Until the Day...

Beatrix Kathleen Beaumont did not consider herself unfortunate to be a young widow at the age of twenty-four. No, she considered it a brilliant stroke of luck that the craggly old man known as Louis Beaumont died a mere two and a half years after their marriage. While she bore no heir, his fortune is still tidily placed in her holding as he has no kin to fight her for it. She was used by Louis for his pleasure, but treated absentmindedly outside of that as if she was just an afterthought. She would often find solace in that she was no longer under her family’s rule, so had more freedom as a married woman to one so wealthy. And now, as she faces the brilliant ship, she excitedly takes her first steps to a truly new and free life.

“Welcome to the RMS Titanic, please follow me this way, miss.” A handsome attendant gives her a slight bow with a flourish towards one of the hallways where another equally handsome man stood, awaiting to lead her to her rooms.

“I am Maxwell Hughes, I will be your main attendant for this trip. This gentleman following us is Jackson Greaves, he will also be attending to you. If you have any need, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.” Maxwell tells her as he takes the lead, Jackson pushing a cart with her luggage behind them as they head towards the upper-class rooms.

“You will also have some women attending to you as well, that would be Marianna and Lessandra. They are first class attendants, we assure you.” Jackson nods to her, an honest and easy grin never leaving his face.

“I see, and what is the schedule for this voyage? I would like to know of anything that is set for particular times.” Beatrix questions as they enter an elevator.

“There should be a schedule awaiting your inspection upon your wall, but we will ensure it’s still there for you. Since you have booked to eat exclusively at the À la Carte, you may take your meals when you see fit between the hours of eight am and eleven pm.” Maxwell replies to her, sharing a smile as he does so. “The Café Parisien will surely be of interest to many, please do feel free to visit it as well. The lounge will be available from the hours of eight am and eleven pm as well, we will have a pamphlet that will give you the event times held there.”

“The gymnasium and the turkish baths are both available to women from the hours of nine am to noon. The pool and squash court are both open any time. The barber is open from seven am to seven pm, they have lovely souvenirs there.” Maxwell finishes just as they reach her room. “And here you are, Mrs Beatrix Beaumont.” He opens the door for her, allowing her to enter before him with Jackson bringing in her items behind him. “This is the steward call button, please never hesitate to call on us for anything. We are at your service day and night.”

“We’ll take things from here, gentlemen.” An older woman announces as she comes to the room, her face was stern but warm at the same time. The two men excuse themselves after accepting a tip each. “I apologize for our entrance, I am Marianna and this is Lessandra.” She motions to the grinning younger woman behind her that seemed awfully excited, which instantly was contagious for Beatrix. “We will be working in tandem with Maxwell and Jackson to look after you for this stay. In particular, we will be handling your womanly and more intimate needs.” Marianna explains as they both set to unpacking her items for her.

“I appreciate your help in advance.” Beatrix replies as she looks around the room. “How long until we embark?” She questions as she takes a sit upon the fine horsehair sofa.

The two women share a brief look before Lessandra turns to Beatrix with a bubbly reply. “We cannot give an exact time, but it should not take too long, Mrs Beatrix! Would you like for me to go over the bathroom facilities with you?”

Beatrix sighs, then nods her head absentmindedly. “I suppose that would be a needed discussion.” She replies, soon diving into the order and directions of the various amenities she would be able to enjoy.

***********************************

Beatrix finds herself on the first class decks, cheering and waving with everyone else as the massive ship departs to start their voyage. The boredom from waiting is instantly replaced as she’s in a group of other young women all cheering as they watch people at the docks replying in the same. She finds her hand suddenly clasped by another small one. Looking over, she sees another young woman clasping it, seemingly from her own excitement. She blushes and starts to let go as she meets Beatrix’s gaze, seeming to realize what she had done, but Beatrix grips it back and goes back to cheering. Both women are lost in the fun moment of adrenaline filled freedom as more and more join them.

*************************************

Beatrix finds herself attempting to remember the routes she was given by Lessandra. While she wasn’t dense enough to not be able to follow the signs, she seemed to somehow miss the door every single time and would attempt to retrace her steps. This has lead to her wandering in circles, somehow not coming across a soul.

That is, until she hears a humming coming down the hall, soon followed by the sight of a familiar man. “Maxwell…” she whispers to herself with a sigh of gratitude, gathering her skirts to race towards him lest she somehow loses the man as well!

“Maxwell, can you take me to the reading and writing room? I seem to have lost my way.” Beatrix asks him delicately, unconcerned as she had finally found someone. That it was one of the few familiar faces was a relief as well.

Maxwell pauses, then a slow grin brightens his face. “Hello Mrs. Beatrix, I would be delighted to help you. Please, follow me.” He waits for her to meet up with him before leading her through the halls. “If you would like, you can request our aid in navigating before leaving your rooms.”

“I think I will take you up on that.” She half-heartedly replies while attempting to remember the route they were currently taking. “I believe I would like to have a meal at The Café Parisien after I finish my business here. Would you be able to take me there?” She requests, giving him a demure look. She hoped he would be willing to accompany her, otherwise she feared she would lose her way once more!

Maxwell hesitates, pausing as he looks at her. He seems to consider the request, then slowly nods his head. “Very well, it would be my pleasure.” He states, his smile growing to a genuine one as she let’s out a breath she didn’t recall holding.

“You have my utmost gratitude, Maxwell. I shall not forget such chivalry easily.” She winks at him, taking herself by surprise as she realizes too late what she had done. For whatever reason, she felt drawn to this man and at ease with her four attendants. Perhaps it was the start of her new life, or maybe it was just the freedom she had finally achieved.

“I will be more than happy to accompany you any time you have need of me.” His easy reply brings a simple blush to her cheeks, causing her to swallow as her mouth suddenly runs dry. Though he seems unfazed, it was as though she had heard those words several times before, and yet not enough at the same time.

“I shall keep that in mind, but I thank you for your services now, kind sir.” She answers, a moment later finding a slight reprieve in the room she has spent an hour looking for. She questions why it was that she was so affected. She lets out a slow breath as she notices the several pairs of eyes viewing her. The smiling women, both young and old, all silently watched her as she collected herself. “Hello, I am Beatrix Beaumont, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintances.” She musters the dignity to say.

“Welcome Beatrix, we were just discussing how we’ve enjoyed the ship thus far.” An older woman says, kindly motioning to a seat that she gladly took. “I am Mrs. Amelia Rodner, my husband and I are passengers on C deck.”

“I reside on B deck, and am traveling alone. It must be quite the adventure traveling with your husband on such a grand voyage.” She replies, gaining many approving looks as Amelia instantly starts to launch into stories, soon followed by the other women.

A good bit of time later, she finds herself leaving with a few books in hand. She had a mixture of happiness from such an amicable conversation, but tired from the constant chatter. So many ladies and names, but she was confident she could recall whom was who by the end of it all.

“Oh, I apologize that it took a bit longer than I had planned. I didn’t know you were waiting for me…” She feels her cheeks flush as she realizes that the diligent Maxwell had been sitting in a chair to the side as he waited for her.

A lopsided smile crosses his face as he stands. “No need to apologize-” He leans towards her a bit with his eyes twinkling. “We don’t get much time for breaks, so you actually did me a grand favor! Please do allow me more breaks should you see fit.” He gives her a wink this time, causing her to laugh.

“I suppose that could be arranged, but I must return to my room before continuing to dine. Can you lead me back to it?” She asks him, her heart skipping a few beats from his close proximity.

“Certainly, please follow me, Mrs. Beatrix.” he replies, walking in time with her as they proceed along the route.

She winces slightly at her name, but brushes it aside as he starts telling her stories. Tales of other ships he’s been on, the co-workers he’s worked with, the places he’s seen. Hardly any time passed at all before they were before her cabin once more. “I shall be just a moment as I am only placing my books here.” She darts inside, somewhat regretful that she had not brought one of the maids she had grown close to. Instead, she sold her husband’s manor and released the servants. Some she knew were on the ship, and perhaps they would meet at some point. The loneliness she could feel creeping into her bones as she exits the rooms and hears the snap of the locks.

“Beatrix?” She snaps out of her thoughts when she hears a slightly worried Maxwell calling to her. “I apologize, but I’ve been calling out to you for a few minutes, is everything alright miss?”

“I’m fine, thank you. And, do feel free to calm me by my name.” She replies with a grin. She notices his eyes soften as he studies her. “Shall we head to the restaurant?”

“Of course, shall we?” He asks, leading her through the passages after she nods. Instantly, he launches into more stories. Tales of fantasy and of delight.

****************************************

Days pass by, a flourish of activities, socializing and relaxing. Her attendants were quite attentive and would spend hours talking with her, a task she found more relaxing than socializing with the socialites of the ship. She had to remain proper, delicate and amicable. Her attendants she found herself growing closer to, looking forward to their conversations. But at the moment, she was heading to the lounge for pleasantries over pastries with the single ladies. Speaking of which, she spies a familiar group that were conversing about a party that evening.

“Hello Sarah, Catherine, and Daliah. May I inquire about your conversation?” She asks with an arched brow, a smile tugging at her lips as the three young women start at her sudden appearance. They soon grin at her with excitement.

“The attendants have told us of a grand party they are having tonight, we were planning to join them.” Daliah tells her, nearly bouncing in excitement.

“But, what of your reputation?” Beatrix inquires after she shakes off her surprise. She certainly hadn’t thought that would be what they were speaking about. “You are all unmarried, the rumors could be devastating.”

“Only those there can spread rumors, and we’re the wealthy widows of fine standing. Who could care about such things?” Catherine questions her proudly while they link arms with her, all of them continuing to the lounge.

“You’re coming with us, no objections.” Sarah states before she could reply.

“Why would I do that?!” She nearly shrieks, feeling herself torn between wanting and not wanting to go at the same time.

Sarah leans in to whisper into her ear, “Because Maxwell will be there.” As she pulls back the three dissolve into giggles while Beatrix blushes fiercely.

She had given up on denying she held feelings for him and the trio were the only ones of social standing that happily spoke with her unabashed. She enjoyed their candid attitudes and similar standings made it easy to consider them friends. And she did, but she can’t help but to feel that she needed to be cautious. “Ladies, I do believe that it wouldn’t be favorable for us.” She tells them in hushed whispers, causing them to roll their eyes.

“You’re coming with us, and we’ll enjoy some dances. If any claim that we were unfavorable, then they would have had to have been there.” Dalia states matter of factly, the trio giggling again as she sighs in defeat.

“Fine, but only for a few dances.” She replies, not having her heart in not going. A thrill ran along her as she started thinking about having fun with these women. In particular, the image of finding herself in the arms of a certain man tentalized her more. That night she barely noticed time flowing forward as she dined, spoke and longed. And before she could notice, the three were knocking upon her door just as she finished getting ready.

“Shall we?” Catherine asks her, all of them laughing as they head down the halls. “This is the third party I’ve attended, and each one has been thrilling.”

“Three? My word, I hadn’t realized.” Beatrix states, causing the others to laugh some more.

“You are coming this time, so you will see.” Sarah adds teasingly before they open the doors to show a room full of dancing, laughter and music.

Instantly, they are pulled into a twirling line of dancing, no one having a true partner, everyone simply enjoying themselves. And after some time, she noticed that people were pairing off. Her friends had found partners and a random man danced with her, a good foot between them as they moved to the music in a jovial way. Not an ounce of desire, nor an expectation of anything more.

And as he twirled her before switching partners, she noticed that Maxwell was a bit away dancing with a woman. Laughing and dancing much as she was, but for reasons unknown she couldn’t stand the sight of it. A pang throbbed in her someplace unclear as she felt bitter emotions rise. Perhaps his smiles were not for her alone? But, for a reason just out of her notice, she could not stand that fact! She feels heat spread through her as she turns and heads out of the door, not even sure where she was going.

“Beatrix, is everything alright?” Maxwell calls after her, barely catching up to her before she turned yet another corner.

“Why would that matter? Why did you come after me?” She asks, a little harsher than she meant as she turns to face him. She didn’t know how she felt anymore, and was honestly a confused jumble of emotions.

Maxwell steadies her, studying her openly as he notices she is unsteady on her feet. “Why wouldn’t I come to check on you? You left, seeming rather upset, and if anything should have happened to you…” He trails off as he strokes her cheek, lost in thought.

Noticing she was leaning into his touch, she jerks away to fall against the wall behind her. “You should go back and dance with the ladies, they must miss you.” She mentally screams at herself to shut up as the words tumble from her mouth.

“As much as the gentlemen must you?” He quips back, an arched brow almost daring her to continue that line. “Come, I think you’ve had enough of this party.” He quickly says as he leads her through the nearby door. Instantly, cold air whips at her as she follows his lead. A firm, yet gentle warm hand holding hers as he leads them through some twists and turns. “Look at that.” He suddenly halts, leaning against a railing as they watch and listen to the songs of whales.

“Listen to them…” She can’t help but to admire the beauty of the moment, the songs in the moonless night, the man standing close enough to keep her warm. How easy it was to lean into that warmth. “It’s so beautiful…” She whispers, as she does so. She feels more than hears his sigh as he wraps an arm around her.

“Yes, it is…” Maxwell replies. And they stayed like that until the cold’s bite was too harsh and the whales had drifted further away. “Come, let’s return you to your rooms.” He starts leading her away once more.

“I don’t want to sleep.” She mutters as they enter the room. “Stay with me.” She pleas meekly as she snuggles against him, stroking his chest.

“You’ve had too much to drink, Beatrix, you should rest.” He states, suppressing his own feelings as she kisses along his jawline. “Bea-” His half attempt at refusing her was cut short by her lips upon his. Their kiss was fiery, passion flowing from suppression of desires since they first met.

With much restraint, he pulls himself away from their embrace. “Beatrix, when we choose to have each other, it’ll be without the muddling of spirits.” He speaks into her ear before laying her on the bed. “Sleep well my dear, and we shall meet tomorrow.” He places a kiss on her forehead as she moans a complaint. He leaves, avoiding the gazes of many workers and guests as he returns to his rooms.

Beatrix lays upon her bed, a bundle of embarrassment and need as her confused mind replays her bold decisions. She wanted Maxwell, the realization hit her like a train at full force. And when it did, her body acted before her brain could comprehend what she was doing. The man was eternally compassionate and gentle with her, even when she could feel his desire and needs flare. But, as she drifted to sleep, she felt even more grateful and desire for him.

*****************************

The next day, she was in a haze with one thought circling her mind. And, when the clock reached ten am, she was certain about what she wanted. Reaching up, she presses the button to call for her steward. Without turning, she knows Maxwell had entered her room.

“You called, Mrs. Beatrix?” He questions, almost in a daring way that was thick with underlying meaning as she turns to face him.

“You left me last night.” She states, taking a step closer to him.

“Should I not have?” He asks quietly, watching her with a half smile.

“I thank you for the clarity of your actions. More so, I wish to continue where we left off.” She replies as she reaches him, running her hands up his chest as she brings her mouth close to his. “I realized that I wanted us to continue the moment you stopped. And what do you want?”

Without another word wasted, he wraps his arms around her and engulfs her in a kiss. This simple kiss leads them to her bed, a place that keeps them for the following hours. Some time during that, they feel the ship shudder, but pay no heed to it.

******************************

“Please put on your life jackets and go to the deck!” Shouting rings down the hall as the door is pounded upon, waking them rather rudely.

“What, is this a drill? The Titanic can’t sink.” Beatrix asks in a confused daze as she stretches and rubs her eyes. She can barely bother to reply to such mindless commands.

“Come now Bea, we should heed their calls.” Maxwell tells her with a smirk, sharing another kiss as she laughs. He leaves the bed to dress as she watches him. “I can check with the staff to make sure all is well. Please, for me, get ready just in case.”

“Fine, I’ll dress and put on the horrid life vest, not that it would do me much good.” She sighs, she starts to dress as he leaves. Her mind goes over everything, a little more clear with the fog of sleep leaving her. She finds herself becoming more anxious as the time starts to tick by.

“Please head to the deck, we’re loading lifeboats!” She hears shouting down the hall, finally prompting her to exit her room. She sees some others doing the same, it dawning on her that things weren’t quite right.

“Lessandra, have you seen Maxwell?” She halts the steward as she is rushing past her.

“I-I’m sorry Beatrix, I have not. He must be helping to evacuate others. Please, get to the lifeboats.” Lessandra begs her, then pulls out of her grip as she runs off.

Beatrix feels her heart pounding, as she finds her body yet again moving before any thoughts fully form in her mind. Maxwell, she needed to find him before it was too late to do so. Nothing else dominated her mind as she raced through unknown corridors, asking any staff she sees if they had seen him.

It wasn’t until cold water was hitting her ankles that she snapped to her senses. “Wha- Where am I?” She blinks and looks around, realizing that she had strayed into wholly unfamiliar places. She slowly creeps back up the stairs, panic rising as she stares at the water. A sound pulls her attention, the soft whimpers of a child making her brow crease in confusion. She peeks into a room, spotting a child cradling a doll on one of the beds. “What are you doing here darling?”

The child looks up at her, her face not being quite right and she couldn’t quite place why. “I lost my mommy, so I came back to our room…” She quietly replies, tears running down her face. “She’s not here!”

“It’s ok sweet, let’s go to where everyone is and we’ll find her. Come on now sweetheart.” She coaxes the child, wrapping an arm around her as she leads her out of the room. “We’ll be there before you know it!” She assures her, attempting to find the stairs once more. After a grueling hour, she finally finds a way up to the next floor, coming face to face with Marianna.

“Beatrix, what are you doing here?!” Marianna immediately questions, glancing at the child at her side. “Come with us quickly, we need to get you to the boats!” She rushes, grabbing her hand as she starts to lead them off.

“We can’t tarry!” Jackson appears from a room, his eyes widen slightly before he lifts the girl and runs with them. “There’s not much time left.”

“What about Max? Have you seen him?” She asks as they dash up another set of stairs.

“He was helping the kitchen crew, we’ll see him soon.” Jackson ensures her as they reach the deck. Instantly, a woman calls to the girl who all but leaps from his hold as she dashes to her. The boat that the girl is thrown into is the last one to be lowered, to their dismay.

“We were too late…” Marianna whispers with a hand to her chest.

“Come this way, we can see if there’s any boats on the other side!” Jackson tells them, leading them to the other side.

“Beatrix, I found Maxwell, he’s hurt.” Lessandra stops them, heaving from running after them.

“Take me to him.” Beatrix demands as she watches people hurriedly get loaded into the last few boats. She steeled herself as she’s lead to a cabin.

“An explosion happened, he was hit with some shrapnel.” a medic tells the others as she comes to his side, grasping his hand tightly.

“You need to get to the boats, why are you here?” Maxwell questions as he gazes at her.

“And why would I be when you aren’t?” She questions with a weary smile before kissing him.

Hours later, they are one of the many floating in the cold, unforgiving waters of the ocean. His wounds do little to keep his warmth, soon draining his life. She weeps as she clutches to him, watching the others as they get quiet one by one. And above this, she hears laughter. Laughter that draws her attention to a group of women swimming without jackets or clothing, and not holding a care.

“Sarah? Dalia? Catherine? What are you doing…?” She stammers, barely able to understand as Maxwell clutches her closer.

“Oh, our sweet Beatrix, we are enjoying the bounty we’ve brought home this time.” Dalia tells her, too happy to care about Beatrix’s confusion.

“What is the meaning of this?! Come to your senses!” She argues, only to be tisked by them.

“Darling, we called the ship here, and we will have our feast!” Catherine tells her, the three rising with water as they start singing. The calling of their songs draws in souls floating in the water around them.

“Stop it!” Beatrix screams at them, no longer feeling the cold though that escapes her notice.

“Bea, I do love you so much. This life and every other.” Maxwell suddenly murmurs to her, catching her attention. She turns her attention to him just in time to see his soul leaving him, being pulled towards the women that she could only liken to sirens.

“No…” She whispers as his soul floats closer to them. “I said NO!” She screams, power she has never felt flowing from her throughout the waters and souls around her as the sirens continue to laugh. “You WILL NOT have him!” She growls, time freezing around them.

“Little witch, how many times has this played out? We always come back to the same ending…” Sarah sighs, shaking her head in amusement.

“Let her go ahead, perhaps this time will fair them better.” Dalia giggles with a shrug.

“I will not allow this! I don’t care what it takes, you will never have him!” Beatrix screams, this strange newfound power surging from her in a blinding display.

*******************************

Maxwell meets with the other staff before the guests start to board the ship. Some faces are missing, the ones that have survived being represented as blank puppets. They all watch him, a mixture of pity and resignation as he makes his way to the entry.

“How many times does this make it? A thousand and five? A thousand and six?” Jackson asks as they get everything ready.

“A thousand and sixteen, but who’s counting?” Lessandra states as she passes them, patting Maxwell on the back as she does.

Thoughts fill his mind as they lead Beatrix through the halls to her room. They tried many different things, but it was always the same. After several desperate attempts of telling her what happened and attempting to change it failed, they had several bouts of anger, doing terrible things to her and one another. Yet again, nothing changed. They still tried new things, but most of it was just enjoy yourself until you die. Then, your soul would start to be absorbed just before time is reset to the beginning of the voyage once more.

His love for her could not dampen, and hers never shook either. And unfortunately, everyone else was forever swept up into their story until she chose to let him go.

Or, until they got things right…