Before The Beginning

Chapter 29: A Deeper Understanding

Begin!

~Beatrice's POV

Spending the last week of our journey home with good associates was a great thing. Bertrand was surprised when I told him that apparently I was speculated to be dead. He even made a comment about how he hoped that Lemony didn't take that news too hard. I'm sure he was informed more accurately to keep him from worrying. Of course, Bertie didn't have to worry about such things. Olaf wasn't aware that I'd left Lemony, not that it was any of his business, but it did mean that he was more likely to look for the two of us together still. Since he had no clue where Lemony moved to, that meant he was just as in the clear as I was.

Bertie spent much of our trip helping John with the mechanical aspects of the ship. He was eager to do so, as having something to work on put him in a good, productive, mood. Not to mention, it was new territory for him as he had never gotten to work on a submarine engine before. Either way Bertie was happy, and that was all I could have hoped for. And John was happy to have such a capable engineer around, even temporarily.

As for myself, I mostly spent my time with Sammie while she went about her day. We'd have nice conversations about the happenings in the organization, and occasionally she'd let me help her with some chores. (Only if I was physically able; no heavy lifting for me that's for sure.) She even gave me a trial run at childcare by letting me take a turn watching Fiona for a few hours. Which was both fun, and adorable. She's the sweetest thing! I'm sure my child will be very good friends with her someday.

And on our first night on the Queequeg, I lost several rounds of poker to Fernald... Boy is a gifted card player! The whole game, Bertie was sitting next to me laughing.

"I swear next time I visit I'm bringing my own deck cause yours is clearly loaded," I said after losing my fifth round.

"Sore loser, Miss Anwhistle," Fernald said grinning like a fool, with his arms folded. "I play legit."

"It's true Bea," Sammie said from my other side, holding Fiona in her lap, "He plays by the rules, it's just that those cards like him. Won't even go easy on his own mother! Here's a fun bit of trivia, technically the submarine belongs to him because John bet it and lost."

John rolled his eyes. "I didn't think he'd win a sixth time!"

"You were the one who made the bet, dear," Sammie replied, patting her husband's arm. "Couldn't stand losing to his apprentice."

"Aye, and I'm not following through with it," John said, "Giving the keys to a submarine to a 14 year old is a terrible idea. Even if he's my stepson."

I couldn't help agreeing with that on some level. It did sound insane. Speaking of insane...

"Let me try again, Fernald, I am not quitting this until I beat you," I said.

Fernald shrugged, "Suit yourself, ma'am. You deal."

~

"I can't believe a boy I used to babysit for handedly kicked my ass at cards seven times in a row..."

I sighed as I sat up in my bed that night. Bertie and I had been given a room in the barracks where we weren't able to share a bed, due to the size of the beds, but we could at least sleep next to each other. My pregnancy had started making it hard for me to get to sleep easily, I'm sure it might come easier for any future children we have. Maybe I can read a book for a while, that usually helps me get tired, especially if it's a dreadfully boring one. I saw Bertie snoozing peacefully on the bed next to mine and very carefully got up so as not to wake him and walked out into the hall. On my tour of the ship, I remembered the library was close to our room.