"I can't believe this is happening to you, Isabel. But, I am happy for you. You are lucky to have someone like James. And he's lucky to have you as well."
"Thank you, Elizabeth. But, I was surprised when he asked me to marry him so soon. I guess this is what you call true love then, huh?"
"I guess so," said Elizabeth. "I am happy for you, Isabel. And in just a matter of minutes, the two of you will be exchanging vows and be husband and wife. So much has happened in just a short amount of time, and today is your wedding day."
"I still can't believe it either myself," said Isabel. "I only wish my parents were here. I miss them so much."
Elizabeth couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Isabel had lost her mother at a young age, and she had only lost her father not too long ago. Not only that, but she faced a traumatic experience that caused her to be a mute. But, she was also proud that Isabel had come such a long way after that. In just a short amount of time, she had found her voice again and she was becoming more open with each passing day. And now, she was getting married to Commodore James Norrington today. And Elizabeth had Will, and they both were going to be there and witness Isabel and James' marriage to one another.
"Your parents would be proud of you, Isabel," Elizabeth said. "I'm sure they are watching over you, and they still are right now. And they will also witness you exchanging vows with James, and sharing a life with him from this day forth."
"Thank you, Elizabeth," Isabel said, smiling at her. "That means a lot to me."
Elizabeth smiled, and finished putting Isabel's hair into a bun. Isabel had taken a deep breath, and let it out. She still couldn't believe that this was happening. She was about to marry James, and everything would change after this. Her life will be completely different, but she was glad that she could spend the rest of it with him.
"Well, it is time, Elizabeth," she said. "I'll see you and Will at the altar with James."
"Relax," Elizabeth said, rubbing her shoulder. "You'll be fine. You're ready. That is why they call it a rehearsal. Everything will be fine."
Isabel smiled, and Elizabeth nodded her head. She then handed her the bouquet and grabbed hers. The ceremony was taking place on the fort, the same place where James had proposed to Elizabeth before. But instead, it was going to be the place where James and Isabel marry. They took a carriage to the fort, and Isabel couldn't help but think about the events that were going to take place in a few minutes. She was going to walk down towards James, and then they would exchange their vows to each other. Then, they would be declared husband and wife, sharing their life with each other until the end.
They were greeted by Will when they arrived. Elizabeth stepped out, and then Isabel.
"You two look beautiful," he said, giving Elizabeth a small kiss on the hand.
"Thank you, Will," Isabel said with a small smile.
"Come. It's time, Isabel. And remember, just breathe. Okay?"
Isabel nodded her head before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Elizabeth and Will led the way, and Isabel remained a few steps behind them. So many thoughts were rushing through her head as they headed up the fort. Each step she took brought her closer to her marriage to James, and her heart wouldn't stop racing either. Before she knew it, she was standing right where she had to wait a few minutes until Will and Elizabeth were half-way down.
"This is it," she thought. "This really is it. The end of one and the beginning of a new life."
With Isabel waiting, James was getting nervous as well. His heart wouldn't stop racing, and he tried hard not to move a lot while standing in one place. He still couldn't believe that he was getting married, and so soon as well. It was only just a week ago that he had proposed, but he had wanted to get married to Isabel before anything else got in the way, and Isabel agreed. It was best for them to marry soon instead of waiting a while, just in case something were to happen. He just stood there, his hands behind his back, and waited for Isabel to walk down towards him. He gave a small smile when he saw Elizabeth and Will, and that only meant that it was almost time for Isabel to start walking down. He caught his breath when he saw her appear from the corner, and couldn't believe how beautiful she looked.
Isabel had a small veil on her hair, which was tied up into a bun. The dress was a perfect fit, and showed off the curves on her body. It was strapless, and was long in the back but short in the front, showing off her long, slender legs. For the color of the dress, it was a mix of white with red lace on top of it, with just the skirt of the dress being covered in the lace, and complete with red strapped shoes. James couldn't help but smile when he saw her, and kept on smiling as she walked towards him. Isabel saw him, and she smiled back at him. Both of their hearts were racing, and they couldn't believe that this was happening.
When she reached the altar, James extended his hand to her, and she took it. He smiled, and she smiled as well. Elizabeth and Will couldn't help but smile too, happy for the both of them, and happy to know that this will be them someday as well. They stood there, arm in arm, as the priest started the ceremony. James placed his hand on her arm, and she did the same with her other arm while she held her bouquet. When the priest asked them if they would like to speak of their own vows, they both nodded and faced each other. James held her free hand with both of his, and spoke first.
"Isabel, I am very thankful for the day when you entered my life. And I'm even more thankful that we get to be here, together. I will do in all my power to protect you and keep you safe. I love you with all my heart, Isabel Evans. And I'm glad to become your husband. My heart shall always belong to you."
James had choked back a few tears as he said his vow, and Isabel had held her tears back as well. Just from hearing his vow, she learned that he truly loves her, and she would do the same to protect him and keep him safe.
"James, I am thankful for the day you rescued me from the sea. Before you found me, I couldn't help but wonder if I was going to die there and never live to see another day. But because of you, I was able to not only live again, but found my reason to speak. I've been in love with you since our journey, and I will do whatever it takes to protect you and keep you safe as well. I love you with all my heart, James Norrington. I love you so much, and I'm glad to become your wife. My heart belongs to you and you alone."
Once they were done exchanging vows, Will and Elizabeth handed over their wedding bands, and James and Isabel took them. Once the rings were placed on each other's fingers, the priest had said his final words, and bringing the ceremony to an end. Isabel wrapped her arms around James' neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist as they kissed, making them husband and wife. The priest smiled and had congratulated them.
"Congratulations, you two," said Will. "I'm sure you two will live a long and happy life together. You look great together."
"Thank you, Mr. Turner," James said. "You do well to take care of Elizabeth."
"He will, James," said Isabel. "And I'm sure Elizabeth will make sure that Will doesn't get into too much trouble."
"That I will, Isabel," Elizabeth said, letting out a small laugh.
"And do please let us know when you two have picked a wedding date," Isabel said. "I don't want to miss your wedding, Elizabeth."
"I know. Well, first Will has to propose before we can choose on a wedding date. But, that day will come someday. For now, today is your big day Isabel. I'm happy for you."
"And I'm sure your parents are happy as well," said Will.
"Isabel. Let's get going," said James.
"I know. Thank you for being here you two. It means a lot."
"We're glad to have been here for the both of you. Now go, you two deserve time alone."
Isabel hugged Elizabeth and then Will. Elizabeth hugged James while he and Will just shook hands. Isabel had tossed her bouquet as she and James started to leave. Elizabeth caught it and couldn't help but smile and laugh. They were glad for them, and glad that all of them were able to find happiness and be with the person they have chosen. They were especially happy for James and Isabel. Now they were married, and happy to share their life together. Elizabeth was especially happy now that she can be with Will, and the same can happen for her someday. For now, she was fine with seeing Isabel happy.
James had decided to spend time at Isabel's house. He felt it necessary to just stay where she was more comfortable with, and that was the comfort of her own home. Even though she kept saying she would be fine either way, he only wanted to make her feel safe and be in a place that was more familiar to her. He didn't want to push her, and he definitely didn't want to push her into doing anything she wasn't ready for. He wanted to take things slowly, and they had all the time now that they are married. When they reached her home, James had picked her up and carried her inside, as per tradition. Isabel couldn't help but laugh when he picked her up and carried her inside the house.
He gently let her down, and Isabel turned and kissed him once more. He cupped her face when she wrapped her arms around his neck as they kissed. When they broke apart, he noticed that she had a look of worry, and he understood it.
"Isabel," he said, placing his fingers under her chin, having her look at him. "I won't push you into doing anything you don't feel ready to do. We will go at your pace, and go when you are ready. I won't hurt you, and I don't want to. We will take our time. I don't care how long it takes. I just want you to be happy, and I want to be the one that brings you that happiness."
Isabel smiled as tears escaped, and streamed down her face. She hugged him as she buried her face into his chest. He softly kissed her head as he held her in his arms, gently rubbing her back. The worry she had before was now gone. She was glad that James was willing to wait a bit longer before they did anything. She wasn't ready, but she will be someday. And she was glad that she didn't have to do anything anytime soon. They will take their time, and Isabel will do the same to make James happy.
Isabel and James spent the next few days spending time together, and doing things together. James was out of uniform, and it still felt odd for Isabel to see him wearing something else other than his uniform. He was taking time away from his duty, but he was fine with it. He wanted to spend whatever free time he had with his wife. He also had settled to move out of his home, and move in Isabel's house. He didn't want to take her away from her home just yet, and would only move if she ever felt it was time for her to move on.
As they spent time together, they would bump into familiar faces, like Gillette and Groves. Both were a bit upset that they weren't invited for the wedding, but they forgave them since they were glad to see that James and Isabel were happily married together. Some people even pulled them aside to give them late wedding gifts, and to wish them happiness and long life together. Isabel still couldn't believe that she was married, and to Commodore James Norrington as well.
They would also bump into Elizabeth from time to time, and sometimes at night, they would see her with Will. James couldn't help but be thankful for Elizabeth showing her true feelings that day. If she hadn't, then he wouldn't be married to Isabel right now. Things would have been completely different. And he was thankful that Elizabeth showed him that she loved Will and not him.
One night, the day before James went back to his duties after his small break had ended, Isabel woke up in the middle of the night. She had stepped out onto the balcony from their room, and stared up at the night sky. James had woken up, and saw that she wasn't there next to him. He looked around, and was relieved just to see her outside. He got out of bed and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"Was it a nightmare?" he whispered, softly kissing her cheek.
Isabel only nodded her head yes, and let out a breath.
"That night still haunts me, James," she said. "It keeps coming back."
"It is in the past now, my dear. I won't let anyone come near you like that disgusting pirate did. I will whatever I can in my power, to keep you safe, Isabel."
"I know, James. I know you will."
James then turned her around, and kissed her forehead. Isabel smiled, and tiptoed a bit so she can kiss him as well. He placed his hand on her cheek as they kissed, and Isabel placed her hands on his chest. She then pulled away softly, and James just smiled at her.
"I will go at your pace, Isabel. When you are ready," he said. "I don't want to hurt you. I love you, Isabel."
"I know. And I'm thankful that you understand," she said, smiling at him. "I love you too, James."
They kissed one last time before heading back inside. Once in bed, James had wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. And from that day forward, Isabel no longer had the nightmares.
A.N. - Hey guys. Sorry for the long wait. Not only was I busy, but I also had the infamous case of Writer's Block. Yeah. Those things suck. But, here is a new update. Hope it was worth the wait for you. Next chapter leads us into Dead Man's Chest. So, look forward to that. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. And hope that it was worth the wait.
-HotaruKenobi