I have four (4) snippets to make up this chapter. Simply because I haven't been happy or getting anywhere with this in-between stage, and other pieces that I have done and would like to post, but don't necessarily want to skip over the time without it being touched on at least a little.
She woke up crying, though she felt like she had been screaming because of her dream. Her tears were hot and accompanied with wracking sorrowful sobs.
It had been exactly as if she had been on the Titanic again, it had felt so real.
Her poor father didn't make it to the lifeboat, Mr. Winters and Mr. Hudson had went to help pull her father out of the water but didn't.
She didn't know how it was possible for him to look even more sorrowful to look at her and tell her it was no use, they didn't make it to him in time, that he was gone.
Her father couldn't be gone, could he?
She didn't make up some fantasy world where she only thought he was alive, did she?
She didn't want to wake everyone in the house, but she couldn't quiet her sobs. She also couldn't quite tell what was real or not and that was just as bad as the crying out of the dying in her head.
She couldn't remain in bed, the only one who'd understand would be Jesse.
She tried to stifle her sobs as she almost ran to his door and barely knocked, before he opened his door.
"What's happened? Are you alright?" She couldn't speak because of the tears and simply shook her head no. She watched as he grabbed a kerchief that he then gave her. She was able to choke out a few words quietly.
"D-daddy... he... didn't..." Was all she could get out before he hushed her.
He lit a lamp and led her downstairs to the living room. He sat her down and let her sob, bringing her a glass of water for once she could calm down enough to drink it.
"I'm sorry... I- I know that you're still recovering..."
"You are too. Just because it's not visible, doesn't make it any less true."
oOo
"Miss Piston, I have let this charade go on much too long. It's not fair to either us."
"What charade? Why is it not fair? "
"I could never provide you with everything you deserve. And never with something anywhere close to this." Gesturing around to her family estate.
"Jesse! I love you! Material things don't matter!"
oOo
He had never thought that he would ever be here asking this question.
After a day of hunting with Mr. Piston, he was going to ask for his permission and blessing to marry his daughter.
Mr. Piston had every reason to refuse him. A poor third class man who wouldn't be able to give Emily the current lifestyle she was living.
A sailor, meaning he'd be leaving her alone for extended periods of time. Making there be so many reasons to say no, while so few to say yes.
They cared deeply for each other, but would that be enough?
He took a deep breath and started as they headed back to the Piston Estate.
"Mr. Piston, I have come to care greatly for your daughter since that event which introduced us all to each other. With your permission, I would like to request for Miss Emily's hand in marriage."
His breath caught in his throat as Mr. Piston studied him.
A denial was sure to follow shortly.
Because why? Why would a man like Mr. Piston accept his claim.
He was a first class, high society man, while he was just a sailor.
It didn't make sense for Mr. Piston to give his daughter to the sailor who nearly died before getting rescued. Not when she could marry a high society, first class man.
"Mr. Hudson, I hold you in high regard. You are a remarkable young man. Would I be remiss to assume that you are working towards a captaincy?" Mr. Piston raised an eyebrow at him.
"You would be correct sir."
Was this all work up to telling him no? Flatter him, making him feel respected before pulling the rug out from underneath him.
The thing was; if he said no, he respected Mr. Piston too much to do anything else. If the answer was no, he'd leave Emily's life forever.
Mr. Piston gave him a brief nod at his answer.
"I have watched you with Emily. My mother hasn't had a word to say against you, other than praise. You've shown what an honourable young man you are, even in dire circumstances. It would be an honour to have you in the family. Mr. Hudson, you have my blessing and permission to ask and if Emily accepts, marry her."
A breath escaped in a sigh of relief.
"Thank-you sir."
oOo
John had dragged him over to Henry's.
"Why didn't we bring Ruth and Emily along? They'll both want to see Joan and Daniel. It's rude to leave guests alone when they come to visit you."
"Because-" John rolled his eyes as they came up to his brother's door. "I need to talk to both you and Henry together. And Emily isn't that much of a guest anymore, now is she? Won't be long until you're asking her father for her hand if you haven't already."
He just rolled his eyes at him, not admitting to either as John knocked.
Henry had his new baby in his arms when he opened the door, telling them both to be quiet. As both Joan and Rebecca were still napping while his son had just woken up.
John had them both sit down before he started talking. He had a long ramble about how much he wanted to marry Ruth, but not without their blessings. They sat in stunned silence for a moment.
"Well, we knew this day was coming." Henry muttered to him, rubbing Daniel's back.
"Doesn't mean we have to take it easy on him."
"Course not, we wouldn't be very good brothers otherwise."
One day I might go back in and fill in some of those snippets and missing time in more detail, but I have other chapters that I'm not struggling to write, that I would like to post.