Thursday, April 18th, 1912 came around with the surviving Titanic passengers eagerly waiting to disembark the Carpathia. Nate hadn't looked for his mother. His father's name wasn't on the list. With nothing but the clothes he wore, Nate looked into the eyes of families waiting to greet their lucky brothers, sisters, wives, mothers, fathers and husbands.

"Nathaniel!"

Nate froze when he heard his mother call his name and when he turned around he saw her looking as fabulous as ever. It was obvious to him she paid someone to freshen her up before she departed in New York. The worry in her eyes was real as were the tears glistening in them when she realized her son was alive. As she made her way to him, Nate tried to keep his emotions down.

"You're father didn't make it, Nathaniel."

"Neither did Clara, I suppose you got what you wanted mother." Nate didn't mean to sound cruel towards his mother. He forgot she lost the love of her life as well but one never would have guessed it.

"No, Nate, I never wished the young woman ill will, come with me. We'll keep the business running in your father's honor."

Nate shook his head and hugged his mother one last time.

"I'm disembarking with the third-class passenger's, mother. I'm living out Clara's dream for her. She wanted us to take over her father's pottery business and that is what I plan on doing. I love you, tell our family I said hello."

Nate left his mother to go ashore with those of her class. He wouldn't see her again until the week before she died many years later. She kept the business running and eventually remarried into another wealthy family.

Nate waited with the other steerage passengers until nightfall when they were allowed to leave. The streets were empty by now and many of the passengers left in silence with their memories of the nightmare fresh in their minds. As Nate stepped off the ship he turned and swore that he saw Clara running down the street with Poppet close behind. She stopped and looked at him, a smile on her face as she mouthed the words "I love you" before she disappeared. He broke into sobs and fell to his knees not caring who saw him.

"Come on Nate, I'll show you where the Forsyth pottery shop is. Clara told me in the few moments before we sank. She was a wise, feisty woman." Jordan said kindly as he knelt next to Nate.

"Did Clayton make it?" Nate asked to change the subject. Jordan lowered his eyes and shook his head.

"I never saw him after he went to find you. Augusta's name isn't on the list either. Perhaps they found each other and tonight they're in heaven having the time of their lives."

Jordan walked with Nate down the street where they rented a carriage to take them to the pottery shop. Once there, Jordan left Nate and went his separate ways, Nate was positive he'd never see the man again.

As Jordan's carriage wheeled away, Nate stared up at the building which sported a weather beaten sign. The sign read: Forsyth's pottery, which made Nate laugh at its simplicity. When he entered the unlocked doors a younger looking man stood from a wicker chair.

"Mr. Nathaniel Hollister West?"

"Yes, sir, how did you know my name?" Nate said in awe as the man held out his hand for him to shake.

"Miss Clara sent me a wire just less than five days ago explaining how she met a young man by the name of Nathaniel Hollister West. Her father died this past year leaving the shop to her name however she wasn't here so I took over until she returned. I am Richard Stewart, a family friend so to speak."

"Clara isn't coming back, Mr. Stewart. She went down with the Titanic and not one person saw her since. I wanted to marry her. She wanted to teach me the way of this trade. I loved her." Nate felt himself choking up and Richard nodded.

"This much I do know, son, we were saddened by this news however there is some good in it. You are co-owner and overseer of this business, I will show you to her father's room which you may stay in until you're stable enough to buy a flat."

Richard led Nate past shelves of beautiful dishes, cups, figurines and much more to a flight of stairs. As they climbed Nate flashed back to the time he and Clara kissed on the Grand Staircase. Richard turned and smiled gently at him knowing the poor, young man thought about Clara.

"This is your room, if there is anything I may get you ask it of me in the morning. I do not live here thus I cannot help you tonight, may you rest at ease Nathan." With that, He left Nate alone in the building.

Nate shut the door to the room and lit the lamps, which were positioned in the four corners. The light swept across pictures of a man, a woman and a young girl who looked overjoyed. Another picture showed Clara as a boisterous fourteen year old standing on the New York docks. He tumbled onto the bed and shut his eyes letting his stored emotions to break free.

"Clara, I'll always love you, I promise." Nate said before he fell asleep clutching the latest picture of Clara and Poppet to him.

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Yeah this is very, very short. Like very. My chapters usually range from a few thousand works and this doesn't even hit 1k so sorry about that. I haven't decided if I'm going to post the conclusion I wrote that takes place later. I'm indecisive. Sorry!

Til next time, maybe. Either way it's been a ride and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I loved writing out Titanic.

x zuz