Chapter 36: Departure and Nine Months Later

For many, long, painful weeks, Guinevere rested below decks. During that time, Guinevere was in immense pain. Her maimed belly felt as if it was on fire, and she grunted and cursed like a pirate captain's wife. As expected, Jack never left Guinevere's side for a moment.

As Guinevere swore and shouted, Jack would simply say, "That's it! Get angry, darling! Let it all out!"

Guinevere's pain was relieved in the arms of her husband as well as with the presence of Will, Elizabeth, Lucia, and Rose. One evening they all filed down below to dote on their wounded friend.

"You gave us quite a fright, Guin," Rose said.

"So I've heard," Guinevere said.

"Do that again, and I will just have to kill you," Lucia jested.

"Don't worry. You won't have to," Guinevere laughed.

"I hope not," Lucia chortled.

"There'll be no killing here!" Jack exclaimed, holding Guinevere protectively.

Will snickered. "As you can tell, Jack at his wit's end waiting for you."

"I've never seen him so selfless before," Lucia commented, "No one else mattered but you. It was quite a surprise."

"It's been known to happen," Jack snorted, "Why are you people always surprised?"

"I'm sure it is," Guinevere said with a smile, "Where will we go now?"

"Back to Shipwreck City," Jack declared, "Barbossa is at the helm sailing us in that direction now."

"Wonderful," Guinevere said, "After getting shot, I really need to see my baby again."

"You'll see her soon enough," Will comforted.

"As a nurse, I advise that we give the wounded air to breathe," Rose suggested.

"Take care, Guin," Elizabeth said.

All, except for Jack, filed out of the room one by one. Guinevere fell into sleep Jack's arms.

The next morning, Guinevere was awakened by a pair of warm hands massaging her wounded belly.

Guinevere smiled in delight and touched the soft hands on her tummy. "Oh, that tickles! Don't stop."

Slowly, Guinevere opened her eyes to find herself in a different place with Will at her side. "You're not Jack."

"Unfortunately not. Sorry to disappoint you," Will laughed.

"You can make up for it by not stopping what you're doing and telling me where I am," Guinevere told him.

Will laughed and continued to clean and wrap Guinevere's tummy in bandages. "As you wish, Mrs. Sparrow. We are back at Shipwreck Cove. I had to change your bandages. Rose has left me in charge of you."

"Shipwreck?"Guinevere asked, "That fast?"

"The Black Pearl is the fastest ship in the Caribbean," Will said with a smile, "How are you feeling?"

Guinevere grimaced. "A good keelhauling would feel wonderful right now."

Will lowered his eyes in remorse. "I can't keelhaul you, and I wouldn't if I could. All I can do is ensure you do not suffer illness. The best you can do is stay off your feet until the pain goes away."

"Where's Calypso when you need her?" Guinevere groaned.

"A goddess cannot care for you like I can," Will countered.

"Said the immortal ferryman of those who die at sea," Guinevere laughed.

Will smiled, but his face fell quickly as he finished changing Guinevere's bandages.

"What is it?" Guinevere asked, concerned.

"Nothing, really," Will said dismissively as he finished tying the knot of the bandages.

"Will, I'm older and wiser than you. Don't make excuses when I know something's wrong," Guinevere told him.

Will sighed. "Elizabeth is pregnant."

"That's wonderful!" said Guinevere.

"But Calypso will be expecting me back now that the battle is won," Will added.

"But you can come back, can't you?" Guinevere asked dubiously.

"Yes, but it's not like that," Will explained, "I won't be home for ten years. I won't be able to enjoy every day with my child."

Guinevere took Will's hand and squeezed it. "Will, I know exactly how you feel. I was away from Jack for a year because I was stupid and now I regret it. I haven't had one peaceful day with my baby since she was born."

"Not to be rude, but how does that make me feel better?" Will asked glumly.

"What I'm trying to say is that you should enjoy what time you have with Elizabeth and Turner Junior," Guinevere said gently, "I'm usually right about these things, you know. It would be wise to listen to me."

Comforted, Will smiled. "Thanks, Guin. I'll remember that."

One week later, Guinevere awoke refreshed and her strength returned. Her pain was vanquished. She found Jack at her side once more.

"Morning, love," Guinevere greeted warmly, leaning up and kissing Jack's lips.

"A good morning to you, dear Missus," Jack greeted, "Are you well?"

"As well as well can be," Guinevere said happily.

"Perfect because there's someone who'd like to see you," Jack told her with a grin.

Guinevere beamed as she looked upon Juliet again. "Hello, amoureux! It's wonderful to see you again!"

"She waited patiently for you," Jack told her.

"And she was very well taken care of," Guinevere acknowledged with a smile.

"Of course!" Jack replied.

Guinevere smiled and kissed Juliet's head, followed by Jack's lips.

"Where's Captain Will?" Guinevere asked.

Jack sighed. "With his dearly beloved. He is leaving for The Land of the Dead today."

Guinevere lowered her eyes; she knew that when Will left, he wouldn't return again for nine months.

Towards the day's end, she, Juliet, and Jack headed out to the docks to say their farewells to Will. Rose and Elizabeth were also at the deck.

Will faced Jack. "Take care of Guin. She's like a sister I'll never have."

"Don't worry. I will, Captain Turner," Jack reassured him.

The Captains warmly embraced. Will then embraced Guinevere and kissed Juliet's head.

"You are ordered to come back when Turner Junior is here," Guinevere told him, "And you must return after ten years."

"You have my word, Mrs. Sparrow," Will promised, "I'll see you soon, petit Juliet."

Jack, Guinevere, Juliet, and Rose left Will alone with Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Will embraced, their foreheads touching and they took in their sweet scents. They stared into each other's eyes, memorizing their faces.

"I will return to you," Will whispered, "Both of you."

"We'll be waiting for you," Elizabeth promised.

"I know," Will replied.

"Will!" Elizabeth gasped.

As if for the last time, Elizabeth filled Will into her arms and kissed him.

"Keep a weather eye on the horizon," Will whispered.

Nine months later… Elizabeth lay on her bed in Shipwreck Cove. Guinevere and Rose were at her side, while Jack and Lucia waited for Will. She had spent nine months carrying her treasure, her child with Will. Now it was time for her to meet her child. Elizabeth was breathing hard, and let out muffled screams through gritted teeth.

"Oh, God! That hurts!" she groaned.

"Just breathe," Rose advised her, "You need to push soon."

"Where's Will?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not here yet," Guinevere told her.

"Then I won't push until he is," Elizabeth declared.

"Don't be rash, Elizabeth!" Rose gasped, "You can't wait that long. Will will be here."

Elizabeth screamed in pain. "AHH!"

Just then, Will burst through the door!

"It's about time!" Guinevere laughed.

Will sat by Elizabeth's side and took her hand. "I'm here, Elizabeth. I'm here, my love."

"Push, Elizabeth!" Rose said.

Holding back screams of anguish, Elizabeth squeezed Will's hand and pushed. After each push, she sank back to her pillow. This continued for at least half of the day. Finally, during the early hours of the evening, Elizabeth was almost finished.

"Right, Elizabeth, one more time," Rose urged.

Elizabeth pushed one last time and fell back to her pillow. At last, the clear cry of a baby filled the room.

"It's a healthy baby boy!" Rose declared.

Elizabeth and Will gazed at their new son with all the love they have for each other. Guinevere left the room to tell Jack and Lucia the wonderful news, followed by Rose.

During the night, Jack, Lucia, Rose, and Guinevere joined Will and Elizabeth.

"He's a handsome lad, just like his father," Jack commented.

"He's a Turner for sure," Lucia declared.

"What will you name him?" Guinevere asked.

Elizabeth smiled at Will and her son. "We will name him William, after his father and grandfather."

"William Jack Hector Weatherby Turner III," Will added.

Jack's eyes widened. "I'm flattered, Mr. and Mrs. Turner."

"Not you, Jack. We named him after the monkey," Will told him.

Jack's face turned red.

"Just kidding, Jack!" Will laughed.

"Pirate!" Jack laughed.

After a full day with his son and wife, Will was bound for the Netherworld once more the following day.

"I'll see you again," he told Elizabeth.

Will kissed little William's head and turned away to his ship.

Elizabeth shook her head. He's not leaving yet!

"Will!" she called.

Will threw his arms around her and they kissed as the sun lowered in the sky.

"Keep a weather eye on the horizon," Will whispered.

Elizabeth and William III watched as Will disappeared on aboard the Dutchman. The Flying Dutchman sailed into the horizon, and with a flash of green, it disappeared into the sunset.