I awoke wrapped in silk, a bucket moving in and out of my vision as it pulsed with darkness. Letting out a weak groan, I tried to push myself into a sitting position, but firm hands held me fast to the mattress. Fear bubbled in my gut, but I hadn't the energy to fight, my muscles growing slack under the gentle force. Dimly, I became aware of a quiet voice offering soothing platitudes, cool fingertips brushing away the hair plastered to my clammy forehead. My stomach roiled, and those tender hands helped me to my side as acrid bile spurt from my lips. A last shudder shook me as I fell back to the sheets, trying desperately to catch my breath.
"You're ok… You'll be fine." I opened one exhausted eye, taking in the short red hair and emerald gaze locked on me. Oliver offered me a weak smile, shimmying closer. "Good morning. You were out for quite some time."
"Jack?" I croaked, my parched throat straining with the effort. The crease between my friend's brow deepened, and he inclined his head to door.
"He was watching over you all night. Henry and I told him he needed to get some sleep of his own - so he's stubbornly pacing the deck." A wry grin graced his lips, and he shook his head. "He's been demanding updates every few minutes, even though you've been completely unconscious." He helped me move a little, slipping an arm under my head as he put a cup to my mouth. I gulped greedily, sucking down water until it ran dry and I was panting.
"How long?"
"Almost a day."
I winced, and struggled further upright as the door opened with a soft creak. Jack's head slid through the crack slowly, emerging one hanging rope of hair at a time until his mahogany eyes locked with mine and he barreled into the room.
"I'm so glad you're okay," he breathed, bundling me in his arms with surprising care, considering his clear desperation. I buried my face in his chest, inhaling the scent of him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
He shook his head firmly, one hand leaving my body long enough to wave off his crewman. "It's not your fault, my love – but we're getting you checked out, as soon as possible. There's a doctor in Port Royal; he's a good man. He'll take good care of you. Both of you."
I swallowed dryly, raising my eyes to meet his. "You'll be with me?"
His lips brushed my forehead, fingers tightening on my back. "Always."

.

I was confined to my bed for the rest of the journey, forbidden even to leave the cabin for some air. Even when we docked, Jack flitted nervously by my side, keeping my movements as minimal as possible as we crossed the Pearl and headed out onto dry land.
"I feel fine now," I assured him, rolling my eyes good-naturedly at his anxiety. And it was true – I felt surprisingly level-headed, all things considered. Jack's overprotectiveness and concern pushed my own negative thoughts away, at least for now; it felt almost as though only one of us could panic at a time, and while I was worried for our child, I managed to stay calmly optimistic while he fretted beside me.
The doctor's building was relatively nondescript, only a small brass plaque affixed to the fence indicating its importance, declaring the space to be operated by 'Dr. J. Dubois, M.D'.
"French?" I asked, surprised. While I'd been educated in the French classics as a child, learning the language from my tutor, I'd never met someone who actually hailed from such a far-off land, and I found myself smiling.
"And very well-educated," Jack added, tapping the plaque with a finger. "He has told me several stories from his time at medical school. Montpellier."
Despite myself, I couldn't help but blink owlishly. Despite loving my Captain with all of my heart, it seemed I was still slave to my misconceptions. "You… Who taught you to read?"
Jack laughed, deep and without mirth, as he raised an eyebrow at me. "We don't all learn from a fancy private education, love. I taught myself."
"What do you like to read?" I inquired, gripping his hand in mine, lingering by the gate. My pirate cast an eye over me slowly, his brow still cocked curiously. I flushed as I felt his penetrating gaze fixed on me, looking away.
He knows you're avoiding.
"Anything I can find," he answered after a moment, still watching me carefully. "Poetry, history, biography... I like learning about the world. I've even some experience with Shakespeare."
I blinked again, my eyes drawn back to him in surprise. "William Shakespeare?" I clarified, incredulous. Jack chuckled again, drawing me closer to his side.
"Some of his plays, most of his poetry." His fingers found my waist affectionately, and his lips brushed my temple. "But we have all the time in the world to discuss great works of literature – just as soon as you have a clean bill of health."
I swallowed dryly, my tongue thick in my mouth, before nodding determinedly.

.

Our doctor – "please, call me Josiah" – sat up with a sigh, and Jack's fingers squeezed mine reassuringly. "You can relax now, James. The worst is over."
I slid my legs to the floor with a wince, feeling wholly uncomfortable and exposed as I raised my breeches. Josiah waited until I was sat beside Jack once more before clearing his throat, offering me a weak smile. "I can't imagine how uncomfortable that was for you. You did really well, though; everything looks fine." His gaze flicked between the two of us, and his smile grew more genuine. "From what you've told me of your cycle before this, and your relations, it seems likely that you are, indeed, with child. Around two months along, I would expect."
"Two months?" I repeated, my heart flitting in my chest. He nodded, leaning forward.
"Obstetrics is an ever-growing field, Mr. Malley. I don't doubt that one day, and probably not too far away, we'll be able to predict these things with a much higher degree of scientific accuracy. But for now, I can only make my best guess. With what you told me, it's possible that your drastic change of circumstances may have impacted your cycle, but… It sounds like you have been through a lot in your life, and you've never experienced these irregularities before, correct?"
I swallowed, my cheeks flushing at the memory of recounting my traumatic life to this – albeit comforting and respectful – stranger. "Yes, never."
He nodded again. "Then yes; two months is the most likely reasoning. But of course, we may never know for sure. It may be less – or even more. While uncommon, it's not unheard of."
I dared to chance a glance at Jack – my captain, my dear love – but his face remained impassive, gazing at the doctor patiently. "… Jack?"
"Hm?" He looked to me, his eyes clear. "Yes?"
"Did you… Were you listening?"
He offered me a brief, dazzling smile. "Of course. But love… Nothing has changed. As I've said before, regardless of the circumstances, this child is mine." His lips brushed my knuckles, and my mouth moved wordlessly.
The doctor cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to him, despite my heart hammering in my chest. "As for the other symptoms… Nausea, while unpleasant, is incredibly common, especially in the early stages. In fact, it's just another sign that you are expecting."
I fought the urge to grin, my free hand finding the space between my hipbones unconsciously, a hazy happiness beginning to envelop me. Jack, however, leant forward, not yet reassured. "The fainting spells?"
Josiah nodded again, making a noise in the back of his throat. "I don't think that's related to the pregnancy. There's a new theory – one that used to be referred to as melancholia, or vapors, or similar. French doctors are doing wonderful work into the psyche, and they've recently began to theorize panophobia phrontis – a general sense of worry and dread – which can, in extreme duress, cause symptoms such as those you've experienced." He paused for a moment, looking between us as he allowed his words to sink in. "Of course, with you being with child, you'll have to be extra cautious. Avoid these stressful situations that have precipitated the fainting spells; try and take it easy, as much as you're able," he added, sparing a glance for our sea-worn hands and salt-crusted clothing.
"I can still work?" I clarified, sparing a glance to my captain, who frowned on cue.
"You can, but you should abstain from heavy lifting or otherwise dangerous activities," he conceded. I grinned victoriously, and Jack rolled his eyes.
"He said you still have to be careful, my love. Which means no more high-rope rescues in a storm."
Josiah's mouth moved for a moment, at a loss, before he nodded firmly. "Yes. Definitely, definitely, none of that!"

.

"So… Everything is alright."
Jack and I sat on our bed facing one another, the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull lulling me into a sense of safety, our fingers entwined. He nodded, still silent; he'd barely said a word since leaving the doctor, and I'd tried to draw him into conversation several times during our short walk, to no avail.
I sighed, squeezing his hand with mine. "Jack… You're so quiet. What's wrong?"
He raised his ochre eyes to mine, eyebrows drawn together. "Nothing. It's excellent news – everything will be fine."
I couldn't help but scoff. "You're acting like you've received a death sentence. Talk to me."
My captain hesitated, before letting out a heavy sigh. "I… I wanted to do this better. To have more time." My throat constricted nervously, and he chuckled shortly. "No, no, my love. It's not what you think." He shifted, moving to sit behind me and drawing me against his chest, our legs tangled together, the strong, steady thrumming of his heart soothing me against my will. "James… I love you. And I love our child. And I think it's only proper that we do this right." His fingers left mine briefly, rummaging in his chest pocket. "I want to do this right."
Nestled in the palm of his hand was a delicate silver band, shining in the dim light of the lanterns. His heart rate picked up as mine faltered, and I found myself jerking upright in disbelief.
It's not you he wants – it's his child. If it even is his.
It's his. He said it's his, no matter what.
Either way – you know it's not you he's doing this for. He's doing a duty, isn't it obvious? If you weren't with child, he'd never dream of marrying you.
"Is that the same ring you used to propose to Jane?"
With all the thoughts swirling and attacking one another in my head, I was embarrassed that this had been the one I'd chosen to verbalize – but as I spoke, the memories of my friend's story washed over me, and my stomach churned. Jack winced, looking away.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that, love. But no, it isn't. I actually put time and care into this; I'd just used one of my own back then." He had the decency to look shamed, hanging his head. "I told you I'd made some awful choices in my life – and you know only of a few – but I am not the same man I was before I met you. I never will be again. You…. You opened my mind, and my heart, to feelings and experiences I never could have anticipated. And for those reasons, and many more besides, I want you to marry me. I want to spend every day waking up beside you, raising our child together, and having you in my arms at night. I might be cursed for eternity, but with you, I have found heaven."
His eyes had migrated back to me as he spoke, his voice changing from chagrined to passionate as his burntwood gaze tracked my facial expressions, trying to read whatever indecipherable emotion he found there. I hesitated only a moment longer, but even the voice in my head was silent now.
There's no disputing it,I realised, hyperaware of his hand on mine, of our child forming inside me. He loves me. He really, truly, profoundly, irrationally loves me. Loves the both of us.
I'd always imagined, as a little girl, that I'd respond to a request like this in fits of shrieks and giggles, excitement and joy taking over from decorum. Then, as I'd grown, I'd cast such childish fantasies aside, instead not daring to hope that I'd ever find a man who would so much as tolerate me.
And now here I sat, on the bed of a captain of a pirate ship, every inch my mother's son, my back arched proudly. And a small, profound smile graced my lips, before I leaned forward to press my forehead to his. "Yes, Jack. Of course it's a yes."

Ok, one more after this. Y'all will want to know what happens, right?