Disclaimer : I own nothing except my own fictional characters and receive no payments of any sort. This story is for simple entertainment and fun only.

Just kinda blah, still reviews keep me motivated so drop some please ! This story's gonna get wrapped up soon, so stay tuned for more. JakeHarrisLover I know you were having a shitty day the other day so I hope my humble update cheers you up a little :)

"Nat..."

"Hmmmm..."

"Nat, it's time to wake up."

Natalia groaned and pulled the covers over her head "Five more minutes mom."

Edgar chuckled, rubbing her back gently "How do you feel?"

"Like shit. My head is killing me."

"Anything I can do for you?"

"Stop talking so loud."

Edgar resisted the urge to laugh. His voice had barely been above a whisper.

"Time to get up." He grabbed the covers off of her and Natalia grumbled something under her breath that Edgar couldn't hear which was probably for the best.

"Why?" Natalia groaned, eyes still shut.

"Gotta get the boat ready to dock."

"We're here already?"

"Almost."

"Ohhh mann..." Natalia moaned into the pillow

Edgar shook his head at her "Don't ever drink again."

"No problem."

Edgar stood up from the bed and began to make his way out the door "I'll tell Sig that you're gonna sleep in."

"No!" Natalia shot up straight and immediately regretted it. No, she would never drink again. "Im gonna do my job. Just give me a minute."

Edgar smiled at her over his shoulder, she was a trooper to the very end. "That's my girl."

Natalia rubbed her head and groaned as she began to look for her clothes from the night before. She picked up her bra here and her underwear there and was suddenly embarrassed about the way she'd acted last night. She was usually very reserved in the sexual department and didn't know where all the confidence came from.

"Must be the alcohol."

Natalia got dressed as fast as she could and made her way to the bathroom. She found a bottle of Asprin and took the last two left in the bottle before making her way outside. Once she stepped foot on deck the cool air helped to relieve her headache.

"She lives to see another day!" Matt shouted as soon as Natalia stepped outside and she grimanced.

"Do you have to be so loud Bradley?"

Matt grinned at her with a devilish smile "No, I dont have to be."

Natalia rolled her eyes and chuckled as she helped the crew prepare the boat to dock, cleaning up the deck, putting everything back in its proper place. By the time they were finished Pugent Sound was in perfect view and Natalia leaned over the rail to see families off in the distance. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulder and heard a voice she knew so well.

"You got anybody waitin' on you?"

"Nah. I'm staying with a friend right now until I get my own place but she had to work today so I'm just gonna catch a cab to her place."

"Is that what you want?"

Natalia turned her head to face him "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said. Do you want to stay at your friend's place?"

"Where else would I stay?"

"With me."

Natalia's eyes widened "Seriously?"

"Why not?" Edgar asked "Besides I think I'd make a better roommate" he said wiggiling his eyebrows and he and Natalia laughed.

"But seriously, how about it?"

Natalia pretended to mull it over seriously "Hmmm..Well this is a serious commitment.." she said, rubbing her chin "I'll really have to give this some thought and get back to you."

Edgar grinned and nodded his head "Take all the time you need sweetheart."

He turned to walk away and Natalia grabbed his forearm "Okay, I thought about it!"

Edgar chuckled "And...?"

"I'm going with you."

Edgar grinned and kissed her soundly "Good."

They both turned their attention back to the piece of land that was growing larger and larger by the minute.

"Bet you never thought you'd be standing here instead of there.." Edgar said gesturing towards the docks.

Natalia shook her head "Not in a million years.."

Suddenly the strangest thing happened. For a moment Natalia could swear she saw her younger self standing at the docks, jumping up and down and waving with the biggest smile on her face. She could almost swear she heard herself crying out "Edgar! Hey Edgar! Welcome back!".

Natalia shook her head, internally laughing off the absurdity. Because she was here now. Here with Edgar.

"I'm glad you're here." He said, almost as if reading her thoughts.

"Me too." Natalia said with a small smile.

The Northwestern finally reached the docks and everyone happily embraced one another. It was always a good feeling to be back with the people they loved most. After about 20 minutes Edgar and Natalia said their final goodbyes to everybody and hopped in Edgar's car, which was left at a parking lot specifically for the fisherman who needed a place to keep their vehicles while they were gone for the season. Natalia gave Edgar the directions to her friend's house which was about a 40 minute drive from the docks.

Once there, Natalia took the spare key from under the doormat and opened the door to her friend's one-story house. She quickly found a pen and paper and left her a note to inform her of the change of plans of her living arrangements. Once she finished locking up and returned the key under the mat she jumped back into Edgar's car.

"Wouldn't it have been easier to call her?" He asked as he pulled out of the driveway.

Natalia shook her head "She doesn't believe in house phones for some reason. And I didn't want to call her cell because she'd think it was an emergency."

"You could've called her at work."

"Her boss is a dick. Doesn't like anyone to take personal calls." She rolled her eyes.

Edgar chuckled at her choice of words and they drove another hour to his place. Natalia had fallen asleep during the ride over and Edgar almost didn't have the heart to wake her up.

"Nat, we're here baby."

"You're waking me up again.." Natalia complained but there was a playfullness to her voice and Edgar chuckled.

"Sorry kid. Last time, I promise."

They both got out the car and simultaneously shut their doors, walking to Edgar's door hand in hand. He took his keys out his pocket, opened the door and gestured for Natalia to enter first.

"Welcome to my palace " Edgar flipped on the lights and dropped his duffel bag next to the door. Natalia paused and took a moment to look around.

"It's actually...clean in here."

Edgar snorted in mock offense "What were you expecting?"

"A replica of our stateroom." she said over her shoulder and Edgar laughed. He grabbed her bag out of her hand and took her other into his own.

"Come on. Let me show you where your sleeping."

"I think I have a pretty good idea of where I'll be sleeping." Natalia winked and Edgar chuckled.

"Yeah but you don't know where it is."

He lead Natalia up the stairs and down the hall to the very last room on the right. Once inside Edgar dropped her bag next to his dresser.

"Let me just clean out a couple of drawers for your stuff."

Natalia nodded "Thanks." She walked over to him as he began to pull out clothes from his dresser. She sat at the edge of his bed and watched him remove shirts, jeans, and -

"Oh my God!" Natalia shouted suddenly which caused Edgar to jump.

"What?"

"I can't believe you have these..." Natalia bent down on her knees next to Edgar and removed an old small plastic ziploc bag from the corner of the drawer. Edgar leaned closer to see what Natalia had found and gave a small smile

"Oh yeah..I almost forgot about those."

Natalia opened the bag, removing 3 birthday cards addressed from her to Edgar also seeing a few pictures. Edgar placed his arm over her shoulder as they both sat back, leaning against the bed and Natalia opened the first birthday card she'd ever given him.

"Dear Edgar,

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a lot of fun even though you'll be away at sea. Have a safe season and I'll be here when you get back!

-Natalia"

Edgar then tapped the second card, gesturing for her to open it, which she did.

"Dear Edgar,

Hope you have a great birthday! I bet you guys are gonna make a killing this season! Be safe and don't let Sig get to you. Remember to text me to let me know when you'll be back , I'll be waiting. I'll miss you!

-Natalia"

"Open the third one" Edgar said and Natalia shook her head.

"No way. This just gets more embarrasing by the minute."

Edgar chuckled and grabbed the card from her hand and opened it, reading it aloud.

"Dear Edgar,

Have an awesome birthday, I hope you stay safe and your season's successful! I wish I could be out there fishing with you. I hope you think about me while your out there, I think about you - "

"Oh my God" Natalia hid her face in her hands in embarrassment and Edgar chuckled before continuing

"I can't wait for you to come back. I miss you a lot. See you at the docks!"

-Love Natalia"

Edgar placed the card back into the envelope and glanced at Natalia who still had her face hidden in her eyes. He laughed and placed a kiss on the side of her head.

"Don't be embarrassed."

"I was such a loser."

"You were sweet..." Edgar said "I remember I'd always find them in my duffel bag by the time we'd leave Pugent Sound. And there'd always be a post-it note attached on the outside that said "Dont Read Until January 14th!"

Natalia smiled at the memory, taking the three pictures from the bag and examining them. The first picture was of all the guys standing on the deck of the Northwestern, Natalia standing in the center of the group, Nick's arm wrapped around her shoulder. She turned it over in her hand and it was inscribed "The COMPLETE Northwestern crew. Summer of '94" Another picture was taken of her in the wheelhouse, sitting in the Captain's chair. She had the biggest smile on her face as she pretended to drive the boat wearing a black Northwestern cap. Natalia flipped over the picture and on back it read "Nat , Age 12, future Captain. Summer of '95"

"I took that picture." Edgar murmured against her ear and Natalia nodded

"I remember."

She set the pictures aside and looked at the last one, smiling warmly. It was of her and Edgar. She was wearing a golden necklace with a small anchor hanging from it, which Edgar had given her for her 13th birthday that past March. She was sitting crossed legged on the sorting table, Edgar sitting next to her with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. They both smiled hugely as the sun beat down on them. That was the only picture of just the two of them and it was also taken the last summer Natalia would be with the Northwestern crew. She turned it over to read the back and smiled. "Me and my favorite girl , Summer of '96"

"I can't believe you kept this stuff."

"Of course I did. You were a special kid to me." Edgar suddenly thought of something "Whatever happened to the necklace?"

"Still got it" Natalia reached over to her duffelbag and unzipped a small pocket, removing the necklace "Didn't want anything to happen to it while we were fishing."

Edgar took the necklace from her hand and proceeded to place it around her neck. Natalia held the anchor to her neck as Edgar connected the clasp of the necklace, securing it.

"It'll be fine while you work. You don't need to take it off."

"Roger."

Edgar grinned and Natalia smiled but said nothing else. It amazed her how far she'd come. She looked at the picture in her hand and would have never guessed that 15 years later she'd be with Edgar again. In his home, in his room. She was his, as she had always been. But now he was hers as well.

"Who would've ever thought..." Edgar said as he gazed down at the picture in Natalia's hand and she nodded her head in agreement.

"Back then I felt like the luckiest girl in the world, just to be around you."

"And now?"

"Now... I feel like the luckiest woman."