My kids were so grown up that I felt old. It seemed like yesterday that I'd accepted my mom into the family... Why does the time go by so quickly? Looking through my spyglass, I found the next vessel to plunder. It was a big merchant ship with an absurd amount of cargo. Miguel and I loved to plunder those... Don't judge us! It was fun. Besides, my crew and I would get all the booty because Giacomo and Nuria no longer sailed with us. We reunited at Rosa's every year, but we preferred to loot separately. My heart pounded as we approached the vessel. Since it was far, it'd take a while to get close enough. Meanwhile, Luna was at the main deck with Isabel and Stefan. She laughed while Willem rolled his eyes. Tess made some moves with her sword, but Luna blocked them all. If you think dealing with babies is hard, try to take care of teenagers... It's crazy! I leaned against the mainmast while observing my kids and Willem. I squinted because of the bright sun.

"Pay attention to my movements," Luna dodged Tess' harmless blow and blocked the next. "What did I forget?"

Isabel raised her hand, "You didn't protect your waist?"

"Correct, Izzy! During a duel, we must never let our waists vulnerable," my eldest raised a brow. "What else our parents always say?"

Willem narrowed his eyes, "That you shouldn't dress like a lady of the night?"

Why does my cousin's kid act like an old man?

I huffed... How could Maartje's son be so grumpy? Only God knew why he loved to provoke Luna. I shook my head in denial, wondering when Willem would quit that attitude. Laurens and Maartje talked on a corner, apparently unaffected by Willem's behavior.

"What's a lady of the night?" Stefan frowned. "Is this related to our fighting lessons?"

My eldest smiled mischievously, "Annoying guys like Will have no friends, so they hire these ladies to keep them company."

Maartje's son crossed his arms, "Shut up!"

"Only if you stop talking about my pants," Luna ground her teeth. "They're just torn until the knee, so don't exaggerate!"

"Lulu is right!" Tess wrinkled her nose. "Quit being such a prude!"

"Before I was rudely interrupted, I asked what else was incorrect with my strategy," my eldest turned to the twins. "Anyone knows?"

Stefan raised his brows, "You were too close to Tess?"

"Precisely! If you don't keep a safe distance from the enemy, it'll be harder to defend yourself," Luna smiled widely while hugging the twins. "I have the best students ever!"

Miguel chewed on his lip while approaching Luna. Isabel and Stefan giggled as my eldest tickled their bellies... Yeah, they got along surprisingly well. Tess laughed, apparently having fun. Willem shook his head in denial as if observing immature children.

My husband sighed, "Luna, what did I tell you about teaching the twins?"

"I'm sixteen already. You can trust me," my oldest daughter put her cutlass back in her weapon belt. "Besides, Izzy and Stefan turn nine today, so isn't it time for them to learn?"

Miguel glanced away briefly, "For now, you and Tess cannot give them lessons."

Tess knit her brows, "Father, please! They were so excited about it..."

I took a step closer, "Listen to your dad, girls. The twins are too young. No more fighting classes."

Luna and Tess huffed. Willem chuckled, seemingly happy with their misery. I looked through my spyglass and grinned. We were close enough to our new target... I could feel the smell of gold! My eyes gleamed as I had an idea.

This will be interesting...

I called Laurens and Maartje. Taking several deep breaths, I hoped they'd agree. Despite their young age, I thought the children were prepared. Luna, Willem, and Tess were sixteen, fifteen, and fourteen, respectively. Miguel and I had been training them for a long time.

"Izzy and Stefan aren't old enough, but the others know sword fighting well," I gazed at the children. "I think they're ready."

"Are you sure? Will and Lulu argue all the time!" Laurens scowled. "They'll kill each other before their opponents do."

"You're exaggerating, amigo. They won't let a small rivalry get in the way," Miguel chuckled. "I'll keep an eye on them the entire time."

Maartje nodded, "Tess will also be there to separate them. She's good at stopping fights."

My master gunner paced. I bit my lower lip... What was taking him so long to decide? We'd lose the opportunity if our galleon got too close! I hoped he wouldn't upset the children because of his exaggerated concern.

Laurens smiled, "Fine! You have my support."

My husband and I walked to the kids. Izzy and Stefan had their arms crossed... Yes, they were upset we stopped their classes. At least the twins wouldn't have to wait much to start learning. After all, the other children began when they were eleven.

My lips curled into a face-wide smile, "We decided you'll have your first plunder today!"

Isabel's eyes gleamed, "Already? How exciting!"

"Only Luna, Tess, and Willem can go," Miguel turned to the twins. "You and Stefan aren't ready yet."

"I'm going with her?" Willem wrinkled his nose while pointing at Luna. "Mom, this can't happen!"

My cousin narrowed her eyes, "If you want to be a pirate, you must learn to work with people you don't get along with."

Luna shrugged, "I'm not happy about this either, but I won't let Will's irritating attitude ruin my fun."

"If you two don't set your differences aside, you're not participating again. No civil war allowed," Miguel took a step closer. "Also, you must always follow my lead."

"Dad, I'll be glad to follow your lead. We're best friends," my eldest frowned while looking at Willem. "My problem is Mr. Grumpiness."

Tess glared at Willem and Luna, "I'm throwing you both to the sharks if this continues!"

My heart pounded as we reached the perfect distance from the ship. After ordering my gunners to send the warning, I returned to the main deck. Miguel bit his lower lip, seemingly nervous. I hoped the children wouldn't argue too much... Who am I kidding? Of course, they would! Once my crew pulled the target closer with our grappling hooks, the invasion started.

"Let's go," Gálvez moved closer to the other vessel. "Time to jump, muchachos!"

"I've been waiting so long for this!" Luna smiled. "Mom, I promise to make you proud."

I chuckled, "You always do, sweetie."

Willem mocked my eldest daughter. I looked through the spyglass after my husband jumped to the ship with the kids. My neck was sweating like never before... What if they got hurt? I hoped Miguel and I had trained the children well enough. Sighing, I used my spyglass again. Luna, Tess, and Willem were using the fighting techniques perfectly. Even though they took some hits, everything seemed fine.

Please, come back unharmed...

My head wouldn't stop hurting. The time wouldn't pass as the children kept fighting. I sighed in relief once my crew brought the cargo to Ocean Storm... Guess what? The gold had come! I know I hadn't seen inside the boxes, but I had a good feeling. My heart was lighter as Miguel returned with Luna, Tess, and Willem. Although the kids had a few scratches, it was nothing compared to how I came back from my first pirate adventure. I kissed Miguel tenderly, also relieved he was fine.

Luna embraced Miguel and me, "Thank you for letting me do this! It was amazing!"

Tess chuckled, "Will and Lulu didn't argue. A miracle!"

"How could we?" Willem shot Tess an angry gaze. "You wouldn't stop yelling at us!"

The twins laughed, seemingly having fun with the argument. Luckily, we weren't far from land. A few minutes later, Ocean Storm docked at San Agustín. The kids wouldn't stop talking... Yes, Luna and Willem kept things civil. Perhaps Tess had threatened them during the pirate adventure. I smiled once Rosa opened the door.

"Happy birthday, Izzy and Stefan!" my mother-in-law embraced the twins while looking at us. "I missed everybody!"

Vasco came running with his parents, "Welcome back!"

Luna hugged Vasco, "Finally, a cousin who doesn't make me crazy!"

My nephew laughed and Willem rolled his eyes. My lips curled into a wide smile as my mother approached. She no longer wore black dresses only. I sighed while wrapping my arms around her. Sometimes I couldn't believe my mom was there with me.

"How's the new job?" I tilted my head to the side. "You told me Rosa took you to her friend's workshop."

"Working with Rosa is great," she smiled sweetly. "Thank you for bringing me to live with her."

I grinned mischievously, "If you ever change your mind, let me know. We'd be glad to have you on Ocean Storm."

"I'll stay as a seamstress for now," my mother slid her fingers on my cheek. "As long as you and your family keep visiting every year, I'm happy."

Nuria and Giacomo talked to me for a while in the living room. The kids stayed in another room, as usual. I laughed while listening to some of their stories with Vasco... Our lives indeed change with children. Although they demand a lot of attention, I couldn't imagine myself without them. Kids give your life meaning.

"I can't believe Vasco had his first pirate adventure today," Giacomo shook his head in denial. "Why they grow up so fast?"

"Luna, Willem, and Tess also plundered for the first time today. I'm sure they'll make great pirates," I sighed pronouncedly. "I hope the twins take longer to grow up. I'm starting to feel old."

"Me too! At least you understand your kids completely now that you speak Spanish," Nuria looked at her son. "I haven't figured Tuscan out yet."

"It takes a while to learn a new language," I gave my sister-in-law a pat on the back. "Just be patient."

Nuria chuckled and nodded. I couldn't help but smile as my husband gazed at me admiringly. Miguel followed me to the backyard as if he'd read my mind. Even though we'd been together for years, we never let the spark die. Miguel and I had our quarrels, but we never disrespected each other. I'd never imagined someone so different would be my soulmate... Were we really that different? Probably not. The longer I stayed with him, the stronger our connection became. I also loved spending time with our children.

I glanced at the shining sun, "Did you imagine we'd end up together and have kids when we first talked?"

"I never thought I'd marry such a wonderful woman," my husband put an arm around my shoulder. "However, after we met, I did create a few fantasies."

"Interesting..." I gazed at him mischievously. "Were they all properly fulfilled?"

Miguel chuckled, "Yes, but most weren't related to what you have in mind."

I laughed, "Don't tell me you envisioned having children that night!"

"I know it's crazy, but I did. You're the only person I've felt an instant connection with," he tucked some hair behind my ear. "Somehow, I just knew."

Taking advantage of our alone time, we shared a passionate kiss. Feeling his lips on mine never got old... I couldn't get enough of it! My heart fluttered as I forgot the world around me. Once we opened our eyes, I couldn't stop smiling... Have I mentioned no one made me happy like Miguel? Probably.

"We've been through so much together. Sometimes I can't believe you're mine," I rested my head on my husband's shoulder. "I love you, Miguel."

Gálvez held my hand, "I love you too, Eva. I didn't know what happiness was until I met you."

My eyes gleamed, "Honestly, me neither."

Giving love a second chance was the best thing I've ever done!

We interlocked fingers. I scowled after hearing a strange crying sound. Miguel raised a brow, seemingly confused as well. Luna, Tess, and the twins were behind us. My eldest wouldn't stop gazing at my husband and me... God, I never wanted to be far away from Miguel and our kids! It isn't gold, rum, or sugar... Family is the most precious treasure.

"Many people wrinkle their noses when parents have these sappy moments, but I enjoy it," Luna grinned while wiping away more tears. "Your love is beautiful. I hope to experience this with a man someday."

Miguel chuckled nervously, "I want you to be happy, princesa, but you're too young. You'll have to wait."

"Fine!" my eldest rolled her eyes and laughed. "When I'm old enough, do you promise to punch the guy in the face if he hurts me?"

"Of course," Gálvez kissed Luna's forehead. "I'll destroy anyone who harms you."

Tess glanced at her cutlass, "Not if I do it first! Nobody messes with my big sister!"

"Can we stop stalling?" Isabel raised her brows. "I'm waiting for the hug!"

Stefan grinned, "Besides, the food is ready, so we should come back."

"Let's make Izzy happy first," I walked closer to the children. "Come here, everyone!"

That family embrace warmed my heart. When I first entered the pirate world, I thought plundering was the best thing ever... Guess what? It wasn't! Piracy was great, but nothing compared to family. No one was more important than my husband and kids. Miguel and I have never been apart since our amazing unofficial wedding. We came from different places, but we had the same crazy soul. Sometimes I couldn't believe how close our children were to us. I was the luckiest pirate captain in the world. After suffering so much, I finally found real joy. My family is what truly made me feel invincible. 

****

The End!

Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. All translations can be found below. This was my favorite chapter to write because, after everything our dear pirates went through, they deserved all that joy. Especially Eva and Miguel. Although the book ended, I still have two bonus scenes, aesthetic chapters, and a special chapter to publish. Stay tuned... :-)

I dedicate this chapter to all my readers!

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Muchachos means "young people" in Spanish

A message for my wonderful readers:  I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for making  "Battles and Secrets" an epic journey. Without you, I wouldn't have had the fun I had publishing the chapters of this book. Together, we laughed, cried, cheered, screamed... Everything. I loved creating the "Queen of Piracy Duology" and, with you, the experience became a thousand times more wonderful. This is not an official announcement, but I have been working on a new book. Although it has a few similarities with the two you've read, it's very different overall. I hope you enjoy it if I publish it here. Once again, thank you for making me happy with your support! I love you all! 🥰💞😘💗