Queen of the Seas Ch. 75

   Fits sat on the bed facing Henriette. In her arms, her home made blanket was wrapped around one of the pockets, with a precious muzzle poking out.

   Henriette smiled at Fits as he scooted closer, eager to see his son; who's cries had quieted to mere whimpers.

   Fits held out his hands, "Can I?"

   Henriette nuzzled the face poking out of the little blankets and then passed the bundle to Fits, "Hold his head," Henriette's finger tips lingered after the baby.

   Fits gazed down and smiled as little brown eyes stared back, "He's got your," he glanced at Henriette, "Eye."

   Henriette laughed a little, watching Fits interact with his son, "He's so perfect," she smiled.

   Merlin coughed in the corner, "I'll just, slip out," he made his way to the door and closed it gently behind him.

   Fits laughed, "Glad you finally let him in," he jerked his head towards the doors.

   "Well you weren't here, and he knew a little," Henriette responded, cocking an eyebrow.

   Fits raised an eyebrow back at her, "Paully gave me a drink, It's not my fault!" he defended.

   "That's no excuse Fits! You missed your own son's first breaths, because of what? Some buddy of yours giving you some rum?" Henreitte brooded, folding her arms.

   Fits scoffed, then, changed his mind, "I'm sorry, I should have been here."

   Henriette nodded, "Dang right you should have, but I probably woulda killed ya."
~ ~ ~
   Fits held the bundle of blankets in one arm and helped Henriette stand with the other, "Are you sure?" he asked, letting her lean on his shoulder.

   "Yes, I'm sure." Henriette buttoned her coat roughly, still tired.

   Fits led her across the room and to the double doors. He waited for her to take one deep breath, and they pushed the doors open together.

   The crew had dispersed into groups around the ship. Fits glanced around and finally spotted Paully. He waved a hand, and Paully was by their sides quickly, "Would you?" Fits asked, nodding to the crew slowly dissipating.

   Paully glanced at the crew, and whistled loudly, scaring some of them, "Get yer sorry tails back here, buggards," the crew glanced at him with strange looks on their faces, but they gathered none the less.

   Henriette tucked her arm in Fits' free elbow, "Evenin' boys," Fits stared for a while at each one of them, "As you know, The Captain's been, eh, Under the weather, but for good reason!" The crew stared at Fits and Henriette with confused looks. Their stares slowly moved from their Captain and Lieutenant, to the squirming bundle in Fits' arms.

   The crew began mumbling to each other, leaning in to whisper in low voices. "Listen up, Scurvy sorrysorts!" Henriette leaned away from Fits just enough to startle the crew.

   Fits popped his eyebrows, moving on, "Fella's We've got a new member to the crew."

   Henriette pulled herself off Fits and grinned to the crew. She reached for the bundle of blankets and took it away from Fits, "Boys, meet Tennessee Cooper."