Hello again. Here is a lovely little ficcy for a fantastic movie/character/actor. Really couldn't help myself, and of course there's literally four Steve the Pirate fics out there. I hope I don't disappoint and this is just one big chapter/isolated fic.
And oh my god if you haven't seen Dodgeball, GO WATCH IT! It's a random ass comedy, one of those flicks I watch periodically and continue to enjoy. Everyone I know who has watched it loved it, so I recommend it highly!
East of Eden
"It's not the coast of the Atlantic," Anabel sighed, closing the double glass behind her. "But it's a hell of a lot warmer." She smiled at her comfy bedroom. Every bit of it screamed her, from the yellow settee beside the stairs, to the blue bedspread in front of her. With a smile on her face she walked across the wooden floor to open the first of her two yellow wardrobes. Pulling out a soft pink dress she reached into the matching dresser for undergarments
Anabel clipped the pink bra around her back and slipped into the thin white shift. She looked at her reflection in the mirror above the bureau. Her pale skin was like porcelain against the white fabric. The only thing saving her were the multitude of brown freckles across her body. She lifted her hands to envelope the hip length orange hair into a messy bun.
Frowning at her reflection, she let the tresses fall back down to its natural state. After pulling on the pink dress, Anabel reached back into the wardrobe for her white flats. Making her way down the two flights of stairs, Anabel felt a chill on the back of her neck on the empty second floor. Sure she had used the furniture there along with new things to fill it up, but the fact that she lived in a four bedroom house alone was unsettling.
Reaching the front hall, Anabel picked the white cotton purse up from the table by the stairs and walked out the door. Making sure to lock it behind her she enjoyed the walk down the path from her old farmhouse. Turning just as the sun began to dip behind the horizon she smiled at the great beast before sliding into her little truck. The old red Chevy had come with the house when her aunt had left it to her. Not coming from much, and not having much, Anabel packed up her little life in Nova Scotia to move to Oceanside, Los Angeles.
She plugged her iPod into the tape player of the truck, starting it up and pulling out of the gravel driveway. Anabel sang along with the words happily. Soon she reached the outskirts of town, the drive was relatively short. She parked alongside a small park, leaving the music playing and the window down. Anabel walked the few feet towards the lonely swings. Still singing along she settled into the leather seat. Anabel began swinging gently and threw her head back.
Her closed eyes popped open at the sound of steps on the sidewalk. Her mouth snapped shut and she blushed, pulling her head upright in embarrassment. Swinging a little higher Anabel turned her head toward the truck, intending to see who was walking by. Her lips parted slightly as a pirate came past the line of trees. Tilting her head as their eyes met.
"Sorry about the music." Anabel called out, the pirate stopped just before the line of gravel for the swing-set.
"S'no problem lass." The pirate smiled awkwardly, leaning his arm against the metal post. Anabel smiled back, kicking out her legs again to swing. She held out her hand toward the empty swing across from her.
"Would you like to join me?" Her voice was sweet, his eyes searched her face for malice. After a brief hesitation, the pirate nodded and took the offered swing. "My name is Anabel Starr." Anabel planted her feet on the ground and held out her right hand.
"The name be Steve." He took her hand with gentle strength, lifting it to place a chaste kiss on her knuckles. "Steve the Pirate." Anabel giggled, he let her hand drop and she lifted it to cover her small smile. His growling voice had her cheeks heating up.
"A pleasure." Anabel whispered, her head dipping slightly. Anabel's head stayed focused on the ground for a beat. Her eyes flicking upwards slightly to watch Steve's pointed leather boots shuffle in the gravel.
"I'm not much a talker, ye'see?" Came his scratchy voice again. Anabel lifted her head and smiled. It was a sweet smile, one so innocent it was infectious. As a result, our beloved pirate was reduced to grinning sideways and blushing ever so little.
Anabel took the pause to soak up the way his strawberry blond curls seemed to float down his shoulders. It was so many shades lighter than her deep orange, it was almost golden. Anabel tucked her own hair behind her ear, turning her face downwards again and biting her lip. Steve's hair looked to be soft to the touch, and a strange part of her longed to take him home. If only to brush and run her fingers through it. To laugh while she braided and un-braided it, just to keep touching it long after was necessary.
The thought wasn't strange to her, it invoked no feelings of embarrassment. When she graduated and moved to the city, as big as a city can get where she came from, often Anabel would find herself staring at a person on the public buses. Clearing her throat, Anabel lifted her head again. "What brings you to the park on a Tuesday night?" Steve's eyebrow raised at the simple question. Most people would point out his blatant appearance at the beginning of a conversation.
Anabel's tiny face didn't stare at him in appaulation, nor did it sneer in general disdain. It merely looked at him with a smouldering calm. the likes of which he hadn't seen in a long time. "Still nights like this git me sea legs achin' some fierce." He added a grin to the end of his answer, eliciting a soft giggle from Anabel. The tinkling sound had him straightening in his seat with a strange feeling of pride.
"Sorry, I'm..." Anabel spoke with laughter in her voice. "I'm just, pleased." She let out a curt nod, satisfied with her word choice. Steve nodded back to show his understanding.
"An' what be yer story lass?" he grunted happily. "Why would a tiny porcelain treasure such as yourself be wanderin' 'bout at dusk?" Anabel smiled again, it seemed to be an irresistible urge around such a handsome swashbuckler.
"I like to smoke outside sometimes." She reached into the pocket of her dress, which to Steve seemed too delicate to harbour such a luxury. Pulling out what seemed to be a homemade cigarette, Anabel lifted it to her lips to search for a lighter.
As the silver zippo snapped to life, Steve blinked at the strange yet familiar smell. "Tha' no' be what me'thinks?" he asked in surprise.
Again a peel of soft laughter, Anabel nodded, letting out a stream of white smoke. "Aye," she grinned, holding it out to him. Steve slapped his knee and let out a boisterous guffaw. He accepted the offered joint, bringing it to his lips and watching the end burn with a red ember. Steve took a swift inhale, holding the breath in his lungs as he passed the smoke back to Anabel.
xx
Anabel let out a little squeak when the doorbell rang from downstairs. Rushing now, she clipped the silver back on her pearl earring before running down to the second floor from her loft. Peeling around the bottom of the staircase on the main floor she reached for the handle of the front door with a grin. On her porch stood a gallant pirate, decked out in his finest attire and holding a glowing bouquet of wildflowers.
As Steve began to grumble out a greeting, Anabel lunged at him. She crushed the flowers between them while circling her arms around his neck in a giggling hug. When she pulled back with a blush he guffawed at the half destroyed flowers. Taking them with an apology she held them to her nose to let their scent waft through her body. Brushing off her apology politely Steve leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on her blushing cheek.
Inviting him in, Anabel skipped off toward the kitchen to find a vase. Steve took his time to admire the grand old house with a smile. His head was poking into the music room when she returned. Quiet conversation was exchanged while he lifted his arm for her to take it. Anabel's fingers slipped around his elbow and he led her out of the house. Taking a quick look around she asked how he had gotten there. With a small blush Steve admitted he had walked. Giving him a shrug, she smiled up and told him a short walk to the diner would be perfect.
They spoke happily during the fifteen minute stroll. In truth Anabel had walked to the seaside establishment in less then ten on her own. But the slow crawl her pirate was leading her in was too seductive in addition to their conversation. Steve was charming to say the least, Anabel's eyes were practically sparkling up at him while she listened to his voice. Thankfully this caused neither of them to notice the odd looks passersby shot them. In addition they failed to notice the other patrons in the diner until their food finally came.
Anabel was about to put some alfredo into her mouth when her eyes left her plate to glance around the diner. About half of them were minding their own at that moment, the other half kept shooting glances at their table. A mixture of reactions, none of them positive. Her heart sunk and she frowned around the noodle. Letting her fork fall back to her plate she rounded her eyes and looked back to Steve as he spoke up again.
"Don' leddem bother yeh." He smiled softly, "those who mind dunna matter an' those who matter dunna mind." The softly spoken quote had her shoulders relaxing and a sweet smile pass her pale face. Anabel's left hand reached out to covers his right and they continued their meal happily. They held the table for another hour until Anabel noticed the sun was beginning to set. With a pointed look to their waitress she suggested they take a walk along the beach back to her place.
Sending a glance out one of the large windows Steve grinned and agreed. They had a little scuffle about who would pay as their waitress walked over. Steve won by threatening to make her walk the plank and causing her to pitch a fit of giggles. Making their way down the grass, Steve voiced his concern for her walking across the large boulders between them and the beach's sand. Anabel grinned and slipped off her heels. Linking them through her fingers she skillfully scaled the rocks faster than Steve.
While Steve teased her for being a boy in a dress she ran down towards the water. He ran after her while struggling to slip his boots off. Anabel splashed in up to her ankles before turning back around to smile at him. The sight froze him in his tracks, the sunset lit her from behind, her mint coloured dress barely touching the water, her orange hair wild from the run. Using the distraction, Anabel quickly bent forward to splash him with the ocean's water.
Snapping back to reality Steve let out a guffaw and splashed what seemed like a bucketful at her. She squealed and tried to push him down playfully, only earning herself another splash. Wiggling out of his grasp Anabel found herself being chased briefly in the direction of her house. Feeling her chest tighten she smiled behind her and let her bum fall down on the very edge of the waves. Steve glanced down at her about to splash when she lifted her hand in a truce, the other pressing to her pumping chest.
About to tease her again, he frowned when he noticed the funny way she was breathing. Anabel slipped her hand into her pocket to fish out a puffer and bring it to her lips. While apologizing Steve settled down on the sand beside her. Anabel just smiled at him again, turning slightly to jump onto his chest. Her energy was zapped but he let her push him down to his back while she giggled. To his pleasure, Anabel littered his face with little kisses through her laughter.
xx
"Hey Anabel?" Peter called out, Anabel turned back to him. He waved at her to come over with a smile.
Anabel nodded and placed a quick kiss on Steve's scratchy cheek, "Meet me in the truck?"
He nodded with an "Aye m'Lady," before ducking out the door.
She made her way back towards the messy front desk, "What's up Peter?" Anabel asked happily, leaning on the worn countertop.
Peter sighed and looked around to make sure no one was watching. "Look," his tone had Anabel frowning slightly. "I know you've been hanging out with Steve for a while now." Peter's eyes dipped, his fingers playing with an old sticker on the desk. "But there's something about him you should know." Anabel lifted her hands then, cutting him off.
"I appreciate your concern Peter," her small voice held an air of protectiveness. "But whatever you're about to tell me, I'm sure Steve will eventually, and when he's ready for me to know." Peter gawked at her, Anabel said her goodbye and walked out the door swiftly. Walking around the block she jumped into the truck and shut the door without looking at Steve. Anabel played with the strings hanging off her jean shorts, not moving to start the truck.
"Somethin' wrong lass?" Steve whispered, reaching out to put his hand on the top of her leg. Anabel blushed, her fingers a breath away from where his palm warmed her skin. She lurched at him, jumping into his lap with a leg on each side of his. Steve gasped, surprise evident in his face as Anabel's lips came crashing down on his own. she kissed him desperately, like they had never kissed before.
After the initial shock, Steve wrapped his arms around her smaller frame. Groaning as Anabel pushed her body tighter against his. Having to pull back for air, Anabel laughed lightly and buried her flushed face in his neck. Steve breathed heavily, his eyes closing tightly as his lungs burned. Anabel's fingers twirled in his strawberry blond hair and her lips kissed along his neck tenderly. "Should we, ah..." Steve breathed, his words dissipating into a groan when Anabel unleashed her teeth to nip his jaw.
Anabel let out a whimpering moan, her head lifting up while her hips ground against Steve's. He let out a shaky breath as she looked up at him through half lidded eyes. Steve's hands moved up to grab the sides of her head gently. He cradled Anabel there for a moment, before pulling her forward to kiss her deeply again. This time was slow and drawn out, Anabel gripped one hand in his soft hair, the other crumpling up his baggy shirt.
Pulling back for a second time, Anabel littered his lips with tiny kisses. Without another word, she slipped back into her own seat and quickly took off down the road. Steve sat in shock, a smirk on his face, and slipped his hand back over to rest on her thigh. Higher this time. Anabel let out a small groan, the muscles in her leg twitching under his hand as she pressed the pedal down harder. The time it usually took Anabel to drive out of town towards the water was cut in half as she sped along the highway.
Peeling into the driveway, Anabel launched herself out of the truck, practically running into the front door. Steve let out a bellow of a laugh, loving the chase, and ran after her. His voice sent shivers down her spine while she ran up the stairs. Reaching her room Anabel rushed to unbutton and pull down her shorts. Steve galloped into the room just as she pulled the cascading shirt over her head. He let out a shuddering sigh and met her eyes.
Anabel took in a deep breath and lunged at him again. Her lips pressing to his and her fingers pulling off his vest. Her face dipped to his neck as she unbuttoned his shirt, trailing kisses down his neck and chest. Steve gruffly grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up to kiss him again. He walked her slowly backwards while she fumbled with the tie of his pants. Anabel felt herself being lowered onto the soft mattress of her bed and reached backwards to unclasp her bra.
Steve growled into her neck as she threw it away, his own pants finding their home on the wooden floorboards. He hesitated, looking down at Anabel in only her cotton panties. Her wide blue eyes drank in his body, her breath coming out shakily. Steve's hands shook, he had the urge to run. Thinking he had made a mistake, terror shocked his body. Then Anabel lifted her hands to him, wiggling her hips in anticipation. She whispered his name heatedly, her lips quivering.
With a moan, he crawled on top of her, kissing the skin of her collarbone with relish. Anabel sighed, running her hands through his hair and tossing his bandana to the floor. His curls tickled her chest as his lips travelled down between them. Steve gripped the sides of her underwear, she lifted her hips so he could pull them down and throw them away. "Damn clothes, shouldna' have them covrin' up somthin' so..." He trailed off as his eyes caught her smile. Her teeth small and white, hiding behind pink lips plump from the assault of his own.
Guilt trampled through his heart at the sight, Steve lifted a hand to cradle her cheek. Anabel sighed, her body swelling underneath him. She turned her face to kiss his palm, her eyes closing. "There be somethin' I should be tellin' yeh." he grunted. Anabel's eyes opened, glossy with fevered passion.
"Is it so important," Anabel whispered, snaking her smooth legs up his thighs. "That you have to postpone this?" Her fingers tangled in the ones he pressed to her cheek. Anabel's legs tightening around his waist to pull his hardened member against her wetness. Steve let out a loud groan, Anabel bit her lip and gasped. Taking a deep breath he looked down at her, the heat pressed against his penis making his world hazy
Steve nodded desperately, "I jus' don' wan'ya ter think I be takin' advantage."
Anabel shook her head, "Believe me Steve, you really aren't." Her hands dove into his hair again, pulling him down into another kiss. They moaned together, Steve's hands reached down to grab her hips. He lifted Anabel slightly, arranging her so he could slip inside of her slowly.
Their lips broke apart, Anabel's head rolling back with a shaking cry of pleasure. Steve groaned deeply, his chest rumbling against Anabel's. Their bodies were flush together, Steve's strong arms wrapping around her back tightly. Anabel's face flushed a deep red when she saw the look on his. Steve hissed out a long 'bollocks' and quickened his rhythm. The sounds coming out of Anabel were sweet and flushed with passion. He knew her not to be unsullied, but the way she was reacting to Steve's gentle motions had him thinking otherwise.
Anabel's hands came forward to brush his cheeks, then down his neck slowly. Steve let out a growl and pushed into her roughly. The quick and sudden thrust had her gripping his shoulders tightly. "Uhn!" Anabel cried out, "you're driving me crazy..." Her words were shaky and puffed out on a sigh. Steve chuckled, bringing his arms out from behind her back to prop himself up.
"Sorry, it's jus'..." His voice was gravel as he mumbled against her lips. "It's jus' been a long time..." His thrusts picked up, the surprise making a high pitched whimper come out of her. Anabel's eyes wanted to close, but the sight of her pirate moving atop her made them stay open. She wouldn't miss this for the world. Her lip's ached to taste all of him, Anabel pulled him closer to her. Her legs going higher on his hips, Steve's penis pushed deeper into her.
Anabel moaned against his neck, licking and kissing feverishly. "I find that hard to believe." Steve's dark chuckle vibrated against her again, sending her head back slightly in a moan. Anabel's hips rotated against Steve's, a whimper coming out of her. Steve's pace picked up further, causing the iron cast bed to creek and shake. A smile spread Anabel's lips, she always loved a creaking bed during sex. Strange as it was.
"Bollocks..." Steve stuttered, Anabel felt his prick twitching inside of her. A gasp slipped from her as her own climax threatened to peak. She hissed his name, his thrusts frantic now. At the utterance, Steve growled and hitched against her. He held himself in place and Anabel felt the hot jets spraying into her. The sensation causing her legs to tremble, she clutched him tightly, her walls tightening around him. They both moaned loudly at each others orgasms, their bodies falling limp and lips pressing together sloppily. After a moment Steve released his lover and rolled over to greet the cold attic air.
Steve's eyes clenched shut while his breath pumped in his chest. Anabel's own hectic breathing coming from beside him. After his heart beat was under control, Steve rolled over with a smile. It soon melted away when he made eye contact with Anabel. Her lips were turning blue, her hand was grasping her chest and her breath was desperate and dissipating quickly. His words failed him as he jumped to his feet in a panic. Anabel groaned and pointed to the drawer on her bedside table. Steve ran around the bed, fear swimming in his eyes. He ripped out the drawer, the contents spilling all over the floor.
A scream built up in his chest as he dropped in search of her puffer. As the seconds ticked by and Anabel's gasps became more terrifying the scream began to rip out of his throat. Screeching like a madman, Steve found the device rolled under the bed skirt and nearly launched himself at the bed. The cover was thrown across the room and he grabbed her jaw roughly to administer the vapour. Anabel's eyes popped open as she gasped and she shot up into a sitting position. Steve collapsed on the floor, his body shaking with sobs and eyes looking around with terror. Anabel picked the puffer off the bed and inhaled a second puff.
"Where am I?!" Steve screamed from the floor. Anabel's head snapped in his direction. Sis hair was whipping around as he looked around the room frantically. Anabel sat confused for a moment, but when she saw the tears running down his face, and the terror he had in his eyes she moved towards him. Steve's face turned quickly at her movement, he screamed and held up his hands.
"Steve!" she gasped, her voice hoarse from her episode. "It's Anabel, calm down baby, you're having a panic attack." Holding her hands up and trying to make herself look harmless, she slowly walked towards him. Steve's body was shaking violently, a cold sweat beading all over his body. Anabel spoke softly, trying to calm him down. When his fists fell she moved down to her knees in front of him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "I'm so sorry Steve, I just got, well I just got really into it and didn't think..."
They sat on the floor for a few moments, letting Steve regain his composure and Anabel's skin to return to its normal colour. When his sobbing subsided, Anabel gripped his elbows and made Steve stand with her. Anabel led him to the bed and tucked his shivering form in tightly against her own. She gasped when Steve's hand shot up to grab the side of her head. He pulled her into a rough kiss, breaking it quickly and pulling her into a bone crushing hug. Anabel sighed heavily, kissing along his shoulder and collarbone. No more words were shared as they kissed each others skin delicately. Neither letting go until they fell asleep.
xx
Steve lounged on a lawn chair, watching the waves flow gently in the summer sun. His hair flowed freely in the breeze, his chest bare and only clad in trousers. When his name was called from behind he turned in his chair to smile at Anabel. She ran down the path to the beach in a brown bikini and the shirt he had worn that day. Much to his pleasure she had left it unbuttoned.
"I brought supper!" Anabel laughed, holding up a picnic basket and sitting down on the lawn chair beside Steve's.
"Yeharr!" He bellowed, lifting his hands joyously.
"Sorry I forgot it!" She grinned, pulling out two bottles of water. Handing Steve one, Anabel set her own between her legs.
"Wha' we be feastin' on m'lady?" Steve took Anabel's hand, leaning forward to give her a soft kiss. Anabel giggled, sending heat through his body.
"Well you'll be having a turkey sub," she pulled out the plastic wrapped food, handing it to him. "With an apple and some chips." Steve sat back with a grin to enjoy his meal. "And I'll be having a pomegranate." Anabel pulled out a Tupperware dish.
Cracking open the lid, she smiled down at the two cut halves. Steve frowned as Anabel lifted a small spoon to her lips and ate happily. "Should'nya be havin' a bit more lass?" He grumbled, "I be hungry lookin' at'chya."
Anabel blushed, "No this is just fine," and took another bite.
Steve sat back up, wagging a ringed finger at her. "Now you've not been eatin' 'smuch lately, what be trubblin' yeh?"
Anabel rested the dish on her lap, her head dipping slightly. "My mother's coming to visit next week," Anabel sighed. "I'm just trying to lose some weight before she gets here."
Steve let out an offended scoff, "Wha' on this bloody earth makes yeh think yeh need ter do tha'?!" Anabel looked at him with a shocked face. Looking back down at her body as if it were obvious. Steve growled, setting his food back into the basket and doing the same with Anabel's.
"Yeh be perfect, a bloody porcelain treasure!" Steve said angrily, lifting himself over onto Anabel's chair. He straddled her right leg, putting his arms on either side of her shoulders. Anabel bit her lip, letting out a moan as Steve pressed his lower body to hers. He grinned down at her, "Yer mine, an' I be tellin' ya no' ta mussy up me treasure." Steve leaned in, pressing his lips to Anabel's roughly.
Whimpering softly, Anabel shivered as Steve lifted the back of the lawn chair. She heard it click and found herself laying flat under him. Anabel lifted her hands to wrap around Steve's neck. Smiling into the kiss Steve ran his lips down her chin to her neck.
"What are you doing?" Anabel stuttered, driving her fingers into his hair.
Steve chuckled, "I be workin' up an appetite fer yeh."
Anabel joined in his laughter, wiggling her legs in attempt to lift him off her. He sat up a bit, then flashed her a devilish grin before jumping to tickle her abdomen. She screeched and tried to fight him off while her body shook with laughter. "You're gonna give me an asthma attack you butt!" She gasped, Steve let up a bit and found himself pushed to the sand. Laughing, Anabel sat up to pull her puffer from the lunch bag.
Gasping in the prescription while sitting upright, Anabel shot Steve a strange look. He was still sitting on the beach, just looking out at the ocean with a placid expression. Thinking he was teasing her, she giggled his name and waved her hand infront of his face. With a snarl he grabbed it and squeezed. Anabel let out a yelp of pain, causing him to look at her.
Cold and hardened eyes looked at her. It stopped her reaction mid cry and sent a chill down her spine. When she whispered his name with both fear and confusion his eyes snapped back to normal and he lurched his hand away like he hand been stung. "I- I'm sorry Anabel…" Steve stuttered, his accent disappearing briefly. "I didn't know when I was for a second."
His wording had her tilting her head. Going onto his knees, Steve knelt beside her chair with a frown. "Could yeh fergive ol' Steve?" His accent returned had Anabel's shoulders sagging in relief.
"Always my sweet." She replied with a little nod before leaning forward to give him a kiss. "You were lost, I just need to find a better way to bring you back next time."
xx
"You don't think that's enough?" Anabel's mother's stern voice had Steve narrowing his eyes at Anabel's plate. On it sat a handful of salad. Anabel blushed and set the plate of barbecued chicken back down. Her gaze turning downwards and her arms shrinking in as if she wanted to appear smaller.
Steve tilted his head, if she were to get any smaller she would disappear. "Maybe the lass jus' be a wee bit hungry frum all tha' work she did gettin' the house ready." Steve grinned at Mrs. Starr, giving her a chivalrous wink. The woman scowled, turning her tiny nose up at the pirates lingo.
She was the kind of woman who wouldn't say what was going through her mind, but by the will of her wrinkled little hand she would ignore him. "You'll never find a rich husband with that ugly little figure! You have terrible bunches of fat on your abdomen!" Mrs. Starr slammed her shriveled palm on the wooden table top. Anabel just nodded her head softly.
Steve's face contorted to disgust, he slammed his own fists on the table letting out a ravenous "Yaaarrrrr!" The women jumped, Anabel's mother grasping her lapel, Anabel's head snapping up with wide eyes. "Yeh best keep yer tongue civil in the presence of a Lady of such grand stature." he growled at Mrs. Starr. "I'll no'ave yeh lashin' me woman wit' yer poison!" Mrs. Starr's face was turning purple, any more huffing and puffing would have her floating away on her hairy little cankles. Anabel just sat in her chair across from Steve, her gallant pirate, enjoying with a slack jaw him defending her. It was like watching her childhood fantasies coming to life in her antiqued dining room.
Anabel would sit in shame like this, regardless of what she had done or what was on her dinner plate, for the entirety of her childhood. Her blue eyes would close, no tears threatening to fall; And she would picture a pirate ship crashing through the ghastly pink curtains of her mother's cramped kitchen. The cats would scatter, her mother's round frame would spin and she would shriek. Anabel would giggle, sometimes forgetting to keep it in her head.
Her little eyes would open, her mother would have a look similar to the one she had right now. Then Anabel would be grabbed by the hair, or the front of her dress, and dragged down to the cellar. Her mother sputtering and growling would pull the switch out of the cubby under the stairs. In the dim light of the muddy cellar, Anabel would cry out for help as her mother lashed her. In her mind, the pirate would come rushing down the rickety stairs. He would pull his sword and hold it to her mother's wagging neck.
"Release the fair princess Anabel!" The pirate would bellow, her mother reduced to a blubbering mess on the bare floor. Anabel would be swept up into his arms and he would smell of smoke and the sea. Just like her father used to. The pirate would take her up into the sunlight a free woman. He would take her away from the poor fishing village and to a life of seafaring and booty plundering.
The chair clattering to the floor shook Anabel out of her fantasy. Steve and her mother had begun shouting at each other. They stood facing off like a couple of drunks past happy hour. The reality wasn't so sparkling and neat. Anabel's reality was a past littered with lesions and tears of blood. But Anabel's present, and future were hers to make. And with her pirate by her side, Anabel was a fierce warrior of the untamable ocean.
"STOP!" She screamed, standing quickly without dropping her chair. The two froze mid bellow, turning to gape at her in surprise. Steve had never seen Anabel so furious, nor had he heard her yell out of anger. Mrs. Starr lifted her crooked finger to point at her daughter, opening her mouth to turn her rage on her favorite punching bag. Anabel's eyes burned with wrath, "no mother!" She yelled, stopping the woman dead in her tracks.
"I'm not a scared little girl you can throw into the cellar anymore!" Anabel pointed a shaking hand at the direction of the front door. "You cannot disrespect me in my father's house! And I will not have you disrespecting my honorable buccaneer!" The shock on her mother's face was priceless. Pride practically beamed out of Steve's face as he straightened up and puffed his chest like a robin. Mrs. Starr looked back and forth between the two, her eyes popping out wildly.
With another grumbled insult, she waddled her way out of the dining room. Anabel took a deep breath and stormed out after her, watching with determined eyes as her mother grabbed her purse and scurried from the house. Anabel ran towards the door, slamming it and locking it tight
xx
Steve sat on the small couch that separated his bed from the rest of the tiny bachelor with a frown. He grumbled over his now muddied up monthly budget. His landlord had upped his rent unexpectedly, and his income stayed the same as expected. Picking up the phone sitting on his coffee table he dialed the only number he punched in these days. In all honesty he could of pressed redial and gotten the same result.
"G'mornin' beautiful," he grinned softly into the receiver. Anabel's reply was light and cheerful. "Nah, I be sound of mind an' body. Just run into a bit o'a financial snag, me rent's gunnup." The smile on his face faltered and he had to clear his throat before responding. "No need o'dat love, mebbe instead of goin' out, we can stay in? Cuddle 'n' watch a film?" Regardless of not being in person, Steve nodded into the receiver and grunted happily.
"Oh love," he mumbled to Anabel. "Yeh dunna need ter feel inclined-" her tinkling voice cut Steve off. He nodded again, "aye, we can talk about it t'night." A few more grumbled words and the receiver was clicked back into place.
Anabel smiled and set her phone down. She walked back through the kitchen and pushed her strips of bacon around. Thoughts of what it would be like living with her lover swam through her mind. As she sat and munched on her breakfast little giggles formed around her toast at her imaginings.
A few hours later her phone rang again. This time she was sitting on a lawn chair at the beach. A book in one hand and a vodka on the rocks in the other. Quickly setting the open book on her lap she reached for the phone with a smile. Knowing it was Steve, he was the only one that called her. "Hello handsome! " she giggled.
He let out a chuckle, "ol' Steve'll be stayin' out a bit longer today. The boys at the gym be having a Car Wash."
Surprise had her eyebrows popping, "huh? What for?" As Steve explained the situation with Globogym Anabel made her way back towards the house. By the time she unlocked the front door she was agreeing to pop by and help them out. "I have to pick some stuff up for supper anyway."
"Mmmm," Steve groaned playfully into the phone, "What yeh be cookin' up?"
Anabel let out another giggle, "something delicious."
"As always," Steve grinned, "love yeh." Replying with her own devotion she clicked off the phone and went upstairs to shower the beach off of her.