The Titanic: A New Life

Chapter 23

When we went outside, it was clear to see some of Hazel's color had returned, and she was toddling around at the same age Michael had been when he died.
"She's all better," I informed the other members of our group with a smile.
My smile faltered when I realized we were still broke and she might not remain healthy. What if one of the other two got sick... or me? Then we would be in trouble.
I watched as Jillian picked Hazel up off of the ground to give her a joyful hug, happy tears streaking her face. Peter and Emily also greeted their returning sister with happy smiles and relieved tears.
I had already had my reunion with my child.
I wasn't looking forward to pickpocketing again in an empty town, making clothes until my fingers ached, carrying the clothes to and from the river to clean them repeatedly every day, and I definitely wasn't looking forward to running out of food...
I sighed.
It didn't matter what I wanted. It only mattered what nature was willing to do for me.
"Time to go home, kids," I sighed, guiding them out the door.
"Wait!" Jillian shouted, causing me to turn around before I opened the door.
What was she doing?
"Yes, Jillian?" I asked curiously.
"Do you even have a home to go to?" she asked with sincere worry.
My pride and my better judgement were fighting a war inside me, and I didn't even know which one would win.
Eventually, a middle ground was reached.
"Well... yes, but... it's not much of a home," I admitted reluctantly. "But we've already overstayed our welcome in this part of town."
I moved to open the door before Jillian stopped me again.
"Well, you taught me the definition of family..." Jillian started. "And it made me realize... you are the closest thing I've ever had to it. All of you. I may not have had the best mother myself, but I know what it means to love someone... and I love you, Lauren. I loved you from that first day on the lifeboat. The moment you jumped into my arms, I knew you were meant to be mine. I love Hazel, Emily, and Peter, too. So I was thinking and I've finally come to a decision. I have one question for you... would you like to stay with me and be a family?"
I slowly pulled my hand away from the door know as my eyes widened in which. She loved me? The woman who had been so kind to us on the life boat, the one who stayed with us the whole way through... she loved me? It would be a big decision for me to make in such a short amount of time. And there would be no turning back once I made my decision.
I pondered the idea as my children stared up at me, Hazel finally able to stand on her own feet.
It would be nice to have a real mother, like the one I had never had. With enough food to actually be full, and the ability to go to a real school...
But we owed this woman so much. We had already taken a lot from her, and we would only be taking more if we stayed. But, then again...
What did we have to lose besides each other?
"Can I still be their mother?" I asked jokingly, motioning to my children who had survived the Titanic with me, of which Emily got lucky.
I realized that, if I hadn't seen her in the water, we would have passed her.
She would have been dead.
"Of course," Jillian agreed, as if it was the simplest decision ever made by mankind. "So will you stay?"
I turned from child to child, all of which smiled expectantly at me.
"I guess I get to change my name to Amberlynn Lauren Elisa now, huh?"
Jillian squealed and hugged us all.
We were now a real family, the real family I had always wanted. We may not have been blood kin, but we were bound by something much stronger: the love in our hearts.
I wondered if my biological family was watching me with approval.
Do you see me, Marilynn? I thought.
I wrapped my arms tighter around my new family before I continued my silent message to my sister, wherever she was.
Please take care of Michael up there for me... and tell dad I'll be on my way...
Soon.