I looked down at her sleeping form, she was so peaceful when she slept, even if she had just been swooped up and almost killed by the kraken.
I kissed her on the forehead before I slipped from the bed to head back onto the deck to find out who has brought that beast upon us. It couldn't be any of my men, we haven't been anywhere near Davy Johns.
So it must be one of our new arrivals, and I have a hunch who it may be. As I stepped onto deck everyone was quick at work, I looked behind me to see Jemmerson at the wheel with Jack and Gibbs standing with him.
"Ahoy Cap'n! How is Miss Bella? Pretty shook up I presume." Jemmerson yelled as I joined them up top.
"She was, I got her calmed down enough to where she fell asleep though. She should be alright."
"Good to hear boss. I don't know why that thing would be after us though, any thoughts?" he asked as I took the wheel from him, not even looking at the two pirates standing to the side.
"Yes actually." I whispered, causing Jemmerson to give me a strange look.
I just shook my head and kept my eyes forward, choosing not to broach the subject just yet. I would wait until we made port or we were alone, whichever came first.
"How much longer?" I asked while watching the calm waves of the sea as we sailed through.
"Maybe an hour or more Cap'n."
I nodded, I was barely in the mood to even be out here but since Bella was asleep I really had nothing better to do with my time.
It seemed slow, everything, as if we were going in slow motion as if to accentuate everything that was going on. I tried to pay as little attention as was possible as the men worked below me, Jemmerson talking as he led the two men away that had me uneasy-for that I was thankful-but most everything fell on deaf ears.
I wasn't really hearing everything as it came out, words were muffled sounds as if someone was cupping their hand over their mouth when they talked, and the wind and the sea sounded almost mute. I looked on with a vacant look that seemed to distress many as they slowed whenever they thought they were in my line of vision as they scurried across deck and once they noticed I wasn't truly looking at them they quickly walked away and began whispering.
What is wrong with me? Was it the fact that I had nearly lost my heart to the sea? OR was it the fact that I had almost lost her and there wasn't nothing I could have done about it? Or was I just scared to think that anything could hurt my indestructible heart? Or maybe it was the fact that there was a man on my ship that was responsible.
My thought process had decided to take a dark turn and I hated that because today was supposed to be a great day. I had just gotten engaged to the most beautiful woman in the whole world and I shouldn't have such dark thoughts but yet here I am.
"Is he alright?" I heard faintly as I kept my eyes forward.
"Not sure, he has been distant ever since he surfaced from his quarters. Maybe you can snap him out of it?"
"I'll try."
The next thing I knew someone very familiar was standing very close to my side, my body was ablaze at her close contact-something that is a reoccurrence every time she is around-I couldn't stop the smile that formed as she touched my arm.
"Lover, are you alright?" she whispered softly into my ear, concern clear in her voice as she spoke.
I couldn't help myself as I snaked my right arm around her waist, pulling her into my side as I often have when I steer the ship. No one thinks anything of it because I do it all the time, but they need to start thinking something of it, and fast because she is going to be my wife very soon.
"I am now." I whispered back softly, thankful that she was the only one up here to hear it.
She was the only person I would be soft and caring with, no one else was allowed to see it but her. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye to see she was eyeing me suspiciously, not truly believing me.
"Are you sure? Because if something is bothering you, you know that you can talk to me. Even if you just need to rant, I'm here to listen captain."
She said while placing a kiss on my cheek before trying to move away, but I kept a tight hold on her waist to let her know I needed her with me.
"Please don't, I can't have ye away from me right now love." I said pleadingly, needing her to know just how scared I had been earlier.
The look on her face told me that she knew because she had been the same way even if she would never admit it aloud. She snuggled up to me, enjoying the feel of her body against mine as we sailed on the open waters.
And everything seemed to come to life for me once again now that she was by my side, as if that were all it took. Everyone's voices came through clear and the waves crashing against the boat sounded as calming as ever and the wind felt brisk against my sticky hot skin.
This is what I loved about sailing, feeling the wind whip by and hearing the waves hit the bottom of the ship made it all feel real.
"What are you thinking about captain?" Bella asked softly while looking up at me with those beautiful crystal blue eyes.
"I'm thinking, that it is time to show the crew exactly what is going on here." I said seriously as I released the wheel and turned to face her.
Her eyes widened slightly in confusion as she watched me, calculating my every move in hopes she could tell what I was going to do.
But not even she could predict my intentions as I spun her around until she was in low dip, her eyes wide and a smile playing on her slightly opened mouth. She looked breath taking, once I was sure we had the crews attention I crashed my lips to hers in a passionate and fierce kiss.
Clearly claiming her as mine in front of everyone so they would finally know that the rumors they thought up in their head were half true. We are together.
It was silent for a long while as I thoroughly kissed my lover, her arms tight around my neck and a soft moan that I swallowed greedily as I claimed her mouth with mine. As the kiss deepened the ship finally roared to life with surprised and congratulatory shouts as the men hooted and hollered for us.
When I finally pulled out of the kiss Bella had a dreamy faraway look in her eye as righted her so we were both standing face to face as the crew continued to cheer. She was smiling, looking at me lovingly as I tucked some of her hair behind her ear before kissing her head.
"I love you." I whispered for only her to hear.
Her smile widened considerably, the dazed look finally leaving her as she realized for the first time what I had just done. I had finally given her what she wanted, to show my love for her in front of the whole crew.
"As I love you."
I pecked her lightly on the lips before grabbing a hold of the wheel once again with her secured tightly under my arm where she belonged.
"How would you feel about getting married?" I asked casually as the men began quieting and going back to work.
"What?" she asked me, looking startled but excited at the same time.
"You heard me. When we make port, will you marry me?" I asked, looking her in the eye this time.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked upon me with such love, I have put this off for the last three years and I think it is finally time to make the commitment and make this woman mine forever.
"Of course I will." She whispered thickly before kissing me on the lips.
Before the kiss could go any further we were interrupted by Jemmerson, Jack and Gibbs who appeared before us. Bella cleared her throat as she pulled back from the kiss, opting to just stand at my side.
"Congratulation Cap'n! I never thought you and Miss Cullen would ever come out to the crew. And I see that there ring ye're trying to hide Miss, I'll be the first to tell ye I'm happy for the engagement."
This brought a smile to the both of our faces as we turned to look at Master Jemmerson, he has always been a sport in all this. He knew of the true nature of our affairs from the very beginning and never said anything to anyone. He is a true friend if I can call him that.
"Thank you Jemmerson, that means a lot." Isabella whispered gratefully as she held onto me.
"Aye, your sentiments mean a lot mate." Jemmerson nodded at my words, and then took on a contemplative look as he looked between me and my life.
"If ye don't mind me askin' sir," I nodded my consent as he paused. "When exactly will the weddin' be?" he asked curiously.
I smiled, because that wasn't an out of line question at all, and looked at Bella to convey that she should be the one to tell the good news. She looked at me excited before looking back to Jemmerson with the biggest smile on her face. The same one she had as when I first told her I loved her and when I asked her to marry me.
I love that smile.
"When we make port we plan to be married."
Jemmerson lit up at the news, conveying his excitement with nothing but his eyes and the smile on his face.
"That's fantastic! And lucky ye both be that I know just the person to marry ye once we get to Tortuga. And I'll know ye'll be wantin' a honeymoon, should we keep port in Tortuga for a while or would you like to take it some where's else?" he asked, just trying to help.
"Actually I already have a place in mind for the honeymoon. But I was planning on keeping in Tortuga for the night and then sailing for the island the next day, you and the men can stay in Tortuga and have a good time while me and my new wife have some alone time."
My words caused Isabella to giggle and Jemmerson to smile conspiratorially as they both new what I meant. I didn't really pay attention to Jack through the whole thing as he and Gibbs had chosen to remain silent throughout the entire conversation.
"Sounds just right Cap'n. I'll make arrangements for ye both to be married as soon as we dock, will ye be needin' any clothes for the occasion or are you just going to be married as ye are?"
I looked to Bella, that was up to her entirely, it's her wedding just as much as it is mine and if she wants to dress up then I shall. She looked at me, a soft smile playing on her lips and I knew exactly what she was thinking.
"I actually have something in mind Jemmerson but thank you anyway." She spoke softly, almost inaudibly but I knew he had heard her.
"Then it's settled." I said in finality.
I kissed Bella's cheek before looking back to the ocean in front of me, completely ignoring the two men who were the reason for the Kraken's pursuit. I was still quite upset with the notion and I didn't really feel like addressing the matter right now. I was happy and I didn't want that to be ruined, this is me and Bella's day and nothing will change that.
I will make sure of it.
But, our luck is not that great and of course Jack decided to speak once he believe that the conversation of our upcoming wedding was over.
"So Alistair, have you thought about my proposal at all?" He asked eagerly, coming into view so that I would look at him.
"Actually Jack I have thought about it a little. And I am going to have to pass."
"What?" He asked startled and confused.
"Ye heard me Jack, as long as the Kraken is perusing ye I won't have ye on my ship putting my crew and my fiancée in danger."
He grew stiff, trying to think of something to say to make me think that my accusations were incorrect. But the look on his face was enough to tell me I was correct, and the rage in Isabella's features showed that she had thought the same and did not like the fact that he was trying to hide it from us.
"I can't believe you would come to such accusations Alistair. I thought we was friends, but I guess not. You don't even have any proof of this mate."
"Oh really? What's this then?" Bella asked suddenly.
Stepping forward she grabbed a hold of Jack's wrist and held it up to eye level where she proceeded to remove the gauze from his palm to reveal the unmistakable black spot in the center of it.
"AH! Black spot! Black spot!" Gibbs and Jemmerson crooned excitedly as they danced around and spit.
Bella released his wrist from her hold forcefully, pushing him away from her slightly. She was angry and if I didn't calm her down soon her eyes were going to be giving way to many questions.
"You come on this ship with that and then have the audacity to ask Alistair for help. You really are a character Jack Sparrow."
She spit angrily before turning away from us all and headed to the deck before disappearing into our quarters in a heated rage that I am sure I will feel the repercussions of later.
"It's Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow." He whispered in exasperation.
I sighed heavily before turning back to the wheel, leaning on it heavily.
"Look, Jack. I'm sorry, and if I could risk it I would. But I have to think about what is best for my crew. If it were me in your position you would do the same would you not?" I asked while looking at him sideways.
"Well, since you put it that way I guess you are right. Thanks for the honesty, and I never meant to put your dear Isabella in any danger what so ever. I didn't know he was so close to us or I never would have stepped foot aboard your ship."
"And I believe that Jack I truly do. Thanks for the honesty, I respect you more for that."
Before Jack could respond there was yelling from above the sails.
"LAND HO! LAND HO!"
We all looked forward eagerly, it has been awhile since we have seen familiar land, seeing the greenery not but a few miles ahead of us. I heard Bella emerge from below me as she came to see what all the fuss was about. I didn't have to be looking directly at her to know she was smiling, excited to finally be setting foot on land.
"Looks like we will be married sooner than you thought love!" I yelled to her teasingly.
The men laughed as they moved to their stations, moving to get us there quicker, Bella looked up at me from the main deck with a devious smile on her face and a glint in her eye.
Not soon enough lover.
Sorry this chapter took so long to get here guys! it wont happen again I assure you I just had a lot going on and was unable to really get on my computer at all the past couple of days. the next chapter will be the long awaited wedding and then it will get even better as I throw in some pirate pillaging. Fun right? lol please review I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.