Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

A s he usually did, Aiden woke before dawn, his body still attuned to the rhythms of a ship at sea. For a moment, he lay in the bed's softness, listening to the distant sound of waves carried on the wind, and the gentle creaking of the old house. It was a far cry from the constant motion and noise of the Siren, but he found he was enjoying being on land, if only because of the bonny lass who had taken him in over a fortnight ago.

With a quiet groan, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching out the kinks in his back. He'd never been one for lying about, even on shore leave, which was likely why he was stiff. There was always work to be done, and today was no exception.

The Pirate Jamboree was in full swing, and he was determined to make the most of the final day. Who would have ever thought old Edward Teach would be celebrated to this day? The world was an odd place indeed.

After a scalding shower, which he would sorely miss if the Fates would not allow him to stay, he strode across the old plank floors, to the kitchen with its black and white checkerboard floors.

The memory of kissing her still lingered, sweet and tantalizing. Aye, he knew he was brooding, and yet couldn't help it.

Nor could he deny the pull he felt towards Mary, even as her words and the denial of her feelings for him were a dagger to his heart. ‘It doesn't have to mean anything,' she'd said. But to him, a ruthless pirate who'd been accused of having no heart at all, that kiss had meant everything.

Shaking off the melancholy thoughts, he focused on the task at hand. Breakfast.

He'd watched Mary use the strange contraptions in the kitchen enough times to have a general idea of how they worked.

How hard could it be?

Turns out, damned difficult, indeed.

Aiden stared at the toaster, brow furrowed in concentration. He'd managed to get the bread inside, but now it seemed to be stuck. Smoke began to curl from the top of the machine, and an acrid scent filled the air.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, frantically pressing buttons. "Come out, ye blasted bread!"

A soft meow caught his attention, and he looked down to see Inky weaving between his legs, green eyes gleaming with what Aiden swore was amusement.

"Aye, laugh it up, ye wicked beast," he grumbled, though there was no real heat in his words. He'd grown fond of the cat, despite his initial misgivings. "I don't suppose ye know how to work this infernal device?"

Inky merely blinked at him before sauntering over to his food bowl, tail held high, reminding Aiden to feed him.

"Fat lot of good ye are," Aiden sighed after feeding the lazy cat, turning his attention back to the smoking toaster. "Right then, let's try this again."

He was so focused on his battle with the toaster that he didn't hear her approach until she spoke.

Bloody hell. A wee lass had snuck up on him. He was losing his edge.

"I see you've discovered the joys of modern cooking," she said, amusement clear in her voice.

Aiden whirled around, a sheepish grin on his face. "Aye, though I'm beginning to think I'd have better luck cooking over an open fire on the deck of me ship."

The sound of her laughter warmed him from the inside out. "Here, let me show you," she said, stepping closer.

As she reached around him to unplug the toaster, he caught the scent of her hair, something floral and fresh that reminded him of spring. He inhaled deeply, acutely aware of her proximity.

"There," she said, stepping back. "Now, let's see what we can salvage for breakfast."

They managed to put together a decent meal of scrambled eggs and only slightly burnt toast with plenty of apple butter slathered on top. As they sat at the small kitchen table, he couldn't help but marvel at the domesticity of it all. This was a far cry from the rough meals shared with his crew, not to mention much more pleasant. If the damnable Fates let him stay in this time, he would need to find a way to earn his own way.

"So," Mary said, taking a sip of her coffee, "are you ready for the big day?"

Aiden grinned, excitement bubbling up inside him. "Aye, that I am. It's not every day a man gets to relive his glory days, even if it is just pretend."

She rolled her eyes, but he caught the hint of a smile on her lips. "Just try not to get too carried away, okay? Remember, it's all for show."

"You wound me, lass," Aiden said, clutching his chest in mock offense. "I'll have ye know I'm the very soul of discretion."

This time, Mary's laugh was full and genuine. "Right, because pirates are known for their subtlety."

As they finished their breakfast, Aiden found himself wishing the moment could last forever. But the day was calling, and there was much to be done.

"We should probably head to the store before we go to the jamboree. Today is the big battle and reenactment of Blackbeard's last stand," Mary said, standing to clear the dishes. "We'll need supplies for the picnic." They were going to pack food to take with them tomorrow as they searched for the Mermaid's Tear.

Aiden nodded, rising to help her. As they worked side by side, he couldn't help but steal glances at her. The morning light caught her hair, turning it to fire, and he longed to run his fingers through it, pulling the ribbon loose. Today she'd dressed in almost the same clothes, except instead of black, they were navy.

When he caught sight of the ring on her finger, and the charms he'd given her in her ponytail, he smiled, pleased she was wearing them again. He'd hung his clothes outside over the balcony last night to air them out, and had donned a new shirt this morn.

The drive to the grocery store in the golf cart was a short one, and even at this early hour, there were people everywhere. Some looked like they hadn't gone to sleep yet, others were bright-eyed, milling around, talking and laughing in various states of pirate dress, while a few were busy setting up chairs, content to sit back and watch the festivities.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Aiden noticed a group of children playing with toy swords, their excited shouts carrying on the morning breeze.

"Mary," Aiden said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "might I try my hand at driving the bicycle today?"

"Absolutely not." She shook her head. "The last time you almost knocked poor Mr. Barnes off the pier." With a grin, she added, "Wait until Tuesday, when everyone's gone home. It'll be safer that way. I can just imagine you careening down the street, scattering tourists left and right."

"'Tis harder to balance on the two wheels than I thought." Not at all offended, he winked at her. "I suppose I'll have to content myself with driving this wee cart for now."

Inside the store, it was total chaos. Tourists and locals alike crowded the aisles, many already in full pirate regalia. Aiden found himself constantly distracted by the strange foods and packaging, marveling at the sheer abundance and variety.

"Focus," Mary grumped, snapping her fingers in front of his face. "We need to get in and out before the real crowds hit."

"Aye, aye, cap'n," he replied with a wink, earning him an eye roll and a reluctant smile.

As they made their way through the store, he couldn't help but notice the looks they were getting. His attire seemed to be drawing quite a bit of attention, especially from a group of giggling young ladies near the produce section.

"I think you have some admirers," Mary muttered, a hint of something. Was it jealousy he heard in her voice?

With a grin, he leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "Aye, but there's only one lass who I want to be lookin' me up and down."

He caught the blush creeping up her neck, and his grin widened. The lass was not as unaffected by him as she said. Mayhap there was hope for them yet.

As they exited the store, arms laden with bags, they found themselves in the middle of what appeared to be an impromptu sword fighting demonstration. A group of men in pirate costumes were going through the motions of a choreographed fight, much to the delight of the gathering crowd.

"Oi, you there!" one of the men called out, pointing at Aiden. "You look like you know your way around a cutlass. Care to join us for a demonstration?"

Aiden glanced at Mary, who shrugged. "Go on," she said, as he stowed the bags safely in the cart. "Show them how it's done."

With a bow to the crowd, Aiden stepped forward. One of the men handed him a prop sword, which felt light and flimsy compared to the real thing. But it would do.

"Now, remember," the man who had called him over said, "this is just for show. No need to?—"

The words stuck in his throat as Aiden lunged forward, his body moving with the fluid grace of years of practice. The other man barely had time to bring his sword up to block the blow.

What followed was a dance of blades, Aiden moving with a speed and precision that left the crowd gasping. While he may have grown lazy after arriving in the future, some skills never disappeared.

When it was over, he found himself breathing hard like a green lad, a familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. The crowd erupted in applause, and he bowed with a flourish, the sun catching the gold in his hair.

As he made his way back to his lass, he saw the look of awe on her face. "That was... incredible," she breathed.

"Just a wee bit of fun," he replied, though he couldn't keep the pride out of his voice. "Shall we go watch the battle?"

They drove back to the house first, quickly unloading the groceries they'd bought for their picnic and treasure hunt tomorrow. As they finished putting everything away, she grabbed a tote bag and tossed in several water bottles and snacks.

"Ready?" Mary asked, keys jingling in her hand.

"Lead on, poppet." He said, following her out the door as they waved goodbye to Morgan, who was happily sitting behind the counter, drinking water with fruit in it. Most strange, indeed.

Comfortable with each other, they were content to watch the crowds as they drove and then parked the cart. Before they'd gone too far, she'd stopped and bought him something called cotton candy, laughing when he made a face after trying the foul stuff.

"Look," Mary pointed, "The Adventure and Meka II are arriving in Silver Lake Harbor. We should head over to watch the reenactment of the Battle of Ocracoke."

As they made their way through the crowds, he found himself constantly distracted by the sights and sounds around him. While they'd spent the day at the festival yesterday, there was so much to see that he thought he'd need another full day to take it all in.

There were stalls selling all manner of pirate-themed goods, from eye patches to replica flintlocks. Children ran about in miniature pirate costumes, brandishing toy swords and shouting "Arrr!" at the top of their lungs.

They paused at a booth showcasing authentic pirate weapons. Aiden's eyes lit up as he examined the array of cutlasses, flintlock pistols, and boarding axes.

"These are remarkably accurate reproductions," he mused, picking up a cutlass and testing its balance.

The vendor, a grizzled man with an eyepatch, nodded approvingly. "You've got a good eye, mate. Care to show us your form?"

With a nod, he stepped into an open area. With fluid grace, he demonstrated a series of complex sword maneuvers, his body moving as if the blade was an extension of his arm.

When he finished, a small crowd that had gathered applauded enthusiastically. The vendor whistled in appreciation. "That's some fine swordsmanship, lad. Where'd you learn moves like that?"

Aiden winked. "Oh, here and there. A pirate never reveals all his secrets."

As they moved on, Mary nudged him playfully. "Show-off," she teased, but there was warmth in her voice.

They made their way to the harbor, where a crowd had already gathered to watch the reenactment of the Battle of Ocracoke. Aiden found himself caught up in the excitement, cheering along with the rest as the ships maneuvered in the water.

"It's not quite how I remember it," he murmured to Mary, "but it's a fine show, nonetheless."

A mix of emotions played across her face. "Sometimes I forget," she said softly, "that for you, this isn't just history. It's... real."

Somber, he nodded. "Aye, it was real. And not as glamorous as all this." He gestured to the festive atmosphere around them.

Afterwards they ate lunch, sitting at a picnic table with a family who said they were from Canada and were happy to answer his questions about moose, skiing, and hockey.

As they walked, hand in hand, he found himself amazed by the creativity and enthusiasm of the people attending the jamboree. There were pirate musicians playing jigs on fiddles and accordions, fortune tellers offering to read your future in seashells, and even a booth where you could have your photo taken with a "real" pirate ship in the background.

"Really, it's all a bit much," he said, shaking his head as a woman walked by dressed as a tavern wench, complete with purple hair and black-and-white striped stockings.

"In my day, being a pirate wasn't something to celebrate. It was a hard life, often short and violent."

"I know. But I think that's part of why people love it so much now. It's a chance to imagine a life of adventure and freedom, without the real dangers," she said.

Aiden nodded, understanding. "Aye, I can see the appeal in that."

As the day wore on, they participated in every activity that caught his eye, much to Mary's amusement. He tried his hand at a coconut shy, managing to win her a small stuffed parrot which they gave to a little girl, who ran screaming with delight back to her parents. They watched a demonstration of 18th-century firearms, Aiden providing a running commentary on the accuracy (or lack thereof) of the weapons.

At one point, they found themselves in front of a stage where actors were performing a comedic skit about life aboard a pirate ship. Even as he shook his head at some of the more outlandish portrayals, Aiden couldn't help but laugh at the exaggerated antics.

"I don't recall there being quite so much singing and dancing on me own ship," he whispered to Mary, who giggled in response.

A crowd was already gathering for what promised to be the highlight of the day before Blackbeard's last stand, and then the memorial service, which would end the day. There was to be a grand sword fighting demonstration.

"Look," a woman said next to them, pointing to a familiar figure strutting across the stage with a sigh of longing. "Isn't that Jake?"

Her friend nodded. "He's the biggest catch around and I hear he's single."

Unable to help rolling his eyes, Aiden looked to where the lassies were pointing. There was a line of pirates waiting for the demonstration, but as he went down the line, he spotted the man who had caused Mary so much trouble. Jake was dressed in an elaborate pirate costume, complete with a feathered hat, a purple velvet jacket, and a gleaming (but clearly fake) cutlass at his hip.

"Ladies and gentlemen," an announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, "prepare yourselves for a spectacle of skill and daring! Our brave pirate captains will now demonstrate their prowess with the blade."

As Jake and his opponent began their choreographed fight, he couldn't help but scoff. "That's not how you hold a cutlass," he muttered. "And his footwork is all wrong."

"Shh, it's just for show, remember?" Mary elbowed him gently, the corner of her mouth quirking up. "He looks ridiculous."

But he found it hard to stay quiet as he watched the clumsy display. When Jake nearly tripped over his own feet while attempting a particularly dramatic lunge, Aiden couldn't contain himself any longer.

"Oi!" he called out, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Is that the best ye can do, ye landlubber?"

The crowd fell silent, all eyes turning to him. Jake, red-faced and clearly annoyed, pointed his sword at Aiden. "Think you can do better, do you?"

Aiden grinned, the familiar rush of a challenge coursing through him. "Aye, that I do."

Before she could stop him, Aiden was making his way through the crowd and up onto the stage. Jake's opponent, sensing the change in atmosphere, quickly backed away.

"Now, gentlemen," the announcer began, clearly flustered, "this is just a friendly demonstration?—"

But Jake was already lunging at Aiden, his fake sword whistling through the air. Aiden sidestepped easily, his body falling into the familiar rhythms of combat.

What followed was a dance of blades, Aiden moving with a grace and precision that left the crowd gasping. Jake, for all his bravado and bragging about all the lessons he'd taken, was clearly outmatched. His face grew redder with each failed attack, his movements becoming more desperate and uncoordinated.

For his part, Aiden was enjoying himself immensely. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed this. The thrill of combat, the rush of adrenaline. He toyed with Jake, letting him get close before dancing away, always just out of reach.

The crowd was loving it, cheering and gasping with each near miss and daring move. Even his lass had moved up to the front, cheering him on, encouraging him to best Jake.

Finally, with a move that was more luck than skill, Jake managed to catch the edge of Aiden's shirt with a second blade he'd pulled from his jacket. A real blade. The fabric tore, revealing a glimpse of tanned skin and the edge of an old scar.

Aiden's eyes narrowed. Playtime was over.

With a series of lightning-fast moves, he disarmed Jake, sending the fake cutlass flying into the crowd, and the real knife clattering to the ground. Jake stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet and landing hard on his backside.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Aiden, breathing hard but grinning, offered Jake a hand up. "Not bad," he said, loud enough for the audience to hear. "For a landlubber."

Jake reached for Aiden's hand, but instead of accepting the aid, he suddenly swung his fist at Aiden's face. With lightning-fast reflexes, he ducked the punch and, in one fluid motion, grabbed Jake by the waist and heaved him off the stage and into the harbor.

The crowd gasped, then burst into raucous laughter as Jake surfaced, red-faced and spluttering, his pirate costume now thoroughly soaked, the feather floating on the water. With a mischievous glint in his eye, Aiden leaned over the edge of the pier. "Looks like ye needed to cool off, mate!"

The spectators roared with delight, cheering and clapping as Jake floundered in the water, his dignity thoroughly drenched along with his clothes.

As Aiden jumped down in front of Mary, he caught the mix of emotions on her face. Concern, exasperation, and something that looked a lot like pride.

"You just couldn't help yourself, could you?" she said, but there was no real anger in her voice.

Aiden shrugged, a smirk on his face. "What can I say? Once a pirate, always a pirate."

A familiar voice rang out from the shore.

"Yoo-hoo, Aiden. It's time for the battle!" Diana called, waving enthusiastically."You look fantastic." She patted his arm.

Then the delightful woman turned and hugged her daughter as Mary let out a strangled gasp. "Good to see you too, mom."

Diana Snow placed a bejeweled hand on the sleeve of his coat. "I can't wait to see you fight," she said, eyes gleaming with excitement.

"I canna believe I have to be part of Teach's crew," he grumbled, but it was more playful than reluctant. Truth be told, the thought of the reenactment stirred a spark of excitement within him. Mary's mother turned to her daughter, grinning mischievously. "You're sending your man off to battle. Better kiss him for luck."

Mary's cheeks flushed, but with a playful smile, she stepped closer to Aiden, rising up on her tiptoes and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "For luck," she whispered.

"Ye call that a proper send off, poppet?" He mock growled into her hair.

"So show me." She looked up at him, eyes shining.

His heart pounding, he swept her into his arms, one hand cradling her face as he kissed her, putting everything he felt for her into the moment. The world fell away as he lost himself in the softness of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against his. Mary melted into him, her fingers tangling in his hair as she returned the kiss with equal fervor.

When they finally broke apart, breathless and dizzy, the cheers of the crowd brought them back to reality. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling as he set her on her feet, smirking when she grabbed onto his arm as her knees buckled.

"Wow." She touched a finger to her lips as her mom clapped. "Now that's a proper kiss."

With a flourish, he bowed deeply, then leapt onto the stage with fluid grace to take his place among the crew.

Cannons thundered, shaking the ground as he moved through the battle with practiced ease, his sword slicing through the air in precise arcs. The sunlight glinted off the blade, and for a moment, he was back on the Siren. Every strike, every movement as natural as breathing. He caught the startled expressions of the British sailors, knowing his skill had startled more than just the audience.

When Blackbeard went down, Aiden continued the fight, his jaw set with determination. He let himself fall only when the time was right, landing hard but controlled. Looking over, he met Mary's eyes in the crowd and winked, earning a burst of laughter that reached him even over the crowd's noise.

The applause was loud and enthusiastic as he stood and took his bow with the others. Grinning widely, he made his way back to her, still buzzing with adrenaline. "Now that ," he said, "was a proper pirate battle."

As the sun cast a warm golden hue across the water, they found a quiet spot for the Blackbeard Pirate and Royal Navy Memorial Service to honor the fallen sailors, both Blackbeard's and the Royal Navy's.

Aiden glanced at Mary, the weight of the moment settling over him as the cool evening breeze picked up. As they listened to the solemn words and watched the wreaths being laid on the water, a wave of emotion washed over him. This was what was coming in his own time. These were men he had known, fought alongside, shared meals and stories with, and now he knew how they met their end. They went as he had wished—in battle with a blade in their hands.

As the last notes of "Amazing Grace" faded away, played on a lone bagpipe, he found himself blinking. He'd never been one for sentimentality, but something about this moment, caught between past and present, between the life he'd known and the one he had come to love, struck a chord deep within him.

Mary must have sensed his mood, for she slipped her hand into his, squeezing gently. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Aiden nodded, swallowing past the lump in his throat as the final cannon's blast ended the jamboree. "Aye, lass. Those men would want nothing more than to die fighting."

"So," Mary said as they approached her golf cart, "what did you think of your first Pirate Jamboree?"

For a moment, he thought about everything he had experienced, then he grinned. "It was... different from what I expected. But in a good way. If I am to return to my own time, now I know what is coming, when and how they will die." He shook himself. "It's nice to see people celebrating the adventure of it all, without having to live through the harder parts."

Mary nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I've always seen it as just a tourist thing, you know? But watching you today... it made it all feel more real somehow."

As they settled into the cart for the drive home, Mary driving this time, he wished the day didn't have to end.

"Would ye... would ye like to join me for a drink?" He asked as they pulled up in front of Read Between the Tides. "We could sit outside and watch the stars come out."

"That sounds lovely. I'll grab some glasses and that bottle of whiskey you like."

They settled onto the porch swing, Inky curling up between them. The street was still alive with the remnants of the day's celebrations, laughter, and snatches of voices drifting on the evening breeze.

Aiden poured them each a measure of whiskey, raising his glass in a toast. "To unleashing your inner pirate."

"And to reminding me how much I used to enjoy the jamboree," Mary added, clinking her glass against his.

As they sipped their drinks, a comfortable silence fell between them. The gentle creaking of the porch swing and the cat's contented purring created a soothing backdrop to the fading revelry.

As the night deepened and the crowds thinned, they heard the soft clip-clop of hooves. The dappled gray pony ambled up to the porch, nickering softly.

Aiden chuckled, reaching into his pocket for an apple he'd snagged earlier.

"Looks like we've got company," he said, offering the fruit to the pony.

The mare accepted the treat gently, crunching it with obvious enjoyment before nuzzling his hand in thanks. With a final soft whinny, she turned and wandered off into the night.

Mary leaned her head against Aiden's shoulder, sighing contentedly. "I really had a good time this weekend."

"Mary," he said softly, setting down his glass. "I know ye said that kiss didn't have to mean anything, but... it meant something to me. Ye mean a great deal to me."

At the look on her face, he feared he'd said too much. But then she set down her own glass and turned to face him as Inky jumped down, tail in the air, and stalked off into the bushes.

"It meant something to me too," she whispered, reaching up to cup his face in her hands. "I've just been too afraid to admit it."

Slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was different. Slower, deeper, filled with all the emotions they'd been holding back. Aiden poured everything he felt into it, his hands coming up to tangle in Mary's hair as he pulled her closer.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless, he rested his forehead against hers. "Stay with me tonight," he murmured. "Not for... just to be close. I don't want to be alone."

"I don't want to be alone either."

As they watched people heading home for the night, Aiden's arms around Mary and her head tucked under his chin, a sense of peace washed over him. Whatever challenges tomorrow might bring, whatever mysteries still lay unsolved for now, he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

With Mary in his arms and the sound of the sea in his ears, Aiden drifted off to sleep, the porch swing swaying gently in the breeze, feeling for the first time in years that he had truly come home.