Adoption?
I…
Shaking off new fears and questions, I smiled reassuringly—more worried that Elder would stress out than about my own shortcomings. “She’s fine. She only means well.” Kissing his cheek, I bounced off the bed. “I’ll go rustle up some snacks. We’ll watch the sunset.”
Elder grabbed my wrist before I could leave, pulling me back and cupping my jaw. With blazing black eyes, he ran his thumb over my bottom lip, staring way too intense and way too knowingly into my soul. “I love you, Tasmin Blythe.” He kissed me sharp and deep. “Don’t ever forget that.”
Whatever worries or heartaches I’d had at being incomplete vanished.
I was his.
He was mine.
We were a family already.
* * * * *
Another few days passed while Elder recuperated.
Slowly, he left his bedroom and ventured onto the deck where warmer airs and gentle currents meant sunlight and dinners alfresco injected health back into his body.
Jolfer gave us daily sailing reports, and on the ninth day at sea, when we finally neared America, he asked if Elder was ready to dock or would prefer to sail a little more to allow final healing.
Elder gave me a look and a grin so innocent and pure, it took my breath away. “What do you want to do, Pim?”
“It’s not what I want, but you.”
“Wrong. It’s about both of us.” He limped toward me, his body tall and tight even with his sling and ankle brace. “I want to keep you all to myself, for a little longer.”
I smiled. “What did you have in mind?”
He turned to face his captain. “Jolfer, I think we’ll take the scenic route.”
Jolfer broke into a grin. “Right you are, sir. Good choice.” With a quick salute, he made his way back to the bridge.
I waited until he was out of ear-shot before I followed Elder to where staff had set up a platter of smoked salmon, cheese, and homemade lemonade beside very comfortable looking red and white deck chairs. “Scenic way?”
Elder smirked, easing his way into one of the recliners with a wince. Even with his stiffness and fading bruises, he looked more like the man who’d demanded a penny for my thoughts rather than the one who’d limped to bed in pieces.
My penny bracelet jingled on my wrist as I sat down, agreeing with me.
Being bed bound Elder hadn’t had another episode like the one he’d had after the battle with the Chinmoku. His tendencies had given him some breathing room and it showed in how light-hearted he was—untormented for a change.
Taking a sip of lemonade, he said, “The Bahamas.”
I froze, cheese and cracker halfway to my mouth. “We’re going to the Bahamas?”
He shrugged. “Why not? It’s technically on the way. Kind of.” He laughed. “I think we deserve a vacation, don’t you?”
I shivered with absolute joy. Why not indeed? “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll come to the Bahamas with me.” He chewed a cracker, sunshine dappling his blue black hair.
How insanely incredible had my life become, and what did I ever do to deserve it?
Unable to contain a laugh full of bubbling happiness, I nodded. “I’ll come to the Bahamas with you. Since you asked so nicely.”
* * * * *
I’d seen a lot of things in my short life.
I’d lived a lot of things.
But this? This azure blue paradise? It was the first time I’d been dumbstruck by natural beauty and near tears at how grateful I was to witness it.
The Phantom sailed around the inlets of the many islands in the Bahamas. I didn’t know the names of each different atoll or land mass, but each was as stunning as the last.
The sun set before we laid anchor, and I fell asleep in Elder’s arms trembling with anticipation of tomorrow.
The next day was spent admiring the view from the deck. Relaxing under the hot sun, we grew browner by the hour. Elder looked longingly at the water and even opened the railing to assess what the jump from the deck to tide would do to his freshly knitted-together ankle.
Michaels came running just as Elder stripped off his t-shirt and tossed away his sling with a disgusted look. All ideas of swimming were curtailed thanks to strict doctor’s orders.
The following day we did the same—minus the attempt at swimming—relaxing and sailing around various parts of the islands, taking our time to find the perfect spot. The beauty of the tropical wilderness beckoned us to explore, and we both grew antsy to trade water for land.
The third day, we docked at an island called Eleuthera. The warm breeze carried scents of sand, coconuts, and palm trees. The need to feel the icing sugar sand between my toes and search for waterfalls had me pacing the polished decks of the Phantom as if I were in captivity once again.
Finally, Elder had had enough of being an invalid and summoned Michaels to perform a final check-up. His stitches were removed, his ribs checked, his finger splint discarded, and his sling retired. His bruises and cuts had healed faster than mine ever had, leaving no trace of violence on his skin.