Embracing Katrina

(Sequel to With Katrina… Three-quel to Including Katrina)

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean (characters, plot, dialogue, etc.). Any other tid-bits of creativity, however, are mine… in which I hope you will enjoy. Please be sure to read and review!

Author's Note: Hope this is a bit better… it's a tad bit longer than the previous chapters… I'll try to keep them with good length… but I can't make any promises. Anyway, just let me know what you all think! The reviews are most encouraging and helpful!!!

Chapter 14

Her Room

"Lady Sparrow?" Howell's voice called from the hallway, "Lady Sparrow?"

"She's in here," Will yelled out the doorway.

"There ye are," Howell said as he entered the small cabin and gave Katrina a curt nod before looking about the room, "You're not settlin' in 'ere, are ye?"

"What do you mean?" Will asked, not allowing Katrina to speak for herself.

Howell changed his gaze from Katrina to Will, "What I mean is that Captain Teague 'ad me set up a room fo' 'is daughter-in-law… and believe me… it's not this 'ere room."

Katrina raised an eyebrow curiously as Will helped her to sit up, "Is that so?"

"Aye," Howell answered.

"Then by all means, show the way to this better room," Katrina said excitedly.

With Will taking her hand, as well as the blankets and bag of dresses, the two followed Howell to another door further down the narrow hall.

"This," Howell declared upon opening the door and leading Katrina and Will in, "is your room… all provided by Captain Teague 'imself."

Katrina's eyes marveled as she looked about. The room was much larger than the previous room she was in and was decorated beautifully with all things of rich, deep reds and golds.

"This is amazing!" Katrina breathed as Will led her about the room.

The four-poster bed with curtains pulled back was in the far left corner, allowing room for a small vanity, dresser, bookshelf, and…

"No!" Katrina gasped as a hand flew to her mouth in shock at what sat at the far right corner of the room, "No! Teague couldn't have!"

Howell laughed at Katrina's reaction as Will gave the pirate a suspicious look, for he didn't understand what was going on.

"It is all for you, Lady Sparrow," Howell said as he offered to pull the bench back so that Katrina could sit, "Captain Teague thought it would be good fo' ye durin' this long journey."

Katrina smiled as tears filled her eyes, "I don't know if I can… it's been so long."

"Well, at least give it a try," Howell nudged, "Ye might surprise yourself."

Katrina hesitated.

"At least, do it for Captain Teague. 'e loves 'ow ye play."

Katrina finally gave in and slowly took a seat at the small pianoforte, Will letting her go reluctantly.

Katrina placed her fingers carefully on the keys, taking her time in remembering a song to play. It took a long moment, but a song finally came, and she softly began to play the simple tune.

"Excellent," Howell acknowledged, "Now I can set this ship t' sail!"

With that said, Howell bowed before Katrina and left the room.

"I didn't realize that you played the pianoforte, Katrina," Will said as he leaned against the instrument.

"Oh, Will," Katrina sighed as she finished her song, "It's been too long since I last played. In fact, I think the last time I did play was nearly a year ago when Jack introduced me to his father shortly after we were married."

"Did you not have one of these in your room with Jack aboard the Pearl?"

Katrina shook her head, "No."

"Why not?" Will asked, surprised.

"Oh, because of Jack," Katrina choked on her laugh as she thought back, "Apparently no pianoforte was good enough for me. I can't tell you how many places among our travels that we looked into purchasing one. Yet every time I believed to have found a good one, Jack found a problem with it. The pianoforte was too big or too small, not the right shape for our room, not the right color, out of tune, too heavy to bring aboard the Pearl… and so on."

"It's alright, Katrina," Will said gently as he wiped the few tears that spilled down her face.

"Oh, I know," Katrina tried to laugh again, "He just wanted the very, very best for me. This wasn't the only object that he did this with… it was the same for my vanity set… my dresses… nearly everything of mine back on the Pearl."

"Well," Will began to point out in a joking manner as he gestured to the surrounding room, "you can see where he gets his mindset of wanting the best for you."

Katrina finally broke into a true laugh, "Yes, I suppose it is true that the apple does not fall far from the tree."

Will joined in with Katrina's laughter until she fell silent, her tears now pouring down her face steadily.

"No, please, Katrina," Will took one of her hands in his, "You were just laughing."

"I know," Katrina shook her head, "but I just miss him so much."

Will got on his knees before Katrina and wrapped her into a hug as she remained seated on the bench.

"We're on our way to retrieve him, Katrina," Will whispered, "You'll be together again before you know it."

Katrina didn't say a word as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Please, Katrina," Will pleaded as he rubbed her back, "Pull yourself away from these sad thoughts. How about you play another song for me? I'd really enjoy listening to another piece played on the pianoforte."

Katrina seemed to calm down and slowly pulled away from Will, "Honestly? Because you know that I can hardly play a thing."

"Oh, Katrina," Will gave her a small smile, "I don't believe that's true. But yes, I honestly would love to hear you play another song."

Katrina took a deep breath before turning back towards the keyboard. Will stood up as she began to play.

"Lovely," Will said aloud to Katrina as she went on playing, his eyes fixated on her as he took a seat in a nearby chair, "Just lovely."