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CHAPTER 15

FINAL REUNION

The Black Pearl returned to Port Royal once again with the addition of one. Jack was at the wheel, steering the ship into the bay.

"Are you sure Swann will keep his word?" Jack asked.

"Jack. He might not fancy pirates but he is a man of his word." Hope said. Isabelle stood at the bow of the ship watching as Port Royal drew closer. Danforth eventually joined her.

"It looks so different than when I last left."

"Governor Swann was not the governor till 12 years after you left. He ordered many new changes including a larger fort."

"I can't believe I've been gone for 31 years. It feels like a lifetime."

"I agree." Isabelle turned around and looked up to the wheel at Hope.

"She's grown up so much. She was only still a few hours old when last I touched her." Danforth smiled and nodded. "Charles, what exactly happened between you and Hope? And why?"

"I was devastated when you told me the truth. When you left I gave all my attention to Catherine and rarely any to Hope. She was not home very often. I know that is not an excuse to ignore her. Hope was fascinated with pirates and I despised them. It wasn't until Catherine was killed by a pirate that Hope began to hate them has much as I. She was still fairly young so I thought I could change her behavior. But when she returned to Port Royal with Jack Sparrow and she said she loved him, I gave up on her. She was 21 and old enough to make her own decisions. That was the thought in my head. Then, she just disappeared one night with no note. Will Turner came to me a few days later and gave me a note she wrote. She didn't say where she going or whom she was with. She only said that she couldn't stay in Port Royal anymore. I expected she would return but then one year came and went, then two years, and soon it turned into 10 years. During that time span I felt myself changing, others were noticing as well. Everyday I would pray that she would come walking through the door, but she never did. I lost all hope. I thought I was being punished for not being there for her as much as I should have been. I already lost one daughter to a pirate and now I had lost my second. Deep down, I knew she was with Sparrow, but, I doubted she was still alive. "

"How do you feel now that she did come back?"

"I plan on making up for all those years of mistakes more personal to myself. One of those was letting you go." Isabelle reached out and touched his face.

"No, Charles. What happened in the past does not matter anymore. We have a daughter again, and another chance at life."

"Another chance at life, yes. But without, Hope."

"What are you talking about?"

"She'll sail off with Sparrow again and we may not see her for a year or more."

"She has her own life to live. All children grow up and go out on their own. Can you not see how happy she is?" They both looked up at Hope just as she laughed at something Jack said. "She will return to visit. Afterall, were they not granted clemency from the Governor?"

"They were."

"No worries, then." The Black Pearl arrived at the loading dock as the occupants tied her off then headed ashore. As Jack walked down the plank he was grinning madly.

"Now this is more like it. No guards and no Norrington." Jack said, but speaking too soon as Commodore Norrington walked up to them.

"Miss Sparrow, Reverend Danforth, Captain and whatever your name is" Norrington said referring to Jacoby.

"You're hating this aren't you, mate?" Jack retorted. Norrington glared at him before looking at Isabelle.

."Miss Isabelle Danforth, I presume?"

"You are correct, Commodore Norrington is it?"

"It is indeed ma'am. Welcome to Port Royal."

"Where's Katie?" Hope asked.

"Last I saw her she was at the blacksmith shop."

"Should have known. The lass is infatuated with swords and ironworks." Jack said. As Jack walked past, Norrington grabbed his arm.

"The governor may have granted you clemency but it would be wise for you to find your place."

"I knew it. You do hate this. Lamenting that you never caught Captain Jack Sparrow, aye." Hope pulled them apart.

"Can we please not start this again. Jack, I love you dearly but be mindful of your actions while you are here and as for you Commodore. Accept what has passed and leave it be. I don't expect for you two to like this but would you please bear with it when we're here."

"As you wish." Norrington said. Hope turned to Jack.

"Aye." Hope nodded as they continued into town.

"Hope, where is this surprise you were telling me about?" Isabelle asked.

"I'm taking you to it." They continued on their way. Everyone they passed by stared at them, some with not so pleasant looks.

"This is outrageous! Pirates walking freely? Guards!" a very fat and pompous man shouted just before Norrington rounded the corner.

"Calm yourself, Mr. Winchester. These pirates have been granted clemency." Winchester snarled before walking off and mumbling to himself.

"If there are any problems you know where to find me."

"Thank you, Commodore Norrington!" Isabelle said. Norrington bowed before taking his leave. When they were outside the blacksmith shop they heard swords clanging together.

"Sounds like Will is sword fighting with someone again." Hope reached up and knocked. The sounds from inside stopped as the door opened shortly after.

"Jack! Hope! You've returned." Will said.

"They've returned?" a female voice came from inside as Elizabeth appeared at the door.

"Hope." Elizabeth said hugging her friend.

"Hello, Elizabeth, Will. I want you to meet someone. This is my mother, Isabelle Danforth. Mother these are my best friends: Will and Elizabeth Turner." Will and Elizabeth smiled.

"It's a pleasure, Miss Danforth." Elizabeth said nodding.

"The pleasures all mine, dear."

"Come in." Will said opening the door further so they could enter.

"Hope tells me this shop has a lot of history."

"Aye. This be where I met Will for the first time and where I beat him in a sword fight," Jack said.

"You didn't beat me. You ignored the rules of engagement and cheated." Jack shrugged his shoulders.

"Pirate." Hope smiled.

"I first learned how to sword fight here. Will taught me everything I know."

"Everything?" Jack questioned.

"Well. Almost everything."

"Mommy! Daddy!" Katie yelled as she ran to her parents.

"Katie!" Hope said picking her up and hugging her. "We missed you."

"I missed you more." Hope handed her to Jack as she hugged him. Hope looked at her mother.

"Mother. This young lady right here is the surprise." Hope said stroking her daughter's hair. Isabelle was silent. "This is our daughter, Katie."

"Hope, she's beautiful." Isabelle said walking over.

"Katie. This is my mother, Isabelle."

"Your mother is still alive?"

"Yes." Jack set Katie back on the ground. Isabelle kneeled in front of her.

"Hello, Katie."

"Grandmother!" Katie hugged her and looked at Reverend Danforth. "Grandfather." Charles walked over to her and kneeled as well. Katie hugged him as well. After a moment she looked up at her mother.

"You have a whole family now." When Katie said that Hope realized she was right.

"You're right. I do. I have a family again." The Turners, the Danforths, and the Sparrows went back to Will and Elizabeth's house and caught up on lost time. But when morning came the Black Pearl was to set sail once again. The last of the supplies were loaded onto the ship and crew members began the prep for departure. Hope, Jack, and Katie stood at the foot of the plank saying their goodbyes to their family and friends. As Hope hugged her father she asked him.

"You will tell to town the truth won't you?" Danforth sighed.

"I will. You were right Hope. I cannot keep lying to them." Hope smiled.

"Well. Mr. Turner, Mrs. Turner, young Turner. Take care of yourselves." Jack said.

"We will. You to, Jack. And try to stay out of trouble."

"No worries, mate."

"We'll see you all soon." Hope called as she walked up to the ship, but Katie lingered at the bottom. "Katie? Come on, darling we must be going." Katie was silent. Hope and Jack looked at each other then walked back down.

"You all right, lass?" Jack asked.

"Um. Mother, father. Um, could I stay here?"

"What?" They asked in unison.

"Can I stay here in Port Royal?"

"Now why on earth would you want to do something like that?" Jack asked.

"I want to stay with James. We have become good friends. And I want to get a proper education." Hope and Jack were skeptical. "Please?" Hope's face softened and she smiled.

"I think that would be a wonderful idea. A ship is no place for a child."

"I agree. I would gladly take her in while you are away," Danforth volunteered. Hope looked at Jack.

"You already know my answer. It would be a chance for her to learn. She would be in good hands with people we care about." Jack was silent.

"Please, daddy?"

"Very well, lass. You can stay." Katie smiled and ran to her parents. Jack picked her up.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Hope reached out and brushed the hair from Katie's face.

"I don't want to leave you here but I know it's for the best. I'll miss you so much, sweetheart."

"Me too." Katie leaned over and hugged Hope. As she pulled away Hope kissed her forehead.

"You behave for your grandparents and the Turners, savvy?"

"Savvy." Jack hugged her and kissed her cheek before setting her down. As he did Jacoby walked to them.

"Jack. If I could, I would like to join your crew. I don't know what I would do here anyway. Someone else has to keep an eye on Hope. You know the trouble she gets herself into."

"I do not get into trouble!" Hope said. Jacoby laughed.

"Welcome aboard, mate." The three walked onto the Pearl and the plank was pulled up. Hope, Jack, and Jacoby waved goodbye before Jack yelled out.

"On deck, you dogs, man the braces, let down and haul to run free!" Danforth scowled a bit.

"What was that?" Isabelle asked.

"The speech the pirates use. I don't know how Hope deals with it." Isabelle laughed as the Black Pearl began its departure from Port Royal. Katie stood with her grandparents as she watched her parents wave goodbye to them. Isabelle looked down and saw how sad Katie was.

"What's the matter, dear?"

"When will they be back?"

"I don't know. But I'm sure they will be back before you know it." They all watched as the Black Pearl was just a silhouette in the setting sun and then a dot on the horizon.

TO BE CONTINUED………in The Sparrow's Quest

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