ROCKED BY THE WAVES
Page 18
«No. Is it worth the trip?», Sam replied. I looked at him. He had been living in Paris for many years.
«It is. Take Claire with you».
«Maybe it’s not the best place for such a woman. Maybe it’s better if Keir goes there».
Keir looked at him.
«Thank you, but I think I’d like to stay here for a while. I have been travelling far and long enough, I believe».
«Please, tell me about the places you visited. It must have been quite an adventure».
Keir said a few words, then he told Mr Jackson some his adventures.
«Sounds exciting. Well, let me tell you something as well. I’ve just bought a small and mysterious island».
«Tell us about that».
We were having dessert and none of us wanted Mr Jackson to stay for the night.
«It’s Oak Island».
He looked at us as if he was waiting for our reaction.
«It’s a small island in Lunenberg», he added. «Few years ago, a young man was walking there. He noticed an oak tree and saw that the ground under it had been dug. He found some awkward tools next to the roots. On the day after, he came back to the tree with two friends of his. They dug and found the Money Pit, which was a well. It is said that it leads to the Templars’ treasure. Some say that it is a tomb, others believe it leads to a trasure that has been hidden bythe English. It is also said that everything is just a legend made up by the Masonry. The land belonged to the pirates, anyway, so maybe something’s really there. I didn’t find that out yet».
We were speechless and charmed. We were also scared. Would there be a crowd of friends of Jackson’s from now on? We needed privacy and peace. We didn’t want anyone to know that Sam and I were hiding in Prince Edward Island.
«So, will you be digging there?», Sam asked.
«I will. I have a team of engineers digging there and I don’t want anybody else to know about this... for now».
We took a deep breath. So Alex wasn’t going to come to Nova Scotia. For now.
When Jackson left, we went to bed. Sam was clearly worried. He always was, when Keir slept over. He was jealous, even if he tried not to let it show.
I went to the bathroom, while Sam remained silent for a while. I found him looking outside the window. Was he thinking of Oak Island? He probably was and I could see why. It was a dangerous and unpredictable matter altogether. We didn’t know if Alex and Jackson were acquainted, so maybe they weren’t.
I thought about Keir as well. I was sorry for Sam.
I hugged him, but he didn’t hug me back.
«Are you okay?»
«I’m not sure I can stand this anymore».
Was he talking about Anish and Keir?
«Do you want Anish and Keir to go?»
«I don’t, but I’ve been thinking about something. I want us to renew our vows».
I was stuck.
«What do you mean? We’re married now... remember?»
«Yes, but I want something official and... proper».
I looked at him.
«Are you sure of that?»
«I am».
He smiled.
«Claire, I also want a proper party. With friends, family and... everything».
«All right then».
We hugged.
«We’ll get married here. We’ll find a priest and he will fix the day. We’ll wait for Renny, right?»
We both smiled. I liked the idea. We needed to tell Keir, though.
On the morning after, right after breakfast, Keir left. Sam went to look for the priest. We would tell Keir the news some other time.
«I’m sorry you won’t meet Renny, Keir», Sam had told him.
Keir had shaken his head. Sam had smiled. It was really hard for Sam, I knew that.
After some three days, Renny and Robert arrived. They were very happy to hear about our plans.
On the afternoon, the kids were sleeping while Rhona tidied the kitchen up. I was going to meet Moon and ask her to be my bridesmaid.
I went into the woods and walked for a while. I kneeled to look at a flower I wasn’t familiar with, but two hands grabbed my waist and pushed me into a cave.
I was being held against the wall. Keir was standing in front of me.
«You’re gone crazy!»
I was stuck.
«What?»
He was red and angry. He grabbed my arms.
«Keir, you’re hurting me».
He was breathing heavily.
«No, you are hurting me».
«I assume you found out about the vows... I’m sorry you feel like that».
«You bitch! I thought we had an agreement».
«You are talking nonsense».
I tried to move, but he hold me tighter.
«You are not going away. You said you loved me!»
«Keir, I already am Sam’s wife. It’s not like I am doing anything new...»
«You stay here!»
«You can’t force me! I want to go!»
«Oh, I can. Now you listen to me».
«Let go of me first. Then we’ll talk».
He didn’t let go of my arms.
«I’ve been trying to forget about you, Claire. I have. I loved you and I have run away. I still love you and it hurts. Remember the letter you sent me? I freaked out, when I read it. I tried to get myself killed. I would put myself in danger on purpose. Then I decided I would be friends with you. And I started dating women, hundreds of them. I don’t even recall their names, Claire. I was horrified of what I was becoming. Then I was told one of those women was pregnant and I married her. I didn’t even remember how she looked like. But I married her anyway, because you would be proud of me. When she died, I knew it was time for me to come look for you. You said you loved me, Claire!»
I closed my eyes, in a desperate attemp of feeling less worthless.
«Do you really love me, Claire? Do you know what love means?»
«I do, but...»
«Do something then!»
«I already do. I take care of your son!»
«You are renewing your vows! You know what that means?»
«Just let go of me, Keir», I screamed.
He was still helding my arms.
«I won’t! I am the one that takes the decisions here!»
«Are you crazy?»
«Shut up! I need to think...»
«Listen... I’ll renew my vows because Sam’s the love of my life. I’d never deny him such a thing. He needs me and he loves me».
He let go of me all of a sudden.
«What shall I do then?»
«I love you much and I am sorry if you are feeling bad about all this. But, please, don’t do this. Don’t live in such a... such a fairytale. I am taking care of your son and I am your friend. This is it».
«You are not a friend. I love you. I know I do».
I looked at him. He was handsome and charming. He was passionate. I hugged him.«I’m sorry», I whispered as I caressed his neck. he was crying above my shoulder.
When he calmed down, he asked:«What shall I do, then?»
«I can’t tell you, but I am your friend. You can always count on me. Just don’t try to do anything else, please. Talk to me and... don’t let Sam find out about this».
«Will we still be able to talk?»
«Of course we will».
He was allright by then.
«You hurt me so bad, when you behave like this. I truly love you».
«I can’t just forget, you know?»
«So… if someday I’ll come to you and tell you that I’m yours... will you still want me?»
«With every fibre of my being. I would love you and respect you, just like Sam does. But I know it won’t happen».
«Suppose I did».
He was upset and confused. He looked at me. He didn’t know what to say.
«I’d be good to you. I love you».
I smiled.
«Let’s go back».
>
CHAPTER 24
THREE CANDLES
We were all getting ready for the Big Day. Electricity was in the air and I was truly making an effort to remain calm. Sam was overexcited and so were the kids. They didn’t really understand what was going on, but it was clear enough to them that a sort of a party would take place soon.
We had settled the date: it would be July the 30th, at sundown. The garden would be a romantic scenario for the ceremony and we had decided to lit it with candles. The porch would be our altar. The kids, except for Edward, who was too old for that, would all be my pages. They didn’t seem to be willing to collaborate, though. They used to cry and complain about everything. They didn’t even want to try their outfits on. We got lucky, though, because in the end everyone helped us.
I had chosen a white dress. It fitted me perfectly. The skirt was long and my cleavage showed in a very classy way. Embroideries all over the dress made me look precious.
It had taken more than 10 metres of tissue, to make that dress. Peigi and Logan had been sewing for twenty days. Jasmine and Jodie would wear similar dresses.
Sam had a black frac, a white shirt and a white papillon. The kids were very cute in their outfits. We had bought the tissues from Nàkùset, whom we called Sun. She was Moon’s cousin.
~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~
Prince Edward Island, July the 30th, 1903
Renewing one’s vows is very important.
Everything was settled and dad had come to see us. He was very proud of me and he would walk me to the porch. Renny and Robert were trying to deal with the kids.
Moon had helped me get dressed.
«Oh, Moon, I’m not sure I can do this. I feel like I’m about to faint».
«You don’t».
«Oh, my... oh, my...»
I was sweating. It was my real wedding with Sam, actually, because the first one had been way too informal to be considered a proper wedding. So I was feeling terribly anxious.
«Now I go».
«Go? Where? Wait!»
«Sam ready».
Dad took my arm. He was smiling.
«Come on, Claire».
It was sundown. The sky was pink and the air was warm. It was beautiful. The candles were all lit and the garden was packed with friends. I was so scared. Everyone was there, including Sam. He was charming and he smiled at me. I was under his spell. When we exchanged our rings and Sam said: «you, Claire, as my wife» I suddenly recovered.
The atmosphere was romantic and I was feeling safe. I hugged Sam and we kissed. It was a long and passionate kiss. Our lips were sealed.
We hugged all of our friends and changed our outfits, so that we would not get our beautiful clothes dirty. Rhona had been cooking for days and the meal was just exquisite. Muireall had helped her. Scottish were party people, I noticed, and they were always willing to celebrate no matter what. They liked big parties.
It was then that I noticed Keir approaching us. He was with two men and they all wore uniforms. Everyone stopped dancing and started whispering. Peigi turned red and Fergus kept his eyes on his plate.
Keir kissed my hand, then he turned to Sam.
«I wish all the best to both of you».
Anish run to Keir and they hugged.
I was trying to keep my cool. Sam asked the three of them to sit and eat with us. Keir’s parents remained silent. Jodie reached for my skirt and she cried: «I gotta go wee wee».
I stood up and took her to the bathroom.
«But I want to go there». She pointed at a bush. She run up the hill and I followed her. When she got into the woods and fell, she started crying. I helped her get up and I saw Sam next to him. He must have run to us as quickly as he could.
«You know what Jodie is like, Claire».
«I’m sorry».
We hugged her and got back home.
«Same old Jodie. She’s fine», we announced.
Eddy told the kids not to behave like Jodie and I looked at him. He was so proud and he loved Sam so much.
No one seemed to care about Keir’s arrival anymore. When everyone had left, Sam called for Keir.
«Will you be sleeping here?»
«We need to be back by tomorrow, so we’ll sleep somewhere».
«Keir, please. You are more than welcome to sleep here».
He shook his head.
One of Keir’s fellows approached me: «I’m happy to meet Keir’s cousin. He’s always talking about you, you know».
«Thank you, Mr...»
«Donald and this is my brother, Edan Stuart».
We shook hands.
Sam took Jodie and Jasmine, then he looked at me. I was holding Anish.
«Let’s go to bed, guys. It’s been a tiring day and daddy’s tired».
He told them a tale and I took the chance to hug daddy, Renny and Robert.
«He’s a good father», Renny whispered to me.
When Sam and I got to our room, we were both exhausted and happy. Sam helped me brush my hair. When he was done, he kissed my ears.
«So, Mrs Campbell, how are you?»
I hugged him and kissed him passionately.
He took me to the bed and we undressed each other. We made love and then we fell asleep. He was holding me. One of his hands was on my breasts, the other one was around my waist. Our legs were crossed in a strange braid.
That night, I dreamt of Alex. He was kissing me and telling me to follow him somewhere. He was sweet and charming. He told me everything would be okay. I was ready to go with him, but Keir came to us and they fought. Sam was not there, nor were the kids. I was scared. I woke up and found that my husband was next to me.
«Are you okay, Claire? You seem... shocked».
«Hug me and kiss me».
He did so.
«What’s wrong?»
«A nightmare. I dreamt...», I took a deep breath, «of Alex. He was calling me».
He stayed still.
«I was crying and calling out for you. Then I woke up».
He kissed me.
«You don’t need to worry. I’m here. I’ll look after you».
We made love again and again. At sunrise, Sam told me he needed to wake up.
«But I need you», I cried.
«I can see that».
We cuddled for a while. He kissed my belly and licked it. He went down on me and I felt pleasure. It was good and I was enjoying it. When I came, I whispered to him: «That was good».
«It’s our night, Claire».
I smiled at him.
When we went downstairs to have breakfast, I was very sleepy. Keir looked at us.
«Have you already had breakfast?», I asked.
«We had porridge. The kids have had their breakfast and now they are outside with your father. Robert and Renny went for a ride».
It must have been pretty late, then.
We sat and had our meal. Eggs, bread and bacon.
«I love this», I told Rhona.
She smiled at me.
Keir was still looking into his plate. He was angry, I knew that. Because of Sam and me. Sam chattered with the Stuart brothers, but all of a sudden Keir exclaimed: «I’m afraid, it is late. We should be going».
When Sam went to fetch Anish and Keir’s fellows went to look for their horses, he turned to me: «So, did you have fun tonight?»
I turned red. I was unsure how to react to that question.
«I could sleep with you, you know? Better than he does».
I was embarrassed.
«He’s my husband».
«I might be too».
I hoped Sam would join us soon.
«Here I am!»
I took a deep breath.
Anish kissed Keir and they both laughed.
A couple of hours later, Renny and Robert were back.
«We made a decision which we want to share with you».
Sam and I looked at them
«We’ve been very moved, yesterday. It was r
omantic, sweet and it made us think about... well, us. We have been together much longer than you have, but we can’t be official. We want to exchange vows. It’s going to be a small, private rite. But we want to do it anyway. Will you be our witnesses?»
I was breathless.
«I would be honoured», said Sam.
«You are my witness», said Robert.
I hugged Renny and cried.
«My sweet, sweet sister. It’s so wonderful...»
We all laughed.
«So, when will we do this?», Sam asked.
Renny and Robert exchanged a meaningful glance.
«On Sunday night. Then we will go on... honeymoon. And then we will head back home».
«What about dad?»
«Let’s not tell him».
«All right, then. I’ll take care of everything».
Renny smiled. «You’re my best friend, Sam». He turned red.
On Sunday night, we celebrated the new couple. It was very moving. On the day after, they left. I cried.
I knew that they would have to go back to London, once their honeymoon over. That made me sad, because I didn’t want to be parted with them.
CHAPTER 25
SECRET MISSION
It had been eight months since Keir’s last visit. I was sure he would come to me, sooner or later. But he didn’t. When I got a letter from him, it only said he was on a mission. It was awkward, though. Wasn’t he supposed not to go on any mission for a while?
I knew he wanted to stay away from me. Sam and Keir had been getting on quite well, which had surprised me, but now everything was different.
My husband and I had spent a very lovely winter. It had been romantic and we were happy. On March, though, in 1904, Dubh woke us up and didn’t stop barking for a long time. Someone it didn’t know must have been nearby. I looked outside the window and noticed that an ambulance was carrying an injured figure.
«Madame, that’s a relative of yours», a nurse said. «It’s Keir Murphy. He asked to be brought here».
I turned pale and the driver of the ambulance run to me.
«Are you okay, Madame?»
«Please, take him inside».
He was covered, but his hand came out of the covers and reached for mine.