The Admiral

James Morgan

Watching Arden adjust to life on land was somewhat amusing. During our first week settling into her old family home, we were sitting on the porch looking out at the sun setting over the horizon, and she said something that only another sailor could appreciate, “Everything is so...still.”

It took me a moment to realize she meant that the house wasn’t moving.

Once Arden had confirmed with her lawyer that the entire household staff was free and paid a fair wage, she scolded her grandmother and eventually moved her off the property to live in a small cottage, alone. My heart broke to watch the old woman sent off to fend for herself. Arden was willing to have her stay at first, but the moment she slapped one of the housemaids for “being incompetent” she was out the door so fast she didn’t even realize what was happening. Arden bought the cottage her grandmother lives in and pays her a small sum to live off. I’m trying to have her reconsider, but she says that until she apologizes, she can rot there until she dies.

Arden might not be Admiral anymore but the more I watch her in her new element it’s obvious the respect she commands didn’t ever come from her title. It’s plain as day, the entire household holds her in the same esteem her crew once did because of who she is and how she presents herself. To look at her she’s very unapproachable. Confidence and self-assuredness can be intimidating, but once everyone saw how casual Ox was with her, they seemed to slowly come around.

Everything changed dramatically when Arden found one of the younger girls, Ari, crying in the garden and bleeding. I’ve seen Arden lose her temper, but never like this. It was that quiet fury that sought blood. I knew I could do nothing to stop her, and after seeing how the girl suffered, barely able to walk for days, I even helped her. We did the detective work and found the man who had forced himself on her. Since Arden has a lifetime of diplomatic immunity for her service in the Fleet, something all Admirals and Commodores apparently walk away with, she was able to take matters into her own hands. Arden came home one night dragging her suspect bound and gagged into the yard of the property. I had already asked all the staff outside, and when Arden brought him out Ari confirmed it was him who had violated her. Arden gifted Ari his severed head. That’s when everyone understood, without a doubt, we would always protect those who worked for us. A white man’s blood speaks volumes.

Afterwards, Arden took it upon herself to train all the women how to use a blade while I taught them to shoot.

For about a month, everything was normal, or as normal as one might expect a life with Arden Lexington to be. One morning we woke up to find Arden had miscarried a child. The sheets were stained with blood, and it was only then we even found out she was pregnant.

I was worried my Arden would spiral into depression. She’s spent most of her life allowing the darkness and hatred to consume her, but to my relief, she seemed to do her best to carry on. Her sadness was noticeable by all, and when we discovered she was with child a second time Ari’s mother, Anesu took it upon herself to look after Arden until she came to full term. She made her tonics and foods that in her culture were known to help carrying mothers.

The next time we saw the Morning Star docked off the island we sent word to Doc to come check on Arden, and he returned for the delivery, saying he wouldn’t trust anyone else to deliver our child.

I loved watching Arden walking around the house and gardens with a big belly. Feeling our child moving inside her was a miracle.

When our son was finally born it was the happiest, I had ever allowed myself to be. Arden struggled immensely during the birth and nearly bled out, but Doc came prepared for the worst.

Everyone was in the house for the birth, Captain Debang, Giddeon, Charlotte, Evie, Azizi, and even young Adam and Jack who seem to have quickly grown into young men.

As much as I would have liked a gaggle of children, I couldn’t risk losing Arden. She was the one I intended to grow old with, and when she was finally able to walk I took her out to the garden where everyone was waiting for us.

“What the fuck are you all doing here?” was the first thing she said when she saw everyone milling about the garden.

Charlotte came over and placed a crown of flowers on Arden’s head, “We’re here for the wedding silly.”

Her eyes darted from Charlotte to Giddeon and pointed between the two, “Whose wedding, your wedding?”

I gave her hand a squeeze, “Ours my love.”

She looked up at me laughing, “It’s a bit late for that.”

I kiss the back of her hand, “It’s never too late darling. I couldn’t think of anyone more qualified than Captain Debag to perform our ceremony.”

Arden smiled at me so tenderly I thought I’d fall apart right there, “Alright then.”

The ceremony was short, Arden was still recovering and couldn’t stand for very long. All we really needed to do was sign the paperwork Giddeon prepared and it was legally done.

We had dinner outside, the rum made the rounds, and our new and old worlds collided beautifully. Ari seemed to fall in love with Adam on sight. By the looks of it, Charlotte wasn’t successful in her seduction of Giddeon, and he remains unattached. I’m a little curious to know if anything happened between them.

It was a night I’ll never forget, the night the girl I fell in love with all these years ago finally became my wife.

I watched Arden swaying in the garden, under the star-filled sky with our son in her arms and I’m reminded of the first night that I saw her training at the Academy. Her long white hair was glowing the same way in the moonlight then as it is now. The only difference is when she looks my way now, she doesn’t hide her smile. She allows its glory to pierce right through me, drawing me even further in love with her.

Thanks for reading The Admiral, hope you enjoyed it.

I'm considering writing a story for Giddeon. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts, and if you'd be interested in reading a sequel.