Be It Ever So Plundered

TaleSpin Fanfic

by Katie Sullivan

Epilogue

Don Gonzalo Karnage, Doņa Lorita, Dolores and the rest of the Cabo Orgulloso branch of the family arrived a few days later.  Carlotta and Sergio were married in a ceremony on the beach.  Her father presided over the ceremony, making him feel even older than he already did.  Isabella attended and actually managed to keep her mouth shut, much to everyone's relief--and disbelief.  Despite his valiant attempts to prevent it, Vincenzo actually shed tears as his favorite (and only) great-niece was married.  Scarlet lent him her handkerchief.

The newlyweds remained on the island for a few months, until the long-awaited moment arrived.  Karnage nearly wore a hole in the floor of their new villa, pacing while his mother attended to Carlotta.  Sergio was too nervous to even pace, and just sat at the window, watching the breeze in the palms and grinding his knuckles into his lips.

Scarlet entered the room just after sunset to announce the birth of Enrico Marcello Vincenzo Castelli.  Sergio seized his father-in-law in a giant hug before quite realizing what he was doing, stammered an apology, and ran out the door to meet his son.   Scarlet had a good laugh at his expense and gave Karnage a much more welcome embrace.

Isabella took one look at her grandson and instantly fell in love.  She would sooner have been eaten alive by a sea serpent than ever admit it, of course, but she was completely taken in by the tiny fox.  No one mentioned the fact that he was actually one-eighth wolf.

Carlotta, Sergio, Isabella, Vincenzo and little Enrico sailed away on La Paura at the end of November, leaving Karnage Island a much lonelier--and quieter--place.

The evening after La Paura departed, Scarlet found her husband on the balcony, watching the sunset.  "Missing them already?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"No!" he insisted, but she knew better.  "I was just thinking--"

"You don't say!" she said with mock surprise.

"You've been spending too much time with your sister."

She wound her arms around his waist and kissed him.  "So?"

"So she is annoying."

"I know.  I love her anyway."

"She is your sister.  You have to love her or she will break your kneecaps."

"True.  So...Grandfather Karnage..."

"Do not be reminding me!  I feel so old!"  He glanced back at the western horizon.  "But..."

"But?"

"I...will be missing him," he admitted grudgingly.

She smiled knowingly and eased into an embrace. 

"By the way, are you going to plunder a pony for Victoria?"

"No!" he said with a scowl.

"Aww, but I want one, too!"

Karnage shoved her away.  "Absolutely not!"

"But the ponies would have room to graze around here.  I mean, it's not like on the old island..."

"No."

"The men could clean up after it."

"No."

"Ponies are cute."

"No."

"It would give her something to do besides play with Wenna."

"Hmm...  I'll think about it.  Anything to get her away from your sister's spawn and their badly influences!"

Scarlet laughed and gave him a quick kiss.  "Wanna go plunder something?"

"I have been thinking more and more of going into...how is it said?   Semi-retirement?"

She nodded.  "You're not that old, querido."

"No, of course not," he said smugly.  "But really...what more could I be wanting?  I have you.  I have wonderful children.  I have an island that is all mine.  I have a grand airship, a crew who are...only sort of incompetent, sometimes...  Er, and I have a treasury stuffed to the coffee with treasure.  Why risk getting arrested or worse by plundering and pillaging when I already have everything I could ever be wanting?"

Scarlet raised her eyebrows.  "My, you're philosophical tonight.  Must be the grandfather thing."

He winced.  "Do not call me that!"

"Sorry," she said insincerely.

"Anyway, I am not saying we will never plunder anything.  We are pirates, after all.  It is what we do."  He gave a devious smile.   "But...maybe not so much as before.  You know what I am saying?"

"Yes, I do.  And it's not a bad idea."

"Of course.  I never have bad ideas."

She rolled her eyes.

"Are you not full of curiosity about my next not-bad idea?"

"Certainly."

He took her face in his hands and kissed her fervently.

She made a contented noise.

"Is that not a good idea?"

"Of course."

"I have others."

"No doubt."

"Like this one."  Without warning, he scooped her up in his arms and spun her around.  She squealed in laughter and put up a mock struggle as he carried her back inside the villa.

~THE END~

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