Chapter 3- Paradise Cast Ashore

*Katherine's POV*

I enjoyed listening to Jack's side of the story of our meeting. I must say I expected him to add in a little more of a twist, but he told it the exact same way that I remembered it happening, 8 years ago. I yawned as I glared out the window. I could no longer identify everything on the beach- the sun had sunk, causing everything to seem dark and empty.

"What are ye' yawnin' for now? The night is still young, love."

I looked at Jack, perplexed. I wasn't quite positive at what he was getting at. Somehow I could sense that he realized that I was confused at his motive.

"Our lil' talk on the beach, me' pet. About a son."

"Jack I don't understand what you're trying to get at- just explain to me…I'm not too observant when I am tired."

"Kat…we can't have a son without the sex, love."

I sighed. I figured he was at some crazy angle with his sweet talking, but I could not get through to him that there was a risk of having a daughter instead of what he desired. It was almost like talking to a wall full of bricks.

"Like I said to you before…what sort of fool do you take me as?"

I laughed, standing up to kiss him when instead he picked me up and carried me into the bedroom and pulled my hair out of the ponytail. Jack started kissing me all over and it reminded me of the pirate from the - seductive and sneaky. He stood up, grinned and took a deep breath. Jack pulled his shirt over his head and flung it across the room, and before laying back down, he kicked the door closed with his foot. We made love the rest of the night…I actually felt good, instead of being rushed. It was a nice getaway for a little while as it lasted.

*Jack's POV*

She giggled and stared at me as we lay there and talked throughout the night. She knew- and I knew as well, that everything was as perfect as it could be. I didn't dare try to wreck everything by telling Kat how I didn't want it anymore. We stopped sailing and settled down as soon as Molly was born and she promised me that even though the Black Pearl was docked, didn't mean the beauty would never sail the briny deep again. Couldn't help but feel that my wife tricked me in some way into settling down…I was pretty appealing at that time and went wherever Kat went, like a little puppy and his owner.

I stopped stroking her soft blonde hair and looked away. Being a pirate this was almost the first time I ever had to stop and ponder before I spoke, but this was Kat I was with, my wife. I still was not positively sure she would understand what I really missed about the sea…the adventure, the risk, having but a few coins in my pocket and caring less about it.

"Katherine…we have to talk."

It felt odd to say those words again. The only time I remembered saying that was when we decided to find a home. It was but a few hours after Molly was born, and Kat was still lying down relaxing and calming down to ease the pain. That day was the happiest day in my life and it was the first time I had cried, excusing the terrible time my parents were both killed when I was a young lad. I was so involved in my thoughts that I actually was spacing out and unable to hear Kat.

"Jack, darling are you feeling alright? You look a little flushed, should I go get you some water?"

"Yes, yes Kat maybe you're right…I'll have some water, love."

I watched her as she slid off the bed, pulled on her nightgown and glided out of the bedroom. As soon as I heard the front door gently close and saw a shadowy figure making its way across the porch to the well, I knew it was safe to talk to myself.

"Alright Jack. Explain to her, she loves you, she'll accept how I feel about this whole mess. After all, she does fancy me, Jack, the pirate, the devil."

I was beginning to scare myself as I started to guffaw at my own joke. Maybe talking to myself wasn't the best way to go after all. I couldn't imagine how Kat could not listen to me and say no to my wish, and if she did, then I would cast off and relive my real life.

"Here's your water, Jack."

"Thank you Kat."

I paused, holding the cool glass in my hand, staring at the floor.

"Jack, you are not drinking your water…are you sick sweetheart?"

"No, no, no I'm fine…it's just, I've had much on my mind lately."

Kat intently looked up at me with her blue eyes. I hated it when she did that, but then again loved it in every single way. I looked deeply into them and recognized that they were the color of the Caribbean water. There was no use avoid my devotion to the Seven Seas.

I decided to just blurt it all out in one, easily comprehended sentence.

"Katherine, I want to return to the sea. Permanently."