1996

Anna Marie sat in front of the monitor, watching from the safety of the vessel as the submersible gave a live view of the bow as it stood now, deteriorating at the bottom of the Ocean.

She turned to look at the explorers who sat in the room, and at her granddaughter Ruth, who was just as interested in the story.

"That was the last time Titanic ever saw daylight."

Brock Lovett nodded his head. "So we're up to noon on the day before the sinking. 14 hours to go." He sat back in his chair, thinking.

One of the adventurers, who Anna Marie realized she recognized, spoke up as he came closer.

"Captain Smith has no idea the iceberg is coming…..the man was all about speed."

Ruth turned at the sound of his voice, and she knew she recognized the man, but was having a hard time placing him….

"26 years of experience working against him." Brock continued. "He figures anything big enough to sink the ship, they're going to see in time to turn. But the ship is too big…with too small a rudder. Doesn't corner worth a damn…."

Anna Marie's eyes were back on the monitor with the ship below, remembering that kiss on the bow with Max.

Oh, what ah would give to kiss him again…

"Anna Marie?" Brock's voice called to her.

She turned to look at him, a smile. "Yes, Mister Lovett?"

"Can you tell us what happened next?"

Her smile grew wider.

"What happened next….was unforgettable."

April 14th, 1912

12:58 pm

Max had insisted she eat, knowing full well the emotional turmoil of the last 48 hours had not been good for her. He could see she already looked a sight better than when he first saw her this morning, for which he was grateful.

"You're like a mother hen." She teased him as he sat with her on the settee, running his fingers idly through her hair as she ate from the plate of food he brought her.

"I'm allowed to make a fuss over you. I made you cry, and I am making up for it."

"Are you makin' up for makin' me cry when ah thought you were engaged, or makin' up for makin' me cry when you told me you loved me?"

"Both."

She let out a little laugh and turned her head to look at him. "So even if ah cry because ah'm happy, you're still gonna apologize and dote on me?"

"Yes."

She grinned. "You're hopeless, Max."

"Guilty as charged."

She leaned forward and kissed him, a kiss that he savored slowly, like he was memorizing the way her lips tasted on his.

When she managed to break the kiss gently, it was with a soft sigh. She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the slate blue of his eyes, transfixed on her.

"Maybe ah don't mind your fussin' too much…." She admitted as he chuckled softly.

He kissed her forehead gently. "Have you eaten enough?"

"Yeah….ah'm feelin' better now."

He took her plate away, and she had a chance to peruse her surroundings, his stateroom that was lavish and spacious. She caught sight of the paintings in the corner.

"Is that….Monet?" She asked reverently as she approached the painting that was leaning against the wall.

"You know his work?" Max asked.

"Of course! His use of color is so fascinatin'..." She dared not touch the painting, but looked it over with reverence.

"Extraordinary." His voice was closer now, and she felt his hands at her waist, his lips near her ear.

"Max?"

"Hmm?" He was distracted by her scent as he placed a kiss behind her ear.

"You said you had somethin' else to show me."

"Ah. Thank you for reminding me."

She chuckled as she watched him walk into an adjoining room, and she heard the whir of a safe being unlocked.

When he came out of the room, he had a box in his hands, and he opened the lid to show her what was inside.

She gasped.

Inside the box was the biggest, most beautiful heart-shaped blue stone she had ever seen, the heart itself and the chain holding it surrounded in tiny diamonds.

"Oh….my God…"

He watched her face, taking in her reaction. "Gaudy thing, isn't it?"

She giggled a little as she looked up at him. "What is this, a sapphire?"

"A diamond. A very rare diamond, called The Heart of the Ocean."

Her face changed to recognition. "Wait. Wasn't this part of the French crown at one point?"

He gently removed the necklace from the box, holding it gently as he allowed her to examine it closer. "It was. Charles acquired it at an auction recently. It was his idea of an engagement present for Cassandra."

She raised a brow. "Well, maybe Charles can marry her instead."

Max laughed at that. "The idea is tempting, but I don't think he will like giving up his freedom."

Anna Marie held the necklace between her fingers, the rare and beautiful necklace absolutely stunning.

"So, what now? What will you do with it?"

"When I get to America, I intend to sell it."

She was surprised. "Really?"

"I have no use for it. It holds no value to me, and it's purpose is null and void, I would say."

She smiled slightly at that. "Can ah….try it on?"

"But of course. Turn around."

She turns around, gathering her hair off her neck as she watched the necklace move slowly up her neck, the diamonds cool against her skin as he clasped it in the back.

She looked up to see a mirror, and she admired the way the necklace looked on her body, how beautiful and exquisite it was. There was a mesmerized smile on her face.

She then caught sight of the look on Max's face, the way he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"Beautiful…" He spoke in quiet reverence.

She turned her head to look at him, to see that look on his face as she looked at him, not at his reflection.

"Are you second guessin'?"

"No….but…..I do have an idea."

She turned fully around to face him, as his fingers played with her hair, admiring the way she looked with the necklace around her neck.

"Would you allow me to draw you? Wearing the necklace?"

There was surprise in her face. "You….want to draw me?"

He nodded. "If I am to sell the damned thing, I want only to remember how it looks on you right now….at its most beautiful."

She smiled. "Well when you say it like that, how can ah resist?"

The grin that spread to his face was one she didn't see often, and hoped to see more of.

"Let me freshen up….and we can start."

"Take your time."

Her heart was pounding as she came back into the room, her curls flowing down her back, and one of his robes wrapped around her body, the necklace in full view.

He looked up from his spot in the chair, mild confusion on his face. "Schatzi? Are you alright?"

She nodded, a smile. "Ah wanted to make a slight adjustment to your request."

"And what adjustment would that be?"

"Ah want you to draw me wearin' the necklace…..and nothin' else…."

She slowly slipped the robe from her body, and his face was a mixture of awe, shock, and a fire that she had unearthed in the short time she had known him. He took in the sight of her body, beautiful and smooth, each curve making him itch to touch her.

"On the couch." His voice was low, and she could hear his struggle to stay in his chair.

A small smile came to her as she laid back on the couch, and he gave her direction on where he wanted her hands, how to tilt her head, and she laid as still as possible as he sketched her, his eyes on her as he drew her, taking in every detail like he wanted to memorize and immortalize her in the most reverent way.

She watched his eyes, how serious of an expression he got, the way his eyebrows would crease together, the way he would look at her, the way he took great care with his drawing.

1996

Anna Marie took a breath as she remembered that night.

"My heart was poundin' the whole time. It was….the most erotic momemt of my life. Well, up until that moment at least."

Ruth wore a smile as her grandmother spoke, finding the nineteen year old version of her grandmother quite bold and unapologetic.

"So….what happened next?" One of the other explorers asked eagerly.

Anna Marie chuckled. "You mean, did we do it?"

They all chuckled as she continued.

"Well…."