Christian’s POV
For a moment, I was speechless. I stared blankly at Satine, not noticing the breathtaking sunset or the crowd of passengers. Then, the word started bouncing around in my skull, forcing me to acknowledge them.
"Pregnant?" I managed to ask, my eyes widening.
"Yes, pregnant." Satine smiled cautiously, as if she was unsure whether I was overjoyed or not. And, truth be told, I wasn't sure whether to shout for joy or sob. I decided I'd be happy for the moment, though, and save the sobbing—the tears of joy—for when our beautiful baby was born.
"Really? Satine, that's…that's amazing!" I gathered her frail body in my arms and spun her around the deck, eliciting glares from the other first class passengers, who saw our behavior as scandalous.
"What happened?" Jack asked, tapping me on the shoulder. His blue eyes were locked inquiringly on Satine.
"Jack, I'm pregnant!" she told him. His mouth curved into a smile as Rose wandered up.
"You're pregnant?" Jack asked as Rose squealed, "Really?" Her face was alight with surprise for a split second. I watched, confused, as her face fell and a neutral expression hid any emotions. I recognized the same look from Satine when something had happened that required her to hide behind a mask. Sure enough, when I turned around, Ruth, Rose's mother, was standing behind Rose and me, a scandalized expression on her face.
"Really, first class passengers prancing around on the deck in public! What has the world come to?" Ruth muttered to her companions. I stifled a laugh and set Satine down, backing away and leaving Rose to talk to her mother. I noticed that Jack stood behind her almost protectively.
"Mother, may I introduce Jack Dawson, Satine Kidman, and Christian McGregor?" Rose asked timidly, pointing us out in turn.
"Charmed, I'm sure," Ruth said coldly.
"She looks like she's enjoying life," I muttered in a low undertone to Satine. She giggled, burying her head in my chest to stifle the noise.
Molly Brown was talking to Jack, an easygoing smile on her face. I could tell she liked him, liked having someone who wasn't rich and snooty to talk to.
The bugler sounded the meal call from right behind us and we all jumped.
"Why do they insist on announcing dinner like a damn cavalry charge?" Molly grumped. I agreed with her, silently nodding my head.
"Shall we go dress, Mother?" Rose asked, her voice cold and devoid of emotion. "See you at dinner, Jack, Satine, Christian!" she called over her shoulder, a hint of a smile in her voice. Jack watched her leave, a wistful expression on his face.
"Jack, what are you planning on wearing?" I asked him, noticing his ragged clothing. First class was a snake pit. If he entered dressed like that, he would be torn to pieces.
"This." He shrugged, gesturing to his outfit. Molly shook her head, waddling towards him.
"I figured." She sighed. "I have some clothes that'll fit you."
*****
Satine picked out a suit and tie for me to wear, proclaiming loudly that I didn't have the right amount of fashion sense to dress myself. I kept quiet throughout it all, the barest trace of a grin on my face. Once I was dressed and ready to go, Satine herself got ready.
She hoped in the tub for a quick thirty-minute rinse, carefully applied her makeup, fixed her hair, and fretted over what to wear.
In the end, she settled on a light blue dress with a black lace slip that changed the color from light blue to a deep midnight blue. She slid on silver ballet flats and fastened a heart pendant around her neck.
"Ready?" she asked breathlessly.
I nodded at her, dazed by her beauty. "Your shawl, Satine," I said, handing her a gauzy silver shawl. She accepted it gracefully, wrapping it around her arms to complete her look. We left the room hand-in-hand, wondering how the evening would turn out.
Jack’s POV
I was escorted into a first class room. My eyes widened as they took in all of the luxury that one place could hold. A sweeping Grand Staircase was dotted with people, and a rich clock adorned with angels stood at the top. There was a glass dome, and at the center, a breathtaking crystal chandelier. I walked towards the stairs, glancing at Ruth and Cal as they passed, neither one recognizing me in my finery. I paused when I saw Rose, drinking in her beauty.
She was dressed in a low-cut burgundy dress with white gloves that came to well above her elbows. She stared at me, smiling. I grinned back, one hand behind my back and my shoulders straight. She extended her gloved hand and I took it, kissing her fingers. She blushed and giggled slightly.
"I saw that in a nickelodeon once, and I've always wanted to try it," I told her. She beamed in reply, taking my arm and leading me to Cal.
"Cal, surely you remember Mr. Dawson," she said. Cal was visibly caught off guard, and I felt a small tug of satisfaction.
"Dawson! I didn't recognize you!" He chuckled, still shocked. "Amazing. You almost pass for a gentleman," he observed coldly, studying the borrowed suit.
We met Molly Brown, Christian, and Satine in the dining saloon. Molly came bustling up to me, keeping up a steady stream of advice.
"Remember, the only thing they respect is money, so just act like you own a gold mine and you're in the club," she was saying, a broad grin on her face.
As we neared the throng, Rose leaned close and pointed out people, telling me names that I soon forgot. It wasn't like I would ever see them again.
Dinner was going smoothly until Ruth spoke, obviously hating how accepted I was.
"Tell us of the accommodations in steerage, Mr. Dawson. I hear they're quite good on this ship." Across from me, Rose flinched, anger flaring in her eyes. Next to me, Satine hissed in quiet anger, seething. Christian laid a hand on her shoulder and, at his touch, she calmed down.
"The best I've ever seen, ma'am. Hardly any rats," I replied smoothly, taking my napkin off of my plate and sliding it onto my lap.
"Mr. Dawson is joining us from third class. He was of some assistance to my fiancée last night," Cal interjected. I hid back a snort. Some assistance? I saved her life! Ungrateful snob. It was obvious that he didn't love her.
Whispers broke out around the table at this revelation. The small group stared at me, shocked that a third class passenger had been allowed in a strictly first class lounge. I ignored the stares, talking quietly to Christian.
A waiter appeared at my shoulder, looking at me with his head tilted. "How do you take your caviar, sir?"
"No caviar for me, thanks. I never did like it much."
"And where exactly do you live, Mr. Dawson?" Ruth asked.
"Well, right now my address is the RMS Titanic. After that, I'm on God's good humor," I informed her. Salad was slid in front of me, and I picked up a fork, taking a bite. Not bad.
The dinner passed, and before I knew it, it was over. I whispered a question to Satine and Christian, and they nodded in reply. I stood up, taking Rose's hand and sliding a piece of paper into her palm. I saw her read it under the table as I walked away, hoping she would meet me. I already knew Satine and Christian would.
Satine’s POV
Where would Jack take us? He had whispered in my ear to meet him at the clock, and he had said the same thing to Christian. We left the dining room hand-in-hand, Rose following us at a careful distance.
Jack was standing alone at the top of the Grand Staircase, his back to us, examining the ornate clock. Rose mounted the staircase first, and he turned, seeing us, but with a smile reserved for Rose alone. Christian and I reach the top of the stairs, wondering what Jack wanted.
"Want to go to a real party?" he asked, a boyish glint of excitement in his eyes.