Disclaimer: I do NOT own Will Turner or Elizabeth Swann. They are Disney characters.

Chapter 1: Sand Through My Fingers

Elizabeth saw Will's figure growing as she rowed her lifeboat closer and closer to the deserted shore on which they were to spend their final day.

As he saw her approaching, Will Turner smiled at the beauty of his wife and soaked it in so he could have something to just close his eyes and see whenever he grew lonely in his dismal cabin aboard the Dutchman. He wanted so much to able to be with her and to buy a house and start a new family together, but he could not do this. He had no choice but to carry out the duty that was now before him, at least if he wanted to be reunited with his true love once again in ten years to break the curse at last.

Elizabeth was relieved once she reached the opposite side of the long stretch of water which seemed to go on forever. She pulled the small boat up on to the sand just enough so that the water wouldn't wash it away. Once she made sure that it wouldn't float back out to sea, she ran to Will and they swung each other around in a strong, unbreakable hug. They shortly let go and just stood there staring at each other with eyes that were open, yet closed, readable, yet neither could interpret the others'. It was clear that they only had eyes for each other.

Elizabeth gave up on trying to sort out the many emotions that were visible in Will's eyes so he did the same, and they both found each others lips, finally claiming what was rightfully theirs, in a passionate, tender kiss that was deeper with emotion and understanding of each other than ever before.

Will broke off to speak.

"I love you with all of my heart Elizabeth Swann. I should have told you every single day of my life but I never had the courage. I do now though. I love you; always have, always will."

"Oh, Will! I love you too. I always had a hunch that you may have some feelings for me when we were younger, but I never said anything because my father never would have allowed us to be together. But I say this now and I mean it with every part of me, mind, body, and spirit. I would die for you Will Turner. I would give up my soul if it were the only way to be with you ever again."

"But luckily, it isn't the only way. Elizabeth, love, if you decide after I leave that you want to move on, that you don't want to wait, and you want to find someone else and have a family, I will try my best to understand your decision."

"Will, don't even think of such things! My heartstrings are forever woven with yours. We shall never part as long as I live for I shall never love another. You are the only one don't you see? You are the first and last love in by life."

It was exactly what he had been hoping for. He needed a promise from Elizabeth that she would stay faithful to him and he just got one. If he had the promise, it would give him something to live for, something to hold onto and to remind him of why he must do what he would have to do every single day. With this promise, he could get through.

Elizabeth sat down on the sand of the secluded beach and motioned for Will to do the same. He sat beside her and looked at her with a longing in his eyes and Elizabeth finally figured out what his eyes were saying. He wanted her, and he wanted her now! But she wasn't quite ready for that yet, there were still so many things that she wanted to talk about first.

"I love the sand. Since I was a young girl, I have always loved picking up a handful and just letting the grains run through my fingers several at a time. For some reason, it makes me feel better."

"I used to sit and play with the sand for hours. I had so much fun."

So the couple waited. They put off their time to be together, joined as one, to just sit and let the sand run through their fingers and think about life, each other, and whatever thought crossed their mind.