Post by Mrs. Harold Lowe on Apr 24, 2007 14:38:52 GMT -5
Chapter 1
Arabella Marie O'Malley sat in her fiance's employers office alone on a Tuesday morning.
The ninth of April, in three days the ship that her husband had assisted in building would leave Southampton and head for America.
Arabella really had no idea as to why she decided to come to his office. Of all the people she could of turned to for advice she went to Thomas Andrews. Long before her fiancee had begun to help with the construction of the ship Arabella had known Thomas. The master ship builder was only older than her by five years. They had last met only the one time that Arabella needed to see him. Her fiancee needed a job, Thomas had told her that if she ever needed anything she could go to him. The last time she had met him was to request a job for her fiancee. That was four years ago, for reasons that she mulled over in her mind she had not returned to see him.
Just then the office door opened, and in came him. Thomas Andrews was a tall Irish gentleman, with graying hair. He had soft eyes as he looked at the woman.
Arabella stood to greet him, "Good afternoon Thomas," she said.
"Good afternoon Arabella. This is quite a surprise. Please sit," Thomas said.
Arabella took a seat and waited for Thomas to do the same. He took his seat and waited for Arabella to begin to speak.
"Thomas I know this is unexpected. But I need to see you... about Matthew," Arabella said.
"What is it? He's a very hard worker. Have you two married yet?" asked Thomas.
"Well no actually. We have not had a chance to marry. I'm glad to hear he is a hard worker. But...thats not why I came here. I could not think of anyone else to go to but you. Were having...problems, if you would like to put it that way," Arabella said.
"He hasn't hurt you has he?" Thomas inquired, starting to be worried now.
Arabella was silent, she feared that if she were to tell him the truth something might happen. But as if Thomas had read her mind before she could think of a good enough lie he spoke again.
"What has he done to you? I have seen him get angry over little things before. I was very close to firing him last week," explained Thomas.
"Each night he has been coming home drunk. Last night was the last of it that I could handle. I had made supper for us, waited for hours for him to return. He did not come in until late, by then my mother had gone to bed. I waited up for him and when he finally came in I was disgusted with him. He refused to eat the supper I had made. I said I was going to bed and then he, well he tried to take advantage of me. I had made it away from him. I locked myself in my bedroom and he finally left me alone. But in my try's to get away from him he did abuse me," Arabella replied.
"I can't allow this to continue. Tonight you and your mother need to pack your things, come to my home. Then stay there and you may go on the voyage with myself," Thomas said.
"Thomas you know my mother. She is not going to wish to travel. That is just how she is, she won't even want to leave the house we are staying in," Arabella said.
"Then you must try to convince her. You can't stay with Matthew," Thomas replied.
"Do you think I have not tried that yet? But she refuses, she wants to die here in Southampton," Arabella said.
"Will she listen to no one?" asked Thomas.
"Maybe if my father were still alive. But no, she wants to die here. Be buried beside my father," Arabella answered.
"Will you at least leave on the ship?" Thomas asked.
"I would be more than glad than to get out of here. But my mother," Arabella said slowly.
"She may stay at my home. She will not be bothered there," Thomas replied.
Arabella stood to leave, "Thank you Thomas," she said, then she left to get home.
Thomas watched as the girl he once loved and still did love left the shipyard.
When Arabella got home she began to pack her trunk. Once she had packed all of her clothes and possessions she went to her mothers bedroom to tell her what they were going to do. Mrs. O'Malley was hesitant but finally gave in, she packed her trunk and then they got them loaded into a car and they drove to Thomas's home. By the time they had reached the house Thomas had returned from the ship yard. He assisted them into the house and then showed them to some spare bedrooms.
"Thank you Thomas. I can't even begin to thank you enough," Arabella said.
"It's the least I can do. I mean from the last time I saw you till now I have loved you. I hope you know that," Thomas said.
"Yes Thomas and I you. But this can not work," Arabella answered.
Then she left for her bedroom and sat down on her bed. Three days later Arabella was saying goodbye to her mother and then boarding the ship to leave and to get away from her past...
I hope people like this story, I don't like it to much. But w/e, please review, oh yea just noticed something when I was doing some research, Titanic left Southampton on the tenth, not the twelfth. My apologies, good thing I was trying to figure out something about a scene from the movie. So yea...
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Chapter 2
When Arabella first stepped foot into the home of Thomas Andrew's it had been nearly ten years ago. When they were but children, from the moment she had layed eyes on him she felt a connection to him. A deep friendship that would be very difficult to break. People thought it strange that a girl and a boy could spend so much time together without being related. When they were 16 he had courted her and at one point proposed marriage.
All when the date had been set Arabella's father passed away. After he had died Arabella had changed. The wedding was canceled and Arabella could not bring herself to even marry. Then she and her mother left Ireland for a bit to visit family in Scotland but wound up living there for three years. Thats where she had met Matthew Johnson. A English man who wanted to give Arabella and her mother everything. Matthew had money and the things he needed to care for them. But then in a game of poker he lost it all. But Arabella was in love, she didn't want to leave him. They went to Belfast and after Matthew finding no work Arabella returned to see Thomas. She requested a job for Matthew so that he could build up a big enough account of money to be able to pay for them.
But now here she was, on a ship going to America, running from Matthew. A man told her that her room was in A-32, although she had already known this. By the time Thomas had, even if he was the Master Shipbuilder he was unable to gain a room for her. So she would be sleeping in the extra bedroom that was in his Suite. She felt uncomfortable almost about this but she decided that since she nearly married him this would be fine.
When she reached the room a steward opened the door and assisted her in. When she entered the room she gasped in awe. The room was beautifully furnished, the steward showed her to her bedroom and brought the trunk in. Then he left and she began to unpack. Even though her father had died and they had a low income Arabella still owned some fine gowns. She hung them up and once she was finished she left the room to take a walk on the deck. As she walked people would smile at her and continue on with their walk. Arabella stopped at the place where the first class people only deck ended. She stood at a spot and looked out at the ocean. As she stood there she got lost in her thoughts and were almost immediately pulled from them.
"Enjoying my ship?" came the voice.
Arabella turned to the voice and found Thomas.
"Yes I am. Truly Thomas, this is a masterpiece," Arabella replied.
"Thank you, she is my most prized project and it warms my heart to know that you appreciate her," Thomas said.
Arabella smiled at him, "So what is there to do on this ship?" she asked.
"Oh plenty, theres the gymnasium, and being friends with myself you can gain a full tour," Thomas explained.
"Oh well that sounds lovely," Arabella said with a smile.
Thomas smiled back and then held out his arm for hers. Arabella took the arm and Thomas began to lead her around the ship. She really had no idea why, but even though she still had feelings for him she could not admit this. The reason she was going to marry Matthew was because of his money. But Thomas was a man that she truly did love and he had the money to care for her and her mother. She continued to think about this while Thomas showed her around.
The next morning Arabella woke with almost the mind to tell Thomas how she felt. But for some reason she stopped herself. Arabella ate breakfast and then walked around the ship, enjoying the beauty. Arabella was a fine young woman, as you've already gathered she lost her father when she was but 17. She was versed in languages which she never used, nor thought she would ever need them. The thing though that she enjoyed the most was writing, but people thought it strange for a woman to write story's. One thing that attracted her to Thomas was that he thought she was different for enjoying writing and thats one thing he liked about her. Finally after walking around the ship about five times she sat down and began to write.
"Fancy seeing you here," a voice suddenly said.
Arabella froze, she knew the voice and there was no way it could be him.
"Matthew," she said softly as she looked at him.
"Now I know what your thinking. I was in Southampton, how on earth did I get here? Well you see I've been hiding, down in steerage. When I found you were gone when I got home two days ago I knew that you were more than likely on this ship. Or at least, planning to leave on this ship. I know you visited Mr. Andrews, about what I have no idea. But thats not my point, when I found you and your little mummy gone I knew you at least would be making a break for it. So I came to the ship early yesterday, told them 'I want to help get the ship ready' they were dumb enough to allow me. I went down, wasn't even in steerage. I was down in the boiler rooms. Figured I'd give it a day and then come up here to find you. Now minute we get to New York were going to get married," Matthew said this all and waited for a response from Arabella.
Instead of replying to him, she closed her book and stood up. She tried to walk away but Matthew grabbed her by the wrist.
"Get your hands off me Matthew! I don't love you anymore and I will never marry you," she said.
People stared but hurried on, scared that he may turn on them.
"You will not dishonor me!" Matthew said, almost yelling.
"There are plenty of men on this ship. I just have to scream and call for help and you will be in the keep for the prisoners before you can blink," Arabella replied, trying to stay calm.
"I'd like to see them try," Matthew snarled.
"Help! Please someone help me!" Arabella screamed.
Just a minute later men came running along with Thomas, recognizing Arabella's cry.
The men grabbed Matthew and Arabella stood to the side.
"Did he hurt you?" Thomas asked.
Arabella shook her head no in a response and fell into Thomas's embrace. The officers took Matthew to the hold for prisoners and Thomas helped Arabella make her way back to their suite so that she may change for lunch. Thomas was unsure if she should go through such a change, from being attacked by Matthew to going to lunch but she was adamant she was going to be there. Once she was dressed she went out into the lounging room and Thomas escorted her to lunch. When they reached their table Thomas pulled out a seat for her and she took a seat. Beside her was a woman she had met the night before, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, on Arabella's other side was Thomas. Beside Thomas was Margret Brown, but preferred Molly. Then there was Mr. Bruce Ismay, Caledon Hockley and Cal's fiancee, Rose DeWitt Bukater, Ruth's daughter.
By the time they had joined them the people were already in a conversation.
"...and our master shipbuilder, Mr. Andrews here, designed her from the keel plates up," Bruce said.
" Well, I may have knocked her together, but the idea was Mr. Ismay's. He envisioned a steamer so grand in scale, and so luxurious in its appointments, that its supremacy would never be challenged. And here she is...
" he slapped the table and continued, "willed into solid reality."
A waiter arrived at the table and Rose lit a cigarette, Arabella sat patiently listening to the conversation.
"You know I don't like that," Rose's mother said softly. Rose looked at her mother with a look like 'do you think I care?'
"She knows," Cal said, he took the cigarette from Rose and turned to the waiter, "We'll both have the lamb. Rare, with a little mint sauce," after the waiter moved Cal turned to Rose. "You like lamb right sweet pea?" he asked.
Rose nodded with a fake smile.
"So, you gonna cut her meat for her too there, Cal?" Molly paused a second and then looked at Bruce, " Hey, who came up with the name Titanic? You, Bruce?"
"Yes, actually. I wanted to convey sheer size. And size means stability, luxury... and safety-- and above all strenght" Bruce replied.
" Do you know of Dr. Freud? His ideas about the male preoccupation with size might be of particular interest to you, Mr. Ismay," Rose said.
Thomas choked a bit on his bread stick as he suppressed laughter. Arabella brought her napkin up to her face as she tried to hide her smile.
"My God, Rose, what's gotten into you?" Ruth asked.
"Excuse me," Rose said, then she stood up and left the room.
" I do apologize," Ruth said.
"She's a pistol, Cal. You sure you can handle her?" Molly asked.
" Well, I may have to start minding what she reads from now on," Cal said.
Arabella put her napkin back in her lap and ordered her lunch....
Chapter 3
After lunch Arabella went around with Thomas, thinking about how she could tell him that she still had feelings for him. While they walked around the ship Thomas would stop on occasion to talk to a crew member or passenger, or to make a note in his note book.
"So Arabella, how is your story coming along?" Thomas asked.
"It's coming along nicely. I wish I could share it with more people. But it's 'strange' for a woman to write anything at all. Well except a letter," Arabella answered.
"Well I look forward to reading it," Thomas said, with a smile.
When they returned to the suite Thomas sat down at his desk to look over his notes and Arabella went to her room to retrieve the note pad she had abandoned when she left for lunch.
"That Rose girl was something," Arabella said.
"Aye she was. Witty, did you see Bruce's face?" Thomas asked, with a chuckle.
"Oh well yes and not even knowing who Freud was. I'm ashamed myself of even knowing who he is but, the whole conversation was a bit entertaining," Arabella replied.
"Right well while I have my notebook out do you have any comments about the ship?" he asked.
"Oh I don't think anything could be changed! It's wonderful," Arabella answered.
"Alright, now something else. Matthew didn't hurt you at all right?" Thomas asked.
"Well minus for hurting my wrist abit I'm fine. Thomas I need to say something to you, there is no need for lying anymore. But being around you these last two or so days have been, well something that I haven't experienced in a long time. As I have been thinking about it more and more I regret not marrying you that day. Or at least, I regret not marrying you all together. I know the other night you said you still cared for me and I hope that your feeling still remains," Arabella said all this without looking at Thomas. When she finished she waited for a reply and hoped for the best.
After a moment Thomas still hadn't answered. Then for some unknown reason she (fearing the worse) stood up and ran out of the suite. Thomas stood up immediately and went after her, but when he reached the door he didn't see her anywhere. He walked up the halls calling out her name and asking anyone who walked past but the only lead he received sent him to the deck which she was no where near. When he finally found her he found her in the most obscure place, she was sitting in a corner in the smoking room.
"Arabella," he said breathlessly when he spied her. Thomas walked over to where she was sitting and sat beside her. "Arabella why did you leave?" he asked.
"You didn't answer, I was afraid I made a fool of myself," Arabella replied.
"Arabella you could fall off of your chair in church or trip on your gown and I don't think you would of made a fool of yourself. You know I feel the same way. To this day I feel like I did when we were seventeen and we were going to marry," Thomas said.
Arabella looked at him with a soft smile, "You mean after the fact I've made you wait all these years you would even consider being with me?" she asked.
"Arabella if I can't marry you I will die alone, a old man," Thomas replied.
"Well wait though, what are you saying?" Arabella asked.
"I notice you still wear your engagement ring I gave you," Thomas said.
"Well yes, I don't see why I can't. I never told Matthew what it was," Arabella said.
Thomas took her finger and removed the ring, "You asked what am I saying? This is what I'm saying, Arabella I want to try this again. We made it to the day before the wedding last time, this time lets make it to the 'you may kiss the bride' Arabella, will you marry me?" he asked.
Arabella was quiet, the only people in the room were the occasional stewards, none of them payed any attention to the couple.
"Yes, I will marry you," Arabella said.
Thomas put the old ring he had bought for Arabella so many years ago back onto her finger and the two smiled at each other. Thomas then stood up and helped Arabella up, he planted a soft kiss on her head and how good it felt to be able to do that again after all these years. Then they returned to the suite, in the room they sat at his desk while she read her story to him.
"Do you wish to make this public?" Thomas asked once she was done reading.
"What? The engagement?" she asked, Thomas nodded.
"Well only if you want to," she answered.
"Then I will announce it tonight. At dinner, how does that sound?" Thomas asked.
"That sounds wonderful," Arabella replied.
Thomas smiled at her and then turned to his notes.
"I think I'm going to go out for a walk. Get some air," she said.
Then Arabella stood up, put on a coat and then went out onto the deck for a walk. As she walked she began to think about the wedding. She hated her mother would miss it, but as she thought about it more and more, it was probably be best if the wedding was kept private. She was never much for big affairs. Then a idea came to mind, what if they had the wedding on the ship? The Capitan could marry them, just them and two witnesses could be there. As she thought about it more and more it began to seem like a wonderful idea. She continued to walk, thinking about it, then suddenly she bumped into someone. When she looked up it was Capitan Smith.
"Oh Capitan sir, forgive me. I was lost in my thoughts," Arabella said.
"Oh it's alright mam. Your Arabella O'Malley right? Your on the ship with Thomas Andrews," the Capitan said.
"Yes sir, actually I was just thinking about coming to look for you. I need to speak with Thomas about the idea first but I thought I could at least ask," Arabella replied.
"Yes what is it? Please sit down," he said as he indicated a deck chair. Arabella sat down and the Capitan sat beside her.
"Sir Thomas and I are engaged and in all honesty I would like to be married as soon as possible. Would you be able to perform a marriage ceremony? Right here on the ship? Just a private ceremony," Arabella asked.
The Capitan thought about it for a moment, "Well being a Capitan I can perform ceremony's. I don't see why I wouldn't be able to. When would you like to?" the Capitan asked.
"As soon as really possible," Arabella replied.
"Well the crew have not begun to prepare the dining saloon for dinner. We could do it before dinner or tomorrow morning," the Capitan replied.
"Oh that would be wonderful, I need to speak with Thomas of course," Arabella said.
"Well he's right behind you," the Capitan said.
Arabella jumped out of her seat and turned to see Thomas.
"Yes, I to want to marry as soon as possible. But I thought you might want to wait until we were in Southampton so your mother could be there," Thomas said.
"Well we could have the ceremony here and then another ceremony when we return home," Arabella said.
"Then lets do it. We need to witnesses, Will could be there, and Harry," Thomas replied.
"Well Will is right over there. I'm not sure where Harry is. But I'm sure he's not far away," Capitan Smith said.
"Arabella I will find Harold, you get ready," Thomas said with another smile.
Arabella returned the smile and she went to the suite to get ready. Then Capitan Smith got Will Murdoch and they went to the dining saloon to get ready. While they did that Thomas went off in search of Harold Lowe, which he was not far away. Just checking in with the men in the room with the Stern.
When Arabella reached the room she went into the wardrobe and looked through her gowns. The one thing she had packed which she had no idea why she had it was her original wedding dress. The one she was going to wear when she was seventeen and she was going to wed Thomas. With some assistance from one of the maids who worked on the ship she got ready. As she walked with the maid to the dining saloon people thought it strange that a woman be walking around a ship in a wedding dress but no one stopped to ask. Finally they reached the dining saloon, the maid (whose name was Scarlet) checked to make sure they were ready for her and once they were she opened the doors to admit Arabella into the dining saloon. Scarlet stood off to the side with Harold and Will and watched as the Capitan began to direct the ceremony. This wedding wasn't how Arabella originally planned it fifteen years ago but it was still beautiful. The band played the wedding march and Arabella felt like she was in a dream.
When the Capitan spoke the words "You may kiss the bride," Arabella grinned from ear to ear as she and Thomas kissed. She was finally Mrs. Thomas Andrews. By the time the ceremony was over the stewards were in desperate need to get into the dining saloon to began preparations for dinner. Arabella wore a coat over her gown and the couple took a long way up to their suite so no one would realize they had gotten married. In all honesty the whole thing went by in a blur. When they reached the suite they sat on the couch on the promenade deck together with grins on their faces, with the occasional kiss. Just then as they were kissing for the fifth time since being man and wife the horns went off announcing it was time for dinner. Arabella went to her wardrobe and dressed in her best gown. She wanted to look splendid for dinner that night. The end result was that she did look splendid.
The gown had a deep blue color and black embroidered flowers all over it. At the top it had Lacey sleeves and lace around the coller. Scarlet assisted her with her hair and then finally she and Thomas walked to the dining saloon for dinner. This time they took the long way, up the deck and to the top of the grand staircase. They walked, stopping only once or twice to speak to someone. But Thomas wanted to wait until dinner to announce they were married. When they reached the table Arabella sat beside Thomas and Rose DeWitt Bukater.
"You look lovely tonight," Arabella said to Rose.
"Thank you, you also look lovely," Rose replied.
As the waiters came by and dinner started Thomas was waiting for just the right moment to announce it. Finally after they had all eaten their food Thomas stood up.
"To my table I just wanted to make an announcement. Well if you are anybody who knows me then you will know that I have known Arabella here for a good twenty or so years. Fifteen years ago she and I were engaged to be married and the day before the wedding her father died. After that the wedding was canceled and she just didn't feel she could marry. Well we wound up growing apart and not ever getting married, except today she told me she still felt that way towards me and then at four o'clock this afternoon Capitan Smith married us with only three people present. William Murdoch, Harold Lowe and Arabella's assistant I guess you could say, Scarlet. But I just wanted to wait until tonight to announce it, so now you know. Arabella is no longer Arabella Marie O'Malley. She is Arabella O'Malley Andrews," Thomas finished his speech and Arabella stood up so everyone could see her. The table erupted with polite applause and then the couple sat down as they were then showered with questions. After dinner they returned to their suite and ended the night...
Arabella Marie O'Malley sat in her fiance's employers office alone on a Tuesday morning.
The ninth of April, in three days the ship that her husband had assisted in building would leave Southampton and head for America.
Arabella really had no idea as to why she decided to come to his office. Of all the people she could of turned to for advice she went to Thomas Andrews. Long before her fiancee had begun to help with the construction of the ship Arabella had known Thomas. The master ship builder was only older than her by five years. They had last met only the one time that Arabella needed to see him. Her fiancee needed a job, Thomas had told her that if she ever needed anything she could go to him. The last time she had met him was to request a job for her fiancee. That was four years ago, for reasons that she mulled over in her mind she had not returned to see him.
Just then the office door opened, and in came him. Thomas Andrews was a tall Irish gentleman, with graying hair. He had soft eyes as he looked at the woman.
Arabella stood to greet him, "Good afternoon Thomas," she said.
"Good afternoon Arabella. This is quite a surprise. Please sit," Thomas said.
Arabella took a seat and waited for Thomas to do the same. He took his seat and waited for Arabella to begin to speak.
"Thomas I know this is unexpected. But I need to see you... about Matthew," Arabella said.
"What is it? He's a very hard worker. Have you two married yet?" asked Thomas.
"Well no actually. We have not had a chance to marry. I'm glad to hear he is a hard worker. But...thats not why I came here. I could not think of anyone else to go to but you. Were having...problems, if you would like to put it that way," Arabella said.
"He hasn't hurt you has he?" Thomas inquired, starting to be worried now.
Arabella was silent, she feared that if she were to tell him the truth something might happen. But as if Thomas had read her mind before she could think of a good enough lie he spoke again.
"What has he done to you? I have seen him get angry over little things before. I was very close to firing him last week," explained Thomas.
"Each night he has been coming home drunk. Last night was the last of it that I could handle. I had made supper for us, waited for hours for him to return. He did not come in until late, by then my mother had gone to bed. I waited up for him and when he finally came in I was disgusted with him. He refused to eat the supper I had made. I said I was going to bed and then he, well he tried to take advantage of me. I had made it away from him. I locked myself in my bedroom and he finally left me alone. But in my try's to get away from him he did abuse me," Arabella replied.
"I can't allow this to continue. Tonight you and your mother need to pack your things, come to my home. Then stay there and you may go on the voyage with myself," Thomas said.
"Thomas you know my mother. She is not going to wish to travel. That is just how she is, she won't even want to leave the house we are staying in," Arabella said.
"Then you must try to convince her. You can't stay with Matthew," Thomas replied.
"Do you think I have not tried that yet? But she refuses, she wants to die here in Southampton," Arabella said.
"Will she listen to no one?" asked Thomas.
"Maybe if my father were still alive. But no, she wants to die here. Be buried beside my father," Arabella answered.
"Will you at least leave on the ship?" Thomas asked.
"I would be more than glad than to get out of here. But my mother," Arabella said slowly.
"She may stay at my home. She will not be bothered there," Thomas replied.
Arabella stood to leave, "Thank you Thomas," she said, then she left to get home.
Thomas watched as the girl he once loved and still did love left the shipyard.
When Arabella got home she began to pack her trunk. Once she had packed all of her clothes and possessions she went to her mothers bedroom to tell her what they were going to do. Mrs. O'Malley was hesitant but finally gave in, she packed her trunk and then they got them loaded into a car and they drove to Thomas's home. By the time they had reached the house Thomas had returned from the ship yard. He assisted them into the house and then showed them to some spare bedrooms.
"Thank you Thomas. I can't even begin to thank you enough," Arabella said.
"It's the least I can do. I mean from the last time I saw you till now I have loved you. I hope you know that," Thomas said.
"Yes Thomas and I you. But this can not work," Arabella answered.
Then she left for her bedroom and sat down on her bed. Three days later Arabella was saying goodbye to her mother and then boarding the ship to leave and to get away from her past...
I hope people like this story, I don't like it to much. But w/e, please review, oh yea just noticed something when I was doing some research, Titanic left Southampton on the tenth, not the twelfth. My apologies, good thing I was trying to figure out something about a scene from the movie. So yea...
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Chapter 2
When Arabella first stepped foot into the home of Thomas Andrew's it had been nearly ten years ago. When they were but children, from the moment she had layed eyes on him she felt a connection to him. A deep friendship that would be very difficult to break. People thought it strange that a girl and a boy could spend so much time together without being related. When they were 16 he had courted her and at one point proposed marriage.
All when the date had been set Arabella's father passed away. After he had died Arabella had changed. The wedding was canceled and Arabella could not bring herself to even marry. Then she and her mother left Ireland for a bit to visit family in Scotland but wound up living there for three years. Thats where she had met Matthew Johnson. A English man who wanted to give Arabella and her mother everything. Matthew had money and the things he needed to care for them. But then in a game of poker he lost it all. But Arabella was in love, she didn't want to leave him. They went to Belfast and after Matthew finding no work Arabella returned to see Thomas. She requested a job for Matthew so that he could build up a big enough account of money to be able to pay for them.
But now here she was, on a ship going to America, running from Matthew. A man told her that her room was in A-32, although she had already known this. By the time Thomas had, even if he was the Master Shipbuilder he was unable to gain a room for her. So she would be sleeping in the extra bedroom that was in his Suite. She felt uncomfortable almost about this but she decided that since she nearly married him this would be fine.
When she reached the room a steward opened the door and assisted her in. When she entered the room she gasped in awe. The room was beautifully furnished, the steward showed her to her bedroom and brought the trunk in. Then he left and she began to unpack. Even though her father had died and they had a low income Arabella still owned some fine gowns. She hung them up and once she was finished she left the room to take a walk on the deck. As she walked people would smile at her and continue on with their walk. Arabella stopped at the place where the first class people only deck ended. She stood at a spot and looked out at the ocean. As she stood there she got lost in her thoughts and were almost immediately pulled from them.
"Enjoying my ship?" came the voice.
Arabella turned to the voice and found Thomas.
"Yes I am. Truly Thomas, this is a masterpiece," Arabella replied.
"Thank you, she is my most prized project and it warms my heart to know that you appreciate her," Thomas said.
Arabella smiled at him, "So what is there to do on this ship?" she asked.
"Oh plenty, theres the gymnasium, and being friends with myself you can gain a full tour," Thomas explained.
"Oh well that sounds lovely," Arabella said with a smile.
Thomas smiled back and then held out his arm for hers. Arabella took the arm and Thomas began to lead her around the ship. She really had no idea why, but even though she still had feelings for him she could not admit this. The reason she was going to marry Matthew was because of his money. But Thomas was a man that she truly did love and he had the money to care for her and her mother. She continued to think about this while Thomas showed her around.
The next morning Arabella woke with almost the mind to tell Thomas how she felt. But for some reason she stopped herself. Arabella ate breakfast and then walked around the ship, enjoying the beauty. Arabella was a fine young woman, as you've already gathered she lost her father when she was but 17. She was versed in languages which she never used, nor thought she would ever need them. The thing though that she enjoyed the most was writing, but people thought it strange for a woman to write story's. One thing that attracted her to Thomas was that he thought she was different for enjoying writing and thats one thing he liked about her. Finally after walking around the ship about five times she sat down and began to write.
"Fancy seeing you here," a voice suddenly said.
Arabella froze, she knew the voice and there was no way it could be him.
"Matthew," she said softly as she looked at him.
"Now I know what your thinking. I was in Southampton, how on earth did I get here? Well you see I've been hiding, down in steerage. When I found you were gone when I got home two days ago I knew that you were more than likely on this ship. Or at least, planning to leave on this ship. I know you visited Mr. Andrews, about what I have no idea. But thats not my point, when I found you and your little mummy gone I knew you at least would be making a break for it. So I came to the ship early yesterday, told them 'I want to help get the ship ready' they were dumb enough to allow me. I went down, wasn't even in steerage. I was down in the boiler rooms. Figured I'd give it a day and then come up here to find you. Now minute we get to New York were going to get married," Matthew said this all and waited for a response from Arabella.
Instead of replying to him, she closed her book and stood up. She tried to walk away but Matthew grabbed her by the wrist.
"Get your hands off me Matthew! I don't love you anymore and I will never marry you," she said.
People stared but hurried on, scared that he may turn on them.
"You will not dishonor me!" Matthew said, almost yelling.
"There are plenty of men on this ship. I just have to scream and call for help and you will be in the keep for the prisoners before you can blink," Arabella replied, trying to stay calm.
"I'd like to see them try," Matthew snarled.
"Help! Please someone help me!" Arabella screamed.
Just a minute later men came running along with Thomas, recognizing Arabella's cry.
The men grabbed Matthew and Arabella stood to the side.
"Did he hurt you?" Thomas asked.
Arabella shook her head no in a response and fell into Thomas's embrace. The officers took Matthew to the hold for prisoners and Thomas helped Arabella make her way back to their suite so that she may change for lunch. Thomas was unsure if she should go through such a change, from being attacked by Matthew to going to lunch but she was adamant she was going to be there. Once she was dressed she went out into the lounging room and Thomas escorted her to lunch. When they reached their table Thomas pulled out a seat for her and she took a seat. Beside her was a woman she had met the night before, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, on Arabella's other side was Thomas. Beside Thomas was Margret Brown, but preferred Molly. Then there was Mr. Bruce Ismay, Caledon Hockley and Cal's fiancee, Rose DeWitt Bukater, Ruth's daughter.
By the time they had joined them the people were already in a conversation.
"...and our master shipbuilder, Mr. Andrews here, designed her from the keel plates up," Bruce said.
" Well, I may have knocked her together, but the idea was Mr. Ismay's. He envisioned a steamer so grand in scale, and so luxurious in its appointments, that its supremacy would never be challenged. And here she is...
" he slapped the table and continued, "willed into solid reality."
A waiter arrived at the table and Rose lit a cigarette, Arabella sat patiently listening to the conversation.
"You know I don't like that," Rose's mother said softly. Rose looked at her mother with a look like 'do you think I care?'
"She knows," Cal said, he took the cigarette from Rose and turned to the waiter, "We'll both have the lamb. Rare, with a little mint sauce," after the waiter moved Cal turned to Rose. "You like lamb right sweet pea?" he asked.
Rose nodded with a fake smile.
"So, you gonna cut her meat for her too there, Cal?" Molly paused a second and then looked at Bruce, " Hey, who came up with the name Titanic? You, Bruce?"
"Yes, actually. I wanted to convey sheer size. And size means stability, luxury... and safety-- and above all strenght" Bruce replied.
" Do you know of Dr. Freud? His ideas about the male preoccupation with size might be of particular interest to you, Mr. Ismay," Rose said.
Thomas choked a bit on his bread stick as he suppressed laughter. Arabella brought her napkin up to her face as she tried to hide her smile.
"My God, Rose, what's gotten into you?" Ruth asked.
"Excuse me," Rose said, then she stood up and left the room.
" I do apologize," Ruth said.
"She's a pistol, Cal. You sure you can handle her?" Molly asked.
" Well, I may have to start minding what she reads from now on," Cal said.
Arabella put her napkin back in her lap and ordered her lunch....
Chapter 3
After lunch Arabella went around with Thomas, thinking about how she could tell him that she still had feelings for him. While they walked around the ship Thomas would stop on occasion to talk to a crew member or passenger, or to make a note in his note book.
"So Arabella, how is your story coming along?" Thomas asked.
"It's coming along nicely. I wish I could share it with more people. But it's 'strange' for a woman to write anything at all. Well except a letter," Arabella answered.
"Well I look forward to reading it," Thomas said, with a smile.
When they returned to the suite Thomas sat down at his desk to look over his notes and Arabella went to her room to retrieve the note pad she had abandoned when she left for lunch.
"That Rose girl was something," Arabella said.
"Aye she was. Witty, did you see Bruce's face?" Thomas asked, with a chuckle.
"Oh well yes and not even knowing who Freud was. I'm ashamed myself of even knowing who he is but, the whole conversation was a bit entertaining," Arabella replied.
"Right well while I have my notebook out do you have any comments about the ship?" he asked.
"Oh I don't think anything could be changed! It's wonderful," Arabella answered.
"Alright, now something else. Matthew didn't hurt you at all right?" Thomas asked.
"Well minus for hurting my wrist abit I'm fine. Thomas I need to say something to you, there is no need for lying anymore. But being around you these last two or so days have been, well something that I haven't experienced in a long time. As I have been thinking about it more and more I regret not marrying you that day. Or at least, I regret not marrying you all together. I know the other night you said you still cared for me and I hope that your feeling still remains," Arabella said all this without looking at Thomas. When she finished she waited for a reply and hoped for the best.
After a moment Thomas still hadn't answered. Then for some unknown reason she (fearing the worse) stood up and ran out of the suite. Thomas stood up immediately and went after her, but when he reached the door he didn't see her anywhere. He walked up the halls calling out her name and asking anyone who walked past but the only lead he received sent him to the deck which she was no where near. When he finally found her he found her in the most obscure place, she was sitting in a corner in the smoking room.
"Arabella," he said breathlessly when he spied her. Thomas walked over to where she was sitting and sat beside her. "Arabella why did you leave?" he asked.
"You didn't answer, I was afraid I made a fool of myself," Arabella replied.
"Arabella you could fall off of your chair in church or trip on your gown and I don't think you would of made a fool of yourself. You know I feel the same way. To this day I feel like I did when we were seventeen and we were going to marry," Thomas said.
Arabella looked at him with a soft smile, "You mean after the fact I've made you wait all these years you would even consider being with me?" she asked.
"Arabella if I can't marry you I will die alone, a old man," Thomas replied.
"Well wait though, what are you saying?" Arabella asked.
"I notice you still wear your engagement ring I gave you," Thomas said.
"Well yes, I don't see why I can't. I never told Matthew what it was," Arabella said.
Thomas took her finger and removed the ring, "You asked what am I saying? This is what I'm saying, Arabella I want to try this again. We made it to the day before the wedding last time, this time lets make it to the 'you may kiss the bride' Arabella, will you marry me?" he asked.
Arabella was quiet, the only people in the room were the occasional stewards, none of them payed any attention to the couple.
"Yes, I will marry you," Arabella said.
Thomas put the old ring he had bought for Arabella so many years ago back onto her finger and the two smiled at each other. Thomas then stood up and helped Arabella up, he planted a soft kiss on her head and how good it felt to be able to do that again after all these years. Then they returned to the suite, in the room they sat at his desk while she read her story to him.
"Do you wish to make this public?" Thomas asked once she was done reading.
"What? The engagement?" she asked, Thomas nodded.
"Well only if you want to," she answered.
"Then I will announce it tonight. At dinner, how does that sound?" Thomas asked.
"That sounds wonderful," Arabella replied.
Thomas smiled at her and then turned to his notes.
"I think I'm going to go out for a walk. Get some air," she said.
Then Arabella stood up, put on a coat and then went out onto the deck for a walk. As she walked she began to think about the wedding. She hated her mother would miss it, but as she thought about it more and more, it was probably be best if the wedding was kept private. She was never much for big affairs. Then a idea came to mind, what if they had the wedding on the ship? The Capitan could marry them, just them and two witnesses could be there. As she thought about it more and more it began to seem like a wonderful idea. She continued to walk, thinking about it, then suddenly she bumped into someone. When she looked up it was Capitan Smith.
"Oh Capitan sir, forgive me. I was lost in my thoughts," Arabella said.
"Oh it's alright mam. Your Arabella O'Malley right? Your on the ship with Thomas Andrews," the Capitan said.
"Yes sir, actually I was just thinking about coming to look for you. I need to speak with Thomas about the idea first but I thought I could at least ask," Arabella replied.
"Yes what is it? Please sit down," he said as he indicated a deck chair. Arabella sat down and the Capitan sat beside her.
"Sir Thomas and I are engaged and in all honesty I would like to be married as soon as possible. Would you be able to perform a marriage ceremony? Right here on the ship? Just a private ceremony," Arabella asked.
The Capitan thought about it for a moment, "Well being a Capitan I can perform ceremony's. I don't see why I wouldn't be able to. When would you like to?" the Capitan asked.
"As soon as really possible," Arabella replied.
"Well the crew have not begun to prepare the dining saloon for dinner. We could do it before dinner or tomorrow morning," the Capitan replied.
"Oh that would be wonderful, I need to speak with Thomas of course," Arabella said.
"Well he's right behind you," the Capitan said.
Arabella jumped out of her seat and turned to see Thomas.
"Yes, I to want to marry as soon as possible. But I thought you might want to wait until we were in Southampton so your mother could be there," Thomas said.
"Well we could have the ceremony here and then another ceremony when we return home," Arabella said.
"Then lets do it. We need to witnesses, Will could be there, and Harry," Thomas replied.
"Well Will is right over there. I'm not sure where Harry is. But I'm sure he's not far away," Capitan Smith said.
"Arabella I will find Harold, you get ready," Thomas said with another smile.
Arabella returned the smile and she went to the suite to get ready. Then Capitan Smith got Will Murdoch and they went to the dining saloon to get ready. While they did that Thomas went off in search of Harold Lowe, which he was not far away. Just checking in with the men in the room with the Stern.
When Arabella reached the room she went into the wardrobe and looked through her gowns. The one thing she had packed which she had no idea why she had it was her original wedding dress. The one she was going to wear when she was seventeen and she was going to wed Thomas. With some assistance from one of the maids who worked on the ship she got ready. As she walked with the maid to the dining saloon people thought it strange that a woman be walking around a ship in a wedding dress but no one stopped to ask. Finally they reached the dining saloon, the maid (whose name was Scarlet) checked to make sure they were ready for her and once they were she opened the doors to admit Arabella into the dining saloon. Scarlet stood off to the side with Harold and Will and watched as the Capitan began to direct the ceremony. This wedding wasn't how Arabella originally planned it fifteen years ago but it was still beautiful. The band played the wedding march and Arabella felt like she was in a dream.
When the Capitan spoke the words "You may kiss the bride," Arabella grinned from ear to ear as she and Thomas kissed. She was finally Mrs. Thomas Andrews. By the time the ceremony was over the stewards were in desperate need to get into the dining saloon to began preparations for dinner. Arabella wore a coat over her gown and the couple took a long way up to their suite so no one would realize they had gotten married. In all honesty the whole thing went by in a blur. When they reached the suite they sat on the couch on the promenade deck together with grins on their faces, with the occasional kiss. Just then as they were kissing for the fifth time since being man and wife the horns went off announcing it was time for dinner. Arabella went to her wardrobe and dressed in her best gown. She wanted to look splendid for dinner that night. The end result was that she did look splendid.
The gown had a deep blue color and black embroidered flowers all over it. At the top it had Lacey sleeves and lace around the coller. Scarlet assisted her with her hair and then finally she and Thomas walked to the dining saloon for dinner. This time they took the long way, up the deck and to the top of the grand staircase. They walked, stopping only once or twice to speak to someone. But Thomas wanted to wait until dinner to announce they were married. When they reached the table Arabella sat beside Thomas and Rose DeWitt Bukater.
"You look lovely tonight," Arabella said to Rose.
"Thank you, you also look lovely," Rose replied.
As the waiters came by and dinner started Thomas was waiting for just the right moment to announce it. Finally after they had all eaten their food Thomas stood up.
"To my table I just wanted to make an announcement. Well if you are anybody who knows me then you will know that I have known Arabella here for a good twenty or so years. Fifteen years ago she and I were engaged to be married and the day before the wedding her father died. After that the wedding was canceled and she just didn't feel she could marry. Well we wound up growing apart and not ever getting married, except today she told me she still felt that way towards me and then at four o'clock this afternoon Capitan Smith married us with only three people present. William Murdoch, Harold Lowe and Arabella's assistant I guess you could say, Scarlet. But I just wanted to wait until tonight to announce it, so now you know. Arabella is no longer Arabella Marie O'Malley. She is Arabella O'Malley Andrews," Thomas finished his speech and Arabella stood up so everyone could see her. The table erupted with polite applause and then the couple sat down as they were then showered with questions. After dinner they returned to their suite and ended the night...
Just kidding. Thomas Andrews = Love.
She posted it all on FanFiction.net. Here's the link if you're interested: