A girl stood by the shoreline, her long, unruly blonde hair flowing behind her. Happiness sparkled in her bright green eyes as she watched the waves lap at the sand, a gentle smile on her face as she took in the scent of seawater.
Breaking from her trance, she bends back down, picking up the basket full of fruit she had been sent out to get from her mother. She was always drawn to the ocean, even on days like this.
Turning from the water, the sun glimmered off a gold coin that lay on a necklace, swaying back and forth as the girl ran back to the cottage she called home. The same gold coin she found all those years ago, before she knew her father, and before she knew the adventure she would go on soon after knowing him.
"Oh there you are, Layla." A sweet voice calls the girl and she smiles, coming closer to the house she'd lived in for so long. Layla looks up at her mother, who was holding up a bucket filled with clothes that had just finished hanging.
Eight long years had passed ever since the war with the Aluverian Empire, and in those eight years, so much had happened.
"Sorry I took so long Mom," Layla apologizes in a light tone, setting down the basket of fruit on the porch before standing up straight, putting her hands on her hips. "I got a little distracted." she admits and Isabella's lips curl into a smile and she chuckles.
"I can only imagine what distraction that was." she muses and Layla laughs.
The front door opened, and Harry appeared in the doorway, wanting to know what all the commotion was about.
"Do you need any help, Dad?" Layla asks, taking a step forward and Harry scowls at her, making her pause.
"I'm in my late thirties, not my late sixties." he grumbles and Layla tries not to laugh as she sees her father scowl at her once more. Harry winces, leaning on his wooden cane as he came forward.
He never did make a full recovery from the war. While his injury healed, it left him unable to walk without some sort of aid, which is why he carries the walking stick with him everywhere he goes. While it is a hindrance to him, Harry is thankful he left with his life.
"If you didn't scowl so much, you wouldn't look like such an old man." Isabella teases and Harry gives her a small glare, before an amused smile comes to his face.
"Well this old man still moves faster than you, grandma." he teases and Layla covers her mouth to keep herself from laughing as the two playfully bicker back and forth.
"Oh that's right!" Isabella says, stopping the playful banter and clapping her hands together. She smiles at the two of them and feels excitement rise in her stomach.
"Tomorrow everyone is gathering at the palace. Phillipa sent by a messenger earlier today and told us to come. They'll all be there." she says and Layla gasps in delight.
"Even Uncle Louis and Uncle Niall?!" she asks excitedly and Harry sighs, muttering under his breath how they technically weren't her 'uncles', but he knew arguing with her would do no good, because the brainy teenager would win either way.
"Even them." Isabella says and Harry smiles brightly, nodding his head.
"Well, that'll be a good reunion. It's been half a year or so since we've all gotten together." he says warmly and Isabella nods.
Everyone had been doing so well for themselves. Letters were written back and forth between the old friends, all of them keeping in touch, letting everyone know how they were doing. It was sad at times, not seeing them on a day to day basis, but they knew they were all well. And that was what mattered.
"So, Miss Queen, are you going to help Aunt Phillipa while you're up there?" Harry asks Layla in a teasing manner, and Layla blushes slightly and laughs, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.
"Well, I mean, only if she needs me." she says shyly and Isabella smiles at her daughter proudly.
Once the war ended and everything settled down, word of Layla's role in the war spread throughout the palace and even through some of the towns. For a six year old to remember all of the Generals, and know how to deplete their numbers in a way only beneficial to the pirates, was a spectacular feat. Queen Phillipa was astonished to know how tactical this young girl was.
Word of mouth spread, and soon throughout the South side of England, Layla was known as the Queen Tactician. When Phillipa got word of this new title, an idea popped into her devious little mind, and at only seven years old, Layla began to help Phillipa strategize the Royal Army. It wasn't a lot of work, of course, but over the years, the amount of advice given from Layla had gradually increased.
In a few years, she could very well be in charge of the entire fleet.
Layla was extremely humble though, and wouldn't accept the title of 'Queen Tactician', for she thought it degraded the Queen of England. Even though the Queen herself said the title suited her, Layla was still hesitant upon accepting such a mighty title, especially since she was only fourteen.
And Layla wasn't the only one who was recognized in the war either.
Harry and Isabella were crowned the highest honors, and they were counted as honored members of the country. Louis, Niall, and even Lloyd were given honors as well, and they were respected now throughout all England. None of their previous records were held against them, so the fresh start they were looking for was granted.
Hunter got an award for saving so many men out on the battlefield, and was even recognized at an assembly (which Niall, Louis, Harry, and Bella attended) and was given applause for all his hard work. Isabella had to end up consoling him because he was crying out of joy, while Harry teased him for it.
Eight years. How much things could change in such an amount of time.
Harry, Isabella, and Layla were a proper family. They were happy together and lived like nothing had ever happened. It was just a small part of their past now, and something that made them who they were today.
Isabella smiles happily as she puts the laundry up in the house, hearing Layla listening to something Harry was telling her. She was so incredibly happy now. Her nightmares were mostly gone, only once in a while would they make an appearance. Like Harry had said, he helped her through it all.
Scars remained on her body though from all the injuries she sustained from the war. But she didn't mind them, really. They were part of her, and she felt no shame for them.
Walking back outside, she leans against the railing of her porch, looking out at the beach, letting out a small sigh. She knew she wasn't the only one with scars. A deep scar remained on Harry's stomach from where he was hit, and it would never go away.
He didn't seem to mind though, and even showed it off proudly...or to keep people away from Layla. It could be quite intimidating to see him stand tall, glaring at people with that nasty scar on his stomach. People have scurried away because of that, and Harry would laugh because of their reaction.
Isabella came from her thoughts as she looked across the beach, her eyes widening for a moment and her heart felt like it stopped.
Long, scarlet hair bounced up and down as a figure ran across the beach. Isabella nearly called out a name out of habit, but stopped when the figure turned to look at the house, as if she were sensing someone was watching.
The female who turned to look at Isabella couldn't be older than twelve. Her brown eyes met Isabella's, and a smile came to her face. Isabella had never seen this girl before, but for some reason, she lifted her hand and waved at the girl, who kindly waved back.
She ran off again, the fiery red hair flowing behind her, and Isabella let out a sigh. She knew it wouldn't be the person she thought it would, but it was the first time she had seen red hair like that since the passing of her beloved friend.
The wind blew softly and Isabella smiled, looking up at the sky for a moment before turning towards her family, who were still talking animatedly about some adventure.
Harry was now sitting on a chair, Layla standing beside him as they talked, both of them growing more and more excited the more they talked.
Isabella sat down on the chair beside Harry, giggling at the two and they looked over at her with confusion in their eyes.
"What?" Both echo at the same time and Isabella shakes her head. "Oh, it's nothing. You two make me happy, is all." she says, not wanting to point out how strikingly similar the two were in some ways.
Layla smiles at her mother's words before walking over, planting a kiss on Isabella's forehead. Isabella smiles at the gesture and watches as her daughter sits down on the steps, looking out at the ocean.
"This is the only thing we never gave up, you know?" Harry muses, looking at Isabella with a sly smile. "We always get caught looking at the ocean." he says and Isabella smiles.
"It's part of us." she says simply and Harry reaches over, grabbing his wife's hand in his, holding it tightly.
She murmurs an agreement, smiling softly as she looks at their entwined hands, contentment settling in her body.
Layla smiles as she looks forward, hearing her parent's exchange but saying nothing to them. She had been doing a lot of thinking herself too. This way of life was nice and peaceful, and Layla felt comfortable here. She knew it was hers. But there was a part of her that wanted to look for something more.
"You know, I never minded the life of an adventurer. It was always exciting. The stories, even the pirate's tale I lived eight years ago, all of it was. I kind of miss it, in a strange way," Layla says, her parents looking at her, a little confused at where she was going with this. "You've lived your adventure to the fullest. My time is coming too, I suppose. I wouldn't have to do it all alone, either." she continues and a knowing look crosses both of her parent's faces.
"Maybe one day I'll take off on my own adventure like you two did," Layla says, Harry and Isabella looking at her with soft smiles on their faces before she turns around to face them. A bright smile flashed across her face as the same fire that once burned in their eyes reflected in her own.
"And I'll become a great adventurer like my parents were."
And...it's over.
Wow, guys. I can't believe it, honestly. This has been something I've been doing for so long and it feels weird that this book series is over and the characters are now done as well. This has been such a great ride though.
Captain Styles was originally only supposed to be one book, but then one thing led to another...and I came up with three, and loved it all the more. I'm so glad I've done this because my writing has gotten so much better because of it.
And thank all of you guys for sticking with me through it all, for reading this, loving the book, hating me at times because I leave awful cliffhangers xD, and being excited for every update. It's really made writing this so much fun and it's given me so much to look forward to. You guys are honestly the best!
Thank you for reading this, and if you like, check out other books I've written, if not, then I hope you've enjoyed this craziness of mine. I feel kind of sad. I finished this the night before I have to head back to college, so it's like double closure for me. It's so weird and sad, but also I feel like a new leaf is coming.
I love all of y'all, and I can't thank you enough!! Until next time guys!!