Queen of the Seas Ch. 74

   Henriette's scream woke the ship, and Paully and Fits stirred on the floor of the deck below, "What the…?" Paully sat up, rubbing his head.

   Fits jerked up to his feet, "Henreitte?"

   Still recovering from the rum, Fits stumbled around barrels and made his way above deck, pushing through the gathered crowd around the Captain's doors. Pushing the last man out of the way, Fits slammed into the double doors leading to Henreitte.

   "Let me in!!" Fits screamed, pounding on the clouded glass, "LET ME IN!"

   Paully pushed to the front of the crew, "What's going on here?" he demanded from the rest of the crew.

   "That medicine man's in there with the Captain, she hollered and he locked the door behind him."

   "If ya ask me, I think the Captain needs to get on some land, she's clearly sick as a dog," a second answer came.

   Fits slammed on the glass one more time, leaving his fist to rest on it, "The Captain is just fine, gents," he spat, turning.

   Paully waved a hand for Fits to stop, "The Captain will be fine, Fits, Let's start there."

   The crew laughed, "Why's Fits so butthurt about the Captain?"

   Fits pushed off the door, pulling his sword out of his belt and pointing at the chins of those who laughed, "Because I love that woman, and if anything happens to her, you'll have to deal with me."
~ ~ ~
   Henreitte lay on a stack of pillows, sweat beads stuck to her face. Merlin had taken one of her pockets, and finally gave it back. Heavier than before, but all the more precious.

   "What's his name?" Merlin asked, pulling the blankets around Henriette.

   Henriete pulled the blanket away from the newborn's face and watched tears from in the baby's eyes, "Is crying good?" she asked slowly, rocking her arms back and forth.

   Merlin shrugged, "Heck if I know," he said honestly.

   The little bundle in her arms started to whimper, and his cries became louder.
~ ~ ~
   The crew was quiet as Fits swung the sword around with a shaky fist, pausing under each chin, "You boys better behave yourselves, That's my family in there. Think any less of them, and I will end you."

   Paully put his face in his hands, shaking his head.

   The crew had caught the same word as Paully did, "Them?"

   Through gritted teeth, the truth finally reached the crew, "My son and his mother."
~ ~ ~
   Merlin pulled a soft cloth from his pocket and wiped away the baby's tears, "So, does he have a name?"

   Rocking her newborn, she ignored Merlin, "Sh shh sh," Henreitte cradled him closer to her as the cries began to turn to screams.
~ ~ ~
   Fits stopped, dropping the sword with an open palm. On the other side of the double doors, he could hear his new son crying, and he turned back to the clouded windows. "Please?" he asked the glass, almost silently, "Just let me in," he propped his forehead and elbow against the glass, listening to the cries beyond.
~ ~ ~
   Henriette glanced at the double doors, "Merlin?" she asked, "Let Fits in, but no one else."

   Merlin nodded and walked to the door, before he got to open it, Henriette added, "Please."

   Merlin flipped the lock and twisted the knob, "Fits?" he asked through the doors.

   "Yes?" Fits replied, almost heartbroken he wasn't inside yet.

   "C'mon," Merlin smiled.

   Fits crashed through the door, almost to the point of tears himself, and he made his way to Henriette's side.