Chapter 2
Emma POV
Jake looks at me as Miss Peregrine walks away. I know she wants us to follow her and part of me does not want to hear what Jake has to say. I've gotten my heart hurt and bruised before, but with Jake I think it will shatter. So, before he can say anything I follow after Miss Peregrine. My lead shoes thunk against the metal of the deck, my dress presses against my body from the ocean wind. With the sun going down I feel the cold settling in and can't wait to be inside the ship.
"Em, wait!" I don't turn at his call, my boots thump against the stairs as I ascend to the helm. "Emma please…" He reaches for my wrist that is holding the rail. "Jake, like Miss P said, we will talk later." Turning my head slightly to see him, I watch as his face falls. I can see the wheels turning in his head, trying to find a way around this. "Funny, we're the same height now." Yet, he knows that there isn't this time. His sad eyes look into mine for a moment, but I cannot hold his gaze. I turn to continue up the stairs, but his hand holds my arm, keeping me on the third step. "Wait." His voice is calm, not harsh or insistent.
Standing still I wait for him to continue, only I hear a faint rustling instead. Next, I feel a warmth enveloping me, reminding me of how it felt when Jake held me just a few minutes ago. His jacket rests on my shoulders, his arms wrapping it fully around me. My hands grab the edges of it, pulling it closed. "You looked cold." His mouth is right next to my ear. His words make me shiver. "Th-thank you." My voice catches and I chose to blame it on the cold and not how he is almost holding me but keeping his distance. "UGH! Jacob Portman, what do you do to me?"
He hums in response, finally letting go of the jacket and stepping back. I continue to make my way up the stairs, a smile making its way onto my face.
Jake keeps a fair distance behind me. But, once we opened the door to the helm all the children, save for Enoch because he was manning the wheel, rushed past me to surround him. The Twins latch onto each of Jake's legs, Bronwyn wraps her arms around Jake's waist and hoists him in the air, Claire and Fiona grab each of his hands trying to pull him down.
I can't help but laugh at Jake's concerned face as he is being held in the air by one child, two children dangling on his legs and another two tugging on his arms. "Children! Children, put Mr. Portman down. He has been on a long journey and I'm sure being tossed about by you all isn't helping." Miss Peregrine comes to the rescue, giving each of the children a stern but loving glare.
Bronwyn puts Jake back on the ground but does not let go, only burying her face in his stomach. The Twins release his legs, immediately joining Bronwyn in the hug. Fiona wraps her arms around him as well. But Claire, being the smallest, sorrowfully ducks her head because there is no room for her. Before Miss Peregrine or I can react, Jake reaches down and scoops her up. An excited squeal rings through the helm of our ship. "I knew you'd come back Jake! I've missed you!" Claire says, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I've missed you too, all of you!" Jake rubs her back, giving her a squeeze. He ruffles Bronwyn's curls and pats each of the Twins hooded heads. He bends down to wrap an arm around Fiona, giving her a tender kiss on the head. "I wonder if he sees her as a sister? If he sees all of them as siblings? Does he see me that way… then what did that kiss mean?" I start to mull over these thoughts as Hugh, Horace and Millard make their way over to greet Jake.
"Okay, okay! Our turn to welcome Jake back!" Millard exclaims, trying to pull Bronwyn off of him. She lets go reluctantly, as do the Twins. Fiona gives Jake one last squeeze before letting go and comes to stand next to me. Jake pats Millard firmly on the back as Hugh joins in on their hug. But, Hugh's bee keeper hat comes loose and a few bees circle around them. "Here Hugh." Jake says, kneeling down so that he is now at eye level with him. Hugh calls the bees back and secures his hat again. Then, Jake pulls him into another hug, making sure that no bees escaped this time. "It's a pleasure to have you back Jake! I assume that dashing jacket Emma has is yours?" Horace extends his hand, his posh attitude shining through. "That it is." Jake makes a quick glance at me. I can feel my cheeks warm slightly as I start to shrug the jacket off.
"Splendid, perhaps we might visit a tailor together wherever we stop next." Nodding his head, Horace moves back to the large table against the far wall of the room.
I hold the jacket in my hands, keeping my eyes to the floor. "Emma, are you alright?" Fiona asks.
"Yes, I'm fine." I give a tight smile to her. "Here you are Jake, thank you." Extending my arm, the jacket sways between us until Jake takes it, looking a little bewildered. "Are you warm now?" He asks, one of his eyebrows raised slightly. Forcing myself to not shiver, I nod my head and make my way over to the windows.
"Full steam ahead!" "Batten down the hatches!" "New home, here we come!" Everyone is running about the helm, shouting different things, trying to give orders. I can sense Enoch getting frustrated with all the noise. Olive is down in the engine room, making sure the boilers stay lit.
"Where are we heading?" Jake asks, coming to stand next to Enoch at the wheel.
"Not quite sure, I thought about sailing north. I know a few ymbrynes that would take us in for a time. I'm just not sure where would be a safe place for us to dock. Especially with the war going on…" Miss Peregrine answers, pulling out her pipe. "There is a place out there, I just know it." She makes a sharp turn to the old map spread out over the table. Horace was dusting it off and pointed out a spot on the map. "Perhaps this could be a place to stop."
"I think I will go check on Olive. Make sure she isn't wearing herself out." I announce to the room. Swiftly making my way to the door, he stops me.
"Emma, wait!"
"Yes, Jake?" I hope that he doesn't offer to come with me. I need time to think!
"You might want this." Without waiting for a response, he drapes his jacket over me a second time today, pulling it tight in the front.
A small "Thank you." breathes its way out of my mouth. Jake just nods and awkwardly turns around, shoving his hands in his pockets. "He's still the same Jake. Awkward and unsure, but always kind."
