Triplets in Love

By: Raven in Red

The Gardener triplet sisters' adventures continue as their relationships bloom even further and they take off after their sworn enemy. Long story, told in three parts, please R&R

Part Two: Sisters Apart

Chapter Twenty-One: Pregnancy Secrets and Career Planning

Lily woke up to a beautiful morning sunshine peeking through the window and warming her face. Unfortunately, rather than being peaceful and happy, she instantly felt another wave of nausea and had to run outside to the railing and go through her usual morning sickness routine. Beckett was at her side in a matter of minutes, rubbing her back gently until the ordeal was over.

"I should be used to this by now," Lily sighed. Every time she threw up, she was overcome with exhaustion and was forced to sit down on the deck. This time, however, her fiancé secured an arm around her waist and led her back to the cabin, where he sat her down in a comfortable chair and laid a cool, wet cloth over her forehead.

Lily sighed happily. "Thank you, darling," she whispered with a smile.

"Anything for you," Beckett replied simply before dropping a kiss onto the top of her head. "You are my dream, my lifeblood, and my greatest desire."

"I never thought you to be a man of poetry, Cutler Beckett," Lily smiled.

"Those words come from my own heart, however cold many people believe it to be," Beckett leaned down and kissed her cheek. However, all he got in response from Lily was a distracted sigh. "What's wrong?" he asked with genuine concern.

"I have something to tell you," Lily confessed. "It is something I have never told a single living soul since I learned of it during my childhood."

"I'm listening," Beckett took a seat in the chair next to her and took her hand gently.

"When I was twelve, my mother informed me of a tragic series of events," Lily began. "She explained to me that I should have had two older brothers and an older sister. They all died during the pregnancies and were stillborn. After that, she was terrified to have any more children and almost stopped trying. Finally, she managed to give birth to Holly, Jasmine, and me, and by the grace of God we all survived, despite the fact that we were born early. After that, her body would not bear any more children. The sad thing is that she never told this to Holly or Jasmine. She only told me, and it was while she was lying on her deathbed." Starting to get choked up, Lily took a deep breath and continued. "Ever since then, I've been completely terrified of becoming pregnant. After learning of the difficulties my own mother faced while trying to bear children, I've so scared that I would face those same difficulties. I don't want to lose my children like she did."

"Sweetheart," Beckett reached over, took her other hand as well, and kissed them both. "While I cannot simply assure you that our child will be born safe and healthy, I can assure you that I will always be here for you and that I love you."

"Thank you," Lily managed a tearful smile. "It's just that every round of morning sickness or pain or anything else does nothing but worry me." Then she sighed again. "My fear and anxiety were the main reason why I shunned you for so long after we were in bed together. I foolishly thought that if I ignored you and refused to believe any of it, the whole situation would just disappear as if I had woken up after a dream."

"Well, all things aside, it was a beautiful night, if I do say so myself," Beckett smiled. "And I really don't think you should be so scared about your situation. Every pregnancy has its risks, but you should think of it as a chance to start a family, a healthy family, and live a more complete life. And…you should think of it as an event that will bring us closer."

"Are you suggesting that we are not already close enough?" Lily folded her arms and pretended to be offended.

"No, absolutely not," Beckett reassured her with a kiss. As he secured a hand around her neck to deepen the kiss, she pulled away.

"Ugh!" she groaned. "I wish I could stop thinking about it!"

"What?" Beckett looked both hurt and concerned.

"I just can't stop remembering your vendetta against Jasmine!" Lily burst out all of a sudden.

"Sweetheart," Beckett sighed. "I can't change what has already happened, but I can tell you this: my love for you is greater than any other facet of my life. Even if, according to law, Jasmine is a criminal, sending her to the gallows would be equivalent to sending my own sister to the gallows."

Lily sighed with relief. She was happy he felt that way. Throughout the duration of hers and her sisters' relationships, she always wondered how the three men would get along as brothers-in-law.

"I guess I'm just overreacting," Lily admitted. "Pregnancy does have its ups and downs."

"Just promise me you'll try not to worry about the baby?" Beckett leaned down and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Of course," Lily smiled.

"Good," Beckett concluded with a kiss.

"How are you feeling?" Norrington asked as he prepared a cold, wet compress for Holly's bruises.

"My face hurts," Holly complained. Norrington laughed a bit and then placed the compress over a bruise on her cheekbone. To Holly, a simple wet cloth did a world of good to ease the pain throughout the delicate skin of her face.

"Are you alright from last night?" he inquired with deep concern in his voice.

"No," Holly admitted with a heavy sigh. "It's just so frustrating that he's managed to best Jasmine twice and now me. He's almost unstoppable."

"We would need an armada to take him down for good," said Norrington.

"Could we send out for help?" Holly suggested.

"Yes," Norrington nodded. "Over in England, the King is preparing a special fleet for us to use against Reeve."

"How many ships?" Holly was excited.

"At least a dozen," Norrington smiled. "We'll get to him, Holly. I promise. Reeve will be caught and executed just like every pirate we've dealt with in the past."

Holly smiled again, her excitement continuing to grow.

"I've never seen you so excited about catching pirates before," Norrington laughed while taking her hands.

"I have a very personal hatred towards that man," Holly admitted. "First, he ruins out wedding. Then, he threatens the lives of my sister and a man I look to as a brother. Above all, Jasmine's pregnancy resulted from forced rape. With all of that put together, I'll gladly stand and watched as he is hung by the neck until dead."

"Well, when the fleet is ready for our use, I will make sure we have personal command over a number of the ships," Norrington stated. "Considering your enthusiasm for this mission."

"I can only imagine the relief I will surely feel when he is finally brought to justice," Holly sighed.

"I can assure you that all of us are feeling that way, maybe not as strong as you are, but we still feel it," Norrington reassured her by kissing her hand.

"But I still think our first course of action should be to locate Lily and Beckett and warn them of Reeve's forces," Holly reminded him.

"Of course," said Norrington. "I have a detailed map of their intended course. We'll simply follow that until we reach them."

"Good," Holly nodded. Then she smiled. "We sure do have a remarkable team, don't we?" When Norrington gestured her to continue, she did. "We've got Jasmine and Jack, who probably make up the most challenging pirate force in the Caribbean. We've got Lily and Beckett, who hold a considerable amount of authority over the rule of the oceans. Finally, we've got you and me, who will never back down or give up."

"I would consider that quite remarkable," Norrington laughed a bit. "I'm so proud of you, Holly."

"And why would that be?" Holly had a smug grin on her face.

"You've essentially taken charge of a very complex, difficult, and dangerous situation," he praised. "To be honest, when we were first in courtship, I thought you would be the kind of lady that stayed at home to take care of children. I never expected you to be a woman of the sea, hunting pirates with the obvious passion you are showing."

"I guess I've found my life's purpose," said Holly.

"You know, I just thought of something," said Norrington. Holly raised one eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue. "I could give you a position as a privateer under the employment of the Empire."

"I was actually wondering about that myself," said Holly. "I just wonder how Jack and Jasmine would take that. They're not exactly the most law-abiding people."

"They're family," said Norrington. "Although, as a privateer, you would be attacking military enemies of the Crown, rather than pirates."

"But enemies of the Crown are still deserving of justice," Holly pointed out.

"I'll talk to my commanding officers as soon as possible," Norrington concluded. "Your main focus would most likely be the Spanish trading vessels that sail these waters." Then he gave her another proud smile. "You will be doing your mother nation a world of good, if you choose this path. Not to mention, you would probably one of very few, if any, women in that field of work."

Holly felt completely drowned in praise and personal pride. "As long as you're at my side, I have no doubt that I could do it."

Author's Note: Let's all hope that Lily has a safe pregnancy and delivery! Also, good luck to Holly on her upcoming career path!