I haven't written any Holiday or Seasonal specific stories before, and since I missed Halloween (maybe next year, I can see great possibilities- -Jack and James and a really spooky tale- - Oh Yeah!) I decided to do one for Christmas. I hope you enjoy 

Christmas in the Caribbean

He thought he would have become adjusted by now, but even after the years he had been here he found one of the things he continued to miss was Christmas in England. Christmas just was not the same without snow. A faint smile graced his countenance as he stood there on the balcony, a happy memory from his youth coming into focus. One of his Mother standing in the foyer of their house and bundling his little sister Sarah and himself up against the cold before taking their hands in hers and following his Father and older brother Thomas out to the sleigh that would take them to Midnight Service. The memory so vividly clear he could hear the stomping of the impatient horses harnessed to the sleigh, could see their rapidly exhaled breath turn to steam in the frigid air as they snorted, anxious to be on their way and back again to their stalls and the extra ration of grain that was their Christmas present. The memory so clear he could feel his Mother's coat rough against his cheek as she held him and Sarah tight on either side of her to keep them warm, so clear he could hear her voice as she sang their favorite Christmas carols soft and low just for them on the ride to the church. A shiver ran through him and he let out a breath and a moment later a snort as he found himself half expecting to see that exhalation of air show up in a puff of steam. He snorted again as he stepped back in from the balcony. No more time for reflection, he was due for supper at the Governor's in less than an hour and he still had to finish dressing. A good several minutes later he stood in front of the mirror to check his wig and satisfied with it stepped over and donned his jacket and hat and left.

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"Elizabeth I think Commodore Norrington will find your Christmas present for him most agreeable." Governor Swann said as he sipped at his tea.

"I am hoping so. William and I put quite a few hours into making it." Elizabeth answered with a smile at her Father and then Will.

"He should be here any minute Elizabeth, perhaps I should put it back in our room for now, unless you intend to give it to him tonight and not wait for Christmas." William said.

"If you would William, he can wait two more weeks till the party when everyone else will be opening presents." Elizabeth said as she placed the item back in the box and handed it to William.

As William left the room Weatherby spoke, "I am glad you decided to continue to include Commodore Norrington in our family celebration Elizabeth."

"I am glad he consented to continue to be included Father. I wasn't sure he would after what happened." She paused here, a small frown flitting across her face before she went on, "But I think over the months we have come to an understanding and thankfully our friendship has become a strong one."

"He is a fine man Elizabeth." Weatherby replied with just a hint of wistfulness in his tone.

"Yes he is Father, and he will make a fine husband for some lucky lady." Then with a little smile, "I do however already have a fine husband."

"Yes, I will admit Mr. Turner has proved to be that Elizabeth." Weatherby answered with a nod, and then a bit jokingly added, "Even though he is a blacksmith."

"A blacksmith with his own shop and more work than he can handle." Elizabeth retorted, also jokingly.

"Thanks in a great part to the Commodore and the business for the navy he has sent Mr. Turners way." Weatherby interjected.

Any further conversation was put on hold as James was announced and shown into the parlor.

"Governor Swann, Mrs. Turner." James said as he shook Weatherby's hand and gave Elizabeth a little bow.

"Oh James, must you always be so formal and call everyone in such proper terms?" Elizabeth said with humor as he straightened up.

"Sorry, old habits and all." James answered, a smile quirking at the corners of his mouth.

"Well I insist you toss the pesky things out the window for the rest of the evening at least if not for good." Elizabeth retorted with a smile.

James raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to reply as William came back into the room, "Might as well do as she asks Commodore, I've found it does no good to argue with her."

"Indeed." James replied with a slight smirk at Elizabeth, then turned to William and offered his hand, "Mr. Tur....ah….Mr. Tur….ahem.. ..William."

William held his hand out and shook James', but try as he might calling the man James just would not come out of his mouth. Ever since he had been rescued he had respectfully called the man by his title, and that was the only name that would budge out of his mouth, "Ja…eh…Ja…er...Commdore."

"Not so easy is it." James said with a wink at William.

"Well now," Governor Swann interjected, "Dinner should be ready by now. Shall we adjourn to the dining room?"

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When dinner was finished Elizabeth, William, and James stepped out to the verandah, the Governor saying he would join them shortly.

"So James, are you ready for Christmas?" Elizabeth asked from where she and William sat on the verandah railing.

"I find I am never quite ready for Christmas in these climes." James replied as he stared up at the heavens.

"I don't miss all the cold and snow one bit." Elizabeth replied decisively, and then continued a bit more subdued as she looked down at her lap, "Although I do miss the Christmases with family we had before we came to Port Royal."

"As do I." William said with a far away look in his eyes as he stared out at the ocean, "My Mum always managed to make Christmas special somehow despite how we struggled the rest of the year."

They each remained lost in their own thoughts for several minutes, until Weatherby joined them followed by Cook with a tray of after dinner drinks, "Why does everyone seem so glum? It's Christmas, everyone should be happy."

To Be Continued

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