple perennials. It was calming to me.

Of course I felt guilty about all of this. I knew I should have told Tommy about the necklace before we even stepped off Carpathia. That was wrong of me. But I was appalled how he could accuse me of trying to live out some poor girl fantasy, as if I asked for that. I wasn't trying to use him as a pawn to get away from my family, I truly loved him. Yes, he happened to be poor. But that wasn't what drew me to him. Growing up with the experiences he had made him the person I fell in love with. I wouldn't have him any other way.

I was so angry with him as his words stuck with me still. But I still loved him.

Now that he knew of the Heart of the Ocean, a decision on what to do about it would have to be made. There was no way I would be comfortable with selling it- at least not until I talked to Rose first, wherever she was.

Tommy was right though. Having that necklace could change our lives. Would it be wrong to just let it sit there?

All of these questions wouldn't matter if he didn't want to be with me anymore after this. This was a huge thing I hid from him, and I wasn't sure if he would forgive me. I could barely forgive myself.

Sighing, I took a seat at the edge of the flower beds, shoveling down the rest of my pretzel in an aggressive manner as I stewed.

He would have to forgive me. After everything he said to me, he owed me an apology anyway. It was only fair.

Suddenly, I heard the door of the glass house creak open. I jumped up, ready to defend myself if needed. It was a public place, sure. But in darkness, I was on my guard. It was possible there were officers out doing their rounds.

"Hello?" I called out, swallowing the last bite of my pretzel nervously, "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be in here during these hours. I was just on my way out."

"Relax," to my relief, it was Tommy that appeared, "It's just me."

"How did you find me?"

"Sarah had a feeling you were here."

"Oh, I see," I nodded, sitting back down, "Well I'm impressed, you walked quite a distance to get here."

"What, did you think I'd let ya walk the streets all night?" He took a seat next to me, "No way I'd let that happen."

"I would have been fine," I stated flatly. He rolled his eyes.

"I also came here to apologize."

"Oh really?" I wasn't going to say more of anything else until I heard what he had to say.

"Yes," he sighed, "Look, I didn't mean any of what I said."

"Then why even say it? Certainly felt like you meant it."

"I didn't, El. I was just upset, but it didn't give me a place to accuse you of something like that. I told you the day I met you that you weren't like all the other upper class people that surrounded you, and I meant it. I fell in love with you for that," I felt my tense shoulders begin to loosen a bit. I turned towards him. "I just want to understand why you wouldn't tell me. Is it something I did for you to not trust me or-"

"No, of course not," my voice softened, "It had nothing to do with you at all. I was just afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"Hurting my sister," I could feel myself getting choked up a bit, "Tommy, I don't know much about Cal but I heard parts of his true self come out behind closed doors. He's not just some arrogant rich bastard, he's...he's worse than that. The way he would scream at Rose sometimes, it was awful. She never told me all the details, but I knew. I could see it in her face," I paused for a moment, "She almost killed herself on Titanic, you know."

"What?" he was quiet. I nodded solemnly. "Jesus, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"How could you?" I sighed, "I just fear if any word got out about that damned necklace he would have a whole army of people looking for her. She wants him to think she's dead for a reason. I can't put her life at risk because I truly believe he may hurt her. If something were to happen to her because of me, I wouldn't be able to live with myself," tears were welling up now, "Not only that, but I don't want that kind of money. I don't want that life anymore, I intend on never falling back into it. I know it would make our lives more comfortable, but Tommy, it's not worth it. It really isn't."

My tears had started turning into sobs now. He held me tight as I buried my face in his chest.

"You don't need to say anymore, I'm sorry," he said, "We will do whatever you want with it. Whatever you think is best."

"Are you sure?" I sniffed, looking into his dark eyes, "I mean, you've been working so hard looking for a job and-"

"Yes, of course," he wiped the tears from my cheeks, "We'll act like it doesn't exist. I've told you, I want to build a life for us on my own terms, a life I'm proud of. I mean that. Even though it pains me knowing millions of dollars are in our hands..." his voice trailed off in a sigh. I gave a small smile.

"We don't need the money."

"We don't. Besides," he straightened up, "I won't need it when I move up and end up owning that steel mill. I'll be Cal's major competitor," he smirked.

"That would be the day," it was difficult to suppress a giggle.

"I'm spending those twenties those. Can't track cash."

"Fair enough," I buried my face into his chest again, wrapping my arms around him, longing for him to hold me just a bit longer. He held me tightly, his fingers intertwining through my curls as we let the minutes pass silently.

"We're going to have a great life, El," he said quietly after awhile, "I can promise you that."

"I know we will," I looked up at him, "I've been so used to closing myself off. I won't hide anything from you anymore."

"So no more secrets?"

"No more secrets," I shook my head, "I promise."

"Good," he kissed the top of my head, "There's uh. There's one more thing though."

"What?" I felt my stomach drop seeing the nervousness in his eyes. I wasn't prepared for another truth to be revealed tonight.

"I just need to get this out," he took a deep breath. "I'm not really good at this sort of thing."

"What is it, Tommy?"

"I know what I said to you tonight wasn't right, and I've been hung up on it. I know I'm just an Irish bloke who talks about makin' something of himself but has nothin' to show for it. I'm going to say a lot of dumb shit over the years, and I'm gonna make a lot of mistakes. But I swear to you-" he took my hands tightly as I was still trying to figure out where this was going, "I'll work til I'm six feet in the ground makin' sure I'm givin' you the life and happiness you deserve."

"I know you will," I couldn't help but smile warmly.

"My life has changed for the better since I've met you. And I don't think I'd be alive if it wasn't for you."

"Tommy..."

"No, I'm serious. When that gun was pointed at me that night, my life didn't only flash before my eyes, but I saw you. I got lucky that night, more than lucky. I think things have a funny way of workin' themselves out, and I know I'm here because I met you," he paused for a moment, "We haven't known each other that long, I know that. But I do know I want a future with you, where we have the beautiful home filled with kids running around...it's all clear when I'm with you."

"Where is this going?" I asked, feeling my face flush. I had a feeling I knew what was coming, but I wanted to hear him say it. Still a bit nervous, he fumbled into his pocket, pulling out a small, black, velvet box.

"Marry me, El." he smiled flipping the box open to reveal a small but stunning emerald and gold ring. I could feel my eyes widen in surprise.

"Wow..." I laughed in disbelief and joy. After our argument I didn't picture this happening. "Yes, yes, of course I will!"

"Thank god," he laughed, slipping the ring on my finger so fast, "I didn't know how that was gonna go, I would've felt like a real idiot otherwise."

"Oh come here you bloke," I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, kissing him as hard as I could. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my body against his.

I was suddenly reminded of how long it had been since he touched me.

"God, it's been a long time since we've kissed like that." He said, after taking a second to catch our breath.

"You're telling me."

I pressed my lips back onto his, tossing my jacket off quickly before throwing my legs around him in a straddling position, my hands feeling his strong biceps and firm chest. His hands moved from my waist to my breasts, feeling them as he started undoing the buttons on my dress slowly. My heart pounding, I felt my whole body tingling with anticipation, feeling as if I had to wait any longer I would burst. I grabbed his hand, bringing it under the skirt of my dress, placing it on my upper thigh. He squeezed my thigh tightly, causing me to moan slightly as his fingers trailed closer between my legs. My hands went right for his belt.

I knew exactly what I wanted.

Suddenly, flashes of light from the distance peeked through the back of the glass house.

"Hey! Is someone in there?" male voices called out.

"Shit!" I nearly fell as I jumped off of Tommy quickly.

"You can't be in there this late, greenhouses are closed!" the voices were coming closer. I shakily buttoned the top of my dress back up.

"Grab your suitcase and let's get the hell out of here," Tommy stood up, adjusting himself quickly.

We both ran to the front of glasshouse, away from the voices approaching us. I grabbed my suitcase and Tommy took my other hand, bursting through the front door.

"Hey! You can't be here!"

I could make our two figures in the distance, now running towards us.

"Not our fault the door was unlocked!" Tommy called out to them, the both of us still running as fast as we could. I broke out into laughter.

We had a good enough start that they couldn't catch up to us. We ran until we made it out of the park and we were back on the New York streets. Out of breath, we collapsed against the wall of a brick building. We took one look at each other and started laughing uncontrollably.

"Great security they got there!" He exclaimed sarcastically.

"God, I'm out of shape," I was still struggling to catch my breath, "I don't think I ever ran that fast before in my life."

"You're a terrible influence on me."

"I am not!" I shot him a playful glare.

"You're the one trespassin' in the late hours of the night," he smirked, "Shame on you."

"Shut up," I needed to sit down. I dropped my suitcase on the sidewalk, sitting on top of it to take a few minutes to allow my breath to slow. My eyes trailed to the ring on my finger. The emerald was simple, it could not compare to the ring Rose had on her finger briefly, but it was elegant. It fit perfectly, and looking at it made me feel so elated. "Were you planning on proposing tonight?"

"No," he shook his head, looking down at me, "Call it a spur of the moment thing."

"Where did you even get it from?"

"It was my grandmother's. You can thank Sarah for it."

"So this is her doing?" I grinned.

"Eh maybe a bit. She just gave me a push in the right direction."

"Well I'm glad she did," I said, standing up. "We should probably head back, shouldn't we?"

"Hell no," he scooped me up in arms, carrying me like I weighed nothing. I couldn't help but laugh again, feeling caught off guard by this gesture, "Future wife, I'm not done with you yet."

I felt myself blush being referred to as such. He handed my suitcase off to me as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Future husband, you have work in the morning."

"The night is young, lass."

"If that is the case, then where are we going?"

With one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen on him, he spun me around before kissing me once more.

"I'm taking you home."

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