Sophie pondered the decision and agreed. “Yes. I would like that.”
“Good. Then I will make the arrangements to travel. I think we will be traveling behind my parents so they will ready everything for our arrival.”
Sophie laid her head against his chest, enjoying the peaceful silence.
***
Sophie felt uneasy. It seemed her old way of life and everything she knew was ending and a new life was beginning. Everyone was going to different parts of the continent and she knew the journey to Arabia would be a long, exhausting one. With a heavy heart, she said goodbye to her father and grandmother and hugged Leila.
“Take care of my little niece or nephew,” she said, smiling.
“We will. Have a safe journey,” Leila said.
She had learned that Madame Necker and her family had journeyed to Switzerland and Lizette’s family would travel to the countryside. Leila and Sophie kissed each other on the cheeks in a final farewell.
Etienne and Sebastian, once friends, were now brothers tied together by marriage. They clasped each other on the back and wished each other safe travels.
“Godspeed, mon ami,” Etienne said.
“And you, old man,” Sebastian returned. “We will return to France again. God willing, when all this madness is over.”
Epilogue
Sophie watched the waves crash against the ship as France became smaller and smaller. Everything she had ever known was receding from her view.
She was no longer Jean Inconnu or the revolutionary writer of pamphlets. She was no longer the young girl who had grown up in Paris and worshipped theater and music.
She was no longer the daughter and granddaughter who played chess and argued about women’s rights.
No. She was a beloved wife and, if she guessed correctly, a soon-to-be mother, though she had not told Sebastian yet.
Later in their cabin that night, she stripped naked and joined him on their little bed amid the gentle swaying of the ship.
She was lucky in that she had not become seasick like so many others, but seemed to blossom and thrive on the salty water and in the bright sun.
She gave herself to her husband with wild abandon, dragging her nails across his back and urging him to take her. He smiled and placed himself between her slim legs, pressing himself into her, claiming her as his, now and always.
Afterwards she drew lazy circles on his naked back as he kissed her flat belly.
“I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl, so long as it’s healthy,” he commented quietly.
Sophie looked at him sharply. “How did you know?”
“I know your body, Sophie. You have become softer and fuller recently.”
Sophie smiled, placing her hand on her belly. “I don’t care either. But I do like the name Amelie or Elise….”
“Or Max?” he said.
“Or Pauline?” she said.
“Or Henri?”
“Or—” Before she could finish, he rolled her underneath him, pinning her in place while she laughed.
Later, as the sun was setting, Sebastian and Sophie went on deck to admire the colors that flooded the sky. It was a ruby pink tinged with saffron yellow, and Sophie clutched her shawl around her as she closed her eyes.
She felt her husband’s arms around her as he held her tightly to his chest.
“Don’t worry, Sophie. We’ll come back to France when everything has settled,” he told her, kissing her temple.
“I’m not worried. I’m exactly where I want to be,” she whispered and kissed him back, their fingers entwining over her belly as the sun continued its descent into the horizon, leaving only the blue waters behind.