At the End of the Day
At the end of the day, money is money but love is divine. In our quest for our material wealth, take time to make time for our loved ones. There will be a time when we have only memories to cling to.
Unknown source
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She used to live for the evenings. Every day, she would wait impatiently for him to come home, tired and worn out from his long day at work. It was all for her, she knew. He worked such long hours so she would be comfortable in her life with him, as being married to a blacksmith was a drastic change from her life as the well-off governor's daughter.
Though, as the months went by, he came home later and later each evening. After a while, she had given up altogether and retired to bed long before he came home. He said it was all for her. He wanted a better life for them, a life very much like the one she had with her father. Try as she might, she could not sway him. Any life with him would have been perfect for her, if only he would understand.
-x-x-x-
"Not all treasure is silver and gold," a very wise man once said, and William Turner had believed that for a long time. However, his married life with Elizabeth brought about a problem. He was but a blacksmith, and she was used to a life of luxury. Due to his pride and conviction, he dedicated most of his hours to his work, and less to his lovely wife.
Will entered the small, dark house quietly, shrugging off his jacket and hanging it against the rack by the door. The house was by no means spectacular, but neither was it deprived. Will had managed to buy it with the money he had acquired through work after spending the first few weeks of his marriage in the small apartment behind the smithy. Although it was spacious enough to live in with a family, he believed it only to be temporary, with something much grander and elaborate in mind for his dearest wife.
Tip-toeing his way to the bedroom, Will opened the door slowly and peered inside. The room was dark, and his wife lay fast asleep in bed. He undressed quickly, kicking off his boots and removing his vest and shirt before climbing into bed beside her.
Almost immediately, Elizabeth turned, evidently still awake and wrapped her arm around his body, resting her head against his chest.
"It's midnight," she whispered tiredly against his skin.
Will sighed and closed his eyes. "I know. I had a few projects that needed continuing, darling. I'm sorry."
Elizabeth sat up with a curse, causing him to open his eyes blearily.
"Damn it, Will! It's always something with you." She quieted as she turned to look at him. "You're never home."
Will reached out a hand and stroked her back soothingly. "I'm only doing what is necessary, my love. You need a better life than –"
"I'm happy with the life I have right now!" Elizabeth interjected severely.
Will sat up and regarded her quietly. "You're angry with me."
"Only because I miss you," she whispered back, lowering her gaze.
He raised his hand to her face, stroking her cheek gently with his thumb. "This will all change soon. I promise," Will replied, sealing his word with a chaste kiss on her lips.
Elizabeth remained still for a moment before settling back down on the bed, pulling him with her. Will wrapped his arm around her waist, burying his face in the crook of her neck and breathed deeply.
"I visited the doctor today," she whispered, turning her face into his hair.
"You are not well?" her husband questioned, concern etched within his tired voice.
'You would know if you had been here,' Elizabeth thought bitterly, but bit her tongue, knowing the reply would cause another useless feud.
"I have been somewhat ill for the past fortnight," she replied, choosing her words with care. "Though, 'ill' doesn't really suit my condition."
Will kissed her collarbone affectionately, though it was evident he was worried.
"What ails you?"
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before answering. "We are expecting," she whispered, her eyes shining with both fear and excitement.
Raising his head quickly, Will stared down at her in surprise. "A child?"
His wife nodded and he immediately smothered her face in light kisses, rambling on with praises and declarations of love.
"…this is wonderful! A child! I'll have to keep working, of course, and buy a bigger house for the three of us, and…"
Elizabeth gave him a look of warning and he immediately stopped speaking. "Will, you know this house is perfectly suitable for a family, and I'd hate to move again."
Will sighed and kissed her forehead lightly. "Very well, but we will discuss this later." He kissed her lips slowly, and she returned the gesture. "I love you, Elizabeth Turner."
She giggled. "And, I love you too, William Turner."
A satisfied smile graced his lips, and he settled back down against Elizabeth's neck and closed his eyes. It's been a long day, and he was tired.
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Author's Note: Alas, here it is, my first chaptered fiction in a long, long time. Stay tuned for more of the workaholic William Turner, the more than satisfied Elizabeth Turner, some bloodthirsty pirates, a comforting Commodore, and maybe a side order of some Jack Sparrow.
