Catherine had just turned the corner when she heard her parents yelling after her. When they caught up with her she was surprised at what they said.

"We'll come down and meet this Thomas who has seemed to steal your heart."

Her parents linked arms and set off for the docks. Catherine strayed behind them. She never would have done this to him; she would not spring this on him.

As the Surprise grew to life size and Catherine felt her heart skip a beat then sink. She was afraid she would make mockery him in front of his crew. Not knowing her parents would be there, he wouldn't know what to expect. She saw Jack come down the gang plank. He seemed to stop then he called out to her parents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sampson how nice to see you." Jack had one of those fake smiles plastered on his face. His time coming in was not a good one, or so it might seem.

Catherine hung back watching and waiting for the next big event to come down. Then, "Catherine!" Tom came running down to her. He was just about to give her a hug when Catherine's father grabbed his arm.

"Thomas Pullings?" Tom looked at him then at Catherine.

"Yes."

"I'm Captain Joshua Sampson, Catherine's father and this is Elizabeth Catherine's mother. It's very nice to meet the young man that your dear Catherine has fallen in love with."

"Oh it's nice to meet the parents of this lovely young lady, who has stolen my heart."

Catherine couldn't believe this was happening, nether could Thomas. But it took off a lot of stress of meeting them for the first time.

"Mr. Sampson," Jack butted in, "would you like a tour of the ship? You know to see if it's in as good if not better shape when you ran it?"

"Yes come along Elizabeth, Catherine."

"But I-"

"Come Catherine!" Her father's voice was stern and had a hint of annoyance, most likely from earlier that day.

"Catherine has seen the ship many times before; she could probably led her self around, let her stay with Thomas. Come dear shall we?" Her mother pulled on her fathers arm and off they went with Jack.

"I'm sorry Thomas, they just left after me."

"Shh its fine, I'm glad they came."

"Really?" Catherine looked at him in a questioning way.

"Yes. Now those first time jitters about meeting your parents are not as strong."

They sat there talking until Jack and Catherine's parents appeared once more. Catherine stood up so fast that Tom didn't have time to realize what she was doing.

"Sit Catherine relax." Her mother took the seat next to her. The three of sat watching Mr. Sampson and Jack talk.

"Thomas why don't you come over for dinner tonight."

"Mrs. Sampson I couldn-"

"Of course you can. I thought a home cooked meal will be appreciated."

"They are."

"It's settled tomorrow night you will have a nice dinner with us." She patted Catherine on the shoulder and they set off with her father. Catherine looked back at Thomas who now had Jacks arm around him.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because he needs a home cooked meal. And it give your father and him time to well shall we say get used to one another?" Her father stopped short and looked at them.

"What are you two gabbing about?"

"Nothing you would understand." Her mother said patting him on the cheek and walking away. Catherine hurried next to her.

Catherine sat on her bed looking out over the sea. She heard a knock but didn't stir. She was at peace, like the calm before the storm. She heard voices talking and laughing. She wanted to move, but didn't. That took effort and effort was the last thing she wanted. Then she heard footsteps coming up the stairs then disappear.

"Thomas she's up in her room, you may go see her if you wish."

"Elizabeth are you sure?"

"Josh she is decent. You needn't worry about her. Thomas her room is at the end of the hall."

"Thank you." Thomas then descended the stairs to his love.

Catherine heard the door open and she sharply turned her head. She let her guard down when she noticed it was him. She then returned her gaze back at the sea.

"So peaceful isn't it?" he asked sitting next to her.

"It is, at least now it is." She smiled when she felt his arm snake around her. "My parents aren't fighting I take it."

"They fight?" he looked into her eyes.

"Sometimes they do."

"Well then think nothing of it. Tonight is about you and I. Think about that, not your parents fighting. Now come on smile. Please." He gave her a puppy dog face and that made Catherine smile. "Good now come on I think dinner is almost ready." He took Catherine's hand and led her down to the dinning room.

Catherine sat across form Thomas and on the left side of her father. Her mother sat at the other end of the table. Talk about your long boring drawn out meal. This was one. Mindless chatter after mindless chatter. When they retired to the sitting room Catherine let out a sigh of relief. Now all that was left was maybe an hour, hour an a half at the most. Catherine could live this, yes it was livable.

"Catherine would you join me in the kitchen for a moment."

"Of course." Catherine rose from her seat on the couch and walked to the kitchen. Leaving Thomas and her father alone.

"What is this about?" Catherine looked at her mother.

"They need to talk, man to man." Catherine rolled her eyes and let out a long, heavy sigh.

"They didn't have time before?"

"No."

"Mr. Sampson I would like to ask your permission to see Catherine on a daily basis."

"Mr. Pullings you never asked me if you could write her, which you declared your love for her in, and now you're asking to court her. Am I wrong?"

"No sir your right. I should have asked, but there was no time. I was called to sea before I could ask you."

"I see. And how long before you ask for her hand in marriage?"

"Sir, please don't rush things. I would rather they come as they come."

"You're a true gentleman. I would be glad to have you court my Catherine. And someday, when it happens, marry her."

Her father got up as did Thomas and shook hands. "Thank you sir."

"Now what do you say to finding Catherine and her mother. Then you'll be on your way."

"Yes sir." They walked into the kitchen to find Catherine and her mother in a little conversation them self's.

"Catherine would you walk Mr. Pullings to the door. Elizabeth I think we should retire now." Both of the nodded.

"Well good night Mr. Pullings."

"Good night Mrs. Sampson." Her parents left and Catherine locked fingers with Thomas as they walked to the front door.

"Well I guess I will see you sometime."

"How about tomorrow, love."

"What?"

"Your father has given me permission to court you."

"Isn't it a little late for that?"

"No. Or at least we don't think so."

"Who is we?"

"Your father and I."

"I see you two are becoming close after two days."

"We'll become closer over time and so will us." Catherine smiled and kissed Thomas. He kissed her back with a fiery passion.

"Where did that come from?"

"I have no idea."

"I liked it." Catherine smiled at him wishing this would never end.

"I'll see you soon." He kissed her one more time before he left,

Catherine walked up to her room slowly and thoughtfully. Tomorrow she had to help Nat, the cook, get food down at the docks. And other than helping Nat cook dinner she had nothing.

The next morning was a dull gray wet morning. Catherine could barely get up. Her legs and back were stiff from the weather. When she went down stairs she found that Nat had left with out her and it was well into the afternoon. Catherine was amazed by how long she slept. That was not like her at all. But then again it might have been due to the weather. Catherine walked sluggishly around the house. She knew she would be confined here until the next day. And if the weather kept up it would be the same.

"Catherine, when did you get up?" Nat walked into the kitchen.

"Not too long ago."

"How are you feeling?" Sam asked setting a basket of fresh fish and vegetables down.

"Fine, why do you ask?" Catherine looked at Sam with a suspicious look.

"No reason in particular, just that I know you get stiff during weather like this."

"I see." Catherine lifted her self from the seat and set off for her room and sleep.

The next morning was a beautiful one. Catherine's aunt and three cousins, Jeremy, Taylor, and Brook, came over. Jeremy was six, his brother Taylor was ten and their sister Brook was fifteen, two years younger than Catherine, And always looked up to her for everything.

Catherine and Brook sat on the couch. Brook embroidering, Catherine reading.

"Catherine, will you tell me something?" Brook asked not looking up at her.

"Depends, what is it?" Catherine did not stop reading at that time.

"It's about boys." Catherine placed her book in her lap and turned to Brook.

"What about them?"

"Well, what is it like to, you know."

"Well for one I do not know and I am in no hurry to find out. Now you must tell me why you want to know."

"Because of Tony."

"That Jackson boy?" Brook nodded. "You don't need someone like him, if fact you don't need any boy to make your life be filled with happiness."

"Are you sure?" A voice asked from the doorway.

Catherine jumped. "Thomas. Why-never mind." Brook looked from the man to her cousin then back again.

"Sure you don't need a boy to make your life filled with happiness."

"Well from one thing he's not a boy and he's not a trouble maker like Tony. Now go find your brothers."

"And do what?" Brook folded her arms across her chest.

"I am sure your mother could use a break from watching them."

Brook left with a huff. She stopped and looked at Thomas, she thought he was cute.

'He's cute, why should she get him? Why not me?' Then she walked out to the gardens.

"I am truly sorry Thomas I didn't-"

"Shhh." He placed a finger to her lips. "Its fine and you should stop saying sorry for things you have no control over."

"But she knows better."

"Catherine, I came to spend time with you. Not to spend time calming you down."

Catherine smiled at him.

"Now it seems that we have the sitting room to our selves, let us sit and talk."