The Atlantean replied, "The city will pray for your return, To-Be Prince Jacques, do not doubt it.", with a nod, and Jacques gave a warm smile, "Thank you, my friend...Oh, I have forgotten my manners. What is your name?".
"Dazinish, but everyone calls me Dazis for short.", Dazis bowed his head in respect, and Jacques smiled kindly, "May the Great Kings guide you home safely and well, Dazis.".
Dazis smiled, "Thank you, my friend. May the Great Kings keep you and your friends safe and sound.", with a nod as he held Jacques' personal gift loyally close to his chest, and headed up the ramp of the narwhal, soon closing it up, and with a Atlantean salute through the windows, the narwhal then very quietly hummed and floated up under Dazis' crystal, turning around, and headed back into the fish cave/tunnel, back to Atlantis.
"Jacques, I promise you; I'll do whatever it takes to help play a part in liberating your home and making sure you come back here alive for Sia and your children.", Steve told him as he placed a hand on his shoulder. Jacques gave him a small grateful smile, "Thank you, Steve... hopefully, these dark days won't last much longer...".
Sweet replied, "Don't forget us either. We can do a part too, to help you out, Jacques, if it's mending up soldiers or such, through I'm sorry to say that you are still too young, Audrey...".
Audrey replied, "Hey, I can still mail care packages since with my share of the treasure, it would be great morale for the soldiers. Now, let's go rest up!", before zipping up her tent and covered herself with her blanket to block out the soft light in the air pocket.
Steve chuckled, "You heard the lady, Jacques. And besides, I doubt Sia would want you to collapse out of sleep deprivation.", and Jacques nodded with a smile, heading to his tent, while Steve headed back to his tent with Peggy zipping up the tent behind him.
Peggy sighed softly, "So, this is it...And I have a bad feeling that Audrey would be annoyed if she heard us barely, even when we could have our tent a bit farther away, and you probably don't want a fast, quiet quickie for us to be one as it's not your style...", as she was really curious of Steve's answer if Packard had said that it'd be the whole night, but a few hours, it isn't fair...She'd have to settle for falling asleep in her favorite spooning position with Steve, and she'd take every little moment she can with Steve while in the sub and all as it's really better than nothing before their path would change with whatever Whitmore, Colonel Phillips, or even Roosevelt says.
"Peggy...", Steve sighed as he continued to hold her close. "What we said in the sub... I... I do mean it.", he admitted. "I know it's not the proper way of doing it but after everything we've been through and done, I doubt few would complain about how we do it.".
"Steve?", Peggy asked as Steve gently brushed her hair, "Back in England, were there a lot of boys quickly marrying their sweethearts before shipping out when the war started? Like how a number of guys I knew from back home did and probably across the nation after Pearl.".
Peggy's heart pounded as she whispered, "A lot...", and Steve whispered lovingly, "It'd probably feel weird not getting married in Britain, through I'd not mind a second go at marriage there someday for our dual certificates and such, but since it's likely that we'd might be in America for a while before getting our new orders and all, well...Could you do me the honor of becoming my wife in New York City, Margaret Elizabeth Carter?".
Tears swelled up in Peggy's eyes as she smiled radiantly, "Yes, Steven Grant Rogers, I will marry you!", kissing him on the lips happily and passionately, hoping that since Packard said that the destroyer is heading home north, it would mean New York City tonight as she had some idea of the naval patrols thanks to Colonel Phillips, as Nola said that the contraceptive tea at maximum strength, since she took it in the morning, it's good for 48 hours.
"So...", Peggy whispered as Steve chuckled. "Well, I guess now that I've gotten that answer, I think maybe since we've got time to wait and we're both too excited to fall asleep... we could perhaps have a little bit of fun while we're waiting.", he teased as he gently ran his finger against her shoulder.
Peggy smiled wryly, "Well, I couldn't mind a bit of a really good makeout session with you, Steve, but if we perchance land in New York thanks to the destroyer, well, I was hoping to make it really special with you, in your bedroom, that is, if Whitmore is there to say that the crew would need some recovery from being underwater and such, to ensure a story if anybody asks.".
"Yeah, I suppose that might be a better option.", Steve said. "Still, doesn't mean that we can have a little fun…", Peggy teased.
Steve smiled before kissing her deeply, teasing her lips with his tongue, and Peggy moaned softly in pleasure, wrapping her arms around him, mussing his hair, giving him permission by opening her lips, and their tongues began to dance while they started to come closer.
"I love you so much, Peggy...", Steve said as she chuckled. "I can say the same for you, Steve, no matter what you were, small and weak, or large and strong... you're still the same man who stole my heart.", Peggy replied.
Steve's heart leaped at that, and is hoping that his mother and even his father is proud of him, and so, they went to make out tenderly and passionately, with Peggy cleverly staying quiet as much as she could before Steve became a bit more eager, following his instincts, causing Peggy to cry out in pleasure upon Steve's love bites on her shoulder as he dryly grinded against her, and then Packard's voice annoyingly replied, "Pipe it down, lovebirds, and get to sleep while we're in hearing range, for gosh's sake!", from outside the tent.
Peggy panted softly as Steve groaned against her shoulder, resting his forehead, smiling softly, "Don't worry, Steve, you can get out of control when we're truly alone...My fault there as I was really quiet earlier...", as she is in awe of Steve's incredible gentle strength, and she can feel the big tent in his trousers against her pants.
Steve looked at her, "How did I ever get lucky in having a brilliant woman like you?", with a warm smile, and Peggy blushed so brightly, "Well, you're brilliant too...", before yawning lightly, "Try to think of cringing moments to bring your big man down. I want to be spooned by you.".
"Yes, Peggy...", Steve murmured, telling himself to be really patient until they get married, maybe a elopement wedding with the crew as witnesses and Whitmore in bribing a priest or something, and he nodded to himself, thinking of cringeworthy moments in his life, and exhaled as he didn't feel tight anymore in his trousers, and then with a tender kiss on the lips, Steve then went to spoon Peggy, wrapping his arms around her.
Peggy sighed in contentment, "You're like a really comfortable furnace, Steve...See you after this nap, my soldier.", as she snuggled into his chest, and Steve smiled, "See you then...You are a perfect fit in my arms, my agent.", burying his nose into her nape of her neck, comforted by the natural scent of her hair, and so they went to sleep.
The crew napped peacefully for the next hour and half before Sweet was the first one and called for them to wake up, and so, after potty breaks and clearing out the campfire, and stocking the tents, it was clear that there is no evidence of the crew now as they headed into the sub, with Steve finding a couple of bronze-gold rings, with Peggy catching the crew up on the news of their engagement and plans.
The crew was congratulating them and went to configure the plans while they dived down from the air pocket, and to deep sea, staying steady-like fast and low, heading north, seeing that the Levithan was watching them like a resting tiger on one of the huge rock platforms of the sea floor, letting them go without following.
Packard soon got a signal on the destroyer and told Peggy to turn the sub a bit to the west, and fortunately, there wasn't any U-Boats in sight or in range of the destroyer when they got picked up soon after an hour and 30 minutes, and upon American property, the crew finally felt safe and got less tense, with Jacques gazing at the ocean as the destroyer headed north to join the small convoy which is landing in New York City which would be in another hour or less.
He touched his promise ring on his engagement finger, playing with it, murmuring to himself, "I now know how my parents felt in the last war...I miss you so much and I love you that it hurts...I hope you and Vinny got my gift by now...You're probably feeding Kory for the 10th time already.", as he then let go of his ring, holding his crystal though his shirt and jacket which is hidden away, nearly forgetting how the surface temperatures can be when a ship is fast on the water.
Indeed, deep down under the sea, in the city of Atlantis, in Sia's bedroom, she is humming a lullaby in French, one of the memories she has of Jacques being tended to by his mother while breastfeeding Korbyn.
"Hey...", Kida knocked on the doorway which caused Sia to jump a little as she looked up. "Oh, hey, Kida...", Sia said as Kida gave a small chuckle.
"Glad to know you're not calling me 'Your highness' or something. I was a bit worried that might be a habit we would have to break for you.", Kida commented as Sia gave a small smile to that, "Nah, I always was planning on just calling you by your name no matter what whenever you would be crowned.".
Kida chuckled, "Best Sisters Forever, huh?", and Sia gave a small chuckle, "Indeed...", as she then glanced down at Korbyn who is resting and suckling her breast, "I still can't believe that I'm a mother, Kida...A mother of an adopted pre-teenager and a newborn...".
"Hey, Sia, you are doing good, and yes, it's true that parents can make mistakes, but they learn because of them, and do not blame yourself if it gets really hard. You have me and our new friends and this city supporting you.", Kida replied as she sat down at the edge of the bed.
Sia gave a slightly bigger smile, "I'd never doubt that...Kida, did you feel strange when you were in the Heart of Atlantis, like when Milo was in danger for a few moments with Rourke before his change?".
"Honestly?", Kida said. "I don't fully know how I could truly put it into words...", she bit her lip as Sia smiled, "Alright then, let me ask something that should be easy to put into words... did you see Mother when you were part of the Heart?".
Kida smiled softly, "I indeed did...I was overwhelmed by so much emotion when I saw her smile at me...I think I actually was with her most of the time after I faintly remember being surrounded by the Great Kings and Queens of the Past...The moment I felt her touch, heard her voice, I desperately wanted to listen, to be with her, yet she was so sad at the same time, so calm and somehow at peace, telling me that I must lead Atlantis and have my people flourish in peace under Milo's aid, and that was when I realized that I felt anxious to see Milo again, to feel his arms around me, to touch his lips, and to be surrounded by his love for me...I prayed in hope that I'd be back to him, and I was...I do not know if the reunion of you and Jacques would be even more emotional than our reunion, but you must be feeling similarly, yes?".
Sia sighed softly, "I'm most anxious, praying that he had made it safely to the surface...that I was half hoping that he would turn around and come back, yet I knew I would have been selfish...I'm praying that he would never forget us...I love him so much, Kida...It hurts...It's even worse than when we lost Father, if that makes sense...", with a small sob, trying not to jolt Korbyn from his feeding.
Kida shuffled over to hug her, shushing her, rubbing her back, "Shh, it's okay, dear sister...Jacques was truly loyal in the volcano battle, as Milo has told me all of it, and he will keep loyal to his promise that he shall be back. After all, I have never thought my baby sister would even be more passionate in lovemaking, or even more dirty in cussing than I am with Milo.", with a small smirk.
Sia blushed, "Kida!", smiling and laughing softly, and Kida laughed warmly, "Hey, come on, I'm your big sister, and sisters tease, eh? Why, I have no doubt that your reunion in bed will be even more exciting and more special because Milo has told me something. The pain of parting is nothing compared to the joy of meeting again.".
"I swear if I am not feeding Kory right now, I'd get you back, big sister.", Sia playfully glared at her, before exhaling, "I certainly hope Milo is right...", before hearing Korbyn fuss slightly, and she adjusted him to burp before he yawned, gurgling softly, looking at her.
Sia smiled gently, "Sweet dreams, my little one...", as she softly got up from bed, resting him into the bassinet only a few feet away, kissing his little forehead lovingly, and Korbyn murmured, yawning as he got tucked in and fell asleep.
"See, you're a natural, Sia...Mother would be proud of you.", Kida smiled as Sia adjusted her bikini bra, and she smiled, "Thanks, Kida...", before hearing excited calls, "Mom, Mom!", before Vinny rushed in, "We got stuff from Papa!", as he held the dog tags and the message tucked in a gold ring.
Sia shushed him sternly, "Vincenzo, I just put Kory to sleep!", in a loud whisper, looking back in anxiety to see if Korbyn is stirring, and then exhaled in relief as he didn't even twitch in his sleep.
"Sorry...", Vinny apologized as Sia took a deep breath, "It's alright, just, keep that in mind from now on, alright?". Vinny nodded as he walked up, "Anyway, Papa had brought us something before he left, he talked with the messenger to give it to us."
Sia widened her eyes as her heart pounded, and she exhaled deeply as tears pricked at her eyes, "Jacques...Let me see.", and Vinny gave her the ring with the message, "I didn't open it, swear it, but I think it's in French from what I can see from the corners...".
Sia held it in her hand as she stared at it, sitting down on the edge of the bed, seeing that the ring is beautiful yet crafted so simply. It must have been from the treasure pile...She took a deep breath before taking the wrapped message from the ring, untying the string carefully, and opening it.
Gratefully, with practice from the foreign scrolls of ancient French and now with Jacques' memories, she now can read and understand French frequently, and she spoke, translating, "Dear family, I am about to depart from the air pocket, and I'll be on the surface soon. I have missed all of you more than I ever imagined on the journey back, and it gave me a lot of time to think, and now, after deciding on it, I feel more relieved, and glad that you are safe.
Vinny, my son, you are gifted the dog tags. You know why I wore them, and now they are yours. Do not worry, I will get new ones, but knowing that you have them, it makes me proud of you, and I know I trust you to look after your mother and little brother. If you can, let Korbyn play with them if he wants to, but be careful if he gets a bit grabby. You are a Santorini, yes, but you are also a Dernier, and a Nedakh as well. Be proud of who you are, past, present, and future.
Sia, my love, this ring is a promise for you. I do not blame you if you believe that it's an engagement ring, but it's a promise ring that I'll be back to propose to you, to marry the most beautiful, amazing woman of my life, and I am wearing a similar ring on my engagement finger, so I will always stay faithful to you, and no woman on the surface will compare to you. Why could they when you gave me a place where I can belong in peace and freedom without war, when you showed me that I wouldn't be alone in our incredible relationship as mates, when you adopted Vinny into making him our older son, and when you gave me a son from our love and the miraculous aid of the Heart?
I love you, Sia, with all my heart, soul, and mind, and I love our sons so much that I wouldn't be able to imagine life anymore without all of you. I will be thinking of you and our family first thing every morning when I wake up, and the last thing every night when I go to sleep.
Until our reunion, Jacques Pierre Dernier.".