A PIRATE'S TREASURE

Chapter 8

The ship barely reached the dock before Hook jumped off.

    "Take care, Mr. Smee."

    "You as well...captain."

He smiled heading to the hill where he spent his time with Jenny. To his surprise, she was also running from the bottom towards the docks.

They both stopped seeing each other and it was as if the people around them disappeared. It last only a few seconds before Jenny started running again, jumping into James' arms.

    "Oh my gosh, you came back! You're okay!"

She couldn't contain her tears.

    "And I'm staying for good love."

Hook never thought those words would come out of his mouth because he loved the water. Chasing the legends and stories with his family taking in the gold behind them. But what's the point of it all when he had no one beside him?

    "Oh my gosh! Your hand!"

He slightly tensed because he tried to avoid the subject. He was crippled now and the world looked down on those who were. How much he wanted to hide it, he couldn't exactly hide a missing body part.

     "I was going to tell you-"

     "This looks serious James, are you truly okay?"

     "I'm fine love, the worst is over."

She kept touching his arm inspecting his wound. He feared she was going to turn around any moment in disgust thinking how this would be too much to handle. But she just kissed the nub and smiled at him.

     "What a crazy adventure you must've endured.''

He kissed her lips. He missed these types of moments with her. When things at sea got tough, he just went back to the moments on the hill with Jenny reading to him.

     "I need to show you something." Hook said,

He grabbed her arm as they ran up to their spot looking at the sunset. The sky is a beautiful dark pink shade.

     "Do you still have the ring?"

     "Never took it off."

James started to get nervous.

     "I've been all over the world my love and seen many beautiful things but all dull compared to you, my dear Jenny. My life is at sea while my heart is on land. I know our situation is difficult but you've stolen my heart and my thoughts. Please make me the happiest man on earth by...marrying me."

To marry this handsome man that has stolen her heart was nothing but a dream she imagined ever since he left. The people in her village would say it was too soon but something inside her just knew that he was the one. But there was always this one problem that nagged her in the back of her mind.

     "I love you, James, so much. But your whole life was the sea. Everything you've told me was about the adventures your family had on the ship and the water. I love that adventurous side of you but I would also worry constantly if you ever left again. How could I ever ask you to leave that side of yourself?"

She removed her hands from his and took a step back.

     "Can you see it love, our life right here on this hill where it all began? I had my adventure and now I want to start a new one with you."

    "And you'd be truly happy with something simple?"

  "What's so simple about life darling? This would be a new adventure I can't wait to take."

Jenny smiled saying yes to his proposal and sealed the deal with a long passionate kiss as the sunset.

But the happiness only last so long when she returned home.

     "Father! You have to meet-"

He was unresponsive. His eyes closed and his chest was still. James took lead by pressing his fingers to his neck praying for a pulse. But nothing but the coldness of his skin.

    "Jenny-"

    "He's with mother now. He kept talking about his life ending but I never thought it'd be so soon."

Jenny couldn't help the tears falling and she hugged her dad.

     "I know you're with momma now. I love you, daddy."

She walked out needing air as James just stood by.

    "I love your daughter sir and I promise I'll protect her. I wish I came by sooner to get your approval."

There was nothing left here on the island for her. She stayed for her father but now she only wished for a sign on what to do next. The wind blew and her sister's note flapped in the wind.

Even though they were not close, she deserved to hear the news of their father's passing in person. And she just wanted to check in with her last living family member alive.

    "Care to show me why you love to sail?" Jenny asked.

    "Where to?"

   "Where it's busier in the city...Captain."

James just smiled and nodded.

    "I'm going to miss our spot," James said.

     "There's more out there and when the time comes, we'll tell our children all about it."

     "Already thinking about children darling?"

James just smirked.

     "One day, but for now, I just want to enjoy being your soon-to-be wife."

    "How about before we leave? I can wait if you want but I'd still want you all the same tomorrow or the next day or the next."

    "I can't give you the white dress then."

     "Jenny, you can wear a nightgown for all I care. I just need you saying you'll have me in the end."

And before they knew it, they found a priest and gave them the ceremony that made them husband and wife.

     "You may kiss the bride."

As they were packing James asked about her mother and her death.

     "She went overseas because my grandmother was sick. She would send letters to update us but one day they stopped. We got a package when I was young with her stuff and a small note saying 'I'm sorry for your loss' so we gathered some stuff and buried it out back since we didn't have a body."

    "I'm so sorry love."

    "I used to believe she was out there alive somewhere but she just never came back. Even after the letter, we all waited thinking she would walk through the door. After so many years, we accepted what my uncle sent as her being deceased."

Jenny stopped thinking about her mother getting on the ship. It happened a long time ago but still stung to wonder whatever happened.

The ship was sailing towards the capital and they had nothing more but a few clothes and precious belongings.

    "Is this real James?"

City life was much bigger compared to the little village Jenny lived in. The noises were what caught her off guard from all the activity happening around them.   

    "Welcome to Paris love."