Chapter 31

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Following Zarabeth's glance, Jim found himself smiling with her as he pulled her a little closer, the cool of the light breeze washing over their flushed faces as they stood together in the quiet of the balcony.

"Yeah, it is. You're always reminding me."

She didn't know why, but the sky above, shimmering with its vibrant clouds of stardust, always made Zara feel at peace. Their chaotic chorus of colors told her that even in the darkest days, there would always be at least a little beauty left in this world.

Letting her head slowly fall to rest against Jim's shoulder, a small sigh in simple contentment left her gently smiling lips, her eyes concentrated in steadfastness to the sky above them. "I don't think I'll ever get enough of it. The Etherium's always there, so it should be commonplace, but I think that's why it helped me get through all those long nights. I could count on it, while nothing else was ever certain."

Her gaze was forced back to Jim as she felt him leaving small kisses against her hair which began to make their way down her cheek and to her neck, procuring a small laugh from her as she squirmed a little.

"Jim, are you even listening?"

"What? Can't a man multitask? If I want to kiss my wife, I'll kiss my wife. Besides, I'm not finished yet."

Giving in to his loving, Zarabeth watched with only a small giggle in happiness as Jim knelt down in front of her to gently kiss her stomach through the fabric of her ball gown, his words soft as he stayed close to her.

"I know you're still small, but you have a very anxious mommy and daddy waiting for you outside. Take your time, no rush, but I wanted you to know how much we love you."

Zara's hand began to habitually play in his hair until he finally stood again, leaning into his touch as the kisses he showered on her finally let her lips meet his, pulling back after a few moments with a small laugh. "You're silly."

"Well you married this silly."

"I know. And I love him."

She knew he'd see the hints of sadness washing over her look, her thoughts straying back to times and feelings she'd long tried to forget.

"I...I never wanted children in those days. I mean, I wanted them, but I'd forced myself to forget the notion. It was nothing but harmful. I-I didn't even think that I would marry. Being a slave was the only thing I knew, I was a product of it. I never wished that on anyone, especially not children that could've been mine. I stopped hoping, dreaming even, of this kind of life until I met you. Then...I couldn't stop thinking of it, of wishing for this."

Taking his hand into hers, Zara held it close as she kept her eyes to his, her last words becoming softer the longer she spoke.

"And I know that I've told you countless times, but I don't think I will ever stop. Thank you for this life, our life, for letting me become wholly yours."

The adoring look in her eyes only grew more sincere as her smile became a little lighter. "You're going to be a great father."

She meant it completely, but the moment she'd said it was the moment the light in Jim's eyes seemed to fade a little, his attempt to keep smiling not nearly as easy as it had been till just before.

"You think so? I...I'm gonna be honest with you, Zarabeth. I'm more than a little terrified."

Her own look softening with her sad sort of smile to try to reassure his, Zara reached up to gently push away the hair that had fallen over his eyes, her touch lingering over his cheek as she finally managed her soft reply.

"I know you are. And you have every right to be. You just don't want to be like him. But Jim, you're not your father. You never have been and you won't be now. This baby changes nothing. You are still you.

I thought I would be scared too, but it turns out I'm not. I hardly knew my mother, so I thought I'd have no model to follow, no one to show me how. But I have Amelia. And you have Silver. Everything else will follow naturally, I know it, because we'll be learning together."

Pulling her even closer, Jim's hands held protectively to his wife, the bits of fear remaining in his eyes gradually fading until they were replaced by a look he only ever gave to her. "This family, our family, is all I want, all I need. And I swear to protect it, us, you, our baby, and any that may come after, because you are my world. I love you."

His words warmed her heart in a way she always felt with him, letting her overwhelmed thoughts urge her forward as she leaned up to kiss him again, their touch hardly lasting a second before a voice from inside called out to them that it was time.

Jim released an almost annoyed huff as he tilted his head back with a low chuckle. "Always. Everyone's got perfect timing."

Managing to take a step back so that she might unravel herself from Jim's embrace, Zara moved closer once more to let her arm link with his as she nudged him teasingly.

"Focus, Jimmy boy. This is why we're here after all."

The ballroom, once echoing with laughter and dancing, was now nearly dead silent, everyone who had joined the royal family that night now standing together in a single cohesive mass of vibrant color and race to face the platform on which their rulers sat. Jim and Zarabeth had been ushered to the very front, their distance only a little over an arm's length from the structure, yet back far enough so as to clearly see those who sat atop it.

Zara couldn't tell whether she or Jim was clinging tighter to the other, both practically glued together as they watched the royal guards slowly usher a chained Silver up the steps to face the royal family.

He didn't even need to be urged, the cyborg immediately kneeling before the rulers with head hung low, the rattle of the metal binding him grinding together for only a moment before he was still again.

"Rise, Mr. Silver."

This was the first that either she or Jim had heard the king speak, his voice low and resounding as it easily found its way to every ear in the room.

"John Silver. You have been found guilty of more crimes than I can list, you yourself admitting willingly to each, but you have yet to be punished. You claimed, along with words from witnesses of close relations, that you have since then cleaned up your act, so to speak. I find that intriguing.

Upon further inspection of your records, along with the account my son gave me of your trial, you have been found speaking truth. Your reputation precedes you, the infamous cyborg pirate captain, but that image has long since disappeared. You have faded into obscurity.

Running, Mr. Silver, is no life at all. Some may assume you run and hide because you fear punishment. Your actions a short time ago say otherwise. You ran to preserve something greater than your own freedom, and that should never be taken lightly.

This system owes you a great debt, Mr. Silver. You have proven your upmost worthiness in every way, and so it gives me great pleasure to ask that your chains be removed."

The room broke out into quiet comments and whispered words spoken as they watched the royal guards free Silver of his shackles one by one, the old cyborg rubbing at his sore shoulder with the hand he still had, his back still turned to hide his reaction from them.

"Mr. Silver, the rights to hold a job, to stay where you choose, and to provide a living for yourself are yours to enjoy forthwith as you have need. You are, as of now, a citizen of this system and under the law and protection of the royal family according to all its ordinances."

It was for those next words which Zarabeth held her breath, flashes of memory filling her mind as she remembered what this moment was like for her those seemingly short years ago.

"John Vincent Silver, you are hereby, as of this moment, wholly and completely pardoned."

The End

And there you have it. Fifth story complete. Beginning to feel that writer's-remorse already. Only one more story to go! This has been one of my favorites to write so far, but I'm even more excited for this last one!

Writing will take quite a bit of time again, considering how little I personally know on the subject of childbirth (google, I swear I'm not pregnant XD), but I'm really looking forward to it actually. :)

To all of my wonderful readers around the world, thank you so so much! Your love, support, and reviews mean everything to me. I've gained the greatest connections and friendships on here, DeviantArt, and Instagram because of these fanfictions, so thank you all!

It'll be a little while, but, rest assured, I will be back with another adventure for you! Until next time!

God bless!