The Captain and His Lady (A Fantasy Short Story) √

A first for everything.

Emma had told Michael that she would meet him after classes. He waited for her on the great lawn of the facility. It was the weekend, which meant they were allowed to be out passed curfew. Michael brought a blanket and a picnic basket for supper. Michael was hoping he could kiss Emma today. His first kiss. Whether Emma believed it or not, He had been saving it for her.

Michael turned his head and smiled when he heard a voice calling to him. Emma came towards him, wearing a shy smile and the cutest sun-dress Michael had ever seen. It was the perfect length - it came to her knees, which Michael thought gave her a modest look - and it was a light blue, with a white collar.

"You look very pretty," Michael said softly as Emma stopped before him. "Like a dream."

"Michael," Emma blushed as bright as a beet-root. "You and I both know that dreams are made real when we believe."

"Truth in those words, my lady. Shall we?"

Michael offered Emma his arm, which she took with a giggle. She beamed; Michael grinned, picking up the basket with the blanket folded neatly on top.

***

Captain Michael and Lady Emma exchanged a knowing glance. The medicine woman had given their cure, and yet ...

"I like the ability to ramp about in a different form," Captain Michael whispered to Lady Emma, as they sat alone in the ship's cabin. "There are good qualities that came out of it, you know?"

"Yes," Lady Emma replied softly, nodding. "I feel the same . . . With the cure in our hands, we don't know if this is what we truly want . . ."

"Precisely, so . . . What should we do?"

Lady Emma peered into Captain Michael's eyes. He peered back at her. Both conflicted and uncertain as to making the decision to change their fate.

"The medicine woman," said Lady Emma, her cheeks flushed. "She said that . . . if either of us were to have children . . . They would be born with the ability, or part of the ability. Depending on how strong the gene is in the parent . . ."

Captain Michael chuckled nervously. "Could you imagine," he said with a wary smile. "Us, having children while at sea?"

Lady Emma appeared as if she were about to shake her head, but then, she nodded. Captain Michael tilted his head to the side, knowing his lady's thoughtful expression all too well.

"What are you thinking, my lady?" he asked softly, taking both of Lady Emma's hands into his own. "You're only this serious when you are thinking of something you're afraid to speak about."

Lady Emma sighed, breaking her gaze as she glances at the two vials of antidote.

"Would you ever want to have children?" she asked in a small voice.

Captain Michael was taken aback. He had never known his lady might have such thoughts, yet it never entered his mind to ask either. Captain Michael placed his arms around Lady Emma's neck and crushed her to his chest.

"Do you want them?" he whispered, kissing his lady's hair.

Lady Emma shrugged at first, but then she was nodding her head gently. Her captain, knowing she would not see his face, had begun to smile. They were in silent agreement.

***

Emma giggled as Michael chased after her. Of course, they were a bit old to be playing these childish games, but with no adults around to tell them otherwise, Emma and Michael played to their heart's content.

Michael caught Emma by the waist and pulled her to the ground with him. He held her with care, letting his body take the greater impact of the ground. Emma giggled at Michael's exaggerated grunt, knowing that he was making a show. He chuckled as she rolled over on top of him. Michael looked into her eyes and sighed, his smile becoming more calm. Perhaps even a tad reserved.

"What's wrong?" Emma asked, resting her chin on her hands, against Michael's chest.

"I think you're beautiful," he replied with a shyness she had never seen in him before.

Emma's cheeks turned pink as she returned Michael's shy smile. Michael reached up and moved a strand of her hair away from her eyes. He let his hand trail behind her ear, down her neck to her shoulder. Michael all but caught Emma licking her lips. It was all he needed to know that she would not object to what he was about to do.

Michael gently rolled Emma to the grass, on her back, and hovered above her. He asked for permission with his eyes, receiving his answer in hers. Michael noted how Emma's breathing accelerated beneath him. He took a breath and lowered his face to hers before he could rethink his actions.

Emma closed her eyes as Michael touched her lips. So soft. Gentle. The world around them froze as Michael pulled away. It took Emma a moment to regain her breath as she opened her eyes. Peering up at Michael, she smiled. Shy. Innocent. Michael mirrored the smile and pressed a gentle kiss to the lips of his lady once more.