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It was an early morning; the sun was just coming up and Belle was standing at the stern of the ship. She was leaning on the railing and was watching as Australia was slowly disappearing from her sight.
She liked the country. Truly she did. It was so different from her life in London where she grew up. She had more freedom in Australia, she felt more like herself there. When she came there, she had no idea what to expect and now, eight years later, she was starting a new, even more unknown journey.
She will miss her family, she knew that.
She will miss her father, the kindest man on the earth. He loved her so much and Belle was sure that he would allow her to marry Jack if he wasn’t the governor at the time. She knew that he wouldn’t endanger his position, not even for her. But she also knew that she would break his heart by running away.
She will miss her mother who sometimes seemed cold and calculative but loved her daughters more than anything in the world. Her mother will be absolutely furious, but she will also worry about her so much. Belle knew that both of her parents would be absorbed by the worry.
And she will miss Fanny. Fanny, her dearest friend and companion since their childhood. Fanny who she loved so much and couldn’t imagine a life without her. But they both had to grow up. They always knew that they would get married to someone one day and that they may be continents away from each other. Belle just hoped that they could stay in touch somehow. She wasn’t sure how, but she was sure that she would find a way.
Belle left a short note to every one of them. She hoped that these words would bring at least some reassurance to them.
Belle wondered if she would ever regret this decision. She thought about it profoundly, but she couldn’t find a world where she would regret it. Of course, there were people and things that she would miss in their new life but just to be with Jack will compensate for everything. She was sure of that. Especially if they will truly succeed in setting up their own hospital.
Jack carefully walked to her so as not to freak her out because she seemed to be lost in her thoughts.
“Belle, are you alright?” He asked and lightly touched her shoulder.
She turned to him and smiled at him.
“I’ve never felt better,” she answered sincerely, and he kissed her on the cheek.
Oh, how much she loved him.
And for the first time in her life, she didn’t have any doubts about her future. She felt free and happy.