Welcome Home, My Darling

Amelie / April 10, 1912 - New York City (6:53 AM)

A single speck of dust floated gently towards the window sill. Streams of sunlight flooded the room stirring Amelie out of her sleep. The young woman turned her head irritably away from the bedroom window, aggravated at being aroused. A heavy chill dampened the air around her, hurting her lungs with every breath. The winter had been long and grueling a brutal change to what Amelie was accustomed to back home. She pulled the covers over her head desperately searching for warmth which proved to be pointless.

Her lover was scheduled to return to her soon. She could hardly wait to snuggle up beside Jack, her future husband. They've been a part for several months now and Amelie was growing anxious daily. He had gone abroad to work in the copper mines with hopes of building a fruitful future for her and their future children. As if on cue, Amelie felt flutters in her belly as the babe moved about.

She was reminded that she desperately needed to relieve herself and built up the courage to get out of bed. The frigid cold air sent chills up her spine as her bare feet touched the wooden floor. She wrapped her arms tightly around her body, rubbing them for warmth. The chamber pot was at the other end of the dimly lit room so she rushed over to relieve herself. The larger the babe grew, the harder it became to hold it in.

Many things had become difficult for her after Jack's departure. She became aware of her pregnancy two months after he left and was filled with fear of their future together as a family. What would her future look like as an unwed mother in a new country? Would Jack still want to marry her? Her thoughts were crowded with fear and worry at the discovery.

They hadn't planned on starting a family before their elopement. They intended to find work and build a home together before adding children to their lives, but it seems as though the universe had different plans. Now five months pregnant, she found herself cold and alone living in a boarding house for the destitute.

Jack had written to her constantly since his departure and sent her money to support her. Overtime his letters came less frequently, along with the amount of money he sent. Amelie worried that something horrible had overtaken him whenever the silence grew long. But whenever the letters finally arrived, her heart settled as she read of his adventures and his love for her. No matter, she thought to herself nonchalantly. Jack was on his way home to her once again; together they would fine a way to survive whatever may come.

Jack / April 14, 1912 - The Titanic (7:08 AM)

Jack's eyes fluttered open to a dimly lit room, his head still heavy from last night's liquor. Jack had taken heavily to the bottle ever since he lost his life savings in Southampton. He was overcome by guilt and shame at the thought of returning home to Amelie with nothing left to his name. A smile spread on his face at the thought of his sweetheart. She was the only good thing in his life and he would do anything to make things right by her. It had been five months since they were together and he missed her dearly.

Jack's smile grew bigger as he remembered their last night together. It was the first time they made love. Jack knew in that moment, looking deep into her brown eyes, that he was utterly and completely in love with her. His heart belonged to her alone. That was the night he proposed marriage and he was determined to keep his word upon his return.

He intended to earn money in Southampton and build a house for himself and his future wife. Unfortunately, the copper mines weren't as prosperous as he had thought and he made many faulty investments and lost most of his savings. The money that he hadn't lost had been gambled away in a foolish attempt to win back his losses. He wouldn't have been able to return to New York if it wasn't for a friend who worked as a crewman on the Titanic. He was able to convince the cook, who was in need of more help, to hire Jack. Jack was grateful for the opportunity and happily completed any task given to him.

Jack / April 14, 1912 - The Titanic (11:38 PM)

Jack's day had gone by quickly. He had been at work in the kitchen for several hours now and was left with the grueling task of washing the endless amount of dirty dishes left behind after the night's dinner. It was nearly midnight and the night crew was thinning as they escaped to their quarters.

Jack was considering departing as he could barely keep his tired eyes open. Without warning, he was thrown to the other side of the kitchen and hit his head hard of the steel countertop. The darkness enveloped him as he laid unconscious on the floor while his crew mates ran past him to safety. Water started to flood the ship.

Amelie / April 15, 1912 - New York City (6:08 AM)

Amelie woke up early this morning in bright spirits. Her Jack would be arriving soon and she was looking forward to their reunion. She felt the babe within her belly move as she got out of bed. She smiled as she rubbed her growing belly tenderly. She had been nervous about becoming a mother, but with Jack's soon arrival she found herself beaming with joy at the thought of having this baby with her beloved. She quickly got dressed to go on her morning promenade.

The air was crisp as she stepped outside, invigorating her senses. Today is the best she's felt in months after overcoming morning sickness. It was early morning and the streets were nearly empty save for a few labourers making their way to the factories. Amelie preferred it this way, as she preferred to avoid the evil glares of strangers watching her growing belly. She didn't care what anyone thought of her anyhow. Jack would be home soon and make everything right. Soon they would be wed and move to the countryside.

She was so deep in thought that she didn't see the young paperboy dart past her. His swiftness nearly knocked her off her feet. The young boy mumbled curses under his breath as he looked her up and down, noticing the bump protruding from underneath her coat.

- "Sorry Miss, a paper for your troubles", he said as he handed her the newspaper and scurried away.

She shook her head in contempt and she steadied herself on her feet. She returned home with the newspaper still in hand. As she removed her coat from her shoulders she caught a glimpse of the headline:

"TITANIC SINKS, 1250 PERISH"

She fell to the floor overcome by the deepest sorrow. Jack was on the Titanic and scheduled to arrive in just a few days. How could this have happened? She braced herself against the front door as her misfortune took control of her very being. The streets outside came to life as people started their days, business as usual. There was only silence within.