I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

April and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and Fran, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 14

BPOV

Our voyage was almost over, and I couldn't help but be relieved. I enjoyed the trip, however, the last few days, I was constantly nauseated and was having trouble keeping any substance in my stomach.

I tried hiding it from Edward since the possibility that I was with child seemed only to increase his anxiety. His mood was often melancholy since the attack, and the tiniest incident could set off his temper. I knew he blamed himself for the loss of Marcus and many of his crew being injured. I believed it bothered him that he referred to me as his whore, even though I knew he did it only to protect me.

I was thankful we didn't lose more men than we did. Seth seemed to grow stronger every day, and Jasper also seemed to be on the mend. The morning after James' attack everything was almost back to the same routine except that Edward's father stepped in to help with the shifts since Edward was down two men.

I sat on the edge of Seth's bed, trying to help him with his meal when the door to cabin burst open without warning. I jumped, and a bit of the broth sloshed out of the bowl. Edward stood in the doorway and glared at the scene before him.

"Captain." The poor boy struggled to sit up, but I pushed him gently back down to rest.

"Bloody hell, Edward. Why are ye bursting in here like a raging bull, I was sleepin'," Jasper complained.

"Just because yer laid up doesn't mean ye show me lack of respect. It is Captain to ye," Edward snapped at him.

"Aye, Captain," Jasper grumbled and closed his eyes.

"Isabella, ye shouldn't be in here servin' me men." Edward ignored him and focused on me.

"Seth needs help eating. He needs nourishment if he is to get better. It only seems fair that I help since he was hurt trying to help me," I said softly.

"Ye can feed me next. I could use a pretty nursemaid meself." Jasper opened his eyes and grinned at me.

"Ye will feed yerself, tis nothin' wrong with yer arms. In fact, ye can take Isabella's place and help the boy," Edward ordered.

"Me, serve the powder monkey?" Jasper asked incredulously.

"Aye, tis an order. If yer well enough to make a pass at me wife then yer well enough to sit on a chair and help the lad with his food." Edward crossed his arms in front of him.

"Aye, Captain." Jasper winced as he shoved himself up off the bed. He grabbed the crutch that was made for him and made his way across the small room.

Edward brought a chair over for him then held out his hand to me. "Isabella, come, please. Seth will be fine in Jasper's hands."

I let him lead me out of the room without arguing with him. However, when he started to walk toward our quarters, I tensed and stopped. He turned back with furrowed brows, looking ready to throw me over his shoulder.

"I would like to go up to the deck, please. I could use some fresh air," I told him.

"I rather ye were safe in the cabin." He frowned.

Except I didn't feel safe in the cabin without him. The horrible scene was still fresh in my mind and replayed itself when I was there by myself. I felt safer with him close by, and I knew he would stay on deck. I was still in shock that I had taken a man's life. But at the same time, I wasn't sorry I did—It was either kill or be killed.

"Please, filthy pirate." I took a step closer and rubbed his chest. "I promise to be good and stay out of the way. Perhaps we can have our meal on deck, it is a beautiful day."

He hesitated briefly but nodded. "Ye win, love, but ye're to sit, so the boat doesn't toss ye around, and there will be no goin' to crow's nest."

"Yes, Edward," I agreed.

When I told Edward I thought I was with child, I had assumed he would have been pleased. However, instead, he became upset that I had gone up there to tell him. He would not listen as I tried to explain I had climbed up to see if he was all right. It was only while I was up there that I came to the realization of my condition. He had refused to let me climb down myself and torn his own stitches carrying me.

Edward found a crate at the helm where his brother was stationed. He said something briefly to Emmett before disappearing to get us some food. I looked up at the crow's nest and saw that the former Captain Cullen was on lookout duty.

"Pleasant day," Emmett said to me.

"It is, will it be long now?" I asked.

"Naw, I wouldn't be surprised if we spot land late today or in the early morn." He turned the wheel, and then glanced behind him.

I followed his gaze and spotted two men at the stern with their backs to me, jiggling a heavy rope. It seemed thicker than the ones I had seen them use for fishing. I was curious about what they were doing.

"Perhaps, Laurent here will be useful as shark bait." One of the men snickered.

"Aye, it's been a long time since we've keelhauled anyone." The second man grabbed the rope in his hands and gave a good jostle.

My eyes widened as I figured out what they were talking about. The nasty pirate that who almost succeeded in capturing me was on the other end of the rope, being dragged by the boat.

"Paul, Jared, find something useful to do before I find it for ye," Emmett barked at them.

Both men muttered before slinking off. I glanced at Emmett, and he frowned at me. He sighed and gripped the wheel a bit harder.

"Ye weren't to know about that. Me brother will be cross if he finds out ye've been told. Are ye all right?" he asked kindly.

I nodded. "I think so. Tell me, do you think Edward would have really keelhauled Seth for telling me to dip hardtack in broth," I asked.

Emmett snorted and shook his head. "Me brother is filled with a lot of hot air. He likes to threaten the punishment, but I meself have only seen it done a handful of times and it has always been deserved. The picaroon brought it upon himself when he thought he could take ye for himself."

"That is good to know." I felt more relieved.

I felt I could trust Emmett's view on the matter. I felt better knowing that if our sons were to sail away with their father one day, they wouldn't end up keelhauled.

Edward returned with Samuel behind him. He paused so Emmett could grab a leg of chicken and then handed him a mug.

Edward sat at my feet, handing me the plate of fried chicken and fruit and taking the other mug from Samuel.

"Eat up, love. I put some of Alice's tonic in your drink to help with yer stomach," he said.

"I'm sorry, I tried to stay discreet." I blushed.

"Don't worry yerself, love. I've seen many a pirate empty their stomachs. Although, I wish ye wouldn't hide it so I could support ye." He helped himself to one of the pieces of chicken.

"Edward…if I am with child…" I said apprehensively because I was still nervous I could be wrong. "Who would help me when the time comes? Will you be there?"

"I know nothin' about deliverin' any babies. However, me mother will be on hand. And Alice has brought two of Emmett's wee ones into this world," Edward told me.

"You have children, Emmett, I didn't know that," I commented in surprise.

"Aye, all girls, Rose was carryin' our fourth when we left, perhaps she has given me a boy this time round." He grinned.

"Ye'll be in good hands, love," Edward promised.

When we finished our meal, we walked to the bow of the ship. Edward kept one arm around my waist, in a kind gesture. Since we were out of earshot of his men, I chose this time to bring up a subject I wasn't sure how he would receive.

"I'm sure Seth's parents will be glad to see him," I commented.

"Seth lost his family long ago—they were farmers. James kidnapped him and killed the rest of them. We found him half-starved durin' our last encounter with James." Edward frowned..

"That is terrible." Now I was only more determined than before. "Did Seth choose to be a pirate?"

"I'm not sure I understand ye. Once we saved him, he needed to pull his own weight aboard the ship." Edward shrugged.

"So Seth is a slave?" I questioned.

"The boy isn't a slave. Will ye get to what yer tryin' to say." Edward was getting impatient.

"Seth doesn't seem happy aboard the ship. I thought maybe he would be happier doing something else," I explained.

"None of us were happy being powder monkeys, yet we all had to do it. Think of it as a rite of passage," Edward explained.

"Seth chose this then?" I asked.

"What else is he supposed to do? Stay with the womenfolk?" Edward seemed confused.

"I don't know, maybe he could farm on the island. Or maybe, when you go back, you can leave Seth with my father. He could teach him the business of the tavern and Seth could go to school and choose another profession," I suggested.

"Yer father would probably try to gut me if I stepped foot in his tavern ever again." Edward smirked.

"My father may be angry, but I doubt that is true, filthy pirate." I hugged his waist.

"Did the boy say he was unhappy?" Edward frowned.

"No. But I see it in his eyes. I can see the fire and passion in yours and the other members of your crew. However, Seth has never had the same excitement in his," I explained.

"I'll talk to the lad, and we will see," Edward said after a moment.

"Thank you." I kissed him on the cheek.

"Land Ho!" Edward's father called.

"The island?" I said excitedly.

I squinted at the horizon but couldn't see anything. I leaned over a little bit further and Edward pulled me back.

"I don't feel like going for a swim today, love. Don't make me tether ye to the rail." Edward chuckled.

"But I only wanted to see." I glanced up the crow's nest.

"Now get that notion outta yer head. Ye promised ye'd not be doing anythin foolish." Edward gripped my arm gently.

"I was hoping to borrow the spyglass so that I could see." I pouted slightly.

Edward rolled his eyes and turned his head. "Paul, get me spare spyglass from me quarters," he ordered.

"Aye, Captain." The man hurried away.

"Jared, cut the rope by the stern and let it fall into the water. We don't need to bring any unwanted visitors to the island." Edward turned to the other man from earlier.

"Aye."

I didn't watch as the other man left to fulfill his task. I squinted out at the sea and was disappointed. A moment later, Edward handed me the spyglass. I took it excitedly, and I could just make out a blurry shape rising out of the water.

"It is still so far away, will we reach it before dinner?" I asked.

"Nay, love, if the wind holds we should reach it by dawn tomorrow," he promised. "Are ye anxious to be off the ship?" he teased.

"I am anxious to see our new home," I answered him.

A/N:

Some suspected that Edward would become even more overprotective and you are right. In the next chapter everyone will finally reach the island. What do you think of Bella speaking on Seth behalf?

Thank you for sharing all your thoughts and love with me.

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