Charlie's POV
Mr. Nevis directed us to sleep in the captains' quarters per his arrangement with William Parker. I was in the room taking a bath for the first time in months according to the captain and my body melted into the hot water, I hadn't realized how much I had been through until that moment.
As my body relaxed the walls, I had built to stay strong and just survive started to crumble and I felt sick. I felt the contents of my stomach rising as I leaned over the tub and threw up in the toilet. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath and started to cry as Thomas walked in. He ran to my side: Charlie what's wrong, No one touched you, did they?
"Touch me?"
"No one hurt you?"
My face softened into a smile seeing his concern and I replied: No Thomas, no one has hurt or touched me. I was just thinking of everything we had been through and all of the sudden I felt sick.
He found a washcloth in the cabinet and cleaned my face while brushing the hair from my eyes. He lifted me out of the water and laid me on the bed, holding me to his chest and kissing my forehead. He spoke softly: Everything is okay now, we're safe, and by tomorrow night we'll be on the jet and on our way home, just rest.
The next evening, we finally made it to the next port and got off the boat, as we were walked off the gangway and off the docks, we saw a familiar face waiting for us, it was Henry. Thomas saw Henry and I saw his eyes light up slightly, he smirked and said: Henry, it's good to see you. Henry was quick to respond: Oh, you too sir, so good to see you.
I walked up, just relieved to see anyone familiar and hugged Henry. His eyes widened and he was taken back, and he seemed a little embarrassed by how forward I was causing me to blush: I'm sorry Henry, it's just so good to see you, to see anyone really.
I couldn't help but giggle and have a grin from ear-to-ear Thomas however, stood expressionless so I quickly backed away as Henry said: It's okay Miss Miller. Shall we get going?
As we were pulling into the airport the jet slowly came into my view, my lips parted, and I was speechless. Thomas held my hand as he guided me onto the jet and sat beside me.
I looked out the window as we took off, so excited for the journey home when I turned to see a worried expression on Thomas's face: Okay that's it, you need to tell me what's wrong?
"There isn't anything wrong, I'm perfectly fine"
"Don't even start, I know when you are worried Thomas, so just save us both some time and tell me what you are worried about, because we both know I'm not going to stop asking until you tell me." I smiled at him but only to let him know I wasn't angry
He looked around and then back at me before leaning in and quietly saying: Charlie, you know how I feel about you right? Everything we have been through; we've formed an unbreakable bond don't you think?"
"Um, yeah with everything we went through I think you're stuck with me. Why?" My heart started to pound; I didn't know where he was going with this.
"It's just that my family is sort of, complicated."
"You think they wont like me, is that what you're worried about?"
"It isn't that they just… well they already have someone picked out for me to marry, I was planning on marrying her, only because I never saw myself feeling what I feel for you with anyone, also I knew it would keep my parents happy.
"What the fuck Thomas? Like and arranged marriage, is that even legal, why did you never tell me before? We were on that island for months and you never thought to tell me that you were going to marry another woman." Thomas shook his head as if I was misunderstanding and took my hand in his to try and calm me. "Oh my god, this is Mark all over again, only I'm Lacey." I pulled her hand from his, I couldn't believe what he was telling me, I started to feel nauseous.
"Charlie please, just listen, I understand this is unexpected and of course I don't intend on marrying her now, it's just going to take a little time to get it all sorted. Please Charlie, I'm asking you to be patient, can you do that for me?"
I felt sick to my stomach at what he was saying and had to unbuckled and run for the bathroom. I made it just in time to throw up into the toilet. As I was cleaning myself, I looked into the mirror. It had been so long since I had seen myself, I was much thinner and pale. I took a deep breath when I heard a knock at the door, I opened it to see Thomas: Are you okay?
My eyes were welled with tears and my voice shook as I spoke: Yeah, I think maybe its adjusting to real food again, I'll be okay.
"Charlie, can you forgive me for not telling you? Can you give me a little time to tell my parents that I'm not going to marry her?"
I looked at him, and I knew what he wanted me to say, his eyes were begging and hopeful: I love you Thomas, I think more than I've ever loved anyone, and Of course I can forgive you for not telling me, I think under the circumstances it's understandable. But I don't think I can be with you, or have you touch me again until this mess has been cleared up, or I won't be any better than those who betrayed and hurt me.