“Have you decided on a name?” Tink asked.
Reya looked to Barley. He cleared his throat and straightened in the chair. “Well… About that...”
When he didn’t immediately continue, Reya took up the question. “We have a tradition in my family that all our names start with the same letter. ‘R’ in our case. I thought we might do the same, but using ‘B’ in honor of Barley’s name.”
Tink’s brows drew together. “But Smee…” She glanced toward the first mate who’d approached the opposite side of the bed.
“Oh, that’s not his real name,” Reya said.
Smee crossed his arms. “Don’t you dare.”
Boots thumped across the floor behind Tink. Sage drew up to the foot of the bed. “Still touchy about that, are you? Re—”
Smee lunged across the bed, sending Sage jumping back with a booming laugh. Smee’s grasping hands fell short, and he flopped onto the mattress like a seal onto the rocks.
The baby unlatched and gave a pitiful cry.
“You dolt!” Reya snapped.
“Okay.” Barley jumped to his feet. “Out, you two.” He waved his hands at Smee and Sage, shooing them from the room.
Smee started to protest, but Sage grabbed his arm and practically pulled him out the door. Barley shook his head as he watched them leave. “If little Bell turns out anything like her aunts and uncle, we’re going to have a mess on our hands.”
Tink blinked. “Bell?”
They couldn’t mean…
“If you don’t mind, that is,” Reya said. “It’s a beautiful name, and we’re forever grateful to you.”
James wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Aye, a beautiful name.” He smiled down at Tink. “What do you think, love?”
Out of nowhere, a tear welled and ran down her face. “Little Bell.” She looked at James and then at Reya. “It’d be my honor.”
Hook
The sun had begun its descent into the sea by the time Hook drew a flustered Tink out of the house and down to the peaceful stretch of beach near the dock.
“I can finally breathe again.” She stretched her arms over her head and sent her wings fluttering. They caught the fading light, shimmering with a rainbow of hues.
Stunning.He’d never tire of that sight, of her.
Tink shucked her boots and wiggled her toes in the sand. Hook followed suit. It’d been too long since he simply relaxed and enjoyed the soft lap of the sea on the beach or the feel of the warm grains underfoot.
“Little Bell.” Tink shook her head. “I still can’t believe it.”
He stood beside her where she looked out over the sea toward the color-tinted sky. “And you’re sure you’re okay with it?”
“Absolutely.” She beamed. The sun caught in the golden strands of her hair, sending them shimmering. Hook fought against the urge to run his hand through them, to feel their silk against his palm as he tugged her close for a kiss.
“I may not have liked the name for myself,” she continued, breaking him from his trance, “but it’s such an honor. I still can’t believe they wanted to name her after me.”
“Really?” He arched a brow. How could she still doubt herself? “You’re beautiful. Charming. Smart. Brave. Selfless. Why wouldn’t they want to name her after you?”
“Ridiculous, pirate.” She gave him a playful shove. “If someone is listening, they might think you’re still trying to lure me into your bed.”
Hook stepped into her line of sight and finally gave in to the urge to brush a lock of hair back from her face. “I willalwaysbe trying to lure you into my bed.”
A deep blush crept across her cheeks as she drew her bottom lip between her teeth.
