Triplets in Love

By: Raven in Red

The adventures of three triplet sisters as they all meet the men of their dreams. Long story, told in three parts, please R&R

Part One: Beginnings

Chapter Three: Turn of Events

Jasmine, Lily, and Holly all breathed a collective sigh of relief when Port Royal was in sight. They had been cooped up on board either of the two ships for almost four months. Lily had failed to develop her sea legs, so she had been wobbling around a lot. Neither Holly nor Jasmine had gotten over their seasickness. They never wanted to be on another ship as long as they lived.

"Welcome to Port Royal!" The harbormaster called out as the ship pulled in and the crew secured it to the dock. The girls were the first ones to cross the gangplank.

"Success!" Jasmine exclaimed as she jumped down onto the dock. Her high heeled boots made a heavy thud as she landed. Lily and Holly followed closely behind her, laughing. Lily and Beckett were linking arms, as were Holly and Norrington. "We've finally made it!" said Jasmine, relieved.

"Yes we have, my dear!" Lionel approached his daughters with a proud stride and a big smile. He seemed just as excited as they were. He took a few minutes to direct the crewmembers that were unloading everyone's luggage before he turned his attention back to the girls. "We'll be settled into our new home by this evening." He then singled out Lily and Beckett, ushering them aside. "The three of us will be meeting quite often to plan the wedding."

"Of course, Father," said Lily. She smiled and gave her fiancé's arm a gentle squeeze. Beckett did the same.

"It would be my pleasure, sir," said Beckett with a slight bow of his head. "Your daughter has definitely shown me true happiness. I truly cannot wait for our wedding."

"If you could excuse us now, Father," Lily said politely, wanting to make a good impression on Beckett. Normally, she was quite casual with her father.

Lionel got the hint. Winking, he replied, "Of course, Lily." Lily curtsied to him before leading Beckett away.

"Father?" Holly called out as she approached her father.

"Yes, darling?" Lionel replied as he leaned over to kiss his daughter on the cheek.

Holly moved closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I'm worried about Jasmine."

"Oh?" Lionel sounded curious. "And why would that be?"

"I'm afraid that she's become quite jealous of Lily and me," said Holly. When Lionel nodded, she continued, "Lily is engaged, and I might very well be in the same position quite soon."

"You're quite right to worry about her," Lionel said sadly. "I've been noticing her looking quite depressed lately. She doesn't seem to be herself."

"Is there anything we can do for her?" Holly asked, still worried.

Lionel sighed. "There's not much we can do. She's such an independent girl. Well, now that we're in Port Royal, she'll have the chance to meet some new men. Hopefully, she'll find someone she's happy with."

"I'll pray for it," Holly said as she hugged her father. Then she walked off to rejoin Norrington.

The next morning, the couples went out for a walk along the beach. Jasmine was left alone at the house. She was alone in the sitting room, with no company except for her troubled mind.

"Why didn't you go out with your sisters?" Lionel asked as he entered the room and noticed Jasmine sprawled across the couch, looking sad.

"Because they're both with their men, and I didn't want to be out of place," Jasmine replied in a monotone. She had been thoroughly depressed ever since she found out about her sisters' love lives. When she was around them, Jasmine did her best to be cheerful and supportive, but she was an utter wreck when she was by herself.

"Tell me what's wrong," Lionel said soothingly as he pulled a chair next to the couch and sat down. Jasmine was emotionally closer to her father than Lily or Holly was, and she always had been.

"I just wish I could find a husband!" Jasmine groaned. "Can't you find someone for me, like you did with Lily? She seems happy enough."

"Sweetheart," Lionel sighed. "You're such an independent girl. You're strong enough to make your own choices. Lily is not. Ever since your mother died when you girls were twelve, she hasn't been herself. She became so much more cautious and shy. She was scared to make her own decisions or take chances. She even had trouble refusing things. So, she took me aside when she was seventeen and entrusted me with the power to choose a husband for her. It took so long because I wanted to make sure that I was finding the perfect man for her. Lord Beckett is a good man. He is decisive but thoughtful. He will provide for her. You're different, Jasmine. Choosing your husband would make me feel as if I was taking away your independence. I don't want to do that." He reached out and patted Jasmine's shoulder. "I want you to be my lovely, independent Jasmine forever. I want you to choose how you live your life."

Jasmine smiled a little bit at her father's reassuring words. "What about Holly?"

Smiling, Lionel answered, "You and Lily are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Lily is timid and cautious. You are bold and independent. Holly is like a tangle of threads keeping you two close. She is sure of herself and very encouraging. She is also very romantic, seeing the true beauty in everything. Despite your differences, I've never seen three sisters as close as my daughters are."

Jasmine laughed a little bit to herself. "I love Holly and Lily. I just really want a man that I can share my life with."

"It will take some time, Jasmine," warned Lionel. "I don't want you to find a man just so you can be like your sisters. I want you to be happy with whom you choose, but I want that happiness to last forever. I want you to be confident but careful."

Jasmine nodded. "Thank you, Father."

"That's my good girl," Lionel squeezed his daughter's hand before standing up and leaving the room. Jasmine sighed to herself. She loved her father's advice. It always reassured and comforted her. The two of them could talk about almost anything. Jasmine had never been very close with her mother, like Lily had been. Losing her mother had probably made Lily the way she was now. Jasmine felt a stabbing sympathy for her sister. At the same time, she felt a renewed confidence in herself. She would find a husband, but she would take her time in doing so. She would find true love.

That night, the two couples were on board the Dauntless, a great war ship docked in Port Royal harbor. The girls had heard of it before and had requested a tour. The moon shone brightly overhead, giving a romantic glow.

"It's so beautiful," Lily sighed a dreamy sigh while gazing at the night sky.

"It certainly is, though not as beautiful as you," Beckett wrapped an arm around his fiancé and held her close. Lily blushed. Every time he gave her a compliment, she never knew what to say in return. She couldn't believe how perfect he was for her.

"How much longer until our wedding?" Lily finally managed to ask. Although she already knew the answer, due to the fact that she was counting the days, she never quite believed it until she heard it from her future husband's lips.

"Just two more short weeks," Beckett smiled. "I understand; I can hardly wait myself."

While Lily and Beckett strolled in the moonlight, Holly and Norrington stood by the railing. Holly was buzzing with anticipation. Norrington had not yet proposed to her yet, but she could feel in her heart that it was just over the horizon. She giggled a little when she observed Beckett pulling Lily in for a kiss.

"That's so romantic!" Holly sighed happily, bursting with pride for her sister. She squeezed her love's hand.

"I agree, although that is a joy we have not yet partaken in," Norrington observed. He placed a delicate hand beneath Holly's chin, pulling her in a little. In an instant, Holly became shy. Her breathing grew heavy, and she had to step back. She had not yet kissed her soon-to-be fiancé, that was true, but she did want to hold off on that until their wedding, if that day would ever come.

"I'm sorry, James," Holly whispered in embarrassment. "I do love you. I promise."

"Then it is quite alright, my dear," Norrington smiled. "I understand." He then pulled her in, this time just for a small hug. Holly was comfortable again.

Just as the two were stepping back, there was a loud booming sound, and then the sound of splintering wood. Holly turned to see the mainmast of the ship break and fall across the deck and into the ocean. She let out a scream of true fright.

"Holly!" Lily screamed, running across the deck into her sister's arms. "Holly, what's happening?"

"Pirates!" Norrington shouted. He then ran below deck to rouse the crew.

"Lily!" Beckett grabbed her hand and drew her away from Holly. "Lily, I need you to get home where you will be safe!"

"I…" Lily stuttered. "I can't leave you!"

"But, Lily…" Beckett pleaded.

"Cutler, when pirates are attacking, no one is safe!" Lily continued, with tears streaming from her eyes. "Let me stay with you!"

"Alright! Come with me!" Beckett took her hand and pulled her down to the stairs that went below deck. "Stay here," he commanded. "Stay on the stairs. You'll be safer there!" Just before he left, Lily pulled him in for a long, deep kiss. The two coiled their arms around each other, as if standing on the brink of death itself. It was several seconds before they could break away so that Beckett could go do his duty.

Lily crept to the top of the stairs, keeping her head low to avoid splinters caused by the cannons. She caught a glimpse of Holly running across the dock and taking the reins of a horse.

"Now, you go home, get under a desk or a bed or something, and you stay safe!" Norrington commanded franticly.

"I love you," Holly couldn't get the sounds to come out through her shaking sobs. After a quick but loving embrace, Norrington turned away and started to make his way back to the ship. "James!" Holly finally managed to call out. As soon as he was within reach, she forgot her hesitance and kissed him long and hard.

"I love you, too," Norrington said when they pulled apart.

Author's Note: You might be wondering why Jasmine wasn't included in this little pirate incident…