New chapter! Hope you enjoy, this is following on from the previous chapter, later in the day.

Three

Edward lay on his bed, face down, attempting to drown out the memories of the day. The rest of his lessons hadn't gone to plan, he was paid no attention to in history, even though the Goddamned Fitzgerald knew he was better at it than Thomas.

He moaned, the house was quiet, James had returned just fifteen minutes ago, and Lucy and Isabelle had not yet returned from the dress makers in town, so it would be a long time till dinner, Edward calculated, as his stomach growled.

He looked up, hair dishevelled, as he heard the clattering of Fitzgerald's pony and trap as he drove out of the gate. He narrowed his eyes after his hated teacher's figure, who was hunched up on the trap's driving seat, covered up against the rain which was beginning to fall, as the clouds gathered overhead. If Edward hadn't woken up to blue skies and sun, he would have thought it was a different day; how things could change so quickly.

As Fitzgerald's trap finally clattered out of sight, Edward collapsed back into his pillows.

He heard footsteps on the landing outside, assuming it was his father coming to dress down for the evening. He didn't pay attention when his door was opened.

"Edward" his father's voice called him gently.

Edward refused to answer, Fitzgerald had obviously been talking to James about Edward's erratic behaviour earlier today.

"Edward" his father still sounded calm, which was unusual, as after being ignored once, he usually started to raise his voice.

Finally, Edward sat up. His father hadn't changed from his uniform, his sword, however, had been removed.

His black hair could be seen under his wig, and Edward could tell when he wanted to be like his son again; carefree with no boundaries, no dress codes and no rules he had to follow when outside the house.

James smiled slightly, the news he would soon deliver to his family would rock them again, but he was going to sort out his troubled son before he did so.

He sat on the edge of Edward's bed, "What's this I heard from your tutor about you talking back to him?"

"He asked me what was wrong and I answered him" Edward grumbled in response.

James chuckled, his son reminded him of himself as a child, always stating what he believed to be right, not backing down from anything.

"Edward" his voice remained calm and his eyes soft "Are you happy with him as your tutor?"

"No" Edward stated with a defiant nod of his head "Neither am I happy with Thomas Quinn"

"Your classmate?" James asked "I thought you and him were friends"

"We are about as friendly as you and Jack Sparrow" Edward muttered.

"That isn't very friendly I take it then" James smiled.

"No"

"Well, would you like to change tutors?"

"Definitely, yes, and if possible class mates, I wouldn't mind learning with Georgina Groves" Edward grinned.

"Theo's daughter?" James asked.

Edward nodded.

James smiled, laughing "Next it'll be a betrothal"

Edward looked down, blushing.

James' drew his attention to the door as he heard Isabelle and Lucy arrive home. He turned his gaze back to Edward "Shall we go and see what your mother and sister have spent?"

Edward nodded, and standing up, walked with his father down to greet his mother and sister.

Isabelle was passing boxes to her maids, boxes containing dresses of silk and chiffon.

"Edward, darling" Isabelle said, holding her hands out to her son , he took them and she pulled him close, kissing him on his forehead "My boy, you shouldn't worry so about Reverend Fitzgerald. Your father will sort it all".

Edward nodded, his relationship with his mother had grown in the past years, as had the new relationship between James and Lucy.

Later that evening, the family sat around the dining table in the morning room, as due to James' practicality, he realised it was a waste of servants time and energy if they had to clear the large table in the dining hall if only the Norrington's were eating, and maybe a couple of guests, and it was also easier to converse as a family should around the small table

As their plates were taken away, James cleared his throat "I have an announcement to make".

He turned to see Isabelle, sitting beside him, supportive as always, her green eyes warm, she blinked at him with love, moving her hand closer to his so her little finger touched his.

Since returning, he had showered his whole family with love, but especially his wife, who had had to put up with so much from her brother-in-law Lord Beckett during James' absence.

He looked to see Edward and Lucy looking at him expectantly.

He lowered his voice and began "As you all know, my position with the East India Trading Company hasn't thrown up many important things as of yet, but I am afraid that is about to change dramatically"

Both Lucy and Edward looked at their father with wide eyes, whilst Isabelle's grip on her husband's hand tightened.

"I shall be travelling on the Endeavour with Lord Beckett, I don't know how long I shall be, but I am told we are going to find the Dutchman and take control of it ourselves, as Jones doesn't seem to be doing a entirely good job of it, with the Dutchman we will seek out the pirates we need to" James finished.

He looked up, Edward was downcast, Lucy was trailing the pattern of gold thread on the table cloth. Isabelle was staring at him, her mind's eye replaying all that she had went through the last time he had went after pirates.

"So?" Edward asked "Does that mean we'll never see you again?"

"No, of course not!" James exclaimed "I will see you again, I promise I will"

"We only just got you back, Father" Edward said, his voice cracking "What if we lose you again?"

"You won't" James reassured him, running a hand down his son's face "I promise".

"Be quiet, James" Isabelle piped up, James turned to see his wife with her hand on her forehead, rubbing her tired eyes "Please, James, just…don't make any promises"

James felt a pang of guilt, remembering he had said near enough the same thing to his beloved 8 years before, and he had never fulfilled his promises.

"I don't want you to go, Daddy" Lucy said quietly.

"Sweetheart…" James trailed off.

"Don't go!" Lucy wailed, suddenly running out of the room.

Isabelle stood up to follow her, but James rested his hand on her arm, "You both go to bed, I will be up to see you after, Edward. Isabelle, I'll find Lucy"

Edward nodded and sniffed, leaving his parents on their own.

James was now leaning over his wife, his right hand stroking her neck, his left clasping her hand.

He moved his hand up her neck so he gently touched her face. His lips kissed her forehead, remembering their wedding night, she was the innocent, pure, beautiful eighteen year old, and he was the handsome, successful lieutenant of twenty-two.

"I'm sorry" he whispered, kissing her head again, breathing in her soft scent "I didn't mean to…."

"James" Isabelle kissed his neck "Go and find Lucy, go find our daughter" she stood up "I shall see you at bed".

James closed his eyes as she kissed his cheek. He heard the door close behind him and stood up, following the path Lucy had taken.

He walked out into the airy room which overlooked the garden, his heels clicked on the black and white tiled floor, Lucy wasn't here, but James solved that problem when he saw to door leading out to the garden wide open.

He casually followed her shoe prints, taking a lantern hanging by the door with him.

The crickets were chirping and all was silent as James crept up beside Lucy, who sat with her knees up by her chin, beside the pond, watching the fireflies dart about.

"Lucy" James murmured.

His daughter whimpered "I don't want you to go", she suddenly leapt at him, pushing him to the grass and burying her head into his waistcoat "Don't go, don't go, don't go!"she begged

"I'm not going to go anywhere yet, darling" James held her to his chest "And when I do go, I'll be back so fast you won't even know I've been gone".

"But I've only just got used to having a daddy" Lucy whispered.

"Sweetie…." James' voice waned.

Lucy yawned "I'm tired, can you put me to bed and tell me a story, Daddy?"

"Of course I can" James kissed her forehead and, taking her in his arms, he stood up and carried her inside.

All was well, for the time being.

Hope you all enjoy! Please R+R! Thank You!