Chapter Twenty-four

When Ann Driscoll woke up the next morning, she realized suddenly that something was different. And it had nothing to do with the ship or the journey home. It was something with her… She sat up slowly, quietly, so she wouldn't wake up Jack, who was sleeping quite easily beside her. She managed to get to her feet, despite the sudden dizziness and nausea that came upon her. I don't even feel like me… My body… It doesn't feel the way it normally does…

There was a nagging suspicion at the back of her mind about what was going on, but she quickly pushed it away, sitting down on the edge of the bed and leaning forward. I'm just getting a bit seasick, that's all… Although… She frowned. I've never been seasick before. Jack says I've got good sea legs…

"Ann?" Jack sat up drowsily, his dark hair ruffled, his eyes squinting in the pale light. "Ann, are you all right?"

She nodded quickly. "Fine, Jack. Just a little… queasy."

Her husband frowned. "Was it something you ate for supper?"

"Jack… We all ate porridge."

"That's right." He scooted to the edge of the bed and took her hand, caressing it with his long, slender fingers. "Are you coming down with something, do you think?"

"Maybe that's it." She sighed and closed her eyes. "I think I might stay in bed today, Jack."

His brown eyes widened with worry. "Is it that bad?"

She nodded, a hand going to her stomach. "I feel pretty sick."

Jack quickly got out of bed and knelt in front of his wife, taking her hands. "Would you like me to get Hofstetter to look at you?"

Ann shook her head quickly, then hesitated. "Uhm… Well… If it gets any worse." She laid back down, smiling at the worry on Jack's face. "You're so sweet, Jack," she said softly.

He smiled down at her and bent to kiss her lips.

(LINE)

Still at the helm of his ship, Captain Englehorn shook his head, trying to stay awake. He glanced back at Clytie, who was sitting down looking at maps, to see if she had noticed his weariness. He smiled slyly. Ha! Her green eyes were still trained on the maps and charts. Surely she hadn't seen his tired gesture… He turned his gaze back to the foggy horizon. It was pale with light. Obviously, the edge of the darkness was not far ahead.

"Eric, you need to take a nap."

He winced. So she had noticed.

Clytie stood and walked to his side, crossing her arms. "Come on. Set a course and wake up Darby. You need some rest. And I probably need to change the bandage on your shoulder."

For a moment, he considered fighting her. He thought it rather fun to get her riled up. Then he sighed wearily. She was right, actually. He was in no shape to fight back. And he was about to fall asleep at the wheel of his ship. "You're right, Clytie," he said finally, turning to give her a crooked smile. "You're absolutely right. I don't know how much longer I can stand." Quickly, he stabilized the wheel. "Let's go."

Clytie took his hand, and they left the bridge, hurrying to the door of Darby's cabin. The captain woke up his First Mate and ordered him to the wheel, then went to his own cabin, followed by Clytie.

As soon as they reached the captain's cabin, Englehorn collapsed on his bunk with a sigh. He had been awake for far too long, and his shoulder was starting to throb again.

Clytie sat quietly beside him on the mattress. "Do you need me to check your shoulder?"

He sat up and nodded, unbuttoning his shirt and sliding the sleeve from his left shoulder.

With gentle fingers and a sharp eye, Clytie examined the bandage and the wound underneath. "It looks like it's actually starting to heal now," she said, smiling. "I think you'll live, Captain."

He smiled wryly. "I've been telling you that for a while now."

"But you do need a new bandage." She gently removed the bloodstained wrap from his shoulder. "I'll get to work on that right away. Lie down, Captain."

(LINE)

David, Preston, and Jimmy were in the galley, discussing their plans for a New York City vacation.

"So you think Englehorn will let you take a week off?" Preston asked the cabin boy.

Jimmy nodded. "I'm sure of it. He'll be so wrapped up in Clytie, there's no way he will notice that I'm gone. Plus, they'll probably go on a honeymoon, won't they? We can plan our trip for that week."

"Good idea," David said. "Let's do that."

"What about Bruce?" Preston asked quietly. "Do we invite him or not?"

They were all quiet for a moment. None of them really liked the arrogant peacock of an actor.

"Well… If the girls see that we're with Bruce…" Jimmy murmured.

The three young men looked at each other and grinned.

"But… Won't we be using him?" Preston remarked. "That's just not right…"

"Well look at all the trouble he's been!" David exclaimed. "He sort of owes us, you know?"

Jimmy laughed and leaned back against the wall. "I can see it now--all the girls of New York will be talking about it. Who were those good-looking guys walking around with Bruce Baxter?"

(LINE)

"Where are you going?"

Clytie turned around to raise an eyebrow at the captain. "I thought you were asleep."

"No." He smiled wryly. "Not yet."

She walked back into the cabin, closing the door behind her. "Are you having trouble sleeping?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I am." He sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm cold. Inside and out. And I don't like the feeling very much."

Clytie sat down on the edge of the bunk and reached for his shirt, which was slung over his desk chair. "Here. It would help if you put this back on." She turned to face him, his shirt in her upraised hand.

Suddenly, his hand closed around her wrist. "No, Clytie. Put it down. I'll be all right without it."

Frowning, confused, Clytie draped his shirt back over the chair. "Do you want a blanket? That might--"

"No." He caught her hand in his and gently began to pull her down beside him. "Stay with me for awhile, Clytie," he said quietly.

"All right," she whispered. Her heart was pounding furiously as she laid down beside him. She was sure he could hear it. She settled against his right shoulder, draping her arm across his chest. "Are you warm now?"

"Getting there." His voice vibrated through her.

"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, okay?" she whispered.

He nodded against her head, sliding his right arm under and around her, holding her close to him. He turned his face to her and gently kissed her on the lips, then closed his eyes.

Clytie smiled and closed her eyes as well. She suddenly realized that they were breathing to the same rhythm.

It wasn't long before the captain was asleep. Clytie sat up slowly and quietly, bending to kiss his forehead, then she stood and pulled his blanket over him. She watched him sleep for a moment, then turned and walked out of the cabin with a contented sigh.

(LINE)

"David, have you seen your sister lately?" Jack asked as he walked into the galley.

David raised his dark eyebrows. "No." He smiled, his hazel eyes twinkling mischievously. "I'll give you three guesses as to where I think she is."

"With the captain?"

"Right."

"All right. Thanks." He turned to leave.

"Wait, Jack," David called.

The writer turned back around.

"Why do you need her? Where's Ann? Don't you want some breakfast?"

"Ann wants to speak to Clytie," Jack explained. "She's in the cabin. She says she doesn't feel well." He glanced at the bowls of porridge that David, Preston, and Jimmy were eating from. "And… I'll wait on breakfast." He turned back around and fairly ran from the room.

(LINE)

Clytie nearly jumped out of her skin when a tall, slim shadow appeared around the corner of the hallway. She let out a hoarse cry and stumbled backward.

"It's me! It's me!"

Clytie sighed, still shaken. "Jack! You scared me! What is it?"

He looked quite jittery with agitation. "It's Ann. She's not feeling well, Clytie. She says she wants to see you."

Clytie frowned. "Not feeling well? Is she sick?"

Jack ran a long-fingered hand through his hair. "I don't know."

"Calm down." Clytie gently patted his shoulder. "I'll see what's going on."

Jack followed Clytie through the ship to the cabin he shared with Ann. "Thanks, Clytie," he said quietly. "For some reason, she really wants to see you."

Clytie gave him an encouraging smile. "Okay, Jack." She walked into the cabin and closed the door behind her, quickly spotting Ann, who was lying on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. She looked quite elegant in her white silk robe, with her wavy blonde hair spread out on her pillow. "Hi, Ann. How are you feeling?"

Ann patted the bed beside her. "Sit down, Clytie," she said, still looking up at the ceiling. There was an ethereal, distant quality to her voice.

Clytie crossed the room and sat beside her friend. "What's going on?" she asked curiously.

Ann turned to Clytie, fixing her with a smile. "It's nothing bad, Clytie," she said softly.

Clytie frowned. "Jack said you weren't feeling well."

Ann laughed. "He doesn't understand yet." Then she was quiet again, her eyes looking at something far, far away.

"Ann… Why did you want to see me?"

"You're the only other woman on the ship, Clytie," the actress explained, meeting her friend's eye once again. "And I'm glad it's you. I'll be glad to have another lady with me in the coming weeks." She reached to take Clytie's hand. "You see, no man will understand what I'm going to go through."

Clytie's green eyes went wide. "Ann… Are you telling me… you're… pregnant?" she asked, her voice slightly squeaky.

Ann nodded, smiling.

"Congratulations!" Clytie exclaimed, reaching to hug her friend. "Mrs. Driscoll, you are going to be a mother!"

"And I hear you are going to be a wife," Ann replied, winking. "So congratulations to you, too!"

The two women laughed and exclaimed over each other and hugged for a good ten minutes.

Finally, there was a knock at the door.

Ann giggled and bit her lip. "Oh! It's poor Jack! We've left him out there all alone! He probably thinks we're going crazy in here!" She motioned toward the door. "Let him in, let him in!"

Clytie smiled brightly as she opened the door for Jack.

The writer studied her face, confused. "Why are you smiling like that?" he asked.

Clytie glanced back at Ann and winked. "I'll let your wife tell you," she said as she slipped past him.

Jack walked into the cabin and sat beside his wife on the bed. "Ann?" he asked, frowning in confusion.

Ann smiled at him and took his hand. "Jack… There's nothing wrong with me."

"Then what's going on, sweetheart?" he asked worriedly.

Ann placed his hand on her stomach. "Something right."

"Wh--?" His frowned deepened at first, then suddenly, he grinned. "Ann… Are you serious?"

She bit her lip, smiling and nodding. "Yes, Jack. I'm going to have a baby."

Jack let out a very happy yell and hugged her, then kissed her, then hugged her again.

(A/N: I know it's a really short chapter, but… I had fun with it. I hope you guys are still enjoying. You know I love those reviews! And the story's not over yet!)