Destination of Dreams

"New land." "New opportunities." "Same old dreams."

That is what Peter Duncan had always sought. He was of a very affluent lineage in the United Kingdom and could have ridden the coattails of his family's three-generation's-old banking business. That had never been an aspiration for Peter, fresh out of university and looking for his escape. His family called him a stubborn dreamer; his own friends said that he was unrealistic in his expectations and aspirations for the world around him. Peter was determined that they were wrong; he admitted to being a romantic and, therefore, of romanticizing what his next venture could come up with for him. However, his expectations weren't so "unrealistic" or "simply achievable in dreams" to him. Following in his father's footsteps, after his grandfather's, into the banking industry would have been a simplistic goal; he was determined that there was a new world outside of Europe's borders with any plethora of new opportunities. Furthermore, he was convinced that he was traveling with the one person who seemed to understand him...

Nicolette Mosus had lived a sheltered life of affluence of her own. She was, after all, the daughter of a renowned Hungarian ambassador. Her family's own penchant for snootiness had left the youngest Mosus daughter misunderstood throughout much of her schoolhood. Schoolmates would learn of her lineage and either shyly turn away from her in embarrassment that they did not share her wealth, would soundly dismiss her for her wealth, or, as she grew into her teenage years, would take her for granted until she learned who they were to her. She needed a life away from her father's influence.

Nicolette, much to her family's chagrin, left Mother Hungary for schooling in the United Kingdom upon graduating high school. Her father, a true Hungarian ambassador, had sneered at the very thought that any child of his ever live elsewhere; her mother had wanted a stipulation that she at least holiday at home between semesters. Nicolette could not honestly promise her family that and, as she boarded the plane for university elsewhere, she had told them so...

Nicolette Mosus and Peter Duncan had met on the steps of the University of Birmingham. This was MORE than love at first sight; from one chance meeting, Peter had found his muse who could possibly understand his aspirations and Nicolette had found a true partner who could somewhat understand life in a privileged home.

The Duncan family had been ecstatic to meet Nicolette; Bruno Mosus, true to his nature, had spat at the idea of Nicolette and Peter together. If the two star-crossed young adults were going to be together as per their life plans, they would have to think outside of the box...

The two of them boarded a luxury liner bound for New York and the sense of adventure that Peter always sought. As for what Nicolette wanted out of life, she wanted to be with and support Peter. The starry-eyed couple boarded the ship with one suitcase each for clothing and sailed away for the States. They were, officially, eloping with their love to guide them and even made it so official as to get married in a ceremony aboard ship after two semesters of knowing one another. It was the type of whirlwind romance that Nicolette had always dreamed about; and the whirlwind flight of fancy that Peter tended to call "adventurous..."

Their marital bliss had lasted until their grand reception. It was there that a painter aboard ship had innocently caught Nicolette's eye; and, before she could feel a twinge of guilt, she had caught the public display between an inebriated, celebratory Peter Duncan and an exotic dancer...

Peter had been a fool. He had no sooner been married than he had allowed his old romantic ambitions to run wild all over again; not even toward his new bride! The newlyweds weren't even speaking anymore. Nicolette was in a cabin meant for the honeymoon suite and Peter was above deck, gazing out over the waters and chiding his own foolishness.

He remembered seeing the icebergs coming. Crew and guests murmured to one another in concern. One crewmate ran to alert the captain. Peter could only dismiss himself to the lower decks once more; specifically, the honeymoon suite. He wouldn't blame Nicolette if she didn't want to hear from him now; he would only kick himself if he didn't attempt to contact his true betrothed with danger nearing...

It took a lot of persuading for Nicolette to open the door. From here, Peter sighed in relief and draped an arm around his startled bride before they both raced for the stairs.

They were on the stairs to head for the deck when they felt the first impact. It was enough that Nicolette had lost her footing; if Peter hadn't been fast enough to hoist her up and carry her the rest of the way.

Topside, crew and guests were scrambling for lifeboats; women and children first. There was only one way for Peter to make things right by his bride and he knew it. Without a word on the matter, he sat Nicolette into a lifeboat; and was shoved aside before he could join her. A frantic, hectic crewman was the last person in a lifeboat with Nicolette already on board.

"Peter!" she cried in protest. "Sir, the gentleman that you just shoved is my...!"

The lifeboat, full with people, lowered into the sea. Peter had nothing left to do but to wait for the next one.

"My Nicolette," he called toward the sea, "I love you; I was always meant to. I'll find you again!"

The lifeboat with Nicolette packed into, surrounded by families of strangers, hit the water and sailed away from the devastation of their ill-fated voyage. Peter and Nicolette had each made their own mistake within minutes of their wedding; they did both love each other and Nicolette had her husband's promise that he would find her again...