Pacha looked up at the path from Cuzco, frowning. Someone riding on horseback was coming towards the village. He looked again, now being able to make out the figure on the horse.
Jack Sparrow.
He glared, his chest puffing out as she marched up to the home, slamming the door open.
"You have a visitor," he grumbled, grabbing one of the warm empanadas from the tray on the table. Chicha looked up from her baking, wiping her hands on her apron.
"A visitor? Who?" She turned to see that Pacha was gone. She rolled her eyes, tying her previously long and loose hair back in a bun. She heard a knock on the doorway, who entering but Jack.
"Jack!" she cried, dropping the bowl she had in her hand, flying over to him. She went to hug him but noticed he had a small bundle in his arms.
"Aye luv," he said, grinning, "An I brought you a little weddin gift." He set the bundle gently in her arms, and to her surprise, the bundle began to move and whimper. She pulled back the blanket to reveal a pretty tiny face nestled comfortably in the blanket.
"Jack..." she breathed, stroking the tiny face, "Oh she is beautiful. Is she yours?" She looked up at him, hoping against hope that he had somehow ended up with the child by chance.
"Yes. Err- No. Well, I found 'er on a beach, just cryin and wailin away," he said smiling down at her, "So I thought to meself, 'I know a woman who is well versed in all things of a matronly nature.' So I picked 'er up and brought 'er 'ere." Chicha stroked her face, cooing gently at the girl as her eyes opened wide, looking about.
"Her name?" she asked, not even looking up.
"Ariel," he replied, grinning. He had hoped that she would take in the girl and love her.
"Ariel, " Chicha repeated, taking the baby into her bedroom, making a makeshift crib from blankets and pillows and setting her inside, "And you want me and Pacha to raise her?"
"Well, no," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck, I want me an you to raise 'er."
"Jack..." she began, "I can't- I'm married..."
"I know that," he replied, his voice carrying a bitter edge, "But I want to be 'er father. And you to be 'er mother. " Chicha nodded.
"I suppose we can try that," she said, trying to keep her feelings in check.
She was elated to see him here, his presence comforting and warm...she felt like she had just walked into the sun after a year in winter. She rushed forward, throwing her arms around his neck.
"I missed you," she whispered, "But thank you for writing me."
"Of course, luv," he said, smiling down at her, "I told you I wouldn't just forget about you. I'm 'opin one of these days I get a letter back informin me that you'll be joinin me."
She shook her head, turning away from him.
"You know that day may never come, don't you?" she asked, kneeling down picking up the shattered bowl from the floor. He knelt down with her, grasping her fingers gently with his own.
"Can you blame a man for 'opin?" he asked, leaning forward to kiss her lips. She quickly turned her head to the side, the kiss landing on her cheek.
"Jack please..." she pleaded, "Don't...not when you'll be leaving again. My heart can't take it." He looked down, picking up a few pieces of the shattered pottery in his own hands, silent.
"I don't want to leave you," he responded quietly, "I didn't want to leave you before either. I 'ad to."
"I know," she said, her voice waterlogged, "I just can't do this. I'm married, Jack."
"You 'ave no idea 'ow many times I've 'eard that," he joked.
"I love her," Chicha said suddenly, looking him in the eye, "But you have to visit her. When she's a bit older, take her with you on your ship. Let her see the ocean. Let her see the world," she paused, leaning forward, "Promise me."
"I promise," he said, his voice serious, "I 'ad already intended upon it. An per'aps 'er mother would care to accompany 'er."
"We'll see." He smiled, standing and pulling her to her feet.
"Thank you luv," he said, holding her close, "Just consider it."