Kate Hoffmann - The Pirate

And then, the moment before the ground rushed up to meet him, once more he felt the urge to turn back, to take shelter in Merrie's arms and to stay in her time. Regret surged through him and he cried out her name. Then everything around him went black.

A brisk autumn breeze sent a shower of orange and yellow maple leaves floating through the air and drifting down around Meredith's feet. The breeze was unusually warm for mid-November, following so closely on a series of chilly nights that had set the trees aflame with color in tidewater Virginia.

Meredith sat on a weathered wooden bench and stared out across Crim Dell, a lovely little spot in the center of campus. Across the pond she watched as young couples strolled over the picturesque footbridge. Several couples stopped atop the graceful arch and kissed. She frowned as she tried to recall the legend that was told about the bridge.

"They say if a young woman walks over the Dell bridge alone, she is doomed to spinsterhood. I wish someone would have told me that before I started jogging over it three times a week."

Meredith smiled and stood at the sound of Kelsey's voice. "Hi, Kels." She reached over the bench and gave her best friend a hug.

Dressed in a rumpled blazer and a skirt, Kelsey circled the bench and sat down beside her. "Imagine my surprise when I got your message this morning." She handed Meredith a paper cup. "Cappuccino with almond flavoring. Your favorite."

Meredith pulled the top off the cup and peeked inside. "Decaf?" she asked.

Kelsey laughed. "Since when have you given up the benefits of a high-caffeine diet?"

"I'm trying to cut back," Meredith said.

Kelsey shrugged and took the cup back. "What are you doing back here? I figured you were blissfully happy on that island of yours. After all, I haven't heard from you since our hasty little visit in September. So, did you do it? I've been dying to know!"

"Don't tell me you've spent the last two months speculating on the state of my sex life."

Kelsey nodded. "I think about it when I'm not contemplating Bernoulli's derivation of Boyle's Law. Particle physics and sex have many commonalities, you know. So, did it happen?"

Meredith felt the tears pushing at the corners of her eyes. "Yes, I-we-" Her voice caught in her throat. "I'm sorry."

Kelsey stared at her with a concerned gaze. "What's wrong, Meredith? You might as well tell me now, because you know I'll get it out of you sooner or later. Was it that bad?"

Meredith stifled a sigh. Whenever Dr. Kelsey Porterfield happened upon a puzzle, she didn't give up until she had figured it out. And though Meredith had managed to shuffle her out of the cottage without an explanation, she knew she'd have to come up with one now.

"It was wonderful," Meredith said. "Everything I'd imagined it would be."

"So, what's wrong?"

"He's gone," Meredith said.

Kelsey's hopeful expression fell. "Oh, no. I'm so sorry." She slipped her arm around Meredith's shoulder.

"He left over a month ago. And-and I think I'm pregnant." Though she'd suspected as much for the past week, she confirmed the fact with a home pregnancy test and a visit to her doctor earlier that morning. Yet, this was the first time she'd admitted it out loud. Suddenly, it was no longer just a concept, but a reality.

"Oh, my," Kelsey breathed, her eyes wide with surprise. "What are you going to do?"

Meredith forced a shaky smile and placed her hand on her stomach. "I'm going to have a baby," she replied.

She wasn't sure when she'd first suspected she was pregnant. One day she'd been convinced that her problems were merely a result of the stress of Griffin's departure, and the next day, she just knew. Somehow, she had sensed the life growing inside her and from that moment on, she'd loved the child with all her heart and soul.

These sudden and intense feelings, the instinct to protect her baby, filled her with wonder. She'd never believed she would have children. Now, she would have Griffin's child and she knew, in her heart, that this was right.

"Can you do this alone?" Kelsey asked.

"Yes, I can. But I'm not sure yet that I'll have to."

"Does he know about the baby?"

Meredith shook her head. "No. Not yet."

"Where is-" Kelsey cursed softly. "Can we at least call him by name here? He's not some deity, at least not in my book."

"His name is Griffin," Meredith said softly, letting the sound of his name linger on her tongue. "Griffin Rourke."

"Where is this Griffin Rourke?"

"He's gone," Meredith replied. "He had to go…back home… to take care of some business."

"What kind of business?" Kelsey demanded, a note of disdain in her voice.

"Family business," Meredith said.

"So is he coming back?"

Meredith bit her bottom lip and tried to stem a flood of emotion. "I don't know. But I'll find out tomorrow night at midnight."

"What happens at midnight?"

"At midnight tomorrow night, November twenty-second will be over. I'm supposed to… call him… to see how he is."

"Then you know where he is?" Kelsey asked.

Meredith sighed. How she wished she could tell Kelsey everything. At least her friend might be able to give her some hope or encouragement. But Kelsey would never believe everything that had happened in the past two months. "Not exactly."

"But you have his phone number. You said you were going to call him."

"But he might not be there," Meredith said. "In fact, that's why I came back. If things don't work out, I'm moving back here right away. I talked to Dr. Moore today and told him I wanted to teach that seminar in colonial American history for next semester."

"So rather than face your problems head-on, you're going to retreat into your work. If I were you, I'd go after the bum. And if you don't, I will."

"I-I can't. And neither can you."

Kelsey shook her head in disbelief. "Just where did this Griffin go that you can't find him?"

Meredith laughed softly. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me," Kelsey challenged. "I've heard them all, from 'The dog ate my homework' to 'I was abducted by aliens the night before my final exam.' Whatever you say, I'll promise to believe you."

Meredith drew a deep breath. Maybe if Kelsey knew the truth, she might be able to help. After all, she was a scientist. She had to have an open mind about the unknown. "Remember when I asked you about traveling in time?"

"Yes," Kelsey replied.

"Well… that's it." The words rushed out of her along with a tightly held breath.

Kelsey scowled. "What's it?"

"Time travel."

"What about time travel?" Kelsey asked.

Meredith sighed inwardly. How was she supposed to explain without sounding like a lunatic? Kelsey could be very protective when her friends were troubled. The last thing Meredith needed right now was Kelsey fussing and hovering over her. "You see, I… well, he… I'm not going to write a novel," she said, the last sentence tumbling out of her mouth unbidden. "After all, everyone knows that time travel just isn't possible."

"Of course it's not possible. At least not now," Kelsey confirmed. "But I told you that in September."

"And I listened," Meredith replied, swiftly altering her course, knowing that now was not the time to tell Kelsey. "I've decided to finish my Blackbeard book. And I'm going to take on a few more classes next semester, so when I have the baby I can afford to take some time off."

"Are you sure you're ready to raise a child alone? It's hard enough with two people."

"I love Griffin," Meredith said. "And I know he loves me. And even if we can't be together, I'll have a part of him with me because I'll have his child."

"Did he tell you that he loves you?"

Meredith shook her head. "I know he does. He's just not very good at expressing his feelings. He loves me, Kelsey."