Hey, y'all! Sorry this took kinda long...I love you people, you're all so sweet...
And here's the next installment of Hannah/Tom goo....
You May Be Just Yet Chapter 4
Bonden stood in front of the docks, keeping young Joshua leashed to him by the hand, with Moses sitting at his feet and Jeremiah and Aubrey standing almost dutifully at his side. Barrett himself had a worried look plastered across his weathered face, and was turning his head and squinting almost constantly in search of a lost gem. He mumbled, lips barely moving, for God to please place his precious stone back in his hands.
"Bonden!" Tom called, waving to identify himself from a distance. He handed his wife out, asked the driver to please wait a bit and take her home, and bent to hand out his wee guest.
The instant Bonden saw Ruby, he let go of his son, trotted over and picked her up, hugging her tightly as though he wasn't going to let her go until the day he died.
"Oy, thankee ever so much, Mr. Pullings! Where'd she get off to?" He steadied the girl on his elbow, looking at her with an expression that didn't have to speak to tell prayers of thanks. "There now, lovey, are you trying to put your father in Davey Jones' locker afore it's 'is set time?"
Ruby only hugged him, whimpering slightly as though she was afraid Da' had gone deathly ill in her absense.
"She was off roaming the streets; must've gotten lost from your little caravan," Tom said, smiling and ruffling her hair.
"OY, MY BABY!"
Lilith came running out of what seemed to be nowhere and threw herself on her husband and her daughter, causing Barrett to nearly go right on his arse. "Oy, you scared the dickens out of me! Where'd you get off to? About to kill your mother, that's what!"
"Mr. Pullings was kind an' brought her back. Done got lost on our way over, the poor dear."
Tom pinched Ruby's cheek lightly, smiling broadly at her. "I can't very wel have my first Lieutenant wandering about in the middle of town! Now, where is the rest of my crew?"
The remaining four of the Bonden children lined up in front of him, feet together, backs straight, chests puffed out.
He greeted the pretty young Aubrey with a kiss on the hand, making her blush, then bowed to each of the boys.
"Are you ready to be little pirates?"
The children nodded excitedly, shifting in eagerness to begin their expedition.
"Alright, race to see who can get up the gangplank the fastest!" He waved an arm to start them, and they instantly whirled around, dodged their father's legs and sped down the dock. Bonden set Ruby down to join her brothers and sister, then turned to speak with his wife.
Tom turned to his own wife, and took both her hands warmly in his own. "Will you not kiss me goodbye, apple tart?"
"Thomas, not in public..." Hannah pulled away as he drew in.
"Oh, come now..." He tried again, but she only leaned back in defiance. "What did we talk about in the carriage? You can touch me in some affectionate way..."
"I am touching you affectionately enough."
"Just a wee kiss, Hannah, that's all I'm asking."
"And I said no."
He pursed his lips. "'Tis a kiss, love, and only that! I'm not asking you to make love in the street-"
"Thomas, mind your tongue!" She snapped.
He looked over at Barrett and Lilith. Barrett's arms were around her waist, and Lilith's were around his neck, the two touching noses and cuddling like young lovers. Several "ew!"s erupted from their children, already on the ship and since done arguing over who had won the race.
"Shut up, you wee buggers! It was this kinda stuff that got you 'ere in the first place!" Their father shouted, half in joke.
Aubrey and Jeremiah only gagged more, while Joshua, Moses and Ruby only looked at him, confused.
Lilith finally gave him a light peck on the lips, then one on the cheek, and shooed him toward the boat to calm those who had already gotten the "procreation talk", lest they stir up more ruckus.
"Is it really so impossible for you to do that, Hannah?" Tom asked quietly. "Now kiss me. 'Twon't hurt, I promise..."
Hannah only looked up at him, her eyes telling both sides of the story. She was not an openly romantic creature, they said. But Tom paid heed only to the other half.
This outwardly cold, snippy-mouthed, rock-of-a-woman had an unfathomable love for her husband, and in his darkest hour would hold him and comfort him in the tenderest of touches.
He hugged her. Though he was blind to it at first, she was an incredible woman, with so much to offer the world...if only she'd show it.
"Lilith, might I ask you something?" Hannah asked, after offering her a ride home, which she gladly took.
"Course, Mizzus Pullings!"
"You and your husband...how long have you been married?"
"Oy!" Lilith laughed fondly and touched a hand to her chest. "Near eleven years now! And Barrett's still going strong, if you take my meanin', marm..."
Hannah nodded. "Did anyone ever expect you to have children? In example, your parents?"
She blinked, furrowing her brow in a moment's thought. "Nay. Then again...I can't say they were very happy with me about my marriage at all."
"Really? Why's that?"
"Ah, Barrett wasn't necessarily...eh, in my station, shall we say? I was a kinder man than any of the idiots my parents thrust in front o' me to pick from. They've disowned me for it, but at least I get to say I have a happier marriage than any of my sisters. Have you parents on your tail, marm?"
"Aye," Hannah mumbled. "Even wrote us both letters questioning our fertility!"
Lilith shook her head. "Never did much understand the need for an heir that must be instantly gratified. Do you want children, Mizzus Pullings?"
"Not exactly. 'Tis the pressure that annoys me. And I don't think I'm much of a fit mother, anyway."
"If you don't mind my sayin', marm, Mister Pullings' make a fine father."
She sighed. "I know he would."
Lily cocked her head at the wife who seemed suddenly depressed. "Ever wonder if God intends you to have children?"
She nodded. "I do wonder often, and I've prayed. Tom does want to be a father, but I'm hardly a good wife! Now what does that tell you about the kind of mother I'd be?"
"Tells me absolutely nothing, marm."
Hannah looked at her in surprise. "Really?"
"Marm, if I may say, you've the tiniest comfort zone. The question is not whether or not you'll make a good mother, the question is, should you be a parent, are you willing to let your husband coax you out of this corner you've backed yourself into? Are you willing to let God provide the wisdom needed? Faith, Mizzus Pullings, is a powerful thing. Have faith in your husband and Heavenly Father. Remember, God, promises a safe dockin' in the harbor."
"Bonden, might I ask you something?"
Barrett looked down from his place at the wheel to where Tom was sitting, watching the children scamper about on deck. "Course, sir."
"Bonden, I can't figure out my wife..."
"Only God knows what He created," he said with a chuckle.
Tom snorted a laugh, then went contemplative again. "My Hannah is an incredible woman, quite capable of many things. She is truly my better half. But what makes a woman untrusting, Bonden?"
He shrugged. "Many things, I 'spose...a pre'vus relationship...guilt...fear. Nany things. Women are complicated."
"What has she to be afraid of? She knows I would never hurt her. She's placed herself in this...this space she can barely move in because of whatever goes on in her head. I've tried to pull her out, but she doesn't yield for but small increments of time."
"Ah..." Bonden smiled, nodding. "Therein lies your problem, Mister Pullings. See, I learned this quite a while ago 'bout people like that. Y'can't take their hand and try to pull 'em out. You gotta show 'em it's safe to come out, if you take my meaning."
Tom bit his lip in thought. "She's a fine woman, very pretty, very intelligent. But she has this...fear of amorous touch. She pulls away from me, even in the bedroom many times, if you don't mind my saying, Bonden."
"Course not, sir. You're married, 'tis perfectly fine. But I think she may not fear the touch in itself, sir...she probably fears the result."
He furrowed his brow. "Explain that, won't you?"
"Don't you see, sir? She fears not you at all. She fears parenthood, would be my guess."
"Now, why would she fear that? She ought to know it's a two way thing, the burden will not be entirely on her shoulders."
"Ah, sir...preparin' a little life for the world is a difficult thing. But for m'wife an' I, it's a joy nonetheless."
"I know." Tom smiled at the little ones, playing hide and seek amongst the masts and ropes and barrels.
"You wish very much for a child, don't you, sir?" Bonden tilted his head, studying the pony-tailed officer.
"Aye, I do," he said quietly.
And here's the next installment of Hannah/Tom goo....
You May Be Just Yet Chapter 4
Bonden stood in front of the docks, keeping young Joshua leashed to him by the hand, with Moses sitting at his feet and Jeremiah and Aubrey standing almost dutifully at his side. Barrett himself had a worried look plastered across his weathered face, and was turning his head and squinting almost constantly in search of a lost gem. He mumbled, lips barely moving, for God to please place his precious stone back in his hands.
"Bonden!" Tom called, waving to identify himself from a distance. He handed his wife out, asked the driver to please wait a bit and take her home, and bent to hand out his wee guest.
The instant Bonden saw Ruby, he let go of his son, trotted over and picked her up, hugging her tightly as though he wasn't going to let her go until the day he died.
"Oy, thankee ever so much, Mr. Pullings! Where'd she get off to?" He steadied the girl on his elbow, looking at her with an expression that didn't have to speak to tell prayers of thanks. "There now, lovey, are you trying to put your father in Davey Jones' locker afore it's 'is set time?"
Ruby only hugged him, whimpering slightly as though she was afraid Da' had gone deathly ill in her absense.
"She was off roaming the streets; must've gotten lost from your little caravan," Tom said, smiling and ruffling her hair.
"OY, MY BABY!"
Lilith came running out of what seemed to be nowhere and threw herself on her husband and her daughter, causing Barrett to nearly go right on his arse. "Oy, you scared the dickens out of me! Where'd you get off to? About to kill your mother, that's what!"
"Mr. Pullings was kind an' brought her back. Done got lost on our way over, the poor dear."
Tom pinched Ruby's cheek lightly, smiling broadly at her. "I can't very wel have my first Lieutenant wandering about in the middle of town! Now, where is the rest of my crew?"
The remaining four of the Bonden children lined up in front of him, feet together, backs straight, chests puffed out.
He greeted the pretty young Aubrey with a kiss on the hand, making her blush, then bowed to each of the boys.
"Are you ready to be little pirates?"
The children nodded excitedly, shifting in eagerness to begin their expedition.
"Alright, race to see who can get up the gangplank the fastest!" He waved an arm to start them, and they instantly whirled around, dodged their father's legs and sped down the dock. Bonden set Ruby down to join her brothers and sister, then turned to speak with his wife.
Tom turned to his own wife, and took both her hands warmly in his own. "Will you not kiss me goodbye, apple tart?"
"Thomas, not in public..." Hannah pulled away as he drew in.
"Oh, come now..." He tried again, but she only leaned back in defiance. "What did we talk about in the carriage? You can touch me in some affectionate way..."
"I am touching you affectionately enough."
"Just a wee kiss, Hannah, that's all I'm asking."
"And I said no."
He pursed his lips. "'Tis a kiss, love, and only that! I'm not asking you to make love in the street-"
"Thomas, mind your tongue!" She snapped.
He looked over at Barrett and Lilith. Barrett's arms were around her waist, and Lilith's were around his neck, the two touching noses and cuddling like young lovers. Several "ew!"s erupted from their children, already on the ship and since done arguing over who had won the race.
"Shut up, you wee buggers! It was this kinda stuff that got you 'ere in the first place!" Their father shouted, half in joke.
Aubrey and Jeremiah only gagged more, while Joshua, Moses and Ruby only looked at him, confused.
Lilith finally gave him a light peck on the lips, then one on the cheek, and shooed him toward the boat to calm those who had already gotten the "procreation talk", lest they stir up more ruckus.
"Is it really so impossible for you to do that, Hannah?" Tom asked quietly. "Now kiss me. 'Twon't hurt, I promise..."
Hannah only looked up at him, her eyes telling both sides of the story. She was not an openly romantic creature, they said. But Tom paid heed only to the other half.
This outwardly cold, snippy-mouthed, rock-of-a-woman had an unfathomable love for her husband, and in his darkest hour would hold him and comfort him in the tenderest of touches.
He hugged her. Though he was blind to it at first, she was an incredible woman, with so much to offer the world...if only she'd show it.
"Lilith, might I ask you something?" Hannah asked, after offering her a ride home, which she gladly took.
"Course, Mizzus Pullings!"
"You and your husband...how long have you been married?"
"Oy!" Lilith laughed fondly and touched a hand to her chest. "Near eleven years now! And Barrett's still going strong, if you take my meanin', marm..."
Hannah nodded. "Did anyone ever expect you to have children? In example, your parents?"
She blinked, furrowing her brow in a moment's thought. "Nay. Then again...I can't say they were very happy with me about my marriage at all."
"Really? Why's that?"
"Ah, Barrett wasn't necessarily...eh, in my station, shall we say? I was a kinder man than any of the idiots my parents thrust in front o' me to pick from. They've disowned me for it, but at least I get to say I have a happier marriage than any of my sisters. Have you parents on your tail, marm?"
"Aye," Hannah mumbled. "Even wrote us both letters questioning our fertility!"
Lilith shook her head. "Never did much understand the need for an heir that must be instantly gratified. Do you want children, Mizzus Pullings?"
"Not exactly. 'Tis the pressure that annoys me. And I don't think I'm much of a fit mother, anyway."
"If you don't mind my sayin', marm, Mister Pullings' make a fine father."
She sighed. "I know he would."
Lily cocked her head at the wife who seemed suddenly depressed. "Ever wonder if God intends you to have children?"
She nodded. "I do wonder often, and I've prayed. Tom does want to be a father, but I'm hardly a good wife! Now what does that tell you about the kind of mother I'd be?"
"Tells me absolutely nothing, marm."
Hannah looked at her in surprise. "Really?"
"Marm, if I may say, you've the tiniest comfort zone. The question is not whether or not you'll make a good mother, the question is, should you be a parent, are you willing to let your husband coax you out of this corner you've backed yourself into? Are you willing to let God provide the wisdom needed? Faith, Mizzus Pullings, is a powerful thing. Have faith in your husband and Heavenly Father. Remember, God, promises a safe dockin' in the harbor."
"Bonden, might I ask you something?"
Barrett looked down from his place at the wheel to where Tom was sitting, watching the children scamper about on deck. "Course, sir."
"Bonden, I can't figure out my wife..."
"Only God knows what He created," he said with a chuckle.
Tom snorted a laugh, then went contemplative again. "My Hannah is an incredible woman, quite capable of many things. She is truly my better half. But what makes a woman untrusting, Bonden?"
He shrugged. "Many things, I 'spose...a pre'vus relationship...guilt...fear. Nany things. Women are complicated."
"What has she to be afraid of? She knows I would never hurt her. She's placed herself in this...this space she can barely move in because of whatever goes on in her head. I've tried to pull her out, but she doesn't yield for but small increments of time."
"Ah..." Bonden smiled, nodding. "Therein lies your problem, Mister Pullings. See, I learned this quite a while ago 'bout people like that. Y'can't take their hand and try to pull 'em out. You gotta show 'em it's safe to come out, if you take my meaning."
Tom bit his lip in thought. "She's a fine woman, very pretty, very intelligent. But she has this...fear of amorous touch. She pulls away from me, even in the bedroom many times, if you don't mind my saying, Bonden."
"Course not, sir. You're married, 'tis perfectly fine. But I think she may not fear the touch in itself, sir...she probably fears the result."
He furrowed his brow. "Explain that, won't you?"
"Don't you see, sir? She fears not you at all. She fears parenthood, would be my guess."
"Now, why would she fear that? She ought to know it's a two way thing, the burden will not be entirely on her shoulders."
"Ah, sir...preparin' a little life for the world is a difficult thing. But for m'wife an' I, it's a joy nonetheless."
"I know." Tom smiled at the little ones, playing hide and seek amongst the masts and ropes and barrels.
"You wish very much for a child, don't you, sir?" Bonden tilted his head, studying the pony-tailed officer.
"Aye, I do," he said quietly.