A Sea Rose for the Duchess Bonus Scene

"There it is! That is the horn, it has sounded again! Hurry, my love, or we shall miss him! Ah, women... Shall I lift you in my arms?"

Odelia smiled at the resignation in her husband's voice. Twenty years married, and she knew him better than anyone. If she said yes, he would lift her without a moment of hesitation. No care for propriety or the crowd that graced the port today.

Granted, things were no longer as they used to be. A lot had changed in England in two decades. Many of the rules were starting to grow less rigid. Nevertheless, it would still cause a whisper or two if Arnold decided to honour his words.

Quickening her pace, she joined him in manoeuvring through the crowd.

"Believe me, dear husband, I am trying my best. It is not my fault that the port is filled with so many people today. It would appear that we are not the only family who wish to bid our loved one farewell, after all."

"We should have got here earlier, but you wouldn't decide you had packed enough to last him a lifetime," he argued still.

"Of course not. He is my son, after all. Mothers have a special place in their hearts for their sons, have you not heard?"

"You have a special place in your heart for all your children, my dear. Nicholas is no different."

"Oh, well, then I suppose I should be glad that I will never be accused of bias." Her voice was cheery with an air of innocence. It was a tone she often used when she was in the mind to test her husband, albeit playfully.

The horn sounded again then, causing Arnold to bristle beside her.

"Three more and they shall leave."

"We are almost there, my love, not to worry. We shall make it."

Finally acknowledging the urgency of the situation, she quit her playful ways and kept to her husband's side. Together, they found their way through the crowd and arrived at the Blue Seal just in time.

The large ship was filled with young men in neat uniforms of the Royal Navy, ready and eager to serve their country. All over, there were parents wishing their loved ones farewell.

Odelia used her motherly instincts as her eyes searched the crowd for familiar blond locks.

She soon locked her eyes on the child the good Lord had blessed her and Arnold with. He must have felt her just as his father often did, for he turned around in that moment and their eyes met.

His lips stretched into a smile that made her heart ache. She had fallen in love with that smile over twenty years ago. Now, she saw it on two men's faces. Poor her.

Nicholas and his father... just a smile and she was easily disarmed. She could not resist them a thing when they smiled at her in that manner. They knew this and often used that knowledge to their advantage.

In no time, her son was right in front of her. The boy that she had carried in her womb, nurtured and watched as he became a man. Every time she looked at him, she was filled with awe.

It seemed only the day before that she had woken up on that ship, with no sense of self. Yet, it felt ages ago. All this time, it had brought her here.

So much had happened since then. So much. She had got captured again, found out who was behind her parents' death, fought for her freedom, won, got married to the man who made her heart sing with joy every blessed day.

All the pain of her past and all that she had lost had melted away under his care and love.

What's more, they had been blessed with two wonderful children, Nicholas James Reynes and Cecilia Rose Reynes.

She could still remember that evening on the Sea Rose with all her heart. It replayed in her memory every blessed day. It was one of the most beautiful days of her life.

It had all been lovely, the flowers, the lanterns... Arnold. And all those people who had gathered for them. All of it had been magical. She had floated on clouds as she read her vows, enraptured by the eyes of the only man she could see.

When they had pronounced them man and wife, she had felt joy and peace that could never be rivalled... or so she had thought.

Imagine the million butterflies that had burst in her heart on the days she had held her newborn babies in her arms. Arnold had been with her through it all. Every single step of the way.

He had proved every passing day in the past two decades that happiness knew no bounds and love could always grow stronger.

The Lord had blessed her with the best man. A man who was honourable and noble. A loving husband and a doting father. She had no doubt whatsoever that they had been made for one another.

That despite the circumstances, fate had brought them together.

So, she loved him, just as hard as he loved her. With all her heart and all her soul, and it made everything all the more perfect. Admittedly, there were bad days, but they never overshadowed the good. For every rainy night, they had hundreds of sunny days.

She had been truly blessed.

"Mother! Father! You came!"

Odelia chuckled as Nicholas took her into his embrace and kissed her cheeks. She pressed hers to his head, though she had to rise to her toes. The boy was just as tall as his father.

In heart, in features, in physique. Cecilia, his older sister, had taken after her mother.

"Of course we came, my dear. We said we would. You know we always keep our word!" she exclaimed as she broke away.

"Not to mention, it is only expected of us to be present. You have done your mother and me very proud, son. We know that you will continue to do so."

Arnold's voice was calm as always. It still made her tingle all over. Her nightingale.

"I only hope to walk in your footsteps, Father."

"Yes, I know. While that is commendable, you must never forget my teachings. Good for a man to tread the pathway of good; even better to forge his own, so that others too may follow."

"I shall, Father. You have my word," came Nicholas' solemn promise.

Arnold nodded, patting his son firmly. The exchange made Odelia's eyes water.

She took her son's face in her hands, staring into his grey eyes; the one feature he had taken from her.

"A man is only as good as his word. I know that you are such a man, Nicholas. We shall miss you very much." Her voice broke as she finished, and she held herself back from shedding the tears that blurred her vision.

He was only eighteen. Yet when he had expressed his wish to join the Navy, they had been unable to stop him. He would do them proud, Odelia was certain of this. She only wished that her baby did not have to go away so soon.

Cecilia had gotten married only four months ago, and to Mannington's son, no less. It was a union both pairs of parents had heartily blessed. With Nicholas going off to the Navy, she would grow so lonely.

Once again, it would be herself and Arnold. Although she did not think it would be so terrible. Perhaps it would give them ample opportunity to fall in love with one another all over again.

"I will not be gone long, Mother. No matter how far away I go, I shall always return to you."

His words made her smile. "You are your own man now and you must forge your path. You were never supposed to remain with us forever. Some day, it is your own wife and family you shall return to. We shall miss you, yes. Nevertheless, we shall always pray that you sail to horizons and beyond."

The horn blared for the last time, and they knew that it was time to let go.

Having no more words to say, needing none, Odelia drew her son into her embrace and held on tightly.

When they broke free, Arnold did the same.

To watch father and son so moved, it almost undid her.

The beautiful moment took her back to Cecilia's wedding. How they had wept as they escorted their daughter into her new life, her new home.

Finally, they pulled away.

Teary eyes shone all over as the boys walked away to assemble.

One by one, the parents began to leave. Heartfelt farewells had been said; it was time to let go.

Arnold put his arms around her, leading her away.

They turned around to watch. All the men in beautiful colours of the navy arranged in a line and saluted their families.

It was indeed a beautiful sight. Odelia and Arnold remained there as the ship began to pull away. They remained there until it disappeared in the distance.

"The first time I was here, I was the one sailing away, bidding my family goodbye," he spoke, breaking the silence.

"He will be just like his father," Odelia muttered.

"No, dear wife. He will be even better. He will do great things, you'll see. One day, he too shall be remembered. Nicholas Reynes, captain of his own ship."

"Yes. Of that, I have no doubt."

There was another long moment of silence. Then, as a sigh slipped from her lips, she ended it.

"And then there were two."

"Just as it began. Now dear wife, let us return to our home where I intend to love you forever. Perhaps we shall have more children to keep you busy if you so wish," he teased.

The thought made her laugh. "All these years, Arnold, and you still make me tremble with love for you."

He stopped in front of her so he could look into her eyes.

"All these years, Odelia, and you still make me tremble with just a look. Can't you see? I am yours and you are mine."

"Forever," she replied, for that was their sworn vow.

He smiled as he leaned in to place a lingering kiss on her lips. As he pulled away, he too promised,

"Forever."