What in the World
Chapter 51
James and Leah entered the crowded galley to the cheers, hoots, hollers, whistling, and boot stomping of the crew who for all intents and purposes had had more than their share of rum already. Leah smiled and waved a little in return; James turned a little red in embarrassment.
"Ah Commodore, glad you could join us." Jack said as he sidled up behind James. "I think you should be checkin your memory though, as I believe you are forgetting a very important something here." He gave James a smile and a flop of his hand as the man turned to look questioningly at him. As the Commodore continued to look at him with an I don't have a clue what you are talking about stare. Jack leaned forward, sticking his face in James' face and whispering in a conspiratorial way, "Something…….important Commodore."
James could smell the rum on Jack's breath and moved back a step, Jack followed still nose to nose with James, he made a face at James now as if he couldn't believe James didn't know what he was talking about, and repeated "Something important Commodore." He raised his fingers to poke James in the forehead as he said this, but noticing the glare the Commodore was shooting him, thought better of it and changed it mid poke into a wavy gesture in his face instead. James grabbed Jack's hand, pulled it out of his face and said in a irritated tone, "What in the world are you babbling about Sparrow?" Jack looked from his hand to James, back at his hand, and back at James once more. James realized he still had a hold of Jack's wrist and with a glower let it go and snapped, "What are you trying to say Sparrow? Out with it, I am in no mood to play games."
"Ah, I certainly feel sorry for your bonny bride then, this bein your wedding night and all." Jack said looking at James with a mock sorrowful expression.
James exhaled loudly and with an angry look on his face stepped forward, which caused Jack to take a step back. "Enough Sparrow….."
Jack put a very innocent look on his face, leaned backward away from James in a very precarious looking manner, and interrupted James as he again waved and flopped his hands around, "Just tryin me best to help here Commodore."
"By driving me into madness Captain, is that how you intended to help?" James snapped back.
"I don't believe that was my original intention here Commodore, although it's been so long now I can't be sure………hum……….no I'm sure about that now, I had no intention what so ever of driving you mad." Jack said as he stood there leaned back unsteadily and tapping a finger on his chin.
"Out with it then Sparrow before I run you through." James said glaring at Jack.
"I don't think that would go over very well with your new Mrs. Commodore, might bring a bit of a pall to the celebratin and all. Be a shame to ruin a perfectly good reason to drink rum Commodore. Might also make the weddin night a bit iffy in my opinion." and seeing James reach for his sword continued very rapidly, "Shine Commodore, I was just trying to remind you of something you forgot to remember as it were. That the opportune moment is fast approaching for you to be givin your dearly beloved that bit of shine."
Jack watched as comprehension flooded the Commodore's face. James walked the few steps to where Leah and Tia were in conversation. "I have just recently been made aware I have been lax in a certain matter I must attend to forthwith." He didn't wait for an answer but headed out the door.
"James? James where are you going? James?" Leah called out to him looking puzzled.
"Not to worry luv, no accountin for the whims and such of Commodores, especially that one." Jack smiled and winked as he addressed the two women. "Now Leah, did I happen to tell ya how I gathered all those wedding accouterments all by me onsies?"
"Jack!" Tia said with a disapproving look.
"Well I may have had a little help in the gatherin." Jack said with a sheepish smile at Tia, and then waving his hands about, "Anyone care for some rum?" and after a brief pause. "That's an absolutely grand idea. Glad you thought of it." and swished off to find said rum.
Leah said with a laugh, "He has got to be the daftest pirate I have ever heard of."
"He wouldn't be Jack if he wasn't." Tia replied also laughing.
Ragan approached them with a plate heaped with food. "You really should try some of the food Leah, Tia made most of it and I swear she is the best cook on this side of the ocean." which gained him a smile from Tia.
"I really should go find James." Leah said as she looked towards the door.
"Go get yourself something to eat first, if he's not back by then we can go look for him." Tia said. "He couldn't have gone far."
"All right, but if he's not back by then I do want to go look for him." Leah said and she and Tia walked off toward the table loaded with food.
Ragan saw James come in through the door and as the Commodore scanned the room trying to find Leah in the crowd he walked over and said as he pointed towards where the two women were standing, "She's over there getting some food Commodore."
"Ah yes, I see her now. Thank you." and walked towards her with a package held behind his back.
"James! I was worried about you. What in the world caused you to leave like that?" Leah said as she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
James returned the kiss and then bringing his hand out from behind his back handed the package to her. Leah took the package in one hand, her other hand being occupied with a plate of food, and tried to do something with the plate so she could open the present. But seeing they were no longer near the table and there was not another suitable place to set the plate down other than the floor she stood there in a bit of confusion. James, after a brief moment saw her dilemma and took the plate of food from her freeing her hand to begin opening the package.
She stood there in awe and amazement, tears welling up in her eyes as she
gazed at the stunning piece of jewelry in her hand. "Oh my James, it's….it's beautiful. I mean it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Oh James thank you. I've never seen anything like it. Thank you, thank you so much!" She grabbed him around the neck and began kissing him enthusiastically on the face and anywhere else she could, clinging to him as tightly as humanly possible. James arms went out to his sides in surprise and an unwitting crewman that happened to be passing by wound up with a plate of food shoved towards him. He took it and with a "Thank 'e" walked off eating the food on said plate. James put his arms around Leah and whispered in her ear, "Leah please, I'm glad you are so appreciative, but this is hardly the place for such displays. Please Leah, perhaps we could delay this showing of affection until a later time."
By now the crowd of deckhands had noticed what the Commodore and Leah were up to and broke out into a frenzy of boot stomping, whistling, hooting, and hollering, which only embarrassed James all the more. "Leah? Leah…….." James was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Jack at their side. As he leaned in close to them he said, "I think you two need to be getting yourselves a room."
Leah stopped long enough to take James' arm and start leading him towards the door as she said, "I think you're right."
They were followed down the hall by the renewed sounds of the crew and their hooting, hollering, whistling, and boot stomping, with a few suggestive comments thrown in just for good measure.
To Be Continued
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