Chapter 1
"Another round of drinks, mates?" Rose asked the pirates sitting in the corner.
"Yes, please," Blackbird replied.
The young barmaid quickly refilled the mug. "Cap'n Sparrow's not with ye again tonight?" she asked. "Haven't seen him 'round for 'bout a week."
"He said he had some business to attend to," Blackbird said off-handedly.
Rose started to refill Will's mug as well, but he stopped her. "No more for me tonight, Rose. I'm in enough trouble with Elizabeth as it is."
"I'd say," the girl replied lightly. "It's near midnight already."
Will swore angrily under his breath. "I promised her I'd be home early tonight! I'm sorry, Blackbird, but I've got to get home right now," he said, pulling on his coat and throwing a few coins on the table.
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Will slowed his pace slightly when he realized that Blackbird was following. When he shot her a questioning glance, she just shrugged. "It's on my way tonight," she explained.
"You're not just coming to watch the fight?" he asked, only half-joking.
"Well, that's always a bonus," she replied.
As they got nearer the house, Will motioned for Blackbird to be quiet. He gently opened the door and slipped inside silently. So far so good…now, if only…He turned the corner and his hopes vanished. Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen table waiting on him.
"You're home late," she said quietly.
"I know, I know," he replied wearily. "I'm sorry, I really did mean-"
"That's what you said last night, and the night before, and the night before that, and every night for the past month. You always mean to get home early, Will, but you never do."
"We started talking about the upcoming journey, and before I knew it, it was midnight," Will said. "I promise I'll be home extra early tomorrow, Elizabeth. You have my word."
Elizabeth gave him a strange look. "I'm not sure I can trust your word any more, Will," she said, starting to get emotional. "All you seem to care about right now is being a pirate. It's beginning to take priority over your job as a blacksmith…over your family…even over me."
"That's not true!" Will said angrily. "You and Marie mean the world to me! How could you-"
"Do we, Will?" Elizabeth interrupted. "Can you look me in the eye and honestly tell me that you would give up anything to be with me?"
Will sighed and closed his eyes for a minute. "It's late, Elizabeth, and I'm not sober enough for this conversation. Anyway, you need your sleep so the baby will be healthy," he said, briefly placing his hand on her round belly. "I'm going to bed."
"I'll be there in a minute," she replied quietly.
Wiping her eyes, Elizabeth bolted the front door and put out the single candle that illuminated the kitchen. They would have another talk in the morning.