Auradon was better than they could have imagined. The forest was greener than green, and the sky was so blue. It was beautiful beyond words. Uma, however, wasn't taking in the sights today. She was resting against the base of a rather large tree watching Harry Hook saunter her way. He had a playfully mischievous smirk gracing his lips that made her heart skip a beat. She saw he had one hand behind his back while he had his hook moving back and forth as if saying 'tick tock'. Today was Uma's birthday, and Harry was the only one she wanted to celebrate it with. "Where have you been?" she asked in a sassy manner.
"Picking up your present," Harry answered, giving her a little wink. Then, he showed her what he'd gotten for her this year. He'd gone to a blacksmith and had the man forge a sword worthy of the feared pirate captain, Uma. Closing the distance between them, he handed her the ocean blue velvet bag and then he bowed. Seconds later, he straightened his posture and waited for her to open her present. He wanted to see the look on her face when she saw her new sword for the first time.
Uma didn't wait. She yanked the gold braid free and pushed the velvet down revealing the handle of her new sword. The blade was engraved with her signature octopus with the tentacles wrapping around the base. Somehow, the blade held a sea green tint to the metal. Without hesitation, she fit the blade into the sheath at her side. It was a perfect fit. "Harry…" she said his name, but after that she was at a loss for words. So, she showed him what she was feeling. Uma grabbed the lapels of Harry's jacket and hauled him close, her lips seeking his.
Harry fell into the kiss, letting the taste of Uma envelope his senses. She was as powerful as the oceans and would willingly get swept along on her tide. He slipped his right arm around her waist, tightening his hold, picking her up. She gasped into his mouth, draping her arms over his shoulders, and wrapping her legs around his waist. "Happy birthday," he said with a broad smile.
Uma cupped his cheek, smiling in return. "Careful, or you'll spoil me," she warned lightly.
"Good," Hook replied, grinning wickedly at her. Turning his face, he kissed her palm.
In the year since Uma, Harry, and Gil had lived in Auradon, she'd found she'd willingly let go of some of her hard-fought toughness. The barrier was down. The kids from the isle were free to come and go as they pleased while all their parents remained. They were all free. It felt good. "What now?" she asked. For the first time the future didn't frighten her.
"Now…" Harry set Uma on her feet, taking her hand. "You're going to follow me." He, Gil, and the other VK's had pulled together to give Uma an amazing gift. Then, he had a thought that would make the surprise even more impactful. Harry took out a black bandana and started to lift it to cover her eyes, but she stopped him. "You trust me," he reminded her.
Uma relented because Harry was right. She did trust him. She trusted him more than anyone on the Isle or Auradon. Nodding, she let him blindfold her. At first her heart raced out of fear. She didn't want to trip and fall flat on her face. How embarrassing would that be? Normally, Uma hated to be surprised, but when it came to Harry, she let him have that honor.
After tying the bandana, Harry whispered in her ear, "I'll be your eyes." He took her hand then and started to guide her in the direction of the harbor where all their friends were waiting.
AURADON HARBOR DOCKS:
Gil was gorging himself on grapes. He loved them so much; he couldn't get enough. When he looked up from the empty bottom of the bowl, he saw Harry leading Uma they're way. In his exuberance, he dropped the dish and raced towards those assembled. "They're here!" he shouted, grape juice running down his chin.
Jay smiled, shaking his head. Gil was a dork sometimes, but he had a good heart. "Okay dude, calm down," he laughed, clapping his friend on the shoulders. Two years since the barrier had come down and the world hadn't imploded with every villain kid trying to take over, trying to fulfill the desires of their parents.
Mal stood, nestled against Ben's side. Today was another milestone between her and Uma; towards building a strong foundation of friendship. They were all together to celebrate her birthday. Mal was excited for Uma to see what her present was. "Think she'll be surprised?" she asked Ben.
"I think so. Harry worked really hard on most of it," Ben replied with a smile and then kissed the top of Mal's head; his Queen. Harry Hook was really the brains behind the gift. Ben had been more than happy to help, like the rest of them. They were all pulling together, just like he had envisioned.
"She'll love it," Evie chimed in, giggling. "How can she not? It's what she's always wanted… according to Harry!" She kissed Doug's cheek, her hand coming up to cup the back of his neck. Carlos and Jane were putting the finishing touches that Harry had requested.
Harry guided Uma to the perfect spot in the center of the dock after seeing all their friends were in place. He then moved behind her to untie the blindfold while he whispered into her ear, "Close your eyes for me, love."
"Harry…" Uma stressed his name. She was ready to get on with it. Surprises were not her favorite thing, but she was learning to like them. Still, she had a long way to go.
"Indulge me," Harry playfully whined.
Uma sighed and from behind the blindfold, she shut her eyes. "Okay, I closed them," she said, giving him attitude. Harry just kissed the back of her head. Uma's heart had never been so full of love as it was at this moment. The darkness of the blindfold lifted, and even though her eyes were closed, the noon day sun bathed her in light.
"Are you ready?" Harry asked. He brought his hand up covering her eyes. Uma laughed, leaning back against him. "On three, you can open your eyes. One, two, three." He dropped his hands and immediately he heard her gasp of surprise. Harry backed away a single step letting her take it all in.
Uma couldn't believe what she was seeing. Docked in the harbor was a restored Man of War vessel. It was one that had served them as a lair for many years on the Isle; the ship had belonged to the infamous Captain Hook. The colors being flown were all Uma's, however. "You got me a ship?" she asked excitedly, her words also conveying shock. Before he could answer, she threw her arms around him, and hugged him tightly.
"Happy birthday, Uma!" Harry crowed, wrapping his arms around her in turn, picking her up, and spinning her about. Setting her back on her feet, he asked, "Are you ready to board your vessel, Captain?"
"Soon, but first…" Uma jerked her head towards their friends, "Let's party." This was shaping up to be the best birthday ever.
The day had gone by at the speed of light; laughter, dancing, and singing had eaten up most of the time. The King and Queen said their goodbyes, along with Evie, Doug, Carlos, Jane, Audrey, Chad, Dizzy, Celia, Jay, and Gil. Harry had wanted to take Uma on a tour of her new ship alone. There were still some more surprises in store for her.
As the sun set, Uma was stepping foot aboard her new ship. She didn't know what to look at first. The sails bearing her sigil. The helm made to look like an octopus. Uma made up her mind. She went to the bow and looked at the figurehead. It was her, in her transformed state. She knew immediately that Harry had carved it. She and Gil were the only ones who knew that he was a talented woodworker; self-taught, despite the lack of encouragement from his father. Normally, Harry would carve little pieces of driftwood into little figures he would leave about the docks for little kids of the Isle to find. "This must have taken you months," she said.
"I worked on it every day for nearly a year, making sure it was the perfect figurehead to grace the front of your ship." Harry crooked his finger at her, biding her to follow him. There was more he wanted to show her. He held out his hand to her, waiting for her. Last night, the finishing touches to the Captain's Cabin had been made, curtesy of Mal. She spelled the ceiling to look like they were under the ocean. The floor was painted to look like sand while her desk was carved to look like various pieces of coral cobbled together paired with her chair from the long forgotten 'chip shop'.
The first thing Uma noticed when Harry led her into the cabin was the four-poster bed. The frame had various forms of sea life; dolphins, whales, sea turtles, as well as a multitude of exotic fish. The posts looked like they were plucked from a coral reef and the detail was so exquisite. Uma was at a loss for words. She went over to the bed and sat down, sinking back into the softness. "You are amazing," she moaned in pure bliss. Being eighteen never felt quite as amazing as it did at this moment. When he didn't reply to her, she sat up, looking at him. It was the first time she noticed the small table for two, filled with food, a candle in the center, and he was holding out a chair for her. Even though she was still full from lunch, she knew she had just enough room for dessert. In front of her, a slice of Angel Food cake rested on a plate. For the public, Harry might play the fool, but for her, he was attentive, supportive, and her partner.
Sitting opposite her in the other chair, Harry sat back and savored the sight of her eating her slice of cake. In private, Uma showed her joy easier than she did when many people were around. After all, they were still children of the Isle; they played things close to the vest. It was a sign of immense trust between them when Uma showed him what she was truly feeling. She was happier than she had been in years. And he was a part of that. Everything Uma – and by extension him – had set out to do had been done. The Isle was free. The kids were no longer punished for their parents' crimes. "Best day ever?" Harry asked finally, though he knew the answer; her smile told him better than her words.
Uma finished the last bite of her cake and then set the fork down. "And it's not over yet," she replied sweetly. Getting up, she walked around the small table to stand in front of him. Uma pulled the zipper of her leather vest down, letting the garment slide down her arms. She wore one of his favorite distressed t-shirts.
Harry slid to the edge of his seat, his hands going to her hips. He placed a kiss to her abdomen, then moved up, placing a lingering kiss to the space above her heart. Her hands cupped the back of his head, her fingers threading through his black hair, curling around the strands. Picking her up effortlessly, he carried her over to the bed. This was the night they had always talked about. Both of them were eighteen. Both of them were in love. This was their happy ever after.
MORNING:
Uma had never really gone to sleep after she and Harry made love. Her body was teaming with magic and endorphins. She was happy beyond all belief and it was due in large part to the man lying next to her, still sound asleep. Harry was on his side, his right hand drawn up and tucked under his chin while wisps of his black hair fell across his forehead. She reached out, brushing the silky locks back, smiling as she did so. Sliding close, she kissed his brow and whispered, "I love you."
Uma left Harry to sleep while she got out of bed. She pulled on his shirt and then crept over to her desk. She sat in her chair, behind her desk, and started to study a sea chart. Adventure was calling her. The sea was in her blood and she was eager to take her ship out to the open ocean. There was a whole world for her to explore; for her crew to see. Being on the Isle, they had all felt trapped by the reality they would never leave. Then Mal finally lived up to her roots, to her word, and brought the barrier down. Freedom was sweeter than sweet. Looking back to the map, Uma closed her eyes, and then put her finger down on the parchment to let fate guide her hand. When she opened them, she saw she had chosen to head in the direction of the mermaid islands. All the books she had read said the water was so clear a sailor could see straight down to the bottom of the ocean. A broad smile broke out across her face. "Adventure, here we come."
Harry rolled over in bed, stretched, and then opened his eyes. There, at the desk, he spied Uma wearing a rueful grin. "Morning gorgeous…" he slurred, trying to shake the last tendrils of sleep. To keep from slipping back in unconsciousness, he sat up rubbing at his eyes. When he felt sufficiently awake, he opened his eyes to find his love standing by the edge of the bed. She climbed back up, straddling his lap, draping her arms over his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands resting on the small of her back. They kissed slow and sweet, savoring the taste of each other.
Uma broke the kiss with a soft moan. "Good morning, handsome," she replied lovingly, stroking his face. "I hope you're ready to set sail."
Harry hugged her tighter and asked, "Has the Captain chosen a destination?"
"The Mermaid Island chain. I want to explore some of those legendary wrecks," Uma answered excitedly.
"Our crew will be here this afternoon," Harry told her after having already anticipated her desire to get underway as soon as possible.
Uma gripped Harry's jaw, squeezing gently. "You think of everything, don't you?" With her free hand, she motioned to the Captain's Cabin, to the carefully selected décor. They had each grown into their roles they had adopted on the Isle. She the Captain and he, her First Mate.
"I must anticipate your needs before you have them," Harry responded with a wink and a smile. "Within the hour," he said glancing at his little pocket watch, "provisions will start to arrive and shortly after that when our crew arrives, they will be put below decks and we can set sail."
"So… we have a little time to play then?" Uma asked, laughing wickedly.
Harry rolled her beneath him, laughing, and teased, "Aye, we do."
Afternoon came with the Wharf Rats laying in the provisions, securing the rigging, and various other tasks that came getting a ship ready to make sail. Uma was at the helm, plotting the course and working out a rotation schedule. She even wrote out small spells she could use to give them a fair wind should the need arise. For their first voyage they would be at sea for three days and three nights to reach the Mermaid Islands.
Harry made sure everything was done to Uma's exacting standards while he tried not to wonder where Gil was. He was trying not to worry that something had happened to the other member of their little squad. It was then he noticed a dinghy rowing towards the ship with only two occupants. One was Gil – much to Harry's relief – and the other was Jay. The Son of Jafar showing up was a surprise.
Gil threw the rope up to one of the Rats, trusting them to tie the line off. He climbed up the rope ladder and then stepped on to the deck. Reaching back, he offered his hand to Jay. "You're going to love this," Gil laughed.
Jay set foot on the deck and noticed the subtle sway of the ship. "Can't wait!" he chuckled nervously, wondering if he would be seasick. Up until this moment in his life, he'd kept his feet – for the most part – firmly planted on solid ground. Jay wanted adventure, however. This as the only one happening at the moment, and he would be crazy to miss out on it.
"You'll get your sea legs soon enough," Gil promised. He remembered the first time he was on a ship – a wrecked one – and he'd lost his lunch almost immediately. While others had laughed at him, Uma hadn't. She'd told him he'd be all right, and eventually he had been. Now, he could climb the rigging without so much as thinking about it.
"Captain!" Harry shouted, getting Uma's attention. "We have a new crewmember!"
Uma looked up from the chart she was studying, pinning Jay with her best Captain glare. She stepped away from the helm, walked down the steps, and crossed the deck to where the three of them stood. It's true she was the shortest one, but she had a presence that was larger than life. It's one of the reasons she was the Captain. She made a show of looking Jay up and down, sizing him up, deciding what to do with him. "Since you're new, you'll take the crows nest watch for the next twelve hours," she said, putting authority in her tone.
Jay looked confused. "Uh… where's that?" he asked. Uma, Harry, and Gill all pointed up the center mast. Jay laughed. "All right!" And then he was off and climbing up the rigging.
Uma smiled. Jay would work out just fine. Then, to Harry she asked, "Are we ready to make sail?"
"We are, Captain," Harry answered.
To Gil, Uma said, "Raise the anchor."
"Aye Captain!" Gil rushed off, grabbing others to help him turn the wheel that would bring up the anchor from the ocean floor.
Uma and Harry crossed the deck, walking up the stairs to the helm. With her hands gripping the handles, she ordered, "Set the sails and hoist the colors!" Cheers went up and the Captain smiled.
TBC…