Disclaimer: I own nothing that has a Disney trademark label already on it, however my original characters are my property-no matter what they say. Please do not sue, I have nothing to give.
Author's Note: Well here we are again, but this won't be happening for much longer. This, I can officially say, is the second to last chapter! (And yes it's a long one as I made some changes and combined parts of another chapter) One more to go, and man am I feeling it, we're in the home run people! If there's anything I can say is that it's been fun, this story has been part of my boring life for quite some time and it's refreshing to see it come to it's conclusion. All that's left is the epilog and then I'm going off pirates for a while. What with the new movie and the other fics I'm working on, I think I'll leave the final installment for a later date. Well that's about it for now, hope you like this one and if you feel extra nice please leave a review.
The Black Diamond
It was silent in the cabin, save for the soft, lulling crashing of waves against the hull of the ship as she rocked. Outside could be heard the laughter and talking of the crew, accented by the echoes of goings on in the port so near by. If only it was so light hearted in the recesses of the captain's quarters. There were only two occupants inside said room, both on opposite ends of the dining table- as far from one another as possible. On one side was Emma, clean for the first time in she did not remember when and wearing fresh clothes generously donated by the young man across from her. That young man was of course Zachariah, who was looking in every direction except for foreword. Least to say it was an uncomfortable silence, no doubt brought on by the recent memory of a certain kiss they shared upon her rescue. Now that the adrenaline had come down, the adventure over with and their senses returned to them it seemed that not even the heightened levels of maturity they gained could stop the awkward looks and shyness that came back whenever they were in sight of one another.
After they had left the tavern, their siblings going their own ways, the two were unsurprised yet still uncomfortable to find themselves alone with one another. Zack, who at first spent some time taking an extra drink, went to find a place to hide and gather his thoughts. Of course went to his own chamber was the first place his partially inebriated mind went to, only upon opening the door he found it already occupied. Emma, thinking much the same thing had been told by a crewman to have a moment alone and was kind enough to get a bath for her. She had just finished tying the collar of a shirt she found in a trunk, she figured her host would mind over much, when he arrived-thank goodness she was done dressing. Not entirely knowing what to do, the two young adults simply stared at one another at first. Then she had apologized for invading his room to which he let the trespass slide. Silence carried through for a few moments after that until he got up the courage to ask her if she wanted to have a seat, she took one and he the other. And that was how they found themselves in the present situation.
Emma at last took the chance and looked over to the man on the far end of the table. She could not help but think he was so much more attractive then his brothers.
Zack felt her stare and turned his own gaze over to her. The girl had changed but still retained that wide eyed exuberance that drew him in before.
It was at this moment that they both at last found it in them to speak, resulting in a rather effective ice breaker.
"I-" they began then instantly stopped.
"Do you-" again they tried again only to end in silent grins.
"We-" now they just burst into laughter.
This was perhaps what was needed most, a light and easy way to break the uncomfortable quiet with something that made the two smile instead of stew in uncertainty.
"You go first," she said, tucking a short lock of blond hair behind her ear.
"Thank you," he took a breath, leaning forward on both arms. "I wanted to say…I'm sorry for actin' the way I did…before. It was childish and I hope ye don't hold it against me."
"For kissing me?"
He nodded sheepishly.
"There's no need to apologize, it's not like I didn't like it or anythin' like that," again she laughed and it sounded much like the laugh he knew from before her disappearance. He was not totally startled by her answer, after all she did not push him away at the time. However he was surprised by her reply now, it all honesty it gave him a tiny spark of hope that something might actually come of it.
"And what did you want to say?" he hoped he was playing his cards right, letting her speak her mind should let her see he valued what she thought, or so he had been told.
"I…wanted to thank you-again- for coming for me," a pretty blush came over her tan cheeks. "And about what happened….I," she took a deep breath and sat up a little straighter. "We never really figured out what's between us did we?"
"No, not really," he commended her for pointing out what he could not, she had indeed grown and it only made her more attractive to him.
"It's not like the others, at least not yet," Emma bit her lip and shook her head as if to shake off any second thoughts. "But I'd like it to be."
"Ye would?" he asked, not able to control the smile that formed across his face.
"I would," she answered, smiling her gorgeous smile back at him.
"It won't be easy, ye're not like your oldest sister who can't go back to Port Royal, you still have that choice."
"Don't you think I know that? I've been livin' with pirates long enough, don't you think? If what just happened to me didn't get me ready for a life like this then I don't know what will."
"Then I would like yer seal on this deal, Miss Emma." Before she even had a chance to ask what on earth he meant by that he was already clear across the table and ending their 'deal' with a kiss.
Across the hall, in the first mate's cabin a similar conversation was taking place. Alexander lay sprawled over the small bed, his long legs half dangling off the edge, both arms cushioning his head. Seated next to him was Amanda, leaning over the back of the chair laughing as he retold stories of just about everything under the sun. It did not take them long to discover just where their respective siblings had gone off to and after deciding to be polite had instead booted the first mate from the spare room to give the youngsters some time alone. Now it also didn't hurt that Alex was then able to have Amanda alone either, he just considered it his reward for being so kind to his younger brother.
"And then the next thing I know Zack comes runnin' out, wearin' this horrible pink monstrosity of a dress! The pub behind him erupts into flames, catchin' the tail end of the skirt on fire and he run head long into the horses' trowel! Lucky he was the last one out, but the wench the get up belonged to seemed more angry then the owner did, he was still asleep in the ditch across the street the whole time."
"How the hell did it blow up like that?"
"Somethin' to do with a faulty fireplace and a fake leg I'm not totally sure, all I remember is falling over laughin' at his sorry self running about with his bum on fire."
"Wish I could have seen that."
If it was wrong to be making a light hearted conversation over the embarrassment and pain of a sibling they paid it no mind. Anything was better then dwelling on the last day and if that meant it was at the price of Zack's dignity then so be it.
"So how come you're not asking why he was dressed as a lady?" Alex asked, pushing up on one arm.
"I heard once that Jack impersonated a nun, so I guess it just didn't surprise me much," Amanda rested her chin on her folded on hands upon the chair back.
"Now how did ye find out 'bout that?"
"My friend Will, said it was read off with a huge list of grievances when the Governor tried to have your brother hung."
"Oh, that little incident, makes sense," he smiled at the memory.
"So your family just has a tendency of cross-dressing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Now don't go throwin' too many stones when I seem to recall you and yer sister runnin' about in some rather risqué disguises not too long ago."
"That's just your wicked family rubbing off on mine."
Alex burst out in laughter at that rebuff, she soon followed his example. By the time the loudness toned down to slight chuckling there were tears dripping down their reddened faces. Spending the early night with his father and brothers had indeed been a pleasure a long time in coming but he was fast finding his time in Amanda Collins' company just as warming. This was something that he knew had been building for some time, when adventure had not put itself in the way. He had been smitten from the moment he first set eyes on the fiery redhead, determined on her mission to save her oldest sister. Really though what was it with her family and getting themselves into such sticky situations? In time he had simply put it up to something he would just have to get used to.
"So tell me, Captain Sparrow," she called his attention from thoughts of her to the reality of them, "what are your plans from 'ere? Your evil brother is defeated, the ship is stocked and the crew I'm sure is getting' restless." He paused a moment, adjusting his pose on the bed to something he assumed was appealing, all the while stroking his chin in make believe thought.
"Well that partly depends on you, Miss Collins," was his low voiced, slowly spoken answer.
"On me? Do tell!" It was not hard to see she was already onto his plan but it was also obvious to see she wanted to play along as well, he did not wish to disappoint her.
"I would never want to inconvenience a lady such as yerself, of course."
"That would be very rude," she nodded in agreement.
"But would it really be wise to send you back to Jamaica when yer sister is now a wanted pirate? The whole incident with that stuffy admiral must have made it back to the ears of the law by now."
"Oh I'm sure it has but even if not word gets around in time."
"So then you see my predicament, if I return you there a cell might await you," he was rather proud of the way he was wording their little game, his experience at impersonating a lawyer was coming in handy once again.
"And there isn't a person I know in this part of the world at all," Amanda preceded to play out her plight, hand to her forehead, a look of maidenly shock upon her face. "Whatever shall I do?"
"I did have a solution in mind."
"Please, go on!"
"If you were to stay 'ere, on board, you'd have food, a place to sleep and relative safety," he paused a moment. "I say relative safety due to the fact that I'd what I can to keep ye safe when for whatever reason yer own wiliness fails you."
She leaned back in her seat, twirling a lock of brilliant red hair around her finger. Her bright blue-green eyes sparkled with mirth as she pretended to think his offer over. When that mischievous gaze met she was alight with barely repressed happiness. He could not help but grin in return, he had always found her smile to be not only beautiful but contagious.
"I do believe I'll have to take you up on that, Captain."
"Well I must say I'm very relieved you say so," he said as he stood.
"And why is that?" she took the hand he held out and he helped her to stand. Her skirt caught around her legs as she stood, making her fall not so very gracefully into his arms, not that either party was complaining.
"Well I did happen to notice that on our way 'ere ye did quite a bit of cookin' while we still had edible food."
"Your cook can't tell the difference between a turnip and turtle, I had no choice."
"Exactly! And I liked what ye served up so I think it's a win-win situation for me," he leaned down and pecked her on the nose.
"So all that fancy talk was just to woe me for my skills in the kitchen?"
"…Maybe."
"You, sir, are impossible."
"No, I just have superior taste in cuisine as well as women." Before she could take the necessary second to make her come back he took the opportunity to give her sweet lips another occupation, this of course having to deal with his own. It might not have been the first time they had kissed, but considering the situation it certainly was the most memorable.
The Black Pearl
When he came to Jack Sparrow was not entirely sure where he was, why he was on his back or why the floor seemed to be made of quilting. The first thing he noticed upon waking was that there was hardly any light, so he either must be in some form of cell or it was still night out. When finding that the floor was actually a mattress and said mattress was actually his own bed the first theory was effectively thrown out the window. So what he now could ascertain was that he was in his own cabin and it was sometime during the night time hours, it wasn't much but it was a start. What he found next was that he was not alone, and so his first instinct was to reach for the pistol he kept under the bedding. His hand, after shooting out, found not just the obstacle of sheets but the leg of whoever had invaded his personal space. Thinking that whatever enemy was sneaky enough to not only find him but get themselves past his crew to enter his quarters must be some foe to deal with. Jumping to action he leapt from his lying position to pin the shadowy figure to the mattress by their wrists, but found the whole ordeal rather easy as his opponent put up no fight whatsoever.
"Have a bad dream or are you just happy to see me?"
Whoever this snarky invader was they were female, strange but not unheard of.
"How the bloody hell did ye get in here?"
His eyes were slowly beginning to adjust to the nearly non existent light but it was a slow going process.
"I live here."
"…What?"
It was only then that his sleepy and light deprived eyes became used to the darkened environment and he was able to see just who had snuck into his room with god only knew what intent. Well he already knew his would-be assailant was a woman but now he could clearly see she was also a brunette…a somewhat flustered brunette in a nightgown…looking up at him with a slight amused, slightly irritated expression.
"Did you enjoy your nap, dear?"
"Lucy?"
"Figured that out did you?"
"…"
"Think on that for a moment and I'll just wait here, it's not like I can do anything but."
"…"
He did at least let her go and they both sat up, he still rather confused while she waited patiently.
In all honesty Jack could not recall why he would have been sleeping when his lady love was so obviously awake. Looking her over he decided she did not look particularly ravished, so that couldn't be the reason for her lack of tiredness. She also didn't seem to have been awakened by some vivid, nightmarish vision, she looked far too calm for that either. And after listening closely for a moment he decided that most of the crew must also be in their hammocks so it wasn't the sounds of battle that awoke her while he slept through them as he sometimes did. So then why was he the one snoring away while she sat back and twiddled her thumbs?
"Darlin' why are ye so awake and I'm on me back sawing logs?"
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
"Our conversation earlier…" she was looking at him as though he had sprouted a tentacle beard or some such nonsense.
"Earlier," he made one of his famous quirky faces as he fought against his sleep addled mind to think back. "We talked about how well ye handled yerself with Danny…"
"Yes," she motioned for him to go on.
"And then ye acted all 'it wasn't just me really', not becoming on ye by the way, luv," he added. It was still fuzzy to him, bits and pieces of conversation floated back to him but they weren't coming quickly. What he could not for the life of him figure out was why exactly he was having so much trouble recalling a simple talk, just falling asleep should not have done this. "Did I pass out?" he tentatively asked.
"You did faint," she answered.
"I do not faint."
"Passed out, swooned, fainted or lost consciousness what ever you want to call it you did indeed do. Now what made you do it?" Lucy seemed to be egging him on to remember something specific, she actually seemed a little worried about the whole thing based on the look on her pretty face.
"Ye were upset, no, you thought I'd be upset at you," that came back all the sudden. Her worried face and equally worried words now came to the forefront of his mind, she had been a rambling mess he recalled.
"Right! And then I told you something?"
"Why don't ye just tell me again, wouldn't that make things just the most tiniest bit easier?"
"Because I can't bring myself to say it again so just remember damnit!" Jack could not help but jump at her outburst, if he did not bring out that memory fast he had the feeling he would be in the perpetual doghouse for some time.
"Alright, alright! No need to shout, my sweet," he tried to pacify her by holding her face in both his hands, his thumbs caressing her soft skin. Then he realized he had done this recently, to calm her down in a very similar way. After that he had…lost consciousness…because she…"You're pregnant!"
"Yes, so it would seem," she still appeared slightly nervous but did not shrink back, instead looking him right in the eye.
"So it would seem? Is that all ye 'ave to say?" he pulled back, shocked and unsure on just what he should do. Across from him Lucy busied herself straightening her night gown and smoothing down her hair, she too seemed just the slightest bit unsure as well.
"What else can I say? I'm with child there's not much more to it," she paused, looking away from just a second before turning her gaze back on him. "Are you angry?"
"An-angry?" Jack sputtered. "What-no! I mean…" he trailed off, running a hand through his knotted hair. "How, how long have you known…about this?"
"Long enough, given the circumstances."
"Given…? Oh no, no no no," he was off the bed and pacing the floor before he knew he even moved. To and fro he paced, several times from one end of the room to the other. Every once in a while he would turn to face the young woman on the bed but would look away just as quickly, all the time clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides. There was not any of the anger that she suspected bubbling up inside him, not for lack of want mind you, but there most certainly was disbelief and frustration.
"Say somethin' before you explode," she said after neither knew how long.
"Yer not makin' things any better," was his sarcastic reply.
"Well that's something."
"Just give me a minuet in quiet, woman!" He ceased his constant movement, forcing himself to do so by taking hold of one of the bedposts, she took his hint and stayed silent for the time being. "So let me see if I have this right," perfect English was never a good sign. "You are…with child…and you've know about this longer then just a few days. Am I right?"
"Yes."
"And you still saw fit that in your condition to charge head long into battle against a known madman?"
"It seems logical now but there wasn't time for logic then."
"You've been around me far too long," Jack sighed and ran his free hand over his face. "This is too much," and then he let himself fall back onto the bed. "When will ye stop scarin' the life out of me, luv?"
"Only when you don't care enough to be scared anymore," she laid her head against his back, her arms wrapping round his middle. Her touch calmed him as it always had and he covered her hands with his own.
"So…ye're havin' a…baby," the final word took more effort to speak aloud then he was willing to admit.
"We're having a baby," she corrected him. "It was bound to happen sometime, considering how…affectionate we tend to be."
"Yer humor knows no limits, my dearest."
Everything was coming to his startled mind in slow motion. He had not been 'angry' per se earlier but he had been truly upset at her for that moment. Lucinda had a tendency of knowing just what would frighten him to the ends of his limitations and this had to be the one to take them all. So she was expecting a child, had known longer then she wanted to let on and still managed to keep it to herself long enough to not only join in the battle but continue as well as she had. Anything could have happened though, one wrong move or lucky shot of a pistol or slash of a blade could have not only ended her but the life she carried.
The thought sent an icy chill down his spine.
"You're quiet again," her voice called him back from his thoughts.
"Sorry, can't help meself, this is a lot to land on a man."
"If I worried you I'm sorry, but I had to do what I did," her arms tightened around him. "Maybe I was wrong not to tell you the moment I knew for sure but everythin' was happening so fast I…maybe I was scared too and panicked when my sister needed me. Can you forgive me?"
"There ain't nothin' I won't forgive ye for, darlin'," when he turned around there were the finest line of tears gathered in her eyes. They did not fall but he didn't give them the chance as he could not help himself to the chance of meeting her lips with his.
"I love you," she was smiling when they finally pulled away.
"And I you," he laid his hand over her middle. Jack could not deny that the thought of this happening had not crossed his mind before and the idea did not alarm him as it might have in the past. Instead, now with all the shock, the apologies and overall upheaval behind them he was free to see his true feelings. And those feelings were nothing but warm, loving and unlike any he had ever felt his entire life.
The Following Morning
By the time Lucinda awoke it was no surprise to her that the first thing she noticed upon regaining consciousness was the sound of rowdy crewmen just outside her door. As she pulled herself from the warmth of her blanket cocoon it was also no surprise to her that she was the only occupant of the bed. Putting two and two together was quite simple really and while the harrowing task of actually leaving her comfortable cotton nest strained against her very being she knew there was business to attend to.
Jack had gone off, as he always had, too early for normal humans and had proceeded to tell everyone in sight the good news.
Well that was just with her, he had done the same thing when he asked her to marry him so the shock didn't have all that much affect on her anymore. Looking at the clock she found that her dear husband to be had let her sleep on her own schedule for once, it was half past eleven. It felt nice to ignore the unwritten rule of onboard sleeping arraignments, she hadn't been able to lay in bed like that since Port Royal. Flinging off the blankets, she looked around for her robe and thought that with any luck she could look forward to more mornings like this in the near future.
A 'breakfast' of fruit and buttered bread waited for her on the dining table, she smiled at her lover's thoughtfulness. Not a drop of rum was in sight, much to her great appeal. Jack was all at once acting so out of character for himself while being so sweet about everything that it made her head start to spin, but not in a bad way. As she ate her way through a plate of sliced mango her mind traveled to just how their life was about to change. It was no small change either, oh no nothing was ever simple in this family but really it couldn't be anything else when pirates were involved. She was going to have a baby and now that she had the time the fact could now totally sink in. All sorts of questions flew through her mind, some she had answers for but most almost scared her.
Where on earth would be safe for her to even have the infant?
How would she raise a child with no real, land based, home in which to live?
Would her baby have to grow up hunted by the law as it's parents were?
Suddenly she was not so hungry, even though she knew full well that finishing her meals was something she really should pay more mind to. Lucinda found herself pacing, no doubt Jack's fault for doing it so often. But how could she not when reality had a horrible habit of ruining nearly everything in it's path? It was so true though, each of the frightening questions her logical mind put forth.
There were few places a pirate could call safe and none were appropriate for giving birth.
A ship was unsafe for a toddling child, already she felt fear just thinking about her child wandering too close to the cargo hold or a loose rail.
And they had enemies, so many enemies who would dub any offspring of Jack Sparrow guilty of any crime by association.
She finally stopped her constant movement by sitting on the window seat, her hands gripping the cushions until her knuckles grew white. In and out she breathed, calming herself down as best she could. All these plaguing thoughts were just ramblings from her emotional state, this was what she told herself since looking back her latest bouts of anger were due to this pregnancy as well. It must be nerves, it had to be because she was never so easily frightened before. Yes, that must be the answer because her old friend the mid wife used to have all sorts of stories about how some women could be calm and collected one moment and ready to fall apart the next. After some minutes she felt more herself again and promised to try and control these bouts as best she could.
That was when a new question, a very unexpected one, popped into the forefront of her thoughts.
Was this how Katrina felt when she first learned she was with child?
She had not thought once about the Tortuga prostitute for months upon months and now suddenly she found they had something in common. But whereas Katrina was left alone to deal with her condition at least Lucy knew that the father of her child would be with her through everything. The more she thought on the similarities and differences the more she began to pity the woman, not much mind you as she had tried to kill them but enough considering she now understood part of the reason for why she did it. What was more was that she started to think about the child who no doubt had been born not so long ago. Lucy counted back to when she last saw the woman, she had only just turned nineteen when she met Jack and it had been a month or two when they went to Tortuga. Now she had been with him from a little less then a year and Katrina was close to having her baby at the time so the child could not be over four or five months old by now. How she felt sorry for him or her, to be raised in a place like that and no parents to speak of. Jack had told her how he paid a barman contact of his to make sure the child was taken to someone who could raise it away from it's horrid mother but she could not help but think that even that was a poor guarantee. Living without a mother or father was something she knew of all too well, there was no way she could knowingly condemn another to the same fate. Now how to convince a certain someone to share her newly found maternal feelings…
It was at that moment Jack loudly announced himself by kicking back several crewmen shouting congratulations and keeping them from storming the door.
"Hello, my luv," he greeted when the door was at last slammed shut and locked for good measure.
"Hello, Jack," she smiled as he sashayed over to kiss her forehead.
"You look like ye've been deep thinking again," he observed.
"You know me too well."
"That I do," he made a production of taking a seat next to her. "Now I've been runnin' back and froth from my ship to the old man's and everywhere in between all day so of course when I come home ye have some heavy subject to talk about. Any chance of by passin' that just for once?"
"Why have you been running around to your father all day?"
"For one to tell him our good news to which he replied he knew the whole bloody time, says it's obvious when ye've gone through it three times already. And the rest can wait till later."
"Did he now? Smart man but beyond that you want to talk but not about whatever it is I've been thinkin' about?"
"Unless it's not too shocking, ye 'ave a habit of only talking when it's something huge and will absolutely shock me," he leaned back, pulling his hat over his eyes hinting that he very much wanted to rest. Well that was just too bad as she had only just woken up and had no intention of resting any more let alone easily let him off the hook of the plan which only now had begun to form.
"Well this will shock you since it shocks even me."
"Oh lord almighty save me from this woman," he groaned and peeped one eye out from under the brim of his old beaten tricorn.
"We're havin' a baby within the next seven months or so."
"Aye..?"
"But I can't help but think about someone else who I have this in common with," she lifted the hit right off his head, commanding his full attention.
"I'm listening! Now hand the hat over," he held his hand out, his eyes never leaving his beloved effect. She gave it over slowly, making sure he made no move to retreat back into the comfort of nap time.
"It's just that…I was thinking about just how hard this is going to be, raising a child with the way we live. And you can't deny that it will be a challenge," she looked to him and after a second he nodded his agreement. "But for some reason some one came to my mind and I thought that while it will be difficult for us it must have been just the same for her."
"Ye can't mean…?" Jack sat up straight, looking her right in the eye with a strange but knowing expression on his face.
"If you mean Katrina, then yes that's who I mean."
"And what exactly had yer plotting little brain come up with?"
"….I don't want that child to grow up like Danny-" she began.
"I don't think anyone would want another him," he interjected.
"So an idea came to me," she went on as though he never interrupted. "We won't stay away from the Caribbean for much longer, it's our home. Whatever we choose to do when it's comes to our child I want to have it there. And if we are already in the area…" she paused, drew in a deep breath and collected herself to finish her controversial thought.
"Go on," he encouraged her even though he looked just as off put as she.
"I want to find that baby and take it in."
"What?"
"That baby is our child's sibling and the last thing we need is for that one to grow up finding this out and turning into yer brother!"
"There's no proof that'll 'appen!"
"We left Katrina in Tortuga! It'll grow up to be a thief and pirate in that place and you can't say it won't," she leaned in, their faces inches from one another. "But if we find it and raise it with our own then at least they can grow up together, with their father." It might have been low to pull the paternity card like that but she knew it was the last thing she could use in order to make him see where she was coming from.
"…Ye know me too well."
"That I do."
"…I'll think about it."
"Thank you."
The Misty Lady
From first thing in the morning into the early evening there had been all sorts of unusual persons moving on and off board the old ship docked next to the Pearl. As Jack made his way up the gang plank he dodged a short, stocky fellow carrying what must have been twice is weight in what seemed to be bolts of cloth. Behind him a butcher and the tavern owner from last night hurried past, neither giving the startled man a second glance as they almost pushed him off the narrow bridge in their haste to get by. On deck were just as many merchants, all waiting in a line going into the captain's cabin with either their wares bundled in their arms or documents no doubt to sign or sell. In his usual manner Jack sauntered, snuck through and meandered his way through the line to make his way inside.
The first thing he noticed upon entering was the sight of his father arguing with a baker, it seemed they were haggling over price. And by haggling of course it was meant that the baker had his own ideas that were none to appealing to the very stubborn captain who knew exactly what he wanted.
"While this is all very entertainin' I do need to speak with ye, old man."
"You wait yer turn 'till this stuffed pig realizes I ain't the King of England."
Jack rolled his eyes as the two men continued their tirade over the price of marzipan, really he knew his father had a notorious sweet tooth but this was ridiculous. With a sigh he pulled his pistol from it's sheath, walked over, put it to the flour dusted man's head and calmly walked him back out the door.
"I only need a few minuets of yer time, cake can wait."
"For some one who supposedly loves weddings when it come to yer own you have a funny way of showing it."
"Anyway," Jack went on as though he heard nothing. "Lucy brought somethin' up to me and I wanted your opinion."
"And what is that?" Teague leaned back against a table, looking his first born in the eye.
"Remember when I told ye about that lemon back in Tortuga?" he watched as the older man obviously thought back.
"Recently?"
"Aye, the one who ratted me out."
"That one, yeah I recall ye mentioning her."
"Well I also mentioned that she had a bun in the oven, unfortunately due to myself," Jack walked around the room as he spoke, his way of keeping himself calm.
"Does Lucy have a problem with this?"
"It's not so much as a 'problem' as it is the fact that for a pirate the woman has a big heart," everything within reach he either touched or fiddled with as he passed shelves of knick knacks, maps and all sorts of unidentifiable objects. "She doesn't want a repeat of Danny."
"She wants to take in the baby don't she?"
"Am I that obvious?"
"Not so much obvious as the fact that yer own mother mentioned had she known about that brother of yours she would 'ave taken him in too." Jack was unsure if it was endearing or disconcerting that as he spoke of his late wife Teague was petting her shrunken head which hung at his waist. Either way he made a mental vow to never, ever bring his woman anywhere near any country known to have head hunters, least they start a morbid family tradition,
"So," he shook himself back from his strange thoughts, "what do you make of it?"
"Do it, even if he or she don't end up like him don't make that mistake."
Jack did not reply but took a deep breath. Even his father had the same opinion as she, he could not say he was totally surprised. Even though Edward Teague was a feared pirate to most of the world he had also been an adoring husband and decent father. With an example like that what else could he do but follow?
"Is that all, boy?"
"Aye."
"Well then in that case let me get somethin' out of the way since ye're already here," he disappeared into his bed room for a few moments but returned with a wrapped parcel in his hands. "I had this put away for some time now, thought it might come in handy now." The paper covering was pulled off to reveal a dark blue, silver trimmed, velvet coat and matching breeches. All the small clothes, made of fine, fine linen were folded inside as well. In all the entire ensemble might have cost a small fortune had it been bought under legal means.
But what shocked him the most was that he recognized this suit, it had been re-cut for modern fashion but it was undoubtedly his father's wedding clothes.
"I…don't know what to say."
"Thank ye might be the words ye're lookin' for."
"Thank ye."
"Good, now take these and for the love of all that's holy do no drop them," he rewrapped the clothes and put them into Jack's hands. "Don't let her see them else ye'll ruin the surprise."
"Right," there was still a bit of shock still in his voice. These clothes had been made entirely by his mother for his parents wedding thirty some years ago, according to the story she had spent countless hours and many sleepless night to make each and every stitch perfect. He did not even realize his father had ushered him out of the cabin until the sun was glaring in his eyes and the sound of the door closing shut behind him met his ears.
He did manage to hide the clothes from his dearly beloved, though it had not been easy as her ever curious mind sought out answers for why so many strange people had been visiting his father's ship all the sudden. Quick thinking and even quicker hands had kept her questions at bay while his slipped his fancy garments into a closet. This though had to be kept up until the following day, not an easy task when he lived with said overly inquisitive woman. It was also more then passing easy to keep a certain blond sibling from ruining the surprise, Emma had apparently rediscovered some of her girlish exuberance. By late morning everything was in readiness, all that remained was to wait for the girls to handle the rest while he waited in painful impatience.
As Jack made his way to, believe it or not, the church there was a fuss going on in the cabin he left behind. Both younger Collins sisters and Anna Maria were busying themselves waking the unknowing bride to be from her peaceful slumber.
"And then there was light," Amanda pulled the bed canopy back as Emma swung the window shutters open.
"And it was good," Anna yanked the covers away just to throw them over her shoulder to the floor.
"And I hate you all," Lucy buried her face beneath a pillow only to have taken from her as well. "Ughh, why are you doing this?"
"That's for us to know and you to find out later." Her siblings pulled her out of bed and none to gently ride her of her shift to drop her into the full tub. She slipped beneath the soapy water for a second then surfaced sputtering with a head more covered in suds then hair.
"What the hell!"
"Ye need to be squeaky clean that's what," a bucket of clean water was poured over her head as Anna explained.
"Was I not clean before?"
"Not enough."
"Gee thanks."
As she was forcibly soaped, rinsed and scrubbed by her friend her sisters were ransacking one of her trunks. Bits and pieces of clothing were haphazardly thrown over their shoulders to fall wherever in their quest to find whatever is was they were grumbling to each other about. By the time she was granted leave of her sudden bath and at least given a towel her meddlesome siblings apparently found what they sought, or at least that was her best guess at the excited squeal that emanated from that part of the room.
"Perfect! She told me about this one who knows how long ago but it just jumped out at me!" Amanda held aloft a gown for Emma to see who in turn gave her approval.
"Where did he find this? Even for a thief this is impressive!"
"Why are you going through my clothes?" Lucy asked as Anna tried to towel dry her long hair and flinching as her friend was less then successful and became more and more fierce in her attempts to do so.
"Picking you a dress, what's it look like?" the red haired sister handed the blond one layer after layer of said dress before moving onto the trunk where shoes were kept.
"For what?" she batted Anna Maria away and stomped over to her puttering sisters, finally fed up with their scheme, whatever that was. When she noticed the pile of white, orange and gold silk in Emma's hands her mind registered that this was the first gown Jack had given her. Amanda was right, she had mentioned it to her once some time ago wanting to share just how beautiful the dress really was.
"For your wedding, of course," aforementioned sister grinned at her mischievously.
"My…wedding?" somehow she did not really absorb this despite the overwhelming, yet strange, circumstances.
"Yes, you did know that was happening soon," Emma piped in from behind her barricade of fabric.
"I did…but I didn't think it would start quite like this…"
"Oh well on ye then, just sit back and let us do everythin'," Anna of course meant well but for some reason Lucy did not feel relaxed at all when her dear friend came toward her with a curling iron. The next two hours were spent in a flurry of lacing, braiding, tugging and turning until the three instigators at last dubbed her, and themselves, ready. For Lucinda the whole process might have been slightly more enjoyable had she had even the tiniest bit of warning before the wannabe ladies maids come down on her like a hurricane. However for all ruckus, the piles of stray clothes, unused hair ornaments and the rest of the mess caused by hurried dressing she had to say the result was more then worth it. The off white gown was embroidered in gold vines, it's petticoat a burnt orange, the trim in a lighter shade at the elbow length sleeves and low neckline. Her hair had gone from oh so slight waves to tight curls piled high on her head in a bun surrounded by braids with a few tendrils hanging loose. She wore no jewelry, none was needed and only the barest hint of makeup.
"You look so beautiful," Amanda said as she hugged her older sister.
"Only because you have the magic touch."
"But we had such a pretty canvas to work with," Emma pinned a single bright orange lily, no doubt collected from the island, into her hair.
"Well we can gush about 'ow pretty she is all day but if we don't get a move on or the groom will be comin' to her instead," Anna opened the door and pointed out.
"Right, let's go!" both sisters took one of Lucy's hands each and pulled her from the bedroom and out the cabin as fast as they could go.
"Where are we going, anyway?" the jogging bride tried to keep up in her voluminous skirts.
"To the church of course," they answered in unison.
"Jack found a church…?"
"It's hard to believe I know but I give the man credit for wantin' to do things all right and proper." Anna fought against her own dress, only the second she had ever worn and grumbled on how the other two seemed to manage so easily. By the time they arrived, via many side roads and dodging who knows how many guards, it was hard to tell which woman was more out of breath. Indeed there was a church at the end of their destination, not overly large but not all that small either and nestled in a far corner of the town. It looked old, white washed several times over and it's bell sounded as though it had seen better days. But despite all this the little chapel had a certain charm to it, it's garden was blooming and obviously well cared for and the sweet smell of incense drifted out from the inside.
"It's lovely," Lucinda smiled and looked about. She could already see many of the crew of the Pearl and even a few of the Diamond already seated through the door.
"And if that old clocks' right then it's almost time," Anna gave her cumbersome red skirt one good shove behind her and made to head in. "I'll let 'em know all's in readiness," then she went her way.
"Right, now for the final touch," Amanda reached into the alcove just behind the door and pulled out a stunning bouquet of pale yellow blossoms the likes none of them had ever seen before.
"Oh!" As she went to take her flowers the bride to be suddenly felt overwhelmed by the whole affair, at just how much effort that had been put forward for her special day. "I don't know what to say…"
"You don't have to say anythin'," Emma patted her shoulder and leaned her head against it. She only moved when she spotted Mr. Gibbs signaling them from around the corner, all was in readiness. "Now I think it's time to get you married."
"Already? Alright then," the eldest sister stood up a little straighter, trying to compose herself. "How do I look?"
"He won't know how he became so lucky," the redhead smoothed down her own blue gown, as she took Lucy's left arm. "In lieu of Papa I think I'll do, don't you think?"
"And I'm sure Mama wouldn't mind me standing in for her," their youngest moved in to take her right arm while holding her pink skirt in the other hand.
"Thank you so much," she was too choked on emotion to utter anything else.
"If ye ladies don't mind, everyone's waitin'," Mr. Gibbs appeared to hold the door for them, dressed in what must have been the best clothes he could muster up. He smiled as the three of them looked to one another, smiles of their own soon covering their faces and nodded at once.
At first everything seemed to be slow motion, the aisle went on forever. But to Lucinda it was a tunnel, and at the end was a man she had to second guess was her Jack. He looked so handsome, clean and wearing a stunning coat of deep blue that fit him uncommonly well, the only piece he kept from his everyday appearance of course was his beloved hat. By the time she at last came to his side and their hands were joined time quickly caught up with her then went on to race as fast as possible. The ceremony itself was a blur, their vows said and repeated in an echo in her mind. Only when she felt the cool metal of the ring slide along her finger and stop just before her engagement band did the world cease spinning.
"You may kiss your bride," the old priest said with a near toothless smile. This kiss had to be on the most electrifying experience of her life, never had so much passion been wrapped up in a single touch. "May I present Captain and Mrs. Sparrow!" The whole room erupted into shouts, hollers and applause as they made their way back up the aisle. Somehow the pirates had even managed to get a hold of rice to throw at the happy couple as they passed by. Though it was no surprise that one sailor got a little to rambunctious with the grain and insulted another when it became lodged in his eye ended with a round of fisticuffs. Had it been any other wedding the newly made husband and wife might have taken offence, in this case however they merely rolled their eyes and laughed. At the stairs leading up to the church Lucy turned around, smirking as she waved her bouquet above her head. Her sisters looked to one each other before almost tackling one over the other in their quest to catch the flowers which were now sailing through the air, However their almost cat fight was all for nothing, the bouquet landed squarely in the lap of a seated Anna Maria who turned three shades of red when a curious Badawi asked what the significance of it was.
The party afterward wad held, of course, on board the main deck of the Black Pearl. A group of sailors had come together with their instruments to form a motley band of minstrels to dance to. From the new father in law came the gift of a huge, and very delicious as was found soon after, cake covered in marzipan decorations. Another present came in the form of a very tasty spread of new and exotic food and drinks, this from a joint effort of the siblings in law, It was nearing dawn when the couple was at last too tired to stay partying with their happily tipsy guests. Although it was too much for Jack to ignore obliging them with a very public showing of just how to properly carry a bride across the threshold.
Once more in the comfortable, and oddly enough very clean, confines of the cabin the two finally had a moment just to themselves.
"And how did ye find yer wedding, Mrs. Sparrow?" he asked as he helped free her of her lovely yet heavy dress.
"I found it perfect beyond words, Captain Sparrow," she answered and assisted him in pulling out of his ornate ensemble.
They shared yet another kiss as they laid down on their bed, hands inter twined, both watching as the single candle light flickered off their matching gold bands. There was a calmness in them both that neither had ever felt, even during their most intimate of moments before now. After all they had been through, the danger, the battles, complications and lover's quarrels they had at last come to the moment they had hoped and dreamed of.
"And now ye're really mine," his raspy voice sounded from above her as he pulled her deeper into an embrace.
"Forever and ever?"
"Always."
The sun was now just lighting the horizon, a perfect sunrise to both end and begin a more then perfect day with only the future to look forward to.