Beastcat: Happy News Part Four

“Do not worry for me Ashnà.” She smiled. “Maudene knows and Sam and Nathaniel will be here to take care of me. I know that Scurvy will stay to help.”

The old dog sat next to her the whole time. “She’s right there Captain.” He said to me in his strange voiceless way. “I won’t leave her side for long until you return. Really I’m amazed you didn’t figure it out sooner.”

I got read to kick him when Laela stopped me. “Stop it you two.” She laughed. “Though I enjoy your playful fights and I know you are close friends I do not think I can handle it right now. Come it is time to get ready for dinner.”

We prepared dinner (I am so happy that I had learned to cook before then and we never stuck to tradition) and were ready when our friends arrived. We talked and celebrated our happy news. I made Scurvy, Sam and Nathaniel promise to watch over Laela while I was gone and they all agreed. The party turned from a fair well dinner for Angus to a triple part celebrating Laela’s pregnancy and my return to the sea.

The next day we said our good-byes to Angus as he and his men headed north and I returned to pack for my trip. I packed only what I needed and a few things I had for the vault in New York. Laela spent the night alone and in each other’s arms. It was a fitting good-bye as well.

The next day I left early in the day after making sure that Sam had all he needed for the shop and Laela had all she needed for the next six months. We kissed and Skymie and I got on the wagon and headed south to New York. As I look back now I think that our good-byes were not enough. If I had known that that was the last time I would see Laela in that form I would have done more. If I had known that that was the last time I would see her alive I would never have left.