Family is always there for you, even at your worst moments and your best. No one talks about what happens behind closed doors. The unspeakable can happen, the not knowing is the part that gets me. My family has always been open and honest about everything. Since I have grown up, and learned about what actually happens behind closed doors, it is a real eye opener.

To think all these years, my father has lied about his jobs and what he does. The fact I have not known about my twin and my mother. All the times I have asked about mom, he never once thought to tell me about them. Dad would always ball up and change the subject when I asked about my mom. Maybe one day I will understand why he chose not to, but for now it still hurts that I never knew about them. Deep down it still hurts me, but I am learning to be strong and confident.

My mindset is strong now that I have overcome so many obstacles. I will not go down without a fight, I am coming for the title to be the new leader, of the Phoenix Pirates. I can feel it in my bones, that I am destined to be next in line. Bailey is strong minded but she is weaker than I am. I have the will power to become and do anything that is necessary to do. I got these traits from my father. I am and forever will be a daddy's girl.

        After dad left to go home, and all the nurses had left the room, I fell back into a deep sleep. My body and mind is sore. I have no energy at the moment. These series of dreams came in and out of focus. I began to drift further and further into a deep sleep state.  There was one dream that actually stuck out to me.

     
          Bailey and I were standing side by side, she was holding something in her hand but I could not make it out, as it was blurry to see. I looked down in my hand and there was a sword, a shiny silver sword with a brass handle and engraved in red, was my name 'Halley'. I looked over the sword thoroughly and glanced back at where Bailey was standing, and then she disappeared. I looked around to see where she had gone too, and as I looked up, I saw many people standing before me. In the crowd was dad, mom, Bailey, and Aiden amongst the group of hundreds of people. All of these people were gathered here to see me. As I stood up, my cape of red silk came flowing down over my body, the sword at my right hand, and a beautiful crown of pearls and engraving sat upon my head. After I stood up, all of the men and women began to knell before me, as if I were their queen. Seeing this made me smile and feel very powerful with everyone by my side. I was their new queen and everyone was knelling at my command. This was my new army that awaited me. My dream was interrupted by dad and Aiden waking me up, and then I realized I am still in the hospital. That dream was wondrous while it lasted.

"wake up sleepy head," Aiden shouted tickling my toes, knowing damn well I am highly ticklish.

"hey! stop it!" I warned him, being firm as I could be.

"oh come on now, I was just messing with you," he babbled, with a shy look on his face. I felt bad for raising my voice at him, but he had it coming.

"I brought a book and a few outfits you can chose from. Bailey and mom went to town to grab a few things for when you come home. They said they would be by later on this evening to visit you. So Aiden insisted on riding with me to see you." Dad paused.

    "I spoke with the doctor before we walked in your room. Good news dear, he said to stay one more night to observe you and make sure you are good to go and then come morning, we can bring you home." Dad informed me.

"That's great news, so what am I suppose to do until tomorrow?" I wondered.

"The only thing you need to do, is rest" dad stated firmly.

         "Yes sir, maybe when I heal again we can continue what we didn't finish," I spoke.

"Hey dad can you ask the doctor for some pain medicine, this hand is killing me," I personally requested.

"I sure can, I will be right back," he replied walking out the room to go find the doctor.

Dad sure does look rough today, I am not sure what is going on but he looks like hell, I thought to myself. Aiden began speaking to me, which most certainly broke my train of thought almost immediately.

"So how are you feeling?" Aiden insisted, as he pushed forward.

"Are you going to be ready for next months celebration?" He implored, wanting to know.

"One question at a time. I am feeling fine if they will give me some pain medicine already. And what celebration are you talking about? Their are no birthdays or wedding next month, that I know of." I proclaimed, not needing to be interrogated by him.

"I can't believe you forgot! It's only the biggest celebration that your dad throws every ten years to celebrate the anniversary of the Phoenix Pirates!" Aiden expressed cheerfully.

I do not think I have ever saw Aiden so filled with joy about something before. It is almost as if he has been to one of these before. When I try to recall this 'celebration anniversary' I cannot think back to ever attending it. Maybe dad never mentioned it because I was not of age yet. This year will be my year, because I am turning of age.

"I forgot? I don't think I was ever told about this celebration thingy going on. So what exactly happens at this party?" I contested, hiding my urge to know so. Nonetheless, I still have my doubts.

"It's only the biggest celebration party ever. Every ten years your dad and the pirates put together the biggest and loudest party. Food, drinks, decorations, alcohol, games, music, dancing! You name it, your dad has it. Exotic dancers, pool tables, and all the food you can imagine. Breakfast, lunches, snacks, and dinners! It's the best of the best party ever. It is so massive, that your dad has a waiting list for the party, and some of the people will never be able to attend. So they do a random drawing of fifty— thousand lucky winners every ten years, to help give everyone a fair chance. Halley, you don't know what your missing!" He recalled, and advised that I have to go.

I sat there in awestruck and was flabbergasted by his words. This was the biggest party ever. But how did dad keep it secret all these years? Must of been the 'two week work trip' he took very rarely.

"Sounds like buckets of fun. Why am I being invited this year but not any year before that?" I questioned with sarcasm.

"Well silly, ten years ago you were eleven so it's not exactly ideal for anyone under twenty-one," he assured me.

I thought to myself for a moment and then asked, "That definitely makes sense. So what is the purpose exactly?"

By that time, I had not realized that dad walked back into the room. Aiden and I, was deep into a conversation. Maybe dad would tell more than Aiden was letting me to know.

        "What is the purpose, of what?" Dad wondered, as he entered the room and stood behind Aiden.

        "The purpose of the celebration. Aiden was just telling me about it," I claimed, looking up at him standing behind Aiden.

        "So you beat me to it huh?" He implored, placing his left hand on Aiden's left shoulder.

        "Uh, yes sir she was asking about it. I figured she had the right to know about it," Aiden murmured softly.

           "Well I am assuming Aiden told you all about it but each celebration we hold, has new agendas each time. You see, we held one when you and Bailey were one years old, and then again at eleven, and now when you are twenty-one.  The first one was to celebrate the birth of the new generations. The second one was for a marriage and the one we are putting together for next month is for you and Bailey." Dad paused as the doctor walked into the room.

        "Well hello miss Halley, how are we feeling today?" Doctor Mizell wondered.

        "I am feeling okay, but still waiting for the pain medicine, I need some relief doctor!" I exclaimed holding my arm up in the brace.

        "Very well, how would you rate your pain?" He questioned.

       "About a seven or an eight right now." I replied hoping he would give me something strong to knock me out for a few. I was beginning to feel weak and exhausted.

      "Okay I will document that." He handed me a cup with two pills in it. "Here you go, take these and it should help. I will be back after dinner to check on you."

       After the doctor left the room, I know we need to finish this conversation before I doze off with the medications I took. I wonder why the celebration is for me and Bailey. What do we have to do with it?

       "So back to what you were saying? About me and Bailey, and the whole celebration thing?" I ordered, for an explanation. None of this made sense to me. What the heck is going on? Does this have anything to do with my dream I keep on having?

        "Yes, we'll it is simple really. The celebration is for you and Bailey. We are putting together a huge party, to celebrate the next ruler, of the Phoenix Pirates. Only one of you will be crowned 'Queen of the Phoenix,' and whoever wears this must uphold a persona and represent our pirates and their families for what we believe in," dad enunciated, not trying to sound sophisticated by any means. As this was not his persona or the way he wanted people to see him.

        As the words he spoke, came out his mouth, I was beyond flabbergasted by this. What on earth is happening? This sounded exactly like my dream I was having, but what if Bailey won the title? This question bothered me more than it should. I knew I was not the only child, I had to share some spotlight with her as well. Although deep down, it really bothered me more than ever. How would I be able to sleep at night, knowing this was happening in a month of due time?

      Many thoughts ran through my head, the worst case scenarios came in and out like a movie. Apart from all that, I knew and heard that their has to be one ruler, not two. But what if some way I could change things? Would this affect my followers and how they looked upon me, or would they hate me for trying to change a long line of traditions? These thoughts we're beginning to haunt me. The 'what if' questions never really escape my mind.

       How would I feel if Bailey was queen? Or how would she feel if I was the chosen? Would this put a wedge in our relationship?

         All these questions, swarmed through my head, the not knowing is the part that worries me. Did Bailey know about this? Is this the moment we have been training for?

       The unknown questions began to give me a headache. I realized I had been daydreaming this entire time. Dad and Aiden, were now in a whole different conversation. This is what broke my train of thought. I just shyly smiled, thanking them for breaking my thought.

        "Bailey said she wanted shrimp alfredo for dinner, but mom insisted on making her famous casserole for Halley when she comes home," dad explained to Aiden.

       "Just tell them to make both, isn't that easier than having to decide?" Aiden questioned glancing over at me.

       "Yeah that sounds great! Tell them I will have both," I exclaimed. 

      "Hey guys, I think I'm getting sleepy from this meditation they gave me. I'll be fine here, I will call y'all if I need you. How about y'all go home and help cook me some good food, because I am going to need it when I leave here. The hospital food is the worst!"

    "You sure, we can stay awhile longer?" Dad questioned.

       "Of course I am, y'all go. I will be fine here." I mentioned, now starting to feel drowsy.

      "Alright but if you need anything please call us. It's not a problem, right Aiden?" Dad joked, jaunty.

     "Uh, yes sir right!" Aiden spoke unaware.

       "Thank you both so much, I appreciate it. Now go home and start cooking, I am famished. Love y'all see you in the morning!" I exclaimed with delight.

       Dad gave me a quick hug and Aiden followed. They both waved and smiled as they walked out the door. "Get some rest, love you honey." He assured walking away.

      Maybe now that they are gone, now I can dream of being queen.

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Author's note: 2330 words

Thank you everyone who keeps on reading and following along with my story. I am dedicated to finishing my first story and maybe one day, hoping to publish it. I just want to give out a huge thanks to everyone who supports me. It is very much appreciated. I will strive to do better each day. Thank you all very much for reading!

Happy Reads My Lovely Readers XO