"Miss Elizabeth," Lily said, grinning from ear to ear, "Yer father has taken the H.M.S. Courage an´ is currently hunting th´ seas fer you."
Elizabeth widened her eyes as Jack and Will burst out laughing.
"Lily, you can´t be serious," Elizabeth said.
"She´s right," said the reedy voice behind Lily. Behind his maid, the Governor strode and clasped his hand on his daughter´s shoulder.
"Elizabeth."
"Father!" Elizabeth exclaimed, and Jack and Will quickly stopped laughing and stepped back. Forgetting all means of good manners, she grabbed her dad in a bear hug. "Oh, Father, I missed you so much!!"
The Governor was rather surprised, it wasn´t like Elizabeth to be affectionate towards her elders. "Well, Elizabeth, I missed you as well."
"Hey, Governor Swann, ´member me?" Jack said, smiling his roguish beam. "We returned yer daughter in one piece."
"Yes, thank you," Governor Swann replied stiffly, patting Elizabeth on the back. "I believe thanks are in order." He extended his right hand, and Jack took it and squeezed.
"I also ´ave ta ask Elizabeth something important," Jack said, holding up a finger. He dug around in his waistband that carried his sword, guns, and dagger.
Then he searched in his coat, and finally removed something and enclosed it in his fist. Finally, he sunk to one knee and said, "Elizabeth, this past month has bin the best a pirate could ask for, even if we were recently interrupted. . ." He winked and Elizabeth smiled uncertainly. What was he to ask her?
"An' I know I could never fashion you in the life of luxury you mus´ be used ta, but I do know that this cap´n never felt so ´live till I felt your lips on mine. So, Elizabeth Swann, will ya do me the utmost honor of bein´ my wife?" He opened his hand, to reveal a golden band with a tiny pearl on top. Yes, the pearl was black.
Will´s, Lily´s, and Governor Swann´s collective jaws dropped. Elizabeth felt faint and tears filled her eyes.
Her mind raced. I love Jack, but do I love him enough to marry him and spend the rest of my life with him?
Jack´s mind raced. Please say yes, or I´ll look like a bloody fool on ´is knees, holdin´ a ring.
Will´s mind raced. I should have done that myself when we were still a couple. Maybe Annamaria might like it if I do the same thing for her?
The Governor´s mind raced. My little girl, the wife of a pirate? Well, he didn´t get her killed, so what´s the worst that could happen?
Lily´s mind raced. Miss Elizabeth and Jack Sparrow? Oh my God! What´s for dinner?
Elizabeth opened her mouth and said, "Jack, I would be honored."