Atlantis Burning

Chapter 14

Morning came when Annia made her way to the aft cabin to wake up her new mom and dad. It was moments like this that felt like they had always been family. There were plenty of other times that the girl felt like a complete stranger and they struggled to understand her. There were always going to be questions about her origin story, she was young enough that she may never be able to tell them. These loving moments were something they did not waste and so Edward pulled her into bed with them saying, "come on up here, Annia. I need to kiss your pretty face." The family cuddled and kissed in the big bed.

Bea put on a bathrobe, it was her turn to make breakfast. She had Annia lay out silverware on the table in the saloon to enjoy the beautiful morning. Annia was accustomed to their routine, and was often eager to help out wherever she could. It wasn't long before the men joined them. "Good morning, Dad."

"Good morning ladies," Henry said as he picked up the girl and kissed her cheek. "Can you say, good morning grandpa?" Annia just gave Henry a sweet smile.

Edward, now dressed, walked in and sat at the table. He grabbed the pot and poured coffee for the adults and some milk for Annia. "Here you go, precious. Any thoughts on what to do, today?"

"We need to visit Sao Miguel," Henry announced.

"Why's that?"

"I need my girls to hang out in Ponta Delgado while we men take a rental car to run an errand." Bea looked at her father with curiosity as she sat a platter of fruit on the table. "We shouldn't be more than a few hours. We can all enjoy a nice dinner, before coming back here to the Annabelle."

"Give us the facts, Dad?"

"A birth certificate, for Miss. Annia."

Bea's eyes lit up and she sat down to eat, "Really?"

"Yes and I'm only taking Edward as a precaution. My friend is glad to have the opportunity to do me a favor, I kept him off of death row."

"The death row?"

"Yes, which means he's in America and this is some minor lackey, probably a distant cousin or something like that."

"We'll be fine," Edward said while helping Annia reach a scone. "I reckon you will have a fun girl's day in town, unless you'd rather stay on the boat."

"It's about time we take Annia out for a day on the town. I can begin teaching her how to be a city girl."

Edward glared at his wife, "don't you dare. She's all country, like her daddy."

Bea laughed, "maybe, she and I can visit the gardens or pick a pineapple at the plantation. Shouldn't I, at least, know where you are going, though?"

"The abandoned hotel."

"That sounds ominous," Bea said. "Glad you're taking Edward."

After breakfast, Henry set the boat's dead reckoning to the largest island in the archipelago, while Bea and Edward packed a few things for their day. They were ready to go in time to see a pod of sperm whale's pass by the boat. Edward and Bea stood at the bulwark, showing Annia the beautiful toothed whales. The largest ones were more than half the length of the boat. Annia stared in wonder and silence.  It wasn't long before they were docked and ready to find whatever adventure the day had in store for them.