A New Beginning

Chapter 14: Turning Tables

Sybil opens her eyes and yawns, which causes her caregiver to smile, despite the tears. The infant's bright blue eyes seem to light up the room around them, forcing away the darkness that attempted to entrap their world. A curl of blonde hair sticks out from under her bonnet as her eyes take in the mess that is Rose DeWitt Bukater. She reaches a tiny hand up from under the multiple blankets that bundle her and seems to wave at the one who is caring for her. She then smiles, gurgling for possible recognition from Rose. She waves her arm harder and begins to squeal, waiting for the redhead to respond.

Rose's green eyes meet the infant's and she takes a deep breath. Something inside her snaps and she lifts the child to her face and gives a small kiss on her forehead.

"I will make this right Sybil. I promise," she whispers, making a family vow of her own.

Suddenly there is a knock on their cabin door. Rose hears Cal go to answer it, taking a break from his tirade and allowing her to stand up with Sybil. She gets closer and listens to the voices behind the heavy oak door.

"Terribly sorry sir but I've been told to ask you to please put on your lifebelt and come up to the boat deck."

"Get Out!" the steel tycoon orders. "Can't you see we're busy."

"So sorry to bother you, sir, I'm sorry about the inconvenience, Mr. Hockley, but it's Captain's orders. Please dress warmly, it's quite cold tonight." the voice says.

Rose cautiously removes the chair and peers out to see Cal talking to a ship's steward.

"Why? Why would such procedures be ordered?" Cal snorts

"Everything will be all right sir, but the ship is in a state of emergency. We suggest that you follow suit for the safety of your wife and child..."

Cal turns to see Rose standing there with Sybil, clearly waiting for the means to escape, to set things right. Her heart is pounding in her chest as she makes her way to the door.

The steward grins at the two of them and says calmly, "Not to worry miss, I'm sure it's just a precaution." He then hands a lifebelt to the redhead.

"This is ridiculous," Cal snorts, mostly to himself, but Rose ignores his comment.

"Which way officer?" she asks.

...

"What's doing, sonny? You've got us all trussed up and now we're cooling our heels," Molly Brown says to a young steward whom she caught as he walks by.

"Sorry, mum. Let me go and find out," he says before moving on.

Ruth Bukater is wringing her hands out in a worrisome fashion. She stands among other high-class ladies and gentlemen in either night clothes or formal attire, all in the Grand Staircase area. There is lively ragtime music playing by the ship's band, the passengers unaware of the reason behind the upbeat tunes is to allay panic. She pulls her gloves on tightly and goes to their maid, Trudy, to distract herself.

"Trudy please make sure that the heater is on for when we return, I'd hate to come back to a chilled cabin when we get back."

"Yes Ma'me" Trudy nods and leaves the ballroom.

Ruth wrings her gloves in her hands now until she sees her daughter Rose coming with her fiancé Caledon, the answer to their financial prayers.

"It's just the God damned English doing everything by the book," Cal mutters angrily.

"There's no need for language, Mr. Hockley... Oh, Rose darling!" Ruth says, changing her focus and pulling her daughter into an embrace, squashing Sybil between them. She pulls from the hug and removes grime from her daughter's cheek. "I'm so glad you are okay. I heard everything, I'm so glad you are all right. Look at this bruise, that boy must have hit you so hard in that robbery. Where did that child come from? Why must you insist on getting yourself into these situations? You were lucky Cal was there..."