John opened his eyes, frowning a moment before settling on his back to see Anna, sitting up on her arm to stare at him. "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Nightmares?" John tried to sit up but Anna pushed him back down.

"No, I had to pee." Anna chewed the inside of her cheek. "And I needed to pee on something."

"I hope you mean 'in something', like the toilet and not 'on something' like the floor."

"You're the worst." Anna reached behind her and held something up. "And I did mean 'on something' because I meant on this."

John sat up, his eyes clearing, and realized it was a chemist's bought pregnancy test. He reached for it but Anna held it out of his reach. "You're not playing fair."

"You were the one who thought I couldn't pee in the toilet."

"You weren't specific." John leaned up and kissed Anna. Her hands fluttered a moment and he snatched the test away. "Ha!"

"Hey!" Anna tried to follow him but John but he rolled out of bed and held the test up. "I haven't read it yet."

"Then let me do…" John stopped, his jaw dropping a bit.

"John?" Anna crawled over the bed to him, pulling at his hand to lower the test so she could see too. When her eyes lighted on it she covered her mouth. "John I-"

"We're pregnant." John wrapped his hands around her waist, lifting her off her feet and turning a quick circle. "We're going to have a baby Anna!"

"I take it this means you're happy." Anna giggled back, finally landing on her feet on the floor so John could kiss her with more passion.

"Happy?" He broke away, setting the test on the bedside table to focus all his attention on her. "I've not been this happy since Ondine was born. I'm… I'm beyond words for how happy I am."

"You're sure?"

"Anna," John took her hands, looking her in the eye, "There's nothing that could make me happier in the word than knowing, at this moment, we're going to have a baby."

Anna kissed him back, moving them back toward the bed. When her legs hit they landed in a bit of a tumble but they laughed through it. Until a banging on the wall stopped them.

"If I can hear you then it's not okay!"

John and Anna laughed even harder, Anna trying to quiet him. "We're not doing anything if she's up and can hear us."

"At least she'll know we love each other."

"I'd rather she didn't know exactly how much." Anna tried to move but John stopped her with a hand on her stomach. His fingers caressed there and Anna's hand covered his but he saw it in her expression, she was loath to move him. "John, your daughter's awake."

"Then we'll have to be very quiet, won't we?"

"John-" Anna bit her lip as John's hand slipped under her pajama trousers and stroked along the line of her knickers. "We can't-"

"Yes we can." John adjusted his position, tugging Anna to the end of the bed. "We'll just have to find a way to make no noise."

"Not... possible." Anna squirmed under him as John slid her trousers down her legs. "I can't…"

"Yes you can." John stood over her, kissing at the skin of her neck and jaw. "We can do it together."

She could only try to stifle her moan as his fingers slipped the fabric of her knickers to the side and ran through her folds there. Her hips lifted to address the problem of growing arousal that shook the bed. John hurried an arm under her and lifted Anna from the bed to lay them both on the floor. The carpet there, the fluffy white one she insisted they have for the cold wood, deadened the echo of their movements and John settled to kissing through Anna's night shirt while his fingers continued their work.

But Anna surprised him. Both of her hands planted on John's chest and shoved him backward. He caught himself on his hands but found himself helpless as he watched Anna shuck off her clothing before yanking both his trousers and briefs in one swift move. She straddled his legs and wrapped a hand around his erection.

"Fair is fair."

"Yes," John's hand went to the back of Anna's neck and pulled her to his lips while she worked over him.

Anna surprised him again when she broke the kiss and pushed John back to the floor. Her lips traced their own trail down his chest as his hands tried to find a place to hold and caress on her. John quickly gave up on that plan when her lips wrapped over him.

"Anna-"

His hips jerked with the strokes of her tongue against him, drawing up and down like an ice cream cone. Her fingers kneaded at his hips and thighs before one hand wrapped the base to squeeze and the other took a hold at his sack to tease. John dug his grip into the carpet, pulling it from the floor while biting down to silence himself.

The tingle at the base of his back threatened him and John went to speak but Anna pulled off with a final suck. She grinned at him, licking her lips before turning around and positioning herself on her knees. John frowned until she looked back over her shoulder.

"Time to shake it up?"

John moved forward, leaning over Anna as she took a pose on her hands and knees. One he used to his advantage to place kisses down her back and over her shoulders before driving forward. Now her fingers clutched at the carpet and John paused only a moment to make sure no other sounds echoed from their room.

Then he moved.

The sight of them from this angle drove him almost mad. He worked one hand over her to the front, massaging the weight of her breasts in alternating rhythm, and the other took position at her hip to bring her against him and thrust even deeper inside her. Her smothered sobs signaled her and John leaned farther over her to send his fingers at her hip running over her skin to tease at her nerve bundle and his lips to her ear.

"You have to come now Anna. Your body wants to and you need to listen to it." He growled, the urge to finish driving him faster so his voice rasped. "We can come together. Let's do it together Anna."

She nodded and John fumbled to send her higher. High enough for her to stifle her shriek in the carpet and he grunted his finish in the skin of her shoulder. He kissed there as he pulled back and flopped onto the carpet.

Anna joined him, laying next to him with a laugh. John turned to her, brow furrowing. "What's so funny?"

"I'm honestly surprised it took us this long to get pregnant."

"We'd been under stress."

"But it's not like you've been lacking in that department." Anna teased her hand toward him but John stopped her.

"I'm sensitive right there at the moment."

"Don't I know it." Anna kissed his cheek, laying back to look at him. "I don't think I've ever been happier than I've been with you."

"Me either… well, except for Ondine."

"I guessed as much." Anna pushed herself off the floor. "I need a shower and then I need to get to work."

"It's the library Anna."

"Doesn't mean it's not important." Anna threw a pillow at him but John caught it. "Just like your boat is important."

"I guess we've all got those things that mean something to us." John stood up, retrieving their pajamas before pulling the sheets and blankets up the bed. "What if I wanted to sell the boat?"

"You already turned down the offer from Mr. Strallan's client once," Anna leaned out of the bathroom door. "I don't think you can dangle it in front of them again."

"Not them necessarily." John shrugged, arranging the pillows. "I'm sure there's someone who wants a fishing boat in good condition."

"But not anyone who'll love it like you." Anna crossed her arms over her chest, her dressing gown crinkling. "What's brought this on?"

"You've found something you love and I think I need to find something I love too."

"I thought you loved fishing."

"I love the water but there's something to the threat that everyday your success is only a step away from being taken from you." John held up his hand, fingers slightly apart. "I've been that close to broke more than once."

"But now that you sold Vera's place and Ondine's better surely you're in a better position."

"Sure but…" John held up the pregnancy test. "With another one on the way I don't want that kind of uncertainty."

"All jobs are uncertain John."

"But they need to be as certain as we can make them."

Anna narrowed her eyes at him, "You're serious."

"As the grave."

"How long've you been thinking about this?"

"Since I was selling my boat."

"John that was four months ago." Anna shook her head, "Have you made any plans about this?"

"No," John shook his head. "It's just been at the back of my mind and I kept wondering if the reason I couldn't forget the idea was because I should follow it."

"What'll you do?"

"They need someone at the fishery, that's what Mrs. Hughes has been telling me whenever she mentions her inevitable retirement, and she wants me to take her position."

"You'd drive yourself mad counting and weighing fish everyday."

"There's more to it than that and the pay's steady. I'd have something constant to bring home."

"John." Anna walked over to him, taking his hands with hers. "I don't want you to do this because you think you can't provide for us. I don't want you to ever believe we don't think you can take care of us."

"It's not that." John soothed, kissing her forehead. "It's time to move on to something else and this is it."

"You're sure?"

"As sure as I know I can't operate a boat on little sleep if I'm getting up in the middle of the night to change nappies or settle a crying baby."

Anna smiled at him, "We're having a baby John."

"I know."

"I know too!" They both jumped at the sound of Ondine calling out to them. "And it would've been nice to find out later instead of through the wall."

John rested his forehead on Anna's. "We may need to consider another house."

"John Bates don't you dare." Anna slapped her hand against his chest. "We're staying here and raising our baby by the water."

"Because it's a selkie baby?"

"Don't make fun." Anna snuck a kiss and pushed away. "I need to go shower."

John grabbed his own dressing gown and hauled on his pajama trousers to hurry to the kitchen. Ondine sat at the table, finishing up the last vestiges of her schoolwork before tucking it into her bag. "Want something to eat?"

"Could you manage some eggs and toast?" Ondine closed her bag as John dug into the fridge. "And I'm happy for you too… in case you forgot to mention it."

"I hope we didn't disturb you too much." John cringed, putting the utensils on the counter and starting up the stove.

Ondine shrugged, "It could've been worse and at least you tried to keep quiet. When I lived with Ma it was-"

"Alright," John held up a hand, "That's enough of that."

"I figured." Ondine smiled and took the kettle to the sink and filled it. "What about your job? I heard you mumbling something about it."

"I'm thinking of taking Mrs. Hughes position at the fishery."

"You, at the fishery?"

John frowned, "You obviously don't think too highly of that idea."

"I'm having difficulty imagining you inside for hours a day." Ondine put the kettle on one of the burners and set to pulling out cups and the tea bags. "I think you'd be better as one of their inspectors. You'd still be out on the water and you'd get to board boats like a pirate."

"You'd like that wouldn't you?"

"It's be cooler to introduce my father as the pirate but I guess the town won't get over you as the fisherman who pulled his wife from the water in his net."

"It's kind of hard to get away from that isn't it?" John popped the toast and the eggs on a plate. "Eat up or you'll miss your ride."

"She wouldn't leave without me."

"Especially since she's not had breakfast yet." Anna came into the room, pulling up her damp hair and working around John to grab the whistling kettle. "I hope you're getting some of that for me."

"Of course dear." John grabbed another plate and Ondine pushed a cup over the table. "Ondine thinks I should be an inspector."

"Then you can look for female stowaways in boats." Anna poured the steaming water into the cups and dropped her own teabag into hers. "What an adventure that would be."

"I don't think they'd take someone as old as me."

"I'd use the word 'experience' when you try to sell yourself to them. Saying 'old' isn't a comfort." Ondine scarfed down her food and swallowed her tea. "Be right back."

"That girl's got nothing but energy now." John handed Anna her plate. "Sometimes I wonder if maybe I shouldn't confine her to the chair again for a moment when she'd settle down."

"Seeing as we gave the chair back to the hospital I doubt they'd let us use it for an object lesson." Anna sipped her tea. "But she's got a point."

"About what?"

"You as an inspector."

"They're not hiring that position now."

"But if Jane takes Mrs. Hughes job then they'll be an opening and she's not as addicted to the water as you. Besides," Anna pouted, "She's got Freddie to worry about and she needs more consistent hours since her mother's taken ill and can't work with her arthritis."

"What about me having Ondine?"

"You've got me to help with her." Anna finished her tea as Ondine returned. "Ready?"

"All minty fresh." She clacked her teeth together and kissed John on the cheek before grabbing her bag. "See you after school Da."

"Bye." John waved the spatula as Anna planted a more serious kiss on him. "And have a good day."

"I will." Anna winked, "Thank you for breakfast."

John cleaned up the dishes, finished his own tea, and changed to his work clothes. His boat was out into the harbor less than an hour later and then tied up at the dock in town by the end of that same hour. He walked to the fishery and knocked on the door to Mrs. Hughes office. She raised a finger at him through the window and he nodded, waiting until she opened the door.

"Mr. Bates, what a surprise. It's a bit early for you to have something for us already."

"That's just it." John pointed into the office. "Might I come in?"

"Of course." Mrs. Hughes motioned him to a chair and shut the door before sitting back at her desk. "What's got you visiting me so early since I know it's not a social call."

"It's professional." John leaned forward, "I know you've been thinking about retiring, spending more time with your husband and your sister."

"I have." Mrs. Hughes shook her head, "Becky's been worse lately and they think she might be leaving us any day now."

"I'm sorry to hear that." John put a hand on the desk, "Which is why I've a proposal for you."

"I'm anxious to hear it."

"I know Jane Moorsum's been hoping for a higher position that'll pay a bit better and give her more consistent hours now that her mother's not able to take care of Freddie like she used to."

"As someone who's got arthritis of my own I know how that feels." Mrs. Hughes frowned, "But what's your stake in this?"

"I could take Mrs. Moorsum's position as an inspector and she takes yours as boss here."

"Mr. Bates I think that's a lovely idea but I can't see you taking the time to leave your boat for the drudgery of a steady beat on a time clock."

"We've all got to change a little when we're faced with changes."

Mrs. Hughes leaned forward, "Mr. Bates, exactly what changes are you making in your life?"

"I'm going to be a father again, Mrs. Hughes, but I'd prefer this stay between us since only Anna, Ondine, and myself know at the moment."

"Then consider me honored to keep my lips sealed." Mrs. Hughes took his hand in a vigorous shake. "There's no one who deserves to be a father more than you."

"Thank you." John returned to the embrace. "But that's why I need something a bit more… certain, if you know what I mean."

"I do and I'll look into it immediately." They stood and Mrs. Hughes shook his hand again. "You're a good man Mr. Bates and I always hoped that something as wonderful as this would come along for you again."

"You do me more than honor by saying that."

As John headed to the door Mrs. Hughes called out to him. "Do you remember that man I mentioned awhile back?"

John turned, "The one who came by looking for Anna when she was sick?"

"That's the one."

"What about him?"

"He's been by again." Mrs. Hughes shrugged. "He seemed a bit more desperate than he was the last time he stopped by and he had someone with him."

"Who?"

"I don't know since the other man was in the car the whole time but they were both in a heated argument when the man got back into the car and then they drove off."

"When was this?"

"Two days ago."

"Have you seen them since?"

Mrs. Hughes shook her head. "I told them Anna doesn't work here anymore but I kept anything else to myself."

"Thank you Mrs. Hughes." John walked away, "I'll see about this."

"And I'll tell Mrs. Moorsum about your plan. Expect to hear from me by tomorrow at the latest."

"I will." John hurried into town, going straight to the police station.

The moment his eyes met Henry Talbot's through the glass of his office the other man stood and raised his hands. "We're already on it Mr. Bates."

"Like you were when Green slipped through your fingers and then raped my wife."

"We had to release him since he made bail."

"How'd he do that?"

"Someone paid it for him."

"Who?"

"Talbot shrugged, "Some man calling himself Walter Simeon."

"Who's that?"

"At the time I didn't know but after some digging, after Green slipped through our fingers after your wife's attack, we found out it's one of Simon Bricker's new aliases."

John pointed a shaking finger at Talbot. "You let a known criminal pay for another criminal's bail?"

"Like I said, we didn't know and since the bail was paid we had to follow procedure." Talbot shook his head, "We know there've been sightings of them in town and we're following every lead we have."

"I hope one of those leads means you're putting people out there to protect my wife and daughter from these people."

"They've already got shadows keeping an eye on them in plain clothes." Talbot took a deep breath. "We're sorry about what's happened and I promise I've been working round the clock to try and make this all right."

"And how right is that?"

"The kind of right where they're behind bars for good and you all sleep better at night." Talbot faced John. "I promise you, we're on the same side."

"As long as you get them we are. But I warn you," John lowered his voice, "If they try to hurt my family again, I'll kill them."

"Honestly?" Talbot stole a look around, "I wouldn't mind you doing us a favor and doing just that if you do get the chance."

"I take it that's not an official policy."

"No but…" Talbot shrugged, "We're in Ireland. There's another way to do things here."

"Is there?"

"Of course." Talbot winked, "Because here there be dragons."

"What?"

"It's what was written on old maps when there was a place they'd never been and they had-"

"I know," John shook his head, "I'm just confused as to why you'd say it now."

"I was trying to make a joke and I guess it wasn't funny."

"Needs work."

"Obviously." Talbot cleared his throat, "Just let me know if you see anything suspicious."

"Mrs. Hughes, from the fishery, said a man's been asking about Anna."

"Description?"

"Taller, bean pole, and apparently has these eyes that just bug out of his head."

"Bricker." Talbot sucked the inside of his cheek. "He's the main one. Next to him, Green is small time."

"I want them both gone."

"So do I." Talbot assured John. "Just trust that there's enough space in the jail for the two of them and I'll make sure they get there."

"I'm trusting you with the lives of my family, Talbot."

"I won't let you down Mr. Bates."