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The longtime married couple, the Captain and his wife, Algérie are nearing their eleventh anniversary as husband and wife, and so; they had started planning for their anniversary three days in advance.
While they were preparing everything they needed, their daughter, Adeline, at five years of age also helped her parents prepare. Although she was a little sad that she couldn't come with them, she was also happy for her parents; having been together for almost fifteen years.
She goes inside of their home to greet her mother. While Algérie is laying down on the couch reading a book, she didn't notice her daughter coming inside. Seeing this, Adeline rushes at her mother to hug her. Algérie is shocked by her daughter's appearance, before scolding Adeline for a moment then letting her daughter sit on her lap.
While they lay down, the book Algérie holds is her husband's personal book, where he would write mostly his personal thoughts, because the war took a toll on his emotions; barely able to show and express it, but is still able to feel it. One of the only ways he's able to express his feelings is by writing them down.
The Captain had told Algérie that he wrote something just for her, and it's on the final page of his book. After turning the page to the last. She finds the title: Dédicace (Dedication) on the top of the page.
Adeline follows along, reading with her mother.
"Dédicace"
That time I befriended her, the first thing I noticed is that she's this gentle person hidden behind her battle-hardened stance; always on the move in the heat of battle, and a charmer too.
As my secretary, she also keeps track of almost everything that needs to be done, and also keeps track of the well-being of her comrades. As such, she would also check up on me from time to time.
Algérie nods, her daughter looks back to see her mother smiling, "What makes you smiling, mother?" Adeline asks.
"Oh, Your father sometimes write what he thinks of the people he's close to." Algérie pats her daughter's shoulder as Adeline holds her father's book, eager to read more about what her father had written about her mother.
Even before we started dating, she started doting on me like I was her lover. But that time when we started dating almost fifteen years ago, she's just gonna keep doting on me non-stop. And you know what? I don't really mind that, honestly, I enjoy it.
The longer we dated, the more it is that she would act more like a wife than a girlfriend. Not that it bothers me anyway. She is such a sweet woman that my father would be telling me to marry her right away; her cooking too is excellent that my grandmother would also be telling me to marry her as well.
Although she can be brutal with her mace in battle, she can be this sweet, mature, and caring woman makes her all the more wonderful to me.
That time I proposed to her, she joyfully accepted; saying to me that the more we've grown closer together, the more she wanted to be my wife and that she wants me to be her husband. I was so elated that I carried her all the way to our home and... yeah.
When we married, Algérie vowed to dedicate everything she has to me, and that she would do everything in her power to keep me safe. I vowed that I would love her till the end of my days, to keep her safe as well. After we said those, we kissed. To signify our union as one.
Algérie smiled, remembering exactly how all of those events played out. The moment they danced, her heart has been on the fullest ever since that's that day.
What came after that year was Adeline.
These two bundles of joy have been a major part of my life for years and it has been such joyful years with them. Despite the war that has been going on, us three have been staying strong for the most part. She's the love of my life and have been a calming influence on my heart that's easily set on fire.
As for Adeline, she is still young but I already have a foresight of her brilliance like her mother. All that needs to be done, is to let it nurture and grow within her. Once done, I'm certain that we'd be proud of her.
After Adeline read that paragraph, her heart was filled with motivation to make her father proud someday.
Algérie's commitment and dedication to our family had made me love her so much more, and she also makes everyone in the fleet so lively and to our family as a whole. May her dedication last her lifetime. And may our daughter shine like her mother.
*-Captain's Signature*
After seeing the Captain's signature on the bottom-right corner of the page, Algérie closed his book and putting it back on the table where her husband had put it there.
Algérie's heart fluttered at the words her husband had written; for it had given her more dedication for her family. For the man she cherished.
"What does father look like as a captain?" Adeline asks her mother, yawning.
Algérie carries her daughter to bed and she answers, "Your father as a Captain is somewhat different than the sweet man you always see."
"How so?"
"He is a strict Captain and he expects everyone to do their duties as instructed. You'd get scolded for doing the slightest of wrongdoings." Algérie opens the door to her room. "So when we set out to sea someday, do your father a favor and do as you told alright?" Algérie lays her daughter in their bed, gently placing the covers above Adeline.
"I will, mother." Adeline happily answered.
"Rest well, Adeline." Algérie pats her daughter before kissing her on the cheek, before walking out of the door. Hearing her husband knocking, she quickly goes down to meet her beloved, and maybe give him some much-needed stress relief.