After this, Chase knew she had to bring Jack back home. Even though he was a pirate, she knew her father would be happy. It was still early, so only a few wandering citizens roamed the port. She led him up to their house next to the blacksmith shop.

The door creaked open. Jack admired the quaint little house while Chase ran upstairs. She opened her parents' bedroom door and jumped on the bed.

"Father, father! Look, come downstairs! There is a really special guest you have to greet!" There was so much excitement in her voice.

"What? Chase, who is it? At this hour?" Will slumped out of bed and put a nightgown on. Elizabeth only stirred when Chase had suddenly burst into their room.

As Will came into the foyer and laid eyes on their visitor, he beamed. "Jack!" He sprinted down the stairs, faster than Chase had ever seen, and embraced the pirate. "It's so good to see you! Oh, it's been too long."

"I know Will, I know." They both glanced up to Chase, who was watching this scene from above. "So," Jack started, "you've inherited a little lass. Chase, I presume? Such a stunning one."

Will winked at her. "Yes. Chase, why don't you come down here?" She nodded and came down. Her father put his arm around her. "She's loved the stories that I've told her about you and I-"

Chase blinked. "Wait . . . 'you and . . . I?' I thought the stories were only about Jack? You never mentioned yourself in one of the stories, and besides . . . why would you have been in one of those adventurous stories anyway?"

Jack looked at Will with a face that said, 'I can't believe you didn't tell her, you stupid piece of plywood.'

Will had started to say something, but Jack cut him off. "I think it's better if I explain, Will." And with that, Jack started the story.