Angelica was alone, wandering around the still empty streets of Tortuga. It seemed that everyone was now vast asleep after an eventful night in one of the many taverns in the port city.

"Mierda!" She wiped a single tear off her face. It annoyed her immensely. Angelica was not a crier; she just never did. It made her feel weak – something that had to be avoided at all costs, being the fierce piratess that she was.

But right now, she felt lost and confused. The piece of cloth confirmed what she had known but had denied for weeks: she was pregnant with Jack's child. Captain Jack Sparrow's child for god's sake.

It would be born out of wedlock. Angelica herself was the daughter of Blackbeard. Jack was the most sought-after pirate in the Caribbean. The child's grandparents were pirates. Even its great-grandmother was a pirate: Jack's grandmother – or "Grandmama" – had been. Or was? She had no idea if the woman was still alive.

But all this time, Angelica had not told Jack. In fact, he had told her. He was angry at her for not being honest with him. Nevertheless, he seemed to have accepted it, even though he may not have been too keen on the idea at first.

Yet, it was exactly this reaction that confused her. She had expected him to stare at her, lost for words, as she would tell him she was pregnant. Afterward, he would run away and leave her for good. That was how it should have gone. Right?

However, his reaction was quite the opposite. He had sat there, calmly, trying to make it all easier for her by telling her what he thought had been going on. And she had been too stubborn to admit it – that was what had made him angry.

Something inside her was doubting everything. Their adventure to the treasure, their relationship. Could she really trust him again this deeply? Was he really going to stay this time?

She could not help but think that maybe it would be better if she would just leave herself. They could both continue their lives as if nothing had happened. She would raise the child herself, somewhere far away from piracy and from Jack.

After walking around Tortuga for fifteen minutes she reached the house she was looking for. She knocked on the door, waiting patiently for someone to open it.

When no one answered, she knocked again, harder this time. "Salma! Salma!"

Finally, a distressed Salma opened the door in her nightgown, surprised to see Angelica standing in front of the door this early in the morning.

*imagine this conversation in Spanish*

"Querida, come in! What's going on?" She opened the door further so that Angelica could walk in. They walked upstairs.

Salma and John were living in a small apartment above the tavern Salma worked at. The owner had been very nice and was willing to rent them the upstairs apartment for a low rent – he was living in the house next to the tavern with his wife, who also worked there.

Angelica sat down at the dining table in the kitchen, or living room – there was just one room and two bedrooms. Angelica's eyes fell on the cradle that was located in the corner. Salma was already preparing for the birth of her child, it seemed.

"Where is John?" Angelica looked around but did not see him anywhere. Since this was not something she wanted everyone in Tortuga to know, she wanted to make sure she really was alone with Salma before she would tell her anything.

"He already left for work. I'll make us something to eat." Salma started rummaging around the kitchen. Angelica felt kind of guilty for waking up Salma.

"Gracias." Angelica smiled softly.

A few minutes later, the two women were sitting at the dining table eating breakfast together. They were sitting in front of a window and could see how the sun was slowly rising, lighting the room beautifully. In the distance, you could see the sea and if you watched closely, you could even see some ships.

"So, where is that pirate of yours?" Salma raised her eyebrows in suspicion. Her best friend knew her well. She knew Angelica's visit just had to do something with Jack.

"The Pearl. So, ehm, I need your advice." Angelica nervously began.

"Vale, what is it?" Salma asked, a little bit concerned.

Angelica took a deep breath. She felt her eyes getting teary again. Gosh, she really could not control herself. Stupid hormones.

"What?!" Salma worriedly asked. She took Angelica's hand in hers to comfort her. Angelica smiled softly at Salma's attempt to calm her down.

"You are not the only one who is with child, I am too…" Angelica bit her lip, awaiting Salma's reaction.

"Angelica? You're not lying, are you? How long?"

Salma pushed her plate away like she could not listen and eat at the same time. This was way too important.

Angelica shook her head. "It is true."

Salma immediately got up and hugged her best friend tightly. Both of them cried: Salma being so happy for Angelica, Angelica when she saw her best friend's reaction. It warmed her heart to see Salma's reaction. She did not judge her; she was just happy for her.

"I think three months, maybe more." Angelica placed her hands on her belly. The more she felt it, the more it became… real.

"Dios mío, Angelica. Do you realize? You are pregnant with the child of captain Jack Sparrow, the one and only." Salma playfully slapped Angelica's arm. like it was this sort of major achievement. Actually, it kind of was.

"That's the problem. I did not tell him."

Angelica told Salma about their visit to the sorcerer, the piece of cloth, the map – everything. Talking to Salma felt like she could finally breathe again. Speaking to her best friend, a woman, a pregnant woman. Someone who was going through the same things, kind of.

"You know there is only one person who can tell you, 'Gelica. I think you should go see her…"

Salma then suddenly stood up. "But first, you need new clothes."

Angelica had stayed at Salma's house for a few hours just talking. About their pregnancies, children, men, love, giving birth. Angelica had needed this. Talking to her best friend about it had calmed her down. It had put things into context.

Salma had even given her one of her dresses after she had told her she barely fitted into her trousers anymore. It was a dark, burgundy red color. Coincidentally, it matched perfectly with her ring – the ring.

It was a strange feeling. She had not worn a dress in years. But at the same time, it was liberating. Her trousers were so tight, she barely fitted into them anymore. She wore her belts and her effects over the dress, so she could still defend herself if needed.

After walking around Tortuga for a while, she finally found the building she was looking for. It had taken her quite some time to get there since she could not remember how she got there last time. Everything looked so different now that it was daytime.

She was surprised to find the door open and walked in. The elderly woman was behind the counter again, looking down.

"Señora, ayúdame, por favor." Angelica spoke. She knew she had to be careful, or otherwise, the woman would disappear again, just like last night.

"Niña, felicidades…." The woman looked up and walked toward Angelica, having an intense look in her eyes that scared her.

The elderly woman placed her hands on Angelica's corset like she was trying to feel her baby bump. It was way too intimate for Angelica's liking. She was just praying the woman would get her hands off her, off her baby.

Angelica felt uncomfortable but nevertheless tried to continue. "Gracias. Pero, tengo una pregunta…"

The elderly woman did not let her finish her sentence and interrupted her immediately.

"El amor lo conquista todo. No te preocupes." (Love conquers all. Don't you worry.)

Angelica sighed. That was not what she wanted to hear. Because, if he had loved her that much before, why did he leave her then? And, more importantly, how could she then trust him not to leave this time?

The elderly woman placed her hands on Angelica's hand for a few seconds and then let go. Her ring was lighting up again. Angelica frowned. How did she do that?

"Él no te dejará. La cuestión es si lo dejarás." (He will not leave you. The question is whether you will leave him.)

Angelica was about to reply when suddenly the woman walked outside. Angelica immediately ran after her, but when she looked around, she did not see the woman anywhere on the street. She had disappeared, again.

She closed her eyes, trying to decide what to do next. She then looked down at her hand again, specifically to that one ring. The light of the ruby stone was getting less and less intense.

"I haven't seen ye in a dress like that in years."

Angelica frowned at hearing a voice behind her. That was not the elderly woman speaking. It was a rough, low voice. A voice she knew very well. When she turned around, she saw him leaning against the wall, smiling softly at her.

"You followed me." Angelica squinted her eyes, examining him. It seemed like he had been standing there for a while. He must have heard most of the conversation.

Jack shrugged. "Just making sure my pregnant woman doesn't run away from me."

He slowly approached her; Angelica watched him closely. My pregnant woman. A small smile formed on her lips; she could not help it.

The anger she had seen in his eyes this morning had disappeared. He was calm. Angelica herself felt more at ease now too. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the conversation they were about to have.

"Why are you not running, Jack?" Angelica looked him deep in his eyes. She wanted him to be honest with her. If he was going to leave her, he'd better do it now.

Jack stared back with the same intensity. "I've had some time to think, aye."

For weeks he had suspected it. And for weeks he had thought about it. He had spoken with Gibbs about it. Talked it over and over. He had made his decision weeks ago. But Angelica did not know.

"You have to tell me if you're leaving me. Now!"

Angelica felt like this was it. They had fallen in love again, hard. Maybe too hard. But this was not part of Jack's plan. It never had been.

The look in his eyes was intense, but Angelica stared back with the same intensity. It was time to be honest with each other. No lies. No playing games.

"Am not. Question is whether ye will believe me upon my word."

Jack simply said as if it was the easiest question to answer. Angelica frowned. This was not like the Jack she knew.

"I don't believe you. I know you, Jack. You never wanted this. You never wanted to get married, you never wanted to have children…" Angelica started to ramble.

She continued. "If you don't convince me I will leave myself. I cannot be hurt like that again, Jack. I really can't…"

It would be best for the both of them. This would be hard, and it would be even harder on her own. But she did not know if she could take it if Jack would hurt her again. She wanted to be the one in control.

Jack shook his head, frowning. "No, no, no, shut it..." He moved his hands in the air like he did not understand a single word of what Angelica was saying.

Angelica was about to continue but stopped when Jack intervened. She crossed her arms, looking at him annoyed. "What?"

"That doesn't make any sense at all, luv. If you're so convinced that I would leave ye, why didn't I leave ye weeks ago, if I already knew it by then, aye?"

Jack was frowning while talking like he was trying to solve the hardest puzzle in the world.

Angelica rolled her eyes. "Because I didn't tell you, so you were not sure."

Jack grinned at this. The woman really thought she had been fooling him all those weeks. "No, luv. I was very, very sure."

Angelica sighed. It made sense. If he really knew she was pregnant all those weeks ago, he could have left her. The fact was that he had not. But she still couldn't understand why. Why hadn't he?

"Why? I don't understand, Jack." Angelica spoke softly. Her eyes were just begging him to convince her that he was not lying or manipulating her in any way.

"Love is a curious thing, 'Gelica…"

He held out his hands to her, inviting her to come closer. She hesitated, still not fully convinced. like there was a "but" coming. But there was not.

"What are you saying?" She decided to await his answer.

"I love ye, 'Gelica, ye know that."

She swallowed. He just told her he loved her. She had not heard him say that in years. And even all of those years ago, he had barely said it. Jack was not the type of man to say things like that.

She took his hands with tears in her eyes, finally accepting his gesture. Jack pulled her closer. Naturally, he placed her hands on her back, while she placed her hands around his neck.

Instead of saying anything, she just looked at him. Her right hand went up to his face. Her fingers slowly traveled down his face.

Jack saw a tear dropping down her cheek. Was this some sort of goodbye? He tried to read her, but he failed. She seemed to be thinking, but he couldn't see where this was going.

With his thumb, he wiped the tear away. "Ye just have to trust me, luv. We'll be fine."

Angelica looked in his eyes for a few seconds before she finally spoke.

"Vale." Angelica whispered. It was the only word she was able to get out of her throat.

"Ye're staying with me then?" Jack's eyes lit up and he smiled softly.

"Sí." Angelica smiled back.

"Aye. Come, we have a treasure to find."

Jack was about to leave but Angelica strengthened her grip around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Standing on her toes, she kissed him slowly.

Jack placed his hands in her hair, deepening the kiss. For a few minutes, they stayed like that, before Angelica finally broke the kiss.

"Te amo."

Thank you for your reviews. The story is nearing its end. Stay tuned!