The sequel to Heart of the Sea
In the ambient house decorating the apex of a hill overlooking the Guardian's Sea, frothy waves crashed against the jagged wall jutting up from the seabed. The land was old and its citizens just as. Lush verdant grass consumed this area, in particular, trimmed and tended to enough for one to believe the house was inhabited. If not, the garden sprouting an arrange of fruits and vegetables would convince anyone. The ripe tomatoes glistened with a singular tear of water rolling down its side, immediately absorbed by the thirsty soil seeking to nourish the vegetation in the endless cycle of photosynthesis. Winds rustled the leaves with a gentle wind, generously spreading its love through the garden before curtly detoured upward on the wooden walls and enter through an open window.
Inside, the pitter patter of feet caused the floor to echo light thuds, easily guiding the attentive mother of where her toddlers roamed. Daintily sauntering after them, it was impossible for them to stretch out of arm's length for more than mere seconds. Laughter filled the home, tiny tots scrambling to flee from their mother in a race with no end, visibly taking its toll on their mother once her palms rested on bent knees to catch her breath. These spawns had limitless access to an abundance of energy!
Running in nothing but their plain underwear and tops, the warmth of Spring allowed the toddlers to dress lightly, convenient when their bodies began to perspire and cool off several moments when resting - or nap time. Scruffy locks bobbed with each step, flailing when veering sharply around a corner. Their sun-kissed skin was hereditary - much like their hair - and partially from the consistent exposure to the sun; probably the latter. Bold, crimson hues were also borrowed from their father.
By now, Shiva's hair reached her mid-back, these past three years giving time to recover a portion of its length, neatly tied into a ponytail and prevent it from obstructing her playtime with her children. Chasing them down the corridor leading to the stairs, she picked up her pace and darted past the twins before they dared test their skill climbing down, again. Just as the matron hurried down a few steps, the twins quickly plopped down and scooted their rears forth, propelling into motion to bounce a step down. Stretching her slender arms outward as a precaution should one or the other topple forth, a fleshy safety net was ready to scoop them up. Despite this, the twins tested their mother - time after time - by attempting to breach the safety net and clamber past it.
Tiny feet cheered at a successful trip down the stairs, already prepared to dart off and force their mother into another race. Not a second later did the door swing open, a pair of muddy boots staining the polished wood and trapped the dirt and whatever else the wind carried indoors. As if triggered, the twins rerouted toward the filthy, aged man removing the coat hiding the scarlet hue it was weaved from, if only it hadn't reached such levels of grime. The only neatness was centered on the beard, trimmed and groomed, tied off in a mockingly small ponytail. He rested the hat on the coat hanger, along with the coat, doffing other accessories until boots and gray-matted pants were the only items on him. Faded jade tattoos stretched from one arm to the other, creating sinuous tendrils which curved inward at his chest, possibly expressing his devotion to the Bearded Lady. One arm wasn't like the other. While one was fleshed, the other was entirely artificial from the elbow down, crafted by a skilled tinker to imitate its twin almost like a mirror. Hextech had evolved plenty over the recent years, giving the man comfortable and easy use of the mechanical arm for everyday use.
"Daddy!" the children cried innocently, quick to latch onto the hem of his pants. Eagerly tugging on them as if competing for his attention, the menacing scowl the lighting portrayed on the male startled them not, only fueling their desire for his attention even further.
"What's this?" his voice was raspy, deep with a little hint of amusement. "Two stowaways in me ship?". With one arm, he scooped the twins as they ostensibly shrank in his large hand, a pair of kittens in the grasp of a bear. At once, as if sharing an idea, the twins yanked and played with his bear-like mane, quarreling over who could fill their tiny hands the most. His tolerance - or lack of pain - was a sign that he was accustomed to this behavior, yet his crimson hues momentarily stared down at them before ushering them to the woman standing not a few feet in front of him. "Had one once. There's a very high punishment for that, that there is".
The free arm coiled around the woman, tugging her with gentleness one wouldn't expect from a rugged man and stole a sweet kiss with a satisfied groan. Only then did the natural light beaming through an ajar window panel reveal the endearing smile he stared at Shiva with. In turn, she returned the kiss while the twins complained about being squished between their display of affection. "A fate worse than death, if I recall" he curved his lip into a grin before wandering off. In the distance, the mother stared in a mildly disapproving stare at the man's choice of words for their children but time had given her tolerance over it - mainly due to the fact that it was their first set of children. That and the pirate never uttered words below rated R.
Plastering on the couch with a light bounce, the twins giggled and seemed to half-mind what their father meant. "The punishment calls for the Bearded Lady!". In a single dive of his head, the cries of the twins echoed through the house, caught between pleading for their father to cease and continue the torture. Their father's beard was perfect for tickling. Brushing those finely groomed hairs easily sent the twins spiraling into a fit of raucous laughter, infecting those within range by mirroring their mirth and breaking into lighter forms of laughter.
"Now now, I don't think we want the Bearded Lady to send them into a fit of coughing" chimed in Shiva in a motherly fashion, the nuance of her tone indicated to her husband of her mild seriousness.
"Think ye can intervene in a sacred ritual, eh?" without realizing it, Gangplank had set the children on the floor and scooped down Shiva in a single swipe onto his lap. "There's punishment in that, too". For Shiva, his voice was soft, almost purring as he leaned forth and peppered her face with kisses. "Tonight". He susurrated as if relaying a secret.
Caring not what their parents were discussing, the twins doubled their efforts to regain their father's attention by climbing back on the couch and trampling their mother to squeeze into Gangplank's hold. Wrestling to leave her husband's lap over the reigning terror supplanting her, a soft chuckle escaped her lips before brows furrowed when catching a dreaded sight.
"I just cleaned the floor the other day. Why can't you learn to remove your boots at the door...". Her mouth dried up repeating the same line every day. And every day he'd repeat the ritual.
"Sorry, dear, the children overwhelmed me" he attempted to justify himself, no better than a thief caught red-handed after committing a crime.
Shiva offered an unconvinced stare, half-knowing he'd easily twist her words or make her forget in the bedroom. It was best not to argue. Gangplank airily removed his boots and brushed them aside, leaving his wife to sigh and pluck them away for cleaning.
"Dinner is ready if you're hungry" she called back.
"Just a moment" he answered.
Only the soles of the boots were scrubbed, minding the rest no attention. Gangplank refused to have these set of clothes washed, afraid the 'cleanliness' might attract the wrong attention. It accented the battle scars after the Burning Tides, as a reminder to all that the Reaver King still lived: he said. In truth, Shiva believed there was a hidden agenda; he missed the ocean. From one day to the other, the Reaver King was grounded from the sea, forced to fill the role of a husband and father simultaneously. It's as if they chopped his sea legs and tossed them away forever. Gangplank denied it but Shiva knew it was the reason why he traveled to the neighboring islands daily. To visit, collect payments, or stock up on food on that dinghy Shiva escaped in what felt like an eternity. It wasn't difficult to connect the dots.
Returning the boots under the coat hanger, a groan rumbled from the depths of her throat when realizing the floor needed to be scrubbed before it seeped into the wood. Fetching the mop to clear the trail of mud leading into the living room, a soundless huff was given before returning the mop beside the fridge; it was used often.
Not moments later did the pirate and their children enter the confines of the kitchen to inspect tonight's meal.
"Soup" he stared at her in disbelief.
"It's beef stew, quit your complaining". With a wooden spatula, a light smack on his wrist prevented him from dipping his finger to sample the broth. "Or would you have preferred potatoes?".
Both grinned as if it were an inside joke, grateful the twins were more eager to continue playing as opposed to eating. Booster seats were provided for the twins, refusing several times to sit down when their mother begged them to. One pleading look at her husband and he glared at the twins as they instantly ceased their shuffling and sat motionlessly. Using the opportunity of Gangplank's influence over the children, bowls and utensils were distributed - plastic for the twins. Seated between the twins to feed them comfortably, the pirate ate in silence as if lost in thought, maintaining his thought process private from the family.
"So, how did it go?" she inquired between feeding the twins.
Snapping from his reverie, a casual shrug and a sound from his throat spoke an abundance of his travel.
"How long do you think until it's safe to travel to Bilgewater?" the dreaded question for Gangplank.
For this, even the pirate appeared somber, sulking in the shadows of the light unable to illuminate his features before erecting his spine and clearing all ill thoughts as if they never existed in the first place.
"Not until my influence has been restored. Years, perhaps" he spoke with confidence.
Encouraging him with a warm smile, Vincent complained over the lack of food in his mouth. Martha had her share.
"You'll make it. I'll stake it on the Bearded Lady" she returned that beaming confidence.
For a moment, Gangplank stared at her, bewildered.
"Y'don't stake anything on the Bearded Lady, lass" again, he lectured her over this slang she desperately tried to grasp.
Likewise, both partied struggled in adapting to each other's 'lingo'. Gangplank's references were all about the sea life, while Shiva's consisted of the life outside this world - from long ago. Both tried, failed miserably, and lightly corrected one another. They usually performed this mundane feat when cheering one's mood. Even so, Gangplank was grateful he had an understanding woman who supported him to pursue the life he was born into, yet didn't encourage him.
Should Gangplank return to the seas, Shiva feared his time with her and the children would dwindle. Dare she say his fealty to the sea was stronger than his matrimony to her and love for the children? Perhaps. The thought was dangerous. Vincent and Martha's heads began to bob, wrestling to maintain their lids from drooping and collapsing on the bowl of stew before them.
"Just on time" Shiva smiled.
Dabbing a cloth around their mouths to collect the particles of food, Gangplank collected Vincent and Martha in his arms and ushered them upstairs. The gentle rocking of their father's footstep lulled them to sleep by the time they reached the twin's room. Twin beds on either side of the room, respectfully returning their inhabitors one by one, tucking them in and planting a kiss on their foreheads. With a content smile, the twins rolled on their sides and lay peacefully. Monitoring their behavior for a minute, the parents shuffled out with pleased faces, leaving only a thin bar of light from the hallway to illuminate their room.
"Heavens..." Shiva finally exhaled, hunching forth to lightly massage her lower back.
"You need to take it easy" he whispered while guiding her to their room.
"Try telling that to the children" she half laughed and was half serious.
Easing his wife onto the bed, sheets were tugged off to grant passage, following suit before folding them over their laps.
Removing the plain summer dress over her head and hurling it aside, the lithe undershirt caught the pirate's eye as if it were forbidden fruit. Rogue hairs stood against the neatly tied hair, the result of it being tampered by the children or rough motion. No matter if Shiva's hair was rough-hewn or frayed, he loved her as is, found her beautiful in the dimmest light. Once she tucked herself in, Gangplank crawled on top with a sly grin, positioning both arms on either side of her head. With a knowing grin, Shiva pivoted her cranium with a sound of amusement.
"Oh?" she acted surprised.
"Punishment being executed" he stole a kiss from her lips.
Fear of the children waking at the cries of their mother howling in pleasure every night always throbbed in the back of her head, but so warped was she in every session that her sweating form only had enough energy to call out his name by the end, kiss, and fall asleep in his arms.
"I love you, John..." she whispered.
"I love you too, Shiva..." he returned the call.
