Family Reunion (70 page)

One carriage after another
was loaded up to head off to the docks. It was a big hustle of activity as Lena spoke with her children, checking and verifying with Hope and Sandra concerning Rory, while Mike laid down laws to Esteban who would be staying back with his uncles and aunt. Manny's only rule was that no family member be on the Princess with him and Lena. He wanted her all to himself which was the reason their family was split between the other two ships. At the docks there was little activity with it being a Sunday.

Most of Manny's crew was actively readying the two ships that would sail that day. Dorothy, Nigel Frank's lady, was there with their children to see him off. He would officially be joining Manny's crew and said his goodbyes to them. Hope and Joe promised to see them home safely for him.

Manny stood away from the women speaking with his men. "I hope it is clear on the plan where they are to be dropped?" He asked, not bothering to go into any more specifics, since all four knew exactly what he was talking about. "Aye Cap'n, you be takin' care of yonder bride, we be takin' care of the rubbish." Finbar stated firmly. "Are ye'sure, you'be wishin' them
just
dropped? Wit'ou' a tongue, if they'be found-…"

"Just drop them, a remote island and the fear of the devil in them is enough." Manny instructed. Finbar nodded, his mind already set on what needed to be done. Manny shook his hand, squeezed his shoulder, knowing that of all his men, Finbar could be trusted the most, because they were so much alike. "Well, that's it then, I'll see you on Makia."

"You nervous?" Sandra asked.

Lena nodded admitting, "A little I suppose. I haven't been home since I was fifteen years old. It's kind of scary, but…it's time."

Sandra nodded, "You know Lena, you are truly an inspiring person and I predict adventures aplenty for us to come."

"Well, let us first get through this journey my friend." Lena simpered.

"M’darling, time to board." Manny directed, approaching. Lena turned to look at her children as each walked up to her to kiss her cheek, "Well mama, this is where we part, temporarily."

"Yes, for a while. You have your sashes, don't forget."

"Yes mama, I won't forget."

"And you Maria,
how are you feeling, are you ready for this?"

"I am fine, we have all that is needed...do not worry."

Lena exhaled. "Well, I guess this is goodbye, for now – until we arrive." She went to Maria kissing her cheek and then kissed all of her grandchildren. "Grandpa and I will see you on my Island home, okay?" They all nodded except Celina, "Grandpa, ya'sure you'on' wan'me t'come wit'you? What ya'gonna do wit'out me there t'keep ya'company?" She asked in a tiny squeaky voice reminding them both of Hope when she was a babe.

Manny reached down and picked her up kissing and hugging her, answering, "It's your grandma, she wants me all to herself."

Put out by the idea, Celina looked at Lena, "Gran'ma! You s’pose t’share m’grandpa!"

"Manny!"

Manny chuckled quick to assure her, "Of course grandma is not half as exciting as you are lil'chicken, but we'll find something to do I'm sure. We'll be at the Island in no time and things will resume as they should. Now give me a kiss and hug ... that's a girl and we'll see you later, okay?"

Celina nodded, Mike stepped up and took her from his father, shifting her in his arms. "Safe journey, mama." He murmured, leaning over to kiss her cheek, "Dad." He hugged his father.

Francis kissed Lena as well. "I'm going to join my husband now."

"Go on dear. We'll see each other there."

Manny grabbed Lena's hand, "We have to go sweetheart, the winds are picking up and there's a lot to be done to launch her." Lena nodded, waving to her children, reluctant to part with them. "Come along, they'll be fine." Finally she turned and they boarded the ship. She went immediately to the rail to watch them go, Hope and family to the carriage, Mike, Leon and their families walking to their ship. At the railing Lena asked. "That man, Nigel Franks? Are you certain Manny, that he can be trusted?"

"Yes, very certain." He answered and waited to see if she would ask anything more. Lena looked out at the sea, hearing the seagulls cry around the wharf, his men making ready the sails of the ship as they climbed the rigging and ratlines. "Manny."

"Yes…?"

"Clarence Winston. Why hasn't he tried to make contact with me again?" Manny closed his eyes a moment, and then opened them to see Lena looking out at the other ships. "We've met, the two of us, since I found you. We talked and I helped him to see that it was much better that he leave things be. I suppose he agreed." Lena looked up at him. He smiled and leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Why don't you go on below with Gaitsu, maybe make
yourself comfortable. I'll be down just as soon as I get us on the move." Lena hadn't moved even after the kiss to her forehead, she stood inspecting his eyes and his face a moment more. He was her husband now and she would not question him further, even though she knew men as greedy as Clarence Winston didn't just give up. "I love you…and I'm going below and getting comfortable." She walked away with Manny's eyes following until she disappeared below. Manny turned back to the railing with a sigh of acceptance. "God, forgive me… should there be a hell, I will gladly spend my death there, as for my life – I live for her…I beg you to please, understand that."

Chapter Fifteen

Lena sat in her cabin
smiling, brushing her hair as her husband's strong voice drifted in to arouse her senses. No matter how faint his voice, she closed her eyes to tune in, all the love she felt for him moved her from within as the timbre and authority of his commands wrapped around her. He was all and more than she could ever want, than any woman could want; her eyes flew open as the thought of the many women he had no doubt experienced. That had always been the case with him. Aside from those of Webster Field's, who never failed to remind her that they too had known him and then Katherine, Gloria, so many others including one Terra Biquay.

"You male…whore!" She spat resentfully, and laughing at herself, she shook her head at the silliness of it. "And I love him more today than ever." The captain of the ship, the Princess Ceś alena…only his own mother shared that privilege with her, to have one of his vessels christened after them. Despite his reputation, she held an overwhelming pride and respect for him. He had made all that was wrong, right, as she knew he would.

"What have you done with them Manny?" She wondered, trying as best she could to dismiss from her conscience the lengths he may have gone to, to insure their life together. Being the daughter of a king, she was not ignorant of the ruthlessness they, men, were capable of to keep all in their world as they'd constructed it. Listening to him get their ship underway, she felt nothing. Come heaven or hell, he loved her children, brought them back to her and loved her with a passion no one could deny. In her eyes…he could do no wrong, and she would see no wrong in him.

Smiling
, she amended it, unless of course it suited her purpose, should she choose to torture him a bit. Looking at her wedding gown laying across the bed, still needing to be put away, he would pay for that as well -
again
.

Standing at ready in his captain’s stance, Manny barked the familiar orders at the starboard bow; his feet spread wide, his hands on the railing as he bellowed out the name of each man to see the mighty vessel out of its docking bay.

It would take hours before they brought it about and in position to catch the wind. Myerson, the man in the maintop called down the position of the Royal. Manny walked the length of the ship on one side ever watchful of its progress, quick, long steps as the men around him ran to master the Princess; from the starboard bow to the stern, "Let’s get’er underway men!!"

He shouted feeling a sudden gust, Manny looked up to make sure certain sails were up to catch the winds. "Tighten up those stays!!" His voice boomed as he went to take over the helm, relieving his first mate, "We’ve only moved a few yards! Go aloft and check out progress!" Quickly Cregglor was off climbing the mast and its rigging, every man above deck ran, working, pulling, tugging, and straining muscles to get the ship backed out.

A sudden gust of wind pulled at the sails, causing them to flap, "Tighten those fucking sails!!" Manny bellowed, feeling the power of the wind slipping by them, they needed the backwind to ease them out. Manny used the wind and watched the sails to judge the turn of the helm, steering the ship to harness the wind. By the time the vessel cleared the pier the men were already feeling their muscles strained and burning, sweat poured from them as they scrambled to and fro with no relief in sight until it was pointed in the right direction and heading out to sea. Finally, "That’s it…that’s it!!!" Manny bellowed; soon the groaning ship was corrected, with Myerson shouting that the Royal was not far behind the Princess.

When Manny finally went below it was to find his wife in his cabin behind his desk looking through his ledger from Webster Fields. As he entered, she looked up and smiled at him, her hair down and flowing over one shoulder. He stood at the door satisfied to look at her, his upper body covered in sea water mixed with sweet, he was windblown and slightly red from the exertion of getting the ship moving, every muscle of his chest and arms were flared and flexed. She stared in disbelief, wondering how a man so powerful could be as gentle as he could be. She couldn't help but compare him to George Sinclair, no matter how angry Manny could get, he had never used his strength to abuse her, the way Sandra had been abused.

"What are you thinking?" He finally asked.

"How blessed I am." She answered without hesitation.

"How blessed
we
are." He corrected.

"Yes. I was looking over this ledger. Funny you should have it here instead of Webster Fields, I was thinking, that – well… you could enter today's events in it… if you wish."

He smiled, "Let me freshen up a bit lady and I will hasten to do just that." Twenty minutes later, he returned, taking his seat on the arm of his chair leaning against him.

Her place there, that gesture sent them back to old times when she occupied that position in the office of Webster Fields, watching as he entered important data; today, the date of their marriage and their new beginning. "I still can't believe it. We're married."

"You better believe it. You are now my wife."

"Yes, I am…I heard you up top, it was wonderful to hear." She commented softly.

"You look wonderful. What's happened with your hair? Why is it like that?" He asked. "Ah, so you noticed?" She asked, as he reached up to feel it, rubbing its ends between his fingers. "Of course, I notice everything about you. Why is it straight?"

"Maria straightened it for our wedding. You like it?"

Manny looked her over, "You are beautiful to me, no matter what you may do to yourself. However, I prefer the waves and curls…as it was the first time I saw you." He admitted, softly gazing into her eyes.

"Washing it will bring them…back." She informed him, staring straight into his eyes. She suddenly felt as nervous as a new bride, having no idea why?

"That's good." He answered very slowly and by his manner, it was obvious to her, that her hair was now the last thing on his mind. "Um, Gaitsu...he brought quite a bit of food back with him... some cake…" He flexed his brows grinning. "…and ... other things."

"You hopeless cur!" Lena labeled him grinning.

"What?!"

"You know what, the cake!"

Manny grinned, "We're alone, no kids about, married…" He reminded her, letting her follow his thoughts as his eyes scanned down her body. Lena stood with her heart pounding, nervous and shy all of a sudden. Their time was at hand, her body felt flushed and anxious. She walked around his desk away from him.
'What is wrong with me? I'm no virgin? My goodness, why do I tremble so?'

Manny's low, soft chuckle brought her eyes back to him; he was
leaning back at ease, sexy and irresistible. Lena sighed, wondering if he could read her mind. "What
have I
gone and done? Marrying you - look at you, a man with no shame."