Captain Crumb was looking forward to taking some time off, it had taken him a few weeks to get home but he was sure that Shannon and Ash would be feeling a lot better by the time he got there and was hoping with the extra time off he and Shannon could add a new member to their family. Not wanting her to get jealous or think he held any feelings for Zeta he wrapped Zeta’s paintings and put them away where Shannon wouldn’t find them. Truth be told he thought of Zeta all the time but with her in the Virgin Islands and married there was no reason for him to let his love for her fester any more than it already had. When he reached the Crumb plantation he was met with sympathetic looks, Ash ran out to greet him looking healthy and having grown tall. “Daddy” Ryan smiled as he lifted his son into his arms “By the Gods boy you’ve gotten big, where’s your mother?” Ash’s smile faded “Momma’s sick daddy she’s still in bed, the Priest’s been with her all morning.” Ryan turned to his brother and frowned “Hewitt what’s going on is Shannon still ill?” Hewitt nodded as he put his arm around Ryan’s shoulder “Come on brother I’ll take you to her, she’s been waiting.” Turning to make sure Ash was out of earshot Hewitt whispered, “She’s not going to make it Ryan; it’s a miracle she made it this long.” Hewitt looked back toward the cove “Is the Wind Serpent still here?” Ryan nodded “Yes why?” Hewitt shrugged “I just wanted to have a word with Declan is all.” Ryan could feel his hands begin to shake as he neared the cottage she was staying in. Walking in the Priest gave him a weak smile “It’s almost time son.” Ryan’s eyes filled with tears as he approached her bed, she looked so pale when she opened her eyes she feigned a smile “I’ve been waiting for you.” Sitting down next to her Ryan took her hand “I had hoped you’d be better when I got here. Hell, I was already planning on making another baby with you and was going to take a whole six months off.” Shannon laughed “Sorry to mess up your plan’s honey.” Ryan leaned in and kissed her “You’re a good woman Shannon and a great mother.” Shannon sighed “You received a letter from Augusto Steel three weeks ago.” Ryan frowned “I can read it later; I’m more worried about you.” Shannon smiled weakly “I read it, it’s important, I think it might be why I’ve hung on as long as I have.” Ryan frowned “What does it say?” Shannon took a deep breath as if gaining her strength “Phoenix is going to the America’s.” Ryan nodded “Yes I heard.” Shannon nodded “He’s taking a woman name Kami.” Ryan looked confused “Who is Kami?” Shannon sighed “The woman he has been seeing behind Zeta’s back since they moved there it seems. I guess Zeta just found out, from what Augusto says they tried to make Zeta leave but she refused because she paid for the land and it’s now the Steel plantation and Phoenix is no longer welcome there.” Ryan frowned “How could he do this to her?” Shannon shrugged “He seems to think she’s barren, the funny thing is it might be him. Augusto and his sons are headed there now to help Zeta since the Prescott’s are no doubt hell bent on taking the land for themselves.” Ryan looked angry “That son of a bitch how could he do this, he would have never done this before, it’s that damn cousin of his.” Shannon watched the anger brew on Ryan’s face. “Ryan, will you do me one last favor?” Ryan nodded “Yes anything.” Shannon nodded “Go to her take Ash and go to her, she needs you, you love her and she loves you. Why deny yourselves any longer, I won’t make it through the night, it’s a miracle I made it till now. It’s my dying wish Ryan, I want to leave this world knowing you and Ash are happy and I know Zeta makes you happy.” Ryan rested his head on her chest and cried as she stroked his hair when her hand stopped he sobbed looking up her eye’s lay open and vacant, reaching out he closed her eyes then stood and walked out. Hewitt waited “The arrangements have been made brother, Ash is packed and on the ship, we will join you in the Virgin Islands at year’s end to see how things are going.” Ryan hugged his brother for support “I can’t leave her like this.” Hewitt stepped back “This was her wish brother, arrangements have been made, a grave has already been dug, go to Ash and tell him the news. Zeta needs you now, go to her Ryan, Phoenix hasn’t yet left for the America’s I’m sure she’s in need of some support.” Ryan nodded then headed back to his ship. When Augusto and Zeta’s five brothers arrived on the island they first walked up onto Phineas’s land, Augusto was not polite. “We are here to see my daughter but I’d like to talk with Phoenix first can you let him know we have arrived.” Phineas gave them a good once over, “Phoenix is in the fields I’ll send someone to fetch him.” Augusto held up his hand “It’s on the way to the Steel plantation we will find him on our own thank you.” Zeta’s brothers looked ready for battle as they followed Augusto toward the fields. Kent looked around “Zeta owns land here?” Augusto laughed “Nicer land than this son.” Seeing Augusto and his sons walking up Phoenix wiped his face and hands and approached them. “Augusto, Brice, Maxwell, Kent, Caleb, Devlin, nice to see you.” Augusto huffed “Don’t play coy boy you have broken my daughter’s heart and ...........” Hearing Zeta screaming out they turned to see her running to meet them, out of breath she stopped “Don’t waste your time with him, come and rest I’m sure you’re all tired and in need of some refreshments.” Augusto looked back at Phoenix “Zeta he should pay for his deceit.” Zeta waved him off “He has papa you should see the naive brat he’s stuck with she wouldn’t know passion if you smacked her over the head with it.” Zeta’s brothers laughed, Zeta pulled her father by his arm “Come on let me show you the Steel plantation.” After walking away Zeta turned back to see Phoenix standing there and Kami walking up to stand beside him, just the thought of them together making her stomach turn. Seeing her watching them Augusto hugged her close to his side “She might be at his side honey but he’s watching you.” Zeta wiped away a tear “Like I told him papa, he made his bed now he gets to lie in it.” Zeta brothers were amazed at how well Zeta was running her plantation. At dinner, Brice brought out his briefcase. “I know it’s not what you want to hear Lil bit but I think that while I’m here you and I should have Phoenix sign divorce papers before he leaves for the America’s.” Zeta frowned “I hadn’t even thought of that.” Brice nodded “In fact, I have them ready all they need are both of your signatures. They of course state anything paid for with your dowry belongs to you, including this plantation and the men and women working it.” Zeta thought about it then nodded “Let’s do it tonight, after dinner.” Brice frowned “Are you sure?” Zeta nodded “Yes, I’m sure.” Kent looked around and smiled proudly “You have done so well for yourself sister, Phoenix is a fool why any man would trade in a Goddess for a simple maid I don’t know, there was a time Phoenix had no desire for a child, then he spends a few months here and that’s all he can think about.” Zeta shrugged “I never thought Phoenix could be so manipulated by someone, Phineas started planting idea’s in him right away, we weren’t even here a day before Phineas convinced Phoenix I had cheated on him with the Captain. I don’t deny I have strong feelings for Ryan but I have never cheated on Phoenix, I have always been a faithful wife.” Augusto smiled “Now there is a man that loves you, a faithful husband himself yet he fell in love with you and has never stopped and I doubt he ever will.” Caleb smiled around the table at his family “Well it took me long enough but I finally got Allison pregnant, so in six months we should be welcoming another baby to the family.” Everyone raised their glass in a toast. Within the hour Zeta and Brice were knocking on Phineas’s door, Phineas answered wearing a frown “You’re not welcome here woman.” Brice growled, “Watch how you speak to my sister, we have business with Phoenix, may we come in?” Phineas sighed as he showed them into the study where Phoenix and Kami sat by the fire. Phoenix sat up “Zeta what are you doing here?” Zeta wore a serious expression “Brice is here acting as my attorney, I’m here to file for a divorce.” Phoenix nearly choked on his wine “A divorce?” Zeta nodded “It’s clear you and I are threw, you’ve made your choice, an obvious mistake on your part but a choice none the less.” Kami looked stunned “Excuse me?” Zeta laughed “Shut up Kami go back to looking confused it fits you better, in fact just go this is between me and Phoenix and take this ass of a man Phinny out with you. This is between me and my soon to be ex-husband.” Brice stood and pushed them both out into the hall. “All you need to do is read the papers and sign them and you can forget all of this ever happened.” Phoenix sat down and sighed “That’s the problem; I don’t want to forget it.” Zeta shrugged “Then remember it, either way, you made your choice, this just says were no longer married and everything paid for with my dowry including the plantation and the servants belong's to me. Sign here and you’re free to marry that halfwit waiting for you outside.” Taking off her ring she realized she was crying “Take this it belongs to the Prescott family it should be worn by your wife whom ever you choose her to be, be it Kami or not.” Phoenix sighed then signed it, “Brice can I have a minute alone with my wife before she signs as well and finalizes it?” Brice nodded and walked out, Kami frowned at him when he walked out into the hall “What’s going on?” Brice shrugged “They needed a moment of privacy.” Phoenix walked over to Zeta and pulled her into his arms like he had done so many times before. “Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you and wish I’d handled things differently. Marrying you was the best thing I ever did and losing you has been my biggest regret. I hope you find happiness if anybody deserves it, you do. Damn I love you baby, this won’t be the last time I see you but it will be the last time I hold you in my arms and the last time your lips touch mine.” Lifting her up into his arms, he kissed her passionately then sat her down. Wiping away his tears he opened the door. Kami waited “What happened, what’s wrong?” Phoenix waved her off “It’s over I just lost my wife.” Kami rushed after him “What?” Phoenix yelled, “We're divorced.” Brice walked back into the room to find Zeta signing the papers. “It’s done let’s get back, I’m in the need of a stiff drink.” Brice put his arm over Zeta’s shoulder as they walked out “What did he have to say?” Zeta shrugged “There are some mistakes in life you wish you could take back and for Phoenix Kami is one of them. Too bad his mistake fucked my life up as well as his.” Brice smiled “I’ll tell you what little sister, your life is just starting you have plenty of time left to experience life’s many surprises along the way.” Zeta nodded her eyes filling with tears “I hope so big brother, I hope so.” Augusto and Zeta’s brothers stayed for a full week, Phineas didn’t try to start any problems and Phoenix stayed out of sight. Augusto hadn’t come empty handed he knew Zeta was doing well but he also knew she was on her own so he brought extra funds and plenty of extra supplies to help out and Zeta was more than thankful and she knew her workers would be as well. The women were more than surprised to see all the fabric he had brought and the extra money would help with the upcoming harvest not to mention the large shipment of coffee and tea. Days later Webster arrived unannounced knocking first at Phineas’s door. “Where is my son?” Phineas scowled not appreciating Webster's obvious aversion as he stood with his arms at fists by his sides. “Webster what a surprise it’s so good to see you please come in, I’ll get a room ready for you Phoenix is out in the fields.” Webster didn’t smile “I won’t be staying here, let your father know I will be coming around in the next few days to pay him a visit.” Phineas frowned “You came all the way here and you’re not staying with family?” Webster shook his head “You ruined my boy’s life, even if he can’t see that I can. I’ll be at my daughter in law’s plantation. Tell my son where he can find me.” Phineas shook his head “It’s called the Steel plantation old man and Phoenix isn’t permitted there.” Webster nodded “Well named, I’m sure Zeta will permit him there for my sake.” Kami walked up and smiled “Hello Mr. Prescott, I’m Kami.” Webster shook his head in disgust “So your Kami, Augie was right you’re a child and nothing compared to Zeta what was my Son thinking.” Turning he walked away, Kami started to cry and ran to her and Phoenix’s room. Hours later Phoenix returned to their room to find Kami sobbing into her pillow. “What now Kami?” Kami’s eyes were swollen “Your father arrived today.” Phoenix looked surprised “Where is he?” Kami wiped at her tears “At Zeta’s he wanted nothing to do with us, he said I was nothing compared to Zeta and didn’t know what you were thinking. Ask Phineas he spoke to him.” Phoenix went in search of Phineas “My father’s here?” Phineas shrugged “Bastard insulted me said if you want to talk to him he’d be at his daughter in laws.” Phoenix sighed “Insulted or not don’t you dare call my father a bastard.” Phineas got up to walk out “Yeah well better get over there and beg for his forgiveness, doubt you’ll get it, though.” Phoenix groaned as he walked out and headed to Zeta’s. Zeta was surprised to see Webster. “Web, I’m so glad you’re here, have you seen Phoenix?” Webster shook his head “No darling I haven’t I told Phineas if Phoenix wanted to see me he had to come here.” Zeta smiled “Phoenix has missed you so much, I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.” Webster shrugged “I saw that little girl of his, what is he thinking Zeta?” Zeta shrugged “I don’t know Web, I never stopped loving him it was like the second we got here Phineas started to turn him against me.” Webster pulled her in and hugged her “I’d like to stay here if it’s alright with you?” Zeta smiled “Of course when my family was here last week Phoenix and I signed divorce papers. I figured if he and Kami are going to sail to the America’s they might want to marry before they go especially since he is so sure she will be pregnant by then.” Web sighed “When I sent him the news I figured he would take you with him, I never thought he would take another woman. I must admit your plantation is ten times better than the Prescott plantation.” Zeta nodded wearing a look of pride “Phoenix helped build this plantation it’s too bad he has to work at Phineas’s you know as well as I Phoenix doesn’t agree with the way Phineas runs his, or the way he treats his people. Happy workers take more pride in their work it makes for a better environment all around.” The doorbell rang and Zeta got up to answer it. “Phoenix” Phoenix sighed “Is my father here?” Zeta nodded “Yes, please come in.” When Phoenix walked into the study, he smiled “Pops you look great.” Webster stood and smiled “You look tired son, but I’m happy to see you.” Phoenix walked over and hugged his father “Why are you here?” Webster shrugged “I’ll not stay in the house of the man who helped to ruin my son’s life.” Phoenix sighed “I did that myself.” Webster shook his head “Horse shit Phineas has done this to you, and I cannot look at him or that little girl your sleeping with when you had a wife like Zeta right here the whole time.” Phoenix rubbed his face “If Zeta would take me back I’d be here but she won’t, I fucked up and now I have to live with my mistake.” Zeta stood “I’ll leave you two to talk.” After Zeta had left Webster poured him and Phoenix a glass of brandy, Zeta walked out onto the porch it was a warm night and she could still hear them from where she sat “What do see in Kami Son, what would turn your attention to her and away from Zeta?” Phoenix sighed “At the time Kami was so innocent and in love with me she adored me and looked at me like I was a God. I want a child and Phineas hates Zeta so much all he did is talk about how she was denying me a child on purpose and how Kami like Zudora was fertile and would give me a child right away.” Webster frowned “I can’t see how any woman could be more passionate than Zeta.” Phoenix shook his head “Kami is nowhere near as passionate as Zeta, no woman is, me and Zeta’s love life was always exciting and uninhibited she pleasured me to no end. Kami is like a mouse in bed compared to Zeta who’s like a lioness.” Webster frowned “Then why?” Phoenix shrugged “I have no Idea; I ask myself that every day I don’t know why I let Phineas get to me when before we got here having a child wasn’t even that important to me. At first, Phineas made me jealous over the Captain and even then I knew Zeta had never cheated on me and then he made me think I needed a meek woman like Zudora. Now I’m stuck and trying to make the best of what I got.” Webster sighed “I love you Son and I want you to be happy, I’m sorry how this has all turned out, I can only hope you find some happiness with this new hand of cards you have been dealt.” Phoenix smiled “I understand why you’re staying here but will I see you tomorrow?” Webster chuckled “I’ll be seeing you every day I’m here, just not in the house of that pig of a man.” Phoenix grinned as he hugged his father and walked out. Reaching the porch he smiled at Zeta “Good night honey, I love you.” Zeta smiled “And I you, don’t worry about your father I’ll take care of him, and you’re welcome to stop by whenever you feel like it.” Phoenix sat down running his hand through his hair “Thank you for allowing me to come here to see him, I know it must be hard.” Zeta shrugged “I know how much you miss your father, I’d never no matter how much you hurt me make it so you couldn’t see him. Not when I know what you’ve been going through with working on Phineas’s plantation and all. He might be a monster that abuses his wife and his people but I know you and you’re not like him and it must be hard to have to watch him act the way he does every day and not be able to do anything about it.” Phoenix sighed “To tell you the truth its hell, but I thank you for being so considerate.” Walking back inside Zeta found Webster waiting “I can’t believe you and Phoenix are divorced, I never thought it would come to this you and he are such a match.” Zeta shrugged “You're right and now it’s over.” Webster poured her a glass of brandy and handed it to her “Don’t worry honey you’ll find love again, your father says Captain Crumb has been in love with you for some time now and that you have strong feelings for him as well but have stayed completely faithful to Phoenix even while he was cheating on you with Kami.” Zeta nodded “The Captain is a married man and has always remained faithful to his wife, we remain friends.” Webster placed his arm around her giving her a comforting squeeze “You’re a good woman Zeta.” Standing he groaned stretching out his back “I’ll get settled in now if you don’t mind it’s been a long day and I think I’d like to get some sleep.” Zeta smiled “Alright, and I’ll send up a bath and something to eat, I’m sure you’re getting hungry.” Webster smiled as he took her hand in his own “Lead the way, my girl.” Phoenix returned home to find Phineas, Zudora and Kami in the study. Phineas looked up “Did the old bastard make you beg?” Phoenix glared at him “You call my father a bastard again and I swear I’ll cut you.” Phineas shrugged “No one comes to my house and insults me.” Phoenix shook his head “Get over it Phineas, he’s just upset and feels the blame falls mostly on you.” Phineas scoffed “And how am I to blame about you cheating on your wife?” Phoenix sighed “Probably because I would have never done it without your constant encouragement to do so and your deep hatred for Zeta and you trying to make me think she was denying me a child on purpose. Not to mention basically putting Kami in my bed, hell Phineas you know as well as I do you wanted me to be with Kami and did everything in your power to make sure it happened.” Phineas glared at him “That’s bull shit.” Kami stood and wiped away a tear “Just admit it, Phineas, before he even got here you planned to break them up. Then once they did arrive and you met Zeta and saw how beautiful she was and how strong minded you knew you would have your work set out for you.” Zudora stood up “Stop Kami.” Kami shook her head “No Zudora, we ruined his life already why lie now. Hell Phineas would even pick out my clothes and where he wanted me to sit and what to say. Then he would plant thoughts in your head about Zeta and make you think she was barren and try to keep you here later and later anything to keep you away from her.” Phineas growled, “Kami just shut up.” Kami walked to the door “Truth hurts, Phoenix I love you and want to be with you, in fact, I can’t wait to get away from here but I won’t let them lie to you any longer. All Phineas cares about is this plantation, and with Zeta here and all the ideas of hers he knew, there was no way you would join yours with his. If you haven’t noticed his plantation is in need of money and he may not have said it but he had hoped once she was gone the two Prescott plantations could become one. Why else would he buy the land and the slaves without your permission first? He figured if you cheated on Zeta with me and sent her back to London you’d stay here and join plantations and he would get exactly what he wants.” Phineas screamed, “I said shut up bitch.” Phoenix’s face turned red with angry “Don’t yell at her you son of a bitch. You think you can just use people, how dare you ruin my marriage, no matter who I’m with I wouldn’t have joined plantations with you, not the way you run yours you are a monster. You treat your people like shit no wonder your plantation is a wreck.” Turning to Kami he shook his head “Pack your things, we sail in two weeks until then we will find somewhere else to live.”