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

Timeless Friendship

Emma bounced her leg as she looked out the train window. Returning home for the holidays always made her nervous. The questions her mother would ask always intimidated her. How would she react to Emma dating Michael? Would her mother tell her to stay away from him?

"You've been awful quiet," Michael whispered as he slipped his arm around Emma's shoulders. "What are you thinking in that lovely brain of yours?"

"What if Mum thinks I'm too young to date?" Emma whispered in reply.

"She won't tell you such a thing. Do you want to know why, my lady?"

She looked up and met Michael's caring gaze. Her worry washed away as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Your mum has always known that I care about you," he said, planting a kiss on Emma's cheek. "That . . . that I love you."

Emma froze as Michael said this. Her heart pounded. Her cheek flushed. He loves me.

"What?" Michael asked with a hint of teasing. "Do you find it hard to believe that you can be loved? Or that I could love you?"

Emma blushed further. "No . . ." she whispered with a shy smile. "I'm just surprised is all . . ."

"It should not surprise you that I feel this way . . . You remember when I kissed you in the park that day?" When Emma nodded, Michael went on. "I saved that first kiss for you."

"That was your first kiss as well?" Emma asked, blinking. "But . . . I thought . . ."

"That I had kissed those other girls?" Michael smiled, playing with one of Emma's loose curls. "No, I didn't want to share my first kiss with anyone else . . ."

He pecked her cheek, causing her to giggle softly.

***

Lady Emma paced in a panic. The Red Fox was due to make port within a day's time, but it would not be soon enough for her. She had to see the doctor straight away. Lady Emma was not one to get seasick, but as of late, it seemed she was sick every day.

"Are you feeling better, my lady?" the captain asked as he entered the cabin with a look of concern.

"A little," Lady Emma replied, walking to the large chair behind the captain's desk. "You're sure there is no way we can arrive faster?"

"Not with the storm brewing. But I promise you we will get there as quickly as possible."

Captain Michael pressed a kissed to Lady's Emma's cheek. A knock sounded, causing him to jerk away. Lady Emma quickly rose from the chair and stepped aside, letting her captain take his place. The door opened and one of the crew entered with a look of dismay.

"We've lost the a portion of the mast, Captain."

Lady Emma didn't have to listen further as the world around her blurred and spun. Then, her vision went black.

Captain Michael caught Lady Emma just as she fainted. His crew had seen him catch her many times. Yet, little did they know the captain had wed his first mate in secret. Or the fact they might have been expecting their first child. Hence the reason to make such haste to port. Lady Emma needed to be seen by a doctor. Captain Michael would not cease until he knew that his lady, and his child, were healthy.

***

Emma stepped off the train and onto the platform, Michael at her side. She scanned the crowd of faces. When her eyes met the familiar violet-gray irises, her vision blurred. Emma ran straight to her mother's arms, weeping with joy.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered as her mother kissed her hair.

"I missed you too, darling," her mother replied, pulling back to have a look at her daughter. "You've grown up so much in a matter of months."

"It feel as if it has been longer . . . I really look grown up?"

"You do, and I wonder if it has to do with that boy."

Emma followed her mum's gaze to where Michael stood greeting his parents. She couldn't help smiling. It gave her away.

"I've always known you would find love in him," her mum whispered with a soft chuckle. "We're going to his house for dinner. Will either of you be telling us soon?"

"I was worried about tell you," Emma replied as she swallowed. "I'm sure Michael will tell his parents . . . What will they think? What if they don't like the idea of me with him?"

"You're dwelling on the matter too much. All will be well, my darling."

Emma's mother hugged her daughter once more. They went to retrieve Emma's bags and walked to the car.