,,Aye !'' Mariana answered the knocking on her door, as Jenny slowly walked in.
,,Have you slept well ?'' Jenny smiled at young girl, as she stood by window, drinking from her chalice, turning with big smile to her aunt.
,,Well let's say, I slept well-until a loud moan pierced my ears…and several whines followed, I think it was an hour and a half ago probably,'' Marry giggled, her finger tapping at the chalice, as she slowly put it back on table.
,,You heard us-''
,,-Don't be ashamed, I'm fine with it, though I would never say, how thin these walls actually are…also I really know now, after whom I'm so…eager, and that you are savoring plenty while quiffing,'' Marry smiled, walking towards brunette.
,,Oh I do , and I can do a lot better. Usually to see is also much better than just hear, but if it was interrupting you too much, we shall be quieter next time,'' Jenny laughed as Mariana smiled, nodding.
,,Don't be silly, it's fine. Actually, I quite like your sounds. At least I wasn't thinking much about my fear, of telling to crew,'' Marry slightly rolled her eyes to ceiling, holding her hand gently on her stomach.
,,Don't fret,'' Jenny smiled, hugging her ,,I will tell it instead of you if you want.'' She clutched her little birdie to her chest in their embrace, but Mariana shook her head, muttering against Jenny shirt determinedly.
,,No…I will announce it meself. I've already thought of speech…I just needed you, and your support to feel meself ready,'' and she buried her face further in Jenny's chest, and brunette willingly caressed her back with both her arms, nodding.
,,It'll be fine, I'm sure,'' Jenny nodded soothingly, her eyes twitching towards the wall, behind which Jack was probably just leaving the cabin.
He swore…
Marry nodded, narrowing and smiling at her aunt, slowly breathing out ,,I am ready.''
,,Alright birdie, I'm gonna summon the crew, and I will knock on your door, when it's so,'' Jenny stroked girl's cheek, leaning forward and kissing her forehead, as for courage, before she turned and left the captain's cabin.
Rushing up to rudder, where Flora was, Jenny quickly asked ,,Where's Bes ?''
,,Probably in gun deck still,'' Flora nodded.
,,Good, you can leave the rudder now, we're anyway wind free-'' Jenny uttered, after brief examination of surrounding as they were on open sea ,,-we'll need you on main deck. Help me, to get the crew on the main deck as well.''
,,Jenny !'' Flora yelped, when brunette was about to leave. She slowly turned back. Already expecting what blonde may ask ,,Jenny something happened ?''
,,Actually…you will find out soon,'' Jenny responded briefly, before turning on her heel, and rushing on the main deck, and straight to the orlop, and Flora eagerly behind her. In several minutes, entire crew, including Jack's men and Jack himself were all on main deck, as Jenny walked to the quarter's deck.
As she was by the railing and everybody talked together down on the main deck, she yelled ,,Alright, shut it !''
She waited only few seconds till everybody silenced, looking up at her.
,,Captain's on deck after some time, and she'd like to say a few words to all of you, so listen !''
She turned around walked few steps and knocked on door, waiting not too long for Mariana to walk out. They stepped together to railing, and everybody cheered spotting captain finally.
,,Dear mates,'' Mariana finally smiled, and effectively silenced her men. ,,Let me say, how happy I am, to have such square gentlemen who sails under my colors. In last past weeks, we've shown our strength to little island Luzon. We've shot down three British merchant's ships. And let us not forget, that we've successfully escaped from Cádiz, and now, we're heading to well-deserved Tortuga !''
,,Arrr !'' crew stormed loudly, each man loud and proud, until her raised palm calmed them down again.
,,We took with us our strength, our devotion to the sea, also lot of booty, specially from the British ships, so I hope you all will spend well your share-'' she received another slight storm from them ,,-and also we took with us our pride on being pirates. The greatest pirates of Spain for already twenty years !''
,,ARRR !''
Now she truly let them cheer for few moments, to let them be proud, since they really deserved that after their great effort.
,,But let me tell you….that's not all, we took with us…'' Mariana took a deep breath, as everybody listened to her, tensing in anticipation. ,,May I say I feared the moment, I shall tell you something I've learned only few days ago. Maybe you will hate me for what I will say, maybe I will lose my value in your eyes, after I will tell you, the reason why I've been locked up in my cabin last past days…but I cannot change what happened, and I am proud to announce you, that my crew, will in following couple of months will have one crew mate more ! In other words…your captain became white swelling…''
She looked deeply in eyes to several her faithful servants, her fingers clutched the railing tight, as Jenny stood few feet beside her, but to her biggest relief, entire crew stormed probably the most in cheers while her speech. She couldn't believe they were happy, but several of them even threw their hats in the air, but there was none who would only stand in disbelief or despite-even all sisters were cheering-except one.
,,Long live the captain !'' shouted one man.
,,Long live the captain, and new little sea dog !''
,,Long live the sea dog !''
Miguel nodded and looking at his fellas ,,Oy everybody three cheers ! Hip hip !''
,,HOORAY !''
,,Hip hip !''
,,HOORAY !''
,,Hip hip !''
,,HOORAY !''
But at that moment Mariana already walked down to them, smiling at their cheers, and Jenny quickly behind her, because she saw how Ursula reddened in her face, and trembled with fury. Mariana spotted it as well, and now she get really scared, as Ursula start making her way from forecastle straight to her through entire crew.
Jack quickly tried to make his way through them as well, but he unfortunately wasn't quicker than furious Ursula.
Fellas were still shouting cheers, when Ursula stopped in front of Mariana, and gave her loud, sharp slap with her backhand, sending her straight to the floor.
Mariana immediately clutched her hand to her cheek squealing, and Ursula would go straight at her, if Jack didn't caught her arms firmly and held them behind her back.
,,How dare you lay a finger on my daughter, on your captain !'' he let out shouting at her, when she squirmed in his tight grip, looking down at Mariana, and trying to wrench to get at her.
,,She had NEVER been MY captain ! And this is another spawn as she is herself ! I can't allow, to let this ship and our crew fall into spawn's hands again !'' Ursula wriggled in Jack's grip, until Mariana stood up.
Everyone was watching the scenery and listening closely, now with open mouths.
,,HOW DARE YOU !'' Mariana let out. ,,I'LL HAUL YOU UNDER THE KEEL !''
But at that moment, Miguel stepped to her, as he was about three heads taller than her-maybe more-and gently grabbed her arms.
,,Ya shall not be stressing yerself captain…'' he smiled down at her, and she nodded slowly, only when she calmed down slightly, and rubbed her red cheek, she pushed him aside, looking straight in Ursula's face.
,,I maybe never was your captain, but still you value being pirate too much, and you'd rather listen to my orders, then somebody else's, you told me personally once. So get the fuck yourself together, don't touch me ever again like that 'n keep yer mouth rather shut, if ya don't wish to walk the plank ! Savvy ?!'' Mariana pointed her finger at her dangerously, and Ursula swallowed, after realizing, Mariana's right, she only humbly nodded, before Jack let her.
He was amazed, by Mariana's forward calmness, by Mariana's good morale and discipline she could make on her own ship, and also by Mariana's assuring phrase. Clearly she inherited not only daddy's wits, passion, lust for freedom on the sea, but also his own language.
,,You'll scrub the floor on entire deck that it will shine clean so one could eat from it, I will check it personally tomorrow,'' Mariana nodded her verdict, to Ursula who nodded, and faced the mocks from the crew.
,,Go 'n have some sleep captain,'' Francesco nodded, patting young girl on her shoulder, making her smile once again.
,,Aye !'' the rest of fellas approved, since the dusk was already coming.
,,Goodnight me boys ! I'm glad of ya all, taking my white swelling so well,'' Mariana turned to them, smiling as she walked upstairs, but still looking at her crew.
,,Aye, yer our captain !''
,,We swore to go in worst mouth of hell with ya no matter what happens !''
,,I'd put my sword for ya !''
,,With a baby or without, still yer our captain !''
,,AYE !''
,,Captain ?''
,,Aye ?'' Mariana smiled wider, looking down at them all.
,,Would ya rather littl' sea wolf, or a Missie ?''
Mariana laughed loudly shaking with her head ,,I don't know, I haven't thought about it yet…I didn't planned it.''
After their last cheers, she walked in her cabin, and right away pressed her back against the door with loud huff and wide eyes, sighing out her relief.
After she calmed down and walked to her bed, she heard knock on door. Sitting on her bed, she nodded ,,Come in.''
Jenny walked in, but when wanted to close the door, Jack rushed right behind her.
,,You bloody scallywag ! You swore on your sword !'' Jenny pushed at his shoulder right at the closed door.
,,On my defense I say, I was trying to rush to Mariana sooner, but she was faster, and I kept my word, she didn't hurt her any further, I stopped her !'' Jack let out very quickly, covering his face in fear.
,,Why are you so hiding behind your hands ?'' Jenny now chuckled looking at him.
,,I dunno, I was afraid ya may hit me, as many women likes to,'' Jack narrowed himself, carefully straightening.
,,I won't, I would have a proper reason if I hit ya, or somebody like you,'' Jenny smirked.
,,Now she's right, and would you tell me, what are you doing here, while ya talking to each other except me ?'' Marry giggled, slowly laying herself on bed.
,,I wanted to tell you how wonderfully you managed that…see I told ya, they love you. I was only afraid of Ursula and my worst imaginary became true, and it would be worse…if this individual over here would not stop her. Thank you Jackie,'' Jenny admitted, nodding, and offering to Jack smile.
,,You're welcome, I swore,'' he smiled throwing his arms wide.
,,You swore ?'' Marry looked up at them, as they approached, but she refused to lift herself more than on her elbows.
,,I swore, nothing will happen to you, and I will protect ya because I'm your father,'' Jack smiled, slowly sitting on bed beside her. Jenny walked to the other side and sat down as well.
,,Well thanks…that's rather nice gesture from you, Jack,'' she silenced for a moment, looking at him, before she closed her eyes and nodded. ,,And I'm so sorry, how I threw you out couple days ago, I don't know what's wrong with me…unless I have such situation as you've seen down there before a while, I'm usually not yelling…and that's probably the white swelling, so. Sorry, I didn't mean that.''
,,'Ts okay love, I'm alright, and I hope you are too,'' he looked over her, caressing carefully her red cheek.
,,That ? That's nothing. I had worse…anyway I also reckon, that you know the baby is king's, and as you practically said…I love him…I do, and you were right, I just needed some time to admit it, and now, is there somethin' else you wish to know from me ? Because I'm exhausted….''
Jack gave her serious look, leaning slightly closer and looking in her eyes ,,Only one thing…from where you know word 'savvy' ?''
Mariana gave him confused look and blinked few times, before uttering ,,I don't know, that's my usual word I use. It's in my nature, why ?''
,,Because I'm captain Jack Sparrow, savvy ? And you're obviously my daughter,'' he pointed, his fingertip touched her nose, making her giggle.
,,Savvy,'' she nodded, turning her head to Jenny. ,,Will ya sit there for grace or will ya say somethin' too ?''
Jenny shook with her head and giggled ,,I'm just admiring how well you're doing with your father…all I wanted to say was how good you were up there, and if you need anything before I leave, as food ? Drink ? Talk ?''
,,I'm good as I am right now, I'm just really sleepy right now, so if ye could let me sleep, and,'' she turned now to Jack too, and back to Jenny ,,if ye would be quieter this time, so I could sleep properly.''
Jack stiffened looking at her in shock, while Jenny only nodded giggling ,,Oh I will check that little rotten rat, who shall be by now scrubbing the floor, so I think I'll be busy, and she way more.''
,,Alright,'' Marry nodded, laying herself back, and kicking off her shoes, to feel free.
,,Goodnight birdie,'' Jenny smiled at her, leaning down and kissing girl's forehead, as Marry smiled. Brunette with Jack stood up, and moved themselves out of her cabin, leaving it silent.
,,She heard us ?'' Jack asked right away, when they were out of the captain's quarters.
,,Don't be ashamed, she heard plenty of such things already, you act like she just haven's said, she's white swelling. Anyway, she's fine with us, as long as we're not interrupting her sleep with it, which I completely understand, after I once had to listen to Betsy with Francesco for two days in hotel in Padres Del Fuego,'' Jenny shook her head with laugher at the memory. ,,Well, she's obviously your daughter, when she doesn't give a hoot about it anyway, so for now-'' she leaned to him, kissing him briefly, before drawing back and winking ,,-you can warm the bed, before I come back. I mean –if you still want-''
,,-You doubts me ? Of course I do, can't wait already,'' Jack winked, and when Jenny turned away from him, he gently spanked her right ass cheek, making her stumble.
,,Careful on my goods, Jackie,'' she let out, when she glanced at him with smile, before rushing downstairs on the main deck.
She didn't turn back, to see, he walked up to rudder, instead into her cabin, but she was already making her way through few men on main deck, to get to forecastle, where Ursula started scrubbing floor.
That was sight for Gods. To see her eldest sister, most complaining all the time, and most hated person on ship actually, to be on her knees, with folded sleeves, how she wrings the used up rag, and tries to clean the floor with it.
,,Why did ya do that ?'' Jenny supported her back against the hull, watching Ursula scrub.
Eldest sister only lifted her head, before tipping it down again.
,,I know, you hate her, you hated even Teresa, but why ? Why are you so mad about not being captain ? Are you jealous because our grandmother decided that captain shall be only youngest Devil ? Then why didn't ya find another ship and your own crew ?''
,,Jenny shut the hell up….I'm scrubbing okay ! I don't need you or anyone else to mock me way more, then they do until now…I fucked that up, fine ? I know my mistake, and I don't know why I'm so mad about her…'' Ursula growled through her teeth, never lifting her eyes from floor, still scrubbing. ,,She was right, that I could not sail under somebody else, and all I ever wanted was this ship….nothing more, but this ship. I wanted-'' she looked up, her cheeks glowing red again ,,-I wanted to be captain, because being eldest one, and being pushed away entire life is just. Not. Fair.''
,,Now you sounds like a child….well we won't change tradition because of you, and if ya wanted to not be pushed away, then why didn't you tried to help us, at least once in anything we've done. You would feel more like a family member, then like a pushed-away eldest sister…it's not Marry's fault, and it has never been….and her white swelling doesn't have anything in common with it, so leave her alone, and really –put yourself together,'' Jenny pushed herself off the hull, standing straight and looking down in Ursula's eyes, before she left the forecastle, leaving her on her knees, scrubbing.
Jenny looked sideway, to spot how sun just sunk into the sea, she supported herself against the hull again, this time smiling truly, as she watched the orange glow of another wonderful sunset. It was breathtaking, and exactly this-or sunrise-was thing she loved the most about sea. Because the way sun dived into water, and waves glistened, was amazing. She was so busy last past days, she haven't even watched this beautiful scenery, and now it was just at perfect moment.
,,Beautiful, isn't it ?'' she heard from behind her Jack's voice.
,,Breathtaking,'' she nodded, still smiling.
,,As I'm considering it…no matter now of that witch scrubbing the floor over there….don't you want to spend tonight up here ? I mean together…I mean-''
Jenny turned to him, smiling, as he was close to her, she smiled, running her hand up his chest and biting her own lip ,,-Jack I'd love to.''
They've watched the sunset, until there was nothing but dark, and they had to lit up lamps on the deck. Jenny said to girls, to go sleep, that she will take care of rudder.
Then there was nobody except her and Jack by rudder, and Ursula scrubbing the last bits around them. When even she left to the quarters, and moon was high, Jenny was supporting herself against the rudder, and Jack slowly stepped to her from behind.
She smiled, when she felt his arms sneaking around her waist.
,,So…you and Miguel ?'' Jack suddenly uttered and Jenny had to laugh, her head tipping back, colliding with Jack's set chest. ,,Is it….was it ever, some sort of serious ?'' Jack seemed to be really interested, as he spoke against her hair, his hands still on her waist.
,,No. He's just a skirt chaser, and I'm not going to give him that pleasure, to be one of his many trophies, as he's not secret with that,'' Jenny explained graciously, waiting if Jack may say something in response.
,,And, any other crew men. There's a whole lot of them, who are talking very nice about you, as far as I've heard them talking,'' he continued, still listening ever so careful, but leaving her waist, and now moving slightly in front of rudder, to see in Jenny's face.
,,No,'' she shook laughingly her head, looking up at him again ,,I think I already told you, I'm choosing carefully the ones, with whom I want to quiff with, and even by you I was being careful, but one can never deny Captain. Jack. Sparrow.''
He smiled at her note confidently, and narrowed more, when she bit her lip again, smiling as the full moon enlightened her face, making her glow.
,,Fine, I have one too….'' Jenny tapped at the wheel, trailing Jack's confused features. ,,Why me ? You could choose Betsy or Flora again. Then why me ?''
Jack squinted, offering a nod and pointing his finger at her ,,Because you are not like them.''
,,And ?''
,,You were the damn best of all five of you, and I have to say, when I saw you after those eighteen years, that you haven't aged a day, and…'' Jack stumbled, narrowing, his lips still parted but words lost somewhere in his chest.
,,And ?'' Jenny gave him inquiring look.
,,And…well, even such pirate as Jack Sparrow has his weakness for a beautiful woman,'' he let out slowly, never breaking eye contact, when he walked back around the rudder to her.
,,You think I'm beautiful, my sisters would kill you,'' Jenny laughed throatily, looking back in front of her, before Jack forced her by his words to look back at him.
,,I don't give a damn about them, I give a damn about you,'' his hand landed on her cheek, as she stood shocked, looking up in his eyes, when he inched closer to her, stroking down her nape, his thumb brushing over her smooth skin, until he was too close, his lips touched hers gently. Lightly. When she prated her lips, her eyes shut close, letting him to kiss her, she couldn't even properly think, how the fuck he was doing that, he always made her melt.
His nose nuzzled with hers, and brushed upward, to her forehead, as she breathed lightly out, her hand landed on his chest, and slowly start fisting his vest.
Only after few moments of such nice connection between them, Jack sighed and look at her when her eyes opened.
,,If Marry hasn't got honey hair, I'd say, she's yours…not Teresa's. Doesn't mean I didn't like Teresa, no she was lovely…and inexperienced. But you,'' he silenced for a moment, smiling ,,you made me feel a lot like a human. Like a great lover can feel. And I recalled all of that when I saw you here, standing, and looking at the castle, drinking from that bottle. All of your passion, and softness.'' He softly laughed straying with his eyes for a brief moment ,,I had many wenches, aye, I'm pirate, but let me tell you, none of them was as beautiful, and great lover as you.''
,,So, I'm the best wench ?'' Jenny laughed again.
,,Aye, you're much more than that,'' Jack nodded laughing. ,,So that is, why you.''