The Pirates Trouble

Chapter Seven: Bumping Fool

Not much has changed over the course of a few weeks, that is, except my body. It began to change quickly, adjusting to the child growing within. Each day I'd pass by the mirror, my waist only seemed to appear bigger. Captain Wolfe continues to joyfully await the baby's arrival as my fears start to increase.

"Not much longer now and we'll be in Virginia," says Captain Wolfe as we look out upon the sea. The colorful sky paints a beautiful picture, all seems well and peaceful. "Everything is finally falling into place."

"Why is it that we always gaze at the sunset?" I ask as a low chuckle emerges from Captain Wolfe. "What do sunsets symbolize?"

"For us, I believe they symbolize the ending of one day and the beginning of the next. When is the last time we knew when something was going to happen? "Captain Wolfe replies while pulling me closer to him, careful of my bump. I raise my eyebrow and shift my eyes towards my belly. "Well, yes... I meant it in a more poetic sense, of course."

I chuckle for a moment before pulling his face closer to mine and giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek. Captain Wolfe closes his eyes, lavishing in my touch, and kindly accepting my gift as a smile appears across his lips.

     I feel myself begin to yawn and conceal it within my slender hand. "I'm afraid I am feeling rather weak tonight," I announce calmly, which causes a look of alarm to appear on Captain Wolfe's face. "I think I'll be retiring to bed."

"Do you need my assistance?" He offers, anxiously awaiting my answer.

     "My dear Captain, you've done plenty already," Raising my eyebrow with a sly smirk, I pat my belly affectionately. "I'm perfectly capable on my own."

"Of course," Captain Wolfe chuckles lightly. "I have a few more charts to graph in the study... but I'll be there soon."

We part our separate ways as I climbs down the stairs. My legs ache with each step, but the end is in sight. As I continue to make my way towards the room and open one of the doors, I sit on the bed before laying horizontally across it. My mind can't seem to rest... even though I knew rest was the best thing for me at this time. Sitting upright out of frustration, I grab a book from the bedside table and light a candle. The words on the page blur after awhile as I found myself breathing heavily and almost completely asleep.

The noise was frightful, startling every bone in my body awake. A vivid flashback of my time with Lily and James entered my mind for a brief moment. Looking over to my side, however, revealed an even more unsettling sight. Captain Wolfe was not beside me. I could hear my heart thumping in my ears, he wouldn't dare leave me alone for so long. Something is wrong, not only can I feel it, but the child stirring within could as well. Carefully getting out of bed, my cold feet hit the wooden floor, as the sound of walking echoed through the still air. The door suddenly burst opens to see a drenched Captain Wolfe. I hadn't even realized it was raining.

"You're drenched!" I exclaim as he shuts the door in a rather panicked motion behind. "Are you feeling alright?"

"If I told you to stay here, would you this time?" Captain Wolfe takes me within his arms, causing my clothes to become wet as well. I am unable to answer, even if I tried, I can't imagine an answer leaving my mouth. He releases to stare into my eyes. "Not that I'm giving you much of a choice, but I need you to promise me."

       "You know it's not in my nature to leave you in your time of need." I reply cautiously. "I stand beside you no matter..."

     "You aren't just you now, Kate!" The tone of his voice has raised, and its volume increased. I'm taken aback for a moment, trying to process his sudden outburst. "You are two people. His life depends on you!"

"Can you tell me what's happening?" You ask as his eyes seem to search the room frantically. "You aren't acting like yourself."

"It's Marco," he starts before grabbing a chair and placing it under the door handles. "It's Marco..."

"Marco?" I narrow my eyes at him. "Marco is dead," I say grabbing onto Captain Wolfe's arm. His head spins to look down over his shoulder at me. "We don't have to worry about him anymore."

"It's not him in particular that's the trouble," Captain Wolfe responds. "It's his wife. Marco's old ship has been trailing ours at this very moment and if it somehow catches up to the Blue Voyager..." Caption Wolfe holds his head within his hands for a moment, dreading the unthinkable. "She'll take you, Kate, I know she will. She'll kill you out of vengeance, and..." His eyes shift downward. "I can't let her do that. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if she took you. So I'm asking you now, will you stay here, to keep yourself and our child safe?"

     I can't muster out a verbal answer, so I nod my head. He looks the slightest bit relieved, but still noticeably afraid. I don't believe I've ever seen Captain Wolfe afraid. It's unsettling to see your rock begin to crumble, and know that there's hardly anything you can do to stop the avalanche.

Captain Wolfe suddenly reaches towards his belt and places a pistol into my hands. I look down at the silvery heap of metal shining within the rays of moonlight before returning my gaze at him. "I want you to shoot," He states without a second thought as my mouth falls slightly agape. "I don't want you to hesitate... or even think... I want you to shoot."

I nod my head once more as he turns away from me and pauses. Captain Wolfe looks back as he's about to depart, and almost comes back running to kiss me swiftly before leaving. I place a chair beneath the door handles after he leaves and am left alone with the mere terror of the thought of Captain Marco's wife. Certainly she'll want vengeance, and if that is the case, this will not be a pleasant encounter.

Captain Wolfe had to of been gone an hour now, but there I was, still standing in the same place, holding the gun towards the doors. Loud footsteps are suddenly heard and a thunderous banging on the doors follow. The pistol is raised within my sweaty palms but is shaking rapidly. I'll never have a clear shot if this continues, but although I'm afraid, I will shoot.