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Post by jaydjasmyn on Jul 22, 2009 16:44:23 GMT -5
Getting around for Jayd was getting harder and harder. She couldn't imagine how tough it would be once her belly was bigger. Her small frame would certainly be drained by carrying around the extra weight. But for now she did just fine even though she was panting slightly as she got up to the helm of the ship.
As soon as Caden is out of hearing distance Lad shot right in and voiced something about what he had almost let slip earlier. Jayd laughed. She really didn't see the problem in seeing Caden as his son. "I caught that. But would it really be bad to think of him as your son? After all you are raising him and teaching him everything that a father should." Jayd's paws moved the wheel from left to right as she gave Lad time to think about what she just said.
Lazily Jayd leaned back into Ladorak. She's use any moments that she could to be near to him. Happily she sighed as she looked back at him. She knew that he was thinking about Caden and what he just about let slip. Jayd wondered if Caden caught it as well.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 23, 2009 13:28:01 GMT -5
Ladorak welcomed his wife leaning back into him. It made him feel relaxed and comfortable this way. "Just like a father should you say...." he said, wondering at this. "Jayd...." he said after a moment's thought. "Here come away from the wheel for a moment, you don`t need to do anything just yet." the stoat pulled his mate closer to him.
"I want to tell you something and then ask you something. First off.....I think it's good we took Caden in. It's like....it's like I had a son who grew up in only a day or two and well....I'm happy for it. Sure we've got a kit on the way but....Caden's old enough to understand most of what I tell him and he'll be growing even more these next few years and well....I guess deep down I've always had a soft spot for dibbuns his age. I think it's good practice for me too." he said, looking down into her beautiful face and running his claws gently through her cheek fur.
"Which of course....leads me to my question.....do you think....I mean it's only really hit me just now you know. Me...I....Ladorak Fugate...am going to be a father. Do you think I....do you think I have it in me?" he asked, swallowing visible now as Caden became visible again. He looked around, finally seeing Ladorak and Jayd way at the stern of the yacht. "I'm nervous you see." Ladorak continued, nodding at Caden to say it was OK. The white furred albino began to head for the ladder to the quarterdeck but Ladorak motioned for him to stay there.
"I'll be right there Caden!" he called down to the young kit. "Yeah....you can't know but my stomach is turning itself inside and out at this prospect." the stoat said, more softly so that only Jayd could hear him now.
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Post by jaydjasmyn on Jul 24, 2009 4:15:14 GMT -5
It was fate that her and Ladorak met. Perhaps he didn't realize it at the time or even still now but 'because' of everything that happened in his life thus far lent itself to him and her meeting, falling in love, getting pregnant, rescuing Caden and then getting married. Everything that was now was meant to be. He was going to be a terrific father. Jayd just knew it.
Jayd's arms snaked around her mates waist as she looked up at him. He could see the love and admiration in her eyes as she smiled and then gave her opinion about his question, turning only for a moment in order to see Caden. "Ladorak... You are going to make a great father. You are doing so well with Caden and really this baby is coming no matter what we want now. Everything that's happened up until now and in the future was meant to be. Our child is going to have a wonderful home and wonderful parents. Will we do everything right? I doubt it. I suppose that we will make mistakes but that's just part of life." Tenderly she kissed her mate.
The stoat-tess then turned to gaze at Caden as she was now standing by Lad's side instead of in front of him. "He's come a long way Ladorak. Can you imagine what he would be today if we had not taken him in? He wouldn't have had the chance to be a kit for a while. In the environment that he was in he would have been forced to be harsh. I think that we've given him a second chance to be something good." Jayd turned her head and looked up at Lad again. "You are doing a spectacular job with him so far and he loves you for it. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. And our kit will be no different." Softly Jayd kissed Lad's neck and then turned toward Caden who was waiting patiently. "You should go teach him something. He's been waiting for this for a while." She laughed and then reluctantly relinquished her hold on Ladorak.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 24, 2009 12:57:44 GMT -5
When Jayd pulled her husband close to her, it was as if he were starting to fall in love with her all over again. Why such strong feelings right now? He couldn't even begin to describe it. Gazing down at her, everything about her just caused his heart to beat faster, and to feel as if it had finally found it's home so close to her breast.
Ladorak didn't think falling in love with the same person twice was possible, especially if you had never really left them to begin with, but somehow it she was simply melting his heart all over again. He pulled her in, returned her kiss when she gave it, and listened to all that she had to say.
Hearing her say that they were doing a good job with Caden.....hearing her say that it had been the right choice, that he had done good and had not for once disappointed anybeast.....he knew then and there. She was right. He would be a good father to his kit. Whatever gender showed up, however it would grow up someday....it would be their kit. Part of their family. The Fugate family....Fugate family....it had always just been Ladorak Fugate and that was it. But here and now....with the world rocking gently beneath them as the tide started to come in, Ladorak Fugate felt that he was at last home.
He wanted to ask her something though. He wanted to know why within the depths of his heart that even now it was aching for her presence. He wanted to know why she had singled him out when she first arrived in Burnham Thorpe. Because he had been the only single male stoat in the town? Had he been handsome to her? Dashing? Had she taken pity on him because he was alone? What were her motives? What her desires back then.
But as he was turning these thoughts over in his mind she was letting him go. Pulling away, telling him to go and be with Caden. Yes.....he probably should get those lessons started. "Jayd....before I go.....I just wanted to say...." he was speaking so lowly now, right into her right ear. "That I can't describe the love I'm feeling for you at this moment. Indeed, it's like I'm falling in love all over again. I'll give you something to think about though. I want to know at somepoint today.....what was it about me that made you fall in love with me, and why did you single me out that day we first met?" he said these tender words directly into her ear, and then pulled back, gazing with loving, gentle eyes upon his mate, a broad, almost proud smile on his face.
Turning to some of his staff that were assembling on the dock, Ladorak signalled that they should make ready to cast off as he was taking the Lotus out. Walking off the quarterdeck and hopping down to where Caden was, his boots echoing over the empty wood, the stoat smiled down at the marten. "Ready?" he asked.
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The Red Lotus was at sea now, bouncing over the waves in a happy manner. Ladorak always thought of his yacht as having a mind of it's own, and liked to think it was happy to be taken to sea. The stoat and the albino marten kit were sitting along the gunwale, their backs to it for safety as Ladorak was going over various things with the kit. It was a lot to take in for Caden, but Ladorak knew he'd get used to it once they set paw on the deck of a ship-of-the-line.
"And you'll have your own hammock while on board. You'll be assigned a mess, which is you and about four or five other beasts to eat with. The mess is around your cannon. A table is set up in between each gun, you see?" Ladorak had drawn a picture for Caden on a piece of paper. "There's always room when you sleep because watches are designed so that two thirds of the ship's crew is always working while the other third is asleep. They alternate every few hours, but the number of crew asleep and working never changes."
Caden broke in now. "So....I won't be sleeping in your room?" he asked. Ladorak shook his head, almost hating himself for doing so but knowing it was necessary.
"I,m afraid not. I don't want to show favoritism to you....even if I am taking care of you." Ladorak reached out and ran a paw through Caden's headfur, which the albino didn't mind. "Besides...you'll learn a lot easier on your own. I want you to make friends with your mess, and learn to fend for yourself. If you ever need me though, I'll be in the stern of the ship in my cabin. The marine sentry will always allow you access...I'll make sure of that." The stoat smiled down warmly at Caden, hoping this wasn't too much for the kit at once. "Besides...you'll be 13 next year. Minimum age and your way to becoming an adult."
"Will you have a lot of work at sea?" the kit asked.
"Oh...sure. The Captain unfortunately has tons of paperwork to do in the morning, and is responsible for the entire ship. It's a big job...but he can't do it without his crew either. The Captain's word is always law though. There HAS to be a chain of command at sea in order to get things done."
"So you get to boss the ship around?" Caden asked with a grin.
"Well...in a way. I'm responsible for the ship and everything that has to do with it, but I have officers under me like Siegfried and such. They help me carry out my job so that I don't get overwhelmed. I too have superiors I report to as well. I report to Admiral Hood on a regular basis, and hope to serve under him again someday." Caden nodded, marveling at it all. A warship was like it's own little world....completely isolated from life on land. So much went on that he hoped he'd be able to cope when the time came.
"When it's your turn to work, the Bosun of the ship will come around, telling every sleeping beast it's time to get up. You have two warnings. If you don't get up the first time he comes back in three minutes and tells you again. If you still aren't up he'll come by three minutes later and cut your hammock down with his knife. You don't want this to happen....because you'll have to buy a new one with your own pay. So always make sure you get up when you hear the order, alright?" the friendly stoat asked Caden, touching him under his chin. Caden nodded, his pink eyes wide. "You'll have about five to ten minutes to fold your hammock, run it up onto the main deck and store it in it's assigned spot. Then you report to either the starboard or larboard side of the ship, depending on what watch you're on for inspection."
Ladorak motioned for Jayd to come over to them now, and signalled one of his crew to take the wheel from her. He wanted his wife to be close to him now. "Hey...." he said, looking down at the albino. "You gonna be OK on your own? I'll be there if you need to talk to me." Ladorak said, smiling again and hoping Caden understood. The marten seemed to be thinking, his big ears twitching back and forth as he thought about things.
"Yeah....I think so. I have about a year to prepare anyways. I uh....I think I'll be OK." was the tentative answer.
"You will be. You're a tough kit after all. Strong and self-assured...I can see that about you." Nodding with another smile, Ladorak looked over at the approaching Jayd as Caden smiled at Ladorak's comment. "Hey you....have you got an answer for me?" he asked, pushing himself up to standing and walking over to meet her halfway.
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Post by jaydjasmyn on Jul 24, 2009 18:19:46 GMT -5
Jayd hated that Ladorak left her side but he left her with something to think about. A smile played about her lips when she thought of the first time that they had met. She kept thinking about this as she watched Ladorak with Caden. To watch him with the little one was very interesting. He was so good with him. Truly Caden got the break that he needed to be raised in a healthy and happy environment.
Soon a beast relieved Jayd of her duty. She got the hang of the helm right away, remembering what it felt like to be aboard a ship for seasons at a time. Part of her missed it but another part of her was happy that she finally had a home to go back to. But then again any place that Ladorak was and she was with him made her happy.
The femme slowly made her way to the guys. She was careful not to slip. A tumble for her now could be deadly for the kit. Tenderly she put her paw on her ever growing tummy as if she were cradling him or her in her arms already. Lad of course met her half way and immediately wanted an answer to his question. Jayd smiled and put her arm around his waist. "I think that the first thing that drew me to you was your eyes. They were warm and inviting and at the same time uncertain but you didn't look away from me. It was as if there were no other beast alive as we silently connected." She turned and looked up at him with a very big smile. "And after all you did offer me a place to stay. Each passing moment that we were together after that I began to fall in love with you." Softly she kissed him.
Jayd didn't want to seem to affectionate around the crew but she just couldn't help it when Lad was so near to her. "Was that the answer that you were looking for? What about me? What drew you to me? A 'pirates' daughter. I'm surprised that you didn't leave me when I told you about my past." Indeed Lad was the first one she told about her past, trusting him with such delicate information. But he didn't let her down. He remained steadfast by her side and they worked through their differences. Each time they over came a hurdle in their relationship or with something that was happening around them they became even closer.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 26, 2009 9:16:32 GMT -5
He nodded, realizing it was mostly just his personality she had found endearing to her. Maybe his generosity, when truth be told he couldn`t have afforded to be so generous at the time and yet he had made the exception, just for her. And now it was his turn. His turn to answer her question.
"Hmmm.....well I....have to admit I was curious about you. I didn`t want a relationship and yet here you were, the only other female stoat in town getting off some packet no less, and I wondered why you were here, and what your motives were."
He walked her over to the gunwale so that they could look out at sea. "I tried to distance myself from you not just because I figured that`s what you wanted, but because it was what I wanted as well. I wasn`t....ready for a relationship at all." he said, shaking his head. "But you kept trying to push in closer for whatever reason, and I ended up drawing closer to you as well. You see...I think it clicked on Sampetra. You were what I wanted......where I wanted to be."
He spoke softly as Caden started practicing tying some knots that Ladorak had shown him, but he was a beginner and wasn`t have much luck. He was persistent though, and kept at it. "How about me in general? What in specific did you fall in love with?" he asked, a calm, sedate feeling washing over his chest as he held his wife close to him and looked from her back out to sea every so often. It was such a tranquil atmosphere, and Ladorak couldn`t think of a single place he`d rather be right now.
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Post by jaydjasmyn on Jul 27, 2009 10:59:19 GMT -5
Jayd loved to talk about why they fell in love even if their situation seemed to then be one that wasn't expected. The femme knew that she wanted it but Lad was a bit more reluctant. She eventually wore him down until he let his guard drop. Jayd wasn't so insistent though that she pushed him into doing something that he didn't want to. She was patient and kind until he realized just how wonderful she really was.
Jayd couldn't help but to want to be near to him and so she leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, longing to tell him why she was so attracted to him and so on. "In general when I first saw you I saw something in your eyes. I could sense that you needed something good in your life. I also thought that you were pretty hot sitting there with your spectacles on. When you took me away that first time I loved how you wanted to protect me. Your desire to succeed attracted me to you as well, not because I wanted a successful mate but because you were driven." Jayd kissed him, not caring who was looking. "You should know by now that money isn't important to me. I think that you know that about me." Softly she chuckled.
Right about now she wished that they were alone but she knew that this day was about Caden as well. "Ladorak you need to know how special you are to me. I feel that we were meant to be together. You needed me and I needed you. I also love your generous heart and how you don't take your responsibility lightly. I know that our marriage will flourish and grow." Jayd also wanted to tell him that she liked the fact that he was older then her. He was more mature and wanted different things then the males her own age wanted. Lad was well grounded and down to earth, already having the experience of some good times and bad.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 27, 2009 14:35:15 GMT -5
He agreed with the first part. Yes.....he had probably looked as if he needed something good in his life, and that had more likely than not showed through in his eyes. He was....hot with his spectacles? He absent mindedly reached up to touch them without thinking after she said that. Perhaps it was true then. Maybe he didn't look so bad with those things on.
His desire to protect her....probably because he was chivalrous and probably because he had been growing to like her as well. His desire to succeed....well he wouldn't let that go. She could say money didn't matter to her but with a family coming on the way that would be even bigger than the one they currently had, Ladorak would not be able to get by without working. He would have to go back to see...it would be inevitable if they were to survive. His half pay and his father's allowance wouldn't be enough.
Finally she was done, and he longed now to tell her how he felt. "Yes of course....I feel the same way. Before it was just a general good feeling but now I understand how important you are to me. Truly I do." he said, keeping her close to him.
Caden finished tying a simple knot, and was working on another one now. "So....." he said, breaking the reverie. "How many meals do you get on a warship?" he asked, hating to interrupt but feeling just a tad left out.
Without turning around, Ladorak answered him. "Three Caden. And with breakfast and supper you get a ration of grog as well."
"Grog?" Caden asked, blinking. He had never been allowed any alcohol before....that was customary for sailors then was it? He wasn't sure he had an opinion on it though. He had never drank, and so he really only gave it a second's thought before concentrating once more on the knot.
"Thank you....for telling me. I had been wondering for some time." Ladorak said to his mate now. "I had been wondering why you stopped at my table when I was in reality trying to mind my own business....though truth be told....my eyes had first gazed upon you curiously when you alighted from your ship. After that they followed you for a bit before I pretended no longer to be staring at you the closer you got." he said, looking down now but smiling as well. "I'm glad in the end that you did stop." he said, nodding so that he could raise his head and look into her eyes again.
Yes....no more doubts within him. This was where he needed to be right now. Right here. Nowhere else. It was bliss for the stoat, something he had not known in a very long time, years even.
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Post by jaydjasmyn on Jul 27, 2009 15:29:31 GMT -5
Jayd was happy, truly happy. She couldn't remember being so content and what Ladorak said confirmed it for her. She to knew that this was where she should be and nothing would ever change her feelings about this. It started out to be a rocky sort of day but it only got better and better. She couldn't wait for the rest of the day.
The femme turned to him and encircled her snout with his before giving him a kiss. "Anytime you need reassurance you only have to ask. I love to tell you how much I love you and appreciate you." Her smile was as bright as the sun. "Now go be with Caden. He needs you. He might be a little jealous. I'll just sit over here and watch. I'm feeling a bit sea sick. I'm sure it will pass." The stoat-tess kissed him again and grinned.
Jayd left Ladorak's side and retreated to a pile of coiled up ropes. It wouldn't be the most comfortable, especially in her condition, but she would be glad to be off of her footpaws for a while. But before she sat she shouted over to the guys. "Hey there.... my males! Would you like for me to get you a drink?" It would be nice to have a drink before she sat down to rest and if she was already going she may as well get Caden and Ladorak one as well.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 28, 2009 12:22:27 GMT -5
Ladorak would have to remember that....though he couldn't guarantee he'd come to her all the time. Sometimes he had a tendency if he were particulary anxious or stressed to lapse into solitary periods where his mind would feverishly attempt to work out a solution.
He nodded, knowing he had to balance time with Jayd and Caden. It felt a bit awkward to leave his wife, especially if she were feeling sick, but he walked back over to the albino now and smiled down at him. "That's a tough knot you're working on. But come on. I'll show you some other things." He motioned for Caden to stand up on hind legs.
Taking a concerned look over at his wife after she mentioned she wanted to fetch them some drinks, Ladorak adopted a very serious air about him. "Please...I'd rather you get one of the crew to do that. I don't want you falling down and hurting yourself. If you feel you must go...please.....PLEASE be careful." the male implored. There was no way he wanted to see his mate hurt. "I'm going up to the quarterdeck to show Caden how to steer."
Caden's pink eyes just about popped and he eagerly ran towards the ladder leading up to the quarterdeck and the ship's wheel. Ladorak stopped by his wife's side. "I'll take a gin and tonic.....but that's ONLY if you can manage it. Otherwise tell a crewbeast and join us on the quarterdeck. Caden!" Ladorak called over to the marten. "What do you want to drink?"
"Just some apple juice!" Caden called over his shoulder as he bounded up the stairs to the quarterdeck.
"You going to be OK or will be joining us?" Ladorak asked, offering his paw in case his mate decided to take it.
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