“I just want you to know how much I love you.” He said to me, in the aftermath of our ecstasy.
I looked up into his eyes and smiled. Even though we were on the brink of execution, I couldn’t help but be happy. I was happy that I had gotten to experience something as magical as this love. Dimitrius had truly loved me for me. From the first time he saw me, to the last… his feelings for me hadn’t changed. Our relationship had deepened, and we were more mature in ways we hadn’t been before. We argued here and there, but no matter what… he never stopped loving me. My heart was full, and I was content.
“I love you too, Dimitrius. More than those words can say.”
“I don’t want you to be afraid, my love. Tomorrow will come and even after tomorrow the next day. I’m afraid we won’t be here to witness it together.”
The thought of this scared me slightly, but I didn’t want to let fear in to ruin the moment. Dimitrius could tell I was frightened.
“I promise you… we will be together in the next life. I will find you, and we will be free. We will be free for real.”
As I fell asleep with him, I couldn’t help feeling that his words were true. I trusted and believed in God, and I trusted and believed in love. Tomorrow was the first step in letting Dimitrius, and I live a life that was together forever.
Chapter Ten
I awoke to the sound of jingling keys and footsteps. I had been having such a great dream, that it took me a moment to remember where I was. I had dreamed of life where Dimitrius and I were free, with children, in a cottage off the coast of a beautiful beach. The sky was a beautiful pink and orange as the sunset, and the moon poked lightly through the clouds as dusk made its way in tonight. It was almost as if God was sending me a sign of comfort to grasp onto. I smiled lightly as the cell door opened and the guards stepped inside. They lead us to the gallows, past on looking citizens. I heard their boos and cries of judgment, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t judge them. I knew they were only able to view the world through the glasses of the information they were given. Sunhaven only allowed their citizens to know what they wanted them to know, and all they knew was that Dimitrius and I were criminals. My heart began to race as the gallows came into view. The executioner was standing on the platform, waiting to do another day's work. To the onlookers, the executioners and the governing bodies, we were nothing; but to each other, Dimitrius and I were entangled in love that no one else watching could understand. As we ascended the steps to the noose, tears began to form in my eyes. They stood us in front of the ropes so we could look out upon the crowd. I could see not one friendly face as the tears filled my eyes. I wanted to reach out and grab Dimitrius’ hand, but our hands were tied behind our backs.
“Helena.” I heard Dimitrius say. “Be brave. Do not be afraid. Have faith. I love you.”
The black bags were tossed onto our heads as Jonathan’s familiar voice began to echo throughout the courtyard. He was speaking of how we were traitors and criminals. Blah, blah, blah! I assumed he had the honor of speaking at our hanging because he was the one who caught us. As he finished, I listened to the executioner’s footsteps fall across the wooden platform. He stopped behind me, and I felt the noose slip over my head and tighten around my throat. I could hear Dimitrius’ breathing begin to quicken as mine had. The natural panic was beginning to set in. No matter how much faith we had, it wouldn’t overshadow the fear of leaving our material bodies. I took one final breath and accepted my fate. I waited for the short drop and immediate stop, with my heart pounding in my ears, but then someone called out.
“Stop! Do not execute these people.”
It took me a minute to register who was speaking, but as he continued to speak, I realized it was my father. The crowd was beginning to grow loud and discontent. I heard his footsteps approach and all of a sudden the bag was being ripped from my head. The sunlight was blinding after being in the dark. I squinted, allowing my eyes to adjust, and looked into the face of my father. He removed the noose from my neck and put his hands on my shoulders. He looked into my eyes and smiled lightly, with a sadness hidden that I couldn’t understand. Then, all of a sudden it clicked. He was going to save us, while at the same time ending his political career.
“I have a royal pardon for the release of these prisoners.”
The crowd erupted into cries of anger and disappointment as my father held up the paper in his hand and waved it for the crowd to see.
“Executioner, please free these prisoners. You may all be asking yourselves why they have been pardoned. They have been pardoned because there is evidence that the crimes they have been charged with are false accusations made out of jealousy and betrayal. This man here!” My father said while pointing to Jonathan. “He has committed acts of adultery and sin that are punishable in the eyes of God. To cover up his sinful ways, he has decided to scapegoat his sin onto two innocent lovers who found comfort in each other’s arms. Jonathan Escrow was set to be married to my daughter Helena, and during their engagement committed sexual acts with several different women, one of which who has come forward and confessed to her sins. In turn, catching them in the act, caused Helena to run away and join Captain Fox’s crew. I witnessed the love these two share first hand, and I will be the one to stand for them! They have changed each other’s lives in ways that are unimaginable to the rest of us. So, we must ask ourselves, are the actions of the past worth destroying something so true? We have all done things we wish we had not, yet none of us have been condemned to death for them. Only in the eyes of God can one be truly judged. I for one, will not be judged for destroying love. Cut them free.”
“Hang on just one moment, governor!” Jonathan said, coming forward. “These prisoners are mine, and I will say what is done with them.”
“Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way, Son.” My father said. “I for one, will not allow the death of my daughter at the hands of a lying cheating bastard like you.”
“Ladies and gentleman do you see! Do you see the acts of your governor?! He is supposed to be diplomatic and instead he is standing here playing an emotional game! He is not fit to lead, and even less fit to make decisions about prisoners!”
The crowd had now become divided. Some of them were agreeing with Jonathan, while others agreed with my father.
“We shall have a vote then.” My father said.
He turned toward the five governors on the parapets who had come to witness the execution. He held the note in his hand high and waved it at them.
“This is the official pardon from the high court of Sunhaven. This is their seal! If you so wish to see these people hang, you will officially be breaking the wishes of the high court for the wishes of an adulterating criminal!”
“And if you choose to side with the high court, you will be siding with a pirate and a pirate’s wench!”
My father turned around and delivered one solid punch to Jonathan’s jaw. Jonathan toppled off of the gallows and crashed into the dirt. My father turned back to the remaining governors and held the note high.
“Make your choice.” He called out.
The governors talked amongst themselves for a moment, and then one of them stepped forward.
“Considering the high council of Sunhaven has pardoned these criminals we must abide by what they say. There will not be a hanging today! However! We must agree with Jonathan Escrow III and admit that you are playing a very emotional game. Your job as governor is to make decisions that will protect Sunhaven. The release of the most notorious pirate in the land is not a decision that is wise nor in the best interest of Sunhaven. In turn, we have all agreed that this will be your last act as governor. Should you refuse to stand down, we will have no other option but to execute you for treason. As for you two, you are free, but you are hereby banned from Sunhaven. If you return for any reason, we will execute the both of you on sight. Be thankful that your father has spared you with his sacrifice!”
The crowd erupted into a chorus of cheers, boos
, and hisses. It was good to know that there were people who were on the side of love, even though the majority of them were filled with hate.
“No!” Jonathan cried out. “I will not let you take this away from me! I was to be the hero!”
Before I knew what was happening, he pulled out his pistol and aimed it at me. He pulled the trigger, and I thought for sure I was dead. My father jumped in front of me just in time to take the bullet to the chest. He collapsed back into me, and I caught him, lowering him to the ground. Dimitrius grabbed the executioner’s sword and launched himself at Johnathan. Jonathan was reloading his weapon, preparing to kill us. Dimitrius could have easily killed him, but instead did the right thing and disarmed him by chopping off his hand. Jonathan fell to the ground and cowered like a little child as the guards surrounded him and had him arrested. Finally, justice had been done; but at what cost. My father looked up into my eyes and smiled at me. He reached up and caressed my cheek like he had done so many times when I was little. I tried to fight the tears, but they flowed from my eyes and fell onto his face.
“Do not be sad, Helena. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better father to you.”
“You were a great father,” I said, choking on my sadness. “Please, please don’t leave me. I’m not ready.”
“Yes, you are, darling.” He grimaced in pain as blood began to seep heavily from his wound. “You have him.” He said as Dimitrius came and knelt down beside me. “Take care of my daughter.”
“I will,” Dimitrius said, putting a hand on my shoulder
My father smiled at us.
“I feel as though I finally did something right.” He said. “You two remind me of your mother and me when we first fell in love. Don’t ever let this feeling change.” He said to the both of us. “What you have is real. The world may try to beat it out of you, but don’t ever forget it.”
I could tell he was fading away as his words became less coherent. I watched as the life faded from his eyes.
“I love you, father,” I said as tears ran down my face.
I tucked my head into Dimitrius’ shoulder and cried as the crowd before me watched everything.
Dimitrius and I left Sunhaven and never looked back. My mother decided she would travel with us and she sold everything we owned except for one ship. With the money we gained Dimitrius and I were able to never worry about paying for our lives ever again. We sailed back to the isle where we had our little cottage and bought a bigger plot of land. We grew our own crops and traded them with civilizations all over the world. My mother decided to settle with us and lived her days as a grandmother, taking care of our two children and the homestead, when Dimitrius and I would sail on merchant expeditions. Stories about our glory days had begun to spread across the world, and some of them were so outlandish that I couldn’t help but laugh. We never told our children of their fathers past, but we often times heard them talk wonders of the Captain Pirate named Fox. Whether or not he admitted it, Dimitrius took pride in hearing his children tell stories of his hidden life. After being freed from death, I saw the world in a different light. I used to think the world was nothing but a bad place, but after escaping death and finding love, I knew it wasn’t so. There was a lot of good in the world, and the ability to see it is what brought more of it to me. I used to believe that walking in on Johnathan that day was the worst thing to ever happen to me, but now I understand that it was the best. Without that happening to me, I would have never met Captain Fox… Dimitrius… the love of my life and the father of my children. I would have never seen the world. I would have never faced my fears, and I would have never become the person I am today. Sitting here as an old wife and mother, while my children are out discovering their lives and carrying on the Fox name, really gives me time to reflect. Reflecting on my past while I lay here, hand in hand with Dimitrius, really allows me to see that everything happens for a reason. I had found love in the most unlikely of places, and our love had overcome the odds. As I lay my head onto his chest, listening to his heartbeat and the slow sound of his breathing, I couldn’t be happier.
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Chapter 1: “Don’t Fuck Anyone.”
“You’re getting married!?!”
I was having a hard time believing it. First, I got a text from my brother Jim, “Holy shit dude, Dad is getting married.”
Naturally, I didn’t believe him, but now after my father cordially invited me to his home, he stood before me with a straight face.
“You are being serious,” I said under my breath.
“I thought Jim was pulling one of his classic ruses again,” I said. My face was serious. So was his. “I never thought I’d hear that.” We maintained eye contact through the awkward silence. “This is fantastic news!” I screamed. My father tried to fight the smile that was chiseling its way onto his face, and I went in for a big hug. This was a bonding moment that had evaded our relationship for years, and as we stood there in an embrace, I imagined myself being spun around like I was a little boy as my father made whooshing noises. In my mind, an orchestra of world-class musicians created a soundtrack of violins, violas, and cellos like it were right out of a movie.
“Thank you,” he said, “But I need to talk to you, seriously, it's important.” The stone in his voice returning with the expression of stone on his face. He pushed me away.
“I will not let you ruin this for me,” he was glaring into my eyes.
Just like that my world class musicians were replaced with the pudgy fingers of deaf children, and I was being hurled into a cold lake as my father yelled, “It will feel warmer when you’re in there.”
“Okay,” I hesitated, “Tell me more,” I continued.
“Margarette and I will be renting out a hotel in Hawaii..”
“Who’s Margarette?” I interrupted.
“My Fiancé,” he replied stoutly. “We're renting a hotel in Hawaii for a few days for the ceremonies. We're also going on a vacation for two weeks before our wedding. You’re invited. Margarette and her family are going to be there too.”
“Sounds fun,” I replied happily, “Thank yo..” He reached over and grabbed my shirt collar. His white knuckles pressed forcefully against my jaw.
“Don’t fuck anyone from her family! Actually, you know what? Don’t fuck anyone at all.” He was growling. “I know what you’re thinking, I was once your age before, but you, you’re something else.” His eyes wandered to the ground as he recalled all the occasions he walked in on me with girls, in my younger years. He regained focus, shaking his head as he resumed eye contact. “I know you aren’t related or anything but, I don’t want drama!”
“Ok Dad holy hell!”
“There are a ton of girls in her family, most are your age..”
“It sounds like you’re trying to sell me on something.”
“I don’t want any drama!” He was poking me in the chest with every word.
“Fine, fine. I won't fuck anyone.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise I won't fuck anyone.”
Chapter 2: Sweet Reunion
Jim, Dad and I lugged our suitcases through the entrance of the airport and got in line. The line was long with students, who had just finished their semesters at university, like me. I got lost in the conversations happening all around me. The usual gossip amongst young people; “She said what?”, “No, he didn’t.”
“Damn this trip really came out of nowhere!” Jim said, trying to spark a conversation out of boredom.
“Quiet,” I snapped, “I’m trying to find out what happened to Rebecca.”
“Who’s Rebecca?”
“That girl with the white shirt in line over there, I’ve been eavesdropping on her entire conversation.”
“Anything interesting?”
Throug
h the snaking line up, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful woman. She wasn’t wearing anything spectacular, a black tank top and sweatpants, usual traveling attire, but I could tell she was gorgeous. Her long brown hair shimmered in the bright fluorescent lighting of the airport, her waves lightly flowing with the swift industrial air currents. I followed her through the crowd with my gaze. I noticed several girls blushing and smiling at me as my eyes wandered past them. Sorry girls I’m not looking at you, I thought to myself. My heart jumped as she got in line several rows behind me. I really did have a weakness for beautiful girls.
A hard slap hit me in the back of the head.
“Ow, what the heck was that for?”
“Remember what you promised me!” Rick asserted.
“We aren’t at our hotel yet,” I joked. He didn’t laugh.
“Pay attention, we’re up.”
We made our way through the standard airport procedure and eventually I found myself sitting in the airplane. I had the middle of three seats, a large man sat beside me in the aisle seat, and the window seat was empty. The plane was still filling up with passengers. A homogeneous mixture of people walked past me until I noticed her. The same girl I had spotted earlier. She was walking towards my row. I sat up taller in my seat and watched her eyes, my heart racing. She was looking at the numbers indicating the rows, and she gave a subtle nod when she looked at mine. Bingo. She looked down at the man in the aisle chair and then at me. I was already looking at her. Her gaze felt oddly familiar. After what seemed like an uncomfortable amount of time we broke eye contact, and she made her way to her seat. The larger man didn’t stand to make it easy for her, instead leisurely pulling his knees in to make an inch more space. She clumsily clambered over him doing her best to avoid physical contact. Then she got to me. I stood to try and make it as easy as possible for her. Facing me, she shuffled through the empty space. As she slid she braced herself against my ribs, delicately touching me with her fingertips. I couldn’t resist looking down at her as she did this and took a nice glance at her cleavage. She sat down, I followed. “Hi, my name is Liam, I'll be your seat buddy for the duration of the flight!” I extended my hand and smiled at her. She took it. Her hands were soft and slender.
The Campus Jock: A College Bad Boy Romance Page 114