Two Years Later

"You and me, me and you

There couldn't be a better two

To be blessed and know the meaning of true love."

– R. Thomas

"Here Lizzie," Will said brightly as he carefully removed the overturned bucket, drawing the girl's attention to the newly created turret.

She let out a little squeal and clapped her hands together in glee, drawing a smile from her adoring father as he crouched in the sand of their little beach, playing with his now two year old daughter.

"You see," he playfully declared, affectionately pressing her flawless little nose with his forefinger. "Now you have a perfectly respectable castle. But what next? Shall we make you a moat?"

The girl shook her head 'no', her chocolate curls bouncing about her shoulder. "No. Lizzie Boat comes," she replied, grabbing hold of the small model ship next to her father's foot and pushing it up the sand to dock alongside the castle they had created.

Will laughed, never ceasing to be amused by his little girl and the charming things that came out of her mouth. What she was referring to at the moment was one of the latest acquisitions of the Turner Shipping Company. The trading company Elizabeth had started those many years ago while he was away had grown in leaps and bounds over the years. They now had three flagships: the Empress, which made her market in Asian waters; the Lizzie, purchased last year and named after their daughter, which made her home in Caribbean waters; and the Swann, their very latest ship they were only just acquiring that would sail from European waters – not to mention the many other smaller ships that bridged the gap and kept the business running alongside their larger sisters.

Of course young Lizzie loved her namesake best – both because it was named after her and because, making berth in the Caribbean, she saw and sailed upon it most often – but for some reason had taken to calling both the real ship and its toy counterpart 'Lizzie Boat' and would not be dissuaded from the title.

"All right," Will agreed, pressing the ship further into the sand so it would stand up on its own. "Lizzie Boat has arrived. Now what?"

She looked up at her father, seeming to consider this. "Now we sail away ta find Cap'n Jak."

"Ah, to Tortuga it is then," Will smiled.

Lizzie laughed boisterously. She had no clue as to the joke, but could tell from her father's silly, amused tone that it was funny all the same.

Will rose to his feet, carefully sidestepping the sandcastle, as he stretched out his legs. Lizzie scurried up and toddled over to him. "Papa," she called.

"Yes, Lizzie," Will answered, affection clear in his tone, especially in the way he said his daughter's name.

"I luv you."

He smiled down at her, his heart overwhelmed with love for his little girl. And what a picture she made! She was absolutely beautiful. The soft red bows that held her unruly locks away from her face perfectly matched her pretty little dress – though at the moment it was caked in sand.

"And I love you too, my Lizzie," he told her.

She beamed in response, latching on to her father's knee. "I luv you mo and mo and mo."

Will grinned dotingly, telling her, "I love you as big as the ocean and as wide as the sky."

Lizzie smiled at his declaration, then outstretched her arms, demanding, "Up, Papa. Up me." When her father complied, swinging her up into his embrace, she threw her arms around his neck and, pressing her cheek to his, hugged him fiercely. "I squeezin' you," she affectionately announced.

Laughing, Will returned the hug, opening his eyes to find Elizabeth and William coming down from the house to join them.

"Mama!" Lizzie yelled, having spotted her mother now too. She wiggled about in Will's arms, pushing her little body off his chest.

Will recognized this as Lizzie's signal for wanting down and he dutifully placed her back onto the sand. She ran over to Elizabeth, catching her barefoot in the sand and nearly tripping once, but making it nonetheless. Elizabeth amusedly took in her daughter's sandy, rumpled appearance but wouldn't dream of scolding her; she endured far too many such lectures in her own younger life.

"I miss you, Mama," Lizzie declared in that exaggerated way that two year olds have perfected.

"Aww, and I missed you, Lizzie," Elizabeth answered, bending down and drawing her child into a hug. "And look who I found coming back from Henry's house."

William popped out from behind his mother's back to his sister's excited giggles.

"Willum!" she cried, throwing herself at him.

"Lizzie," he laughed, placing his arm about her shoulders and fondly patting her back.

William was now nearly twelve and a half and following in his father's footsteps magnificently, showing great promise in both his sword and blacksmithing skills. Moreover, though he still had a keen fondness for sailing and pirates – particularly those who kept company with the family – his attentions had also been lately captured by a certain girl in the village who he appeared to be more than a bit enamored with. It was too early to tell if it was serious, though with his parents' record……

"Come," William said, taking his sister's hand. "Let's run along the beach." Lizzie grinned from ear to ear. "On your mark, get set, go!" he yelled. Allowing his sister a slight head start before taking off, he then shouted, "I'm going to catch you, Lizzie!" The little girl shrieked with laughter and increased her pace.

"Don't take her too near the water," Elizabeth called after him.

Will looked over to his wife and smiled, wordlessly stretching his arm out to her. Returning his smile, Elizabeth walked into his embrace, leaning into his side as his arm wrapped around her waist, his hand settling on her hip.

"Did you enjoy yourself in the village?" he inquired.

"I did," she replied. "The markets had a fine offering this morning, and…." She paused, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "And I had a….lovely visit in town."

"How was Carmen?" Will asked, assuming that was who Elizabeth was referring to.

Six months ago, Carmen had quit the Turner household, having found love and marriage with Thomas, the town apothecary. Though she no longer resided with them, she did stay on as a daytime tutor to the Turner children, and they loved visiting her in town – particularly since her husband's brother was the village baker, guaranteeing an endless supply of treats on hand. However, having discovered herself newly with child and suffering a particularly strong bout of morning sickness, Carmen had been given the week off, which meant it was up to Elizabeth to go into town to see her.

"She's doing well. Thomas has brewed her some fine ginger teas which seem to be doing the trick."

"I'm glad," Will answered, observing his wife's intriguing little smile with a curious glint. "What's that smile for?"

"I missed you?" she mischievously offered.

"I'll bet you did," he laughed, turning her in his embrace and pressing her squarely against his front. "Clearly you are hiding something….but luckily I love you." He dropped his mouth to her neck, favoring the skin with a kiss, then a gentle bite.

Elizabeth gasped. "Not in front of the children," she said coquettishly, pulling back away from him.

As if on cue, a peel of Lizzie's laughter carried across to them as their two young children skittered past along the beach.

"They're beautiful aren't they?" Will mused, watching their son and daughter play in the sand.

"Yes," Elizabeth smiled, resting her head upon his shoulder and snuggling back against his side. After a moment's pause, she lifted up her head, eyeing him impishly. "……..Would you like another?"

Will looked over at her, his eyes suddenly widening in comprehension. "Elizabeth," he said, drawing her back away from him to examine her, his gaze immediately going to her middle. "Are you – "

"We can expect a brand new Turner before the year is through," she joyously informed him. "The midwife confirmed it for me this morning."

"Elizabeth," Will smiled widely, his countenance aglow with happiness. "I love you," he said, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "And you," he tenderly added, his hand gently spreading against her abdomen.

Looking over her figure once more, he moved his hands in gentle circles across and down her belly, feeling for the first hints of their third child.

"Will," Elizabeth breathed, placing her hand over his and stopping it just as his fingers dipped beneath her navel, "please….You know what being with child does to me."

Will looked up at her desire-filled eyes and grinned. He well remembered the days aboard the Black Pearl when Elizabeth was carrying Lizzie. The pregnancy had increased her lusts as such that she would all but attack him at their cabin's door, making love there into the wee hours of the morning…..And sometimes other rooms as well. He recalled with fondness their romp in the crow's nest – although that had actually been his idea. Still the principle was the same; the lovemaking had been frequent and fantastic.

"Yes, I do remember," he said, placing his hands at her hips and pulling her back to him. Dropping his lips close to her ear, he rakishly whispered, "Shall I take you here or wait till we're inside?"

"Hmm," Elizabeth contemplated. "Here." Will gave her a playfully lecherous look and his hand's slid toward her bottom until, reaching around, she rerouted them. "But tonight," she clarified.

"Excellent. I feel like wading nude with you in the sea."

"Do you see how I've corrupted you?" Elizabeth laughed.

"No, love. I had those ideas – and more – all on my own years ago," Will replied, kissing her.

"Papa! Papa!" Lizzie called to him from where she stood, her feet sinking into the wet sand as the lapping waters pulled back out to sea. "Twirl me!"

"All right, Lizzie, my angel," he answered back.

Will's arm fell to Elizabeth's waist, his hand curling against their unborn child, as they made their way down to the shore.

"How did we ever make such perfect children?" Elizabeth sighed.

Grinning, Will replied, "I'll remind you tonight."

AN: One more Epilogue to go!