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.
So here we are at the end of our journey :( This was my favorite story to write by far, probably because of Edgar lol. So glad so many of you were able to relate to my o/c. I appreciate all the reviews and support ALL of you have shown me :) This chapter is for Kharissa, hopefully it will lift your spirits (i hate to see you down my love :[ ) and inspire you to get back into the mix of things, i need you to update woman! Also a special shoutout to amethystsea for being so cool for catching up on a story that had almost come full circle and left great reviews, your awesome for that one ;)
Now Shut Up & Read! (I'm gonna miss saying that)
"Ed..."
"Hmmm?"
"It's time to wake up."
"I'm up, I'm up."
"You know, I'd be really convinced if you actually opened your eyes."
He chuckled as he rubbed his eyes and sat up. They'd gone to bed more than 8 hours ago but if felt like 8 minutes instead. Natalia placed a kiss on his forehead and stood.
"I'll see you out there." She called over her shoulder as she exited the room.
Edgar leaned over the bed and searched through his duffel bag for what he would wear. He got dressed, went to the bathroom quickly, and then made his way out on deck.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDGAR!" the crew and cameramen shouted in unison, causing him to laugh.
"Thank you, thank you." He bowed ceremoniously and smiled.
After the initial hugs and personal "happy birthday" wishes everyone got to work. They were hauling their pots that they had set 48 hours ago and it seemed even the Bering Sea knew it was Edgar's birthday because the pots were overflowed with Opilio crab. Everyone was in high spirits as they worked through the next few hours.
Natalia kept stealing glances at Edgar as the crew sorted through their catch and try as she might, she couldn't keep herself from smiling. He was animatedly telling a story to the guys and everytime he smiled her heart did this funny little flip. Funny how that still happened.
It amazed Natalia how the older he got the more beautiful he seemed to look. He could best be described as a fine wine, better with age. Natalia was confident that he'd age even more gracefully after he, as well as she, recieved their final paychecks from the Northwestern after this season was through.
Sig had not taken well to the news of their impending resignement as was expected. Since learning of it ten days earlier he'd been a vicious tyrant and he and Edgar had had some very heated arguements. Still, since today was his youngest brother's birthday, he'd decided to act cordial and there had not been an unpleasant peep out of "physco Sig" for the entire day.
As Natalia looked upon the man she loved, the man she had always loved, she marveled at how she had found her way back to him and this time as more than a friend. Even when she had moved away 15 years ago she had never forgotten Edgar. There were times when she'd stare out into the ocean or she'd catch the smell of a burning cigarette and she'd think of him. She'd wonder how he was doing, if he still fished, if he was married. He was a million miles away and yet he was ever present in her thoughts.
"Unforgettable
That's what you are,
Unforgettable
Though near or far. "
Just the thought of him could inspire happiness, laughter and elation. Never in her life had she felt this strongly about anyone else. Deep down inside Natalia knew that she never would.
"Like a song of love that clings to me,
How the thought of you does things to me.
Never before
Has someone been more... "
He had always been and always would be unforgettable to her. And much to her surprise, he'd never forgotten her either. The fact that he'd saved her cards and pictures from all those years ago were a testament to how special she was to him, even if it was in a different way at the time.
"Unforgettable
In every way,
And forever more
That's how you'll stay.
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too. "
"Alright everybody, We're gonna call it in early today." Sig announced through the loud hailer and everyone turned to the wheelhouse in surprise.
"But we still got a couple more strings to go." Nick shouted back, as if Sig had forgotten.
"Thank you Captain Obvious, I know that. But they can soak for another day."
"Why?" Matt was the one to ask.
"Because it's Edgar's birthday. Now get inside before I change my mind."
No one questioned him further as they happily made their way into the wet room to strip their gear. Edgar was the last to enter into the galley and was genuinely surprised to see everyone seated around the table with a birthday cake centered in the middle. It was iced with "Happy Birthday DeckBoss!" written across it and had candles with the number 41 placed on top. Edgar sat down and smiled as he's crew sang the traditional happy birthday song to him. When they finished singing Natalia, who was standing behind Edgar, leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Make a wish"
Edgar's only wish was to get some that night and you best believe he put his wish to good use. He blew out the candles and everyone cheered. The cameramen were also gathered in the galley as everyone was handed a slice of cake by the new boat mother that had been hired for the season. For reasons noone seemed to understand, she and Sig were not on good terms from the first day she'd stepped on to the Northwestern which was why Sig had decided to not come downstairs and join in on the festivities, even momentairily. Edgar noticed and decided he'd bring up a slice to his oldest and most annoying brother later.
As the hour drew on, the crowd dissipated and after giving Edgar a final congratulations, crew and cameramen alike went their seperate ways and about their buisness. Edgar grabbed a plate, a fork, and a slice of cake. Natalia looked at him knowingly.
"I'll see you in bed."
"You got it." Edgar said as he leaned over a kissed her. Natalia went off to their shared stateroom and Edgar made his way up into the wheelhouse. It was dark and quiet and Sig was lazily smoking a cigarette as he leaned back leisurely into his throne. Edgar cleared his throat and for the first time since the season started Sig actually smiled at his brother.
"Happy birthday."
"Thanks." Edgar made his way over to Sig and handed him a slice of cake "I bought you a piece."
"I don't remember buying cake." Sig said as he accepted the plate from his brother "Guy's must've got it for you without me knowing."
"Nah, the new boat mama made it for me. It's real good."
Sig's face immediately scrunched up in disgust and sat the plate down in his lap. "I don't want it."
Edgar shook his head "What's the deal with you and her?"
"Nothing." Sig's reply was short.
"One day brother, you're gonna tell me."
Sig snorted "Don't count on it."
They sat in companiable brotherly silence for a few minutes. After being at eachothers throats for over a week, the peace between them was a welcome change. Eventually Sig broke the silence.
"You sure you're doing the right thing Edgar?" He slowly blew out a cloud of smoke.
"I am. The right thing for me and my wife."
Sig remained silent as he contemplated his youngest brothers words and nodded his head.
"Then I'm happy for you."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." Sig said and scratched his head lazily "No more grief from me."
"You'll always give me grief Sigurd. On or off this damn boat." Edgar said and both brothers laughed. As the laughter subsided Sig suddenly took on a solemn tone.
"I love you Edgar. I'm proud of you. You're the best deckhand I could've ever asked for and I'm proud to have worked by you all these years. Dad would be proud of you too."
Edgar cleared his throat, surprised by the sudden and uncharacteristic emotion that overcame him.
"Thanks bro, that means alot. I love you too."
The Norwegian brothers had nothing more to say, uncomfortable with the soft words and emotions they were sharing and displaying amongst eachother. This was definitaley not the norm when it came to the Hansen brothers.
"Well this is awkward." Edgar said jokingly as he got up from the bench.
"Tell me about it." Sig laughed and unconsciously took a bite of his cake.
"Thought you didn't want it." Edgar said with a smirk
"Whatever. Im hungry." Sig said in the "Im the Captain, I dont have to explain myself to you" tone that everyone who worked for him was familiar with. Edgar smiled and patted his brother on the back.
"Thanks for everything bro."
"Yeah, yeah."
Edgar smriked as he made his way down from the wheelhouse and entered into his stateroom. He smiled as he saw Natalia sprawled out across his bed, wearing black panties, an oversized Harely Davidson T-shirt with "Born To Ride" written across it and nothing else.
Edgar glanced down and realized he was still wearing his same dirty clothes from earlier and quickly began to strip down until he was in nothing more than his boxers. He slid between the sheets and Natalia was immediately on top of him.
"About time you got here." She placed soft kisses on his neck.
"Been waiting on me long?" Edgar chuckled huskily.
Natalia pulled back from Edgar and looked down at him, all the love she felt for him conveyed in her eyes.
"All my life."
"Unforgettable
In every way,
And forever more
That's how you'll stay."
Edgar felt the impact of emotion in her words and saw the love in her eyes and for the second time Edgar had become suddenly and intensly overcome with emotion. "This is so unlike me" He thought idly "I must be getting older than I thought."
Natalia leaned forward and kissed Edgar soundly on the lips as he wrapped her hair in his hand. He flipped her over so that she was beneath him and ran his hands up her shirt, gently palming her voluptuous breast. She let out a small sigh at the feel of his work-worn hands against her tender skin. She'd never get used to this, no matter how many blissful years of marriage they had ahead of them, no matter how many times they'd make love, she would never totally be used to the feel of him, to the feeling of what it was like to be with him and have him inside her.
Edgar swiftly removed her shirt and took her breast into his mouth, showering each nipple with sweet attention. Her skin was soft and her touch was gentle, and yet her body was muscled and tough due her experience from the Bering Sea. Edgar found the combination sexy and he was becoming increasingly aroused. He hooked a finger under her panties and gingerly pulled it down, tossing it off to the floor. Natalia smiled as she ran her hand gently down his face.
"So beautiful." she whispered softly.
"I prefer 'ruggedly handsome' " he said with a smile as he pulled his boxers off and sent them on the floor to accompany her recently strewn underwear.
He set himself up to enter her but Natalia placed her hand on his shoulder and shook her head.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"But it's my birthday." He whined good naturedly, causing Natalia to chuckle in effect.
"Not this time birthday boy."
Edgar sighed heavily but leaned over the side of his bed, searching through his duffel bag for condoms. He stopped when he saw an envelope addressed to him from Nat and smiled. He was positve that it hadn't been there this morning. He cast her a grin as he removed the envelope from the bag and layed himself down next to Natalia, propped up on an elbow. He took care to open the envelope gently, almost perfectly, leaving it in mint condition. Inside he found a birthday card and a picture. He removed the card first.
"Dear Edgar,
Happy Birthday my baby! You're getting so old!"
Edgar shot her a look but laughed as he continued to read on..
"I'm glad I get to spend it with you FINALLY! But this is just one of MANY more to come. I hope you get everything you wish for. When you feel like your back's against the wall and you have the weight of the world on your shoulders know that I'm right by your side. It's you and me against the world baby and I'm not going anywhere.
-your wife, Natalia"
Edgar cleared his throat, again overcome with emotion. "That was beautiful baby. Thank you." He kissed her forehead first before kissing her lips. He then pulled back from her and pulled out the picture that was still in the envelope. He smiled warmly as he looked at the image infront of him. It was taken 3 days after they'd gotten married. They'd gone with a private tour guide to hike at Red Rock Canyon, just west of Las Vegas. They were both clad in T-shirts, shorts and hiking boots, their skin bronzed by the beaming sun. Edgar was sitting on a rock, with Natalia on his lap. They had their heads close together, laughing and whispering secrets that only lovers share. The sun was setting behind them, behind the rocks and mountains, the colors in the sky beautiful, magical and eternal, just like their love. They were both unaware that this picture had even been taken at the time. Edgar turned the picture over in his hand to read the inscription and smiled. It was simple, to the point, and everything he felt. "I love you. I always have. I always will."
Edgar silently put the birthday card and picture back into the envelope, leaned over Natalia and placed it safely back inside his duffel bag. He found the condom he'd been looking for earlier and withdrew it. He smiled down at his beautiful wife. She's the girl he once loved and the woman he was now in love with. He'd thought of her from time to time throughout the years. Wondering how she'd ended up, if she'd found a career in the fishing industry, if she'd found someone special. No, he had never forgotten her and much to his delight she had never fogotten him either. They were meant to be. It was as simple as that. Edgar gently stroked Natalia's face as he kissed her soundly. He repositioned himself again over her entrance and began to put the condom over his manhood but Natalia grabbed his wrist and shook her head.
"It's your birthday." She said with a smile and tossed the condom to the side. Edgar smiled like a kid on Christmas as he entered his wife with absolutely nothing coming between them, between their union. They rarely made love without a condom, for fear of Natalia becoming pregnant. Though they both agreed that if she ever did get pregnant they'd be the happiest parents in the world, neither truly had the desire to have children. They enjoyed the fact that they had responsibilities only to eachother.
But tonight, it was Edgar's night, and Natalia would give him whatever he wanted, whatever he needed. They made love, unsure and uncaring of the time that had passed, their only concern being eachother. Edgar whispered hoarsely in his wife's ear "I love you."
Natalia nodded her head, breathing heavily "I love you too baby. Always have."
"Always will." He mumbled against her lips and they both climaxed, finding completion in their lovemaking and eachother.
"That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too."
A/N: Ahh! Im sooo sad to end my story! (BIG tears) As you can see though, I left a little teasy tease about the boat mother, it'll be for my next story! Again thank you to everyone who's reviewed and supported the story. When I first joined FF i'd only intended to do one story and here we are finishing off a third and getting ready for a fourth. I can honestly say it's all because of each and everyone of you! Thanks for everything! Oh and the song is 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole, one of my favorites :)