Author's Note: It's strange writing "James" instead of Norrington…hmmm….AND! to end all of your questions and maybe unsaid thoughts…Do you remember from the last story that Beverly and Jack were lovers…? Well they didn't have protection back then and BEVERLY HAD BRENDA. Just to make sure everyone got that. But she left after about a year…and then met Antonio blah blah, but then Jack dropped her off in Port Royal after she tried to kill everyone…and she met Norrington and THEY ARE MARRIED. I will have a 'scene' between Jack and Beverly sooner or later so…yea. There ye go.
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"Mom, why do we have to do this?"
"Are you kidding me? This is amazing! Captain Jack Sparrow is coming! This is enormous!"
Trevor rolled his eyes at his little brothers obsession. He was getting nothing out of this picnic deal. And they weren't even going anywhere. All of the Turner's children were too young for him- the only person who would be his age at this get together would be Brenda.
And we don't exactly get along too well…And Jonathan's going to be there…but he likes talking to the adults…Maybe I can sneak away to brush Pearl or something… He sighed and kept counting plates.
"Trevor, it won't be that bad. This will give your father a chance to get to know Jack maybe…I do have some sympathy for Brenda and her father."
"Why?"
"Because…Trevor, just accept it. And be civil to both of them."
"Mom, she attacked me."
"That's because you made her mad!" Caitlin said.
"Stay out of this, Caitlin."
"Holy smokes! We've only been up a couple of hours and you children start fighting! Caitlin, take your sister outside and play. We can handle it from here."
"But mom!"
"Caitlin." Faith said sternly.
"Yes mamma."
Once they left she addressed the three boys, "Now I want you to all be civil to Mr. Sparrow. Your father's going to have a hard enough time without keeping an eye on you three. And to Will and Elizabeth's kids, be nice to them all too."
"Did you invite anyone else, mom?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes…The Commodore. But I'm not quite sure he'll come."
"Oh, didn't Aunt Gwyneth tell you?" Mark said, "Jack got mad and went over to the Commodore's…blew up at him- but Gwyneth said it was okay because they know each other but he had a problem with his wife, Beverly."
"Oh dear."
***
A knock sounded on Gwyneth's door as she lay in bed staring at a piece of work she herself had made a long time ago. Faith sighed when she saw the sight. "Still abed at this hour? The day has begun hours ago! You missed breakfast!"
"I don't think I can go…"
"What? Go where?"
"To the brunch…picnic thing…" she looked down, examining her nails.
"Gwyneth…" Faith said coming in and closing the door carefully behind her, "Why not, dear?"
She shrugged, "I'm not necessarily up to it...you know?"
"No, I don't. Does this have anything to do with Jack?"
Gwyneth paused, and eyed the art work hanging on the wall, and then looked back at her nails, "No…" she said slowly.
Faith sighed, "Gwyneth Marie! You are a woman of thirty nine! Do not tell me that you're boy shy."
A faint smile crept onto her face upon hearing her age and the word 'boy' referring to Jack. "He's hardly a boy, Faith. He's in his fifties…and quite ill."
"Ill? How so?"
"You'll see…"
Faith paused, "Gwyneth, look at my face- at my eyes." Gwyneth obeyed slowly, regretting it the minute she did, "Does it look like I care?"
"Faith! That's a horrible thing to say!"
"Gwyneth, you're having a pity party about who knows what. You can't hide from your problems nor ignore them. You have to face them."
Gwyneth sighed, "Faith, I am old enough to make my own decisions…" Faith nodded in a mocking tone as she walked towards the end of the bed, and in one quick, strong move she ripped the blankets from the bed. "Yes, and I am older."
While Gwyneth was in her bath tub, behind a closed door, Faith waited for the right opportunity to tell her of the Commodore's invitation and how they should handle this. But 'tact' was not Faith's middle name. "Gwyneth…I'm afraid I have stumbled upon some bad news…"
"Why kind of bad news?"
"Uhm…I invited someone else to our picnic without realizing the trouble in the invitation…"
"Who, Faith?"
"The Commodore," Faith waited to hear a response but heard nothing. Nothing but swashing water and towels being ripped off the wall and maids moaning. The door was practically ripped off it's hinges, "Why would you invite Jack Sparrow and his pirate friend and the Commodore all to the same party? And his wife! Who…knows Jack! This could ruin the whole party!"
"Well see…I figured the Commodore was alright with Jack…now…and well I didn't know about Beverly and Jack."
"And you still don't! Faith…" Gwyneth paused, pacing.
"You've got to talk to Jack."
"Me?" Gwyneth squawked.
"Yes! Tell him to be refined…anything!"
Gwyneth paused, with my luck this will be the one time he'll act like the real Captain Jack Sparrow we all know and love… "Fine. But only for your sake."
"Great, now get dressed, I thought I heard people arriving."
***
"James, tell me again why we're doing this…" The Commodore, Beverly and their four children had all piled into a carriage and dressed up for the Johnson's invitation to their brunch picnic.
"I thought you were okay with this…"
"Well I thought I was, but now that it's come time to do this…I'm not sure if I want to do this…"
"Beverly, does this have to do with Jack?" Norrington had asked this question in the middle of the night when Beverly's rhythmic breathing matched his. When deep in the night she would turn over and grab on to him. That one question plagued him during those times. He tried to push it out of his head, but the thought of his wife and Jack together…
She paused, the children are around…I've told James of Antonio minus the pirate and soul thing…and he's been the most forgiving husband I could ever wish for…but why tell him this after so long? After fourteen years? And here of all places? "No. I'm just…I don't know. Nervous. I mean he rescued me all those years ago…but beyond that…" she stopped, she couldn't lie to him to his face.
"What are you going to tell Captain Regan?" The Commodore and Beverly turned their eyes to their oldest son, Samuel who was Antonio's child, and currently an apprentice for Will Turner.
"What do you mean?"
"Dad, he's going to find out sooner or later that Jack Sparrow is here…"
Norrington paused, knowing this fact himself. He hadn't breathed a word of this to the Captain, but knew the subject might come up or word might get to him…after all, the Turner's had children and their house was in the middle of a large community. Something might leak.
He sighed, "I'll deal with it when and if it comes."
***
The Turners, Jack and Rick arrived only a few seconds behind the Norrington's. The Johnson house was filled with noise almost instantly. Children screaming and yelling, parents yelling over the children, and saying hellos and talking, then trying to direct everyone outside.
Jack was the first to go up to the Commodore and shake his hand, Gwyneth witnessed this from the top of the stairs and then saw the look on his face when he shook Beverly's hand. He introduced Rick and over all the hustle and bustle, the two were introduced to the Norrington's four children. Samuel, who was fifteen, Charity who was nine, James Jr. who was seven and Emily who was four.
The Norrington brood excused themselves, and Elizabeth made Rick her 'special guest'. So as Jack lagged behind, Gwyneth hurried down the stairs, seeing Mark also coming towards him. She reached him first however, touching his shoulder and then seeing his face light up when he saw her. But they didn't get to say much before Mark got his attention.
For a minute he stood in awe but then finally said, "Oh my gosh…it's you…you're you…I will always remember this as the day that I met Captain Jack Sparrow!...but what happened to you…?"
Jack paused, trying to sort everything Mark had just asked him and then wondering if he should answer the question. "Who are you?"
"Mark Johnson. Middle Child, fourteen." He stuck out his hand and Jack looked at it for a minute and then shook it. "It is an honor to meet a pirate such as yourself…believe me, your daughter doesn't even compare to you."
Jack paused and looked at Gwyneth, "Where is my daughter?"
Gwyneth looked around and then said, "Well she's not here, that's for sure. But we'll find her…I have a pretty good idea where she is anyhow…"
Jack nodded and took in a deep breath. He held out his arm for Gwyneth to take, which she did, and together they walked into the garden to Jack's first social picnic.
***
Eating was probably the easiest thing for all of the adults, plus Brenda and Trevor. Jack had found Brenda in the barn brushing Pearl. He admired the horse but then asked her to join everyone else. Throughout the whole afternoon, Jack felt everyone's eyes on him. Sure, he looked different, but he didn't think he would feel this uncomfortable.
He tried to keep his gaze away from Beverly and Norrington. The lunch consisted of a large blanket, many parasols, low chairs and lots of finger foods. The Commodore was sitting in a chair but Beverly leaned against him. Somehow this disturbed Jack. He knew that he had gotten over Beverly a long time ago, that he may have feelings for her, but nothing deep and nothing that meant anything. She belonged to the Commodore, he needed to accept that.
I knew she would fit in here. Port Royal is a wonderful place. If you're not a pirate. He paused and looked over at Rick. He seemed calm and laidback, which was totally like him. He didn't fuss about a lot, and didn't worry either. Even if his ship was under attack, he kept his head. Good pirate…
So were you…
Oh hush.
"Jack?" He snapped his head to the female voice calling him, it was Faith who was across the blanket from him, "I'm sorry, what?"
"I just asked what brought you here," answered Edward. Jack met his gaze, it was cold.
"Uh…just thought I'd drop by to see Will and Elizabeth."
"And your daughter, did you not know she was here?"
"No, you see, we captured her off our shores…" Norrington answered looking from Edward to Jack. Jack nodded and noticed for the first time, none of them had their wigs on- the men at least. Will of course didn't wear one, but what of Norrington and Edward? He eased up a bit, realizing that this wasn't as social as he first thought.
He studied the Commodore's hair, noticing that it was mostly brown, but with a lot of gray mixed in. He's getting old…as are we all…he must be retiring soon… "So, Commodore, how much longer do you plan to be the Commodore?"
He paused, looked at Beverly and then looked at the whole group. "Uh…funny you bring that up, Sparrow. I uh…I'm retiring this year. It's my last year as Commodore."
Everyone paused, not sure what to say, so he went on, "I'm forty nine years old…I have a four year old and I'm ready to be at home with my wife and my children."
"Then that must mean Captain Briscoe is going to be Commodore…" Elizabeth concluded. Norrington nodded.
***
After an hour or so, the children had dispersed and left to play with Suzette or Pearl or just run around on the spacious grounds. The adults were left with nothing but small talk. Rick had leaned over and whispered to Jack, "Don't forget about our bet."
A shiver ran down his spine as he closed his eyes remembering the night before. Our Bet? How could I agree to something like that? I'm not like that anymore! I'm not going to sell Gwyneth out for fifteen pounds. I can't. I won't.
...our bet.
He sighed and opened his eyes, and nodded. He couldn't break a bet, no matter how outlandish it was, he couldn't do it. Maybe he had changed his appearance and tried to change his heart and soul, but that was one thing he couldn't change.
What do you care? You don't like her anymore…at least that's what you told Rick…
You always seem to pop up at all the wrong times!
Jack looked around the group, Brenda had disappeared. He frowned and excused himself to go look for her. The first place he went looking was the stable. Pearl had most likely been taken by some of the children, making the small space a little eerie, to outsiders. Jack was no outsider. Especially to the Caribbean, the stable had plenty of holes and places for windows that the sun shone through very easily. If Brenda was anywhere, it would be here. "Hey Bean?" Jack called, her nickname that he used when she was younger and now when no one else was around. "You in here?"
He heard a sigh and looked up, she was sitting on a ledge. There's no way I'm going to be able to get up there. "What you are you doing up there?"
"Dad, I want to go home." She said, consciously trying not to sound pouty.
"There's the problem bean, home is…well neither of us knows where home is."
She sighed again and slowly got down and went to Jack. He opened his arms and she went to them and put her own arms around him. She closed her eyes, feeling content. She normally wasn't like this. She didn't like to be touched by people other than her father. And she and her always had a special connection- she could always tell him anything and visa versa. She didn't like him hugging her or calling her 'bean' in public, but only in the privacy of one of their cabins- or in this case, the privacy of a small stable.
"You don't like this part deal, do you?"
She shook her head, "I don't particularly like bein' on land either." And I don't like that you're still lookin' like this, she thought to herself.
"But the Johnson's have been nice…no?"
Brenda paused, "In a matter of speakin', yea…"
Jack nodded and squeezed her tighter, "I'm sorry I took off."
She rolled her eyes, "If you were sorry then you would've at least told me. It's not as if I would've commanded you to stay."
Jack pulled away from her, "I don't have to tell you anything…I'm the father in this relationship,"
"Then start acting like it! A father doesn't leave their children without a moments notice or a note or anything! How was I supposed to know if you just left or were kidnapped or if you were alright?"
He paused, "I can take care of myself."
"Of course you can, but usually when you 'take care of yerself' you get yerself into trouble."
"I said I'm sorry alright?"
"Does that mean you'll come back to the Pearl with me?"
Jack paused, and slowly shook his head, "I'm afraid not, bean."
She stood there for a minute staring at him, her eyes wide and her face unbelieving. He can't be serious. "Yer gunna go back with that rat?"
"His name is Rick, bean."
Her temper rose, "Dad! He's scum! I don't understand why yer even friends with him! You have nothing in common…anymore!"
"Brenda, don't call him scum. He's been my friend for a long time, and you should appreciate that."
She stepped back and crossed her arms, trying to block him out. "He and I have gotten along fine for six months and we'll get along fine for the rest of our lives."
"The rest of your lives?" she repeated, "You mean yer gunna retire and live with that bum?!"
Jack didn't respond, thinking the answer was obvious. She rolled her eyes and left the stable in a huff. When Jack returned to the picnic, Norrington and his family were gone and Elizabeth was rounding up her group. Will was saying goodbye to Edward and Rick was in the background, watching. Gwyneth walked up to Jack and said, "What happened? Brenda went by a couple minutes ago and stormed into the house…"
He shrugged, "She's angry, she'll get over it."
She nodded, looking towards the house; I should go talk to her before she rips her room apart. "Gwen," Jack said, turning her attention back to him, "How about we have our own little picnic? Talk about old times?"
Gwyneth knew her face was white because she felt the blood rushing from it. This was why I wanted to stay in my room… She didn't want this to happen. She didn't necessarily want to get involved with Jack again, but he was pushing his way into her life. "Sure…" she said weakly. He smiled, "I'll be here around noon…" she nodded and he kissed her cheek and made his way toward the carriage that was waiting out front. She saw Rick smile at him and pat him on the back and then both of them disappear around the corner.
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Author Thanks:
Emma436: Omg! I loved your long review! Yay! I do feel loved. And I wasn't necessarily making fun of you…I was just making fun of the fact that you think you say it too much…I don't care if you say it. I mean I kinda noticed it, but I thought it was like your trade mark or something. Yea…the fifteen pound thing…I haven't gotten a review yet to say how horrible Rick was to suggesting that…oh well. I hope my author's note cleared up the Beverly-Brenda thing.
Vicki Turner: Well I'm glad you like my story! And I'm glad you think it's good…but I do like to encourage people to write me more reviews…I like hearing from people. Omg! I was reading your profile and it was so cool to find out you're a Christian because I am too! I just thought I'd say that.
Bitty-Buffy: I do update quickly…don't I? Well I wrote like five chapters before I even posted…so yea. Sooner or later it'll catch up with me and it'll take a little longer to post…but thanks.
Dragonflygirl: Thanks!
Dawnie-7: lol…Jack and Gwen's first scene…you crack me up. I like writing this one more…I'm not sure why but I did. I'm glad you think I did a good job!
Piper8188: Good theory! You're kinda close. But I will get to that sooner or later…like why he's acting like this. But think of the title…his age has something to do with it. And Rick- his background will be explained soon too. He's kinda freaking me out too.
