An Officer's Love {Titanic}

Nine

It was the morning of April 14th,1912. There was only three days until Titanic arrived in New York. Ella knew that when the ship docked, Will and Ella were going to meet Ella's father.

Ella walked to the officers mess. She hadn't seen Will as he had been busy with the captain. Ella had to admit that she had missed falling asleep with him. He always made her feel warm and safe.

Will stood up just as Ella came in. "Oh. Are you leaving?" She asked as she sat down. She felt a little unloved. "Will?"

Will sighed. "The captain wants me to help with navigation through this part of the ocean. We're coming up to the bergs."

Ella looked down and nodded. "O-Oh. I thought we could have had breakfast together. I miss you Will," she mumbled.

Will smiled. "I miss you too. When we're through this part, I'll spend as much time as I can with you," he told her hoping it would make her smile.

"Okay. Go have fun."

...
Will felt bad for neglecting Ella like he was but he knew his job came first. Ella understood that and while it hurt that he couldn't have her in his arms, he knew soon enough, she would be back there with him.

...
Ella stood in the bridge with a cup of coffee. Henry came out. "You alright?" Henry asked.

Ella shrugged. She didn't say any more. Henry wasn't stupid. "Will?"

Ella nodded. She sipped at her coffee quietly. Henry sighed. "You know, he loves his job-"

"Yes I know Henry. I know his job comes first," Ella interrupted.

Henry laughed. "Let me finish. He loves his job just as much as he loves you."

Ella just nodded. She didn't believe that at all.

...
Ella looked up as Will came out onto the bridge. "Quite cold this morning," Ella mumbled.

"Aye. Are you alright?" Will asked.

Ella nodded. "I'm fine. Just cold," she mumbled.

Will wrapped an arm around her waist. Ella immediately felt warm. She didn't know why Will always made her feel warm. "You're sucking up," she mumbled.

"No. Just keeping you warm."

"Okay," Ella mumbled. They had no idea that Charles was there. He could see the tension between them. He walked over.

"Everything okay with you two?" Charles asked.

Will smiled. "Yeah thanks Lights."

Charles nodded. He looked at Ella for a response but she stared ahead. "It's cold, isn't it Charles?" Ella commented.

"Yes. Very. But I'm sure the hot coffee will warm you up," Charles replied.

Ella nodded. "Yes. I'm sure it will," she mumbled. She didn't look at Will.

Will sighed. "The captain wants to brief us all quickly this morning."

...
Ella stood by Henry and Charles. Will was standing at the captain's side. "Mr Murdoch, Miss Hanson and Mr Wilde, you're going to the sunday service today."

Ella didn't make any comment. She went to get ready for the service. "Ella, uniform is all that needs to be worn," Will said.

"O-Oh. Okay."

"What's wrong?" Will asked.

"I'm fine. I-I'm going to do my hair," Ella mumbled. She walked into her room and closed it behind her. But Will put his foot in the way.

He went on inside and closed the door.
"Talk to me Darlin'," Will said.
"No. I'm fine."

Will went over to her and kissed her neck as she put her hair up. She tried not to smile. "I love you Ella. I know I've been busy lately but with all these ice warnings, captain doesn't want to take any chances," Will told her.

Ella nodded. "I know. I get that."

...
Will and Ella walked into the first class dining room where the sunday service was being held. Ella rolled her eyes. She wasn't religious at all and didn't like going to service since her mother had died.

Will smiled at her as they sat down. She mumbled the hymns and kept on looking at the floor. She knew Will kept glancing at her but she didn't want to look.

Will and Henry both did their readings. Ella was silent the whole time.
"Now, Miss Hanson will read for us," the captain said. There was a mumble from the crowd as they didn't think it proper. Will, Henry and the captain all glared at them as Ella got up. They soon hushed down.

Ella did her reading and sighed when she sat back down. She hated being the centre of attention. It annoyed her.

When the service had ended, the Dewitt Bukaters walked over with Cal. Thomas Andrews smiled. "I'm giving these three fine people a tour of bridge. I hope that's okay."

Ella hid a scoff but she smiled. "Certainly sir."

Will laid a hand discreetly on her lower back when it was only him, Henry and Ella left there.
"You seem down," Will said.

"I'm fine. Go do your duty. I need to take my hair down," Ella mumbled. She walked off to her room.

Will looked helplessly at Henry. Henry clapped him on his shoulder. "I'll go have a word. You better get to the wheelhouse."

Henry walked after Ella towards the crew rooms. Will headed upstairs to the wheelhouse.

Ella was just about to leave her room when Henry stopped her. "Now now, what's the hurry."

"Leave me alone Henry. I've work that needs to be done," Ella said.

Henry sighed. "Will's worrying about you."

"So?"

...
Ella managed to walk away from Henry. She went to the bridge and stood by Will. She could hear the Marconi telling the Captain there was another ice warning. "We're speeding up. Aren't we?" She asked Will.

"Yes. We tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen," Will mumbled.

Ella began to worry. She grabbed the bridge with shaky hands. Will could sense the worry. He stood closer. Ella could feel his body heat burning into her side. She wanted him.
"Don't worry. No matter what, I'm going to be here to protect you."

"Promise?"

Will linked his small finger with hers. She smiled slightly.
"I promise beautiful," he said.

Ella smiled widely. "I get that your job comes first but we come second right?" She asked.

"Aye."

Ella grinned. "I've missed hearing you say that," she said.

...
The first watch ended at 2pm. Will and Ella did their rounds. They saw Rose going to tea with her mother. "She's not happy at all."

"Aye. There's nothing we can do," Will replied.

"I wish she could see that she loves Jack," Ella mumbled.

Will smiled. "I think that's what I thought about you. Eventually I did see that I loved you."

Ella grinned at the floor - more than aware of the pink flush on her cheeks. Will smiled. He loved her so much.

They went back up to the bridge. Charles was there with a cup of tea.
"Don't you ever stop drinking tea?" Ella joked.

Charles laughed. "I drink tea as much as Moody loves to read."

"Goodness, you're addicted to your tea then."

Charles nodded. "That's very true."

Will looked at Charles. "Did you ever find those binoculars from the lookout?" He asked.

"No. I haven't seen those since Southampton. I'll be on my rounds. Cheerio."

...
Ella was freezing. She looked at Will. "I hate this weather."

"Me too. Pull your collar up more. It will help," Will said. He pulled her collar up around her. She smiled.

Ella was shivering. Will told her to walk around the bridge a bit to keep warm. Will walked with her.

They heard giggling and laughed. They looked over the bridge to see Jack and Rose. Will smiled.
"I guess she finally seen she loved Jack," Will said.

Ella grinned. Will wrapped his arms around her knowing that no one would see them.

Ella stood down watching Rose and Jack. She heard Rose say she was getting off with Jack when the ship docked.

Ella looked at Will. "Think they're more warmer than we are," she said.

Will smirked. "Well."

Suddenly, the ball clanged three times. Ella and Will turned to look.

Moody went to answer the phone. "Is there anyone there?"

"Yes. What do you see?"

"Iceberg right ahead..."