One Day at a Time

By: MJ

Chapter Ten: Life Moves On

"Mama."

She really wasn't asleep; how could she sleep? Somehow, though a light slumber had taken over, and she was slightly sleeping. She was about halfway there when she heard her son's anxious voice at her side. She was halfway tempted to just roll over and ignore him, to simply hope that if she did he would just go straight back to bed and sleep, too, but instead she opened her eyes to stare into his.

"It's today."

She knew this, already, but she didn't say anything to him about that. Instead she smiled, her eyes sparkling magnificently in the faint morning light before he spoke again.

"Let's go."

He ran from her room, and she followed quickly, still wearing the clothes she wore yesterday. She had merely collapsed in her bed after pacing her room at all hours of the night. She rubbed her eyes as she clambered down the steps, watching as her son darted to the front door.

"Where are we going?" She finally asked, her voice soft. He turned and smiled at her, his eyes just as sparkling as hers.

"The bluff—let's watch the sunrise!"

"Sunset," she whispered, knowing that was what Will was watching. At his sunrise… they would be together again. She smiled. "Of course," she whispered happily, stopping in the kitchen to grab them each an apple. She thought about it and poured two mugs of milk as well before she walked out the kitchen door to see her son already skipping his way to the bluff.

"Yo ho!" He shouted once he got there, unsheathing his sword and swinging it around. "I'm practicing, Mama," he said proudly, even from her spot she could hear the swishing. "For when Papa comes!" She shook her head as she came nearer.

"Later," she said and he put the sword away, taking his mug and apple, "I can teach you a bit more."

"Really?"

"Really. If you want to beat your father, you have to be rather good."

"Tell me more about Papa, Mama," Johnny said before he bit into his apple. The sweet crunch that followed brought a smile to her eyes as she thought of their first adventure on the Black Pearl.

"He's very brave."

"I know all that, Mama… like… what's his favorite thing to do?"

"Hmm," Elizabeth pondered the question. "I think… he enjoys practicing his sword fighting the most. He is the most excellent swordfighter."

"Wonderful!" Johnny squealed, sipping his milk. "He can really, really teach me, then! What… is his favorite color?"

"Blue."

"What is his favorite food?"

"…He likes most food, but especially his mother's roast beef."

"Roast beef? That's my favorite!"

She laughed, ruffling his hair as she took a bite out of her own apple.

"Does he… have any brothers or sisters?"

"No," she shook her head firmly. "Or, at least, he doesn't know them… after all, his father was a pirate," the last bit was more towards herself, but she shook her head. Bootstrap had only loved his wife, Charlotte. She smiled.

"Do he and Unca Jack get along?"

"Rather well… they're best friends, of course."

"Brilliant!" Johnny squealed. Elizabeth wondered where these questions were coming from, but merely dismissed it as nine-year-old curiosity. "…Does he drink a lot of rum?"

"He doesn't touch the stuff… ever." Elizabeth said firmly.

"…Does he own his own blacksmith shop?"

"I don't know," she said honestly. Did Mr. Brown die? Would Will get it then? She shrugged. "Perhaps."

"Mama, can Mr. Henry and Mrs. Ana and Mary and David and Elisabeth come and see Papa?"

"Perhaps not tonight… but tomorrow afternoon; they could come for supper," Elizabeth said, realizing that she would most likely have to share her time with Will. After all, she couldn't simply tell them he was coming and then not show them he was there.

"Can we tell them today?"

"Of course," she said. "I must go to the market, anyway—I'm going to make your father's favorites for supper… which we will have after sunset."

"Later?"

"Later."

"With Papa?"

"With Papa," Elizabeth affirmed, excitedly.

"Brilliant," Johnny repeated again. The sun was completely out of the ocean, now… he turned to his mother. "What should I wear?"

"Only your finest, I think!"

"Race you back, Mum!" He said quickly, darting to the house again with a quickly shouted, "I bet you can't beat me!"

She gathered her skirts and followed him, laughing at his innocence. He had beaten her of course, and she heard nothing but that as they dressed in their separate rooms. When she took his hand in hers, he had smiled mischievously before he took off once more. She grabbed her basket and followed him down the hill and into the little town.

"I get to see my Papa today!" He shouted as they entered the market, receiving the normal glares and glances all around. "He comes home today!" He shouted all the louder, giggling as he finally took his mother's hand. They bought their goods and moved their way to their friends' house, where they enjoyed lunch. Johnny told them all excitedly that they were invited for supper the next day, and Elizabeth hadn't noticed Mary and Johnny's secretive glances and giggles. Little did she know that Johnny had shared his secret, but Mary had kept her lips quiet. Her mother was quite the talker, after all.

"We'll be over at about six, is that fine?"

"Of course," Elizabeth had assured Mary as they made their way out of their small house, waving their good-byes to their friends. Elizabeth looked up into the sky; it was only noon. She still had nine painful hours to go without Will. She sighed. "What shall we do now?"

"Practice!" Johnny shouted joyfully, racing her up the hill again in his excitement. Elizabeth had put her groceries away quickly, marching up the stairs to gather her own sword from her closet; it was dusty, as she hadn't used it in a good three years. She met her son on the bluff where they practiced swordplay for what felt like hours. In actuality, Johnny had tired of it about forty-five minutes in. They fell into a heap in the grass, their swords forgotten as Elizabeth entertained Johnny with more stories of his father.

They practiced a bit more as the time slowly passed them by. Finally, Johnny had collapsed in the grass, begging her to stop for a moment until he caught his breath. Elizabeth looked up at the sky and sighed. Perhaps now would be a good time to begin Will's feast.

"C'mon, Johnny, you can help me prepare supper," she said softly to her young son, who stood up and gathered their swords.

"Okay, Mum," he said, his voice quiet and full of excitement. If they were beginning to prepare supper, then father was almost home… forever. "Let me put the swords away," he said, moving quickly into the house. Elizabeth looked once more towards the horizon. She couldn't believe this day was finally here. Did he look any different? She couldn't help but notice that she had. The skin sagged slightly around her stomach where Johnny had grown, but she was still as slim as ever. She had scars from stretch marks, and tiny wrinkles had formed around her eyes and mouth. She had pulled out her first gray hair only a few days ago, and she sighed at the thought. Regardless of how he looked, she would always love her Will.

"Mum!"

She turned to see her son staring impatiently at her from the kitchen door. "Yes, darling?" She called sweetly, as if she hadn't noticed that she had been out there a while. He rolled his eyes at her and moved back inside as he watched her come towards the house again. With one last wistful look towards the sea, she stepped inside the house and shut the door behind her.

"What are we making?" Johnny asked as he sat at the kitchen table.

"Roast beef," she said, getting out the ingredients for such. She took her time, creating the dramatic pause that she knew would keep Johnny from growing bored. "Mashed potatoes," she said, pulling out the ten potatoes they had purchased from the market. It was something that the Irish settlers made a necessity, and something Will had enjoyed when he was younger. "Peas," she grabbed the brown package full of the still-shelled peas, placing them in front of Johnny as he curled his lip in distaste. "Biscuits," she pulled out even more ingredients; the table was almost completely covered. "For dessert," she turned just in time to see his back straighten and his eyes widen, "Apple pie."

"Are all of those Papa's favorites?"

"Every last one," she nodded, smiling.

"They're my favorites, too," Johnny said, grinning.

"Even the peas?"

"Well," he relented with a sheepish smile, "maybe not the peas."

"Father," Will said as he walked up towards the older man, a smile on his face. "Do you know what today is?"

"Of course I do!" Bill grunted with a chuckle at his son. "None of the crew has ever seen a smile that big on yer face," he added with a wink, "we knew somethin' must be wrong…"

"Or right," Will said, gripping the railing as he stared out at the Sea of the Dead. "Are you sure she's still where you found her two years ago?"

"Aye," Bill affirmed, knowing that even if Elizabeth had wanted to move, that his defiant grandson would've made it impossible for her. He sighed sadly, something that was not unseen by Will.

"What's wrong?" He asked quickly, turning to look at his father. His father shook his head.

"Just merely thinking about things," he shrugged. Will knew that his father was keeping something from him, but did not press the matter. He feared that if he did, his father might tell him something that could keep him from seeing Elizabeth. He wasn't about to chance it, and perhaps he would simply ask him after he returned to the Dutchman in two days.

"I don't know if I can do this again," Will admitted after a pause, looking at his father firmly. "Ten years felt like an eternity… I'm sure it'll seem even longer this time," he noticed his father was smiling. "It's not funny."

"Of course it's not, me boy," Bill nodded, avoiding Will's eye. "I apologize."

"At least I have you here," Will continued to muse aloud. "That will be nice when I return." Bill said nothing, and Will continued, "Are you… planning on staying with me?"

"To tell you the truth, lad," Bootstrap said sadly, "I was planning on passing on to the afterlife…"

"I especially won't be able to do this without you!" Will said, exasperated and slightly angry. How could his father simply desert him like this?

"Ye won't need me, lad!" Bootstrap told him sternly, placing a hand on Will's shoulder. Will jerked it away, glaring at him. "Besides," Bootstrap continued, hoping to win Will over with his next point, "I haven't seen yer mother in a while, lad… it might be nice for me t'see her."

"I won't be able to see Elizabeth," Will pointed out, before he understood. "Oh," he said, looking down at his feet. "Well… when I return… I'll make sure you get safe passage."

"Of course," Bill smiled, but Will missed the odd look in his eyes as he looked out to sea again.

"It's only a few hours, now," Will said, looking at the night sky. It was already beginning to lighten, slightly; the sun would begin to appear soon. That sunrise was going to feel like forever.

"Aye… listen, Will… I have some things you should take with you before you go," Bootstrap replied. Will didn't ask any further questions; he knew that he should not, and that Bootstrap simply knew something he didn't… It seemed like everyone knew something he didn't.

"All right…"

The apple pie was the last thing that needed made, and it was almost complete. Johnny had run outside, and as soon as the sun truly began to descend into the sea, he would call her. Her heart was beating so loudly she was sure that God himself could hear it, and it wasn't about to stop. Her palms were sweaty, her stomach was flipping inside of her body, and she felt light-headed all at once. She felt just as she had as she was rowing the boat to the island that last day… she felt just as she had the morning before her ruined wedding… she felt just as--

"Mama!"

She nearly dropped the pie as she placed it on the counter. She sat it there and wiped her hands on her apron, untying it and throwing it on the table as she raced out the kitchen door and outside her house.

Johnny was already there, smiling brilliantly at her. "C'mon, Mama…" he said quietly. She knew the thoughts that must've been racing through his head; they were so similar to her own. Would Will still love her? Would he accept the life she had formed for herself? Had he moved on? Had he expected her to? She shook the thoughts out of her head as Johnny began singing the song as he jogged happily to the edge of the bluff.

"Yo, ho, yo ho," he sang sweetly, as she walked briskly to catch up with him. The sun was halfway through the ocean, "a pirate's life for me…" His little voice broke off as he bit his lip anxiously. She was at his side in a moment, her hands gripping his shoulders and pulling him close to her. They both waited on bated breath as the sun slowly descended into the ocean. Suddenly, it was gone. Elizabeth panicked as nothing happened and then—

Flash of green.

It was brilliant; probably twice as brilliant as the last time she saw it. She took in a sharp breath, and she felt her son breathe for the first time in the minute it had taken for the flash to occur. Suddenly, the ship appeared, and she couldn't help but let out a slight squeal. She took off running down the slope, as fast as her feet could take her. Her heart was nearly crashing out of her chest, her stomach was in her throat, "Oh, god," she whispered.

She watched him the whole time, her eyes never leaving the sight of him sailing so gallantly, clinging to the rigging, hanging so precariously off of the ship she couldn't help but swoon. He was so dashing in his stark-white shirt; his hair was so beautiful blowing in the wind. Finally, she was at the edge of the shore just in enough time to see him dive gracefully into the water. She waited on bated breath once more, waiting for him to surface. She watched him swim so powerfully and hard towards her, as if his life itself was on the line. She ran into the shallows, her skirts soaking up the water quickly, and then…

"Will!" She cried as he finally reached her, his arms finding their way around her small waist, his lips crashing onto hers without so much as a proper greeting. The kiss was furious and passionate, their tongues fighting as their lips moved in an unsynchronized dance. Their touches were greedy; her hands flying from his back to his neck, through his hair, on his chest. She knew where it was all leading, and as much as she ached for that particular act, she realized with a light heart that her son was standing not even five feet away. She broke off their kiss, gasping for breath as she leaned her forehead against his. His eyes were closed, his breathing heavy.

"Oh, Elizabeth," he all but moaned as he leaned in for another steamy kiss. She shook her head and backed away. Confused, he opened his eyes to see her smile.

"Will," she said calmly, taking a small hand and pulling a nine-year-old boy into view. Will's chest ached, his head was spinning; the boy looked so much like him. "This… this is William Jonathon Turner III," her voice was quiet, her eyes watching him carefully. He turned his attention to the boy.

His son seemed both frightened and excited, anxious and eager, he was chewing on his lower lip in a way that reminded him so much of Elizabeth… He bent down on one knee, the ocean's waves hitting him, urging him forward. He moved quickly through the water, nearly crawling to his son before he captured him in his arms, holding him so close it was almost as if he was a part of him. "Father!" He shouted triumphantly, and the name sounded so sickeningly sweet to Elizabeth's ears that she couldn't help but cry. "Oh, father!" Johnny screamed as Will laughed, fighting through his own tears at the thought of his son.

Suddenly, he jerked away, screaming bloody murder. Johnny's eyes were wide as he backed away from his father. Will gripped his chest, gasping for breath that would not come.

"No," Elizabeth moaned, running forward. She braced Will up in her arms, his chest to hers. She held his face in her hands as he winced and gasped in pain. "Stay with me," she whispered, trying to get him to look at her. "I will not lose you again..." She muttered, more to herself than him. He winced again.

"Ahh," he moaned pitifully, his eyes closing tightly. Lines were appearing on his face; around his eyes and near his mouth. She watched as some of his hair faded to gray. His body seemed fit, yet not as heavy against her. Then… she felt it. She pulled away with a gasp before her hand flew to his chest; trying to find it… there it was again.

"Your heart," she whispered, feeling the telltale beat once more. "It's… it's back." She all but sobbed as she collapsed into his waiting arms once more; the pain was gone.

Ye always had a touch o' destiny abou' ye, William Turner.

Calypso's voice whispered as the mist of the sea caressed their faces.

Enjoy yer life togetha.

Then, just as quickly, her voice was gone.

"Did… did you have any idea?" Elizabeth whispered, pulling away from him. He laughed lightly, kissing her forehead.

"Not a clue," he replied, laughing all the harder.

"I knew."

They turned to face their son somewhat guiltily; it was the second time that they had forgotten he was there. Will smiled sheepishly as Elizabeth looked at Johnny curiously. "How?"

"Grandpapa Bill told me two Christmases ago," Johnny shrugged simply with a smile. "Told me if I told you, that it wouldn't happen. You weren't allowed to know or else it wasn't a real test," he moved closer. "But you passed—with flying colors, it seems!"

They laughed harder now, Will pulling his son into their hug. They sat there for the longest time, Elizabeth and Will merely enjoying the warmth of each other's body again, and Johnny finally appreciating the feeling of having two parents. It was quiet, as they sat there on the beach holding each other, until Will's stomach rumbled something terrible, causing all three to laugh again.

"Hungry?"

"Starving—I haven't had a decent meal in ten years… and even then, the food on the Pearl was absolute rubbish," Will admitted awkwardly, smiling shyly at Elizabeth. She kissed his nose.

"I made your favorites… let's go."

They stood up and began to walk hand in hand before Will stopped them. "C'mon, William," he called to his son, who crinkled his nose in a look of disgust. "What—is that not your name?" He asked, quirking a brow. Johnny groaned.

"No, everyone calls me Johnny!" Johnny said indignantly, walking past his parents with a look that clearly said 'I don't want to watch you two anymore'. Elizabeth laughed as Will stood there, dumbstruck.

"Oh, come on, Will!" She said, pulling on his hand. "The food is getting cold!"

"Wait!" He said, catching up to her. She didn't miss his hurt look. "What's wrong with the name William?"

Dinner was uneventful, and soon Johnny's sleepless night caught up to him. He fell asleep as they all sat in the parlor, Johnny telling Will stories of when he was growing up. He missed the pained look in his father's eye, nor did he notice the way Elizabeth was constantly stroking his hand with her thumb, looking at him in a way that meant it wasn't his fault. When Johnny fell asleep mid-sentence, Elizabeth sighed and moved to pick him up to take him upstairs.

"No," Will whispered, putting a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see him looking at his son in only a way a father could; his eyes were so full of unconditional love that Elizabeth's own heart ached for his pain. "Let me." The words were so simple, and yet they held so much more inside of them. She nodded briefly, and he moved past her. She watched as he delicately picked up his son and cradled the boy in his strong arms, holding him close. "You're still going to have to show me," he said shyly, and she smiled at him.

"Right this way, then, Master Turner," she said, enjoying the way it sounded on her tongue. Her stomach flipped when he replied.

"Following you, then, Mrs. Turner."

They walked quietly up the stairs, and she led him into Johnny's room, where he lovingly placed the boy on his bed, tucking him in and blowing out the candle. Before he did so, however, he noticed something peculiar. "Is that--?"

"Your sword," Elizabeth said softly from the door. "Jack gave it to him for his ninth birthday—I hope you don't mind."

"'Course not," Will shook his head, his hands tracing the steel of the blade. He looked at Elizabeth with a wistful grin. "Do you know who I originally had made this sword for?" When she shook her head, his smile widened. "You."

"Me?" She asked, shocked. He nodded.

"It was your wedding present. I knew my wife would not want a new sewing kit, or something of that sort," he said quietly, thoughtfully. "I knew that my wife would want something she could use to protect herself… something that was so obviously made for her… something… special." He smiled at her. "I guess your real wedding present was just as special." She followed his gaze to their son and she nodded. "Let's let him sleep."

He walked out of the room, past her. She walked to her son's bed and kissed his forehead before she blew out the candle and walked out of the room. When she walked back into the hall, she noticed that Will was not there. She panicked only slightly until she saw that the door to her bedroom was ajar. She smiled to herself and walked inside to see him standing thoughtfully by the window. He turned to her when he heard the door click shut and she smiled at him.

"Oh, Will," she breathed, running towards him. He caught her in his arms as she began to weep uncontrollably. She had held it in for so long; she had remained so strong those past ten years… she needed to cry. She needed him there to let her cry. Her head fit so perfectly into the crook of his neck, his arms just felt right as they tightened around her waist. She sobbed into his shoulder, her tears seeming as though they would never stop. All the pain she had suffered, all the trials she had endured came out from where she had kept them all these years.

Finally… they both had a burden to bear… together.

She sniffed, moments later, the tears not being able to come anymore. As it grew silent, she realized that her own shoulder was wet. Confused, she pulled away to see that Will was crying. The tears were streaking down his worn, weathered face. She gasped slightly; she had never seen him cry. Not knowing what else to do, she leaned forward and kissed him soundly, and he had reciprocated just as hard. He began to move them towards the bed, and she smiled into the kiss, despite the fact that his tears were still coming. She realized he must've been mourning all the lives he had seen ended; all the souls he had to ferry. Little did she know of his other burdens, but she knew well enough that he would tell her in good time. As their kissing became less innocent, and their actions turning towards carnal, she let her mind wander back to her loving husband, who was returned to her once more.

Yes... there is an epilogue.

...And, yes... there is a sequel.

No, I cannot write smut.

Here it is! I was about this far when I attempted to write more... it just started pouring out of me. By the time I got to the thirteenth page on Word, I sat back at was like... "This is getting tedious." So, I cut it off, ending it here. I hope you all enjoyed it, as I LOVED writing this chapter. One more to go before I move on to the sequel--WHICH HAS A PLOT! I will finish off this story next week, and then I go away for two weeks in a row without Internet access, but this will give me time to work out all the finishing touches.

Thanks for reading--let me know what you think in a review!