An Officer's Love {Titanic}

Four

It was the day that Titanic was beginning her maiden voyage. All the officers were awake at 5:30am to ready the ship for the passengers.

Ella and Will had been keeping their relationship quiet. They both knew they would get into trouble and have their positions questioned. Ella didn't want Will to lose his job because of her. She wouldn't allow it.

Ella sat down on a chair and groaned. "Today is dragging. I don't know how I'm still awake."

Henry smirked. "Been up to no good with First Officer Murdoch?" He asked.

Ella shook her head. "Actually no. I think he's too busy focusing on today," she replied. She knew Will wanted to put some distance between them while on the voyage.

...
Ella and Will stood out on the bridge. They saw the third class passengers waiting to board. "Is it relevant to have them all go through checks?" Ella asked her superior.

"Yes. We need to make sure of diseases. So get them all checked so there are no stowaways. Then we get them cleaned up if they need it and get them on to the boat," Will said.

Ella nodded but frowned. "How come first class and second class don't have to go through it?"

Will shrugged. "That's society."

Will and Ella saw first class beginning to arrive. Ella fixed herself up. Will smiled and adjusted her hat to make it straight.
"Ready darling?" Will asked.

Ella smiled and nodded. "I'm ready."

Will and Ella went down to the first class door. James was standing there. "Mr Moody, go and assist with third class. Myself and Miss Hanson can assist with first class," Will instructed.

"Yes sir."

When James had gone, Will looked at Ella. He kissed her head quickly and stood on opposite sides of the door. The first passenger came on. He looked at Ella. "A woman in uniform? White Star Line has become a joke."

Ella rolled her eyes. "Ticket."

The woman handed the ticket to Will.
"Don't take that attitude," Will warned the passenger. She turned her nose up. Ella took the ticket from her.

"Welcome on board," Ella said. The woman snatched the ticket and walked on.

Will smiled at Ella. As much as they were keeping their relationship secret, Will wasn't standing for people badmouthing her.

Ella smiled. "You don't have to defend me. I'm a big girl."

"You'll expect the odd snobs now and then," Will said.

"You can't call them that," Ella said as she tried to hide her grin.

...
When all the passengers had come aboard, Will closed the door. They went up to the bridge to stand with the officers. Ella's long brown hair was now tied back in a chigon.

Will thought she looked beautiful but he couldn't tell her yet.

All the officers came up to the bridge when the passengers were on.
"Ready?" the captain asked.

"Ready!" everyone replied.

"Take her to sea Mr Murdoch."

"Aye aye captain," Will said. He walked into the wheelhouse. The officers went on duty. Ella stood with the captain. He smiled as the ship began to move out.

The captain went back inside. Will and Ella stood outside watching as the ship left the dock. "It begins."

"Aye."

Ella looked at him. "I'm going to freeze on these night watches."

Will nodded knowing it would happen.

...
Ella went inside to check on the passengers. Will smiled. "We're docking in Cherbourg and the Queenstown, Ireland," he told her.

Ella nodded. "Okay Mr Murdoch."

Will smiled and laid a hand on the small of her back discreetly.
"You're beautiful today," Will whispered.

Ella smiled. "Not too bad yourself Mr Murdoch."

Will smiled at Ella. They went into the wheelhouse to keep warm.

Ella was excited to start her journey. Henry stood beside her.
"You okay?" he asked.

Ella nodded. "I'm excited."

Henry laughed. "Calm down cupcake. You haven't done your first overnight watch," he said.

Ella pouted. "Well I'm excited."

"Good."

...
It had just gone dark. Ella stood outside on the bridge. Will was trying to find the binoculars. He came back out. "I can't find them anywhere," he said.

"When we take our first stop we'll have a look for them," Ella said. Will nodded. No one was about.

Will kissed Ella's cheek.
"When we go back to our rooms, we could go back together," Will whispered.

Ella smiled. "I'd like that."

Will and Ella stared out at the sea.
"It's so calm. I love the smell of sea air," Will commented.

"It's salty," Ella said with a giggle.

Will chuckled. "Yeah it is. You can smell the seaweed. The air seems clearer."

Ella nodded. "It's amazing. I love it."

"Me too."

...
2am came and so Will and Ella walked back to their room. Will had a bigger room due to him being First Officer so Ella was going to stay there.

Will went in first and five minutes later, Ella knocked the door. "It's me."

"It's open beautiful," Will said. Ella opened the door and smiled at Will. She locked the door behind her.

Ella took off her dressing gown and climbed into bed with Will. Will wrapped an arm around her.
"Had a good first day Love?" Will asked.

Ella nodded. "I have. I'm glad I could spend it with you."

They began to kiss passionately. Will smiled and gently rubbed Ella's thigh. Ella looked at Will. "Promise me, when we dock in New York, we'll go somewhere together."

"I promise."

...
Will and Ella laid in bed after they had made love. Ella cuddled into him. "I love you Will."

"I love you too."

Suddenly, Will's door knocked. "Mr Murdoch. It's Captain Smith. You're needed in Steerage along with Miss Hanson to sort an issue out."

"I'll be on my way and wake Miss Hanson next door," Will said.

"Thank you Mr Murdoch."

The captain walked away. Ella grinned and kissed Will.
"I better go and get dressed."

Ella got dressed and met Will in steerage. Will smiled. Even in uniform Ella looked beautiful to him.

"Lets go," Will said.

"Yes Sir."

Will smiled. Ella meant so much to him. He wasn't going to lose her. He wanted to be with her for life.

...
When they'd done what the captain had asked, they walked back to the officers cabins. Ella looked at Will. "I'm tired," she mumbled.

"We'll get some sleep," Will told her.

"Okay," Ella smiled. Will snuck her into his room. Ella stripped off into her pants as she wasn't wearing a corset. Will smiled and handed her one of his shirts to wear to bed.

Will and Ella crawled into bed. Ella laid her head on his chest. She began to drift off to sleep. Will smiled down at her. He kissed her head.
"I love you," he said.

"Love you too," Ella mumbled sleepily.

...
The next morning, they were arriving in Cherbourg, Ella and Will made their way to third class today. Most of the passengers were healthy and clean. Some weren't.

Ella felt sick. "This wasn't in the job description," she mumbled.

Will nodded. "Aye. It was."

"Of course Mr Murdoch," Ella replied sarcastically as a mother with two children came aboard.

Ella smiled. "Welcome on board."

"Thank you Miss," she said in an Irish accent.

Ella smiled. They went to close the doors again. Ella's hand touched Will's. She had to resist holding his hand.

They went back to the wheelhouse. Henry was there. She smiled at him.
"Hello Henry," Ella said.

"Hello. Sleep well?" Henry asked. He smirked at the two of them.

Ella nodded. "I slept just fine thank you. Remarkably warm," she said.

"Good. Will?"

"Aye. I slept good too."

...
They were soon on their way to Cherbourg. Ella and Will stood on the bridge. "I need to wear trousers and not this bloody skirt," Ella said as she dithered.

Will nodded. "It could be worse. You could be up in the Crows Nest."

"True. It would be a bit breezy," Ella said. Will laughed and nodded.

They were having dinner that night with the first class. Ella had bought an elegant dress for it. She wanted to make an impression. She hadn't showed Will it. It was a surprise for him.

"Ready for dinner tonight?" Will asked.

"I think so. I have to get ready for it soon. Not really looking forward to it," Ella mumbled. She knew she would be judged.

Will smiled. "Don't worry. I'll be there to help you and defend you."

Ella nodded. "Thanks."

...
Ella went to do her rounds. She saw Mrs DeWitt-Bukater and rolled her eyes. She thought the woman was too snobby for her liking. "Ah! Officer, I was wondering if it would be possible to get some clean bedding," she said.

Ella blinked a couple of times. "I'm sorry?"

"Clean bedding for my room," Mrs DeWitt Bukater said.

Ella felt her anger rising. She was tempted to say something. "I am not a stewardess. I'm an officer therefore ma'am, I don't have to get you clean bedding."

Ella walked off. She heard Ruth bad mouth her but she didn't care. She wasn't being put down by anyone.

Ella heard footsteps running after her. She stopped and looked to see Rose.
"I'm sorry for my mother. I think it's wonderful you have a job on Titanic," Rose said.

"Thank you Miss," Ella replied. Rose smiled and went back to her mother.

Will was walking around and smiled at Ella.
"How are your rounds?" Will asked.

"Besides the fact I was mistaken for a stewardess, wonderful," Ella replied.

Will smiled. "I bet you set that person straight."

"Of course."

...
Ella went to get changed for dinner. She knew she would be judged for being the only woman officer but she didn't care. She loved her job and she loved being able to work with the officers.

Ella went to the dining room. She felt a pair of eyes watching her. Ella turned to see Caledon Hockley staring at her. She felt uncomfortable. Ella needed someone to keep her calm.

Will walked over. He had to tell her that he was working and wouldn't be able to attend dinner due to needing to work as Charles was unwell. He stood in shock as he looked at Ella. "You look beautiful."

Ella smiled. "You think so?"

Will nodded. "Without a doubt."

Will lead Ella to the dining room. He stopped outside the doors.
"I have to work. Charles isn't well," Will said. Ella nodded.

"I'll see you after."

Will discreetly kissed her cheek. He walked off. She saw Jack smiling at her.
"First time in first class?" Ella asked him. Jack nodded.

"I'm a bit nervous."

"Me too. Only female officer. We can see how this is going for me," Ella told him.

Jack chuckled and smiled. "I'm in steerage so I guess we're both about to have fun."

Ella laughed. "Let's go Mr Dawson."

...
During dinner, Ella was so tempted to throw something at Ruth DeWitt Bukater. She kept on making comments about Ella's position and Jack's third class ticket.

Thomas Andrews looked around. "White Star Line is highly privileged to have a female officer working on the grandest ship."

Ella grinned but all the while, she couldn't get Will out of her mind. "Thank you Mr Andrews," Ella said.

"Here here!" someone agreed with Thomas.

Rose smiled. "It truly is a privilege. You have a relation in White Star Line don't you?"

Ella nodded. "Yes I do. My father is in White Star Line. I trained due to inspiration from my father. I've been on a few ships but this is my first full job."

Ruth made a sly comment about Ella but was quickly put down by Molly and Thomas at the table.

Ella looked out and wished she could even see a glimpse of Will. The sun was beginning to set.

...
Ella stood up and excused herself. "I have a terrible headache so I must go and lie down," she said.

All the men stood up. Ella heard a comment made by Ruth. Ella couldn't wait until she no longer had to see Ruth again.

...
Will stood out on the bridge. The sunset looked amazing to him. He kept on thinking about Ella. He was going to propose to her when the ship docked.

Will smiled thinking of spending a life with Ella. Everywhere was quiet. He heard someone walking towards him in heels. He turned around and smiled at Ella.

"Hello you," Ella said.

Will smiled. "Hello. Aren't you meant to be at dinner?"

Ella nodded and stood beside Will.
"I was meant to be but my mind was with someone else."

She reached down and took his hand. He smiled and kissed the top of her head. Ella stood next to Will on the bridge. "It's so beautiful."

"Aye."

Ella giggled. She rested her head on Will's shoulder. "I'm going to tell my Father about you when the ship docks."

Will couldn't believe what Ella had said. "Ella, do you want to do that?"

Ella smiled. "Yes I'm sure Will. He wants me to be happy and you make me happy," she said.

Will nodded. Ella smiled as he took her into his arms. He kissed her passionately.

Ella kissed back wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you," Will said when he broke the kiss.

"I love you too."

Ella and Will cuddled up together watching the sun set. Henry came out.
"Alright love birds," Henry joked. Ella laughed.

"Hello Henry."

Henry smirked as he stood on the other side of Will.
"How was dinner dare I ask?" Henry questioned. Ella groaned.

"I hate the first class snobs," Ella declared.

Henry nodded. "They are a rather dull group."

...
Captain Smith came out. Ella pulled away from Will. "Is everything okay sir?" Will asked.

The captain nodded. "Everything is well Mr Murdoch."

Ella and Will both nodded. Ella smiled. "I'll go and get changed and assist with the rest of this watch."

"Thank you Miss Hanson."

Ella went to her room. The captain stood with Will and Henry.
"How did she enjoy dinner?" he asked.

Henry and Will sniggered.
"I don't think she liked the first class," Will told him.

He laughed. "Miss Hanson is a very down to earth young girl. I didn't think she would enjoy it much."

...
Ella took off her dress and corset. She tied her hair in a bun and quickly pulled on her uniform.

"Stupid Ruth," Ella mumbled as she did her tie up.

Ella walked back out to the bridge. Will was there alone. "The weather always gets cold of a night," she mumbled.

"Aye."

Ella sighed. "If I ever get like Ruth Bukater, kill me," she mumbled.

Will laughed and nodded.

...
The shift eventually finished. Ella walked back to her room while Will did the same. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Aye. Night lass."

Ella climbed into bed that night and fell straight to sleep. She could sense something bad was going to happen.