Visit Home

It was a perfect spring day in southern England and the two Naval officers walking down the country lane looked out of place as they approached the small village. They were miles from the sea and the nearest port was even further. They walked quietly with little talk between them, each carrying a small portmandeau. If anyone had bothered to take note of them, they would have seen that the younger man seemed distinctly unhappy about something, while the elder of the two made sporadic attempts to cheer his companion, apparently without success.

"I really don't see why you insist on turning this into another battle of Agincourt, for God's sake! It's just a visit with your father. Two days and we'll be gone from this place, Horatio."

"And I don't understand what you hope to accomplish by meeting him, Edward. God, I wish that this was over"

"Now you're completely over-reacting. Besides, you yourself said that you haven't seen him in over two years. It's high time you paid him a call. There's no telling when you may get the next opportunity."

"Never would be soon enough."

"Horatio, this is becoming tiresome. You've told me that he's a perfectly pleasant and intelligent man. Behave yourself. Aren't we getting close to the house?"

"It's around the next bend. Why can you not understand that bringing my male lover home to meet my father is something that I would very much rather avoid?"

"That is not what you're doing. You're bringing your ship's Captain home with you for a short break on your way back to your ship… Love, don't you see? I wish to know what kind of man could raise someone as wonderful as you. I wish to see the home you lived in and the places where you played as a child. I want to know all there is to know about you…the books you read and the trees you climbed. I want to understand all there is to you."

The two stopped walking and turned toward each other. Seeing no one about, they leaned in for a kiss coupled with a mutual caress of each other's cheeks. "Alright, Love. I suppose that I can bear anything for two days. If you're with me." Horatio's smile was resigned. "You do realize that he's not expecting us? I hadn't time to let him know that we'd be here for a visit. I'm not even sure if he knows that the Indy is in Portsmouth. God, with any luck he'll simply faint from surprise and then we can make our escape."

The two men were quietly laughing as they approached Horatio's boyhood home.

It was a small house; though slightly larger than it's neighbors it would hardly cause one to pause. It was set fairly close to the road and with a small garden just inside the front gate, built from the local gray stone and had somewhat overgrown roses trailing up the sides and surrounding the front door. "My mother always loved these when they were in bloom. My father's practice is down that path there to the side entrance", Horatio commented as they approached the main door. Taking a deep breath and with a look to Edwards reassuring smile, Horatio knocked twice.

After a few moments they heard steps inside and the door opened to reveal a short, very plump woman of about sixty. "Yes, may I help you?" she began before her eyes went wide and her arms were flung around Horatio's middle, the only part of him that the small woman could easily reach. Horatio laughed at the attack. "Rosie!"

"Oohhhh, you darlin boy! You're home! Come in here this minute and let me have a good look at you. Sir! Sir! Dr. Hornblower, sir! Come out here at once! Hurry!"

Horatio, his arms around the small force of nature attached to him at the waist, looked toward the doorway to the right. Standing there was a tall man with the same dark, striking eyes he himself possessed. Pellew noticed that the physical resemblance between the two of them was remarkable, as was the sense of reserve and innate dignity.

"Horatio? Son, is that really you? What are you doing back here? Why aren't you on the Indy? The last that I heard was that you were on patrol off the coast of Spain"

"We put into Portsmouth for a short refit and resupply. I was given the honor of accompanying Sir Edward when he reported to the Admiralty. We were just returning to the ship when we decided to break our journey here. I hope that you don't mind, father.

"Mind? Good God, I couldn't be more pleased!"

Managing to free himself from the small woman, he took the stride over to his father to have his shoulder firmly grasped by the older man's hand, his own fingers around his fathers arm. Both men were looking at how each had changed over the last two years. Horatio was taller, thinner. His father was grayer and somehow smaller to his son's eyes. He had always seemed so large.

A discrete cough behind him reminded him that he had not arrived alone.

"Father, may I present Captain Sir Edward Pellew. Sir, my father, Dr. Jacob Hornblower. And may I also present Mrs. Rose Carey, she takes care of the house for my father. She practically raised me."

Sir Edward gallantly kissed the housekeeper's hand, causing no small amount of fluttering and winning him a friend for life. He then moved further into the hallway to shake the doctor's hand.

"An honor to meet you, Doctor, Mrs. Carey. I hope that we aren't intruding or arriving at a bad time."

"Good Lord, no, sir! It's an honor to have you here. Horatio writes very highly of you. I'm pleased that he has the privilege of serving with a man such as yourself."

"Father, we were hoping that it would not be too inconvenient to you to have us here for the night."

"Inconvenient? Lord, son I couldn't be happier if the King himself had walked through the door! Rose, please see that Horatio's old room is ready and Sir Edward will sleep in the side room, if you don't mind."

"And I'll see if the butcher can send a fresh leg of lamb over for dinner. That's still your favorite, isn't it Master Horatio?" Rose asked with a knowing smile. She'd been feeding this lad for nigh on nineteen years, well when he was about, at any rate and she knew what's what!

"I'm afraid that I have several patients waiting for me back in the surgery, Horatio. I do want to hear everything, though, so prepare yourselves for a long spell by the fire with me this evening. Perhaps with the Captain here I'll be able to get more information out of this tightlipped son of mine! I fear that you may have to entertain yourselves for the afternoon, if that's all right. Perhaps you'd like to show Sir Edward about after you've had a chance to freshen yourselves.

Horatio and the Captain looked at each other. This was exactly what they were hoping for, an opportunity to explore by themselves.

"That sounds perfect, father. We'll see you for dinner, then."

As the two wandered about the property and parts of the village, Horatio began to change his mind about the visit he had dreaded. He was enjoying reliving his childhood and to see Edwards reaction to his memories was a pleasure.

"I used to pretend that pig trough was my lifeboat and that I was adrift for days alone on the ocean. I didn't know then that my bottom would become sore from sitting on the seats for hour after hour and that my lips would parch from thirst. Would that escape from being adrift was as simple as just stepping over the side to the barnyard!"

"I would spend hours up here in my room, dreaming about what I'd do with my life. At night I'd make pictures and shapes out of the shadows in the eaves. I always was afraid that the tree outside the window was watching me, I'd hide under the covers for hours at a time."

Edward watched as the walls Horatio erected about himself tumbled about him in his eagerness to show his past. As they walked about the village, it was apparent that Horatio was a source of pride for its inhabitants, something that he was quite unaware of and would have embarrassed him had he known, but the Captain noticed how each greeting they received was a warm one.

As they returned to the house to prepare for dinner they paused in the back garden, still in need of attention from the past winter. Hidden behind an arbor Edward put a caressing hand to Horatio's neck and pulled him close in a tender kiss, which quickly deepened into a passionate embrace. Their arms stroked each other's bodies and tongues explored mouths with need and desire. Hands slipped inside of jackets and vests and under shirts, caressing, kneading, clenching. Horatio pulled Edwards hips to his own and began undulating against his lover. Pulling apart, both of them panting with passion, Horatio gasped "God I'd take you here if I could."

Edward simply nodded in reply, not trusting his voice.

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A few hours later they were seated in the small dining room, now set with the finest the house had to offer. The promised lamb was moist and perfectly seasoned, the new potatoes were browned and the mint sauce was fit for a king. Dr. Hornblower had even broken out a bottle of fine French wine that had been a gift in lieu of payment from one of his patients. As they ate they two Naval officers kept up a steady stream of stories about their adventures that had been carefully censored to prevent any concerns about real danger or the true state of life aboard one of His Majesty's ships. Pellew was generous in his praise of Horatio's achievements and abilities to his father, making sure that the older man was aware just how highly his son was thought of by the crew and the other officers on the Indy. The younger man blushed, as he became the subject of a conversation about just how far and how fast his commanding officer expected him to rise.

"He'll have his own ship before you know it, I've no doubt of that, Doctor. And none of your famous modesty there, young man…you know this as well as I do. I just hope that I'm able to keep my entire crew from deserting to join him when it happens! He's a Lieutenant at 19, I predict that he'll be a Post Captain before he's 30. Mark my words, sir."

The dinner continued pleasantly along as Mrs. Carey brought out cheeses for desert.

"We'll have those in the study, if you don't mind, Rose," said the Doctor.

As they became comfortably seated in the small room, Pellew looked around the bookcases that covered three walls. Mostly the classics and medical texts, from what he could see. He had always believed that you could tell much about a man by the books he read. A fireplace filled the fourth wall. There was a portrait of a woman hung over the mantle, Horatio's mother, apparently. She had been an attractive woman, if not a beauty. The most striking thing about her was the look of sharp intelligence and kindness that the face held. He would like to have met her.

The conversation continued along in a general direction for another half hour, Edward answering Jacob's questions about his own military career. Finally, sensing that the father would like to have some time privately with his son, Pellew made his excuses and, taking Machiavelli's The Prince with him, said his Good Nights.

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After Edward retired up the stairs, Horatio and Dr. Hornblower resumed their seats by the fire. The brandy was quite good and the fire's warmth was pleasant in the chill night air of early spring.

They spoke of trivial things, village gossip and the local news. Who had married and who had died. Someone's barn had burned, causing the loss of livestock. Very sad. Horatio realized that they were starting to feel comfortable with each other for once. It surprised him that his father was treating him like the adult he was, not just as a son to be scolded and molded to his father's vision. He was glad that Edward and the Doctor had seemed to get along well and had enjoyed each other's company. He sensed that his father wanted very much to ask him things. He seemed to truly want to know what really had happened to Horatio in the two years since he had left home. His father had barely known the boy he had been. He realized that his father was trying to become acquainted with the young man he had become.

Dr. Hornblower was telling him about the wedding of two of the local young people whom he had delivered almost twenty years ago. They had seemed so happy. He wondered how their lives would turn out.

Both men sipped their brandies and watched the fire, sitting in companionable silence. Finally, Dr. Hornblower asked "Have you been in love yet, Horatio?"

He saw the slightly embarrassed smile on his son's face and the happiness.  "I am now", he answer shyly.

"Horatio? That's wonderful! I couldn't be more pleased for you…who is she?  Someone you met in one of your ports? Is it serious?"

Horatio lowered his head a little and answered, "Yes, it's serious. I think  I've met the person who I want to spend my life with."

"Are you thinking of marrying?"

"No. I mean…. I'd like to, very much… but…it's…. it's difficult. There are problems.  …And… it's…complicated... we can't really… …"

"What? Is she already married or promised to someone else? And you're so often at sea, that must be difficult. I know that lieutenants don't make much money. Is that the problem?"

Horatio stared into the fire for a long moment. He seemed to be gathering his courage to tell him something. Young people…everything was such a crisis to them. How bad could it be? Did her parents dislike the lad? Perhaps she was pregnant.

Finally Horatio quietly said "It's Edward."

"Sir Edward? Do you mean that he is a rival for her hand? Is she his daughter and he disapproves?"

"No, father…its… Edward… who I'm in love with. As he is with me. For almost a year now."

Horatio looked over to see his father's reaction to his revelation. If he had spewed obscenities and conjured up the devil his father could not have looked more shocked.

"Oh, for God's sake. That's not funny, Horatio. I thought that we were having a serious discussion but if you're going to make tasteless jokes, I'll to bed."

He rose to leave but Horatio stood to meet him and put a hand on his arm to stop him.

"Father, it's not a joke. Please sit down. I'm in love with Edward and he loves me. Please hear me out, father. Please."

The two men resumed their seats before the fire which seemed to have lost much of it's warmth. Horatio's father was watching him closely. After taking a breath and pausing to gather his thoughts, Horatio began speaking quietly and calmly.

" I never thought that I'd fall in love with another man. God, I never thought that I'd ever love anyone…. and I certainly never believed it possible anyone could love me. I suppose that I'd always just assumed that somewhere I'd meet some nice girl and that we'd get married and I'd see her when I came home on leave and that would be that. I mean, that's what we are supposed to do, isn't it? Get married and make a home and raise children?"

Horatio looked over to his Father for confirmation. Dr. Hornblower nodded and urged him to continue. Though he was stunned by what his son had just told him, he seemed to want to hear what his son had to say. "Yes, go on."

"On the ship, on the Indy, the other men are always talking about women. Their wives and their sweethearts. Even just the whores they visit when we're in port. I'd listen and I tried to understand how they felt about them. They made it sound so wonderful, being with someone and they would be so upset when we had to go to sea again. They'd mope about for days, quite useless to everyone. I thought that I was above that sort of distraction. Isn't that one of the marks of a gentleman? Being above that sort of thing? Anyway, I never met a girl who…interested me." Horatio looked into the fire then continued almost to himself.

"No, that's not true. There was Mariette and there was the Duchess. When I was in prison in Spain, she was there under protection. We talked and went for walks together. I had the feeling that she wanted me to make advances to her. Every time I looked at her I'd get this strange feeling and feel all tongue-tied. I thought about ...touching her, but I never did, of course. I never did anything with anyone. When we were finally released I realized that I had the same feelings when I saw Edward as when I looked at the Duchess. It frightened me. I don't think that anything has ever frightened me that much."

"I'd see him up on the quarter deck and I'd get nervous at the thought that he could see me watching him, but I couldn't take my eyes away. When I had to report to him in his cabin after watch or attend a meeting or dinner with the other officers, I'd actually shake with nerves. I thought that he knew what I was thinking. I didn't see how he could not know…I thought that it had to be obvious to everyone. I thought that it was dirty, perverted. I knew that I should be disgusted by how I felt and I was, but I couldn't help myself."

"Did he ever do anything to encourage you, Horatio? Did he ever make any…overtures to you? Had he …relations with any other members of the crew?"

"No! God, no. He never …that was one of the reasons why I was in such agony over this. I'd never had the slightest indication that he in any way reciprocated my feelings. He had never shown any leanings toward an…attraction to… men. I had no reason to think that he saw me as anything other than just another Lieutenant under his command. For a long time after I first went aboard the Indy I was just another officer on the ship. I admired him and looked up to him, of course, but just as a superior officer. I was in awe of his intelligence and skill handling the ship and the men…I still am. But I didn't have …feelings for him. Not like that, anyway. When I returned from prison I noticed that he was terribly solicitous towards me. Allowing me time to recover my strength and taking time to speak with me, asking if I was truly over what I had been through. He was so kind, father.

"One night about a year ago, we were patrolling in the Med. It was so hot and I was worried about some of my men as there was a fever that was going through the crew. I couldn't sleep and didn't want to wake Archie. I went up on the deck. He was there, too. We fell to talking. It was the first time that we had ever really spoken personally, really spoken about ourselves. He was so easy to talk to! We talked about our families and how we had each come to join the Navy. We just spoke like two people, not as Captain and subordinate, but as equals. Finally he asked me to his cabin."

At this last Horatio looked over at his father to find his eyes were riveted on him.

"Yes, that's when we first became lovers" he said in a voice so low as to almost be inaudible.

"And you've continued the relationship since that time. How can you keep it secret on a crowded ship? God! If you were discovered…the consequences! You could be hanged. You know that, don't you? Doesn't he know the danger he's put you in? Can't the man control himself for your sake, if nothing else?"

"No, it's not like that! He'd never do anything to hurt me, never! We're very careful and even if we were discovered nothing would happen."

Dr. Hornblower practically snorted in derision at this last.

"Nothing would happen, father. The Admiralty wouldn't allow a scandal such as this to attach itself to a national hero like Edward. It would be hushed up. Nothing would happen to me."

The look on his father's face stopped Horatio for a moment before he went on.

"The worst that would happen is that I'd be transferred somewhere or maybe discharged for conduct unbecoming. That would be the worst and that's unlikely. This sort of thing is common enough, you know. The Navy turns a blind eye unless you're very stupid, and we're not that."

"I've given this much thought, father. I love him for so many reasons: his skill and intelligence, as I've said, but also for his kindness and generosity, his humor and his gentleness. Before mother died, do you remember how you would lay in bed with her, your arms about her, holding her close by you?"

Dr. Hornblower did indeed remember.

"When I'm…with… Edward like that it's the most peaceful, safest feeling in the world. I sometimes think that it almost doesn't matter whether he's a man or a woman. I simply love him. Whatever it is which makes him unique, I love. I want to be with him. At the end of a watch or after a long day…Father…there can be no better feeling than to know that the person you love is waiting for you, worried about you and caring if you're hungry or tired or cold and wanting to make it better. And there is nothing I would not do for him, nothing. "

Horatio's father sat back in his chair and, with a sigh, closed his eyes. He slowly shook his head. "And just where do you see this…affair… ending? When he tires or you or you tire of him? When one of you is transferred or killed? Do you truly have it in your mind that you will grow old sitting before a fire together? The man is over twenty years your senior, he outstrips you in rank and position and wealth and experience. Can you truly believe that he sees you as any more than a callow youth, lonely on board a ship and easily seduced and led? Do your ambitions lead you no further than to be the Captain's Boy?" At this his father looked at him.

This last remark hit Horatio like the sting of a lash. Unknowing, his father had hit upon the one phrase which had echoed in his mind when their relationship had started. It was one of his deepest fears that this was all he really was to Edward, despite his vows of love, and that he would be thrown over when a better opportunity came along. He fought back the sting of tears.

"Horatio, son. I've not always been buried here in the country. I practiced in London and at the Military Hospital in Portsmouth for over a decade before you were born. I've seen this sort of thing happen before. You're shocked? As you yourself said: it's common enough. I don't doubt that you believe you love him and he may very well be fond of you in return. You can't really think that it will extend beyond your time on the Indy together. Son, I've no desire to cause you hurt, but this can have no possible future, you must know this. Even if you are as in love as you claim…what will become of you? You certainly can't live together openly or do you plan to marry some young woman as a cover? The Navy is a small community; the gossip will spread if it hasn't already. He may be immune, but you certainly are not. Your career would be over. Finished. Horatio, I beg you as your father who loves you and only wants your happiness…please put an end to this before it's too late to recover. This can only end in your pain."

Horatio stared at the carpet at his feet and his jaw clenched. He stood and looked over to where the Doctor sat in the next chair. "You're wrong, father. We do love each other. No, it's not easy being as we are, but I could no more break off with Edward that I could break off breathing. I need both. And we will make it last. It's what we both want."

He looked directly at his father, turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

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He climbed the stairs and entered the guest room where Edward lay reading by the light of the bedside candles, dressed in his nightshirt.

Taking one look at his face, Edward opened his arms and softly said, "Come here." Horatio crossed the floor, sat on the edge of the bed and was tightly enfolded in his lover's arms. Cradled against him and gently stroking his hair the Captain quietly asked what had happened after he had left the room. Repeating the conversation as well as he could, Horatio was close to despair. It deeply pained him to know that his father didn't believe that they were truly in love and thought that Edward was using him only as long as it remained convenient for his needs. The one thing which had surprised him was that his father hadn't seemed all that concerned about the morality involved with him loving another man. That he seemed to take in stride. It was the other differences between them, the social, professional and financial gulfs that had bothered him, along with the possible dangers. He had seemed mostly concerned that Horatio not be hurt. He turned his face up to Edward and said as much.

"Love, he is your father. He worries for your happiness and rightly so. The facts are that we have much to overcome to be together. He simply recognized that fact. That we do not overly shock him is the first step to his accepting us, don't you see? He fears for you, is concerned that you will be harmed. He has no way to know, other than your telling him, that I love you as much as I love my own life and value you as highly."

Horatio looked up at him, hoping to see that he was telling the truth, not simply placating him.

Edward then asked, "Why did you tell him, Horatio? That was the last thing in the world you intended. What made you change your mind?"

"We were talking and he seemed to actually be listening to what I was saying, as if he cared about me. When he asked me if I'd ever been in love, I decided to answer truthfully. I know that was stupid, I should have simply lied…then he said something which I have been fearful of since we first began together." He hesitated, afraid to continue.

"Tell me, Love. What troubles you?"

"He said that you are so far beyond me…in age and rank and prestige and wealth and experience…he seems to think that you could not truly be interested in me as a lover, as an equal partner. He said that, no matter what I may believe… I'm just the Captain's Boy…. he said that it was just a matter of time before you tire of me and find another."

Edward's arms tightened around him and he pressed his mouth to Horatio's dark curls.

"I love you. I love you more than I have ever loved in my life. When I am old, I want you beside me. You are my safe harbor and my calm. When I watch you asleep beside me, I feel such happiness as I have never known in my life, and when I wake to your smile and see your beautiful eyes looking into my face, I know that I am home. Whatever differences that may separate us are nothing to what binds us together."

Horatio looked at Edward, wanting to believe what he was hearing, but afraid that perhaps his father was right. With a sigh he sat up and removed his shirt and then the rest of his clothes. "Why not?" He slipped between the sheets, curled into his lover's arms. He was confused and uncertain as to what pots of trouble he had uncovered both with his father and with Edward. Finally the day caught up with him and he was able to sleep.

Breakfast the next morning was silent and awkward. The three men sat watching their plates during the meal with barely a word exchanged. Finally the Doctor stood and, with a look to Edward, said "May I have a word with you in my study, sir?"

Pellew nodded. Sending a reassuring look to Horatio, he rose to join Jacob.

When the study door had closed behind the two men, Hornblower turned to the Captain, studying him for a moment and then quietly and with great dignity asked, "Why my son?"

"Horatio is exceptional. I am a private man, sir and a solitary one. A ship's Captain must be so, but despite my best efforts to the contrary I find that I have, quite simply, fallen in love with him."

" In love with a pretty boy less than half your age? One inexperienced in the ways of the world? Infatuated, perhaps. Captain, I am not the naïve fool my son seems to want to believe. You have your pick of any man on your ship. Surely you are aware of the damage you will inevitably cause him. His career and even his life will be adversely affected by this liaison. There is no possible way that it will not end with his pain. As needs must, it surely will end."

Edward looked out of the window for a moment, composing his thoughts.

"Doctor, I would that it were possible for you to see into my heart. I do truly love Horatio. I know that in most places that statement in and of itself would be enough to cause my ruin…and his. Were I to believe that he would be better off without me, I would send him away, no matter what his wishes may be. As it is, I can do much to help him in his career, and have no doubt his career will be one of high achievement. He distinguished himself within weeks of his arrival aboard my ship. Everyday he continues to mark himself for greatness. The time will come when he will outstrip me, sir, make no mistake about that. He is destined to become one of the truly great Captain's in His Majesty's Navy."

"Is he, indeed? With the gossip that must follow him from this…attachment with you?"

"You are shocked and probably disgusted by what passes between us, I realize, sir. But you must not think that the feelings I have for Horatio are fleeting or shallow. You think that I merely wish to use his body and keep him with me to stroke the ego of an aging man. Forgive my speaking bluntly, but we are both men who have seen much in our lives."

"Yes, we have, which is why I must doubt your sincerity in the matter of my son, sir. You cannot think that I believe that you find him your equal. He is no more to you than a plaything, a hobby if you will. You raise him and train him like a pet."

This last was spoken with bitterness.

Edward sighed and sat in one of the chairs by the now cold fireplace. Jacob sat in the one opposite him.

"Doctor. Believe when I say that I understand your concerns and only wish that I knew of a way to assure you of my sincerity. . I have loved twice in my life, sir. Once when I was a young Lieutenant as Horatio is now. Jonathan was killed in battle in the War with the American Colonies. A cannon ball hit the ship throwing up splinters. After that I kept everyone at distance for twenty years. Until I came to know Horatio. Even with him, after I realized that I was in danger with him, I kept him away. I made sure that he was treated just as any other officer. For a year I did that. I had no reason to think, you see, that he had such feelings for me. Then, as he told you, one night we finally spoke."

Edward smiled to himself at the memory. He looked directly at Hornblower.

"I do truly love your son, sir. If you genuinely believe that he will be happier if I were not part of him, them I will arrange his transfer to another ship when we return to Portsmouth. But sir, I ask that you be sure that you know what is in his heart before you make that decision."

Pellew stood and turned to the door. "We will need to leave to return to the Indy in an hour. I'll await your decision." Edward went outside to where he knew that Horatio was waiting for him in the old garden.

Jacob remained seated in the old chair and looked out the window to where he could see his son and his son's lover quietly talking, gently holding hands.

He had thought that Horatio's sweetheart might be pregnant, for God's sake! He laughed at his own absurdity. In the years since his wife had died he had pushed his son away. He might look like his father, but he was so similar to his mother in manners and demeanor and in his thoughts that to have Horatio in the house was too painful to be bear without her there, too much of a reminder as to what he had lost. He had sent his son away to school for almost ten years, seeing him rarely. After that he had sent him into the Navy. Horatio had left his father's home a happy, laughing child and had returned a somber, introspective man. As he looked at his son walk with his lover in the small garden he saw that the lad was happy, truly happy. He looked content for the first time since his mother's death all those years ago.

In all honesty, what more did any parent really want for their child than happiness and to live with love?

Jacob prided himself of being a fair judge of men's characters. The Captain had in fact, impressed him. Intelligent, obviously. But there was more to him than just that. He seemed to possess integrity. If Edward was at all the man he seemed to be, then he would treat Horatio honorably. If what he had said were true, then Horatio would know love and passion. They would stay together if it was to be, but if they didn't, well…it wouldn't be because of his interfering. He would not destroy what had obviously become so important in Horatio's life. And it was Horatio's life to live as he saw fit, his father could have no real influence over him any more. It was too late for that and had been for years. And further, if he wished to be even a small part of his son's life, then he must accept the terms upon which Horatio chose to live.

He turned away from the window to tell them his decision.

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