**5/12/17 To all readers who are reading this for the first time: I am currently fixing continuity mistakes and doing some minor rewrites. It will take some time. Thank you for reading!**

**I do not own Titanic, 1997, or its characters. Only my own**

I envision my main character (Angela Stewart) to look like a young Moira Kelly (google her if you don't know who I am talking about).

"When you're lost.."

"You're alone and you can't get back again.."

"I'll find you, darling, and I'll bring you home..."

CHAPTER ONE

APPEARANCES

I wanted to scream, kick, throw the biggest tantrum in the world. In just a few short days, I would arrive back in America, to be married to a man, I hardly knew. His name was Richard Dalton; heir to one of the largest textile companies of the east coast. He was also almost twenty years my senior, but my mother and father wanted my life to be secure. My parents were known as "new money", my father got rich about a decade ago because unbeknownst to him, his Father's brother, James, left him quite a bit of money in his will. Why he did, we didn't know, but it made my mother very happy.

I had turned 22 at the end of January, for my birthday I had finally received my engagement ring, and a letter asking for my hand in marriage. Of course if I had said no, Father would have probably punished me. So having to be "obedient", I replied that I would be "honored". The wedding would be held on Saturday, 27 April. A day that all girls dream about would be my day of misery.

Before coming to England in the summer of 1910, my father met Mr. Dalton through a close family friend. He had invested some interest in me after seeing my sister, Eve, and I at a picnic. Mr. Dalton was interested in courting me, suggesting I meet with him and my father. The moment I saw him, I couldn't help but say no. He was not my ideal choice of a beau, let alone a husband. He was fat, was starting to bald, and had the most arrogant disposition. My mother sat me down and explained to me the importance of not only having a secure future, but also being obedient. Obedient in what ways I asked? Cooking, cleaning, and running the household, but when my mother and I had that "talk", I wanted to vomit.

"Now Angela, you know when two people are to be married dear, consummation is required." Mother said with a slight sigh.

"Mother, you married Father for love, did you not? Why can't I find my own suitor and live my own life?" I crossed my arms. I felt like I was being sold into slavery.

My mother would go on to say that because I was a woman, I had no say in this. My father "knew best". I could tell that she didn't like the idea of my having to marry this buffoon but I wouldn't go without food, or the fine luxuries in life.

"Why then won't Eve marry him!" I exclaimed. "She is only three years younger than me."

"Angela, I am sorry, he for some reason wants you, it is you who will become Angela Stewart-Dalton. Someday you will understand..."

I couldn't understand how my father could practically sell me. A man who only lusted for me. A man who didn't care about at all. My father was no better than Mr. Dalton was. I wished I could runaway, do something to get away from what I felt to be the inevitable. Unfortunately, today, myself and the family would leave for America on what was called "The Grandest Ship in the World". Father happened to become friends with J. Bruce Ismay, who was in charge of the White Star Line. He was the exact same as Mr. Dalton, personality that is. We were given some of the best cabins aboard, as well as a beautiful sitting area that you could be outside and see the sunrise and sunset. It was truly paradise, but I couldn't bring myself up to truly enjoy it.

"Miss. Angela, where would you like your wedding dress?" My maid, Fran, held up the big white thing to me as I was busy putting out my hair and cosmetic items on my vanity.

I shuddered in disgust. "Throw it over"

She couldn't help but laugh. "You know I wish I could. You wouldn't be feeling that way about it if you were marrying someone who you did love."

Fran was more than a maid. She was my nurse and my confidant. She came to the family right before my father got rich. We immediately formed an attachment; Eve was not so keen about her at first but overtime she became close to her. Not nearly as close as us though.

"If it wasn't for the money, I would be able to marry someone I did love. I guess this the popular thing in society, a girl gets promised to a rich man, everyone is happy." I started to unwrap my dark hair from it's bun and began to massage my scalp. I usually did my own hair, but today my mother did it and I could tell she was not happy when she did it. It had been wrapped tight.

"Lunch is going to be served soon, do you want to change out of this dress and into something more comfortable?" Fran suggested.

I went into my wardrobe, and picked out a day dress of light purple. She happily obliged by unbuttoning the back of the tight dress I had on.

Mother walked in and softly closed the door behind her. She had this huge grin on her face.

"Oh Angela, guess who is going to be with us at lunch?" Her eyes lit up like Christmas morning.

I shook my head no. I really didn't care.

"Bruce Ismay of course, but the Captain and some of his senior officers. At OUR table." She squealed.

I couldn't muster any excitement, all I could do was smile.

"Try to contain your excitement." Fran whispered in my ear. I had to bite on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.

"Angela, isn't that wonderful? We will be making a name for ourselves. Sure John Jacob Astor and his wife are said to be the wealthiest people onboard, but we will be next in line when it comes to fame around here. You mark my words!" She exclaimed as she took a seat on the sofa, stretching her legs out upon it.

"Mother, did it ever occur to you that I am not worried about that?" I winced as Fran was finishing with buttoning my day dress on.

She closed her eyes and sighed. "Yes, a new husband at the end of the month, so many people will be there, and of course we need to figure out a Priest!"

I went and sat at my vanity to put my hair up. "Mother, can we not have so many people there? I don't even know 200 people." As I braided my hair, I braided a lavender colored ribbon in, like a gypsy woman had shown me not too long ago.

"Oh dear, it would be our family and friends and Mr. Dalton's family and friends.

I finished the braid and moved it to rest upon my left shoulder. "His family lives in California!" I turned around. "Also he is so obnoxious he hardly has a friend in New York."

"You know dear it is not nice to speak of people in such a way." Mother said sternly.

I stood up and walked over to her. "It's true." I said then picked up my small silk bag.

"Well if you are ready, let's start for the dining room." She said as she grabbed my hand.

"Fran, please see that Eve is ready." Mother asked.

"Yes ma'am."

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"You see that girl over there?" Mother motioned to an auburn haired girl, who looked to be about my age.

"She is to be married to that charming man sitting beside her. She is seventeen." Mother waved modestly to an older woman, who looked to be the younger woman's mother.

I noted the girl's miserable expression and the way she looked at the man whenever he acknowledged her. I was sure it was safe to assume that she was in the same position as me. At least her fiancé was much better looking than the one I had to marry.

"I spoke with her mother earlier when we boarded. Mrs. DeWitt-Bukater and her daughter is Rose." I continued to look at her. For the first time since I became engaged, I could relate to someone. It was at that moment that I felt I could make a friend, and share commiserations.

Before Mother could utter another word about Rose's demise, I could hear Father talking and I turned around.

"Hello princess." Father kissed my cheek. A few men walked over to our table.

"Good afternoon!" Mother acknowledged to then uniformed men. The Captain, had two medals adorned on his uniform jacket. His hair was white and his facial hair was too. His eyes looked like he had seen nothing but the sea. A lot of it.

"Good afternoon, please be seated." The Captain said softly. As I took my seat, I looked up and couldn't help but notice the officer who was sitting across from me. His eyes happened to meet mine. His blue eyes, eyes the color of cornflowers, eyes that hadn't seen as much as the Captain's did. I could feel my heart suddenly race, I felt like I was going to perspire.

The room suddenly became empty. The only people who occupied was just he and I.

"Angela!" My mother hissed.

I felt a nudge to my arm. "Good afternoon." I could manage to say.

Mother laughed. "My poor daughter is already tired from her travels. This is my Angela."

"Hello young lady, I am Captain Smith. Pleasure to meet you." He nodded.

"Pleasure is all mine." I managed to smile.

I put my napkin on my lap.

"Well since you were so kind to introduce me to your family, I will be more than happy to introduce mine." Captain Smith chuckled. He started to the right of him.

"This is Second Officer Lightholler to the right of me, next is my Chief Officer, Henry Wilde, and last is First Officer Murdoch. He will be a Chief Officer in no time." The Skipper looked at him with pride.

Officer Murdoch looked back up at me and gave me the warmest grin I had ever received. His eyes pierced into me like a knife.

I could not eat. My stomach felt like it was doing somersaults.

"Mother, may I be excused? I need some air." I tried to sound desperate. She looked at me with worried eyes. "Do you want me to accompany you love?" She grabbed my hand.

I shook my head and looked over at the Captain. "Please excuse me." I said softly and got up and preceded to go outside to the promenade.

As I stepped outside, I could see the girl whose predicament was like mine, looking over at the ocean. I stepped slowly and quietly a few yards away and looked down at the diamond on my finger. I turned around and untied my small bag and placed the ring inside and quickly fastened the straps.

I hoped that my mother and father wouldn't notice it being gone.

**Credit: Song, "By Your Side" By Sade**