Hey! Sorry I haven't had a chance to upload in a few days, had a massive clearout at home all weekend!

Enjoy this chapter!

'Commodore.' I said bobbing my head a little.

'Good Evening Commodore Norrington.' Father greeted James formally. 'Do come through to the living area.' he guided James through the large hallway and I saw James smile at me as he passed.

'Now, pray tell what had caused you to arrive at such an hour.' Father asked once we were all seated.

'Well Sir, I believe El-Miss Hansford has something important to tell you.' James began. 'We both have.'

'Its okay James, you can call me by my first name I don't mind.' I spoke reassuringly. Even though he was a Commodore, you could tell James was nervous.

'Elmira! Do not address the Commodore in such an ill manner!' Father scolded me.

'No really its fine.' James said as I opened my mouth to argue with my father.

I closed it again and looked sideways guiltily at James.

'Now you see, Mr Hansford…' James paused.

Father looked at him expectantly.

'Father, James has come tonight so that we can both inform you that…' I trailed off, not knowing how to put it into words.

Father looked confused and somewhat suspicious.

'I love your daughter Mr Hansford.' James said confidently. 'I truly do.'

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief that it was finally out.

'What?' Father looked at him in disbelief. 'You love Elmira?'

'Is that so hard to come to terms with Father?' I said slightly offended.

'Yes, I do.' James said and looked at me with a soft expression. 'And I wish to gain your permission in courting her.'

Father looked at us both a little startled.

I realised he didn't know what my opinion was and so I told him.

'I love him too Father, honestly.' I said diverting my gaze from James' eyes to my Father's confused frown.

'You love Elmira?' Father repeated.

'Oh for heavens' sakes!' I sighed loudly, throwing my arms in the air. 'Yes he loves me, and yes I love him back.' I said loudly, leaning towards my father.

'Very well.' Father spoke with a quiet tone to his voice. 'Then by all means Commodore, you have my permission. But I must say, this was an unusual way of asking.' Father stood up and shaking his head he walked out of the room. Just in time for Lydia to come bounding in.

'Oh my goodness! Elmira this is amazing!' she ran at me and hugged me tight.

'Its not like I'm engaged Lydia!' I laughed as I was attacked by my bubbly sister.

'Yes, but you soon might be!' Lydia let go of me and glanced quickly at James.

James blushed a little and I laughed, reaching my hand over and interlocking my fingers with his.

'All in good time Lydia.' I assured her.

'Fine, but I simply must be a bridesmaid!' Lydia sang and skipped out of the room.

I giggled at my sister's behaviour and returned my eyes to James.

'I can't believe that worked!' I said excitedly.

'Well, I best be going. It late and you already look exhausted.' he said smiling and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

'Of course not Commodore, I insist you stay the night. Its windy and wet outside and its already 11.45pm.' Father re-entered the room. 'You can stay in the guest room.'

'Thank you Mr Hansford, but I don't live far away, and I wouldn't want to be intruding.' James said politely.

'Its really no problem James, we're all retiring now anyway.' I smiled at him, our hands still enclosed.

'Very well then. If you don't mind.' he nodded in thanks as my father left the room once again.

'Might I have the honour of escorting you to your room Miss?' James said in a fake formal accent.

'I'd be most thankful.' I said trying not to giggle at our immaturity.

We reached my door and I turned to face him. It was dark and only the candles that were lit along the hallway illuminated one side of his face.

'Why is it always dark when we kiss?' I asked.

'See, now I have been indirectly promised a kiss Elmira.' James smiled.

'Of course.' I giggled and reached up on my tiptoes to connect our lips. He brought both his hands to either side of my face and kissed me back. We kissed slowly for a while until the sound of Father 'casually' clearing his throat as he continued up the stairs to the next floor quickly broke us apart.

I blushed and looked to the ground.

'I'm sorry for causing you any embarrassment in front of your father Elmira.' James said as he lifted my chin with two fingers.

'No really, its ok.' I whispered, knowing that Lydia would probably be trying to listen to our conversation.

'Good.' he said and kissed my forehead. 'I would like to say goodnight but first I must ask you a question.'

'What?' I said frowning in anticipation. Was he going to drop a bombshell? I prepared myself for the worst.

'Where's the guest room?' he said and smiled at his foolishness.

I sighed in relief and pointed to the end of the corridor. 'Just down there. Its one door from the end.'

He followed my instructions and turned to whisper back. 'I see we are only three doors apart Elmira. Goodnight.'

I laughed. 'Goodnight James.'

~xxx~

'Just four please.' I asked the fruit and vegetable lady.

'There you go Miss, four green apples.' she said as she handed me the apples.

'Thank you.' I smiled and left for the Fort.

It had been two days since James' stay at our house. It was slightly uncomfortable eating breakfast, Lydia wouldn't stop grinning, James looked incredibly nervous sat at the table with my father and Father himself looked extremely tired. We ate in mostly silence.

I reached the Fort and made my way towards James' office, still carrying the apples.

'Knock knock!' I sang as I swung open the door and ran to put the apples on his desk.

'Good Morning Elmira.' James rose from his chair and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek.

'These are for you.' I said handing him three of the apples and taking the fourth for myself.

'Thank you, I'll eat them later when I'm done with this paperwork.' he said looking over at his desk which was piled up with Harbour Notices, Port Checks and other boring items.

'Do you want me to leave? I understand if you're busy.' I said turning to leave.

'Not at all Elmira, I enjoy the company.' he said.

'Good.' I smiled and sat on the edge of his desk taking a bite out of my apple.

He walked round and stood in front of me.

'Do you like apples then?' he asked.

'Yes, I suppose, although my favourite fruit are pears but-'

I was cut off by James lips on mine. As I kissed him I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I could taste just a hint of apple on his mouth. He could probably taste it too.

He suddenly moved his lips and started to kiss down my jaw line. The feeling was strange but I grew used to it as he travelled down my neck. My hands gripped the desk when he nibbled slightly. I was overwhelmed by how bold he was being.

I decided to match his boldness and straightened one leg so it partially wrapped around his waist.

My grip on the desk tightened turning my knuckles white as his hand rested on my ankle and slowly started to slide up my leg underneath my dress. His lips met mine again and I kissed him harder than before. As soon as he hand reached my upper high he suddenly pulled away and stood in front of me, hands behind his back, head down.

I closed my parted lips and looked at him worriedly.

'I-I'm sorry Elmira, I shouldn't have done that. I apologise greatly.' he said, head still hung.

'No, James.' I said hopping down from the desk. 'Don't be sorry.' I said cupping his cheek. 'I…I enjoyed it…' I trailed off in embarrassment. I blushed slightly as I peered at thee floor.

'You did?' he asked.

'Of course I did…I love you and to me that was just a way of you proving you return my feelings…' I glanced up at his emerald eyes. 'James, I don't believe you could ever take advantage of me. Its not who you are. You're so caring, kind, that I couldn't ever see you doing that. It just not in your mind to do such a thing.' I said softly as his guilty eyes poured into my own. 'I love you James Norrington, so much that I can't fully explain.' I said, then realised how soppy it sounded.

'I love you too Elmira, more than you'll ever know.' he smiled and wrapped his arms around me as he held me close. I loved it when he held me, it made me feel safe and loved. I truly couldn't explain how I had come to fall in love with James. It all happened to quickly that I didn't even have time to fully register it until now. And I certainly couldn't believe he loved me back. That was a stroke of extreme luck indeed.

Sorry this chapter was short. Hope you enjoyed it all the same! Please let me know how this is going so far!

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