Titanic Bound by Destiny

Chapter 18: An Exchange

Date: April 14th, 1912. (12:15 PM)

After the early morning lay-in with Sebastian and then the issue with Chester, Nicholas felt remarkably hungry, more so than usual, so he knew exactly what that meant. Thankfully, he had not slept in too late, and thus, breakfast was still being provided, so he made his way to the second-class dining saloon. A place that always seemed to be teeming with lively conversation. The subtle clink of cutlery filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of coffee and freshly baked bread. As he navigated through the tables, he exchanged greetings with fellow passengers, his steps buoyed by the newfound clarity in his life. The food tasted particularly delightful this morning; the eggs were perfectly cooked, the toast was just the right amount crispy, and the coffee robust and invigorating. He was sure about one thing right now: he had developed a deep love for the taste of coffee and hoped to the gods above that he could continue drinking it once life in America began. After a satisfying, hearty meal, Nicholas proceeded to his sanctuary aboard the Titanic—the second-class library. The library, a quiet haven of polished wood and leather-bound books, was bathed in the soft, warm light of the morning sun filtering through its large, ornate windows. He found his favourite spot, a cosy nook by one of these windows, offering a perfect view of the deck and the endless ocean outside. The chair was comfortably familiar, and as he settled into it with a book he had been eagerly reading, he felt a profound sense of peace envelop him. This spot right here, nestled into the wall, was heaven for him, and nobody, not anyone, could take that away from him until they reached New York. Of course, then it would all be over. Maybe one day he could return to Titanic again, once he was a lawyer.As he read, Nicholas occasionally lifted his eyes from the pages to exchange warm glances with Sebastian, who passed through the library periodically on his steward duties. At one point, Sebastian brought him a ginger ale and briefly brushed his hands with Nicholas. His smile never faded; a proper understanding had been reached between them. These brief connections, though wordless, were filled with meaning and affection, reinforcing the bond that had deepened between them. Each glance silently affirmed their shared experiences and the secret they now carried together. He still believed that somehow, some way, they would find a way to be together in New York. He did not know how, but that did not matter to him now; his mind was so fixated on the idea of an everyday, happy life with Sebastian. Amidst his reading, Nicholas's mind wandered to the various memorable events he had witnessed during the voyage. He chuckled as he reminisced about the night someone had nearly choked on a piece of glass hidden within their dessert. The incident had caused an initial uproar but had quickly turned into a comedic highlight of the voyage, with jokes about the Titanic's "cutting-edge cuisine. The swift intervention by a quick-thinking passenger, who had performed a rather dramatic Heimlich manoeuvre, had turned a potential disaster into a moment of collective relief and subsequent humour. Then, there was the unforgettable scene with Connor in the third class. During the boisterous party, Connor lost his makeshift belt, leading to an embarrassing yet hilarious moment when his pants fell mid-dance. The room had erupted in laughter, and Connor, ever the entertainer, had turned his mishap into a theatrical bow, his good-natured handling of the situation endearing him even more to his fellow passengers.Then, there was the curious altercation involving Bruce Ismay and a determined first-class lady who invested in the first class and needed more deck space. The argument had escalated from polite disagreement to a spirited exchange, complete with Ismay puffing up in his official capacity and the lady brandishing her umbrella like a sword. The dispute had drawn a small crowd, and it was only resolved when a diplomatic steward had stepped in, offering alternative arrangements that finally appeased both parties. Reflection was on his mind as he thought back to the last few days; so much had happened, so many new friends had been made, and it went beyond that. People slept, ate and lived on Titanic for the very first time. They gave life to a magnificent vessel. Each event, whether humorous, tense, or absurd, had woven itself into his memory, painting a picture of life aboard this glorious ship that was as diverse as it was unforgettable.As Nicholas was lost in his reflections and the pages of his book, he noticed Wallace Hartley approaching. With his calm demeanour and friendly smile, the band leader was a familiar and welcome presence on the ship. He warmly greeted Nicholas as he sat across from him in the cosy library nook. "Good morning, Nicholas," Hartley said, settling into the chair with a contented sigh. "It's good to see you enjoying a quiet moment here." Morning, Wallace," Nicholas replied, closing his book and placing it aside. "Yes, this spot has become a bit of a refuge for me. It's always nice to see a friendly face here." The two had struck up a friendship throughout the voyage, their shared love of music and literature providing fertile ground for many engaging conversations. Today, as Sebastian came by, Hartley ordered an apple pie, a simple pleasure he indulged in during their meetings. Titanic had many wonders Nicholas had never experienced: pie, coffee, soda, and so much more. And to get a chance to try it all was something that thrilled him. As Wallace awaited his apple pie, he leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed yet animated as the topic turned to his work as a bandleader. "You know, music has a unique power on ships like this," Wallace began, his eyes lighting up enthusiastically. "It's not just about entertainment. It's about creating an atmosphere; music binds, soothes, and exhilarates us. It's quite magical." Hartley spoke about music in the way Nicholas complimented Sebastián to others if he could. Nicholas nodded in agreement, genuinely intrigued. "I've noticed that," he said. "There's something about how the music echoes through the halls and over the deck. It's like the heartbeat of the ship." Wallace smiled, pleased with the analogy. "Exactly, Nicholas. And every piece we play is chosen to resonate with that heartbeat, to keep it strong and steady. We're part of the ship's soul, in a way." it was true that Wallace's music had indeed made the voyage even better than it already was. Titanic would not be the same without Wallace Hartley and the band.As the conversation deepened, Sebastian returned with Wallace's apple pie on a silver tray, the sweet aroma mingling with the scent of old books that filled the library. As always, Sebastian carefully placed the tray onto the table and lifted the Cloche to reveal the mouthwatering food below. Heartley thanked Sebastian and then turned his attention towards the pie. However, his enthusiasm for their discussion didn't wane. Between bites, he shared his aspirations for composing new music inspired by the journey. Nicholas hoped that one day, he could hear those songs from New York, maybe on a gramophone. The conversation shifted after that onto the topic of New York and the future, a topic they seemed unable to avoid. Before long, the pie was nothing more than a few crumbs on a plate, and the conversation shifted to the immediate practicalities of keeping in touch. "A friendship made on Titanic must, of course, find a way to survive beyond the ship's confines, " Mr Hartley said as he scribbled his address down on paper and slid it across the table. Taken aback but willing, Nicholas wrote down his address and placed it on the table. He carefully pocketed the piece of paper Hartly had given him, symbolising their burgeoning friendship. As they exchanged this personal information, a comfortable silence settled, mutual respect and aspirations filling the space. When the time came to part, their handshake was firm, a physical testament to their bond over shared passions and future hopes. Their friendship, Nicholas realised, was evidence that his life was changing. He had more friends now than ever before, and they all, in their unique ways, were providing him with opportunities to grow into the man he truly wanted to be. And as they prepared to dock in a few days, he vowed never to forget any of them."It's been a pleasure, Wallace", Nicholas said, feeling a pang of sadness as he realised the voyage was nearing its end; in just a few days, they would reach New York City and be thrust back into everyday life. "The pleasure has been all mine, Nicholas. Take care," Hartley replied, his smile bittersweet as he turned to leave. As Nicholas watched Wallace Hartley walk away, he couldn't have known it would be the last time he would ever see Wallace Hartley. The memory of their conversations and the sound of Hartley's violin would soon become a poignant reminder of their brief but meaningful friendship. A friendship that Nicholas would never forget.