So Far: Chapter 4

The Christening

Disclaimer: Sorry 'bout the delay. I know I said I'd update yesterday, but things got uberbusy and I had a bit of computer trouble and I'm doin' it today! Thanks for bearing with me!

We've entered the fort. As it turns out, this will indeed be a grand event! It looks as though every hoity-toity rich man and woman have shown up, most of them bearing gifts. The clergy is getting everything ready...oh no. The clergy! I knew this man looked familiar! In order to escape from some guards that were on my tail, I had been forced to tie up, and then impersonate this man four years ago at a settlement about 300 downwind from Port Royal. Why would he be here, now? Well, no matter. I'll act as pleasant as possible, I suppose. I nervously glance over my shoulder at my crew and see Ana Maria meeting my gaze and giggling. I grin slyly and wink. Apparently, she remembers the incident! That Ana Maria. She is one beautiful wench! The look on my face apparently has betrayed me, as she has looked away. I glance at her again and my stomach flip-flops, as though I've had a bit too much rum. This, however, is not the reason. I have purposely sobered up for this event, although I'm not sure anyone can really tell...

This is something different. I don't think it could be...love. Could it? No. Of course not. Ana Maria and I tried that before, years ago. It ended terribly and I haven't had a real relationship ever since. Lots of romance and even more of things I don't care to mention, but no relationships. This feeling is just residual from the relationship many years ago. I think...

"Jack!" I spin dazedly to see who it was tapping me on the shoulder.

"Will! Great to see you, mate! Little Christopher...is he a handful or are you getting on alright?" William Turner. Great lad, really good-natured. He's half the reason I have the Pearl now! But you know all about that. Will's quite a good-looking chap as well, if I do say so myself! I can see why Ms. Swann fell for him in the first place. Strong character and handsome to boot! What more can you ask for?

"Christopher's great! Almost never cries. Sweet little thing, isn't he? You're looking good, Jack!" Slightly embarrassed, I look down. Goodness, my boots are scuffed!

"Well-er-thanks, Will!" I've had people tell me I'm handsome before, and I suppose I can rather see why. My eyes are big, and the deep colour of cocoa and my nose is rather small and pointed. I have an asymmetrical smile, showing gold teeth and lack of dental hygiene. My hair is brown, beaded, dreadlocked and braided, with a red bandanna to keep it out of my eyes. All that took a long time, let me tell you! I also have an unkempt mustache, tiny soul patch and a braided beard. I guess I'm not bad. For a pirate, of course.

"Ahem...anyways, this christening thing should be starting soon, shouldn't it?" I'm just dying for a change of subject.

"I suppose so, yes." Will grins again. "Well, I've got to go greet the guests, but I'll see you soon!" I wave jovially, and then sink back into my previous train of thought: Ana Maria.

Well, we're about three quarters of the way through the ceremony, and I'm bored to the brink of insanity. The only thing keeping me awake and of sound mental health is that in about fifteen minutes I'll have a godson! I've seldom been this excited in a very long time. I glance warily up at the clergy. He gives me a VERY dirty look. Well...at least he remembers me! I think the ceremony is drawing to a close. The guests are beginning to fidget, and there is a tone of finality to the clergy's voice when he speaks. At long last, the guests rush down to greet Will and Elizabeth and surprisingly...me! I've had people congratulate me who normally-If they'd seen me outside the fort at any other time-would've either looked down their noses at me or called a guard. I do feel extremely important, however. When the last of the guests finally clear away, I stagger over to where Elizabeth-holding Christopher- and Ana Maria are chatting.

"Congratulations, Elizabeth!" I grin broadly.

"And to you, Jack! I saw that you were getting attention from a lot of young women back there!" Elizabeth gives me a wink. I laugh nervously. "Erm...I suppose so." Is it my imagination or did Ana Maria look slightly put out by Elizabeth's comment? "Might I...hold Christopher for a minute?" I ask rather timidly.

"Of course!" Christopher is ever so gently placed into my waiting arms. I look at him, he looks at me, and he reaches up to...punch me in the nose! Blood pours from it. You see, last year, my nose was broken by a well-placed oar to my face by Mr. Turner over there-long story-and it's bled at the slightest thing ever since. "Be back ib a bobent, lub." I say to Elizabeth while holding my nose, and with the other arm, I hand her Christopher. I rush outside, leaving a trail of blood behind me. I look down. Both my sleeve and the ground below me are soaked with blood. I hear padding footsteps behind me, and I look up. My heart skips a beat. It's Ana Maria!

"Hello, Captain Sparrow." She says mockingly. "That baby really packs a punch, don't he?" She laughs at my jokingly hurt expression. Then, her voice changes from laughing to sweet and caring. I feel my heart in my throat. "Here, Jack. Let me help you." My stomach tumbles again as she takes hold of my hand. Mother's Love! Maybe I DO love her! Which begs the question...do I tell her I love her? No! Yes! Err...no-I mean, yes! I mean...oh, forget it. Might as well! What's the worst that could happen? She can't break my heart again. We haven't BEEN in love yet!

"Ana Maria...er...there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about..."

Disclaimer: Teehee! Only one more chapter to go! Just to let all you kiddies know, there's a sequel in the making to this story. So keep checking back. I think you'll like it. Bye for now, everyone!