*Katherine's POV*
"What about one more?"
"Isn't Molly enough for now, Jack? Who do you think I am?"
I chuckled along with my husband as we sat on the beach, watching our daughter Molly playing in the sand, dirtying herself in the early evening sun. The waves gently curled and lapped upon the beach, wetting my feet along with the hem of my dress. I slowly turned my head to smile at Jack. I realized he was the same bold pirate that I once knew inside, and occasionally on the out, but he had matured into a loving, caring father. I rarely saw the courageous man I married when I was younger- but I still loved him as much as I always had, maybe even more.
I must admit, I do sometimes miss the days where we traveled far at sea, hand-in-hand watching the sun set upon the horizon, and taking a risk you knew you'd have a chance of losing your life to. Jack was the most romantic gentleman, though a dirty pirate, I had ever met, especially out on the ocean doing what he did best. But those days are gone. I couldn't imagine all three of us packing up our small home upon the beach and picking our lives right up where they began and leaving them there.
"I want a son...badly. I love Molly, but she seems to be more attached to you at times…"
I gave him an exasperated look. I couldn't believe he was actually saying this, but I could understand where he was coming from. He needed a boy- someone who he could bond more easily with.
"Molly adores you. You're her father, and I'm her mother. We raise her together, meaning she loves us the same. And remember, dearest, there's no guarantee whatsoever that you will get a son. You may get another daughter."
"I'm willing to take the risk..."
I caught a glimpse of the mischievous smile I had been expecting a few moments back. It put me under a trance…I felt hypnotized in some way. I always fell through when he shot his grin at me- the one I fell in love with. He turned his head to face the ocean his small daughter was bathing in- the sun brightening up his face, which made me realize how sad his eyes looked. I could tell easily that he was longing to return to the Black Pearl someday, so that he could subdue himself to constant adventure and threat. He enjoyed that, as I recall, very much, but I know for a fact that he was quite aware that it would be nearly impossible. Jack wanted to teach a son how to be a pirate so that they could someday steer the Black Pearl, side by side. In the distance I saw his ship that he seldom used these days, with its sails swaying in the breeze, docked by a cliff. I felt terrible that he gave dream for the sea up… just to be my husband. I finally realized that I expected a lot from him during his seafaring days.
"Jack?"
"Yes Kat me love."
"I'm saying yes. I can't make any promises…"
He tapped me on the shoulder, interrupting my small speech. I saw his eyes sparkle as he locked his arms around me. I could feel the happiness that was earlier trapped inside him release itself. He was warm and sinewy to my touch, and I understood how much he wanted this.
"Kat, my dear, I know. It may not be a young
lad, but lad or lass- I could care less. It would still be ours and Molly would
have a little playmate."
"Yes, Molly would be delighted to have a little baby around."
A chill came about my body as the sun started to set and the sky grew into a mess of blues and purples. I kissed Jack on the cheek as I stood up and brushed the cool sand off of my dress. I turned my head as I started to meander down to where the land met the sea to fetch my child. Jack winked at me and blew me a kiss. I smiled as I turned and scooped up Molly into my arms.
"It's almost bedtime for you darling, I know that you want to come back tomorrow don't you?"
"Yes mommy, yes. I want to come back and play!"
She giggled and we headed back towards the house. Jack relieved my arms halfway through and picked up Molly onto his shoulders, gently placing her back onto the ground as we reached the house. Jack started to tickle Molly as he held her tightly, and loudly started talking to her in his pirate voice that came naturally to him when we talked together.
"Alright miss, it's time for bed my little savvy!"
"Aye-aye captain!"
Molly toddled into her bedroom and crawled under the covers of her tiny bed. Jack tucked her in and grabbed her bear I made her from scraps in my sewing basket when she was an infant, off of the floor.
"Tell me a story daddy."
"A story? Well what would you like it to be about me love?"
"Pirates! Please do not make it too frightening though, I dislike nightmares."
"Alright then. Once upon a time, there a little pirate named Molly Sparrow. Small Molly loved to climb the riggings of her ship as the wind blew in her hair, and she also loved treasure. One day, she found out that an evil wicked pirate was about to steal all of the treasure from an ancient temple, and she didn't want it to be stolen…"
The story sounded familiar as I began to think. Immediately realizing that it was Jack's final experience at sea, tears welled up in my eyes and I pivoted, gliding through the threshold and into the kitchen. The sight of the ocean made me ill, as it reminded me of my husband's lost passion. I sat down on a rocking chair and watched the final bit of the sun fall victim to the waves and the sky fell dark, dotted with a few, lonely stars. I felt as if I were the sea, swallowing up Jack, as if he were my victim. He always talked about his experiences with his crew and about a so-called curse. I didn't believe it of course, I was sure it was one of his made up tales, but I enjoyed hearing it from time to time. Alarmed, I turned around as I felt arms lock around my shoulders. It was Jack.
"She looks so sweet when she sleeps. Looks so much like you, you've always been beautiful if I remember correctly."
I wiped away the tears falling from my eyes, trying to hide them from my Jack, but nothing could get past him. I choked on the remaining drops of sorrow trying to escape from the inside.
"Why are you crying, me savvy?"
I laughed slightly and a small smile came across my gloomy face. Hearing his pirate impressions always got the best of me. It reminded me of the good days when we sailed without an anchor. We both loved Molly, but she and our home became the anchor that set us here for good.
"I am afraid I've just been experiencing some…second thoughts. About our lives. I am certain you have been too, I saw you gazing longingly across the sea earlier this evening. I'm just…"
Jack changed positions and crouched down on his knees to face me.
"I'm just so sorry."
The ever so sensitive person I was, burst into tears as Jack kissed my soft lips to serve as comfort.
"Please…please don't cry. I love staying here. Kat, me love, I do. We're in this together and I will probably never return to the sea, and I know that. It hurts, but I will collect myself and I promise you I will be happier."
"Are…are you sure Jack? Molly and I…if you wish to sail again, we will join you and we will eventually adjust…"
Jack paused and stopped dead in his tracks. I tried to make out the expression on his face, but it was so blank and timid. He was wearing the nearly the same outfit that I had met him in, years back, his face dirty from working on the ship all day. It was like seeing a mirror image. He turned back to me and gaped without disregard.
"Jack? What's wrong?"
"I'm trying to remember the days we spent together out in the Spanish Main…it was where Molly was born…it's her birthplace right there in the Black Pearl's cabin…the ol' sea summoned us together and brought our worlds and combined them into one…you remember too don't you?"