To Hell And Back

Once upon a time

This is an invitation to the wedding of Rose Winter and Xander. Who are to be married December 16 of this year...

Ha. How sweet, I received an invitation. To the wedding of my sister and the love of my life.

How wonderful, of course, I'll go. Should I bring roses? A wedding present? A letter of how they absolutely broke my heart into two and smashed it back into my hands in the form of an invitation? A letter asking how they can be so cruel perhaps?

I can feel my eyes tear up just thinking of what they've done to me. How I still loved them both despite the betrayal they've shown me and the cruelty they've given by inviting me to their wedding and boasting about how they are having their first child...

Fuck them.

I'm not going and neither am I congratulating them.

Although I know it was not the baby's fault that they hurt me, I can't help but feel emotional of the whole situation. So, I shoved the invite back into its envelope and walked out of my bedroom to the front of the ship. I walked past my crew in a slight hurry heading to the very front of the ship. Once there, I stopped and took a long deep breath.

"Goodbye." I whispered after a few moments of complete silence.

I stared at the envelope for a second more before it was dropped back into the ocean.

If there's anything I've learned from my father as a pirate is that the first rule was to not show weakness. So that's exactly what I'm doing. Not showing how much this hurts me.

"Cap', are you alright?"

Hearing the calm voice of an old man behind me, I smiled and turned in his direction "Of course. I'm alright! Why wouldn't I be? It's such a lovely day outside, ain't it?" I said trying to sound calm.

My voice trembled at the end, however.

'Dammit. So much for not showing weakness.'

He stood there, silent. He was an old man, one who's been here since my father was young. He stayed even through my father's death and my taking over of the ship. A tall old man, with white- grayish hair and a short beard. Wearing a simple black shirt that's ripped at the sleeves and dark pants with brown boots. All of his clothes and himself are dirty from all of the adventures we've been through recently.

He waited until I looked at him, showing I was listening.

He took of his hat and held it in his hands, he looked at me in my eyes and said "I will follow ya anywhere, in hell and back Cap'. So," He grabbed my hands "Don't cry anymore.." He whispered

Silence.

Looking at his display of loyalty, made me tear up again. It's something I haven't experienced before, not from family and not from love. I didn't know how to handle it so I pulled my hand back and lowered my head.

"Thank you for your kind words, old man. I..." I paused and took a deep breath, calming my thoughts and emotions.

"I trust you." I smiled

The old man smiled back and flicked my forehead playfully.

"To hell and back, Captain." He grinned and I chuckled back

"To hell and back, old man. Don't think I'll let you go so easily, betta' prepare yourself!"

He merely grinned again and nodded in acknowledgment. The captain's paybacks are merciless, it's an unspoken rule to not mess with the Captain.

I turned and got back to my post on the back of the ship, next to the steering wheel. I looked up to the beautiful blue sky and bright sun. No clouds in sight. I sighed and Looked back down towards my crew.