XXX Squabbling Again and Again XXX
Isla del Sol. Island of the sun. Legend told true indeed. The island was by no means of great size, normal size to the Bahamas really. Looking upon the island, the bright vibrant Caribbean colors came through. Greens and browns and white sand beaches lined the kaleidoscope of sea blues. Ahead laid a port and not a very busy port at that. Two ships were anchored and resting along two of the three docks. Beyond that was a small town. Every building faced east toward the sea. In its entirety, the town was one mere street in length lining the east coast of the island.
The landscape behind the town was lush. Large hills moved upward and rolled gently. Green palm trees and lush tropical rainforest occupied most of the island. Perhaps legend did not tell so truthfully after all. How was it the sun shined on that little town when it was at the base of a hilly landscape?
Jack shrugged his shoulders. Lily did speak true when she admitted it was beautiful. Between the sea, sand, brick, and white painted buildings against the landscape, just the right amount of civilization to an island gave it a part uninhabited feel. He knew it was not inhabited worth truly anything. The island was not charted on the map.
Of course. As island that only few stumbled upon by happened chance was the opportune location to keep a certain chest out of certain hands. Isla del Sol was a perfect location to keep Elizabeth and her son safe from the Navy while keeping the chest safe. He wondered just how civilized and boring Elizabeth's life had become. Once a daughter of a governor and having to attend social gatherings and events weekly become a single mother on an uncharted island had to cause her boredom. Surely there was something she saw about that island Jack was missing.
"Can we go? Can we go?" pleaded Lily, tugging on her father's arms.
"Patience. Patience is a virtue," said Jack.
"You have no patience so why do I have to?" said Lily.
"Lily, one must learn patience while being a father," Jack told her.
"I wouldn't mind living here," admitted Gibbs.
"Boring," said Jack with a wave of his hand.
Jack, Gibbs, and Lily climbed from the ship and onto the dock furthest to the left. Behind them, Angelica slowly followed.
"Why is she coming?" Lily loathed.
"Because," began Jack. "Because."
"Jack, before we take part on this venture can we inquire where that delicious smell is coming from?" wondered Gibbs, his nose high in the air.
Jack himself set his hand over his rumbling stomach. He had a particular liking for spices and all he smelled was spices in the air. Something about an island cooked meal with fresh meat and fruit sounded appealing. He hadn't had a real, fresh meal in months. Agreeing with his hungry companion, he intertwined his fingers with his daughter's and walked ahead of them into the town.
A tavern and a few necessary shops were all that the town consisted of other than a few houses. Blacksmith shop. Clothing shop. Book shop oddly. Toy shop. Carpentry of course. The largest building of all was the tavern. Sea Cat was its name. It was both a tavern and in from its two level appearance.
Hardly worthy of Tortuga in Jack's mind, but it was cozy nonetheless. The wood was all new and in one piece. Windows lined nearly the entire lower level of the right portion, allowing natural light during the day. Inside, tables were scattered about in no particular fashion. The back wall was one long bar serving drinks of all sort. In fact, there were two sections to Sea Cat. The tavern was on the right portion and the Inn on the left. A balcony circled three of the four walls leading to the upper dining area. Sturdy stairs allowed patrons access to both levels. A large iron chandelier hung in the center of the room.
A smile did widen across their four faces. The smells were coming from Sea Cat and they walked right back to the bar to order food. Had Lily not demanded they sit up on the second level and eat while looking at the ships, they would have made it back there. Instead, Jack left Angelica and Gibbs with Lily while he went to fetch four drinks.
He wandered down the stairs again and to the bar patiently waiting. A man with dark blonde hair and hazel eyes welcomed him. For a moment, Jack's head tilted to the side as he looked him over.
"You look familiar," he noted. "Have I threa—met you before?"
"You don't look so familiar to my eyes," said the man.
Jack cleared his throat at his near mistake of his usual Jack Sparrow greeting. "You remind me of someone I once knew. She was the daughter of the Governor of Jamaica. Elizabeth Swann I believe her name was."
"Elizabeth Swann was my cousin. My name is Thomas Swann and this happens to be my island," said Thomas.
"I thought you looked a bit like her," noted Jack. "And why, may I ask, makes you say this is your island."
"I happened upon it, built a home, built this tavern, and a few sailors hence made it home as well," explained Thomas. "Can I get you anything?"
"Oh," said Jack. He scanned the menu written before him. "Three ales and one glass of coconut milk with a bit of lime squeezed into it. Mind my inquiry, what is that delicious smell?"
"That would be our famous spiced honey ham served up with a fresh fruit salad and peanuts," replied Thomas.
"I'll have four orders of that," said Jack. "My, uh, family and I haven't had real food in months. A friend of mine told me of this here little island."
"He must be loyal friend then. I don't know too many men who dare share this island's location," said Thomas.
"Cuzin Thom-as!"
Jack cringed at the child who came shouting up to the bar. He rubbed his sore eardrum.
Thomas handed Jack three ales then turned his attention to the child. "Wills, how many times do I have to tell you no yelling when I'm working?"
Jack both choked and inhaled his breath of air. His head whipped to the boy seated beside him.
The child's hair was light brown and waved below his shoulders. His eyes were a warm, golden brown. That smirk. He knew that smirk on those lips. The nose, the ears, the eye shape, the smirk it all reminded him of someone he was just speaking to a few days ago. Even the wine colored tunic he wore and the dark brown trousers reminded him of someone. But the necklace, the necklace around the boy's neck was a lively giveaway. Black cord secured a large red bead, a coin, a glass blue sea turtle, and a large shark tooth. A shell was tied to the left side of the cord along with a miniature key the size of half his pinky. So, the necklace had been added to. The sleeves to the tunic were rolled to his elbows. When the child turned and looked upon him, the most beautiful smile widened across his lips.
"I'm Wills," the child said.
"Yes you are lad," Jack breathed. He looked the child over again. "You have nothing of your mother but the hair. That smile is exactly your father's."
Wills' face brightened as he shifted himself to face Jack wholly. "You knowed my father?"
"Aye, I know your father lad," said Jack with a laugh.
"You can't know Daddy. Daddy gone," said Wills, his person slumping and becoming sad. The smile faded.
Jack's heart sank. He even looked like his father when he was saddened and upset. Yet, there was a question on mind. "Wot do you mean your Daddy is 'gone'?"
"Before I born, something happen to Daddy. No one see him again," replied Wills.
"Then you're father is dead?" wondered Jack, attempting to figure out what it was the boy's mother had told him of his father.
"No, no, no," Wills said, shaking his head. "Mum no say he died. She always tells me he gone. Never died. I ask people what gone mean. Some say died and some say gone means gone. Uncle Alex say he gone, but maybe come back someday."
"Curiosity, who is your Uncle Alex?" wondered Jack.
"He Daddy's little brother," said Wills.
Jack waved his hands in front of his face. He shook his head. "Will doesn't have a brother," he said to himself. "And if he did then why did he never tell me?"
"Daddy's name was Will yes," said Wills. "Uncle Alex think of my nickname. My name William too and Daddy's name was William too. So, Uncle Alex say since both us named Will and my Daddy's name was Will and I liked to being called Will and since I'm a lot like Daddy, Uncle Alex say I'm Will's with 'postrophe. Take 'way 'postrophe leave Wills. Wills stuck so everyone calls me Wills."
"What does this Alex look like?" asked Jack, having an idea just who "Uncle Alex" was.
"Curly dark brown hair. Brown eyes like mine. He's really, really tan. He looks likes me. Well, he looked like his brother a lot I guess," explained Wills. "It's really, really odd. Uncle Alex only come one day a year and, and he only stays until sunset and he never leaves his ship or the dock. I think he afraid of the sand. He come on my birthday every year. 'Pparently it's what his big brother would have wanted him to do. He promise me he find my Daddy and bring him home someday."
A smile widened across Jack's face. Curious, he had one more question. "Do you have a grandfather?"
"Mm hm," said Wills. "His name Aidan Teague. He Alex's father."
"So your grandfather's name is Aidan Teague and your uncle's name is Alexander Teague?" asked Jack.
"Yep, and Grandfather has really, really blue eyes," added Wills.
That was it. Jack's arms flopped onto the bar and his forehead fell onto his forearm. His back trembled as he burst into laughter. He couldn't keep the amusement inside of him any longer. Will, all this time, was there for his son's birthday and he was using the name Teague knowing full well Jack Sparrow's name was not Sparrow but Teague. The amusement that his best friend was using his name was more than amusing; it was downright hysterical.
Jack went from between laughing through his teeth to trying to conceal his laughter only to blast it out of him again. He lifted his head to breath and was compelled to grab onto the bar so he did not fall off of the stool. He was never going to let Will live it down ever.
"Ahem, Jack, food," one Joshamee Gibbs reminded. "Angelica's going to kill me if I don't bring back food."
Jack struggled to inhale, as his laughter was still consuming him. Just to get it out of him, he let his forehead slam against the bar again. He hadn't laughed like that in years, not since he saw what his drunken father was like four years ago. His fist beat into the table as he continued roaring with laughter.
"I no know what so funny," said Wills.
Upon looking at the child, Gibbs' eyes widened as his mouth dropped. "Mother Mary of God. You look like your father."
"I know," replied Wills with a smile.
"You have his smile," noted Gibbs.
"Yep," replied Wills with a single nod.
"You nod like him," said Gibbs. "Where's your mother?"
"Yes Wills, where is your mother?" wondered Thomas.
"Working. I got hungry," said Wills.
"Speaking of food, your food is here sir," said Thomas.
Jack raised his head from the wood. His kohl lined eyes were dripping with tears of laughter running down his cheeks. Breathing, providing the much needed air for his pounding heart, he inhaled quickly and deeply. "Oi, my stomach hurts." He laughed a little as he wrapped his arms around his stomach. "Thomas is it then? What happened to Miss Elizabeth Swann."
"She and her father died when they were returning to England. Ship was attacked. No survivors," replied Thomas.
"All right, what has become of Mrs. Elizabeth Turner who just happens to be this lad's, Wills Turner his name is, mother?" wondered Jack.
Thomas dropped the mug on the floor shattering china around his feet. He whipped his head around. "Who the hell are you?"
"You don't remember me mate?" asked Jack. "I threatened you before. Thomas Swann. Spanish Florida. I stole your lunch."
"Sparrow?" wondered Thomas, his face twisting into a ridiculous expression.
Jack waved his hands in front of his face shushing him. "I don't use that name anymore. Teague. It's Jack Teague these days."
Another outburst of laughter erupted from Jack and Thomas fought to keep his composure. He suddenly understood what began Jack's laughing fit. Choking, he let a few laughs out of him and simply nodded his head.
"Wills, why don't you take Jack and his family home? I'll tell your mother where you are when she comes looking for you," suggested Thomas.
"Okay!" cried Wills.
"Oi, Lily, Angelica, we're eating somewhere else!" called Jack.
"But I'm hungry now!" Lily whined from the balcony.
"You can eat along the way," said Jack.
He saw Angelica give Lily a gentle push forward. Impressed that Angelica touched his daughter politely and gently and in a motherly fashion, he raised an eyebrow and watched them walk down the stairs. Saying nothing, he nodded his head.
"Come on!" said Wills, grabbing Jack's and Angelica's hands and leading them out.
"Who is he?" wondered Angelica.
"This is Wills Turner. Will's boy," said Jack.
"Oh," replied Angelica.
Young Wills Turner led the four traveling companions to a dirt path that lead into the tropical jungle. He was careless to the sights around them, as he did live there.
Everyone else found their lunches grew colder and colder as they ate them. Large, lush palm trees rose into the sky, their leaves intertwining with each other creating a thick canopy above. No blue sky was visible. There were occasional patches through the green forest where the leaves allowed the sun to shine down. The diffused sun through the green canopy above darkened the path yet procured a golden glow on all natural elements. Everything became more vibrant because of that glow. Macaws and other tropical birds flew above them, their wings becoming louder as they flew overhead then flapped away. Each monkey that swung from branch to branch caused the wood to creak and pull. Little bugs chirped; some sounded in rhythm and others were just plain annoying. Wings flew all around.
At one point in the path, they had to pass over a stream. The little stream tripped and fell over every stone calming the soul. Jack made note of the small picnic area across the way complete with a bench carved from a large wooden tree trunk. When he asked the child, Wills told him it was where his small family spent most of their days. They had picnics and lessons and sometimes napped in the little grassy area. There was no more beauty than right there. The canopy above opened allowing the sky blue to shine down. Rays of pure light shimmered through the Caribbean mist. Animals and plants passing through the light became more vibrant and glowed. The few fish in the pond became iridescent and every scale was visible.
Walking through the path was exactly what Jack needed. No words were spoken by any of them and he finally felt at ease. His thoughts did not want to think apparently. They too were enjoying the Caribbean. All at once, he found he was not in the Caribbean, but in a safe haven that took his thoughts from him. When he forced himself to think what to do with his daughter, he found he was distracted with the flapping wings or talking monkeys. Not even the monkeys were causing him distress. One even sat on a rock and watched him pass by while eating a banana.
He looked all around him then upon Angelica. His heart fluttered and he felt a few macaws were suddenly flying around his stomach. It just so happened when he turned his head to look upon her, the canopy above shifted and let down a ray of sunlight. Her body was graced by Heaven's light. Yet, he found she was in need of something. She needed sparkle and shine about her. What she needed was a diamond or two. He was a firm believer that every woman should have a diamond and all evidence was around his daughter's neck and in her ears.
Wills tugging on his hand pulled him along. Apparently the best was about to come.
When the path finally narrowed and even out from the ascent upward there came an opening in the canopy of palm leaves above. Jack saw what appeared to be a wooden porch and he smiled. He was beginning to understand why Elizabeth didn't mind the uninhabited island. As they walked further and further to the opening, Jack felt envious of Elizabeth.
Being a Swann and therefore noble, Thomas wasted no money with the construction of his home. Like it should have been in the Caribbean, his house was constructed of natural wood. Yes, his home had the Colonial feel, but it also had the native bungalow essence. Three levels high it stood and stretched outward quite a distance. Thatching was nailed to the roof of the house, but Jack did see the sturdy wood beneath.
Jack was first led inside since Wills had an apparent liking to him. He completely understood why Elizabeth was happy on her island. The back entrance was connected to front entrance by a hall that extended throughout the center of the manor. Passing everything in the manor by, Jack's feet led him to the front entrance. He walked onto the tall grassy fields then stood at the edge of the gently sloping hills before the hills dropped flat forming sheer cliffs.
West.
Warm moisture came to Jack's eyes. Elizabeth lived on the west coast of Isla del Sol high atop the center of a large cove. The surf gently echoed from the rocky cliff walls. Once every ten years, those cliffs would protect a husband, wife, and their son. The island wholly would keep wandering eyes. Hardly inhabited on one coast and protected by towering cliffs on the other coast was the most opportune location for the Turners to meet once every ten years. Only certain few would see the green on the horizon and they all lived at that manor.
"It's so beautiful," Angelica softly said from beside him.
"It's what she needs and what he deserves. She needs the seclusion and peace of mind and he needs a place to come to once every ten years to forget everything," said Jack. "Although, he does spend a few hours here once every year on his son's birthday."
"And this, this is my favorite place," announced Wills. "I always watch the horizon. Uncle Alex tells me to keep a weather eye on the horizon. He says he'll find Daddy and when he does he make sure I'm watching him come home."
Jack couldn't resist but to set a hand on the boy's back. There was much he wanted to admit to the young four year old, yet knew there were reasons the child did not know. He was grateful Calypso was allowing Will one day a year for just a few hours to be with his son and he knew she allowed because he was dedicated to that which he was charged with.
"If you knowed Daddy, do you know where he is now?" wondered Wills.
"I know he's out there somewhere lad," Jack told him confidently. "You'll see him one day."
Wills nodded. "What are your names?"
"I am Jack," said Jack. "This is my good, loyal friend Gibbs. She is Angelica and she's tagging along. And this young lass here, this is my daughter Lily."
"She looks like a pirate," Wills said.
"That's because I am," stated Lily.
"Do you have your own ship?" asked Wills.
"Someday I will," said Lily.
"I have four of them," Wills told her showing four fingers and a thumb.
Jack couldn't help but to tuck the lad's thumb against his palm, correcting his mistake.
"You do not," said Lily.
"In my room," Wills said.
"Daddy, may I inspect these so-called ships?" asked Lily politely.
"Go on then," said Jack, shooing her away.
"Race you!" Wills cried and suddenly took of sprinting.
"You cheated! You got a head start!" said Lily.
"Pirate!" Wills called.
Jack chuckled and let his head fall back, raising his face towards the sky above. He inhaled then turned to Angelica. "I want a son."
Gibbs cleared his throat and decided it was best for him to leave. One of two options would arise. She would either begin arguing with him or he would have to keep the children's eyes away from the tall grass for fear Jack and Angelica would be occupied with themselves.
"And really bad eggs!"
"Drink up me hearties yo ho!"
"Yo ho! Yo ho! A pirate's life for me!"
Jack smiled as he swirled his glass of wine in the palm of his hand. There they went again. Both Lily and Wills had been singing the song all afternoon and he sat on the veranda on the cushioned sofa all afternoon sipping wine from the bottle seated on the small table beside him. He had his boots and stockings kicked off. Since the doors were mostly shut and creaked a bit, he had a short warning when people were to approach. Seeing as he had that warning to heed, he unbuttoned his tunic finally. His chest was once against exposed to the sun. The scar was pale and obvious against his bronze skin, but it did look better than he thought.
Content, he sipped the red liquid then laid his head back against the sofa. His eyes shut and he sighed. Simply lying in the setting sunlight, he swirled the liquid in his one hand and stretched out his legs more. He had to admit it did feel absolutely delightful to be rid of his heavy, hot dreadlocks and ornate knickknacks and trinkets. To be a normal man bathing in the sunlight with his glass of wine and the ocean surf in the distance was brilliant.
"Jack!"
"Mm hm," Jack sighed. His eyes snapped open and he whipped his head around. "Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth Turner stood with one foot on the veranda and one inside her house. Jack was impressed that she hadn't aged a day and the only difference to her face was the look of natural motherhood. She was dressed as she always was wearing a figure forming dark blue bodice, white tunic, and long dark blue flowing skirt. Her feet were bare and her bangs were pulled behind her head with the rest of the light brown hanging loosely, but beautifully around her shoulders.
The hand that was not holding the wine pulled his tunic and waistcoat over his chest as nonchalantly as humanly possible. She apparently hadn't taken note of that just yet, as she was still eyeing him up and down with wide eyes and a low mouth.
"Well, Elizabeth you look good," Jack said.
"Oh my God. Jack, who got to you?" wondered Elizabeth, concerned and shocked.
Jack shrugged. "A combination of being wanted dead by King George and my father changing my appearance. It's a long story Elizabeth. We'll be here for the next five years if I explain it all."
"Sum it up," demanded Elizabeth folding her arms across her chest and raising her eyebrows.
"To sum it up then," said Jack. He opened his mouth to speak then raised a finger. "I can't even sum it up Elizabeth. Does Jack Sparrow getting into trouble sum it up well enough for your questioning mind?"
"Yes!" replied Elizabeth.
At last she approached Jack. To her surprise, Jack set his wine on the table, quickly buttoned his clothes, and turned with open arms. "I embraced Will as a brother so I may as well embrace you as a sister?"
"You've seen Will?" wondered Elizabeth.
"Who do you think told me where you were luv?" asked Jack.
Elizabeth merely smiled. She accepted Jack's light embrace. It felt wonderful to be near Jack Sparrow again, feeling right or not and he didn't feel right to her. Being a mother, she felt something was troubling him. She learned to trust her instincts with matters involving feelings and Wills taught her how to read into it.
"Jack, I know you. What's wrong now? Something is terribly wrong. You completely change your image and you don't feel like the Jack I remember," noted Elizabeth.
Shaking his head, Jack inhaled through his teeth. "I need a favor to ask of you. Can you keep an eye out for my daughter?"
Elizabeth's face paled as her mouth once again dropped and eyes widened. She blinked and gazed upon him with no words. Her head leaned forward. "Daughter?"
"Lily-Rose is her name. She's been playing with your son all afternoon," said Jack.
"Daughter?" was all Elizabeth managed to say.
"Look, that long story short, Anamaria and I had a fling that left us with a child and she died and I've been Lily's mother and father for the past three years. Lily was never intended, but I love her more than I love the Black Pearl and freedom and if anything happened to her I would never forgive meself and I'm not sure if I want to take her with me or keep her with you."
"You have a daughter," noted Elizabeth.
"Yes, I bloody have a daughter!" Jack cried frustrated. "In fact there she is."
Elizabeth turned around and squeaked. "Yep, that's your daughter."
Lily looked at Elizabeth oddly then shook it off. "Daddy, I want one of Wills's ships."
"Why?" wondered Jack.
Lily held her arms outstretched from shoulder to shoulder. "It's that long." She raised her palm to her waist. "It's that tall and according to him they float on the water."
"Will makes them for Wills' birthday every year," explained Elizabeth silently. "He has four of them all modeled off of real ships."
"Daddy, I want the Black Pearl, but Wills won't let me have it," said Lily.
"Excuse me," Jack said to Elizabeth then took off in a hasty walk.
He followed the sound of a singing four year old's voice up two flights of stairs and down a long hall into a large room. When Lily gave him the dimensions of the ship he though she was exaggerating. Nope, the ships that were on the floor were indeed miniature boats.
Wills looked up from on his belly as he was rearranging people on the deck of the ship. "She not have Black Pearl. My favorite ship. Uncle Alex made it for me for fourth birthday."
Jack slumped to his knees in front of the toy ship before him. Black cloth sails. Twine rigging and lines. Soft, dark wood. French doors. Not a crack in any of the wood. Not a speck of dust. Yep, that was his ship. He gently reached a finger onto deck and touched the wheel. A smiled widened across his face when his finger spun the wheel.
"Oh, oh, oh, watch this!" cried Wills. The child unlatched a hook from the bow of the ship and pulled the ship into two pieces, the left hull of the ship acting as a doorway. "Uncle Alex carve inside ship too."
Tears came to Jack's eyes. Everything was right there. Little hammocks were lined up. Small shelves. Tiny little metal balls were in a net. Little toy cannons were positioned correctly. Stairs and hatches connected the levels together. The captain's cabin was complete with a table, chairs, cot, and small pieces of cloth for a rug.
"Are you okay?" wondered Wills, his little eyes noticing the tears in Jack's.
"Aye," Jack said, blinking the tears away from his eyes. "I once sailed on the real Black Pearl with Captain Jack Sparrow. Looking at your ship here reminds me of those good days."
"You knew Captain Jack Sparrow?" asked Wills with huge eyes.
"Aye," said Jack. "Once."
"He was in London!" cried Wills excitedly. "Some say he was gonna be hanged and, and some say he was getting people to join his crew! I wanted to go so I could join crew, but Mum said no."
Jack pressed his palms to his face and his head shook back and forth. "I'm going to kill her meself," he said through his palms.
"Mum?" wondered Wills.
"Angelica," replied Jack.
"I like her. She was playing with us," said Wills.
Jack lowered his fingers to below his eyes. They were narrowly peeking over the tips of his fingers. "Us. Like you and Lily us? Or you and your imaginary friend us?"
"Lily and me," replied Wills. "Lily not like her much, but I do."
"Lily-Rose!" Jack called.
"Aye Daddy?" said Lily, skipping into the room.
"Was Angelica playing with you?" wondered Jack.
"Yes," Lily said with a scowl on her face. "I don't like her Daddy and she doesn't like me. She's trying too hard to like me and I think she wants to use me for something because she's trying so hard. She wouldn't be trying so hard for me to like her if she didn't want to use me as leverage for something that benefits her and not me. It's like you told me, 'never trust someone who tries too hard'."
"Yeah, I did tell you that and I stand by it true today," admitted Jack.
"So I'm not going to trust her," said Lily simply.
Grumbling, Jack swung his legs out from underneath him and sat cross legged on the floor. He realized he may have put himself in a sticky situation. There was something nagging in the back of his mind that told him Angelica was trying to prove her love to him through Lily. She must have thought having Lily's approval would also earn his approval as he was so keen and kind to remind her Lily was always his first. But, being his daughter, Jack taught her what to make not of when testing a person's trust and true reasoning. He never meant for Angelica to literally try proving her love to him, but Angelica was on the right line. One simply had to go in with his daughter before going in with him because Lily wasn't going anywhere.
A soft knock on the door signaled Elizabeth's arrival in the room. "Wills, wash up for dinner. We're eating now."
"Okay Mummy," said Wills. "Is Jack staying for dinner?"
"If he would like," replied Elizabeth.
"He would like," said Jack nodding his head rapidly.
"Good, Thomas made enough food for all of us," said Elizabeth.
"Like that spicy ham creation of his he served earlier?" wondered Jack with a hopeful gleam in his eye.
Elizabeth smiled. "Perhaps."
"That was really good," said Lily.
"Lily come wash with me," Wills demanded as he took her hand.
"Oh, um, okay," said Lily, as she was dragged out of the room.
"I think William is in love," noted Jack, amused.
"He's taken already Jack. Sorry to inform you," said Elizabeth.
"As in betrothed or friends?" wondered Jack.
"Friends," said Elizabeth hastily. She weakly laughed. "I'm not betrothing any girl to my four year old son. No, Katie and her parents moved here over this past summer. She thinks my son is the most annoying, disgusting filth ever to walk the Earth."
"Said that did she?" wondered Jack.
"Pretty much," replied Elizabeth. "Wills thinks she likes him. He thinks Kate hitting him all the time means she likes him so he purposely upsets her. It's a game for him to torture her and make her mad. Instead of crying about it, she hits him and he laughs. More than once have I had to pull them away from each other."
"And what do her parents think of your William's Wills?" asked Jack curiously.
"He's a very odd little boy who has his head buried with pirate stories and legends," replied Elizabeth. Her face twisted into wonder and confusion. "I don't know if they like him or not, but I do know they find him amusing."
"I think Wills already has found his wife," noted Jack.
"Please don't say that," Elizabeth pleaded. "He's just four years old. He doesn't even know his uncle is his father. I don't want to think of him being married off because I know it'll happen sooner than I think."
"Come, come luv; I'm only playing fun," said Jack, griping her shoulders tightly.
Through their conversation, they walked down to the dining room. Like all décor in the manor, the dining room was as Caribbean bungalow, hut as the natives. The table was made of boards of wood. Wicker constructed the chairs; cushions were on the seat for comfort. The wicker chair backs formed a curve to cradle the human back. A simple lacy tablecloth covered the table. China plates and only two of each eating utensil were placed on the table. Two cups were constructed of wood; five wine glasses were provided for the adults. Large doors were opened across the room allowing the warm evening breeze to flow in. A simple chandelier was secured above the table for light should dinner go well into the night. The room itself was quite open and comfortable.
Dinner was brought out by Thomas himself. Jack stood over the ham as Thomas walked across the room until he altogether relieved the other man of the tray to walk it directly to his seat.
"Daddy, I'm hungry too," said Lily, taking residence in the chair beside her father.
Both of them grabbed a fork and pulled pieces away.
Wills watched them for a moment then shrugged his shoulders. He took his fork and ran around the table to sit on the other side of Jack and eat like them as well.
Elizabeth silently laughed to herself. "Jack, when was the last time you ate something good?"
"Months," replied Jack.
"I noticed," said Elizabeth.
"Jack, can you for once act civilized. This is not your home. Behave," said Angelica as she and Gibbs walked into the room.
Hearing another woman's voice, Elizabeth curiously turned her head. A woman near Jack's height stood in the doorway looking at Jack shaking her head. Her dark hair and complexion was of Latin blood. The light Spanish accent to her voice was beautiful. For wearing a sailor's attire, her figure was flattering to her person. Hurt was in her eyes as well as anger. Her eyes were like Jack's in that regard.
Elizabeth turned from the woman to Jack to see Jack rolling his eyes at her. A smirk widened across her lips as she looked between the two. "Jack Sparrow, is there something you want to tell me about this woman?"
"Her name is Angelica and she is anything but an angel," said Jack.
"You are the worst pirate there has ever been," stated Angelica.
Gibbs sighed heavily and groaned. He slumped into a chair and pressed his palms against his face. "Will both of you please stop with the bickering?"
"She starts it," Jack told him flat out.
"You go with it," reminded Angelica.
"I'm defending my name," said Jack.
"Jack Teague is nothing grand to defend. If your daughter wouldn't have changed you maybe you would still have Captain Jack Sparrow to defend," said Angelica.
"Will you stop blaming Lily for everything? I know you're jealous. I get it. Enough with the hating Lily."
"Will you stop using Lily as an excuse for everything I do that upsets you?"
"Lily is not an excuse. She is what makes you so very upset that upsets me."
"Well, it's a good thing we're leaving her here then isn't it?"
"I'm beginning to think I'm going to take her with just to irritate you."
"Ha! You being alive is irritating enough as it is."
"We're both going to have extended lives Angelica."
"Jack, I think I may I put that doll to use and take away all your years."
"Don't you touch my doll!"
"You gave him to me."
"Apparently you love me."
"Apparently I don't anymore."
Gibbs gave a great shout as he slammed his fists onto the table. He stood on his own two feet with a force that toppled the chair behind him. "JACK! ANGELICA! SHUT YOUR GODDAMN TRAPS! Excuse my foul language Miss Elizabeth I apologize for that. William, do not say that word. Jack! Angelica! All you two do is argue and bicker with no end. I am sick and tired of listening to the same squabble again and again.
"Jack, Angelica loves you but ye hurt her more deeply than any wound. Ye broke her heart. Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn. You should know that. You trust her with your life but ye can't trust her because you taught her everything you know. She's like you Jack; she'll use whatever leverage to get what she wants. Hello, Jack, she used your good name to get you to her. She spared your life how many times. She's still here with ye Jack, fighting to save your life because she loves you.
"Angelica, Jack won't ever admit this to ye so I'll just tell you; he is scared to death. He literally, legitly, completely has a split personality. I've seen it. Sometimes Captain Jack Sparrow takes over his mind and other time John Teague takes his mind. He cannot control it and he never has been able to. That year in the Locker caused his personality to split. Jack Sparrow loves you Angelica more than he can handle. John Teague loves his daughter to death. Jack Teague, what Jack is and in fact a combination of the two, knows one of those personalities will become permanent. He's got more at stake than he can handle. Angelica, I've seen Jack breakdown to tears twice from Shipwreck Cove to here. He cannot do this alone.
"You two are going to kill each other if ye keep this up. You have got to talk with each other. Learn what happened to each other. Understand who ye two are. Talk. Screaming and bickering and arguing is getting ye nowhere. There is more misunderstanding than understanding between you two. Sit down and talk. Please, I'm begging you two. Jack, ye know you're like a son to me. Angelica, you're the most wonderful woman I have ever met. If you two would just talk, Jack, I know your personalities will settle, and Angelica, you'll get the family you've always wanted. You two are that match made in heaven as everyone desires, better than Will and Elizabeth. Everyone sees it. Open your eyes to the new world. Talk. Please."
Uncomfortable and frightened, Lily looked at them then pushed her chair back. She sprinted from the room whimpering.
Seeing there were tears on his daughter's face, Jack sighed and stood. "Lily-Rose," he called as he chased after her.
Unable to look upon anyone, Angelica quickly turned on her heels and walked to the opposite hall Jack did.
Thomas cleared his throat. He shrugged his shoulders and reached over the table to cut himself a piece of the ham. There was absolutely no reason to let his good food go to waste.
"Joshamee, explain," pleaded Elizabeth.
"I'm afraid I can only tell ye what I know lass," said Gibbs as he sat his chair upright again. He grabbed her hand and patted the back of her palm gently. "I'm so sorry I snapped here especially in front of your son in your own home."
Suddenly remembering Wills, Elizabeth shut her eyes. She knew how Wills hated shouting directed to him or not. Shouting frightened him. She tilted her head under the table to discover her son sitting under the center of the table. His legs were hugged to his chest and his face was buried between his knees.
"Done yelling?" he softly asked.
Gibbs tilted his head under the table too. "I'm sorry lad. I'm done."
"Scared?" wondered Wills.
"Aye," said Gibbs with a nod. "Come here young William."
Surprisingly, Wills did uncurl himself. He crawled out from under the table and stood beside Gibbs cautiously.
As if he was the child's grandfather himself, Gibbs lifted Wills into his lap. He left an arm around the boy's back and piled a plate of food for the child. The plate was set in Wills' own lap. "I apologize for yelling and frightening you. I swear I am not the Devil. Jack is like my son and Angelica is growing on me. I am concerned for them. Sometimes when people are concerned and frightened for something he or she cares about he tends to blow up in not the best of places."
"Like when Mum yelled at me and spanked me for playing on dock early morning?" wondered Wills.
"Exactly," said Gibbs. He smirked and pointed a finger at Wills. "You're definitely your father's son; you're a smart lad."
Wills nodded. Comfortable again, he settled himself in the sea dog's lap then wrapped his little fingers around the fork. He stabbed a huge chunk of meat then bit off of it with his teeth. His little legs swung back and forth as he smiled up at Gibbs.
"Josh, you have a heart of gold," said Elizabeth.
"I may be a smelly, worthless old sea dog, but I have a thing for children," admitted Gibbs.
Wills pressed his face against Gibbs' chest and inhaled deeply. "You no smell bad."
"Wills," Thomas laughed.
Young Turner lifted his arm and sniffed himself. His nose wrinkled as stuck his tongue out in disgust. "I smell bad."
"Then I'll just have to give you a bath later won't I," said Thomas.
"I guess so," said Wills.
Gibbs chuckled. "Like every good sailor he despises baths."
Wills nodded his little head.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes with a soft smile. In fact her son did not despise baths. He rather enjoyed his baths. Most the time there was more ships than his body in the water and half of the time he would lay his little butt naked body on the wood to play with his bath toys in the water. She had a small private smile to herself when she recalled Will playing in the bathtub with Wills when Wills refused to bathe after playing in the mud on his third birthday. Will was involuntarily forced to hang around his first mate's neck as he was hauled to the washroom because Wills refused to bathe if his father wasn't. She had to lower her head to hide the satisfied smirk when the image came to her mind of her boys playing in the tub after the opaque bubbles had all dissolved into the clear water.
A Note from TurtleHeart:
always, reviews make my heart golden with joy!
well, here we have Mrs. Elizabeth Turner and little Wills Turner, old and new faces. Angelica and Elizabeth will have woman to woman time in the next chapter and Jack and Elizabeth will have a lovely chat discussing the matter of children.
all right, here is where i need opinions from you fellow readers. this story is going to become much, much longer than this, as there is much, much, much more to come. would you prefer if i kept it all one large story or break it into different parts? i am unsure if it should be one or multiple parts. which would you prefer?
so, questions? comments? concerns? likes? dislikes? one part or multiple? let me know!
Happy Readings!