AN: I'm not sure if I'll be able to update this week. If not, Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Anonymous reviews are ON. Read, enjoy, and review!
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That day, I made the famous –and stubborn, might I add- pirate captain rest. True, what we did to past the time wasn't exactly lying still, but he wasn't out gallivanting the decks like he'd been pestering me to do. He'd tried to get out of staying in his cabin, but a kiss from me was enough to convince him to stay put.
The next morning, however, he decided that he could escape. I awoke to feel the mattress moving as someone got up. Knowing it was Jack, I cracked open my eyes to see him going into the privy. Dismissing his action, I closed my eyes once more and relaxed, about to go to sleep again; that is, until I heard him exit the privy and he sat on the foot of the bed. No doubt he was putting on his boots; about to go do is duty as captain.
Before he left, he came over to me and bent down, gingerly brushing the hair aside from my eyes as I faced the wall, kissing my forehead. I met his gaze, raising my eyebrows up at him tiredly. "What're you doing?"
"I've been in here for over a week, love. I need to go out onto deck."
"No, you don't…"
"Andie, you're not in control-"
"Neither are you!" I snapped, noticing that I was still somewhat pinned beneath him.
He gazed gently at me. "I'll drink some more of that tea in a moment to fight the infection, but honestly, darling, you don't want me in here much longer." I rolled my eyes, hating that he was right. "Why don't ye join me? After I've checked on everything, what say you to finding out what Gibbs got from Cyrus then strolling through the town?"
I nodded in defeat, realizing that I still had to pick up my dress from that shop. My Lord, the man knew how to make someone un-mad at him, as it were. With pleading eyes, I looked up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he stood over me. "First, though, what say you to lying back down?" He opened his mouth to protest and I fake-pouted at him, causing him to sigh for he knew that it was useless to argue with me so early.
I moved back towards the side that he usually occupied, making room for him to lie with me. He grinned as he lay down on his back, crossing his ankles as he lounged on the bed. I rolled my eyes as he reached up and pulled down his hat over his eyes, knowing he wasn't really going to nap… at least, he'd better not after the lecture he'd just given me!
Figuring that he was well enough to resume his duty as captain, I figured that he could stand me placing my head on his chest. I did so, hearing him grunt slightly but it didn't stop him from placing his arms around me, pulling me close. "I missed this," I whispered as I listened to his heartbeat.
"Aye, you're not the only one, lovely," Jack chuckled as he kissed the top of my head sweetly.
Neither of us said anything else for a few moments, both of us drifting into our thoughts. I lay there, thinking how patient Will had been that day in town. Jack was the complete opposite, but I was grateful. An obedient man wouldn't have been any fun, for me at least. However for slightly bossy and pregnant Elizabeth, that sort of man was perfect.
How far along was she? I figured that she was almost a full two months along, but I wasn't sure. After all, she hadn't kept track to the day when she'd realized that she was pregnant. That thought made me concentrate on myself; I hadn't kept track since the last time my 'illness' had visited me.
Panic seized me, my head spinning. "Jack," I started, shaking slightly in fear, "when was the last time I tore your head off?"
He chuckled, one of his hands running up and down my body. "You mean not including when I was 'recuperating'?" I growled in frustration, trying to get my point across. Finally, he got what I was asking him. "Oh. I'm not sure, love. Why, you're not… are you?"
I sighed, burying my head in his chest. "I'm not sure. I suppose we'll have to wait to find out."
I could hear his heart hammering from worry and panic in his chest. Not wanting to think on it one moment longer, I sat up and climbed over him, immediately finding my boots and pulling them on. "Darling…" He, too, got up and held me by my arms in front of him.
"I'm alright," I murmured. His gaze didn't lighten up on me in the slightest. "I'm alright, Jack," I said a bit more firmly, kissing him gently before turning to get my sword and a pistol.
"If you insist," Jack whispered as we left.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
According to Gibbs, Cyrus had said that it was fine by him, and he would follow us to the island. He'd also said that we could stay at his home while we finished planning the wedding, which would be held on the island where we'd build a house for ourselves. He would have his crew build it.
Presently, Jack and I were walking through Tortuga with Lizzie and Will close behind. We reached the dress shop and I stopped, pulling out of Jack's hold to go inside. Lizzie caught on and she did the same with her husband, causing Jack's face to show his confusion. "Where are you two ladies going?"
I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my tiptoes to kiss his nose. "I have some business to attend to, as it were. Will can keep you company." Jack raised his eyebrows at me as he met my lips gently.
"Aye, well hurry, darling. We still need to go find Cyrus to tell him that we leave with the evening tide." I nodded and kissed him once more before turning to my companion, locking arms with her and feeling rather excited.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"What the bloody hell is she doing in there? She doesn't have any money on her…" Jack paused his ranting, turning to Will who was standing there patiently, as always. "You; you were with them the last time they were in town. She's up to something, isn't…" Something moving through the shop's rather dusty window caught his eye. It was Andie, and she was twirling in front of Elizabeth. She was wearing a rather dashing dress, no doubt custom-fit. "She's beautiful," he murmured as he watched her disappear behind the changing screen once more.
Will chuckled, resulting in a glare from Jack. "Aye, but isn't it bad luck for the groom to see the bride's dress before the wedding?"
"For your information, mate, I've been through worse, need I remind you? I've been killed, no thanks to your lovely wife…" Mentioning Elizabeth reminded him that his own woman may well indeed be in the same state as dear Lizzie.
"Alright, we're ready!" His fiancée's cheery voice brought him out of his panic-stricken state.
With a warning glare to William, Jack began to lead them to the Bride where Cyrus could hopefully be found. If the whelp had enough sense, he wouldn't tell a soul that Andie's dress had been seen.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As we finished our drinks, I couldn't help but notice that there was something tense about Jack as he talked with Cyrus about the plans. "…There are plenty of trees, so wood won't be an issue, and our home is on an island with a small town, so any additional supplies can be bought there," I heard the eldest man say.
"Thanks again, mate. It'll be nice to have somewhere to stay, not to mention incase something happens. The Pearl's crew can also help out."
Cyrus nodded and met my gaze and I stared back weakly. Perhaps I'd had too many drinks and my mind was leaving me. After all, I'd consumed over three, maybe even four. All I knew was that I'd had more than Jack, and that was obviously concerning him.
"We'll see you later, Cyrus." The elder nodded at Jack as we left.
Halfway back to the Pearl, however, I began to feel the alcohol kick in, causing me to walk unsteadily. "C'mon, darling, we're almost there…"
From all sides, I could see Will and Lizzie watching me with worry. I didn't know what had caused me to drink so much. All I did know was that I certainly didn't want to be pregnant, which I prayed I wasn't. I couldn't be, not yet anyways.
Jack ended up carrying me to our cabin, the door being kicked shut behind him as he rushed to lay me down on the bed. My mind was fogging up, for I could barely tell that my boots and weapons were being removed. All I could feel was Jack laying beside me, and I immediately curled up next to him, scared to death.
"Are you alright, Andie?"
I nodded, feeling his hands run up and down my back and side. "I'm getting married, of course I'm alright," I slurred, knowing that he probably didn't understand a word that I'd just said. If fate would have it, my body was just playing a sick joke on me. A scare.