The Things I've Never Done: A Caledon Hockley Love Story

Chapter 7: Watch the Dream Fade Away

Reciprocating instantly, he buries her head in his chest in greed, the other arm grasping her waist tightly. His façade falls instantly, crumpling to the floor as he feels he's finally found what he was looking for: a woman to have and to hold without the worry of money being the only link. The feeling was almost euphoric and too much for Cal, a series of tears streaming and pouring into Y/N's hair.

She giggles, looking up at Cal. Readjusting their bodies on the floor, Y/N drapes her legs over Cal's, wrapping them around his back in a criss-cross fashion. Then, with her body facing his, she grabs his face soothingly, wiping away his tears with care. Smiling, Y/N leans in to peck Cal's lips, earning her a smile.

"I may leave this ship with you, but you have to swear no doubt in my loyalty. Do you understand, Cal?"

"Yes..." Cal responds in remorse, pecking Y/N's lips for reassurance.

"Oh! And I want a pretty ring! You can't have me running around America a free woman, now can you?" Y/N giggles, just imagining the endless possibilities as Cal leans his head into her collarbone. "No more yelling either."

"I could work with that," he responds, voice muffled, "That'll do just fine."

To Be Continued...

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<3rd Person Perspective>

Even after all this time, after so many years, Y/N still distinctly remembers the smallest details of that majestic piece of machinery; the beautiful lie that had sent so many people to the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean and left families distraught. But not only was it the RMS Titanic, it was that very room that she spent many memorable moments in: her first time, her first fight, and her first confession of love.

She distinctly remembers the space in the room, where the back wall was lined with wide windows that enveloped the room with the warm glow of the mesmerizing sun. She remembers the glow that enhanced Cal's features, how at peace he truly felt - how comfortable he was. She remembers the sheer curtains that allowed privacy, and even the huge clock atop the mantle of one out of the three fireplaces in the expanse of the room. And, when she reminisces of the fun and exciting times she had with the amazing man of her dreams, she remembers the oak doors; how they locked them all in their own childish lust, barricaded them up just to get them all torn back down with guards, escaping with adrenaline coursing their blood in mischief.

But, when she searches for the good times in her rocking chair, the soft smile that caresses her features soon fade in a shady mist, and then she snaps back to reality. She remembers all the bad that threatened to shroud the good; she remembers what happened that frightful early morning.

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They'd stayed in that embrace well into the early morning hours, but that didn't matter. They'd made a promise - an oath - to be with each other through thick and thin, but a promise is not always easy to keep. No matter how hard Y/N tried to see the bright side as she laid on her side, Cal's head cradled in her arms, she knew that actions spoke a thousand words and were truly difficult to follow through with.

She stares off into the distance of the room, slowly brushing his hair out of his face and petting it once she was satisfied. She was comfortable here in her little safe haven, and she quite enjoyed the great memories she's endured in this very room. The mere thought of her excursions still bring her a tint in the cheeks, but they needed to move soon, or they would be in bigger trouble than the last time they'd stayed.

Lightly placing his head on the soft padding of the crinoline that was placed underneath her dress the night before, Y/N scampers off to collect her clothes again, shimmying into her undergarments, corset and the dress itself, skipping the extra layers. Finishing the ties in the back, Y/N slips into her heeled boots without her socks, knowing that she has the ability to change into new clothes if she leaves now.

Placing herself lightly on her knees, Y/N grabs one of Cal's hands and brings it to her lips, kissing it while the other lightly scrapes at his scalp lovingly. "Cal..." she whispers quietly, "You have to get up, Sweetheart. We have to get back to our rooms if we don't want to get caught in here."

Grumbling lightly, Cal's eyes open slowly, looking up at the woman. Steadily, his eyes adjust to the darkness of the room and it doesn't take long for a smile to creep onto his features.

"Come on Sleepyhead, we gotta get ready for the day," she nudges him, a bashful smile encompassing her features.

All he does is hums soothingly, then, with a tug of his hand still tucked into hers, he pulls her to lay on his chest, the hand falling to rub soothingly on her back. Sighing, Y/N gives in just this once, hand moving to stroke his jaw. "We do need to go though, Cal."

"Yeah, but I just want to hold you a little longer, before the world crashes on us and our relationship."

"You plan on informing them today?"

"I think we owe them the knowledge, and we only have 2 days left on this ship before these people no longer have to be affiliated with us."

"I'm with you if this is what you feel is right, but I would hold off until maybe a little later. If Rose's mother is good for anything, it's for making your life miserable as you listen to her whine."

"That's not fair Darling, she was just brought up a certain way."

"I've spoken to Rose, Cal, that woman has dragged her through all the unfaithful things just be in this very spot."

He hums again, staring at the ceiling. "Your never going to forgive her, are you?" Y/N asks, propping her chin up on his chest.

"I could learn to, I suppose, but it's not a wound I feel like patching up just as it was cut. I don't regret what led me here, but I feel remorse for what I lost with burning bridges on bad terms."

"I understand," Y/N smirks, laying her head back down.

Cal strokes her hair for a moment more, basking in the peace, before patting her head with intention. "I think we should get going now," Cal smirks playfully.

"Oh, now is a good time for you?" Y/N giggles, earning a chuckle from Cal.

He doesn't answer her, getting up and dragging his feet to the individual misplacement of clothes. Y/N watches him with admiration and desire, picking up the under layers of her dress from where they slept on the floor. Sighing, they leave the double doors together and go their separate ways, waving with longing eyes as they turn back to the world that was still unaware and unknowing of their new relationship.

...

Y/N had made her bed that morning, something she didn't do regularly or without being instructed by her mother. She cleaned her room up and left no traces of dirt behind, skipping breakfast altogether to bask in a long bath. Molly had told the women that she was feeling seasick, allowing her daughter the freedom society only allows rarely.

By lunch, Y/N was draped along a lawn chair on the side deck, reading a novel with a glass of tea. After some choice wording, her mother tore away from the wealthy folk too, and snuck away with her daughter for bonding time. She found her on the deck and played games, describing the shapes of the clouds and just embracing random conversations. It wasn't much, but it meant the world to Y/N every time they did something like this; to just bask in her companionship and bond with her mother.

And, by night, Y/N sat at the table with the rest of the people once more, claiming she'd felt better with a smile and sly glance at her partners in crime: Caledon Hockley and Molly Brown. It was the same banter, the same gossip. It felt like nothing was out of place and no one had seemed to truly admire the normalcy.

To Be Continued...

{1,379 Words}