Will seemed to remember himself as he supported Elizabeth and drew her up against him. "Elizabeth? Are you alright?" Will asked, as he steadied her and fought to feign a semblance of calm. It would do her no good for her to start worrying about him too.
"Yes," she breathed, regaining her composure. "Contractions." She offered, with a slight shrug of her shoulders trying to steady herself. "They come and go. Some are worse than others." She added with a grimace. Will noted the fresh beads of sweat on her forehead and frowned. "Maybe you should lie down?" he suggested.
Before Elizabeth could protest, because any woman would know contractions are easier to manage standing rather than laying down, another woman stepped into the room from the captain's cabin. Startled, because he had not been expecting anyone else to be there, Will instinctively pulled Elizabeth closer to him. As he quickly recognized the woman, Will had to keep his jaw from dropping. It was none other than Anamaria, the first pirate damsel he'd ever met. Other than a few new lines around her dark brown eyes, she looked relatively similar to the last time he saw her; slim build, long brown hair, sharp facial features. Apparently, the bad blood between her and Jack had been resolved, Will thought. This piqued his interest greatly, as he shot a questioning glance towards Jack who just shrugged.
"Perhaps William, we should leave the womenfolk to their business, and let the menfolk do what we do best, and celebrate your entry to fatherhood. What say you to that?" He said picking up the bottle of rum and holding it up in salute. Elizabeth felt more than heard Will snort in response. Eyeing the rum bottle warily, Elizabeth fought a sudden wave of nausea, her grip tightening on Will's forearm. Anamaria rolled her eyes and shot Jack a pointed look.
"It'll be a while yet 'fore anyone's celebrating." Turning towards Will and noting the paleness of Elizabeth's face, she added "Some fresh air will do her good. Walking can help ease the pain." "You're a midwife?" Will asked her disbelievingly. Based on his recollections, he couldn't recall her ever having mentioned that particular skill. Not that the circumstances would have called for it, he thought briefly, remembering how she had slapped Jack over a stolen ship many years ago.
"My mother was. I've seen enough to know what I'm doing." Anamaria responded, tilting her chin up, daring him to question her. She was still the same in spirit, Will thought, which might ultimately prove to be very useful tonight. He was relieved his wife would at least have some help, be it from a pirate or not. Based on his previous encounters with Anamaria, he knew he could trust her. Though, at this point it's not like he had a choice. If Gibbs was any indication, the rest of the crew was certainly in no position to help. For himself, Will thought, he was better suited to ferrying souls to their final resting place rather than delivering new life. Though, he would support Elizabeth in any way he was able to. His wife interrupted his thoughts.
"Some fresh air then?" she asked Will, desperate to leave the dark musky cabin. He noted the urgency in her voice and nodded.
"Come back when the pains grow closer together. You'll know." Anamaria said to Elizabeth, who barely managed to nod in response before taking Will's hand and making a beeline towards the stairs leading up to the deck. The stench of rum mixing with sweat was becoming unbearable.
As they left, Jack merely plopped back down onto the chair he was originally occupying, and put his feet back up on the table. He offered the bottle of rum to Anamaria and she snorted. "At least one of us should be about our wits tonight." She responded derisively as she went back into the captain's cabin to begin preparing some supplies she would need for the birth. She closed the door with a decisive snap.
"More for me, then." Jack said to the now empty room. He grinned as he took another swig from the bottle, laid back in the chair and tilted his hat over his eyes.
Will followed Elizabeth up the stairs from the cabin onto the deck, keeping a gentle hand on her low back. If circumstances had been different, she might be annoyed at his over-protectiveness. I'm not made of glass, Will. I can do it on my own she would tell him playfully, as she had many times in their youth. His response had always been the same; I know, but you don't have to. Presently however, his small gesture only made Elizabeth's heart swell, a glimpse into what life may have been with Will by her side, always. Just as they reached the top step, Elizabeth hesitated and looked at Will. "I don't want to see it. Not tonight." He didn't have to ask to know she meant the Dutchman. He nodded, and directed her towards the starboard side of the ship, away from where the Dutchman was anchored. Elizabeth filled her lungs with fresh air, thankful for the cool breeze on her face. It was certainly an improvement from the musky rum-soaked smell of the cabin. She had sorely missed the sea. In many ways, she felt more at home on a ship than on dry land. Will offered her his arm as they started a gentle pace walking towards the bow.
"You had this all planned out all along." Will spoke, keeping his voice neutral. It wasn't as if he was around to be told of her plan, but she could have at least warned him in the letters. Elizabeth sighed and stopped walking to look at him.
"Yes." she said simply, as she led them to the edge of the deck and looked out to sea. She had always found it oddly comforting to look at the dark abyss, waves glimmering. "I couldn't help but think of my mother." Elizabeth said quietly, her profile washed in moonlight. Will took her hand, placing it on the edge of the deck and squeezed it in comfort. He knew where this conversation was going, and he was starting to regret having initiated it. "They said she was in labour for the whole night with me. By the end all the bedsheets were soaked in blood. There was nothing they could do." Elizabeth's closed her eyes and shuddered. Will said nothing, partly because there was little he could offer in comfort, and partly because he sensed that she had more to say. Elizabeth placed her other hand on top of his and turned to look at him. "If something happens to me, and the baby—"
"Elizabeth—" Will wanted her to stop, wanted to reassure her even though it would mean nothing. For all his experience in death, he was not ready to face hers or their child's.
She continued over him forcefully, her voice strong, "I couldn't bear the thought of you thinking I had abandoned you at the end of your ten years. If I died in childbirth, I wouldn't be there on the one day. I can't—I won't leave you that way." She took a breath in to calm herself and looked back towards sea. "At least this way, whatever happens, you'll know." She said with an air of finality, keeping her gaze on the black sea. Another wave of pain washed over her and Elizabeth gritted her teeth, her hand tightening on Will's. Somehow, even though no one had told her explicitly, she knew that when the baby was born Will would have to leave, and his grace period would be over. Her water had only broke just as Will arrived. She could last a bit longer, she thought, as she fought to steady her breath.
Will fell silent as his gaze dropped down towards their joined hands as her grip tightened. Really, he couldn't blame her for having a grim outlook, especially after all they had been through. Tragedy did seem to follow them one way or another. If anyone had a right to be afraid of childbirth, it was Elizabeth. And though she could not remember her mother's death, she would always be a part of it and it would stay with her forever. There were no words of comfort he could offer her on that account. A pang of guilt washed over him as he realized Elizabeth had probably tormented herself with these thoughts over the last nine months. Will knew she was strong enough to manage, she'd proved that time and time again. That didn't change the fact that he should have been there with her. That didn't change that he missed her with every fibre of his being. Will swallowed hard, but it did nothing to take away the bitter taste in his mouth. He'd already missed so much, and soon he'd miss so much more. He tried to push away these darker thoughts as he brought up Elizabeths hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
"I wouldn't have thought that of you. I wouldn't think you abandoned me, Elizabeth." He replied finally. Startled, because he'd been silent so long that she wasn't expecting a response, Elizabeth's head snapped back to look at him. His dark eyes glittered back at her in the moonlight, reminding her of the countless nights she'd snuck out to see him shortly after their engagement. "I'm sorry you've had to bear this all alone." Will continued, as he looked back down towards their joined hands, his curls falling around his bandana.
It pained Elizabeth to see so much guilt washing over her husbands face for a fate that was ultimately beyond their control. However, if not for the curse, Will would have been lost to her forever. And that would be simply unimaginable. Elizabeth would not have him suffer because of what ultimately allowed them to be together, however fleeting. Another wave of pain washed over her as she bit her lip, not wanting to make a sound and alarm Will. "I'm not alone, Will." Elizabeth said gently once the pain had ebbed away. She squeezed his hand and moved it over her abdomen. "I always have a part of you, wherever I go." This earned her a smile, revealing the dimples on his cheeks. "He's excellent company, might I add." Elizabeth continued teasingly, hoping to lighten the conversation. They had such a short time together, she decided she would make the most of it.
"He? You sound very certain." Will said, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Call it a mother's intuition." Elizabeth quipped with a smile, looking up at the stars as she leaned against him. Putting an arm around her, Will drew her closer to him.
"Have you decided on a name for him yet?" He asked. Elizabeth turned her head to look at him, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "I thought I might leave that to you."
She can't be serious, Will thought as he narrowed his eyes, convinced it was a trap. Elizabeth had an opinion about everything. Before he could respond, Elizabeth let out a small cry and moved away from him, her face contorting in pain. She sucked in a breath, waiting for the pain to pass as it had before. However this time, Elizabeth realized the intensity of the pain was growing, lasting longer than usual. Anamaria's parting words rang in her ears. Not yet, not yet, was all she could think as she squeezed her eyes shut. Will moved to steady her, "Elizabeth I think we should go back inside." He said at seeing panic flicker briefly across her face. Will waited for her breathing to return to normal before tugging on her hand, frowning when she remained still. Elizabeth looked up at him with an almost embarrassed smile. The same look of fear was back in her eyes, her lips pressed together tightly. He could see it written plainly on her face; I'm not ready. Quite honestly, he wasn't ready either. "I won't leave your side, I swear it. You won't be alone. " Will squeezed her hand in reassurance. This time when he tugged on her hand, she stood up.