A Pirate's Wife

by Lynelle Clark

22

  The rest of the voyage was uneventful, if you call morning sickness between two women uneventful. Rosa-Lee’s morning sickness increased right after they started on their trip to Portugal and Nora followed a month later. The men were extremely careful around them. The sea’s continuous movement and the women’s conflicting moods were tiresome, but they could not avoid the smiles of satisfaction in the private knowledge that they would be fathers soon, an idea neither had considered possible.

  Sometimes just to get out of the cabins the men would flee to the bridge where they would talk man stuff. The men laughed at their expense, knowing the time they had was not always perfect.

  Rosa-Lee tried very hard to control herself, but the whole voyage had her nerves as tight as a drum. She felt sweaty and gigantic even though she knew. It was not true and Roberto assured her he still loved her, all of her. She was not convinced, and to make matters worse, when she did not retch it out, she ate as if for an army, the hunger a permanent resident within her swollen body.

  Her clothes were long outgrown. The seams had been let out until nothing remained. All she was comfortable in was Roberto’s shirts, but that meant she could not go out, which was frustrating in the stifling cabin. Not that Roberto complained about less to get rid of when he wanted to cuddle into her.

  Nora had it a bit better but not much. She was not growing at such a gigantic pace as Rosa-Lee. Her dresses still fit in a way, giving her more movement on the upper deck. Her morning sickness lasted longer so that by the time she had her wits about her, she was famished. But then seasickness would set in and the doctor filled his days controlling it. The cook baked special biscuits in the hopes that it would help. Some days it was fine, other days nothing stayed down and she cried, which frustrated Pierre tremendously, just holding her the best he could, with a handsome smile.

  During those times, the two friends would stay on the bridge, giving their full attention to the ship, the maps and everything else happening. But the trip was calm, with no real adventure to take their minds from their wives, consoling each other, looking miserable themselves. Now and then, the women would calm down and be the sweet women they loved and adored, only to chase them out again in anger.

  After four months of rolling seas, steady winds in the sails and beautiful weather they saw land beautifully edged on the horizon. They hugged each other in relief and the men joked with them, seeming unmoved. They watched the land coming closer with every passing hour.

  Again, dread filled Roberto’s mind, wondering for the umpteenth time how he would be received. After that one time, he never spoke to Rosa-Lee about it again but the nagging question remained in his head and he clenched his teeth as he looked at the unfolding land mass before him.

  As the busy harbour came into view, he felt his shoulders tense and his rigid posture as stiff as a plank.

  Pierre noticed his friend and former captain’s tense posture and touched him on the shoulder.

  “You will be fine Roberto. You are making it too much of an issue. If what Rosa-Lee is telling us is any indication of who this man is, he will accept you.”

  Dark eyes turned to him and he gave a tense grin. His lips were stretched and even underneath the tanned skin Pierre could see his friend was pale.

  “Yes, I hear you, my friend.”

  “Relax.” Pierre squeezed his shoulder once again.

  “There you are, Roberto, love,” Rosa-Lee called out, the smile on her face radiant but tired, her body uncomfortably large as she held her back. Roberto turned to look at her with tender love, softening the tensed features immediately.

  “Were you looking for me, Rosa?” He welcomed her body into his arms.

  “Yes love, I was wondering when we will dock?” She looked past him to the busy harbour. Large merchant ships lay in the overcrowded harbour, busy unloading or loading and they could see people scurrying around in the distance, too far away to identify.

  “Not long now. By nightfall we will be there and I will send someone to your father’s place to come and get us,” he replied, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her cheek.

  Nora also joined them and together the two couples watched the harbour coming closer. True to his word, by the time supper was served they had found a place and could send one of the men with a note to her father’s house, notifying them of their arrival and requesting a carriage.

  Two hours later, the boatswain announced the arrival of Cisco Almaida and Pierre went outside to meet the hero.

  “Love, you need to relax,” Rosa-Lee said softly, touching his thigh as he came to his feet, and he nodded, feeling animated in his actions as he helped his wife from her chair, her cheeks glowing with excitement to see her father.

  The moment the dining room’s door opened and Cisco Almaida stepped, in Roberto de Ville stepped back, his eyes fixed on the giant in front of him. For the first time Roberto really looked at the man, three inches taller than himself. Cisco roared out to Rosa-Lee, who gave a jubilant yelp and disappear in the big man’s chest.

  “Papa,” she said, “I have missed you,” as bubbles of laughter burst from her and a beautiful smile adorned her face, looking up to the man who had raised her as his own.

  “I have missed you, my Rosie.” Roberto thought he was going to break her in two as his strong arms wrapped around the protruding belly of his pregnant wife. A smile appeared on Roberto’s face. His wife’s joy filled him and he eased up a bit. Feeling tension leave his shoulders, he unclenched his fists, but the tight jaw remained. The man still did not notice him.

  He was followed by a younger version of himself and Rosa-Lee yelped out again. “Manuel, brother!”

  “My sister!” He took her away from their father, kissed her soundly on the mouth, and she giggled. When they finally let her go and she stepped back, the two men who caused the dining room to be filled to capacity looked down at her and stopped at her swollen girth.

  “Rosie, are you in the family way?” Cisco asked, and then he looked up to see Roberto right behind her. His light blue eyes filled with suspicion and surprise.

  “Papa, I must introduce you to my husband.” She turned around and pulled Roberto closer. Both men’s faces turned menacing, especially Manuel’s, whose face distorted into an ugly grimace. He stepped in front of her.

  “Step aside, sister,” he hissed.

  “Manuel, you don’t understand!”

  “What is this pirate doing here?” he demanded.

  “He is my husband, Manuel. Papa...?” She turned back to her father with huge eyes, looking for support.

  “Manuel, wait, let’s hear what is going on.” Cisco stopped his son.

  “Papa, I love Roberto.”

  “But child, he kidnapped you.”

  “Yes, Papa, but he saved my life, mine and Pedro’s. Let me explain.” Her father looked down at her, his face grim and he touched her shoulder.

  “I think we need to go home. Mama is waiting for us. Then you can explain this.” He turned his gaze back to Roberto.

  “Papa, meet Roberto de Ville.” She introduced Roberto. Cisco stretched out a paw and Roberto took it, feeling the strength as her father gripped his hand. He almost flinched under the pain but kept his face blank.

  “Roberto,” Cisco said, “we will talk about this at home.”

  Roberto nodded. “Yes, Señor.” and bowed politely.

  †††

  The reunion between mother and daughter was heart-warming. Qonchita burst into tears when she saw the state of her daughter. But her face lit as she touched Rosa-Lee’s belly with the greatest tenderness and awe. When they introduced her to Roberto, she looked at him, then at her daughter, and saw the love they shared. Without any thought, she pulled him into an embrace and kissed both his cheeks. He could not help but feel elevated by her. He accepted her as a mother into his own life and returned her kindness, much to the dismay of Manuel.

  They had a hard time in controlling the young man, who just wanted to floor him at every p
ossible opportunity. Cisco held him in and out of respect for his father, he walked away. He came back later and joined them again.

  In the meantime, they read the letter from Pedro, who explained in detail what had happened and the plan they implemented to bring the Falcon down. Slowly Cisco came around, the wary look turning into one of interest.

  Deep into the night, five people sat in the study of the Almaida castle as they listened to the unfolding story from Rosa-Lee, who sat next to Roberto, holding his hand.

  When they had arrived, he had said he had wanted to explain, but she insisted on doing the talking. Because he knew she knew her family better, he allowed her to proceed.

  †††

  Pierre and Nora were shown to their suite of rooms and they were already sleeping in the comfortable four-poster bed by the time the others sat down together. Winter was already setting in and they were close to each other in the oversized bed, cuddling. Nora’s nausea had finally subsided and she was feeling like a whole person, to the great joy of her husband. They decided to stay at the Almaida castle until after the birth of their baby before they continued on their journey to his house in France.

  He had already sent a letter to his mother and sister, informing them of his marriage and the pregnancy and wrote that they would join them before the next winter. He explained that Nora was extremely ill on the voyage and he did not want to cause her or the unborn child any more distress.

  †††

  When Rosa-Lee finally stopped talking, she smiled up to Roberto, tired but happy, and he smiled, returning his gaze to the Almaida family.

  “Señor and Señora, I know we have not met under the best of circumstances but I really do love your daughter, my Rosa. I have already handed my resignation in, and I plan to become the farmer I always wanted to be. With her at my side, my future is filled with promise.” Emotions washed over his face and both the parents could see that this man was genuine in his feelings toward their only daughter.

  “I never thought I could have this, a wife and baby to call my own. I vow to look after her and treat her with the utmost love and devotion. She will lead the life she is used to, lacking nothing. My pirate days provided well for me over the years.” She squeezed his hand in support. “I love Rosa-Lee. There is no other woman for me.” Rosa-Lee wiped away a tear, yawning behind her hand.

  “I appreciate your honesty, Roberto.” Cisco finally addressed him.

  “What you have done for my children put me in your debt and I can see that you really care for Rosa-Lee and love her. I could not have chosen better than you. I understand why you had to come and drag her out of my house like a thief in the night.” Roberto flinched under the piercing gaze.

  “You are a good man, Señor,” Roberto said.

  “No, son, just a man who has walked the path and understands much more.”

  “Thank you, Papa,” Rosa-Lee added and yawned again.

  “I want to get my wife in bed, if you don’t mind.”

  “Yes, of course, Roberto, she is tired after the long journey. I will have the physician here tomorrow to look at both ladies. In the meantime, son, you are welcome in my family. Cisco raised himself to his full height. His wife followed him. He clasped Roberto’s hand in a fatherly gesture.

  “Thanks, Señor.”

  “Papa will be fine, son.”

  Roberto swallowed at the lump in his throat. Papa. When was the last time he had used that word? His eyes misted over and the man stepped forward and gave him a bear hug.

  †††

  Later that evening, with the smouldering fire in the hearth creating shadows against the walls and thick curtains, Roberto watched his wife’s sleeping form. He brushed away the dark locks covering her beautiful face. The shadows underneath her eyes showed that she had not yet recovered from the journey, but her breathing was slow and at peace. He had one hand on the stretched belly and one hand under her face, the pouty lips warm and inviting. He could not help but smile, tenderly touching the soft skin and tracing every line on the youthful face. A dimpled smile appeared as she cuddled deeper into him.

  His Rosa.

  All his worries over the last four months were dispelled as utter nonsense. He could only shake his head at his own stupidity. His fretting was in vain and he pulled her closer and closed his eyes. He slept the sleep of a contented man, his world perfect.

  Three months later, twins were born to Roberto and Rosa-Lee, a daughter they called Madelyn, after his mother, and a son, Francisco, named after both grandfathers. Roberto was like a proud peacock showing its colourful feathers in a swelled chest. The two children were a true delight to him and he could not thank her enough for such a joy. He was determined more than ever to be the man his own father had been, with the gracious help of Cisco, who was equally proud of his two grandchildren, spoiling them with gifts.

  A month later, Victoria du Val was born, spitting image of her mother, and Pierre was impressed with the beautiful baby who slept soundly in his arms. He wanted to hold her as much as he could because his days with her were almost at an end and he did not want to miss anything right now.

  The castle was filled with laughter and baby voices. Both Qonchita and Cisco enjoyed the two couples. The men spoke about their experiences and the women about babies, as well as their up and coming travels to their new homes.

  Manuel accepted Roberto reluctantly and in the end, they departed in good spirits.

  Nora and Rosa-Lee became good friends during the voyage and the months at the estate. By the time they departed to their new homes, a journey of just over a week to France, the two women cried. This created a cacophony of distressed cries when the babies joined in, not understanding all the tears. They just knew their mothers were in distress.

  The two men had their hands full, calming them all down, and by the time they left, everything was as it should be, in control and at peace.

  The pirate farmer and his Rosa were content with their new life.

  THE END

  Author’s History

  Lynelle Clark is a South African who loves her country, its people, and the rich history.

  She lives with her husband of 28 years in Gauteng, South Africa.

  She has three children, Arline, Odette and Paul, one grandchild, Nathan.

  She started to write in the beginning of 2010 after she found herself isolated and without work.

  Her love for reading prompted her to write her own stories, drawing from life’s experiences and lessons learned.