Love Throughout Time

Chapter 18

*Millie*

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Veranda Café,” Agatha says. “It’s quite charming.”

“I haven’t been there yet,” I admit. “I’m sure it’s really nice.”

I’m feeling comfortable, too, because today’s day dress isn’t scratchy like the first one. It’s a pretty light blue color with a neckline not quite as high as that other one. Still, I’m in the stupid corset again, but Agatha has kept it loose. I can’t figure out why women in 1912 think they need these things. The first day I wore it tightly, I could barely breathe.

Will isn’t with us, and it makes me uneasy.

Edward seems to sense that as we stroll down the hallway toward the cafe with me on one of his arms and Agatha on the other. It’s strange how I’m getting used to being escorted around like this, though I wish I was locking elbows with Will.

“Will was very sorry he could not be here for breakfast.” He’s explained it already, but I still don’t feel right. Anxiety fills me as I wonder where he is. “It seems his errands were urgent.”

“I wonder what errands he had.” I also wonder if Will is avoiding me. I can’t believe I kissed him. None of these women in 1912 would do something like that. He’s probably trying to figure out how he’s ever going to face me again–or if he even wants to.

“He wouldn’t elaborate, but he won’t be long,” he says. “But that’s more time for me to chat with you lovely ladies.”

Agatha smiles as we enter the Veranda Cafe. She was right. It’s really nice. It’s like an elegant garden setting, with wicker chairs and tables and designs around the windows that look like vines growing up a trellis. It’s bright from the natural morning light, and the décor would actually make a really good café even in 2025. I wonder if I’ll ever get back there.

Edward seats us both, and the waiter comes over, handing him the menu.

“I really liked the omelet the other day.” There’s some weird stuff on these menus, so I want to be sure I get something normal.

“That sounds lovely,” Agatha agrees. “I’d love to have the same.”

Edward orders for us, and a server comes over with some tea. I’ve never liked warm tea, but it’s an everyday beverage here, and I’m starting to like it, especially in the mornings.

When the food comes, it’s delicious, as usual. We chat about the décor and the food as we eat. Edward finishes up just as Mr. Brandeis waves at us from across the room. Edward waves back and sets his napkin on the table. “If you ladies will excuse me, I have something to discuss with Mr. Brandeis.”

“Sure,” I say, and Agatha nods. I watch as Edward walks over and gives the man a friendly handshake then sits with his back to us.

“So, Millie,” Agatha says, and I turn to her. “I’ve noticed how Will has been looking at you recently.”

Instantly, I feel heat rising in my cheeks. I’m sure she didn’t see the kiss. Did she?

“You were home quite late last night,” she adds. “Where were you off to at that hour?”

I figure there’s no sense in lying. “We went to meet some of the people in third-class.”

She raises a brow. “Isn’t that dangerous?”

“No,” I insist. “Everyone is really nice down there, and we had fun. You can ask Will, and he’ll agree.”

She nods, setting her fork down. “I no longer wish to be rude, but I feel the need to be straightforward with you. If you are doing something to mislead my brother, I must promise that I will personally destroy you.”

Unlike before, the threat doesn’t get a rise out of me. I’m glad she loves her brother so much that she’d defend him like that. “I’m not, I promise. I only want to go home.”

She lowers her voice to a whisper. “And that would be to the future?”

My eyes go wide. I hadn’t realized Will had told her.

“Edward told me about it,” she explains, seeing my surprise.

I guess Will told him. “I know it sounds crazy.”

“And this is why you couldn’t explain about your mother.”

I nod. “Yes.”

“He mentioned you believed you were on a similar ship.” She takes a sip as if we’re just talking about our next knitting project. I don’t know if I’d be so calm about it if I were in her shoes.

“Yes, Titanic 2.” I look around, and no one is close enough to hear me. “My mom and sister were with me. They were right next to me and—”

“And you found yourself here.”

I take a slow breath, nodding. “And now, I’m starting to have serious feelings for Will.”

Her eyebrow arch again.

“But that’s not very smart. I have a life back in 2025, and he’s… here.” I feel a knot growing in my stomach just thinking about it.

“I suppose that would be quite difficult.” Her tone is sympathetic and seems genuine.

“I don’t even know what’s happening back in my time.” I push my last few bites of food around on my plate, but suddenly, I’m not hungry. “Maybe I disappeared right before their eyes. Or maybe I’m in a coma, and they’re waiting at the hospital for me to wake up. I don’t know how I got here, let alone whether I’ll ever get to go back. I love my mom and sister, and I miss them so much.”

Memories flood my mind, images of all the most important points in my life flashing before my eyes, all of them with either Mom or Ally. I don’t want to cry in the middle of the café, but I can feel the tears starting to well up at the thought of never seeing them again.

I guess my choice is either lose them or lose Will. I don’t think I can handle either one.

I use my napkin as a tissue to try to keep the tears in, and Agatha pats me on the shoulder. “I understand the pain of loss, believe me,” she says.

Sniffing, I nod. “I am super sorry about your parents.”

“Thank you.” Her mouth turns down, and she suddenly looks as griefed as I feel. “It was so terrible, watching them descend into sickness.”

“Will said you brought in the best doctors.” In my time, people the age of her parents probably wouldn’t die from the flu. I’ve heard of older people dying from it, or people that were already sick. I can’t imagine having to stay in a time when so many illnesses could kill a person.

“We did, but even they couldn’t save them.” She shakes her head. “I don’t like to think of them in that state. Will tells me to remember the good memories of them, and I try to most of the time. My mother was such a wonderful woman.”

“Tell me about her.” I blink a few times and wipe away the last stray tear before taking a sip of my tea. I’ve managed to dry my tears for now.

“Oh, she was lovely.” Agatha flashes a nostalgic smile. “She was always very stylish. Even when she didn’t wear her newest dresses, she’d style them in such a way that the other society ladies would follow suit.”

“She was a trendsetter.” I think about all the fashion influencers on social media. Maybe she would have been like them.

“Hmm, I suppose that’s true.” She inhales deeply, closing her eyes for a few seconds before looking at me again. “She was also a true talent on the piano. When I was a very young girl, I’d sit and watch her, dreaming of one day being as talented as she was. She saw my interest and began teaching me. I was only five at the time.”

No wonder she misses the piano so much. I don’t think I would have been able to leave it behind. But it would probably cost a lot of money to bring a heavy item like that onto the Titanic. I guess they really did lose a lot moving to America.

“Tell me about your mother,” she says, wiping a tear of her own off her cheek.

“She’s wonderful.” I have a clear picture of her in my mind, holding her phone and wanting that picture. I hope someday I get the chance to tell her it’s not her fault I hit my head. I should have been more careful. “She likes to shop for new clothes, too.”

Agatha smiles.

“And she works so hard.” I look around to be sure no one’s listening still. “She’s a lawyer.”

“Edward told me that as well,” she says. “That’s quite impressive. And it’s interesting that women can pursue such a profession in the future.”

“Women can do anything,” I say. “There are even female astronauts.”

She shakes her head. “Pardon? I’ve never heard of such an occupation.”

“Astronauts are people who fly into space,” I explain. I wonder how much of this I should tell her. I don’t know if she’ll survive the disaster or not, and if she does, maybe she shouldn’t know too much.

Her eyes are wide, as I expect. “That’s extraordinary.”

“There’s so much more.” I give her a smile. “The world is a lot different in the future. Though, in some ways, it’s the same.”

“I suppose it is.” She pauses for a moment. “What about your sister? Tell me about her.”

“She’s younger than me and kinda crazy.” I realize that might not mean the same thing to Agatha as it does to me. “Oh, I mean she’s silly and fun-loving, not insane.”

She nods. “I see.”

“We’re pretty close,” I continue. “We wear a lot of the same outfits even.”

“As do you and I,” she says with a smile.

I let out a light chuckle. “Yeah that’s true. I guess we’re like sisters, too, right now.”

“And as long as you treat my brother with the respect he deserves, I’m honored to be like a sister to you.”

We just sort of smile at each other, and I feel that warm connection, like I’m having a conversation with Ally.

After a few moments, she breaks the silence. “Edward did explain about… the ship.” She looks around. “Honestly, I can’t say whether or not I believe you about that, but I will do anything I can to help, just in case.”

“Thank you.” It’s good to have someone else on my side.

“Ah, there you are.” I turn to see Will, his face lit up with a warm smile. He doesn’t look embarrassed to see me, or like he wants to run and hide from me. In fact, he looks relieved to find me here. Somehow, I just instantly feel that everything will be all right.

I hope he enjoyed our kiss as much as I did. From the look in his eyes, it looks like he did.