Twenty Five
Four Years and One Month Later
Wills sat on the couch as he had the entire night reading his book. He was content just curled on the couch with his legs covered with a light blanket. Sighing, he turned the page then looked around again with longing in his eyes. Everything was going to change come sunset. Everything had changed. He glanced beside him.
Will smiled. "Did you sleep last night?" he asked.
"No, not the past two nights either," said Wills.
"I'll have to tell father about that later. I don't want him working you too hard," said Will.
"You didn't sleep either. I was there watching you and mum sleep," said Wills.
"I tried sleeping," admitted Will. "You of all people know I can't sleep sometimes."
"I know, once part of the crew always part of the ship."
"Do you feel ready?"
Wills nodded. "I feel incomplete. I am a crewmember of the Flying Dutchman. I have been for weeks. Not being on the ship and doing my duty…I feel lost."
"You'll feel better once you're on the ship."
Wills looked at him. "I can't believe how quickly four years have passed. Today is my last day home. At sunset I'm gone and I'll never come home until grandfather can. I'm going to miss you two so much."
"Son," began Will, stooping in front of him. "Promise me something." Wills nodded. "Don't think that today is your last day home. Today is just another day. Tomorrow will be another day. The only difference is that tomorrow you will have a new life."
"I suppose," said Wills with a heavy sigh. He was pulled into a tight, comforting hug.
"Where are the twins?" asked Will.
"On the beach with mum," replied Wills. Loud screaming echoed through the hall. "Never mind."
"Daddy!"
Will turned as Alex and Emily ran into his arms. He looked at his two children. They were three years and months old and a spitting image of him with the same rich brown eyes, dark curled hair, smile, personality, and uncontrollable mind. Though, they had their mother's gentle touch and temper. It often frightened him to look at his son. Alex looked like he probably would have when he was three.
"Me wov daddy," said Alex.
"Me wov Wiws," said Emily as she climbed on the couch then into her older brother's lap.
"I love you Emily," said Wills.
"An' me too?" wondered Alex.
"And you too Alex," added Wills, taking both into his arms. He then laid both on the couch and ticked them.
Meanwhile, curious, Will looked at the cover of the book Wills was reading. "Father was reading this book when I was captain. How did you get it?"
"I requested that Krakey find me another book. I think I have half of the books that are on the Dutchman," said Wills. "He'll get them back tonight."
"Happy birthday Wills," said Elizabeth as she came in.
"'appy birfday," cried both twins at the same time.
"How ol' you?" asked Alex.
"I'll be twenty-two at sunset," said Wills. "When is grandfather coming?"
"Noon. It's not just you he needs to talk with," said Will.
"I've noticed," said Elizabeth referring to the chest of letters. "Well, breakfast anyone? Blueberry banana muffins and French toast."
"'uffins!" cried Alex, scurrying out.
"Fwen to't!" cried Emily, following him.
"You would think that it's their favorite breakfast and not mine," noted Wills.
The five of them sat on the beach making sand castles and burying Wills in the sand. It soon became Will and Wills wrestling at the shoreline going from land to sea and back. The twins began wrestling each other, which was not more than pushing each other. Elizabeth watched and laughed, especially when Will took his son over his shoulder and ran into the water to throw him in not knowing that Wills would drag him in the water as well. They stood, soaking wet and dripping. With one look at each other, they burst into laughter.
A bright green flash appeared out of the corner of Will's eye and faded against the cove. He whipped around. A wide smiled spread across his face. His eyes lit with joy.
"William, I'm back! Come here son!"
Will turned to the dock. A figure waved at him. Will ran.
Captain Bill Turner watched his son sprint across the beach, hop along the dock while pulling his boots and stockings, then finally fling his arms around him. He pulled Wills into a tight hug.
"Why did you take off your boots?" he asked.
"There was sand in them," replied Will.
"Why are you wet?" wondered Bill.
"Wills and I were wrestling," said Will.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" muttered Bill as he pushed Will aside just far enough to see his face. His Will looked at him with a glowing smile and overjoyed eyes. "Stand back son. Let me look at you."
Will stepped back a bit and made a ta-da motion. His hair was very much shorter. It was just long enough to curl and no longer hung to his shoulders. He wore a white tunic that didn't have flowing sleeves that were rolled to his elbow and was, of course, barely buttoned along with the navy blue vest. His breeches were the normal black and had the sash tied around. Two silver hoops gleamed in his left ear. The necklace hung from around his neck. The mess of cuts on his face scarred well and his missing finger was healed very well. The blue around his wrist just appeared to belong to everything. He looked very civilized and in tune with the age. He didn't look Will Turner anymore. He changed.
"Are you all right?" Will asked.
Bill nodded. "You just don't look the way I thought you would. You've changed."
"Not inside," said Will. "I'm still you twenty-two year old son on the inside even though I am twenty-seven."
"Will, you're twenty-seven!" cried Bill, not resisting the urge to pull his son into another tight hug. He suddenly pushed him away to take Will's face between his palms. "You even look older. You've matured into a man more."
"That does happen," said Will. Now he couldn't resist to hug his father. I missed you so much."
"God, I missed you Will," whispered Bill, feeling the same way about his son.
"Daddy, wa' 'ug foo," said little Alex in a whining tone.
"All right," said Will, pulling from his father's arms to take Alex into his.
Bill's eyes went soft and teary. "Will, he looks just like you."
"Who 'e?" wondered Alex.
"This is your grandfather," said Will. He whispered in ear.
Alex wrapped his arms around Bill's neck and hung there until Bill held him up.
Bill smiled gently. The last time he held a child this small it was his own son. He looked at the boy. His face went pale with horrible memories. He could only gazed at the child that so well resembled Will when he was three. He looked at Will.
"I could swear I'm holding you twenty-four years ago. He's an exact image of you at three. I know this because I'll never forget how you looked at three because that was when I last saw you," he said, his eyes getting sadder. He noticed Wills walking along the dock with Emily's hand in his. "You lost me when you were three. Alex is losing his older brother."
"Me 'ave daddy," said Alex with a glowing smile.
"Gwan'fafa?" wondered Emily.
Bill nodded. "Hello Emily," he greeted, taking Emily in his other arm. He looked at the two. "Will, can they really be as bad as you write they are. They look so innocent."
Wills raised both of his forefingers. "Look innocent yes. They may look innocent but they don't act it."
"How much trouble can twin three year olds be?" wondered Bill. He looked at the twins. "You aren't much trouble are you?" They shook their heads. "You two are good right?" They nodded. "You want to jump on your brother right?" They nodded even more. Bill set them down and watched them each cling to one of Wills's legs and sit on his feet.
Wills just gave him a cold look then shrugged. "Hungry?" he asked the little ones. They nodded. "All right. Let's go."
"That used to be your favorite game. I once walked around port like that because you screamed when I tried pulling you away. Thank God no one I knew saw me," said Bill.
"That's adorable. Why didn't you ever tell me you did that?" asked Elizabeth.
I didn't even know I did that," admitted Will.
Bill nodded. "All the time," he told him. "Most of the time you had your hat on too."
"I wear that whenever I'm at sea," said Will. "It usually sits on my chair with the rest of my sea possessions in one of my rooms."
"I wish I could see it," said Bill with a sad smile.
"A bucket of water, father, could do just the same," reminded Will.
Bill glanced at his ship that was being docked and the sails folded. "I don't think they would ever let me forget that one. They have enough already," he told Will.
"Such as?" wondered Will.
"I'm not telling even you," said Bill.
"You have enough against me too," said Will. "Then again, I do like the tale of your grand entrance to the engagement celebration."
"No, I think yours is better," admitted Bill.
"We're back," said Wills, with the twins still on his legs. He didn't even seem tired.
"Are those the treacherously-terrible-twin-Turner-terrors?" asked Andrew, leaning over the rail.
"Who said that?" wondered Elizabeth.
"Jack," replied Bill, Andrew, and Will.
"Bring them aboard," said Andrew.
"I don't think that is such a good idea," said Bill.
"We brought Wills aboard when he was three," said Will. He looked at his twins. "Do you want to go look on the ship?"
The twins jumped from Wills and began jumping while clapping their hands tighter and shrieking.
"Daddy," began Wills. "I don't think I'm going with you two. I think once I'm on I won't be able to get off. I won't mentally want to get off. Setting foot on her deck is what will combine everything. I'm going to sit on the beach instead."
"Do you want me to come with you?" asked Will.
Wills shook his head. "You go. You need to be with your father. He missed you more than you know. I think you two need to talk anyway. Don't worry about me."
Will nodded. He climbed aboard. His name was immediately shouted in joy as the entire crew ran to him.
One last time Wills buried his legs in the sand. He was far from that ship. It was amusing when the twins found the organ though. He loved it too when he was three. He too would soon be able to play well. His mind turned to the time. It was running out. He didn't want to go. It wasn't that he was going to miss his family; it was that he was more frightened than he ever had been. He was so unsure and felt alone. He clutched his arms and brought his knees to his chest, wanting not to feel alone an afraid. Four small arms suddenly wrapped around him.
"Hello you two. Do you like daddy's ship?" he asked his little siblings.
"No daddy s'ip. Gwan'fafa's s'ip," said Alex.
Wills thought about that then nodded and smacked his forehead. "You're correct. I'm not thinking right at the moment."
"Wills, you up for a game?"
"What are you doing here?" asked Wills, standing to be level with the entire Dutchman crew on the beach.
"The captain gave shore leave," replied Tosa.
"Needed time with his boy," said Blackheart.
"Probably best," said Wills, looking at his mother.
Elizabeth nodded. "They'll be talking for awhile. Bill missed his son and Will longed for a father again."
"He wants to talk you later Wills," said Andrew.
"Pway g'me?" asked Emily.
"Wot?" wondered Wills.
"Na'y and piwites," said Emily.
"What's that?" asked Andrew.
"Navy and pirates. It's a game of chase with wooden weapons," said Wills as he looked at the two little ones. "I assume I'm the Navy as usual?"
The twins nodded. "We piwites!" they cried together.
"We'll be pirates too," announced several crewmembers.
"I'll join the Royal Navy for today only," said Andrew with a smile.
"Me too," said Elizabeth with a roll of her eyes.
"You can be the pirate wench I intend to kill but make love with instead," corrected Andrew.
"Andy, run," advised Wills.
With one look from her, Andrew ran for his life.
Now alone with his father, Will looked around the chamber. Many memories filled his mind again. Countless hours had been spent in this room doing absolutely nothing. He missed it there. Seeing his father begin to leave, he followed.
Bill sat on the edge of the bed in the quarters that did once belong to Will. He saw Will slowly come and sit on the cot next to him. They sat quiet a moment, thinking.
"I still see your face. For the longest time, I would sit here just waiting for you to come or at the organ. Occasionally, I would look in the organ chamber thinking you were there. I've caught myself several times. You never came any of those times because you weren't even on the ship. Some days, I slept in here because I missed you and I wanted to be with you again. Your company did something. Even now, you merely sitting beside me is the most comforting I've felt in a very long time," whispered Bill. He shut his eyes. "I longed to hold you close to me. I love holding you. I feel like I haven't held you in centuries."
Will rested his head against his father's shoulder as a hint. He felt tight arms go around him. "I missed your arms. You knew me better than I knew myself," he whispered. Knowing this would eventually be shared, he decided to begin. "I was a miserable mess for the first week without you. I didn't cry in front of people unless they said something. I would mainly wait until night, staring at the chest. The more I thought, the more I realized I would no longer have someone I had beside me for eighteen years. It was unbearable. Literally each night I cried myself to sleep staring at the chest. Your heart always comforted me. It still does. Teague allowed me to cry. He said it would do me good. He was always there to hold me. Wills was always there. They never left me. When we did come home, I wrote a letter each day. On some days, you got more than one message. I still sometimes want to cry because I lost you."
Bill sighed. "Fine, I cried that first night, like a baby. I cried myself to sleep in here. I couldn't stop thinking about you. Andy and Roberts allowed me to let through what feeling I had. Some days I woke with tears on my face and a wet pillow. Coincidentally, I dreamed of you and us. Each time I dream I see you. It took me a year to finally realize that you wouldn't be coming through that door and that I couldn't hold you or watch you sleep. I still catch myself occasionally thinking you'll come. Honestly…Will…" He moved his son out of his arms to take his head between his palms. "Do you fear death?"
"You know I do, but my time is not now," said Will. "I should already be on this ship for three years."
"There is only one letter I have read no more than once," said Bill, caressing his son's cheek. "I had never seen someone so sickly. Not even Jack was ever that bad. You were thinner than Wills was when he didn't eat. You had burned for a week previously. Your mind was lost. Your strength no more. Not even the firelight added color to your ashen face. I thought I was going to lose you. Wills asked if you were dying. I told him yes, but you were fighting. You were fighting hard, but you were surrendering more each hour. I felt you calling to me for peace. I almost asked you. You fever broke before I had enough courage. Once I saw you would be all right again, I let you go and wrote everyday at least twice."
"I kinda remember that. My birthday was coming then I got sick continuously. I couldn't even keep bread inside me and I barely kept water inside. Then I became fevered and lost. I remember feeling cold and helpless and I felt myself crying inside. I felt warm and safe and I knew everything would be all right. Either path, you would take care of me. I knew it was you," said Will.
"How was your last birthday?" asked Bill.
"I was cold and I needed a small nap, but I was all right again in two days. It was nothing like my twenty-fourth birthday," said Will.
"Do you remember anything else?" wondered Bill.
"I remember more of the battle and Beckett. There are a few more clearer scenes in the Cove such as Wills nearly dying and the way he looked, my bath and Elizabeth 'falling' in, you always with me, a bit of my birthday and the meeting, and lots of pain," said Wills. "Oh, and Wills's speech."
"Before the Cove?"
"You driving me to complete exhaustion, lying on deck watching the stars go by. I remember a bit of my chocolate truffle and the following results."
"Before the Cove and after coming back?"
Will looked at him with haunted eyes. "Dinner with him, needles in my fingernails, metal against my wrist, lying blood, Andy's face and some of the crew…I remember pain and wanting to feel your arms around me and…I remember mum and Calypso giving me a choice."
"I went to your mother too, but I had no choice," said Bill as he raked his hand across Will's back. He cursed under his breath.
"What is it?" asked Will.
"You didn't feel anything," replied Bill.
Will shook his head. "I never have felt it since that night. It's just as feeling less as before but healed as well as it can be."
Bill wrapped his arms around him.
Will snuggled against his father's body, longing for the feeling of being held again. "Why do you have to go?" he asked.
"You know why son," said Bill.
"I wish I could come with you. I don't know what's wrong with me," said Will.
"Tell me something I don't know," said Bill.
Will looked at him with haunted eyes then in the mirror. His body trembled as he watched his face turn ashen. "On occasion, I would not be hungry or tired. I wouldn't sleep one night and have just as much energy as I did when I slept. Other times, I would look at food and feel sick because I didn't need it. I wouldn't drink anything for day and I wouldn't feel thirsty. I think this has only happened five or six times. I've locked myself in a closet to not kill myself to join the crew. The feeling and longing to ferry a soul has been so great that I've had thoughts of suicide to end the pain. I almost did it once. Wills saw me and locked me in the closet. I just sit there in the dark holding my body, rocking back and forth. I'd talk to myself and cry and scream like I've completely lost my mind. Sometimes I feel that I have gone insane. I still suffer from a withdrawal that has no cure. Wills has slowly become a crewmember and he's done it before my eyes. Now that he is leaving tonight, my withdrawal will worsen and I won't know what to do. He's stopped me several times and brought sense back. He sits outside the closet when I've lost my mind, listening and giving me the feeling that someone is there. What's worse is that I'm afraid I'll do something to myself. I might actually do it someday because you and he will be a world away and that is how I can get to you. I have lists of how I could do it from the most painful to painless. I've needed mental help ever since I came home. Wills has kept me sane and Teague doesn't even know about this." He unwrapped the blue cloth on his wrist; among the intertwining veins was a series of scars from cuts. "After I did this, Wills wrapped it and threw me in the closet. I've had several books to my head. He does knock sense in to me, literally. And now he's leaving, and I don't know what to do."
"Will, call to me," said Bill, desperate.
"I do, but Calypso won't let you come. I must fight through this alone," said Will.
"Son, you're strong. You'll live. Write to me. Send for Jack. I don't ever want to hear Elizabeth tell me that you locked yourself in a closet ever again. There must be another way," said Bill.
"There is," whispered Will. "Please, I miss you so much. Let me come back. I need to ferry a soul. I need to be in World's End. I need you and Wills. I can't go on without you."
Already having expected something like this, Bill held his son close as he swayed from side to side, hushing him and lulling him. "You knew this would come someday. Someday has become tonight. You have had four years with your son. What happened gave you a chance to be with him. Now the price is to be paid."
"It's an unfair price," said Will.
"No, it's more fair that what should have been done," said Bill. He took his son's face between his palms again. "Look at me Will. You're debt is still to be paid. Wills will have several years left. I don't intend to leave for at least a century. It'll take that long to get through Elizabeth's service. You will be with Wills and I again. This isn't the end of the world. You know very well that nothing lasts forever. You have your life back. I never thought you would have life again. Don't waste all you've suffered and what we've lost for nothing."
"I miss it," whispered Will.
Bill shook his head. "You miss who is and will be on this ship. Someone has to keep Jack entertained and things in line with his father. Elizabeth can't be the only one to look after the twins. Alex and Emily need their daddy."
"So does Wills."
"He's had you nearly five more years than he should have. He knows this. He accepts his fate."
"He chose it. I have never been able to choose my own fate. Even now my fate is to this ship.
"Why?"
"I don't know, but fate has chosen several destinies and granted wishes you've wanted and made worst fears reality. Overall, fate has done you good. You know, fate may have your death, but not your life. You are free to choose how you want to live your life. Dead on this ship? Living with you wife and twin children knowing you'll meet your son and father again?"
Will sighed. "Once again, you've made my gloomy outlook completely convinced to your mind," he said.
"Good," said Bill. "By the way, how does feeling emotion feel?"
Will smiled. "Wonderful as long as I have the right feelings. You miss it don't you?"
You have no idea," admitted Bill, lonely and longing for his heart.
"I once did," reminded Will. "With two three year olds around, it's difficult to forget how everything feels."
"I wish I could say the same," muttered Bill. "I'm thinking we need to have a talk with Wills now. He's going into a world that is difficult."
"I've told him everything he'll need to know," said Will.
"What I mean is that the three of us just need to talk again and one last time before he goes," said Bill.
"Probably," agreed Will.
"Before you go, I want to show you something," said Bill with a raised finger.
Will followed to his father's room. He was faced a certain direction. Above the cot was a painting of a couple and a boy about three years old. The woman wore a red dress. Her caramel curls hung down her back. The man was dressed like a noble sailor. His vibrant blue eyes suck out. The boy sat on his lap. He had the woman's eyes and smile and the man's hair color. Behind them was the sea.
"That's us. How did you get this?" asked Will.
"Jack and Teague have Seastone relations," said Bill. "Oh, Marty wanted you to have this. He paints you know." He handed Will a covered canvas. "Don't open it until after sunset.
Will saw the meaningful look and nodded.
Wills followed his father across the beach to the rocky coast. He turned away from the sun, growing tired of seeing lower more and more. Frightened and walking with his eyes shut, he tripped on a rock.
Will caught him.
"I'm all right," said Wills. He glanced at the sun. Tears came as his fingers clenched tighter around his father's arm.
Will took his son's hand in his palm, looking him in the eye with a gentle smile. "Only another day. No more or less," he whispered.
Wills nodded strongly. Even though today was so much more. "Where are you taking me?"
"Our cove," replied Will. "I told your mother and she agreed to this."
They rounded the point on the cliff to small inlets. One in particular was very rocky. When Wills past the rocks he smiled.
Bill was sprawled on a few flat rocks lying on his back, ankles crossed, feet bared, hands behind head, and eyes shut as if napping. Water rolled on the wet sand and against the rock that were more out to sea.
"Father," said Will.
Bill opened his eyes and supported himself up with his elbows. He nodded.
"What?" wondered Wills.
"Sit lad. We have a lot to talk about," said Bill. He waited for Wills to sit close bedside his father. "Do you know what you're going into?"
Wills nodded. "I've heard about everything anyone must know. I've done it before."
"No, you haven't the slightest idea. You've heard. It is much more that what your father has told you Wills," said Bill. "First of all, you're alone. At times, there are no souls, which it can be rather boring. Other times you don't know what to do to keep up with everything. The souls that come aboard are quite a variety. I've had just born to over one hundred years old. Each one has a different story. Sometimes their stories are ones that you'll never want to hear again. The captain has the most difficult duty. Sometimes I wonder why Jones cut his heart out, the true reason why he did it. I know it was mostly Calypso, but if someone had complete emotion and feeling, he would be driven mad. Staring into the faces of the dead, letting them go, seeing what Heaven does look like and not being able to go when you're just as much dead, being so far away from home and never seeing your family, wondering what they're doing at that exact moment…not feeling your life source wondering why you're still breathing and how you still talk and think…the sun is the only source to this world as it always is the same sun…waiting for your time to end just so you can to and be at peace…you have no idea Wills."
"But, I want to go. My mind needs to go," said Wills.
"Trust me, in one week…one day you'll want to came back," said Bill.
"Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to make me want to stay?" asked Wills.
"No, Wills, this is the truth of you agreement. You chose life only to live dead and cursed," said Will.
"Please, stop," said Wills, hiding his face. His back slowly began trembling. "You're making me not want to go. I want to stay here now."
"You don't have a choice," said Bill as he climbed over rocks. He sat on his grandson's other side. He set his arm Wills as his eyes fell upon Will's tears. "Your father doesn't have that option. He has it worse than you ever could. You came to this duty from life. He came from life, death, life, and eventually death. He'll never really live again. His soul will always linger on that ship."
"It's true Wills. My mark will be everywhere," said Will.
"But I don't want to leave you," whispered Wills as he clung to his father, burying his forehead against his chest. "I'm not as strong as you and mum think I am. I can't do this. I've only been strong for you so you wouldn't worry or think. I know you've told me that I'm handling this better that what you thought. I'm just good at acting. For the past year I've had hardly any strong emotion and more problems than you know, I've kept them in for you, I've held back, cried and screamed far from here, acted like nothing was wrong…resisted killing you so you could be with me. Yes, I'll finally admit it. I've stood over you with the knife, handed you poisoned drinks, thought of pushing you from the cliffs…I've thought it all. My heart told me to. I never found the courage because when you thought of killing yourself it frightens me. I'm afraid to be so far away from you and so afraid to do the one thing that would keep us together."
"Sometimes you were so unsure around me. I never understood why," said Will.
"Now you know," said Wills. "I always sat in a dark corner and cried until I cried myself to sleep. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't know what's come over me."
"You couldn't control how you felt or what you thought because you're losing your feelings and senses to the world. I'm not ever going to blame you for wanting to take me with," Will told him while gently caressing his head. "I sometimes wanted to take you with me too. I didn't because I was too afraid and my father's voice always told me no. I knew letting go wouldn't be simple. Even if you would have joined me to the crew I wouldn't have been angry. You know, Wills, I still have no control over my emotion. I've learned to manipulate them for a while until one takes control and I'll never have true control over anything in my life. Because of what I've done, what I've seen, what I've been through, I will forever be a prisoner of the Flying Dutchman, emotion, and death. I have only one way out."
Wills lifted his head. "Come with me. Come with us. Tonight. Leave all this behind."
"And your brother and sister?" asked Will, obvious. "Your mother? Jack and his family? My crew and ship? My friends? My place here on this island? My place in this world? What about that?"
"What about your place as my father?" wondered Wills.
"How can the living be a father to the dead?" asked Will.
Wills lowered his eyes. He nodded. "You're right."
"Going with you is the smart thing. Staying here is the right thing though. You gave me this chance. You allowed me to have what freedom I could and to live my life at the cost of your own life. Throwing away both of our lives isn't right. I'm going to live my life for all three of us," said Will. "Son, many years from now, when you look back to this moment, you'll see that I did what I had to and you did what you had to and you'll be glad. Trust me son, you'll be glad."
"I'll be more glad of today if you hold me," whispered Wills.
"Of course," said Will, pulling him close. He felt his son crying hopelessly and, in acceptance, rocked him. He glanced at his father.
Bill sat closer and rubbed the young man's arm with the back of his fingers before comforting his own crying son as his little boy cried into Wills's hair. No one said letting go was going to be simple. No one said it was going to be this difficult either.
The twins ran to their brother, laughing and giggling like nothing was wrong. Wills looked at them with a sad smile and red eyes.
"Wot w'ong?" asked Emily.
"My eyes itch. I'm fine," said Wills.
Alex screeched. "Kwakey!"
Both twins shot toward the dock and jumped. Another tentacle sprouted from the water. The tentacles waved in the air. Something shimmered in one of them.
"What do you have Krakey?" asked Wills as he approached the tentacle. He took a corked bottle from the tentacle. Inside was a note.
Little whelp,
It's me, your Uncle Jack. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I'll understand if you don't want to have a happy birthday because it is your last day home and all before going to serve out your duty. Wills, it Anamaria. Never mind Jack. He's been this bad all day. Hello, it's Jack again. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that whenever you need me send Krakey and convince Bill to bring y to this world. I want you to know I love you like a son. It was you who opened all my binding barriers. I'll miss you a lot. Don't worry; I'll come to check on you from time to time. Bill, it's Eddy, yes I'll still keep an eye on Will. You know we come on his birthday each year if not more. So I'm still keeping my promise. Captain Jack again. Sorry about that. It seems everyone wants to wish you well and to remind you that we'll be here when y need us. You'll be fine soon: Barbossa. Bloody hell. Jack again. Now I'm in the rum cellar trying to finish this (and I need a bottle to put it in anyway). Now that I'm finally alone I want to remind you that nothing is forever. This will be tough and difficult at first, but you'll be all right. Besides, you'll have your father someday. I know I say this every time we part. I'll miss you more than I did the last time we parted. Well, this is the price. You got what you wanted. Embrace this new life, because y technically shouldn't have it. I know this is the third time. I'll miss you (no I'm not crying and I have a feeling you father is laughing). Wills, please, went me a letter. I do need you in my life. Who knows, maybe a Sparrow will fly into the crew one day. Again, thank you for everything. Do me a favor, never regret anything or take life for granted. I wish you well and many thanks. Oh, before I forget, Krakey has your birthday gift. You'll need this. World's End doesn't know what clouds are and I got a new one from father. One more thing, your grandfather has a little something from us.
Captain Jack Sparrow, the Immortal King of the Brethren Court.
P.S. Arcelia says hello to all of you.
Wills looked at the other tentacle. Not believing it, he touched it. Jack's beloved hat was hanging from the single tentacle.
"By the way, Teague wanted you to have a guitar," added Bill.
Wills smiled. "I should have known."
One hour. One hour left home. The sky was lit beautifully with shadows of the lowering sun. Every soul knew and understood but two. Will had put this off for three years too late. How would he tell two three year olds that their older brother was leave and not come back for six more years? How?
"Alex, Emily, do you remember us telling you that your brother would leave someday?" began Will gently.
"You say ad yeswerday," said Emily.
"Well, your brother has to leave in an hour."
"Awex," cried Emily.
"No, me," said Wills as he took his little brother in his arms.
"'hy you go?" wondered Alex.
"I'm going to be a sailor on grandfather's ship with him," explained Wills.
"'ome back 'morro'?" asked Emily.
"No."
"Day af'er?" wondered Alex.
"No."
"Day af'er af'er?" wondered Emily.
"No."
"Ne't week?" wondered Alex.
"No."
"Monf?"
"No."
"Yeaw?"
"Probably not."
"Evah?" wondered Emily with a squeaky voice and frightened eyes.
"I'll come home as much as I can," promised Wills, pulling her close now. "Uncle Jack's a sailor and he visits us right?" Both twins nodded. "Just like him I'll come back. You do know it does take time to get from place to place."
"Where you go?" asked Alex.
"The other side of the world," replied Wills.
"Dat far 'way," noted Emily.
"I know, but I'll come home," promised Wills.
"Why you go?" wondered Alex.
"Before you were born, grandfather gave me a favor. I have to repay him. We agreed it have to go on my twenty-second birthday. That's today."
"'ow long you be gone?" wondered Emily.
Wills shrugged. "I don't know. Do you two understand?"
"Yep," replied both twins.
"I miss you," said Emily as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'll come home as often as I can," promised Wills again.
"Okay," said Emily.
"We s'ill be hewe," Alex told him.
"Good, then I won't get lost," said Wills with a smile. He glanced at his parents then back to his siblings. "Do you want to help me bring my things on the ship?"
Alex and Emily's eyes widened. They're small legs ran as fast as they could through the sand.
"That went much better than I thought it would," noted Bill.
"I grew up knowing my father was a sailor on the other side of the world and he would come back as much as he could. It's the truth for me as well. I accepted it. As I grew, I learned more. I've also thought about this for a while anyway," said Wills.
"Well, it seems you don't have to be leaving to get your possessions," said Elizabeth.
The crew walked past Wills carrying chests and sacks.
"Wills, you may need to change clothes here. Once we return to World's End, I'll have you start right away. I didn't exactly finish what I had there," said Bill.
Wills sat on his bed looking at his room. It was nothing but a bed, desk, drawer, a closet door to the closet, and a mirror on the wall. The room looked empty and lonely just like his feelings. He slipped his other boot on then stood to look in the mirror. He wore black boots, dark breeches, a white tunic, and a dark blue sash. His necklace shimmered with the setting sun. There was a knock on the door. He turned to find his father and attempted to smile.
"You look good," noted Will as he stood beside him. "But, you're missing a few things."
In his reflection, Wills watched as a faded blue bandana was wrapped around his head. A black knife was tucked between layers of his sash. A dark blue coat was draped over his shoulders.
"Now you're ready," whispered Will. Before he could wipe them away, a few tears slipped from his eyes. "I don't think we'll have time to do this later so let's say good bye now."
Wills shook his head. "I don't want to."
"Neither do I, but we must," said Will. "We knew this day would come eventually."
"Do you regret my choice?" wondered Wills quietly.
Will turned his son to look in his eyes. "I had the chance to watch my son grow for four years. I never should have had that chance. I was with you for four years. I had my son for four years. What happened was a choosing from both of us. We didn't know what we wanted most."
"It's so hard to say good bye and I now that I have finally gotten you, I don't know if I can say it," said Wills.
"Then don't. Technically, this isn't good bye. We'll see each other in a few years. I would call this a parting for a time. We won't see each other as much anymore until my time, but it's better than not ever seeing each other again or not even having had the past five years with each other of the past four because that is what would have happened had there had been no way to bring you back. So this pain is what we get for having each other. Savvy?" said Will.
Wills looked at him oddly with a raised eyebrow. "What has Jack done to your mind?"
"Do you know what I mean though?" wondered Will.
"Yes, if I was any normal person I wouldn't be here," said Wills. "It's just going to be so different and lonely without you. I've had you every day for four years. No, we will never see each other for six years."
"It won't be that bad. You'll get used to it. I did twice already. Once with your mother, another with my father, and now you. Father will help you. He did with me," said Will.
"You understand me. Not him. Not anyone else," said Wills.
"Message in a bottle son, and Krakey," Will told him.
"Why are you not sad? I'm leaving you and you'll never see me but once every ten years. Why is this harder on me than you?" asked Wills.
"I've done this twice already. My emotions have changed so much Wills, I would call myself half dead. I've seen and known enough about death. I've waited for this day and I've accepted because there is nothing I could have done to change it," said Will. "I let everything out earlier anyway."
"Wills hurry up! We have to leave in twenty minutes."
Wills stopped breathing. His eyes filled with tears. Already feeling alone, he clung to his father.
Will held him close. "Be brave. You can do this son. You're the stronger than I ever was. I'll be with you again and we'll both be crewmembers aboard the ship. You have more ways of freedom than I ever did. When our hearts call you're allowed one week with me. Remember?"
"I forgot about that deal," noted Wills.
"It's not so bad once you get used to it," said Will.
"I love you daddy," whispered Wills.
"I love you Wills. Always will," said Will. He held his child for another moment. "Wills, can I borrow you coat?"
As soon as Wills stepped on the dock, Elizabeth rushed to him to say her good byes.
Will with his son's coat wrapped under an arm, walked past them to the ship. He smiled at his father.
Bill grabbed Will's arm and just looked at him as if he wasn't going to be taken for dumb.
"Put it back," he said.
"Wills needs his coat. You of all should know that it can get cold there on occasion," said Will.
Bill nodded. He took the coat then unwrapped it. He turned to his son.
Will looked at him with an attempted smile and shrug.
"Put it back Will," said Bill, returning the Dead Man's Chest to Will's arms.
"No, I want you to have it," said Will, pushing the chest back.
"Will, I don't want it," Bill told him
"Well, I want you to," Will insisted, pushing it against his father's chest.
"Why?" asked Bill loudly.
"What do you feel?" wondered Will.
"Angry and frustrated!" shouted Bill. His anger vanished from his face as he suddenly realized his son's intent.
Will nodded. "I don't want you feeling nothing like I did. I don't ever want to hear of you falling into melancholy."
"And you locking yourself in a closet is better?" wondered Bill.
"Never mind that. I want you to have feeling and emotion. You deserve to feel human as much as the curse will allow. Beckett was right about one thing. The chest is safest on the ship. Aye, the key and lock are together, but the crew is loyal. You're eyes and entire crew can watch the chest. Times are changing. The Company is dying and so are pirates. I won't have a repeat of last time. I need you to have what I don't," explained Will. He glanced at his son and swallowed hard. "You must have your feelings to love and care for my son the way you did for me. You need to know how to love to comfort him and make him feel that it's all right. You need to do that because I can't. Please, father, take it."
Bill gazed at the chest. He listened to the beating heart. His eyes shut as he took the gold chain with the key from his neck. "Then I want you to have this while we're apart."
Will took the key and traded the chest. It felt good to have the key against his chest. He felt a little more complete.
"One last hug?" a quiet voice asked.
Will turned, immediately taking Wills into that hug. "Nothing lasts forever. Be brave son. We had many years together. Forget everything that you've regretted. You have nothing against you. Wills, thank you for letting me go."
"I love you," Wills told him again.
"You have to go now," whispered Will, pulling away. He wiped his eyes.
"Wills, it's not official yet. I have two more questions to ask you," said Bill. "Do you fear death?"
Wills nodded. "Always have."
"Will you serve as temporary first mate aboard the Flying Dutchman?" asked Bill.
Wills looked at his parents and siblings with a gentle smile. "For at least one hundred years. I will serve. I'm ready to face what I'm meant to do. I'm ready to face my reality. If I wasn't answering this question here, now, then I wouldn't have had a family four years. Yes, I will serve."
"Welcome to the crew…first mate Turner," said Bill.
Will nodded. His arm wrapped around Elizabeth's shoulder.
As Bill began to board the ship, Wills stood on the dock frozen, trapped in an eternal gaze with his parents.
"Andy, we'll meet you out there," announced Bill, climbing down. He sat his hand on Wills's shoulder. "Wills."
"I can't do this," said Wills. "I'm leaving everything behind I need."
"Yes, you can do this," said Elizabeth.
"Me finks you can," said Emily.
"Me foo," agreed Alex.
Will nodded. "Go. Your destiny calls. I'm never far away. When you really need me and I need you we're allowed one week. Whenever things get that terrible, we'll be together. We'll always be here waiting."
"Promise," added Elizabeth.
Wills looked at them desperately, through teared eyes.
"Come on Wills. We must go now," said Bill.
"Keep a weather eye on the horizon," said Wills.
They nodded.
Wills took a few steps backwards then shut his eyes and turned.
Bill set his arm around his shoulder. The two disappeared off the dock.
Out in the cove, the dying sun faded below the horizon. Will stepped forward to the edge of the dock. Green light shot into the sky then became no more. The Flying Dutchman and the Turner's most precious treasure were beyond the horizon in World's End, completing what had to be done. Will sighed heavily. His little boy was gone. Images went through his mind until a tired, small voice broke out.
"I tiwered."
"Come on, it's time for bed anyway," said Will as he took his Alex into his arms.
"When Wiws c'me 'ome?" wondered Alex with a big yawn.
"Someday Alex. Someday," said Will.
After putting the children to bed, Will stood on the balcony to his room gazing into the last remnants of the day. A warm had and cheek rested on his shoulder.
"I can't believe he's gone from our lives," whispered Elizabeth.
"I know," said Will.
"What was it that your father gave you?" wondered Elizabeth.
"A painting that he told me not to open until now," said Will, going to the covered canvas.
Removing the covering he smiled. The scene was at the helm of the Dutchman. Bill and Will were at the wheel, both with a hand on it. They looked like they were going to kill each other since the one wanted to be captain for the day. Elizabeth was sitting on the stairs quietly reading her book, but appearing to be annoyed with the two of them. Wills was looking at his father, leaning on the rail with his arms folded and sword in hand as though he had just finished sharpening his skills.
Will read the note attached to it in Jack's handwriting. This is what will become of the Flying Dutchman one day.
"He's right," said Elizabeth. Will nodded with a heavy sigh. "What are we going to do until then?"
Will shrugged. "Even without Wills life must go on," he said sadly.
Sweet kisses consumed his neck. He looked at Elizabeth and smiled.