13 #2
“I’m not seeing this. I’m not,” Jax babbled. “I had too much to drink and I’m gonna wake up in my own bed with one hell of a hangover, but I’m not seeing a little girl holding hands with a three hundred year old ghost.”
“Hush, son,” Blake whispered loudly.
Of all the people on the beach to freak out over Maria’s apparition, Jax had been pretty low down on Ronan’s list. He supposed Jax was trying to talk himself out of what he was seeing, so he didn’t have to admit ghosts were real, as was Everly’s gift.
“Sam? I’ve got Maria with me. Can you hear me?” Everly asked.
The only answer was a wave crashing against the shore.
“My dear Samuel. Come to me,” Maria said.
Everly opened her mouth, but abruptly closed it. She pointed out to sea, to the spot where the Whydah had wrecked and foundered.
Ronan followed where Everly pointed and saw a faint bluish light, which seemed to be moving closer to the beach. He moved to stand behind Everly, just in case she needed him. In case the pirate was as ferocious as his reputation.
The light grew brighter, the closer to the shore it came. “It’s Sam, Daddy. He’s really here.”
A few yards from the beach, Ronan was able to make out the figure of a man.
He was tall and wore a tricorn hat. A sword in its scabbard hung at his left side.
He was outlined in blue light, reminding Ronan of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s force ghost in Return of the Jedi.
Moments later, Ronan could make out the man’s features.
He had a scruffy beard and wore a red shirt.
He had no doubt this man was Sam Bellamy.
“Daddy, what is that?” Aurora asked, sounding a bit panicked.
“It’s a pirate ghost!” Wolfie gasped, excitedly. “I gotta go meet him.”
“Hold on, Wolf,” Jude said, in an awed tone. “Let’s give Sam and Maria a minute together.”
Ronan grinned at Wolf. He was of the same mind, wanting to meet Sam Bellamy and try out his sword.
“Darling! You have returned me to at long last.” Maria dropped Everly’s hand and walked forward, holding a hand out to the approaching spirit.
“My lady,” Sam bowed gracefully over Maria’s hand. “As promised, I have returned to your side.” He dropped Maria’s hand and pulled her close. “How I have missed you.”
“And I you.” Maria’s cheeks were wet with tears.
Sam turned to Everly and a smile lit up his entire face. “I owe my all to you. My love and I have been reunited at long last.” Sam knelt before Everly, bowing his head, like a knight of the round table. “Did my visions scare you, little one.”
Everly shook her head. “I wasn’t scared. I was sad. Watching what happened to you and your men. I hope now you can be at peace.”
“How are you so wise for someone so young?”
“My Dads and my friends,” Everly said easily. She turned and motioned Wolf forward. Aurora looked uncertain, but followed behind. “These are my friends, Wolf and Aurora.”
“Wow! I’ve never met a pirate before! Did you really steal booty from rich ships and give it to poor sailors? I read that in a book.” Wolf looked at the pirate ghost in awe.
Sam’s face brightened. “Aye, lad, I did. All that mattered to me was coming home to my wife and starting our lives together.” He looked behind Wolf, to where Aurora was standing. “And you, little lady, with a name that lights the way home for sailors.”
Aurora took a few cautious steps forward, until she stood at Everly’s side. “Hello, Mr. Pirate.”
Sam chuckled. “I’ve heard say that you are our dear Everly’s best mate.”
Aurora nodded. “I am. Everly’s my bestest friend. I’m always by her side.”
“As a best mate should be, my little lady. Be sure to take good care of Everly.” He held his hand out to Aurora.
Surprisingly, she set hers atop Sam’s. “I will, Mr. Pirate. You take good care of Maria.”
“My heart’s truest wish.” Sam regained his feet and turned to Blake and Jax. “Thank you for finding my ship and keeping my name alive for all these years.”
“You’re welcome,” Blake said, his voice trembling.
Sam turned to Ronan. “As for you, good sir, your daughter was my light in the darkness. So long I spent on the Whydah with my crew unable to move forward. I never would have found my way back home without her courage. Everly is a brave and brilliant child, thanks to you.”
Ronan, too overcome for words, set a hand against his heart. From the moment she was born, Everly had been his own light in the darkness. “Thank you. Be at peace.”
“It is time to go home,” Sam said, holding an arm out to Maria.
She took his arm and together they walked toward the water.
“Can I have the coins, Blake?” Everly asked, holding the ring out to him.
“Sure.” He reached into the pouch and pulled them out. “Why do you need them now? Sam is here.”
“But his crew isn’t.” Everly took the coins and stepped into the surf. Ronan had her back.
“Are they going back to the Whydah?” Ronan asked Everly.
“No, Daddy, watch.” As Everly spoke the white light shimmered over the shoal where the Whydah had wrecked and sunk.
A young man wearing a tricorn hat, stood waiting just inside the light. Unless Ronan missed his guess, the man was Sam and Maria’s son.
Sam and Maria approached the light cautiously, then began running toward it. Neither turned back. The light blazed brighter revealing the Whydah, sails unfurled, in all her glory, looking as good as the day she weighed anchor.
“Oh, my God,” Ronan whispered. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
“Me either,” Ten agreed, wrapping his arms around his husband and daughter.
One by one, the members of Sam’s crew crossed into the light. Several pirates waved toward the beach before entering. When the last man stepped inside, the light flashed brighter and slowly faded away. The Whydah disappeared. Left in its place was the dazzling Aurora Borealis.
“Is that for me?” Aurora whispered.
“Definitely,” Everly agreed. “Sam said the Aurora lights the way home and that’s exactly what you did.” The friends embraced.
Ronan stepped back from the girls giving them a moment together. He turned back to Jax, who was still sitting, gobsmacked, in the sand. Blake knelt by his side. “Are you okay?”
Jax shook his head. “That was Sam Bellamy. He was here. He spoke to us. Ghosts are real. I need a drink.”
Blake laughed and helped haul his son back to his feet. Everly approached and handed him the gold and silver coins. “You used these to help Bellamy’s soldiers find peace?”
“I did. I’ve never seen anything like that happen before with the ship and the crew. Thank you for trusting my Dads and for bringing the treasure here.”
“It was our pleasure. Come see us the next time you come to the Cape.” Blake set a hand on Everly’s shoulder. “Let’s get you home, Jax.” With a wave, Blake led his son toward the path leading back to the house.
Ronan turned to his daughter, who stood with Wolf and Aurora, their feet wet in the surf and the Aurora Borealis shimmering above them. He pulled out his camera and started snapping pictures. This was going to be a night they remembered for a long time to come.
As much as Everly’s gift sometimes frightened Ronan, he knew his daughter was doing what she was meant to do. Not only had she reunited lovers separated for over three hundred years, but brought peace to the men who’d died aboard the Whydah.
Along with the pirates, Ronan was at peace. He took a seat in the sand and laid back to watch the Aurora dance across the sky.
THE END