April 9th 1912 - Southampton. England
As the morning sun gently peeked through the curtains, I stirred awake, feeling the warmth of Thomas's embrace wrapping around me. April 9th, 1912—the day before the Titanic's maiden voyage—had finally arrived. The anticipation and excitement tingled in the air, making my heart flutter with a mix of joy and nerves.
I turned to face Thomas, his serene features softened by the morning light. "Good morning, my love," I whispered, pressing a tender kiss on his cheek. His eyes slowly opened, and a smile bloomed across his face, as radiant as the sun rising over Belfast.
"Good morning, Eleanor," he replied, his voice still tinged with drowsiness. "Can you believe it's finally here? The day we've been working toward for years."
I nodded, my heart swelling with pride for my brilliant husband and the masterpiece he had crafted. "Your dream is about to set sail, and I couldn't be prouder of you," I said, intertwining my fingers with his.
Thomas chuckled softly. "I couldn't have done any of it without you, my dear Eleanor. Your unwavering support and love have been my anchor through it all."
We spent the morning enjoying a delicious breakfast, our laughter and banter filling the room. Amidst the excitement, we couldn't help but indulge in moments of playful teasing.
"Remember that time I accidentally spilled paint on your plans?" I confessed, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
Thomas mock-gasped, feigning shock. "Ah, yes, how could I forget? My masterpiece was nearly ruined, all thanks to you, my artful vandal."
We both burst into laughter, the memory of that day etched in our minds like a cherished painting. Our lives had been filled with such moments of shared joy, and the prospect of facing the world together only made our bond stronger.
As the day progressed, we took a stroll through the city, hand in hand. Southampton was alive with chatter and excitement about the grand ship soon to embark on its historic journey.
In the afternoon, we found a quiet spot near the waterfront, away from the prying eyes of the world. We sat on a bench, the sea breeze gently tousling our hair. "Do you ever get nervous, Thomas?" I asked softly, my eyes gazing out over the water.
He paused, thoughtful for a moment, before squeezing my hand reassuringly. "Of course, my dear. But I have faith in the Titanic and the skill of the crew. I believe in her, just as I believe in us."
His words were like a soothing balm to my soul, calming the butterflies in my stomach. "I believe in us too," I whispered, leaning my head on his shoulder.
As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, we made our way back home, hearts full of love and anticipation for the morrow. In each other's arms, we found solace, knowing that no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together.
That night, we fell asleep with a sense of quiet excitement, the weight of history and responsibility mingling with the joy of being entwined in each other's love. Tomorrow was a new chapter, and together, we were ready to face whatever came our way—hand in hand, heart in heart.