Will and Elizabeth Turner sat quietly on the outside balcony of their
mansion. Since her father's death, Will had taken over as Governer and
things couldn't seem better. "Mother!" Dierdre, their eldest, ran up the
steps with her younger brother, Damien William who promptly hid the dirt
clod he had been preparing to throw. Elizabeth shook her finger at her
youngest. "Damien, sweetie, you shouldn't throw dirt at your sister." "She
threw it at me first!" he defended promptly. "I did not!" Dierdre shouted
back, sticking out her tongue.
Will picked up his nearly 6-year-old son. "Son, let me teach you something...If a lady does something to you first, you don't do anything back. Like...if mum were to throw something at me, I would have to try and stop her but I would never throw anything back." "But what if she hit you with something really heavy???" Will laughed and set him down. "Not even if she hit me with something really heavy. Now go play." Damien skipped down the stairs, Dierdre following him. "They're wonderful children." Elizabeth stated, leaning back in her chair. Will smiled and sat down as well. "I know...I'm so glad we had them." Elizabeth reached over and clasped his hand before a servant came in. "There's a visitor for you, sir and ma'am. He is waiting in the front foyer."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow before ordering the servant to watch the children. Will held Elizabeth's hand as they proceeded to the main foyer. A man stood with his back to them, looking around at the many portraits and adornments. "May I help you, sir??" Will called and he would've sworn his heart had nearly failed him as he saw the familiar smile of Jack Sparrow. "Hello Will, pleasure to see me again, I suppose." He gave a grin. "Governer. Ooooo!" Will shook his head as he and Elizabeth slid down the steps. "What are you doing here???" he asked with a small chuckle in his throat.
Jack held out his hand. "I was in the neighborhood and----thought I'd stop by." "You're a wanted man." Elizabeth reminded him. Jack nodded. "Yes, this I know. But you did not recognize me, did you? So why should anyone else?" Will took his hand. "It's good to see you're well." Jack bowed to Elizabeth who curtseied in reply. "How goes pirating then? Stealing ships and goods?" Jack shook his head. "I'm not in pirating anymore." "What?" Will asked, raising his brow. Jack shook his head. "No...I couldn't stay a pirate." "Why not?" Elizabeth snapped with some wit. "Guilty concience finally catch up to you???" Jack shrugged and his hand went behind his back. "You might say that."
Around him, Jack led a small girl. She was clean and dressed well with long raven hair and deep blue eyes. "This is my daughter...Lillith." Lillith gave a small curtsy before burying herself against her father's leg. "A little shy. Like her mother." "So the famous Jack Sparrow finally settled down..." Elizabeth began. "Captain..." came a small, muffled voice. Will crouched down to eye level with the girl. "What was that??" Lillith peeked from her father's leg and squared herself away. "Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack picked her up and kissed her cheek. "Little scamp isn't she?"
She hugged his neck lovingly before he set her back down. "Papa!!!" came Damien's shrill yell as he stampeded into the hall, slamming into Will who was knocked forward. "I'll get you, you little brat!" Dierdre shouted holding a dirt clod over her head before she was spotted by her mother. Elizabeth grabbed her daughter by the wrist, peeling the dirt clod from her hand. "Dierdre Colleen Turner! I think you need to get up to your room." Dierdre gave Damien a dirty look before stalking upstairs resentfully.
"Please forgive our daughter." Elizabeth said sadly. "She and her brother are a handful." Damien stood up, brushing dirt off his britches before looking to a young girl about his age standing near an evil looking man. He hid immediately behind his dad, as Lillith did the same. Jack smiled a warm grin at his daughter and it made Will wonder how such a cold- blooded pirate could be so loving. "Damien...it's alright." Will called quietly. Damien peeked out from behind him. "Who is she???" he asked almost silently. "This is your Uncle Jack and your cousin, Lillith. Go say hello." Lillith walked forward with her father's hand on her back.
Damien gulped and stepped forward, bowing to Lillith. Lillith returned in a curtsy. "It's a pleasure to meet you...." Damien whispered. Lillith blushed. "The pleasure is mine." Elizabeth looked up at Jack. "It's good to see you haven't neglected your daughter a proper upbringing." Jack gave a short bow. "Well, my dear, I had you in mind every step of the way....Lilly, why don't you go with Damien." "Yes, Damien. Why don't you show Lillith the gardens??" Elizabeth asked curiously. Damien gave a small smile and nodded. "I'll show you my favorite spot." Damien said grabbing Lillith's hand and together the two began to run towards the back gardens.
Will, Elizabeth, and Jack followed in slow steps. "So who is her mother??" Will asked as they walked into the yard. "A lovely young woman in Paris. I had acctually hijacked her ship and decided she was too lovely to spoil." Jack stated as he sat in a chair across from Will. Elizabeth gave him a wry grin. "Except for your own pleasure, I think." Jack smiled, shaking his head. "You have me all wrong Elizabeth. I kept her with me as a companion. She even taught me to read. After a long while we grew more---- intimate. Five years ago, my little Lillith was born. Sadly however, her mother died in childbirth. Lilly's been my pride and joy ever since and the Black Pearl has turned into a more docile ship with my little one on it."
Elizabeth smiled. "Well I'm pleased to hear you have changed." Jack sighed heavily before looking up pleadingly at the couple. "Well that's quite true but---there's been one or two occasions where some bailiffs have come extremely close to taking over my ship and I've feared for Lillith often. I came to ask a favor." Will furrowed his brow. "I'm not following you, Jack." Jack groaned and rolled his eyes. "Can you keep Lillith for me??" "What?!" Elizabeth almost shouted. Jack shook his head before sighing. "I don't want to worry about her anymore. I love her dearly and I would hate to be apart from her but I would rather see her safe in the company of friends."
"Papa?" came a question from the outdoor foyer. Will and Jack both looked in the doorway's direction. Damien and Lillith stood in the doorway, their hands clamped together. "Father, could Lillith stay with us tonight?" Will looked up to Jack. "You talk to your daughter....and I'll make the arrangements." he whispered before turning to his little son. "We'll see, Damien, my boy. Let Lillith talk to her father for a bit and you, your mother and I will take a walk in the gardens." Lillith smiled at Damien before running to her father who scooped her up, tickling her sides letting the ring of laughter fill the room. "Come my little one...I have something to tell you."
Lillith perked up, smiling from her attack. "Is mommy coming back?" Jack laughed and tickled her again. "No, darling..." "Are we going back to the Black Pearl? Because if we are, I want to take Damien with us. Please?" Jack laughed loudly as they were led into a parlor and sat on a comfortable couch near a window. "No, little one, we're not going to the Black Pearl. At least, you're not." Lillith's face fell slowly as she realized what he meant. "Daddy? How long will you be away?" Jack smiled and touched his forehead to hers. "I'm not sure dearest. But Uncle Will is going to let you stay here. If that's ok?" Lillith threw her arms around his neck, her deep blue eyes overflowing with tears. "I don't want you to leave!" she howled.
Jack looked to the ceiling to conceal his own tears. Having such a caring daughter made him grow soft. Sighing he looked into her eyes. "I won't be gone forever, Lilly. And in the meantime you can stay here with Uncle Will and Auntie Elizabeth." Lillith shook her head before settling down into his lap, her arms around him and her head against his chest. "And Damien too?" she whispered softly. Jack hugged her. "Yes...and Damien too. Don't worry Lilly. They'll take care of you and someday I'll come back to find you. But just in case---" Jack sat Lillith up and held up his empty hands. With a flick of his wrist a whistle appeared in his hands. Lillith's smile seemed to brighten up the room as she took it from him.
"If you ever need me, Lilly, just call this whistle. And I'll be here as soon as I can." Lillith looked down at the small brass whistle. "Promise daddy?" Jack tapped her nose fondly. "Yes, I promise. Now my little one...I've got to get back to the ship and what are you going to do?" Lillith looked sadly to the ground. "I'm going to stay here and be a good girl." Jack's smiled and kissed her forehead. "That's my girl." Lillith grabbed his hand and together they walked out into the foyer. A young servant stood at the staircase. "I'm to take the young lady upstairs to dress for dinner." Jack raised an eyebrow. "Has Will already made arrangements for clothing??" The servant shook his head. "No sir...she is to wear the Governor's daughter's old clothing until other arrangements can be made."
Jack shrugged before kneeling down to Lillith. "Now you go with this nice man and get dressed up and I'll be back before you know it." Lillith gave him one long hug before taking the servants hand. He smiled kindly down at the little girl. "Well hello there and what's your name??" Lillith blushed. "Lillith, but my daddy calls me Lilly. What's your name??" "Jonathan...it's a pleasure to meet you, Lilly." Jonathan started to lead the little girl up the staircase. "That's a pretty name if I might say myself." Jack smiled as the two continued up the staircase. Walking out the door slowly Jack started walking down the pathway, gazing out into the ocean where the Black Pearl was waiting for his return. Though it killed him to leave Lillith like this, he knew it was for the best.
Will picked up his nearly 6-year-old son. "Son, let me teach you something...If a lady does something to you first, you don't do anything back. Like...if mum were to throw something at me, I would have to try and stop her but I would never throw anything back." "But what if she hit you with something really heavy???" Will laughed and set him down. "Not even if she hit me with something really heavy. Now go play." Damien skipped down the stairs, Dierdre following him. "They're wonderful children." Elizabeth stated, leaning back in her chair. Will smiled and sat down as well. "I know...I'm so glad we had them." Elizabeth reached over and clasped his hand before a servant came in. "There's a visitor for you, sir and ma'am. He is waiting in the front foyer."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow before ordering the servant to watch the children. Will held Elizabeth's hand as they proceeded to the main foyer. A man stood with his back to them, looking around at the many portraits and adornments. "May I help you, sir??" Will called and he would've sworn his heart had nearly failed him as he saw the familiar smile of Jack Sparrow. "Hello Will, pleasure to see me again, I suppose." He gave a grin. "Governer. Ooooo!" Will shook his head as he and Elizabeth slid down the steps. "What are you doing here???" he asked with a small chuckle in his throat.
Jack held out his hand. "I was in the neighborhood and----thought I'd stop by." "You're a wanted man." Elizabeth reminded him. Jack nodded. "Yes, this I know. But you did not recognize me, did you? So why should anyone else?" Will took his hand. "It's good to see you're well." Jack bowed to Elizabeth who curtseied in reply. "How goes pirating then? Stealing ships and goods?" Jack shook his head. "I'm not in pirating anymore." "What?" Will asked, raising his brow. Jack shook his head. "No...I couldn't stay a pirate." "Why not?" Elizabeth snapped with some wit. "Guilty concience finally catch up to you???" Jack shrugged and his hand went behind his back. "You might say that."
Around him, Jack led a small girl. She was clean and dressed well with long raven hair and deep blue eyes. "This is my daughter...Lillith." Lillith gave a small curtsy before burying herself against her father's leg. "A little shy. Like her mother." "So the famous Jack Sparrow finally settled down..." Elizabeth began. "Captain..." came a small, muffled voice. Will crouched down to eye level with the girl. "What was that??" Lillith peeked from her father's leg and squared herself away. "Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack picked her up and kissed her cheek. "Little scamp isn't she?"
She hugged his neck lovingly before he set her back down. "Papa!!!" came Damien's shrill yell as he stampeded into the hall, slamming into Will who was knocked forward. "I'll get you, you little brat!" Dierdre shouted holding a dirt clod over her head before she was spotted by her mother. Elizabeth grabbed her daughter by the wrist, peeling the dirt clod from her hand. "Dierdre Colleen Turner! I think you need to get up to your room." Dierdre gave Damien a dirty look before stalking upstairs resentfully.
"Please forgive our daughter." Elizabeth said sadly. "She and her brother are a handful." Damien stood up, brushing dirt off his britches before looking to a young girl about his age standing near an evil looking man. He hid immediately behind his dad, as Lillith did the same. Jack smiled a warm grin at his daughter and it made Will wonder how such a cold- blooded pirate could be so loving. "Damien...it's alright." Will called quietly. Damien peeked out from behind him. "Who is she???" he asked almost silently. "This is your Uncle Jack and your cousin, Lillith. Go say hello." Lillith walked forward with her father's hand on her back.
Damien gulped and stepped forward, bowing to Lillith. Lillith returned in a curtsy. "It's a pleasure to meet you...." Damien whispered. Lillith blushed. "The pleasure is mine." Elizabeth looked up at Jack. "It's good to see you haven't neglected your daughter a proper upbringing." Jack gave a short bow. "Well, my dear, I had you in mind every step of the way....Lilly, why don't you go with Damien." "Yes, Damien. Why don't you show Lillith the gardens??" Elizabeth asked curiously. Damien gave a small smile and nodded. "I'll show you my favorite spot." Damien said grabbing Lillith's hand and together the two began to run towards the back gardens.
Will, Elizabeth, and Jack followed in slow steps. "So who is her mother??" Will asked as they walked into the yard. "A lovely young woman in Paris. I had acctually hijacked her ship and decided she was too lovely to spoil." Jack stated as he sat in a chair across from Will. Elizabeth gave him a wry grin. "Except for your own pleasure, I think." Jack smiled, shaking his head. "You have me all wrong Elizabeth. I kept her with me as a companion. She even taught me to read. After a long while we grew more---- intimate. Five years ago, my little Lillith was born. Sadly however, her mother died in childbirth. Lilly's been my pride and joy ever since and the Black Pearl has turned into a more docile ship with my little one on it."
Elizabeth smiled. "Well I'm pleased to hear you have changed." Jack sighed heavily before looking up pleadingly at the couple. "Well that's quite true but---there's been one or two occasions where some bailiffs have come extremely close to taking over my ship and I've feared for Lillith often. I came to ask a favor." Will furrowed his brow. "I'm not following you, Jack." Jack groaned and rolled his eyes. "Can you keep Lillith for me??" "What?!" Elizabeth almost shouted. Jack shook his head before sighing. "I don't want to worry about her anymore. I love her dearly and I would hate to be apart from her but I would rather see her safe in the company of friends."
"Papa?" came a question from the outdoor foyer. Will and Jack both looked in the doorway's direction. Damien and Lillith stood in the doorway, their hands clamped together. "Father, could Lillith stay with us tonight?" Will looked up to Jack. "You talk to your daughter....and I'll make the arrangements." he whispered before turning to his little son. "We'll see, Damien, my boy. Let Lillith talk to her father for a bit and you, your mother and I will take a walk in the gardens." Lillith smiled at Damien before running to her father who scooped her up, tickling her sides letting the ring of laughter fill the room. "Come my little one...I have something to tell you."
Lillith perked up, smiling from her attack. "Is mommy coming back?" Jack laughed and tickled her again. "No, darling..." "Are we going back to the Black Pearl? Because if we are, I want to take Damien with us. Please?" Jack laughed loudly as they were led into a parlor and sat on a comfortable couch near a window. "No, little one, we're not going to the Black Pearl. At least, you're not." Lillith's face fell slowly as she realized what he meant. "Daddy? How long will you be away?" Jack smiled and touched his forehead to hers. "I'm not sure dearest. But Uncle Will is going to let you stay here. If that's ok?" Lillith threw her arms around his neck, her deep blue eyes overflowing with tears. "I don't want you to leave!" she howled.
Jack looked to the ceiling to conceal his own tears. Having such a caring daughter made him grow soft. Sighing he looked into her eyes. "I won't be gone forever, Lilly. And in the meantime you can stay here with Uncle Will and Auntie Elizabeth." Lillith shook her head before settling down into his lap, her arms around him and her head against his chest. "And Damien too?" she whispered softly. Jack hugged her. "Yes...and Damien too. Don't worry Lilly. They'll take care of you and someday I'll come back to find you. But just in case---" Jack sat Lillith up and held up his empty hands. With a flick of his wrist a whistle appeared in his hands. Lillith's smile seemed to brighten up the room as she took it from him.
"If you ever need me, Lilly, just call this whistle. And I'll be here as soon as I can." Lillith looked down at the small brass whistle. "Promise daddy?" Jack tapped her nose fondly. "Yes, I promise. Now my little one...I've got to get back to the ship and what are you going to do?" Lillith looked sadly to the ground. "I'm going to stay here and be a good girl." Jack's smiled and kissed her forehead. "That's my girl." Lillith grabbed his hand and together they walked out into the foyer. A young servant stood at the staircase. "I'm to take the young lady upstairs to dress for dinner." Jack raised an eyebrow. "Has Will already made arrangements for clothing??" The servant shook his head. "No sir...she is to wear the Governor's daughter's old clothing until other arrangements can be made."
Jack shrugged before kneeling down to Lillith. "Now you go with this nice man and get dressed up and I'll be back before you know it." Lillith gave him one long hug before taking the servants hand. He smiled kindly down at the little girl. "Well hello there and what's your name??" Lillith blushed. "Lillith, but my daddy calls me Lilly. What's your name??" "Jonathan...it's a pleasure to meet you, Lilly." Jonathan started to lead the little girl up the staircase. "That's a pretty name if I might say myself." Jack smiled as the two continued up the staircase. Walking out the door slowly Jack started walking down the pathway, gazing out into the ocean where the Black Pearl was waiting for his return. Though it killed him to leave Lillith like this, he knew it was for the best.