Sorry it took soooo long guys, my computer is being evil and is not letting me log in (I'm on a different one right now). And I know someone was wondering why Will and Elizabeth didn't have children. Well, I had actually been planning to work them in with a friend of mine (Everyone say thank you to Christina for the twins as I was not going to do the clichéd Jack's daughter falls for Will's son. At least not this story ;) ) Enjoy!
Chapter 4
Elizabeth had returned with the Turners' twin daughters not long after Will and Katherine had finished their lunch.
Katherine had never seen them before until now. Small, probably around four years of age, with their mother's lighter hair and their father's dark eyes, giving them the overall look of Elizabeth. Although they were identical, the one that stayed partially hidden behind her mother actually reminded her more of Will than did the second one.
The one that stood out in the open, not at all curious of the stranger in her home, stepped forward. Abigail, she introduced herself as (and afterwards promptly giving her sister's name and claiming proudly that she was the eldest by three minutes) was easily the loudest, the most forthcoming. The first still hadn't come forward and seemed content to let Abigail do the speaking for both of them. When Abby had been talking for a good five minutes, nonstop, both were shooed out the back kitchen door to play outside.
Elizabeth plopped down in the vacant chair at the table across from her husband and goddaughter, blowing her hair off her forehead in a huff. This drew a chuckle from Will, who was perfectly aware of just how tiring his children could be. "I swear, I would have left them at my father's if I thought he could handle them another day," she sighed.
"Oh, is that where they were?" Katherine asked, glancing at the window that displayed the yard the girls played in.
"Yes," Elizabeth clarified. "He loves having them, but he can't take them for prolonged periods of time, it's too stressful." She sat back in her chair and sighed, then let her eyes dart around the kitchen. "Where's Gin?"
Katherine's brow furrowed and she saw Will's similar reaction. "I don't know," she said, just realizing it herself.
"You don't know?" Elizabeth echoed, her voice filling with concern. "You mean she's not here?"
"I thought she went with you this morning," Katherine said.
"I didn't even think about it," Will added.
Elizabeth stood, immediately heading for the foyer and stopping at the base of the stairs, Will and Katherine trailing behind her. "Gin?" she called up them. No answer. "Gin, are you up there?" she tried again. Still nothing. She turned helplessly to Will, who gave her the reassuring smile she had wanted from him.
"I'm sure it's nothing. She is an adult Elizabeth," he reminded her. The worry lines in her face did not disappear. "Look, if it will make you feel better, I will go and search for her." He moved to the front door and Elizabeth made no protests, obviously eager to find her friend.
"I'm coming with you," Katherine announced.
Will froze, hand on the doorknob. He turned back around. "No, you most certainly are not."
"She's my mother," she protested, crossing her arms in defiance. She raised one eyebrow. "Is this a gender thing?"
"Stubborn," he said, barely audible, more to himself than her. "Of course."
Katherine chose to ignore the odd behavior for the moment. An argument would not help her ploy. "You will find her much quicker with two people searching than one," she pointed out.
And there was nothing Will could say to this, as she was right. He sighed and looked to Elizabeth. She nodded. "You two go," she insisted, watching the double doors as if she expected Gin to walk through them. "I'll stay here in case she comes back."
Will's gaze returned to Katherine. "Alright," he agreed, placing a hand on the knob. "Follow me."
* * * * *
They had gotten separated some time ago. No doubt Mr. Turner was searching as frantically for her as he was for her mother.
And she had not meant to wander to the docks, and yet here she was.
And it seemed the right place to wander as Gin sat at the end, legs dangling over the edge, gazing longingly out at the ocean, much as Will had been when she had found him earlier that day. In this position, she reminded Katherine of a small child who is wondering what its life will be like, for such deep thoughts are often inspired by something as endless and curious as the sea.
"Mother?" Katherine ventured, stepping softly onto the long pier and wincing as it creaked. Gin turned when she heard her daughter's voice and offered a small smile, patting the seat beside herself, an indication for the younger woman to sit. "Everyone's looking for you."
"I didn't mean to worry Will and Elizabeth." Gin continued to stare absently. "I just…" She sighed. "I needed some time to think."
"About what?" Katherine prompted, lowering herself onto the hard wood.
Gin remained silent for some time, as if trying to decide the best course of action; to speak or not to speak. She finally turned to face her daughter, but she still did not open her mouth. She seemed to simply have switched her focus from the ocean to her, without any reason. "Katherine," she finally began hesitantly. She fidgeted nervously. "I, um…well, there's something I need to…" she trailed off, almost appearing as though Katherine's nod of encouragement was more off-putting than supportive. "Don't ask me why I've decided to do this now, I suppose it's being back here in the Caribbean, but…I…I suppose…this is going to be hard to hear." Gin felt her brow furrow as Katherine's smile faded. "But…there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
* * * * *
Okay, I've done my part (even if I was late), you do yours!!!!
