Chosen Path

When they had a goal to reach, Jack was remarkably single-minded in getting them there. They had their course charted quickly enough, though it would require a fair journey inland, necessitating leaving the Pearl behind.



They dared not leave the ship unoccupied, but neither Jack nor Hector was prepared to assign the command to anyone, and when Elizabeth offered to stay behind, she was immediately outvoted.



“Why not? I can’t drink from the Fountain anyway. I don’t dare, in my current condition.”



Hector barely suffered a glance in her direction before mumbling in a just-audible voice. “Not leavin’ yeh alone in yer current condition.”



Elizabeth felt her stomach flutter even as he turned away. Was it possible he still cared?



There was no way to satisfy all three Captains, but when Lily and Tam from the Empress’s crew declined to go, declaring the water to be unnatural, Jack, Hector, and Elizabeth found no cause to argue. It eased the men’s mind when Cotton indicated that he intended to stay behind with them, though Elizabeth couldn’t help feel a twinge of guilt. The oldest crew member would need the Fountain of Youth more than anyone…but she supposed it was his choice to stay. She herself intended to take a flask of the water to drink after the baby was born; perhaps she could retrieve some for her old crew-mate as well.



When they landed at the beach, Elizabeth kept a firm hold on Billy’s hand. It had been some time since he’d been on land at all, and those rare times when they’d been on a beach in the Pacific had always delighted him. But they weren’t there to play now, so she dragged him up the beach after the other pirates.



As they made their way inland, Elizabeth lifted Billy into her arms. “Oof. You’re getting too big to carry, darling. We’ll have to get you some shoes soon.”



Thankfully, MacIntyre or Jack was usually willing to lift Billy from her arms when he got too heavy for her to carry. When Billy grew restless, she allowed him to walk, but kept him at her side, staying near the center of the pack. The path was slow going, Jack leading with his compass, Barbossa limping beside, he and the crew attacking the brush with cutlasses and machetes.



They camped in the swampy muck, often with nothing but a few torches for light and heat. Mornings brought only scant breakfasts, since they only had what they could carry on their backs for food, and Elizabeth was eating for two and carrying for three. Afternoon brought rain, heavy storms that soaked them to their skin and nearly halted all forward progress until the storm passed.



The journey was proving unkind to Hector, Elizabeth could plainly see. As much as he tried to disguise his limp, it only grew worse. He was the slowest to rise in the mornings. He might have been the first to sit up, but Elizabeth watched from her own cocoon of blanket as he rubbed his back, stretched his arms, massaged his leg, and examined his bandages. It wasn’t until this routine had been completed that he slowly pulled himself to his feet and set about rousing the rest of the crew.



By the third night, Elizabeth was beginning to wish Hector truly had left her in Tortuga. Billy whined incessantly about wanting to go home and not having any fun, her own body ached from walking through swamp and mud, often carrying a three year old on her back. All this because Hector wanted to keep her close? She’d have an easier time believing that if he ever bothered to talk to her.



By the forth night, the rest of the company had grown restless as well. “How far did you say this was supposed to be?”



“I thought it was a 3-day walk.”



“We’re going in circles we are!”



“Ye’ve bloody done got us lost!”



“Enough!” Barbossa quelled the uprising with a pistol shot to the sky. “So we take a little longer than we thought. No different than a sailor should expect. Don’t forget we’ve got a little one slowin’ us down. But if any o’ you scurvy curs wants out, yer welcome to find yer own way back to the Pearl.”



“Besides,” Elizabeth couldn’t resist speaking up. “You’ve got to be lost to find the places that can’t be found. If we’re good and lost now, we’re nearly there.”



The crew exchanged shrugging glances, agreeing to continue on for one more day at least, and settled down for the night. Elizabeth was wrapping herself and Billy in their wool blanket when she felt a hand on her shoulder. The soft voice in her ear needed no introduction.



“Ye remember every word I say, don’t ye.”



Of course she did. There had never been a time when she hadn’t. Elizabeth turned and met his eyes, their bright blue dulled by moonlight. His hand was heavy on her shoulder; it had been so long since they’d touched. If only she could pull him to the ground beside her, kiss him until everything was right again, and sleep at last in his embrace.



But if she was to have any chance of freeing Will, she couldn’t let Hector worm his way back into her heart. She couldn’t give in to the feelings that threatened to bubble up to the surface. There were words that danced on her lips, but she simply wasn’t prepared to say them, not to him, not now. Kindness would only encourage him; it would be easier to walk away if she was cruel. She tore her eyes from his and laced her voice with ice. “Don’t flatter yourself.”



She expected him to drop his hand and go. But he didn’t. The hand stayed where it was for a moment more, breathing audibly behind her. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry, Elizabeth. About Turner, and me actions against him. My apologies.”



Elizabeth shut her eyes. He wanted to be kind? Then he needed to be kind to all parties involved. “It’s Captain Turner.”



“Pardon?”



“Will. He’s a Captain now, and I’d appreciate it if you showed him the respect he deserves. You don’t have to befriend him, you don’t even have to like him. But respect him, as you would any other pirate. Captain Turner.”



His forced breaths came louder. “Captain Turner is no pirate.”



He didn’t wait for her response. Elizabeth bit her lip and pulled the blanket tighter, kissing Billy’s head as she lay down beside him. Still disparaging, but it was an improvement, however small. Elizabeth shut her eyes and hoped she was right about being lost. The sooner they found this Fountain, the sooner Hector would be healed and she could walk away without having to worry over his fate, and drive him from her heart.



On the fifth night, Ragetti left in search of fresh water to replenish their stores. He returned some time later, he walked slowly, inspecting his hands.



“Wot’s wrong with you then?”



“Reckon I done found it.”



The company snapped their heads up as one. “Found what?”



“The Fountain?”



“Are you sure? How do you know?”



“Well,” Ragetti started, “I can see better. Still only got one eye, but it works better ‘an it has fer years. I feel better. Like I could run forever. Do I look any different?”



Pintel rose to inspect him, peering at his face and body. “No. Yer as ugly as ever.”



“Well, where be this fountain?” Hector ambled over to Ragetti. “Worst case, it’s just fresh water, an’ we be needin’ that. Best case, well. We may have found our Agua de Vida.”



“Right this way, Cap’n.”



Ragetti led them along a small stream to a clearing in the woods. The stream trickled down along some rocks and poured into a small pond. The water glittered in the starlight, reflecting the night sky in its stillness, even as the stream entered the pool.



For a moment, the company just stared in awe, but then they all started down the rocks to the water’s edge. Elizabeth and Billy made their way down with the others, but hung back when it came time to drink. Still, she filled her flask, hoping that it might still have some effect once the child was born.



Hector held his goblet aloft as the others filled their own vessels. “‘I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.’ But no longer need we feel the effects of the curse of time, the ceaseless turning of the wheel, for with this – ” he brandished his goblet “-nectar of life, the Agua de Vida, we shall be reborn, made young again! ‘Come, gentlemen. I hope we shall drink down all – ‘”



Jack staggered unceremoniously into the center of the throng, brushing Hector aside. “Drink up me hearties, yo ho!”



The crew erupted in a cheer and downed their shares of the water, leaving Hector alone with his goblet raised.



“… ‘unkindness,’” he quietly finished his quote, glaring at Jack over the top of his goblet. Hector lifted the goblet to his lips and took a careful sip. Elizabeth pulled Billy into her arms and watched as he slowly drained the goblet. The crew was dancing and whooping, laughing and singing, but she saw only Hector, only his face as he stared at his empty goblet, waiting for the effects of the water to reach him.



Her own breathing had slowed. Would it work? Song had seemed so certain, but she’d never tried it, nor seen it personally, until now. Ghost stories were sometimes true. But sometimes left a lot of room for exaggeration, convolution, and lies.



Hector glanced up, noticed her noticing him. She waited for him to turn from her, or avert his eyes, but he didn’t.



“Shakespeare,” she called over the ruckus from the crew.



“Aye.” It took but a few steps for him to stand before her. “Glad someone appreciated.”



“Of course. How do you feel?”



He pushed his coat back and lifted his shirt slightly, revealing a stretch of pale skin. There were still scars, but there was no sign of injury. Elizabeth’s vision clouded, she heard laughter bubbling over. He was healed. His wretched, cursed wound, inflicted as a result of her crazy idea of a treasure hunt, was finally healed. Though he had never once laid blame upon her, she nevertheless felt a tremendous weight lifting from her shoulders. She managed to suppress the urge to throw her arms around him, laughing and kissing him senseless, but couldn’t stop her fingers from reaching forward, running along his bare abdomen. Warm, soft, but most importantly, healed



She heard his sharp intake of breath at the gentle touch of her fingers. It had been so long since she’d touched him, and longer still since he’d felt it. When had she last had such an effect on him? What effect might she have, touching him elsewhere? He’d wanted her as his first after the Aztec curse had been lifted; why not now? Just once more, before they parted forever, to celebrate their success.



She lifted her hand to trace the lines on his face, the scar over his eye that still remained. “You don’t look any different. But I’m glad for that.” He frowned at her. “You wouldn’t be nearly so intimidating if you looked like a green lad just run off to sea.”



His hand caught her wrist and stilled her hand. “Elizabeth. Stop.”



“Why? You can feel it, can’t you?”



“Aye, I can.” His eyes rolled heavenward, blinking shut for a moment.



Elizabeth smiled, stepping closer. “Then why stop?” She peered through her lashes at him, letting her fingernails dance along his hairline. “I’ve missed you.”



But Hector merely glared and forcibly removed her hand. “Captain Turner wouldn’t approve.”



* * *





Spirits were high returning to the Pearl after finding the legendary Fountain. Aches and pains melted away, senses were heightened, and wrinkles were smoothed, replaced by the healthy glow and boundless energy of youth.



For Barbossa, the lifting of yet another cruel curse was the sweetest thing. His side no longer troubled him with an often oozing open wound. His skin was as sensitive to touch as it had ever been, and it was already clear that certain hitherto damaged functions were back in form. Not that he’d had much opportunity to experiment. It was too crowded round the campfires at night for self-exploration, and Elizabeth…she still wasn’t giving up Turner, and vain pursuit wasn’t a road he was prepared to tread again.



They were easily able to follow their own trail back to sea, and since the path was already clear, the going was considerably easier. With his limp gone and his strength fully restored, Barbossa carried a wriggly, giggly Billy on his shoulders, and the party easily covered twice the ground going as coming.



It was less than a week before they reached the beach, the Pearl blessedly docked still just offshore. There were still hours before sundown, but the crew begged for a swim before they made sail. Barbossa allowed it. There was no call to hurry; they could sleep on the beach tonight.



When the sun set and a bonfire blazed, the crew was merrier than they’d been the entire journey so far. Someone had rowed out to the Pearl to retrieve Lily, Tam, Cotton, and a great many bottles of rum. No wine though, so Barbossa declined to imbibe. Elizabeth partook though, and it wasn’t long before somebody broke out in song and she started bloody dancing with bloody Sparrow. Had she forgiven him so easily then?



She danced with Jack, but she danced too with Ragetti, Song, and Billy, twirling and laughing. She was so vibrant, so alive, and he couldn’t help regret the dark turn their relationship had taken. She’d been making eyes at him the past few days, but until she renounced her husband, he was not going to play her game.



Suddenly, in the midst of a raucous lyric, Elizabeth stumbled to a halt, gasping, hands flying to her midsection. Barbossa was at her side in a heartbeat. Turner be damned, if there was something wrong with the baby, with her, there would be hell to pay.



“Elizabeth? Elizabeth, what’s wrong?” He laid a tentative hand on her arm. “Is it the baby?” She nodded slowly and his heart leapt to his throat. His grip on her arm tightened; he reached for her with his free hand to draw her closer, though he couldn’t fathom what good it would do. If the child was already hurt…



But when Elizabeth raised her chin to him, her smile was broad and her eyes bright. “He’s moving.”



Barbossa drew back a bit, frowning. Moving?



“Oh!” Elizabeth laughed. “He just moved again!”



“That a good thing?”



“Yes. A very good thing. It means he’s alive and well. Here.” She took his hands and guided them below her shirt, pressing them to her abdomen. “Can you feel it?”



Her skin was smooth and warm, and he was sharply reminded of how long it had been since he’d touched her. Her belly had been flat the last time they’d made love.



“There! Did you feel that?”



Barbossa shook his head. “Didn’t feel nothin’.” Maybe he just didn’t know what to feel for. Shouldn’t a father just know these things? Already he was failing at that role, and the child hadn’t even been born yet.



“Oh.” Elizabeth’s smile faded, and he let his hands fall. “No, Hector!” Her own hands flew to his face, thumbs pressed to his cheeks. “You will, when he’s bigger. He’s just too small now, that’s all. Keep trying. You’ll feel him when he’s bigger.”



He pressed his fingers again to her belly. His son grew in there. His boy. She was looking at him again, and she looked so earnest, so sincere, that he could almost believe her. He could almost believe she was his.



But she was his, she should be his. She bore his child, he couldn’t let her go. When Turner came back, he’d just keep her. Elizabeth was his treasure, and Turner might have had her first, but he had her now, and he didn’t give back that which he claimed for his own.



Her mouth was so close, her hands reached back to draw him closer. His hands slid from her abdomen to the small of her back and his lips found hers. So sweet. Her mouth moved against his with practiced ease. He knew her kisses well by now; first just lips, suckling and caressing, then her tongue, sliding along his lower lip, his darting out to meet it. Then a groan as their mouths opened, bodies pressing tightly together, tongues swirling furiously about each other in a heady promise of other, more intimate, caresses.



Barbossa slowly became aware of the noise around him, the crew whistling and cheering. “Oi, Cap’n! Watch what you’re doin’ there, there’s a little one present!”



“Aye, you’ll scar him for life like that, you will!”



“Reckon he done scarred me for life.”



Somebody tossed a stick at him, and Elizabeth buried her face in his chest, giggling. Barbossa rolled his eyes and turned back to his woman.



“Shall we find someplace a bit more private?”



“Please. I think we need to talk.”



“Agreed.” Barbossa followed Elizabeth’s gaze into the crowd, and smiled with her when it landed on Billy, who was prancing about Jack, patting his head with each revolution, and singing (if it could be called that) “yo ho, yo ho” at the top of his lungs. He’d be safe enough for the time being.



They walked hand in hand down the beach, Elizabeth kicking up a spray of water as the tide rolled over their bare feet and ankles. He slipped his fingers into the spaces between hers, gripping tightly. For a time, she kept her hand locked within his, but by and by, she slipped from his grasp, turning to dance in the sand and rush into the knee-deep surf.



It was no use, then, trying to keep her. She was like the tide, this one, and would come and go in her own time. Trying to hold her against her will would be fruitless as keeping a wave upon the sand.



But by and by, she did come back, and slipped her arms around his waist, kissing his chin where his beard split. “Are we alright, then? Can we go back to being as we were?”



Barbossa sighed and shook his head. “Won’t go back to that, Elizabeth.”



“Why not? Weren’t you happy?”



He huffed. “Happy? Might have been, if I didn’t wake up every mornin’ wonderin’ whether or not you’d still be there. Spent the last year waiting for the day yeh’d leave me for Turner. And yeh did.”



“I’m sorry. I truly am. But I came back to you, didn’t I?”



“Was that because of me, or because you couldn’t stay with him?”



“Because of you! I’ll always come back to you.”



“No, you won’t.”



“Of course I will, Hector!” She swatted his chest playfully, but he wasn’t interested in playing.



“No.” He took her hands in his, letting his eyes bore into hers. “You won't 'come back to me' because you will not stray again. If ye've any though in yer head that yeh might, this conversation be over. If you want to be with me, then you be with me. No flitting off to Turner, or Sparrow, or anyone else. Yer either mine, or yer not. I don’t share.”



He watched her eyes in the moonlight, holding his gaze for a moment before falling to her feet. Her hands in his were shaking. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t pursue her, and here he was, pursuing. If she said no now, he’d be the bigger fool.



Her eyes were still lowered when she took a tentative step toward him and spoke quietly. “Then I’m yours.”



He cupped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “Look at me when yeh say that.”



Her lip trembled as she met his gaze. “Yes. I’ll stay, I’m yours.”



He’d expected it to be enough, but somehow it wasn’t. Words, mere words, empty promises. She’d promised as much before, and broken her word. “Not sure I believe that.”



She shoved against him, voice leaping in pitch. “What more do you want me to say? I can’t take back my actions. I wish I could, but I can’t! But I’ll never do it again, I swear it!” She paced before him, feet sending clumps of wet sand flying. “Do you want me to marry you? Would that satisfy? I will, if you still want to.”



Barbossa raised an eyebrow. He’d wanted that, yes. Still did, if truth be told. But at the moment, it didn’t feel like enough, and he shook his head. “Elizabeth, I saw how seriously yeh didn’t take yer vows to Turner. If that’s how yeh treat yer husband, I don’t want to be that to you.”



Elizabeth pursed her lips. “We’re not married.” Her voice was soft.



“Excuse me?”



“Will and I. We’re not married. There’s no possible way. You think I’m a widow anyway, and Jack says it doesn’t count because you’re a pirate and you haven’t the right.”



That was interesting. Very interesting. “And what is it you think?”



She ceased her pacing and looked him square in the eye. “I think none of that matters. If you love each other enough, if you believe you’re married, then that’s enough. It doesn’t have to be ‘official,’ we’re pirates, we don’t follow English law. If it feels like a marriage, then it’s enough.”



Barbossa shook his head. If she wanted to believe herself married to Turner, then there was nothing more to say. He turned to go, but she grabbed hold of his arm.



“Wait, where are you going? Aren’t you going to ask me what a marriage feels like to me?”



He rolled his eyes. “Why should I humor yeh now?”



“Because.” She moved around him until she stood before him. “A marriage isn’t just getting a dress and saying ‘I do’ and kissing and all that. What I think a marriage truly is, is two people who love each other enough to stay at each other’s side, no matter what. To support each other, in the good times and the bad. Anyone can sail in calm waters, but only a true sailor can handle a ship in a storm. When you find someone who stays with you and helps you through those storms, who is your friend, confidant, and lover, that’s the person you’re married to, whether you make it official or not. That’s what a marriage is.”



Barbossa closed his eyes. “And Turner - ”



“No.” He snapped his eyes open. “No, he isn’t. During my worst storms, he wasn’t here. He knew what happened with Jack, but he didn’t know the whole story, and he never even asked! If he’d only asked, we could have helped each other…but he didn’t. And he’s not here now, and that’s not his fault, of course, but the fact remains that he’s not. But you are.”



Barbossa cleared his throat. “What exactly are yeh saying?”



“All this time, I thought Will was my husband. But I was wrong. You’ve been my husband, in all but name, for over a year now. I just didn’t see it. I was such a fool, and I’m so very sorry.” There were tears in her eyes, her hand came up to caress his cheek. “Will…is dear to me, and always will be. And I shall still save him, if I can.”



“To what end?”



“To give him his life back! It’s the least I can do, considering…” Her head contemplated her feet again, bare toes drawing lines in the sand. He took her cheeks in hand and turned her head back up to face him. He would see her eyes for this.



“Considering what?”



“Considering I’ve chosen to spend my life with another man.”



Barbossa felt his breath catch. This was the commitment he’d been waiting for. And yet, still, something was missing. She was spending her life in the company of many men, but she hadn’t said much to distinguish him from any other of her friends on the crew. And still she clung to Turner.



“Elizabeth.” He shook his head, opened his mouth to speak.



“Don’t, Hector.” Her eyes flashed for a moment, she breathed steadily. “Don’t ask me to forget Will. I won’t, just as I won’t ever forget Jack, or James Norrington, or my father. They are a part of my past, and I won’t give that up. But the past is past, and my future lies with you. That’s all I can promise.”



“That’s all you can promise?”



Her eyes glistened; she was being sincere, at least, or she thought she was. “What more can you possibly want?”



She still had to ask? He should have shoved her aside, walked away forever. But perhaps, with just a small hint, she would understand at last? He caressed her cheek with his thumb, running fingers down her neck, eliciting sweet sighs. He struggled to keep his own body in check as he laid his hand to rest just above her left breast.



She covered his hand with her own, staring for a moment at their hands, then turning her eyes on him. “My heart?” She had to ask?



He offered a small nod, but her face registered only confusion. “You think you don’t have it?”



He raised an eyebrow. “Do I?”



She laughed, swatting his arm. “Did you listen to a word I said? Of course you have my heart, you great, bloody fool, Hector Barbossa, I’m in love with you!”



It was like elixir to his heart. He couldn’t breathe, he could barely speak. He’d never though to hear those words, but there they were, sprung from her lips unbidden. “Yeh mean that? Truly?”



“What on earth else did you think I meant?”



Her face was such a delightful puzzle of confusion, amusement, and haughtiness that he could only laugh. “Could have saved us a heap of trouble if ye’d only spoke plainer, me girl.”



“Would you have believed me, if I’d simply said ‘I love you’ and hoped it would be enough?”



He gathered her into his arms, at last, feeling her, truly feeling her against him, beside him. “It’s enough,” he murmured into her hair. “If it’s from yer heart, it’s enough.”



Her arms came around his neck, her cheeks were wet against his as her whisper drifted into his ear. “It is. I love you.”



He might have crushed her, he couldn’t be close enough to her. He would never tire of hearing those words from her lips. Their bodies fit together differently already, her rounded belly pressing against him, the subtle promise of new life. He breathed in the scent of her hair, savored its texture between his fingers, enjoyed the curve of her hip against his. Her breasts were fuller than he remembered them, soft against his chest. And her lips, finding their way to his, were nothing less than divine.



He’d missed this part so very much. Kissing her was salvation, homecoming, need and want and trust and passion. He needed her, oh how he needed her. Needed to be with her now, here, crew or no crew, unborn or no –



No, he’d not hurt the unborn. Not for anything.



“Elizabeth?” She gasped up at him, fingers momentarily stilled from their frantic unbuttoning. “Won’t hurt ‘im, will it?”



Elizabeth frowned. “I don’t think so.”



“Will he know? What we’re doin’?”



“Oh, Hector,” she giggled. “I doubt it. But if he does, then at least he knows you’re here. And how you make me feel.”



He grinned. “And how do I make yeh feel?”



She grinned back. “Why don’t you show me?” He did.



* * *





Elizabeth traced invisible symbols along Hector’s chest, head resting on his shoulder, his arms strong and secure around her. He combed fingers through her hair, stupid grin still plastered to his face. She couldn’t stop shaking, dared not trust her legs just yet. She might have to soon; the tide coming in lapped at their ankles already.



“Cariño. I missed ye.”



“Mm.” She smiled then; if he called her cariño, then everything really was right with them. But not the way it had been. Everything was different now. She chewed her lip, ducking her head, but he caught her grimace.



“Somethin’ wrong?”



She shook her head. The last thing she needed was to worry him now. She forced a smile, but he always had been able to see right through her.



“Elizabeth.”



It was a warning. She took a deep breath. “I’m scared.”



Hector’s hand tangled in her hair. “What’ve yeh got to be scared of?”



Elizabeth shook her head. How could she explain it? She didn’t understand herself what had stayed her hand for so long, kept her from giving her heart to any man. “I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never done this. I’ve never truly given my heart, my life, to anyone, not even Will.”



Barbossa was silent for a moment, stroking her hair with one hand, the other curled around her waist. “Nor I. Truth be told, I’m a bit scared meself.”



Elizabeth blinked. “You are? But you’re not afraid of anything!”



His chuckle was mirthless. “Elizabeth, I told yeh I take care of my own. That includes you now, and two children. The life of a pirate ain’t always easy, and when things go bad, they go bad. Now the rest o’ the crew, they’re free to jump ship if they think they can find fairer winds elsewhere. But you, the children. Yer dependin’ on me to come through.”



Elizabeth frowned. “Honestly, what is it with you men and taking care of me? I don’t need you, or Will, or anyone to take care of me!”



“’Tis a man’s duty to take care of his woman.”



“I am perfectly capable - ”



“Don’t matter. Still my duty to see to it yer provided for. I may not need to do much, but if e’er ye should fall and I’m not there to catch ye…well, I couldn’t live with meself.”



Elizabeth sighed. “That’s kind of you. But I’m not a little girl. I don’t need caring for.”



Hector raised an eyebrow. “An’ I don’t need lookin’ after. Don’t need ye to dress me wounds. Don’t mean I don’t like it. Sometimes yeh just need to know yer not so alone in the world. Sometimes it’s nice to know there’s someone there who does care for ye.”



“I didn’t mean I didn’t care for you.” Elizabeth shook her head. How had he turned her words around so? She’d thought he was being condescending, but now it seemed so tender, so kind. “Perhaps we’ll take care of each other.”



“I’d like that.”



She nestled closer, not worrying as the waves began to wash over their legs and hips. They’d return to the crew, to Billy, soon, but she wanted one more lingering moment alone with the man who was her husband, in deed if not in name. His hands caressed her back, his lips moved slowly along her forehead. “Hector?”



“Hmm?”



“So would I.”