Unsinkable

Prologue

April 15, 1912

In the midst of all of the chaos I have one thought a clear an coherent as ever. A thought the rings with absolute clarity in my mind. This was not how the story was supposed to end.

Fire, Bulkheads flooding, panic, mayhem. Death. So much death which surrounds us just now. No, this was not at all how the story was supposed to end. Quite the opposite in fact. The voyage on the Titanic was supposed to be a beginning for me and mine, a luxurious debut into the new world, so to speak. Where my husband was destined to even greater things, a new business venture to expand even more upon the fortune. I too was destined for greatness in the new world. Motherhood. At the thought my hand reached once more to my belly where the baby was silently growing.

The proclaimed unsinkable vessel plummeting head long into the frigid watery depths of the Atlantic, taking with it 1,500 souls still aboard it. But in the aftermath of it all, I suppose dying alongside my beloved husband was the exact ending I had had since the day I married my Gerome Raymond Germain IV, after all, I did vow until death do we part.

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Part One: Merry Meet

April 10, 1912

Gerome stood, dashing and debonair, as always. Although his stature was much shorter than most men, the way he carried himself; well one could almost over-look all of that. My husband's charm and charisma had always swept me off of my feet and left me breathless, and still I could not hide the utter awe he inspired within me anytime I looked at him. Which had always been a source of great gossip anytime we were out in public.

I knew I had been fortunate. In an era where marriages were still commonly arrange to further the fortune or social standing of the family, mine had been one forged of love. I counted my blessings each and every day for that fact. Not only was my Gerome was aesthetically pleasing, he also had the most beautiful soul I had ever seen. With that being said, it was difficult not to be drawn to a man like that.

Currently, he and I stood side by side in the grand first class entrance greeting other first class travelers. Upon seeing Thomas Andrews, the designer of the Titanic, Gerome excused us from a couple he had been engaging in conversation with to greet the man of the hour.

"T'is a fine cruise liner you have built. I must say, you are an exquisite asset to Harland and Wolff," Gerome stated, his awe oozing from his words.

"You are too kind, sir," Andrews stated modestly. A sudden look of consternation crossed his features for a brief moment, before he added, "My apologies sir, I cannot recall your name just now."

"Oh, forgive me my impertinence, Mr. Andrews, as we have not been properly introduced. I am Gerome Germain, and this lovely woman is my wife, Hélène. We occupy one of your Promenade suites on B deck."

The man before us got a gleam in his eye as he appraised us anew. Andrews reached for Gerome's hand and began pumping it vigorously. I rolled my eyes at the obvious dollars and decimals the man now clearly saw each time he looked at my husband before I could curb the impulse. As was custom of a wife of a prominent man I remained silent, leaving my derision at the man's new found interest in my husband to myself, my eye roll thankfully had gone unnoticed. Although I had grown accustom to keeping my opinions to myself, controlling my facial expressions was ever a work in progress.

"Mr. Germain, your reputation proceeds you. I have heard of you by name," the man stated, his own awe prevalent.

On and on the men talked as I stood on. Until a crew member came and whispered something into Mr. Andrews' ear. Although I could not hear exactly what had been said I could read the man's lips enough to make out coal fire in engine room that burned out of control. Andrews whispered a reply and the crewman gave us a quick nod toward my husban and myself before making a hasty exit.

"Please, I must take my leave of you just now," Andrews stated to us apologetically.

"Is everything with the ship alright?" I asked him, my worry growing.

Thomas Andrews studied me in silence for a long moment. Too long to be of comfort. It was as though he were weighing me. A part of him fearing that I might have heard the whispered conversation and gauging whether or not I would be a threat inciting panic with gossip of the coal fire burning out of control in the engine room. Finally he answered, faking a smile. "Yes, just a small matter which calls my attention. I assure you the Titanic is unsinkable and perfectly safe," He assured me then turned and addressed Gerome, "T'would be a great honor if you and your lovely wife must join me for dinner this evening. Perhaps we can continue this most intriguing conversation then?"

"It would be our honor, Mr. Andrews," Gerome answered, as Thomas Andrews turned and walked hurriedly away.

"Unsinkable my Giddy Aunt! Insufferable fool!" I intoned in a whispered hiss my displeasure at the man's retreating back.

"Hélène how could you say such things about a man you do not even know?" Gerome chided me softly.

"Come with me to the promenade deck outside of our suite and I will tell you what I know." I turned and walked away leaving my husband no choice but to follow.

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Part Two: Bon Voyage

Once on the deck, he grabbed a hold of my arm to halt my movement, turning me to face him. "What is it that you have to tell me, my love?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

I sighed, to brace myself, closed my eyes, then opened them. "The man that came and whispered in Mr. Andrews ear, that had the man hurrying off mid conversation... What the man whispered to him that there was a coal fire that was burning out of control. His assurance that this ship is unsinkable is not at all true."

"Settle down, love..." Suddenly his words of assurance were cut off with the sudden motion of the ship. Gerome and I rushed to the edge of the deck to peer down into the waters below.

Instead all we witnessed was a near collision with another ship at the dock, one S.S. New York, an American liner. It was so near to the side of the Titanic I could have touched it with a partial extension of my hand. My heart thundered in my chest as I turned to look at my husband. His face had lost all color to it.

I stated what we were both thinking in that moment, "I have a very bad feeling about this journey."

A short time later in the open waters of the ocean the memory of the near collision as well as the whispered conversation between the crew man and Thomas Andrews had become as distant as though it had been a mere dreamscape. After the journey got underway, even I had to admit that the Titanic's ethereal beauty and grace had enchanted and seduced me until any misgivings I had had initially had dissolved as though it had been mired clothing in the laundry. Watching the majestic whales and dolphins frolicking in the water below as the ship sliced its unhampered course through the ocean's glass-esque surface was a memorizing thing, almost as though it were an mystically soothing balm to my soul.

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As requested, we joined Andrew's party at dinner that evening. There were many couple in attendance at the table. The mood of all was light and joyous as we all laughed at the other's antidotes and eagerly engaged in the myriad of conversation topics. I found the experience to be most delightful and the people with whom I dined to be most charming.

Everyone drank wine and sat at the table well into the night. I artfully staved off the server's attempts to fill my wine glass with the other's by placing a gloved hand over the rim of the glass and requesting that I should like more ice water please. There were a few comments made to this fact. Some of which questioned as to whether or not I was expecting. Which was not something that I had discussed with my husband, I certainly was not about to reveal such things to perfect strangers.

"My pallet cannot abide the taste of wine," I explained.

"How rare to find that to be the case in a French woman. A rare thing indeed!" The other's said, giggling at that, but soon found yet another subject to discuss. Gerome took my hand under the table giving it a quick squeeze, when I turn my head to look at him, we shared a long glance and secret smile. And even though I had gazed at his beauteous splendor so many times before, I found yet again that looking at him was something I would never tire of.

Gerome excused us from the company, claiming that we were exhausted from the excursions of the day. The collateral disappointment was evident among the group and quickly the next day's schedule was filled with invitations to join various activities. Thomas Andrews again extended an invitation to join his table for dinner, which Gerome graciously accepted before clasping his hand in mine and we made an exit of the dining room together.

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Part Three: Ice Burg!!!

April 14, 1912

Four days. Four glorious days of blissfully uneventful travel over open water. Each day and night of our travels had been spent attending various parties held by other first class passengers. Each dinner we had been invited to Dine at Thomas Andrews' table, which hosted different couples each night so that my Gerome could make proper associations with men whom had the correct connections to further the success of his business once we reached New York.

During one such dinner, Mr. Andrews admitted with pride that the Titanic had been traveling at full speed, and with any luck we will be arriving at the port in New York earlier than expected. Both Gerome and I had been ecstatic by this news. All of us at the table raised our glasses in cheers.

On April 14th, during our dinner with Mr. Andrews and company, I was suddenly overcome with a terribly sinking feeling, which try as I might I could not shake. "Well, is it not dangerous to travel full speed ahead in open waters? Does that not put us at risk of hitting an ice burg? One would think that it would be difficult to see an ice burg in the dark and fog. Would that not put us at risk of sinking? And if the ship sank, there are not enough lifeboats to save all of the souls on board. I counted them myself. And at best guess I would say there are enough to save about half." I spoke up, belligerently interruption a woman who had been telling some fascinating tale which had everyone's rapt interest. At the rude interruption all eyes turned to me, disapproval coming at me by all, including my husband.

It was Andrews bristled a bit at my line of questioning, as he stared me down with unfettered animosity. "I assure you, every precaution has been seen to whilst building the Titanic, fair lady. The ship is simply unsinkable, as I told you in the first class entrance on the first day. Why the ship did not even needed the blasted lifeboats, however Harland & Wolff thought erring on the side of caution might put the passenger's mind at ease to see a few had been included in the provisions. I assure you that you are safe," Andrew's chuckled, and the others dinning with us that evening joined in.

The rebuff rankled a we bit. It stung my pride. And simply put the man's almost arrogant stance on how the ship he had designed was unsinkable grated on my nerves. Nothing, and yes I do mean nothing was indestructible. But I digressed, no one but I seemed to have a worry about impending doom, and the unpreparedness in which the Titanic was in should such an event take place. All I could do was to pray that the feeling I had had was as illogical as Thomas Andrews made them out to be.

The woman whom I had interrupted jumped right back into regaling the group with her tale and soon everyone forgot about my hysterical outburst. After a proper amount of time had passed, I excused myself, stating I was feeling a bit under the weather. This had been absolutely true, as I had not felt well for some time, however I did not say anything as to this sooner because I did not want it to be thought that I was manifesting an excuse to cover the fact that I had been embarrassed to be laughed at. Gerome stood, asking me if I wanted him to retire with me but I stayed him. Giving him leave to remain here, that he could join me later. And away I hurried.

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Gerome found me walking the promenade deck outside of our suite at 11:35. The night air was frightfully cold, and even with my warmest clothing and wrapped tightly in a woolen cape the cold hit my body. My teeth chattered slightly and I shivered. But I was loathed to return to the warmth as the frigid chill seemed to be the only thing that staved off my nausea.

"What was the meaning of your outburst at dinner?" Gerome admonished me softly. "How many times have I told you that in this game image is everything? Your outburst made you look like a fool, it had made me look like a fool. What kind of man am I that I cannot control my own wife?" He asked his voice rising slightly with hysteria.

I dropped my eyes, ashamed that I had done aught to anger him so much. That I had done aught to make him look foolish in the eyes of others. For this I was in fact sorry. It was so infrequent that Gerome had become displeased by my actions, and for him to be so displeased with me just now had been more than I could bear. "I am sorry my love." I sobbed out, gazing at the deck's wooden planks. Then I raised my gaze to look him in the eyes before whispering, "I have a terrible feeling. Not one that I can shake. We are in grave peril. All of us onboard. I see the grand ship sinking. And most of us will be claimed by the frigid ocean water below. There are not enough life boats to save everyone, even if they were to be loaded to full capacity, which they will not be. I have seen this all happen, as clearly as I see you standing before me. And even so, knowing what I know I am unable to do aught to prevent this because everyone laughed at me, unwilling to listening to my concerns, even you, dear husband!" My voice raised in my own hysteria of pain. Tears spilled from my eyes, nearly freezing in the cold air of the night.

Gerome softened toward me, stepping forward with a handkerchief quickly dabbing at my eyes. "What you say is impossible, dear wife. Mr. Andrews assured you himself that every safety precaution had been taken..."

Gerome's words were cut off just then by the tolling of a bell, a voice ringing out ominously into the night. "Ice berg straight ahead!"

"And thus it begins," I said dismally.

Without warning the ship jolted as the engines appeared to have ground to a halt, nearly toppling me over the deck's rail. Gerome grabbed onto my arm, throwing me against the outer wall of the ship and holding me there, shielding my body protectively with his own. We both were tossed precariously to the right as the ship made a ship made a sharp turn in an attempt to steer clear of the ice berg. Then once more toward the rail as the engines started once more. Gerome placed himself on top of me protectively once more.

Gerome and I stared as one at the rail as the ship clipped the ice berg, sending a spray of ice onto the deck. He used his jacket to shield our faces from the frozen debris. The grand ship shuddered as the entire starboard side scrapped against the island-esque mountain of ice which jutted out of the water.

"Well there will be no living with you now, woman, as people will call you a witch!" Gerome jested, rising to his feet then reaching down to help me to mine. "You start talking of ice bergs, and sinking ships at dinner and four hours later we nearly hit one."

He and I headed to the rail and as one we peer down the side of the boat to inspect the damage. All down the deck other room doors opened, their occupants stepping out onto the deck to also peer over the rails. All seemed as relieved as Gerome and myself were at the apparent lack of damage. And yet I still could not shake the feeling that we would surely sink.

Many went back into the rooms thinking the shock to be over. Gerome and I went into ours as well. As soon as he shut the door I whispered, "Get dressed into your warmest attire. Pack up whatever you wish not to be parted with. For aught not packed up and left behind will become the oceans by the morrow," I warned him, as I began to shrug out of my clothing and to change my clothing, putting on several layers. I donned a jacket hat and gloves as well.

As I began stripping the pillow cases from the massive bed to use as packing bags I looked up to fine that Gerome had stood motionlessly staring at me as though I had truly gone mad.

"Hélène, this is madness! You saw yourself that the collision with the ice berg was minor at best. You saw with your own eyes that it had caused no discernible damage to the ship. Mr. Andrews..." Gerome began a long litany of protests.

"Mr. Andrews is a fool. as are you, Gerome Germaine, if you would believe his arrogant claims of this ship being unsinkable! Now you know me, you know that I am not soft in the head. You know if I saw to pack whatever you do not want to part with and that you should change so that you might be as warm as one can be that my words are to be heeded as gospel. Now would be the time for swift action. We have not much time left before they start filling and lowering the lifeboats, and as there are not an adequate amount, I suggest that we hurry along!" I ordered as I threw him two cases in which to pack, keeping two for myself.

We swept through our suite like twin whirl winds, gathering priceless things that could not be replaced. Gerome dressed in layers, also donning a cot, hat and gloves. As a final thought I grabbed a blanket to bring for the boat ride, then hand and hand we left the room together, heading toward the main deck.

Once on deck much mayhem greeted us. Many passengers panic stricken yelled and ran. It made me cling even more fervently to my husband's hand, for fear that if either one of us let go of the other that we would be swept apart in the panic and we may never find out way back to each other. People pushed passed us. We were ran into pushed this way and that. Never in my life had I known terror as I did now. It was a palpable thing, the collateral terror, nearly a tangible entity such was its ferocity.

The first of the lifeboats had been lowered into the water below. It contained a mere twenty-six passengers. It was horrifying that my prediction that I had made earlier about the lifeboats not being filled to capacity had been correct. My best guess was that each boat could carry about sixty-eight people, more if there were many children. I looked around at the chaotic scene as it unfolded around me. So many of these poor souls would die here. Rockets suddenly sounded overhead, the ringing massive booms of them had everyone ducking their heads, looking towards the skies as the fired rocket blast lit up the night. Somehow the blasting rockets had kicked the panicked frenzy into a fever-pitch. I felt as though my arm were being torn from its socket as Gerome push forward through the crowd, pulling me in his wake.

Gunshots rang out. There were screams, babies and children wailed alike. Women and men shouted. And on Gerome pushed us, closer to the too few lifeboats. When he made to get into a lifeboat with me, he was stopped.

"Women and children first, sir," he was told by a man brandishing a pistol.

Gerome turned to give me a kiss, not expecting to see me making to follow him. "What are you doing!" He asked me, his voice shrill and on the horns of hysteria.

"You cannot expect me to be taken to safety whilst you are stuck here, my love. If you believe that you do not know me at all," I replied.

"Gods, but I love you woman!" He said, his voice cracking as he was gripped by emotion.

Gerome hauled me away from the mayhem of the dwindling lifeboats. He dragged me behind him until we came to the band playing lively music.

When he swung me around to face him, taking me into his arms, I asked, "What are you doing, my love?"

He smiled at me for a long moment before answering. He remained silent for so long that I did not think he would answer. Then he simply said, "If today and this moment is all we shall have left to life, then I desire nothing more than to dance with my beautiful wife."

And so we danced until the very end. Until the frigid waters swept us along to what was to become our watery grave.

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The Titanic made its final descent into the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912 at 2:20 a.m. She claimed the lives of around one thousand five hundred souls.