Time seemed to stand still, as the ship was ferociously tossed in the stormy sea. A great loud crack was heard as the ship hit the rocky shore. Wood split, men screamed and more water gushed in. Daniel was pinned by the table. Soon the water was almost over his head. The captain was nowhere to be seen. Panic was setting in, Daniel pushed and shoved with all his might, but he could not get free. Another great wave of water entered the cabin and the force of the moving water, dislodged the table, freeing him. The cabin filled with icy water. He was holding his breath as water swirled around him. Daniel quickly swam towards the door where he saw the captain trapped near the doorway. He grabbed the man’s coat and pulled him free. Daniel’s lungs felt like they were about to burst. Together they swam in the direction they thought was up. It was difficult to tell with everything broken and swaying to and fro. When his head bobbed above the surface, Daniel gulped air, pulling it into his lungs. Captain Bartlett called his name. He was a few feet away. The captain clung to a large piece of the ship.
“Swim away from the rocks, Daniel; swim as far away as you can.”
Daniel swam towards the captain. “Can you swim towards me? I will help you, Captain.”
“I can’t, Daniel, my arm is broken and my legs are numb. Save yourself.” Daniel wanted to make sure the captain was all right; he hesitated, but self-preservation drove him on. “Go, Daniel, swim.” He thought of Elana and his child; he had to live. His arms ached, but he swam for his life. Waves washed over him and he constantly gasped for breath. When he turned back toward the battered ship, the captain was gone. There was no time for grief or regret; he willed his tired arms to move. He didn’t know how long he was in the water.
Daniel felt himself slipping, the darkness calling his name, slipping down a black spiral where he would never reach the end.
Thousands of miles away, Elana woke from her nightmare. She screamed Daniel’s name. She sat up in bed terrified. She had dreamt that Daniel was drowning in the sea. Dear God in Heaven, let it be a dream. Her face was white with terror. Daniel, come home to us, we need you.
The next morning, Daniel found himself washed ashore on a pebbly beach, with no idea how he got there. The sun was high in the sky, as he looked out to sea. Chunks of wood and debris floated on the surface. His arm was bleeding, but he was alive. He fell to his knees and thanked God. Then he sent up a silent prayer for the captain and all of his shipmates that lay on the sea bottom.
Elana awoke feeling tired and unrested. She shook away her lethargy and stood up, wandering to the window. Daylight peeked into the room between the curtains. She knew that she had to stay with her sister until Daniel came home.
At breakfast, she told Mary Margaret that she would stay in the manor until the baby was born. The nightmare had frightened her and if it happened again, she wanted her sister close by. The baby was born a week later. It was the third of October. The midwife was pleased with the birth and mother and child were doing well. A healthy, bouncing, baby boy with copper wisps of hair slept soundly in his mother’s arms. “Hello, baby Adam.” Elana kissed her son’s cheek. “Your daddy will be home soon.” All she wanted was for her family to be reunited. She and the baby stayed in the manor until she was well rested and the baby and she established a routine.
They were all eating supper when the news came that the The Destiny had sunk off the rocky coast of North America. Mary Margaret rushed to her sister’s side to console her. The servants were shocked. They could not believe that another tragedy had struck this family. Max was devastated because Daniel was like a son to him. Everyone was filled with a great sadness.
Elana walked to the window. She stared at the swirling leaves on the lawn. Every fibre of her being cried out that Daniel was not dead. Mary Margaret’s arms were around her, but she could not cry. It was not possible. Daniel was coming home to her and his child.
Elana refused to believe that Daniel was dead. “I would know if he were dead.” Everyone tried to console her, but she simply would not accept it. “I would feel it in my soul. I know he’s alive.”
Every day, she walked to the cliffs and stared out to sea. Come home to us, Daniel. Your son is waiting for you. Hour after hour, day after day, she sat staring at the waves, watching the horizon. Watching and waiting for him to come home. Sometimes she would take baby Adam with her. If it was bitter cold, she left him with the nanny, Susan. But she would not give up hope.
Mary Margaret was worried about Elana’s state of mind. If the ship was sunk on a rocky coast, then Daniel must be dead. How could she convince her sister without pushing her over the edge? Elana’s life had been one nightmare after another. Why is God punishing her like this? She knew what it was like to lose the man she loved. She prayed for guidance.
Max too, was worried about Elana, watching her walk to the cliffs day after day, in spite of the cold, windy winter weather. He admired her tenacity, but he believed that fate had dealt them a terrible blow. Daniel was dead. No one knew what to do. She wouldn’t listen to reason, so they just let her be.
It was Christmas Eve. Mary Margaret, Elana with baby Adam, Max, Emily and James arrived home from church. A light dusting of snow fell on the lawn. The sky was clear and star-studded.
The parlor glowed in the light of many candles. The huge tree sat in the corner of the room and green garlands of pine hung on the railings making it magical. Dozens of brightly colored gifts sat under the boughs. Emily was excited about opening her presents. The cook prepared a wonderful six-course meal for the family and everyone ate heartily. After dinner, they filed into the parlor to open their gifts. The servants were given their gifts first.
Elana held baby Adam tightly. He was a chubby, happy baby. She was thinking of Daniel and wishing he was here with them. All day she had the strange feeling that he was near her. She did not say anything to the others because they all thought that she was going crazy. In her heart she knew that Daniel was coming home, but no one would believe her. Why do I have this quandary with the truth? This is the second time in my life that no one will believe me, about something that is life altering. I know what I know. He is alive, just as I was innocent. She pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind. Taking a deep breath, she focused on the happy events of Christmas.
Emily opened one of the boxes, squealing with delight at the porcelain doll. “I shall call you, Eve. Now we have Adam and Eve, right Aunt Elana?” Elana smiled at her niece. James opened the box containing his new riding jacket. He put it on to model it for everyone. They all laughed as he paraded around the room. Mary Margaret looked at him and thought of Charles, so tall and handsome in his riding coat. She missed him still, but at least she had her son back in her life. Max opened the box containing his new slippers and thanked everyone. He was enjoying himself. It was about time this family had something to laugh about.
During the festivities, the butler arrived in the doorway holding a letter.
“This was just delivered, your Ladyship.” Mary Margaret walked over, reaching for the outstretched envelope. Curious, she opened it carefully. She gasped, as her hand went to her throat.
“Mary Margaret, what’s wrong?” Elana inquired warily. Max looked skyward. No more bad news, please God. This family has been through enough.
“It’s Daniel. He’s alive!” Mary Margaret gripped the paper tightly. Elana turned white as she stared at her sister. It took a few minutes for the news to sink in.
“Thank God. I knew it! I knew he was alive! I told all of you that he was coming home.” She was overjoyed. “Thank you God for the best present ever.” She jumped up. Her entire body shook with happiness. “Where is he? When will he be home?”
“The letter says he will be arriving in England at the end of December. He must be close now. This letter took several weeks to get here.”
Elana spun around laughing and holding baby Adam tightly. “Daddy is coming home, Adam. Daddy is coming home.” Tears of joy fell down her cheeks, as everyone in the room cheered. James and Emily hu
gged their aunt and Max hugged Mary Margaret. A great cheer went up from the servants in the foyer.
“This is the best Christmas present ever.” James shouted. The rest of the evening was a great celebration of Daniel’s homecoming.
That night, Elana fell to her knees beside her bed and thanked God for bringing Daniel back to her. I knew you were alive, Daniel. I knew with all of my heart and soul.
The following week was a flurry of activity. Mary Margaret and young James insisted that Daniel and Elana move into the west wing, so that they would have privacy and a bigger place to live. But Elana wanted to stay in the cottage; it was their home. It was where she and Daniel had started their life together and it was where she wanted to be. The cottage was cleaned and aired and Elana fixed up the main room, lovingly hanging Daniel’s pictures. The small bedroom was converted to a nursery for baby Adam. Fresh linen and a new handmade quilt were added to the master bedroom. They were exhausted but happy. James was scheduled to return to school the following morning. A meal was planned at the manor. Everyone headed back to the manor to eat, but Elana wanted to finish a few things. She stayed behind, promising to follow shortly.
She stood back admiring her handiwork. Young Adam cooed from his basket on the kitchen table.
“Those are very good drawings, miss.” She swung around. She would know that voice anywhere. He stood behind her, tall, blond and tanned.
Daniel’s breath caught in his throat. There she was, Elana, sweet, beautiful Elana, and he was determined to remain there with her forever. To know that she loved him, even after all that had happened, to know that she still smiled whenever she saw him, that sweet beautiful smile.
Smiling widely, Daniel held his arms open. She stared at him in amazement, before she rushed into his arms, kissing his face and laughing. He enfolded her in his arms, “Hello, Elana did you miss me?” His entire being was filled with love and gratitude at holding her again.
“Daniel, oh Daniel, you came back. I knew you weren’t dead.” She held him tight. Tears of happiness rolled down her face. She kissed his cheeks, his neck, his lips.
“You didn’t think a little shipwreck could keep me away, did you?” Both of them laughed out loud. “I love you, my darling.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “Now where is my son?”
“Adam, look it’s your Daddy.” She moved toward the basket. Daniel followed with great anticipation. Carefully, Elana lifted the bouncing baby from the basket. The baby looked at Daniel and smiled as Elana placed him in Daniel’s arms.
“My son! Hello Adam, I’m your father.” He was bursting with pride and happiness. Tears fell on his cheeks. He kissed Adam’s tiny head. “I love you, Adam. I shall never leave you or your mother again, as long as I live.” Elana looked at her husband with such love in her eyes.
The happy family sat down in the kitchen of the cottage. They chatted for over an hour, knowing they would have to go to the manor shortly. Daniel held tightly to Elana’s hand as if he would never let go. He told her of the shipwreck and how some local fishermen found him on the beach. They helped him recover from his wounds for a few days and then, finally took him to the closest port, where he caught the next ship heading for England. She told him of Adam’s birth and of her nightmare. He looked deeply into her eyes, knowing that their souls were connected forever. She told him that when the letter came telling them that the Destiny had sunk, she refused to believe he was gone.
Elana wanted to keep Daniel all to herself, but she knew the others would want to see him. “We should go to the manor, Daniel. Everyone will be expecting me and very surprised to see you.”
“Soon, Love.” He kissed her lips gently. She was happier than she had been in years. Baby Adam fell asleep and Daniel took his wife to their bed. It had been such a long time and both of them were eager to consummate their love. They stared into each other’s eyes, both having trouble believing that this was real and not a dream. They made passionate love, reveling in the ecstasy of their togetherness. In the end, fate stepped in and brought them back to each other, where they belonged.
The End.
Daniel
Once along a distance shore
A woman stood forevermore,
Her eyes forever on the sea,
Waiting, waiting, there for me.
Shirley A. Roe©
The author is happy to hear from her readers.
Email : [email protected]
Website : www.booksbyshirleyroe.bravehost.com
When Fate Steps In Page 21