I ignored the fear that surged and burned in the back of my throat. “Jack, get Rusty.”

“Darling, she’s on the other—”

“Jack.” I stared daggers at my husband. “Do you want Tommy, Solo, and Dark Water William to deliver your child?”

Jack shook his head. His green eyes were wide and clear.

“Get Rusty.”

“As you wish.” Jack looped his arm about my waist and called out loudly. “Solo! Help!”

Solo helped me down to my bed. “Jack told me he was going to get Rusty. I don’t know how he is going to do that, but when Captain sets his mind to something, he doesn’t give up.” Solo helped me adjust on the bed I shared with Jack and pulled the blanket up to my chin. “Probably he’ll take the rowboat. The Revenge is but a little ways behind us.”

I nodded a strained nod.

“I helped my mother deliver my two of my sisters.” He sat down at Jack’s writing desk and propped one leg up on the other. “If something happens before Jack gets back, I’ll help you bring the baby.”

Solo’s warm smile made me feel safe.

“Thank you.” I tried to return his smile, but another cramp seized my middle. “Ah!”

Solo jumped up and grabbed my hand. “Just squeeze. Squeeze my hand when it hurts.”

I breathed in big, panting huffs. “You know,” I managed. “It’s too early.” I glanced up at him. “I’m scared.”

“Let’s just take it one step at time.” He smiled again and seemed confident that everything would be fine. “Jack will be back soon.”

I felt myself relax.

“Now, if there’s one thing I do remember from helping my mother, is that you’re supposed to rest between the pains. Close your eyes now. See if you can even sleep a bit.” He stroked my forehead like a husband would. My eyelids fluttered.

“I meant to tell you,” Solo whispered. “It was fine of you and Jack to take on Rusty the way you did. You’re already a wonderful mother, Red.”

“Mmmhm.”

“And the way you took care of Nikolai, then took care of Tommy,” Solo stroked my forehead. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother to this little chap, too.”

Footsteps grew louder and the door to our quarters banged open. Jack’s breathless voice met my ears. “We’re back, I got her. I got Rusty.”

Another pain gripped my middle. I arched my back and reached out. Solo grabbed my hand. “Squeeze, you won’t hurt me. Squeeze, Redella.”

“You’re a natural, Solo.” Jack’s voice was revenant.

Still, I hadn’t opened my eyes. “Jacky,” I breathed. “It’s too early.”

Jack sunk down beside me. “I know. We’ll get through this.”

“One step at a time,” Solo said again.

I felt Rusty’s hands on my knees. “Good news, Back from the Dead Red. I’m about to have a little brother or sister.”

Another pain tightened my belly. “Ah!”

“Breathe now.” Rusty peered between my legs. “Hey, I see something!”

“Rusty?” Jack’s voice was hesitant. “Have you ever delivered a baby before?”

“Nope. I’ve never brought a baby before.” She sounded strangely chipper. “But what better time to learn than now?”

I closed my eyes. I do not want to be a teaching case. Or this will turn into a tragedy.

“Solo has, Jack.” The waves slapped against the side of The Black Otter. It was easy to hear that a storm was brewing. “Mmm,” I groaned.

“Solo!” Jack’s voice was tinged in urgency. “Would you let Rusty help you deliver my child?”

“Yes, Cap. Is that all right with you, Redella?” Solo’s voice was calm and ever gentlemanly. So much so that I didn’t balk at him calling me Redella. He could have called me the Queen of England and I wouldn’t have cared.

“Yes, please” I gasped. “Something’s wrong, Solo. I can feel it. Bad wrong.”

Solo joined Rusty at the foot of the bed. “Let’s not focus on anything but breathing right now, Red. You’ll hold your baby today. But for now, breathe. Think of the place that made you the most happy.”

I felt for Jack’s hand and finally opened my eyes. He brushed my hair from my sweaty forehead.

My words came in huffs. “I’ve been happiest here.”

Solo pushed my knees apart. “Good. Imagine we’re sailing calm waters through the Caribbean. The sun is shining, dolphins jumping, and soon, we’ll take a rum ship.”

“My ship,” Rusty chimed. “You’ll take my ship again and rescue me!”

“Ah yes.” Solo’s voice, so calm, gave me no choice but to relax. “Is that what you saw there, Rusty?”

“Yes. But it doesn’t look like a head?”

Solo stood up. “That’s because it’s not.” He wiped his hands on his britches and rolled up his sleeves. “Redella, listen to me very carefully. Your baby is trying to be born feet first.”

“Solo.” I huffed through another pain. “I have to push.”

“Not yet.”

Jack interjected. “Solo, have you ever seen such a thing before?”

“Yes. Once.”

Jack’s voice was as anxious as I had been before Solo took over. “Tell me Solo. Did the baby live?”

For the first time since I’d come to know him, Solo didn’t answer his captain. “Redella, I need you to change position. Get on all fours. Rusty, you help her.”

Jack’s voice sounded nothing like the mighty ship captain but had taken on the fearful tone of a new father. “Solo, I asked you, did the baby—”