Without You, There is No Point in Surviving

Chapter 25 Birthday Surprise

Nellie opened her eyes that morning to a dashing smile and the smell of simmering jam. "Happy Birthday, pet." She smiled pushing herself into a sitting position on the mattress.

"Thank you love." She took a whiff of the aroma around her. "You didn't have to make me breakfast dear."

"It's no trouble." He mumbled a bit shy. She smiled warmly sliding out from under the covers and placing her feet into warm slippers. "Though apparently I have a habit of burning most things." She chuckled and he left the room to check on breakfast, speaking of burning.

Nellie looked down at her chilly feet in the lavender slippers and realized she soon won't be able to see over the round of her belly. Running her hand over the swell in her gown lovingly, she stepped into the kitchen.

"It smells absolutely divine love." She mused, "Need any help?"

"I can manage." He hastily set the table and poured her a cup of black tea.

"You said last night you had something special planned. Fancy sharing that with me?" Nellie said blowing on her cup of tea before taking a sip.

"Don't spoil the surprise, my dear. Tuck in." He spoke placing a plate of eggs, and rolls with raspberry jam in front of her.

"You're turning into me, I'm afraid." She laughed.

"I rented us a boat." Sweeney said. She almost chocked on her bite of scrambled egg. "Only for two hours. And if you're feeling well and able."

"Yes. I'm perfectly able." She squealed, excited. "Oh Sweeney, you shouldn't have, I'm so happy. It looks to be a perfect morning for sailing as well."

"It's not sailing, we won't go out too far."

Once breakfast was eaten and she planted a kiss to his lips then rushed off to get dressed. Sweeney waited on the settee for her. He considered displaying her gift to her before heading out to shore but thought it best to wait until afterwards in case they got drenched in sea water.

***
"We'll get to spend Christmas at my aunt's this year."

"Hm,"

"Since we'll be down there anyway. The baby will come around that time." Nellie stared out over the waves. The waters were calm, not too many waves tugged and pushed at their boat. "The doctor said it'd be early to mid-February, he wagers anyway. This child will be born with the sea in its heart. I can feel it." She sighed in content, stretching out her arms letting the Autumn sun radiate off her pale skin.

A small smile stretched the corners of Sweeney's mouth. "How can you be so sure?" He spoke continuously rowing the paddles through the waves.

Resting with the palms of her hands laid flat out behind her, she turns her head away from the sky to smile at him. He had a twinkle of affection in his eyes that turned to alarm when something brown and wrinkly was approaching them in the water.

Nellie looked over the boat's edge. "What's that?" She wondered.

"Careful Nellie."

"Why, It's a seal." She smiled brightly. "They're not harmful things ain't they?"

"I wouldn't take any chances." Nellie leaned further out to get a better look, Sweeney grabbing ahold of her arm, he had stop rowing in case they disrupted the mammal's path. The seal swam closer to them, Nellie had leaned away as it stopped to look at them outside the boat. "Aw, look, it came to say hello."

Sweeney wrinkled his nose. "It's like a dog but uglier."

"Well, be nice to it love."

The seal and Sweeney had a long staring contest for a time before the unthinkable happened and it hopped into the boat to join them. They both shrieked and yelped, the boat rocking side to side. Half the seal's body was resting on top of Sweeney's chest. The look on his face was priceless. "Nellie! Help! Get it off of me, it's all slimy and... gah."