Epilogue
Former Captain Reid Courtney paced across the deck of Calypso’s Quest. His nerves were strained to the limit of their capacity.
How much longer could he possibly need to wait?
He looked over the deck of his beloved ship, seeing memories.
He did so much more often lately. He supposed once a man reached a certain age, memories were as precious as any treasure.
He smiled, remembering Belle rushing up the steps to the quarterdeck, bursting with excitement over the whale spout she’d seen through her spyglass.
Over the years, she had climbed the ratlines under the careful watch of the crew, had proudly held the wheel as they’d come into port, had laughed at Grieg’s terrible jokes, and had cried when she’d fallen and scraped her knee.
He saw her clearly in his mind’s eye, moving through the phases of her life, growing into a beautiful woman.
And it was here on this ship that woman had fallen in love.
Courtney glanced toward the stairs where Hawke sat, head in his hands. He felt an affection for the man, loved him for the way he loved Belle, for the way her face shone when she looked at him.
He’d never seen his beautiful Belle as radiant as she’d been on her wedding day.
He didn’t believe he’d ever seen anyone as happy as the pair of them.
He still felt amusement at the remembrance of the church, filled on one side of the aisle with the upper crust of English Society and the other with a motley band of buccaneers.
At least the crew had waited until the ceremony had ended before breaking into the rum.
Grieg was at the ship’s rail, entirely beside himself with worry. He held a feathered hat, smashing the rim as he worked it around in his hands. “How much longer can this take? It’s been far too long. Hours. It cannot take hours.”
Shadbolt stood near his friend, stoic and silent as usual. But even his eyes held concern.
Courtney paced back toward the cabin.
Hawke glanced up, worry etched into the lines of his face and the dark smudges beneath his eyes. “This wasn’t supposed to happen for weeks, yet,” Hawke said. “Not until we were safely home.”
Courtney wanted to reassure him, but he was beset with worry himself.
At last, the lady’s maid came from the cabin. “Captain.”
“Is—” Hawke began, but he seemed unable to speak the words.
“She is perfectly well,” Liza said, smiling. “They both are.”
Both Hawke and Courtney rushed past her into the room.
The smell of blood hit him as soon as he stepped inside, eyes adjusting to the dim lantern light, and for a moment, Courtney could not distinguish between his memory and the present.
Hawke knelt beside the bed, whispering as he held Belle’s damp face. He touched the bundle of blankets in her arms with a tender hand.
Belle’s gaze met Courtney’s, and she gave a smile that was both tired and overjoyed.
Courtney was overcome with relief and love. His little Belle was a mother. She spoke to the lady’s maid, and Liza picked up the bundle, bringing the baby to Courtney.
“He’s a son,” she said, setting the baby into Courtney’s arms.
The infant’s eyes were open and bright, and his mouth puckered. A cap of dark hair covered his head. He looked exactly as his mother had all those years earlier. The baby let out a squeak and stuck out a small tongue, and in spite of the tears blurring his eyes, Courtney laughed.
“He is a fine lad, Belle. The finest I’ve ever seen.” And it was the truth. In an instant, the baby had taken a permanent spot in his heart, and the fierceness of Courtney’s love left him in awe.
There was a commotion at the doorway as Shadbolt and Grieg pushed inside. Both looked to the bed. Seeing Belle, Grieg crossed himself, muttering a prayer of thanks. Shadbolt’s shoulders relaxed the slightest bit. They turned to see the baby.
“A son,” Courtney told them, twisting so they could see his face.
“He’s so small,” Grieg whispered reverently.
“The newest member of our crew,” Shadbolt said. “Congratulations to you, Belle and Captain Hawke.”
More of the crew crowded inside, each craning his neck for a view. The baby scowled and stuck out his tongue again, earning a chuckle from the men.
“What’s the lad’s name?” Murray asked in an uncharacteristically soft voice.
“Will he be named after his father?” Mr. Stanley asked.
Belle and Hawke shared a glance. Hawke’s eyes narrowed the slightest bit, and he shook his head nearly imperceptibly.
Belle looked at Courtney again. “His name is Reid Hawke,” she said. “The Honorable Reid Hawke.”
Courtney wondered if he would ever have the crew’s respect again after they saw the surge of tears that coursed over his cheeks and into his beard.
“A proper buccaneer’s name.” Grieg nodded his approval.
“Now, off with you swabs,” Courtney barked—although he did so softly. “Belle needs her rest.”
He placed the baby into Hawke’s arms, patting the man’s shoulder, and then he leaned down, kissing Belle’s cheek.
He followed the crew out. At the door, he paused and looked back.
Belle gazed up at Hawke, her face glowing with happiness.
Hawke kissed her and brought their son closer, holding both of them in his arms. Courtney watched the little family for one moment longer and then softly closed the door.