Titanic Bound by Destiny

Chapter 9: A Stolen Moment

 April 12th, 1912. (10:45 PM)

As the Gala in the second-class library began to wind down, the vibrant energy of the evening slowly transitioned into a calm, contented hum. With a glass of ginger ale in hand, Nicholas stood slightly apart from the dwindling dance floor, his eyes roaming the room with satisfaction. He had expected to come to the Gala and stick to the sidelines, but instead, he arrived with a friend who helped him dive into social interaction, and then he danced not once but twice. One of those dances was with Sebastian, and the feelings of that dance still lingered in his mind. It was true it was not what he had expected, but he would not complain about it; it was everything he could have dreamt of. He quietly tapped his fingers as he looked over at Conner, who was still on the dance floor and sharing a lively dance with Lady Adelaide Thibodeaux. Their laughter rang clear across the room; their steps were mismatched yet full of joy. "He's certainly found his footing," Nicholas mused, a grin spreading at his friend's confidence.

He mused what would happen when they reached New York; all these newfound friendships and romances would fall to the wayside as people returned to their everyday lives. Many people in this room would never see each other again once they docked. The voyage was a now-or-never situation; He pondered whether he could find a way to keep in contact with certain people, though that would be challenging. His gaze drifted across the room, catching glimpses of the other gala attendees. Some were people he knew, and others he had briefly talked to. Sebastian, the epitome of efficiency and warmth, was busy helping to tidy up the space, though he still managed to share smiles and quick conversations with the departing guests. His energy seemed boundless, his spirit unwavering, even at the evening's end. "Always the perfect steward," Nicholas thought appreciatively.

Nearby, Basil, a second-class jovial businessman, entertained a small group with tales of his travels. His booming laugh filled the gaps in his stories, drawing chuckles from his listeners. Jonathan, a quiet academic type, listened intently, occasionally adjusting his glasses and nodding to Basil's adventures. The pair did not seem like the people who would interact normally; they appeared to be from different worlds, yet here they were. Titanic had a specific class system but was also ripped down boundaries between worlds. He wondered if first class was the same but pushed that idea aside quickly. Dora-Anne, a young schoolteacher travelling to America for a new job, was gathering her belongings but paused to scribble something in her journal. Her reflective nature had been a highlight of the evening for Nicholas, who had enjoyed a thoughtful conversation with her about literature earlier. And then Anthony, the ship's photographer, was making rounds with his camera, capturing the last moments of the gala. Those photos would almost certainly hit the newspapers when they got home.

All these people, all with different lives and reasons for going to america, were united in their enjoyment of the Gala. Titanic had an odd way of doing things like this. Finally, as the last music notes faded and the previous guests made their way out, Nicholas finished his drink and prepared to leave; he was getting tired. Before he went to sleep, he looked for Sebastian, wanting to share a final word before returning to his cabin. This night had been extraordinary, not just for the fun and dancing but for deepening friendships and perhaps starting something new with Sebastian. As he approached him, Nicholas felt a mix of excitement and peace. Sebastian smiled widely as Nicholas approached, sending a shiver down Nicholas's spine. He swore he had only ever seen Sebastian not smiling once. He wondered again if the smile was a part of his job, but this one felt genuine, especially after the dance earlier.

As Nicholas approached, he realised Sebastian was efficiently organising the last details of the evening, ensuring that everything was in place for the library to resume its usual function by morning. It had not dawned on Nicholas that this place would return to normal tomorrow. "What a night, huh?" Nicholas began, his voice full of genuine warmth. "It seems like everyone had a wonderful time." Sebastian returned the smile, wiping his hands on a cloth before tucking it away. "Indeed, it was quite successful. You also seemed to enjoy yourself—especially that dance with Lady Adelaide." Nicholas chuckled, the memory of the dance bringing a light blush to his cheeks. "Yes, that was something special, but so was our dance". Sebastian nodded, his eyes sparkling as he seemed to briefly recall the dance before he responded, "Glad to help make your evening something special, sir". Nicholas chuckled; you could never take the steward out of this man; he was almost inevitable.