Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Chapter 26

This is technically the end of part one but I'll continue with the erratic and unpredictable upload schedule so it doesn't really change anything. I just did it so I didn't have to type out numbers higher than 30
Also I may or may not have accidentally published like Part two chapter 2 by accident but it's fine I fixed it

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Jim asked.

Ed shrugged. "Stede ordered it."

Jim smirked. "He ordered it, did he?"

Ed grinned. "He did. He just wants to show you guys off a little."

Jim rolled their eyes. "He's bringing kids onto the ship."

Ed leaned on the railing. "I think it's sweet."

"It is sort of nice," Oluwande said.

Jim sighed, climbing out of the dinghy. "God, I hate how nice you are sometimes."

"If he wanted to show off the crew, he should do it from the shore. I don't think anyone wants to see Buttons moonbathing," Jim said. "That wasn't even a joke. I'm being serious."

"Everyone's supposed to be on their best behaviors. And, as the captain's cabin boy, I'll... do nothing about any of it because that's not my job," Ed said.

Jim smiled slightly. "That's a good cabin boy."

Ed grinned. "You told the others the idea, right?"

"Yes. And I had them clean up the captain's quarters even though it was supposed to be your job," Jim said. "It looks nice, actually."

Ed looked over at them. "Thank you. I really appreciate that."

Jim shrugged. "Whatever. When's he going to be back?"

"Any minute now, I believe."

Jim nodded slightly. "I'm going to make sure the crew is together."

"Good idea," Ed said.

He leaned forward slightly. He could see Stede, Mary, Doug, and the kids on the shore. Stede raised a hand and waved to him. Ed waved back enthusiastically.

He waited impatiently by the edge of the boat. Lucius, by the stairs, smiled and looked over at Black Pete.

"It's adorable how excited he is. It's so humanizing," Lucius said.

Black Pete shrugged. "I still don't trust him.

Lucius smiled. "That's why we're such a perfect couple. Optimist and pessimist."

Black Pete chuckled, raising a brow as Jim wandered over.

"No swearing. Nothing gross. No scaring them. You guys get it," Jim said.

"It'd be funny to scare them a little, though," Pete said.

"Yeah, but then Stede would be all mopey," Lucius replied.

"True," Black Pete said.

Ed lifted up the railing and leaned down, holding onto the railing as he helped Mary onto the ship. He helped Stede up next, wincing slightly at the pain in his shoulder. Stede noticed it and raised a brow.

"Is your shoulder still bothering you?" Stede asked.

"A little," Ed replied.

Stede frowned. "I'm sorry."

Stede leaned closer to him for a moment. "How about your head?"

Ed grinned wildly. Ed knelt down, reaching downwards over the edge of the ship. He sat back up with Alma in his arms.