Forever, You Are My Star

Chapter 27: The Invasion At Sea

Mey sat quietly in a chair in the captain's cabin with little Tae sleeping on Hongjoong's bed next to her as Hongjoong, Yunho, and Yeosang looked over the newest map Yeosang had recently finished.

    "After our stop in Barranor, we must turn our sights east. One of the pirate lords is going heavily against the code; taking prisoners aboard his ship and using them for his own gain. He use to be Yang's quartermaster." Hongjoong said as the rest stiffened. "Last was heard they were holding up near Tortuga." Yunho stiffened even more.

    "Captain, do you think it is wise to even drop anchor near Tortuga? We were there only weeks ago to settle Mingi's debt, and he was nearly beaten to death." Yunho said leaning on the desk. There was a slight pause as Hongjoong nodded continuing to look over the map.

    "If I might suggest, Captain, if we take this passage here, we will miss Tortuga all together and stay on course. If they are near Tortuga, I know some who would be willing to sell anyone out for the right amount of coin." Yeosang put in also pointing to the map. Hongjoong gave a nod of agreement then turned towards Mey who was still quietly reading.

    "Would the first mate like to have a say on the matter?" He asked calmly. Mey just smiled as she continued to read.

     "Just to avoid the shallows so we do not have a recurrence of what happened last time." She then looked over at Yunho who was now turning red from embarrassment with Yeosang now holding in his laughter.

     "I couldn't tell it was that shallow. No one could."

    "You keep telling yourself that, Yunho. Now if you could, please relieve Wooyoung at the wheel." Hongjoong stated. Yunho gave a nod before walking out of the cabin and closing the door quietly behind him. This is when Yeosang made his way over to Tae, looking down at him with a smile as he slept.

     "Feeling like a mother yet?" He asked Mey who finally looked up from her book.

     "It's still a lot for me to take in. I just don't want to be a disappointment to my family, to all of you, or to San." Yeosang then turned towards Mey and knelt down beside her.

     "I think you are doing a great job. You don't have to worry about that. Plus, you have all of us to help you. You don't have to worry about doing this alone." Mey gave him a smile before she brought him into a hug.

     "Thank you, Yeo." Once he pulled away, he gave her a bright smile.

    "I better go and start dinner." With that, Yeosang stood up and left as well, leaving Hongjoong and Mey alone with Tae in the cabin. Hongjoong took this opportunity to now walk up to Mey.

     "Shouldn't you be resting now?"

    "I have had enough rest for a lifetime." Mey replied placing the book down on a nearby table. She then stood up and walked over to Tae gently picking him up off the bed. "You and the others worry too much."

     "We worry cause we care. You do not know how much you have impacted all of our lives, especially San. You are his soulmate, Mey. He would do anything to keep you safe. And to me, you have become the sister I always wished I had. You have become the star that has lit our way." Hongjoong then looked over at Tae and gently stroked his back while smiling. "And little Tae here just proves that a hundred times over." Mey gave a sigh then gave Hongjoong a side hug.

    "You all mean more to me than you know also. Thank you for everything." She looked over at Tae then back at Hongjoong. "I should probably put him back to bed so I can help Yeosang with dinner." Just before Mey could take another step, cannon fire made the ship rock, making her almost lose balance. Hongjoong caught hold of her just as San burst through the cabin doors.