Chapter Text
Everyone is hugging each other and talking, but I cannot bring myself to join the crowd. Mummy stays close to me. "We kept history on track, but at what cost?" I ask. Mummy hums in agreement. So much has happened that we cannot ignore it. We lost so many friends that it's almost impossible to keep track of them. I loathe to admit it, but I have lost track of how many historical figures I have met and tried to help. How could our actions be all right if we lost so many people?
Catalina runs over and hugs me. "Can you believe it?" She asks. "We've done it. We kept history on track."
I cannot bring myself to hug her back. How can I? Everything feels wrong. How can I be happy at a time like this?
The music starts up again, and Mum walks over. "Sarah," she says, "it's good to see you."
"And you." Mummy smiles at her. Mum stays a little longer and talks to both of us, but the queens soon intervene, and Mum joins them.
Luke wanders over. "What are you two going to do now?" He asks.
"I don't know." Mummy is still watching Mum. "I have a new girlfriend— well, new as in I've been with her for a couple of decades. Time works differently when you are immortal."
"I see. Is she immortal?"
Mummy nods. "She wants to meet you."
Luke stares at her. "Does she know about the alien stuff?"
"Yes."
Everyone is so busy celebrating that they don't seem to notice our interaction. Nor do they notice a new person entering the garden. I look at the man standing at the gate and run over. "You're here!" I squeal and throw my arms around him.
"I told you I will be here, didn't I?" Will laughs and hugs me back. "It's so good to see you."
"And you." I pull him in for a kiss.
"Murdy's back!" Lights yells.
"Shut up, Lightoller!" Will and I yell back.
As the afternoon progresses, the rest of the Titanic officers return. Anna has to go to Richmond to collect Bert, and she is gone most of the afternoon. As twilight descends, we turn the music down and begin packing up. Mummy walks through with Daddy on her arm. "It seems like all of the Titanic officers have returned," she says with a smile.
"I thought she said she has a girlfriend," Luke whispers to me.
"It was only until Daddy returned."
"He's your father?" Luke stares at me, his eyes full of wonder and a smile on his face.
"Yeah. Pretty cool, right?"
"Yeah."