Sailor

Things would be different from now on. He’d make sure of it. There’d be no more long periods of separation like there was in the past. The days of either one of them leaving for months at a time on missions or deployments would be done.

He wondered how she’d feel now that her enlistment was up. Would there be the same kind of separation anxiety that he suffered when he was on land for great lengths of time? He was sure she’d miss the regimentation but so would he. They could find a way to quench each others thirst for it.

The thought did bring a smile to his face.

Jack Aubrey stood on the deck of the new schooner. It was nothing like the warships that he or Bridgid had seen but it was a fine sailing vessel. He wondered what she’d name it. Something he’d never approve of for sure but it was her vessel, or at least it would be once it docked in Coffs. For now, it was a yet to be named ship that he took possession of in Perth where it was built. Some of the finest sailing ships in the world were built in Perth. It was his gift to her and he had to go retrieve it. Leaving her that morning was difficult. They’d barely just arrived at the Glen but he had to keep the appointment and he had to do it without her. It was the way he planned it.

The air was cool and fresh for this part of the world. Jack decided to sail the southern route from Perth, hugging the coast all the way back to Coffs. The chill grabbed him as he raised a fine china cup to his lips to sip the bitter brew that filled it. Coffee from Africa was at one time a rare find but in these modern magnificent times, Arabica brew was taken for granted. He’d miss it if it became scarce.

He missed her.

Standing on the deck of a civilian ship, he had no need for uniform. It made him feel somewhat naked. Was it just the lack of his blue and gold that pained him? No, his thoughts were on that first and last night that they’d spent together at the Glen. He thought of that smile she wore for him when he lifted her into his arms and it brought on longing. The taste of the kisses they shared was still on his lips and for some reason he could smell her on his shirt. There was something unique about the scent she wore and he’d never noticed it on any other woman.

He spent some time thinking about how he’d mentored other sailors in the past. Missing hearth and home was a common affliction during long voyages and he often talked with young midshipman about thwarting off the emotions of it all. He himself was never felt the angst of separation in the past, none that he’d display overtly anyway. An officer needed to be strong, to set a proper example for the lower ranks. Captain Jack Aubrey was a fine officer who did what he had to do for king and country. It was his duty.

The wind picked up and he raised his head to savor it. He swore he could hear her voice on it at that moment. Did that make him weak? Jack looked down at the deck in thought. No. It didn’t. Every man had his time, his time of triumph of glory, his time of surrender and defeat, his time of love and longing. Today he suffered the latter.

His heart ached but he savored it. The cure would come the moment he saw his Bridgid waiting on the docks for him. It was the touch of her mouth that he groaned for but the only kiss he got was one of salt spray against his cheeks. Seaman’s skin, too rough to suffer a blush had barely noticed the tingle that the tender cheeks of a boy would sense. Jack knew she would be in her element in these conditions. They shared a love of the sea that was hard to explain but perhaps that love is what made them soul mates. The kiss of the ocean would make her blush. She was not as hard as she professed to be.

He too could make her blush with a touch or a shared secret word. She was beautiful when her guard was down. Her inhibitions were non existent with him.

Jack set his cup down so he could move to the rail. He gripped the smooth wood then loosened his hand to stroke the fine grain.

"I hear you, Siren. Stop it now, madam. No tears." He whispered into the salt breeze.

So she did.