ALL I NEED
Chapter Sixteen
Eventually, Molly knocked on the
door for us to leave. The hearings were starting again. Harry again promised me
he would find a way to be with me. My mind was telling me that it was
impossible, but my heart was calm and trusting his word, because he never broke
his promises.
I went back to the room, where I
sat on a couch beside Cal, who shot me a suspicious look. He knew that I went
to see Harry. He wasn't dumb. I didn't say anything. I simply looked down and
sat in silence. And like that we stayed for over two hours, until Molly's
hearing finally ended and she entered the room with a relieved face.
"I'm so glad I had the
opportunity to tell what happened in that lifeboat," Molly said, sighing
in relief. "Anyway, I think we're done, aren't we? You must be so
bored." She gestured to Cal, Madeleine--who had gone before her--and I.
"Just a little,"
Madeleine said sarcastically, and a man opened the other door, saying that we
could leave.
I left with Cal by my side,
wondering if I would have the chance to see Harry again. As soon as we reached
the entrance, we found everyone from the hearing there, including my parents
and the rest of the audience. I searched with my eyes and found Harry with Mr.
Lightoller in a corner, drinking something and talking to each other. Harry was
watching us leave the corridor and smiled at me when our eyes met. Lightoller
looked back and nodded at me with a smile, too. I returned the smiles, but was
quickly brought back to earth by Mr. Henderson gently taking my arm.
"Are you all right?" he
asked casually, and I looked at him, simply nodding. "You must be very
tired."
"A little," I said
apathetically, and Molly approached us. Cal was still by my side while my
parents talked to the senator.
"So, you must be Gregory
Henderson," Molly said almost sarcastically, looking at Mr. Henderson, who
kissed her hand politely. "Margaret Brown."
"How do you do?" Mr.
Henderson asked politely, and Molly started a conversation with him. Cal waited
for an opportunity and asked if he could talk to me. We excused ourselves and I
walked away with him.
"About the Heart of the
Ocean," he started. "It was stolen, then we found it, then I lost it
in the sinking. Is that clear?"
"Oh, you found it?" I
asked, impressed, as we stopped a little way away from Mr. Henderson and Molly.
"Who stole it?"
"That steerage boy," he
said, gritting his teeth. I frowned, remembering that Rose was with him, but
didn't say anything.
"Officer Lowe," I
suddenly heard Mr. Henderson's voice saying behind me, a little way away from
us. That was the only voice I couldn't picture in my mind calling Harry. I
slowly turned around, much to my horror, to face Mr. Henderson walking towards
Harry to talk to him.
"Oh, my God," I
whispered, and shot a look at Cal. His jaw dropped. "Oh, my God, Cal."
"Breathe. Act normal. Don't
make it obvious," Cal advised me. He actually advised me. He must've been
sensing things. "Do exactly the opposite of what you're doing right
now." He gestured at my concerned expression.
"Mr. Henderson." Harry
managed a nod. His expression was extremely calm, though he had a slight smile
on his face. He must've been nervous.
"We have to go there.
Come," I whispered to him, and took his hand, practically dragging him
with me in Harry and Mr. Henderson's direction. "Hello...darling," I
greeted, smiling, and both Harry and Mr. Henderson looked at me, acknowledging
my greeting as if it was for both of them...I actually didn't know who I
greeted like that. Cal almost burst out laughing at the situation, but he
stifled his laughter, looking down. "Officer Lowe." I looked from Mr.
Henderson to Harry and nodded intently at him. He smiled and looked down, and
he also wanted to laugh at the situation.
"Miss Hockley," he
said, serious again, looking back at me and nodding quietly, still with a
slight smile on his lips. "Mr. Hockley." Harry managed a nod to Cal,
who simply gestured, trying his best to contain himself.
"I wanted to thank you for
saving my fiancée’s life," Mr. Henderson said, looking at Harry. I shot a
look at Cal. He looked dull with his best attempt to look casual. Mr. Henderson
could certainly feel that something was going between Cal and I, though I
believe he couldn't see Harry's connection to it. Thank God.
"Oh, not to worry,"
Harry said almost sarcastically. "My pleasure. I mean...it's my job. I
feel good to know that she's safe." He shot a look at me and smiled
widely. I wanted to laugh at the situation, but at the same time I was nervous.
"Thank you,
nonetheless." Mr. Henderson managed a nod. He was completely unaware of
what was happening around him. He took something from his pocket--his wallet.
"I was thinking of maybe rewarding you--"
"No. I don't want your
money, sir," Harry said more seriously, almost offended, gesturing to Mr.
Henderson. "Knowing that she's safe, like any other passenger that I
helped that night…" he added, just in case. "...that's enough for
me."
"Very well, then," Mr.
Henderson said after a brief silence while he raised his eyebrows at Harry's
noble reply. "But you are a true hero, young man."
I looked at Cal again. He had his
eyes fixed on the carpet. I could tell how hard he was trying not to laugh.
Then I looked back at Harry.
"Thank you, sir," Harry
said. His tone was sarcastic, though I'm not sure Mr. Henderson could see the
sarcasm in it. Maybe it was sarcastic to me and for Cal, who knew what was
going on, but not to him.
"I'm glad I could be
of...assistance." Harry gestured gently to me, looking into my eyes and
smiling that wide smile. Cal grinned as he got behind me, both hands on my shoulders.
"A lot of very much
appreciated assistance, I'm sure," he whispered quietly, so only I could
listen to him. I looked down. I'm sure I blushed at his implication. "But
Greg, I believe it's time for us to leave."
"Of course, but Officer
Lowe," Mr. Henderson said, already taking my arm before pulling something
else out of his pocket--a business card. "I'm sure my fiancée would love
it if you could attend our wedding. You may call my secretary and inform him
where is it that you're living now so we can send you an invitation."
Harry looked at the card and it
took him a moment to realize what Mr. Henderson had said. I held my breath,
looking intently at him as he took the card and glanced at me. He smiled, but
this time it was a false smile. I could tell.
"I'm honored," Harry
said after a few seconds, looking at the card. "I'm not sure how long I
will be in the U.S., but I will make sure to inform your secretary." He
looked at Mr. Henderson, then at me.
"I'm sure he would be
honored to attend the wedding," Cal whispered quietly again in my other
ear, opposite Mr. Henderson. "Especially if he was the groom." I
wanted the slap him, but I contained myself and just smiled.
"Very well, then," Mr.
Henderson said with a satisfied smile, and looked at Cal and then at me.
"We shall go, then." He nodded to Harry. "Officer Lowe."
"Sir." Harry returned
the nod and took one of my hands, kissing it softly and keeping eye contact
with me. I almost fainted. "Miss," he said, letting go of my hand.
Cal nodded with a sarcastic smile
at Harry, who returned it the same way, and we all left. I was feeling as if my
heart was frozen, but at the same time, it was quiet with Harry's promise. I
knew he wouldn't fail me.