Maureen O'Quinn was so excited. In a few short days they would be setting sail for New York City. She had been born and raised in Belfast, Ireland. The farthest she had ever traveled was to London with her parents and that was on a very rare occasion. She could use both hands to count the number of times that had happened and she wouldn't use up all her fingers. Soon, though, she'd be working on the most glamorous ship in the world. She had been hired to work on the White Star Line's Titanic. She was sure it would be hard work, especially since she was assigned to work for the First Class travelers. Her mother worked as a maid and warned her how snobby and the demanding the rich could be.The richer someone was, the more they thought they were god and didn't think their shit stunk. Maureen had been helping get the ship all ready for its maiden voyage. Setting up cabins and learning what her job duties would be. This was the nineteen year old's first real job. Before being hired by the White Star Line, she had worked with her mother. Her father and two older brothers worked for Harland and Wolff, they had helped build the massive ship.<br/><br/>It was a thing of beauty and Maureen couldn't wait to for the voyage to begin. She had always dreamed of seeing the Statue of Liberty. New York City was such a grand city and she'd actually get to go there! She wouldn't get to stay long, of course. She was a crew member, not a passenger, but she'd still get to see America. And who knew how many other great places she'd get to see in the world while she worked on the Titanic. Maureen could not wait to see the world.<br/><br/>----------------<br/><br/>Kellen Ashby and his twin brother, Liam, were following their mother's directions, which involved packing and moving boxes around their simple home. Soon their whole family would be boarding the Titanic and heading to America. The Ashby family had no intentions of ever going back to Dublin, Ireland, though. Kellen's uncle had moved to America two years ago and said it was the best decision he had ever made. He was living the American dream. He had a good job in the construction business, building skyscrapers in Chicago. It had taken some convincing, but Dad was convinced that a fresh start in the land of opportunity was what they all needed. Once they arrived in New York, they'd all take a train to Chicago and start new lives, better lives.<br/><br/>It was hard to find work here and feed six children. Kellen and Liam had just turned twenty and did the best that they could go to help not only feed the little ones by working, but also help their dear mother with them. Their father had saved every single coin he could spare once he learned about the Titanic. The Third Class accommodations were supposed to be much nicer then all the other ships around. For a family of eight, it had reasonable prices as well. The Titanic would cater to the rich, but the real money would made in taking emigrants across the Atlantic.<br/><br/>Their mother was a little angry at her husband for saying they would pack up their family and leave their home forever. Dublin was the only home she had ever known. She would miss it so. She had been born here and had wanted to raise all her children here. Hoped her grandbabies would be here too. They had lots of family and friends in Dublin. They didn't have a lot of money, but they had a lot of love. Of course, her brother-in-law had to fill her husband's mind with the riches that America held. But she was a good wife and good wives supported their husbands. Even if they didn't always agree with them.<br/><br/>"Boys, take that box to Miss Ciara. Anna has outgrew them clothes but Ciara's little one can use them."<br/><br/>Anna was the youngest of the Ashby children, only six years old in age. The last child Mrs. Ashby may have. The clothes had been well loved, passed on through her girl children. She wished she could take them with her but her husband reminded her they could only take the essential stuff. Other things they would buy in their new home. Kellen and Liam both nodded their heads.<br/><br/>"Yes, Mum."<br/><br/>They replied and before they could even get out the door, their mother already had places for three other boxes to go to their neighbors. Anna, who was holding her doll, tugged her mother's skirt.<br/><br/>"Why you giving so much away?"<br/><br/>"Because, love, we can't take it all with us and we should help out our friends instead of wasting it."<br/><br/>"But Daddy said the ship is really big!"<br/><br/>Anna stretched out her hands as she said it. Her mother smiled and picked her up.<br/><br/>"It is but lots of other people be moving to America too, Anna. We can't take up all the room. If we did that, we'd have no where to sleep!"<br/><br/>Anna giggled at her mother and said she didn't want to sleep in a box.