Detailed Roleplayers discussion
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McKensie and Lara III
Jackie smiled "good...because I trust you Sam...I love you and if something was to seperate us, I'd search the earth for you because that's how much I care..." She admitted and pushed his hair back "better get to the captain I'll be fine up here."Edmund growled going to the kitchen with James "who said that to my wife...The highness is not pleased and will give disciplinary action immediately."
Sampson closed his eyes, a genuine smile curving across his features. It made him look years younger. He pecked her cheek, opening his eyes again. "I've become quite practiced in chasing you down." he teased. "I don't think we'll have to worry about losing each other." He swung himself over the edge of the crows nest and shimmied down the mast again, going to get his orders. All of the maids and servants in the kitchens stopped and froze when they saw a pirate looking man, and the king enter. There were nearly a hundred men and women, and all of them looked ashen faced. No one pointed out who did it, and no one stepped forwards, for they knew, that the moment they told who had done it, someone else would point out what they had done wrong, and then it would be known that almost everyone of the staff had said something rude or vulgar to Emma, or behind her back, while she was starting to become obviously with child. James sighed. "I can't punish them all, Ed, I'm sorry." he said, and then he turned to the crowd. "Let it be known that Emma is an honourable woman with a husband, and she does not deserve her ridicule. Anyone found guilty of mocking her from here forwards, will have to answer to me."
Thomas looked up and nodded at Sampson "I feel as if she is a good choice I didn't think the kid would last as long as he did. I need you to prepare the crew to know how to handle the booby traps and the puzzles in the tomb. We don't need any careless deaths."Edmund sighed and went to her bedroom, he smiled leaning on the door and watching her "hi lovely girl...do you happen to know where a weathered pirate might have a place to sleep?..." He moved forward wrapping his arms from behind around her "Mmm Emma..."
Sampson nodded in agreement. "I think she is a good choice as well." He agreed, sitting down on a nearby keg and taking a swig of his rum. "Right, booby traps." he repeated. "Do we have those layout sheets for them? I'll need to go over how to pass them myself before I can teach anyone."Emma had dried her tears, and reapplied her makeup, and was sitting on her stool, brushing her hair. She smiled, straightening when she heard his voice, and then his arms were sliding around her and she closed her eyes, leaning back into him. "I missed you so much love…" She whispered, turning her face so she could kiss his jaw. "I believe there is a bed here, good sir, and a maiden willing to share it with you."
Thomas nodded and showed him the old parchment "dad wrote them all down and I analyzed it thoroughly and used what I know of the tribe to figure out the rest. I'm be letting one of the less influental men to go first...just got to make sure."Edmund gave a smile and kissed down her neck and turned her quickly to hold her close and kissed her deeply "you haven't changed a bit..," he ran his hand over her stomach "how many more months?..."
Sampson looked over the parchment and nodded slowly to himself. These were all helpful sketches and instructions. He could set up a course on the deck of the ship, to help train his crew. "Alright, I think I can work with this." He nodded. "I hate losing men though. Every life is important. I should go first."Emma smiled, feeling herself melt underling his kiss. "Oh really?" she asked, looking down at his hand on her stomach. "I can't say the same about you. You've grown hair!" She said, running her fingers over his beard. "I'm just over half way, Edmund, nearly four and a half months left to go."
Thomas shook his heaf "no you have too much to live for, unless you want that spicy mermaid to end up with another man I suggust you follow orders clear?" He watched her on the crowd nest "good catch fisherman."Edmund smiled and rubbed her stomach and kissed it "hi baby it's your father...I msy look and smell scary but I'll take care of you I promise, we are going to have a house by the sea and I'll teach you to sail.."
Sampson tensed and then shook his head insistently. "Clear, cap'n." He promised. He turned to look up at the crow's nest, and a small smile spread across his face as he nodded. "I'm pretty happy." He said honestly. Emma smiled, looking down at him as he talked to their baby. She winced as the baby kicked his hand in response, and then she smiled softly. "Seems to like that idea…" she said softly.
Thomas smiled "she seems pretty happy too...can't keep her lips off of you..." He nudged his shoulder "what if she becomes with child? It happens you know.."Edmund shook his head anazed and held her close "I missed you so much...the men had their lasses and I just wanted you...I need you Emma...I got angry at the kitchen staff they didn't recognize me."
Sampson knew his ears were turning pink, and he swallowed. "Yeah…" he smiled lightly. Then that happy moment ended and he frowned in worry. "Then I suppose we'll have to go to land to raise the child." he said slowly. Emma flushed, feeling very special. He had waited for her, and missed her, maybe as much as she missed him. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling herself close, as close as she could around the baby. "Don't bother with the staff. They gossip. That's just the way things are." She said softly.
Thomas nodded "if Sada has a child I want you to become captain you could raise the kid on board just like we were. As soon as I go to the island im done being at sea..."Edmund sighed laying on bed with her as he held her and kissed her "I love you...I just want you happy and safe Lydia agrees that you are going to find a better job. She found one...and I think you'll like it."
Sampson's eyes widened a little. "You would quit pirating?" he asked softly. Pirating was so much of their life up until then… it was strange to think of him quitting. "It's heroic, but I mean… I never thought we'd stop pirating…"Emma lay beside him, her eyes closed as she tried to imprint into her memory what his hands felt like, and his lips, and his eyes on hers. "A new job?" She repeated, both nervous, and excited. "What is this job you speak of? Because I'm managing well as Lydia's maid…"
Thomas nodded "I'm done, I've lived my passion and finding Sad'a just makes me want to settle down and have a life with her...with kids and be available for them...you've always been more of the sea rat then me."Edmund nodded "but I think you would enjoy this new job as Royal seamstress...you wouldn't be a servant you'd be calling the shots and get your own maid...we would be in the guest tower away from all the improper gossip..."
Sampson shook his head, incredulous. "I'm happy for you, I really am. Life on the boat just won't be the same without you though." He clasped his shoulder. "I wish you the best of luck, when you do decide to settle down." he smiled. Emma's eyes lit up, and she beamed. "Oh that would be wonderful! Did she really say I could take that job? It seams too good to be true!" she exclaimed, obviously thrilled.
Thomas smiled "let's just get to the island and get that treasure. Your girl ready for the hardest job of her life?" He asked seeing the storm pick up "weather is finicky on the island."Edmund chuckled and nodded "yes, Lydia said she wouldn't reccommend anyone else...it'll be wonderful darling and I'll sell my crafts...until the baby comes..."
Sampson nodded in agreement. "I hope so. But I think she is." he looked up at the clouds as they rolled in like dark sails unfurling. "Looks like we aren't going to have an easy time of it…" Emma threw her arms around him, laughing in sheer delight. "This is wonderful news!" She said. She wouldn't have to be pushed around anymore, she wouldn't have to hide how much their comments hurt her. She could have her own work. She kissed his cheek. "What happens after the baby comes?"
Thomas shook his head "do you think Jaq is ready for it? Strong men fall out on storms like these..."Sampson smiled "I'll be a full time father...until the child gets old enough and I may take them to the sea...what do you want boy or girl?"
Sampson nodded seriously, not doubting the trust Jacqueline had in herself. "I think she'll be alright." he said bravely. "She knows to tie herself down. I made sure the rope she had up there was strong. If she ties the knots well, even the strongest gale won't tear her out." he promised. Emma smiled softly, knowing she couldn't have been more proud than she felt right in that moment. He was going to stay home to care for the child. "I want a lovely boy like you, Ed, one that you can take to sea with you when the time comes." She kissed his cheek. She didn't want him alone on those waves again, even if a girl to keep her company would be nice too.
Thomas nodded "get to your post I'll be at the stern..." He said rushing and giving orders loudly over the roar of the waves and thundering storm. Jaq kept the role taught and tied tightly as she held onto the mast tightly.Edmund smiled "as long as you are both heathy that's what matteds to me darling..." He caressed her cheek and nuzzled her "I want to care for you and be a support, pregnancy is not easy..."
Sampson nodded, climbing up the main mast again. He nearly slipped as the ropes were so slick with rain water as it poured down in sheets, but he just wiped his eyes and kept going, making it to the mast where he secured himself with his own bit of rope, and took control of the sail. Emma smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes and just rested a hand on her stomach. "Yes, pregnancy is hard… and it's been hard without you." She admitted. "But I've been managing. I'll just be happy when we get to see our child." She said honestly.
Iliana was able to move a little more easily now, with the help of the nurses and Marcoux, she could feed herself, which was a small mercy. But Lacey and Maxwell were coming to visit today, and she didn't want to see anymore people who would just give her sad, pitiful looks.
Jacqueline watched him wortiedly her heart stopping as he slipped "Sampson are you alright?" She called out over the roar and the rain filling her mouth leaving a sour taste in her mouth as she spit it out "should we wait out the storm?"Edmund nodded and caressed her stomach with his thumb kissing her cheek "I love you...im sorry it's been hard for you...it was hard for me...specially since the captain and first mate had both of their lasses."
Marcoux massaged her shoulders and kissed her cheek "I talked to them about it...they won't they just want to see you and pipe up your spirits."
Sampson glanced up above him where Jacqueline was shouting down to him and he shook his head. "Fine!" He shouted back. His next words were mostly lost to the wind and rain, so they just sounded like, "…have… keep going…." And then he was grappling with the ropes, trying to keep them under control as he wrestled with the main sail.Emma nodded slowly, relaxed and comforted by just behind in his arms, with him protecting her and the baby. "They were allowed to have their women on board?" she asked, incredulous.
Iliana thought in her mind my spirits don't need piping… but she sighed softly and nodded leaning back into him. The nurses had gotten him a new leg, and for that she would be forever thankful. "I don't want to see anyone…" She mumbled honestly, even as at that moment, she saw their friends walk in through the door.
Maxwell smiled at Marcoux, making sure his expression was kind and happy, and nothing but. "Good to see you two again!" he said, shaking Marcoux's hand. "We got away as soon as we could." He made no comment on the scars that now criss crossed over Iliana's thin body.
Jacqueline screamed as lightening struck the mast and nearly threw her off. She was hanging off trying to get back in the ropes tangling her legs and torso.Edmund smiled and nodded "the captain found the girl he loved and Sampson took in a girl badly wounded they hated eachother till they realized it was love."
Lacey put her arms around illiana carefully and put the music box on the table that was carved just for her "thought something pretty would brighten it up around here."
The lightening had struck near enough to Sampson that he was blinded and deaf for a few seconds, not that he would notice, as the painful electric shock ran through him, burning a sparking line from one hand, along his shoulders and just missing his heart, and then out the other hand. He drooped against the mast, unconscious. Two men, noticing that the sail was no longer cared for, climbed up and quickly took control… just as the clouds started to clear. Emma laughed softly, shaking her head. "All's fair in love and war…" She grabbed her glass of water from the nightstand and sipped it to settle her stomach. "That's very cute, I think."
Iliana hugged Lacey back, before relaxing on her pillows, as even that movement caused quite a bit of strain on her muscles. "Thank you." She said, picking up the music box to examine it.
Jacqueline screamed her skin and bones broken from the rope as she crawled down to Sampson and unhooked him going to the boat deck and quickly getting him to the barracks as she worked medicine on him and stayed by his side still shaking from the shock of her own injuries.Edmund chuckled "it was humorous to watch...eceryone knew but them until he broke it off and it broke her heart and she told him how she felt...dramatic really..." He took her hand kissing it "how has my lady been?"
Lacey smiled "it plays moonlight sonata your favorite...do you like it? It reminded me of the one you got for me...I treasurw it..."
The crew cheered as the mists cleared, and the island came into view. No one payed much attention to the two injured sailors down in the barracks. Sampson stayed unconscious, he was badly burned from the lightening, but the ships doctor came over, and ushered Jacqueline to another cot. He insisted she sit, and made sure she did as he set her wrist and wrapped it tightly in a sling, treating her rope burns with some salve. He insisted that she lie down and rest. Then he went to check on Sampson, looking for any injuries. He saw none, as they were on his back, and Sampson was lying on top of them, so he shrugged and went back to help other sailors who had been injured in the storm.Emma smiled, finding the story heartwarming, for two enemies to find out that they love each other so… She smiled at him, splaying her fingers as he played with her hand. "I've been doing alright. Keeping busy with work." She said honestly.
Iliana ran her thumb over the intricate designs, and carefully opened it. The music was beautiful, and Iliana smiled briefly, but closed it again so she wouldn't disturb the other patients. "I love it." She said honestly, clutching it to herself like it was a baby robin egg, fragile and precious.
Jacqueline slowly pushed herself from the hammock and went to her love, the doctor examined him and did nothing...she knew something was wrong. She moaned rolling him over and splitting his shirt gaspng at the raw skin as she quickly got her polluses mixed from her bag and gently rubbed them on the burns and wounds she leaned into his bare chest and just cried with worry.Edmund nodded "James and Lydia said you were doing a good job and an excellent nanny to little Donavon..." He said proudly and held her closer just needing to be with her it had been too long "I love you..."
Marvoux loved seeing that smile back, it was a wonderful gift he thought showed that Lacey still treasured their friendship. Lacey smiled squeezing her hand "I'm glad...Maxwell insisted on bringing the other gift." She was surprised the puppy hadn't leapt out of his overcoat pocket yet.
Sampson groaned weakly as he started to come to again. The lightening had left a burn running from one hand up his arm over his shoulder, across his back and down to the other arm. It hurt to move everything, and he was having a hard time breathing. "Kitty?" He asked, not opening his eyes. Emma flushed and smiled proudly, happy that they had had such high recommendations of her. "Donavon is such a sweetie. Loves music even though he's mostly deaf, and it's the most precious thing you've ever seen. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him gently, her smile reaching her eyes. "I've been waiting for months to do that." she whispered.
Iliana placed the music box carefully on the side table and raised one eyebrow, interested. "Another gift?" she inquired, wondering what on earth she could mean. Maxwell was grinning smugly, having been waiting for the best moment to reveal the wriggly ball of fur that had fallen asleep in his pocket. He scooped it out then, and the small thing blinked its brown eyes in surprise at the sudden light.
Iliana gasped and covered her mouth with a hand as Maxwell lowered the puppy into her arms. She smiled and let out a choked sound as tears traced down her cheeks. She pulled the puppy close, overwhelmed, and tucked her face in it's fur, not wanting everyone to see her cry.
Jaqueline looked up and let out a sob of relief as she held him close yet softly and slowly poured the mixture to help his lungs into his mouth and kissed him softly to make sure he swallowed it "try not to move my love..." She whispered and lay back on his stomach.Edmund cupped her face and made the kids deeper really feeling the love he had for her but still being soft because of the baby "I've been waiting to hold you like this publically for many years..." He whispered back nuzzling her.
Lacey was overjoyed to see the love and light back into Illiana's eyes as she held the squirming puppy close.
Marcoux felt tears in his eyes as well he hasn't seen her that happy in months. He pressed his lips to her hair and nuzzled her "what shall you name him?"
Sampson coughed weakly when he felt liquid filling his throat and then he swallowed, grimacing as the vile stuff filled his stomach. He relaxed however, when his breathing evened out, and he let himself lie still, following her instructions. "Are you-are you ok?" He whispered, worried about her. Emma melted against him and giggled, laying her side against his chest as she tucked her face into his shoulder. She breathed him in and then relaxed. "Once the baby comes… can we be married?" she whispered, hopeful.
Iliana leaned into Marcoux, unable to stop smiling as she curled against him and stroked the puppy's ears as he fell asleep in her arms. "Sable. For his colouring." She whispered. "He deserves a nice name." She whispered, wiping away her tears. She looked up shyly at Lacey and Maxwell then, "thank you." She whispered, looking back down at the puppy.
Maxwell beamed and wrapped an arm around his wife. "Brilliant idea, love." he said, kissing her cheek.
Jaqueline swallowed caressing his jaw "shh just rest...we did it...they are boarding at the island now. The captain refuses to venture till you are well again..." She whispered pushing back his culs.Edmund nodded "I can marry us right now if we had a witness...and a minister..." He smiled wishing they were on sea though with his captain marrying them and showing her his world. But living in sin was not pleasant around the household.
Lacey smiled watching them and feeling some peace enter her after so many months of worry and guilt "Sable is a wonderful name...and we already talked to the doctors and he's allowed, you just have to walk him everyday for your therapy..."
Sampson smiled weakly, opening one eye to look at her. "Stubborn man." he muttered, surveying her features. He was memorizing them, and so thankful that he was alive to see them again. He noticed the sling, and his face scrunched in worry. "Love… are you… going to be ok?" He asked again, as his main worry was always her. Fie to pain and suffering, he could bear it as long as she was well.Emma smiled, thrilled, and she kissed his neck, relaxing again. "We don't have to rush it. I'm eager to be married, but I want us to be married somewhere special." she said seriously. "Where would you like us married?"
Iliana nodded slowly, happy that the little puppy curled in her arms would be able to stay with her as she recovered. Walking him everyday sounded daunting however, as she could hardly make more than a couple steps as it was. But she nodded, wishing to get better for the puppy's sake, so she could walk him further than the end of her bed. "Ok." She agreed.
Jacqueline shook her head "he's worried about you...as am I..." She whispered tracing his features with the tip of her finger "I'm alright..." She promised not wanting to elaborate on her injured arm and nuzzled him "your breathing sounds better..."Edmund smiled "a decorated ship and having my captain wed us...show you the sea and the creatures...that was what I dreamed of many lonely nights..."
Marcoux held her close "you are doing so well...soon you will be running and playing with Sable and we can leave this place..." He promised and caressed her hair. He smiled at Maxwell "thank you for the wondeful visit and gifts."
Sampson nodded slowly, glad that people worried for him. It felt good to be cared about. He sighed in relief as she promised she was alright, and ran her finger along his face. "It feels better." he agreed softly. "What concoction did you force down my throat?" he asked, opening one eye again. Emma smiled softly, thinking that that sounded magical. She wanted to see his world, and it seemed special to him. "I would love that, Edmund. I want to see what your life was like all these months." She said seriously, kissing his cheek.
Iliana nodded slowly, tucking her face against him again. "Thank you, Marcoux, for your faith in me." she said softly. It meant more to her, than probably he realized, as he was what kept her going.
Maxwell nodded. "Of course, we'll come visit again soon." He promised, guiding Lacey out again as he waved.
Jacqueline smiled "you really don't want to know Sam...just know it will help you..." She kissed him and nuzzled him "I ve never been so scared...I almost lost you..."Edmund beamed and smiled "then that is what we shall do...just the two of us sailing the world and meeting new people...loving the cultures..."
Marcoux dmiked "time to rest...time to breathe and reat..."
Sampson grimaced, shaking his head. "Figures." he muttered, closing his eyes again. A smile crawled across his features and he beamed. "Lightening can't scare this old sailer." He said, wincing as he shifted. "Can give me an ugly scar though…"Emma nodded in agreement. It sounded like such an adventure, and she wanted to live life with him. "Just us on a ship? I'm afraid I won't be able to do all the work of the crew members between us two…" She teased.
Iliana nodded, curling up against him, the puppy cradled in her arms as she drifted off to sleep. "Love you…" She whispered.
Jaqueline caressed it softly with the ointment and shook her head "sexy scar..." She corrected and rubbed his back and down his arm "do you think you can sit up or try?" She asked willing to support him in anyway.
Sampson chuckled, shaking his head. He certainly didn't think the scar sexy, but hey, if she did, then that was a bonus. "I can try…." he mumbled, gritting his teeth as he tried to force himself upright on the cot. His back seared with pain, but it was feeling a little better because of her ointment.
Jacqueline supported him and leaned her weight on her good arm "that's it...easy..." She murmured and slowly helped him to his feet still holding onto him "good..." She was glad no nerves were damaged in his spinal cord...far too close. Thomas came down and sighed in relief seeing his brother "thought you'd still be out cold...I went to get you but Jaquelibr got their first." He surveyed her wrist "I thought the bone splintered."
Sampson wavered and then managed to wobble to his feet. He swayed a little, and then steadied, smiling proudly when he managed to stay on his feet. He smiled at his brother, nodding. "I'm a strong man…" he said, shaking his head. Then he frowned, looking over to her wrist. "Your bone splintered?" He said, worried suddenly. She hadn't said that...
Jacqueline glared at the captain and sighed "that's what the doctor said...but honestly I'm fine I can't feel it." She reassured and helped keep him steady "I've got you..." She pecked his cheek and had his brother help him walk slowly till his muscles got used to it. She smiled proudly "there we go..."
Sampson frowned in worry, picking up her wrist gently in his hands, inspecting it to make sure it wasn't seriously injured. When he was satisfied that it seemed to have been taken care of and was getting better, he relaxed against, feeling horribly useless when he was tottering around like a child. "This is horrible…" he grumbled.
Jaqueline winced and whinpered as he touched it but she managed to stay brave and nodded when he looked satisfied and smiled watching the brothers together, she went to go speak to Sad'a, and smiled "hello...how are you doing?"Thomas smiled "there she gave you some pride, now work with me...your fine you just need to wake all of your senses up again." He assured and got him to walk more by himself.
Sada looked up as Jacqueline approached her and she smiled softly. "I'm alright. Still recovering from that one incident, but Thomas has been very good with me, and the memories are fading." She said honestly. She didn't point out that she still got nightmares.Sampson nodded slowly, sighing as he tried to regain control of his nerves again. It was like trudging through water. "This is painfully slow…" He said honestly. "But it gives me a tale to tell. Not everyone gets hit by lightening."
Jacqueline took her hand "I was raped once before I turned rogue...it's hard to get over and even harder to let someone in after...you feel dirty and used..." She sighed squeezing it "it'll get better, us women have to stick together right?..."Thomas chuckled "even more so that lightening struck you and Jaq and you both survived, many a tales could be told of lovers lightening." He teased and pat his back "you are getting it...are you seeing and hearing everything alright?"
Sada's eyes widened, as she hadn't known that. "But you're strong… I would never have guessed that that had happened." she said honestly, smiling lightly at her friend. "But thank you. It means a lot to know it will get better. And to know that I have a friend."Sampson smiled lightly then at that. "Yes, I suppose." he agreed, his steps more sure as his brain slowly reconnected each of the nerve endings where they belonged. "I can see and hear just fine, it just feels like I have to remember where each muscle is before I move it…" He tried to explain.
Jaqi smiled "you are strong too, you didn't let it defeat you and you aren't lettibg it stop you from what you need to do...but honestly the easiest way to move past the fear is try it consenually with someone who loves you." She rubbed her shoulder and smiled helping her with the darning of the socks and stitching "im even more awful." She laughed shaking her head at the misshapen sock. She felt overwhelmingly nauseous and grabbed the bucket under the bed and throwing up "ugh sea sickness..."Thomas nodded helping him with the reconnection and managing to get up to speed and run and climb as he used to "there you go! I think it'll take time but you certainly are not an invalid." He said proudly and sighed "after the island father wants to see us..."
Marcoux was helping Illiana with walking out in the small garden with Sable at toe nipping and barking at everything she could walk on her own and seemed to be the Illiana he had first met full of life and the laughter in her eyes...
Lacey had received the mail and paled as she realized that Maxwell was being called off to war...she felt sick in her stomach and knew he wasn't going...she was. She made up the story quickly before going to Maxwell "darling my aunt Geneive is very ill and she has asked me to help her around the house and tend to her till she passes away...I feel it is my duty and we are in the Will afterall."
Sada nodded slowly, knowing what she said was true. She probably had to get past her fear and do it with Thomas, she knew that much. It was just the intimidating to think about it. "I think I'll ask him to try it soon." She agreed, sitting down to start with the mending. However, when she saw her friend wretch up sick, she immediately helped her hold her hair back and frowned in worry. "But you've been on a ship before, surely that's not it…"Sampson worked on his knots, just getting used to all the movements in his fingers again, and how they worked. "Not an invalid, just incredibly slow…" he murmured, shaking his head. Then he frowned, looking up. "Wants to see us? Whatever for?" he asked, worried.
Iliana smiled at the flowers, and smiled at the sun, but mostly she was smiling at Sable and Marcoux, happy to be back with her family and people who loved her again. She giggled when Sable went tumbling through the tulips after a butterfly.
Maxwell looked up from where he was carving a shaft of wood into a walking stick and he frowned, standing, to take her hands in his own. "When did this happen? I don't wish for you to be alone in that draughty old house. Maybe you should bring a few of the maids along." he suggested, knowing very well that aunt Geneive didn't like him at all.
James nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. "But of course!" he said. "You'll have to tell me all about it when you get the chance. Donovan is much bigger than when you left, and he'll be happy to see you back again."
They were interrupted then by pots clanging, and someone screaming 'get out of the kitchens you whore!' And then a tearstained Emma covered in flower and sugar came streaking up the stairs, nearly knocking into both James and Edmund. Her eyes flew wide and she bowed deeply. "Forgive me." she stammered, rushing passed them. "Ed love, give me a minute to clean up and I'll come back down and give you a proper welcome." She said, heading for the stairs. She really just wanted time to compose herself and stop crying before she saw her love. She wanted his first moments back to be happy ones.