1752 [S.P.C]

1778: Future's Ahead

Shay
I laid my head on the pillow after returning from a few drinks with the crew. It felt strange to be aboard a ship I wasn't captaining. I turned to see Evie sleeping beside me.

"So beautiful," I whispered, brushing a lock of her hair away from her face.

Leaning over, I kissed her forehead gently. "Goodnight, darling." I smiled, shifting closer to her and wrapping an arm around her.

The sound of waves crashing against the hull woke me. I groaned, the once-soothing rhythm now grating.

"I was a different man then," I murmured, rising from bed. I walked to the desk, grabbing my feather and ink. Retirement from the Order had left me with more time than I knew what to do with.

Turning back, I saw Evie still asleep. Her peaceful expression made me smile. After a moment of watching her, I returned to the desk and opened my journal to a blank page. Dipping the feather into ink, I began to write.

Journal Entry: 1778

Day 28 aboard the SRS Hopoition.

I've come to realize the love I once had for the sea has faded. The stillness of a bed on solid ground now feels more comforting than these rolling waves.

We are sailing to the New World, as they call it, for the arrival of my daughter and her husband's first child—my second grandchild. It's hard to believe my little girl, Florence, is becoming a parent herself.

I've watched her grow from a spirited child to a woman with a family of her own. And yet, I often feel I've missed so much of my children's lives. I can't afford to miss anything more. Sometimes I dream of returning to the colonies so we can all be together again, but something always holds me back.

Lately, I've found myself thinking about how little time I might have left. I haven't told Evie about this—I don't have the heart. Since leaving the Templar Order, I've lost its protection, and I know my enemies won't stop hunting me. My priority now is to protect my family, even if it means giving my last breath. I won't fail them again.

Journal Entry End

I sighed, staring down at the page. My thoughts felt scattered, the remnants of last night's drinks still clouding my mind.

I didn't hear Evie come up behind me until I felt her arms wrap around me.

"Come to bed, my love," she whispered, kissing me softly.

I placed my hand over hers, nodding. "Alright."

Yawning, I rose and returned to bed, where Evie waited.

"Remember those nights aboard the Morrigan when Patrick was small?" I asked as I climbed in.

"He had that little cot beside us," I continued, resting my head on her chest and placing a hand on her stomach. "Do you think we're too old for another child?"

"Shay," Evie said, turning to face me. "We're grandparents."

"I know," I sighed, staring up at the ceiling. "It's just... being on a ship reminds me of the old days. I took those days for granted."

"What do you mean?" she asked, propping herself up on her elbow.

"Times weren't so hard then. It was just the three of us me, you, and Phoebe. Before our daughter was on the other side of the world..." My voice trailed off as a tear escaped.

"Shay," Evie said softly. "Are you alright?"

I shook my head. "I don't want to talk about it."

Leaning in, I kissed her. The kiss was deep, and for a moment, the world outside didn't matter. Evie shifted closer, her hands on my shoulders, her lips brushing against mine.