The Cat and The Nightingale

*Rated M for Mature, Dark, and Sexual Content*

*Chapter Forty-Five

By letters and frequent visits, Alice balanced running both the Nest and the Manor until the Hotel was complete. Running the Manor wasn't hard, she was just another set of hands to do the work. But she spent hours in the evenings balancing the finances of the bigger household and setting schedules.

"I'll be back in a few days!" Alice waved to Susan as she left for the post office. She traveled by post to and from the Nest. It was cheap and an easy way to commute.

Slowly, Alice spent more time at the Nest and had the same parting of 'I'll be back in a few days' to the Captain as she check in with the Manor.

When the Hotel was completed, the household and visiting guests had an opening party. It was also the night Alice and the Captain celebrated having a private home.

"I'll move the rest of my things," Alice panted as she wiped a bead of sweat from the Captain's brow. "The Garners have moved and settled into their apartment. While we're gone, they'll close the Manor."

"You don't think we'll be visiting that often?" the Captain pinched her nipple to make her squirm.

"No, not really," Alice gasped and leaned into him. "We'll be busy. And our rooms are well insulated."

"Is that something that worried you?" the Captain teased her more.

"Yes," Alice sighed, not answering his question. "Yes, Jack."

"More?"

"More."

They enjoyed their solitary night in the Manor and the next day, after Alice packed the last few items, including her father's diary and family photo, they climbed into a Nightingale carriage heading to the Nest.

"Anytime you want to come back," the Captain said as Alice stared out the window, "let me know, alright?"

Alice nodded enthusiastically.

"We're finally going to be like a regular married couple," Alice announced and snuggled beside the Captain as he opened a newspaper.

"Us? Regular? Did last night seem like what 'regular' couples do in general society?" the Captain folded the newspaper and tossed it aside.

Alice grew agitated as she remembered where she asked her husband to fuck her the previous night. She recalled a whole list of activities she was sure normal coupled didn't do. Biting her lip, Alice was glad her husband was far from normal.

"I suppose we were a little perverted in our choices in the bedroom."

"In any room," he corrected.

"I thought you would correct the 'little' statement," Alice laughed as the Captain closed the window curtains and slid his head under her skirts.

By the time they arrived at the Nest, they were both refreshed and went about their work for the last few hours of the day.

Alice retired to their rooms first and was writing when the Captain finally came in.

"Writing again? Where are we at today?" The Captain shrugged out of his clothes and leaned over Alice's shoulder.

"I just got to the point where you evicted Lady Dahlia from the Manor." Alice cleaned off the pen and closed her notebook.

"Did you get to the part where you fucked me?" The Captain tried to take another peek at her writing.

"Wouldn't you rather," Alice stood and advanced on him, "reenact it?"

"M'lady, have I ever told you how sexy you are?" The Captain let Alice walk him backwards to the bed.

"Not tonight, you haven't. But I'm not 'm'lady' right now." Alice straddled him.

"Kitten."

"Yes?" she purred, "Sir?"

He didn't get to say anything more as Alice twined herself between his legs and embellished on the actions she portrayed for her appreciation for reclaiming her home. The Captain encouraged and directed her as he had all those years before. Though she hardly needed the praise, hearing it made her wet. As she bobbed and sucked, she sacrificed a hand to finger herself for a while.

"Kitten, let me suck you," the Captain asked and rotated her to sit over his mouth.

Alice stretched over him and suckled his tip as his tongue flicked over her.

They revisited the classic positions and the Captain walked her through them like she was a virgin. Alice only had to pretend slightly, acting shy whenever his penis entered her. But remembering the innocence she had then, Alice grew horny for her husband. She wasn't a complete person without him. He did more than give her the possibility for a future, he was her future.

"I love you," Alice panted as she pistoned over him. "I love you, Jack."

"Aah, I love you, Alice," the Captain returned to her. "Ah, lightly, kitten, you're going to break me."

Alice eased back until euphoria filled his face. "You are everything, Jack. I would be nothing without you," Alice gasped between thrusts.

"Ah, kitten, nor I without you," his agreement held the weight of many repeated pillow talks and arguments over who owed more to whom.

They always ended in agreement. Life was much better together.

As time passed, some things changed, others stayed the same. Nightingale thrived as a business and helped drive innovations and productivity for people all around. The Hotel became a luxury spot for high end exclusives where the food was considered the best. The Bellinis ran a successful business, sending their cider all over the kingdom. The Duke of Somerset never interfered with Nightingale, but routinely reordered cider after Alice's whispered request to send several barrels to the Duke's residence had everyone demanding more.

One afternoon, a forwarded letter came for Alice. Reading it, she found the Captain in his office. Knocking on the open door, she waited to be beckoned in.

"What can I do for you, m'lady?"

"A letter arrived. Mr. Garner forwarded it to us. It's from Richard." Alice handed the letter over and perched on the arm of the Captain's chair and clasped her hands together around his shoulders. "Don't glare, sir, you'll wrinkle. He says Emily's gotten married to a decent man. His work is doing well and recently received a promotion. Lady Dahlia has also become more subdued."

"Well, that's good for them," the Captain praised. "But, you know I don't care about their wellbeing. As long as they don't hurt you anymore."

"I know." Alice pulled him to give him a hug. "But can't you see it? Even though he doesn't say it?"

"I see it." The Captain threw the letter to flutter onto the desk. He shifted and nuzzled her breast.

"The door is open," Alice hissed as her eyes darted to the entrance.

"You can move if you want. I'm not holding you." The Captain told her. He continued, "I know Richard is apologizing. Saying that his family is doing well and has moved on. It is a good thing."

"Mhm," Alice nodded and pet his hair. "I don't think he'll write much. Maybe if he ever gets married."

"Did you write to him?"

"Years ago. When we got married. He didn't write back. I wasn't even sure the letter got to him." Alice looked down at the Captain. Her fingers moved to trace the smooth contours of his face.

"You look sad," he spoke softly. "Why?"

"I feel like I traded my father for you. If I hadn't pressured him to go on one last voyage, he wouldn't have taken a loan with Nightingale, he wouldn't have died at sea. But without losing him, I would have never met you. Again." Alice amended. "If he came back successfully, he would have paid back the agent and we would never have crossed each other."

"And that makes you sad to think that only one of us could be in your life?" He tilted his head.

"I feel guilty being so happy after all that has happened."

"That's not quite right, I think, kitten. Shouldn't it be that, after all your hardships, you deserve this happiness?" the Captain questioned.

"Maybe your way of thinking is better." Alice gave him a kiss before standing.

"Wait." The Captain stood and gave her a long, lingering kiss. "Let's go to the Manor for a few days."

"Really? When?" Alice's eyes lit up.

"Tomorrow. Pack a lunch for us, we'll drive ourselves home." He kissed her again and released her.

The next day, they rambled in the single horse trap that typically was used for the short journey to the nearby town. The Captain drove while Alice admired the scenery.

"Where are you driving?" Alice asked when the Captain turned down a different fork in the road from the Manor.

"To visit your parents," he replied.

Alice hugged him and asked, "Why?"

"I want to tell them something."

He refused to say anything further, so Alice had to wait until they arrived at the cemetery outside of Aingsley. Since they got married, the Captain accompanied Alice each time she went to visit her parents' grave. He knew the path as well as she did and he took her hand as they strolled along the path to the carved headstone that read 'Townshend'.

"Hello, Mother, Father," the Captain knelt to lay down some flowers they picked in an earlier field. "I brought Alice to see you. As you can see, even though I had rough sex with Alice in many ways, she's still in good health and hasn't broken anything while under my care."

"Don't tell my parents about our sex," Alice hissed and batted his shoulder.

"The reason why we stopped by today was because I wanted to say thank you. Every day I get to be with Alice is a blessing. One that I know can end without warning. Because you have taught us this message, I treasure every moment I have with her." The Captain stood and put his hand around Alice. "Thank you for entrusting your precious daughter to me. Every action and lesson you taught her has raised her to be the beautiful woman she is today. I can honestly say that without your sacrifices, I would not know happiness." He turned and bent his head to lock gazes with Alice. "Thank you."

"Why are you thinking me?" Alice whispered. "Weren't you talking to my parents?"

"I am." He tapped a finger over her heart and on her temple. "You keep them here, right? So if I talk to you, I can talk to them."

"Aah," Alice sighed and smiled ruefully. "You sly, sneaky devil." She pulled him down and kissed him. When she finally released him, she said, "I lost happiness before, I don't plan on doing it again."

"I'm glad to hear that, Alice."

"Let's go home, Jack." As they stepped away, Alice paused and looked back at the grave stone. "You probably already know, but next time we come, we'll introduce you to your grandchild."

Smiling and picking her up, the Captain strode through the fields. Alice kissed his cheek. Not knowing what was going to happen in their future scared her, but, as she shared a smile with her husband, she knew that with him at her side, she already had a happily ever after.

-The End-

Author's Notes: Thank you everyone for reading! I hope you all enjoyed this slice of fiction and if you haven't already, I would love to read your reviews!