I have yet another apology for my terrible Spanish - SORRY!
*~*~*
Amata clicked her tongue thoughtfully, throwing an amused glance over at the young woman watching from the corner. Laura smiled, intrigued by the methods the Spanish woman employed to ensure that Marin's pregnancy was going well. The lady in question was lying on her back, patiently allowing the older woman to poke and prod and measure whilst trying to ignore her cousin's quiet laughter at her expression.
'El niño es fuerte y sano [The child is strong and healthy],' Amata murmured, almost to herself. 'Pero él no ha girado [But he has not turned].'
Marin exchanged an alarmed look with Laura, who moved forward instinctively to grip her friend's hand.
'What do you mean, he hasn't turned?' Marin blurted out, before remembering herself enough to put the question in Spanish.
Amata raised her hands to appease the worried mother, smiling absently as she ran her hands across Marin's womb once more.
'El miente a través de la matriz [He lies across the womb],' she explained. 'Y él es un niño muy grande [And he is a very large child].'
Laura felt herself grow tense as the wise woman continued her evaluation of Marin's child. Her friend had managed to carry this child to term, but it was showing no signs of actually wanting to be born, unlike his sister who had been positively impatient to be released from her mother. Beth had certainly grown quickly; a vibrant one year old, who walked confidently and could happily chunter away in her own private language for hours on end, occasionally coming out with a phrase that everyone could understand.
Finally Amata allowed Marin to sit up, carefully reiterating her assurances that everything would be fine, that there was no need to worry. Unconvinced, but left with little choice, Marin accepted the older woman's decision and made her slow way back out into the sunshine, Laura close behind her.
'I'm frightened,' she said suddenly, her hand reaching out to grasp her friend's tightly. 'I'm so scared something will go wrong.'
Concerned, Laura stepped closer to her, wrapping an arm about the younger woman's shoulders. She had her own personal opinion about Marin's child, but was a little shy of voicing it, in case she was wrong and worried her friend un-necessarily.
'I'm sure everything will be as Amata expects,' she said soothingly. 'If there was any reason for her to be worried, she would be, wouldn't she?'
Marin nodded tersely, forcing herself to smile as the children ran past, Beth in tow in her rightful place as the youngest of them. She giggled loudly, waving to her mother as Dugan leant down to sweep her up into his arms and carry her to the front of the group.
'She adores Dugan,' Laura commented, feeling her friend begin to lean heavily on her arm.
Marin lowered herself awkwardly to the bench outside her house, sighing in relief as the cool breeze swept over her.
'It's hardly surprising, though, is it?' she said, wryly. 'He's been a constant presence in her life since the day she was born.'
With smiles tinged with sorrow, they exchanged a glance, Marin's hand going instinctively to her bump as the baby inside moved. Laura found herself staring at the movement, trying to tally the limbs that she could see with Amata's assessment of her friend. Marin's smile widened suddenly as she noticed her friend's stare.
'So what do you think is going on in there?' she asked lightly, startling Laura as the older woman tried to cover her thoughts.
'I wouldn't possibly comment on it,' Laura tried to bluster. 'After all, I'm hardly experienced, and Amata knows what she's doing . . .'
Marin's hand covered hers gently, calming her into silence.
'Laura, I know that you've learnt an enormous amount from all the women here,' she said carefully, watching her friend for any sign of denial of her talents. 'I know that you've been present at every birth since you arrived here, so you're hardly inexperienced. And I know that Amata respects your opinions, especially since you were right about Savy's little one. So, please, tell me what you think.'
Her pleading gaze bore into Laura until she couldn't take it any more, tearing her eyes from Marin's with a guilty blush.
'Well, if you're certain . . .' she stammered, unsure that she should make her idea known.
Marin gave her a sardonic smile, raising an eyebrow to encourage her.
'I know Amata says that the child you're carrying is large and lying awkwardly,' she began, her voice quiet and shy, 'but I've been watching you, and that just doesn't make sense. When the baby moves, I can see the limbs as they press into you, and what I see doesn't tally with Amata's certainty. I think you may be carrying twins, Mar.'
Marin's eyes widened in shocked surprise, followed swiftly by an endearingly joyful smile.
'Do you really think so?' she asked, her voice sounding breathless with excitement.
Encouraged by her friend's reaction, Laura let herself relax, leaning forward to explain her reasoning.
'I do,' she said, 'but please remember I could be wrong. But you seem too big to be carrying just one child, and as I said, I've seen too many limbs moving at once for there to be only one in there. I think that's why Amata thinks the child is lying wrong.'
Marin bit her lip, overwhelmed by the thought of two children at once. Such a birth would be difficult, she knew, harder than Beth's by far, but it would be easier than trying to deliver a breech, or a babe lying sideways in the womb. Thoughts like that frightened her beyond belief. She knew all too well that many women died in childbirth, and though she would be in the best of hands, she did not want to leave her children to grow up motherless, knowing Jack as well as she did.
'I hope you're right,' she murmured vehemently. 'I do so hope you're right.'
A hand slid along her waist to caress the active bump, startling her as Jack pressed a cherishing kiss to her temple.
'Still showing no signs of coming out?' he asked blithely, holding her close as she shook her head. 'Ah well, it'll happen soon enough, love.'
'Hearken unto the expert,' Laura muttered sarcastically, unable to hide her laughter as Jack shot her an indignant look.
'You're spending too much time with that husband of yours, miss,' he said warningly.
'Mrs, if you please, Captain Sparrow,' came the demure reply, and Jack was forced to take most of his wife's weight as she erupted into almost hysterical laughter.
He was about to reply to Laura's quiet comment when he heard his name being called from across the square. They turned to find James and Will advancing towards them, looking very concerned about something or other.
'Afternoon, gents,' Jack managed cheerfully, before Marin's elbow connected with his ribs.
'What's wrong?' she demanded, alarmed by the angry worry in her cousin's face.
James sighed gustily.
'We've just received word that a contract has been taken out on Governor Swann,' he said grimly, nodding as Laura gasped. 'And Devante apparently overheard one of the strangers who came ashore last week asking questions about him. I have reason to believe one of the richer families back in England have decided to remove him from the Caribbean for good.'
Laura had turned pale, clutching at her husband's arm for support.
'Whatever for?' she cried, shocked that anyone could want her uncle dead.
Will glanced at James, seeing his friend's reluctance to admit the truth.
'Because he pardoned us,' he told them. 'And because there has been no attempt to seek out and sink pirate ships around Jamaica since we left for Cape Horn two years ago. The merchants know there is no danger from pirates any longer, but the men who own the trading goods and plantations out here don't. They think the governor condones the acts of piracy that affected their business over five years ago.'
Marin gripped Jack's sleeves.
'You have to go and warn him,' she told the men, ignoring her husband's protestation. 'Jack, I know you want to be here, but the Pearl is the fastest ship in the Caribbean. If anyone can get to the governor in time, it's you.'
Jack held her gaze for a long moment, weighing up what little choice he had. Marin would never forgive him if the governor was killed because of his refusal to go, and he knew he would never forgive himself if he missed the birth again. Forced to choose, he decided his own failure to forgive would be the lesser of two evils.
'Oh, alright,' he sighed, gracing her with a fleeting kiss on the tip of her nose. 'Will you gentlemen be joining me?'
James nodded firmly, not even needing to glance at Laura. Will hesitated for a moment, eyes straying guiltily to where Matthew was playing in the sand.
'We'll look after him,' Laura assured him, making Will's mind up for him with that simple phrase.
He nodded, wincing as Jack raised his voice.
'Mr Gibbs!'
The stout man ambled towards them, tipping his cap to the women with a roguish grin.
'Aye, cap'n?' he drawled.
Jack looked him over, surprised to see his old friend ashore and sober.
'Get the Pearl's crew together,' he ordered. 'We sail on the evening tide.'
Gibbs saluted smartly, just about preventing himself from clicking his heels together. Marin hid a smile. Gibbs was a man who lived by orders, and it was clear how much he had missed them over the past year. The older man made to walk away, but turned back with a look of confusion on his face.
'Beggin' yer pardon, sir, but where are we sailin' to?' he asked curiously.
Jack grinned at him.
'Port Royale, mate,' he told his first mate. 'There's an assassin needs to be taught where not to ply his trade.'
Gibbs grinned again, this time his whole body fairly vibrating with excitement as he ambled at high speed towards the houses to gather together his old friends. Marin exchanged a glance with Laura. They could only hope that the Pearl would get there in time.
*~*~*
Will: 'dera? 'dera!
Jack: Come out, come out, wherever you are!
*suspicious rustling out of sight*
Will: *glances at Jack* That wasn't me.
Jack: Weren't me either, mate.
Will: Ah.
*both move to either side of offending rustling*
Both: 'DERA!
Ildera: *leaps up in fright, stuffing a piece of paper down her top* Ahh!
Jack: What have we here, luv? *reaches out to take paper away from her*
Ildera: *leaps backwards* You put your hand anywhere near my top, I'll castrate you, Jack Sparrow!
Will: Calm down, 'dera, we just want to know what you're hiding from us.
Ildera: Ever occur to you that maybe there's a good reason I'm hiding something?
Will: *smile* Possibly.
Ildera: *eyes glaze over for a moment*
Jack: *tries again*
Ildera: *slaps his hand away*
Jack: Ow!
Ildera: Serves you right. *deep breath* Now, are we going to get on with the reviews or not?
Will: James isn't here yet.
Ildera: *pause* James . . . is . . . coming?
Will: *frown* Well, yes.
Ildera: *turns away, muttering under her breath * All three of them . . . Mary, Mother of God . . . * strange expression comes over her face* Oh God. Excuse me!
*Jack and Will leap out of the way as she bolts for the restroom, scattering the reviews everywhere*
Jack: *gathering the papers* Here we go again.
Will: It's Marin all over again.
James: *unseen* Has anyone seen 'dera?
Jack: She's praying to the porcelain gods, mate.
James: Ah. *comes into view* She dropped these then. *hands over reviews*
*they listen to the sounds coming from the restroom*
Will: We really should get on with these, shouldn't we?
Jack: Could be right there, mate.
James: Druidan54, my thanks for your compassion towards my wife. I shall be sure to pass it on. However, I do not feel that I would be funny as a father. I would like to think that I would be the straong arm of discipline in my household, as my father was before me . ..
Jack: Save it, mate, Beth's already got you wrapped around her little finger and she's not even yours.
James: *sheepish coughing*
Will: Er, Jack?
Jack: Yeah?
Will: It might be an idea for you to duck.
Jack: Wha - Phhhpt! *gos down under a deluge of snowballs*
Ildera: Don't tell me, let me guess - courtesy of SP, right? *reads reviews* Stop trying to get secrets out of me! Honestly, I'm not going to give anything away that might spoil the story, SP.
Jack: *ducking snowballs* I'm NOT cute, I'm just rugged, that's why you like me, luv!
Will: Somehow I don't think that's going to win her back over to your side, Jack.
James: My dear SP, it would be wiser not to let Jack know you're softening towards him. He'll stop making the effort to charm you. And please, accept my sword in return as an act of respect for your continuing feud with Captain Sparrow. *offers his sword - you know, the one Will made for him*
Ildera: What will be will be, SP, just be patient. I have a few tricks up my sleeve yet, don't you worry. *snorts* I'm sorry, I have to do this one for you.
Jack: *looks up from the snowballs in time to have 'dera pour a glass of lemonade over his head*
James + Will: *look everywhere but at him, trying not to laugh*
Jack: Compliments of Sparow's Pearl . . . *bright smile* SP? *tackles SP, ties her up* We need to settle this like grown men . . . or man and woman.
Will: Alright then. Dell-Doo, what a pleasure to see you again! I'm sure James doesn't HATE his nickname, I just don't think he's too fond of it either. But Dugan was certainly touched when we told him about you.
Ildera: He blushed. heather321, I have a surprise for you! But I'm not going to tell you what it is, you'll just have to keep reading.
James: MiseryLovesCompany, I do so hope you are wrong with regards to the next child. I don't think my nerves could stand another male Sparrow.
Will: Ah, you love 'em really.
James: That's as maybe, but I'm dreading their teenage years.
Will: You'll have problems of your own by then. Lucy, m'dear, how are you? Hold on for your surprise, it'll come up in a few chapters time, don't you worry.
Ildera: Ms.Baldwin, you are very lucky Marin didn't hear you say that. And this isn't the end, I just thought I'd give everyone fair warning for when the end was coming.
James: SiLvErFaTeD and Starrika, welcome, and keep reading. I'm fairly certain 'dera would cry if you didn't.
Ildera: Just because I'm a little emotional at the moment, James, doesn't mean that I'm going to cry at everything.
James: No, not at all, 'dera. I quite understand.
Ildera: You do? *tears* That's so nice of you!
Will: Oh for heaven's sake. *tries not to laugh at James' expression as 'dera throws herself into the former commodore's arms* lilitaliandragon, yes, Gibbs can sing, and believe me, you don't want to hear it.
Jack: *wanders back from his conversation with SP* emma436, she's updating, she's updating. I personally can't wait for your response to a little something she's popped in there for you, but anyway . . .
Will: Welcome home, Kai-Sparrow. Yes, she's written more, but be warned, we are nearing the end.
James: 'dera, are you alright now? *leans backwards to look down at her*
Ildera: *sniff* I think so.
James: *innocently pulls out the bit of paper she was hiding to wipe her eyes*
Ildera: No!
Jack: *takes paper from James' hand* Aha. Hold her a moment, would you, gents?
Will + James: *exchange a grin, and wrap their arms around 'dera*
Ildera: Jack Sparrow, don't you dare read that!
Jack: Ah, it's a review from Merrie . . . Hmmm . . . *evil smile* Let her go, boys. *murmurs to the other two*
Will: I don't know, Jack, that seems a bit cruel.
James: *wicked smile* We are only trying to help her become immune to us, Mr Turner.
Will: I suppose so.
Jack: 'dera?
Ildera: *sighs resignedly* What?
Jack: *grins*
Will: *smiles*
James: *charms*
Ildera: MERRIE!
*THUD*
*~*~*
Amata clicked her tongue thoughtfully, throwing an amused glance over at the young woman watching from the corner. Laura smiled, intrigued by the methods the Spanish woman employed to ensure that Marin's pregnancy was going well. The lady in question was lying on her back, patiently allowing the older woman to poke and prod and measure whilst trying to ignore her cousin's quiet laughter at her expression.
'El niño es fuerte y sano [The child is strong and healthy],' Amata murmured, almost to herself. 'Pero él no ha girado [But he has not turned].'
Marin exchanged an alarmed look with Laura, who moved forward instinctively to grip her friend's hand.
'What do you mean, he hasn't turned?' Marin blurted out, before remembering herself enough to put the question in Spanish.
Amata raised her hands to appease the worried mother, smiling absently as she ran her hands across Marin's womb once more.
'El miente a través de la matriz [He lies across the womb],' she explained. 'Y él es un niño muy grande [And he is a very large child].'
Laura felt herself grow tense as the wise woman continued her evaluation of Marin's child. Her friend had managed to carry this child to term, but it was showing no signs of actually wanting to be born, unlike his sister who had been positively impatient to be released from her mother. Beth had certainly grown quickly; a vibrant one year old, who walked confidently and could happily chunter away in her own private language for hours on end, occasionally coming out with a phrase that everyone could understand.
Finally Amata allowed Marin to sit up, carefully reiterating her assurances that everything would be fine, that there was no need to worry. Unconvinced, but left with little choice, Marin accepted the older woman's decision and made her slow way back out into the sunshine, Laura close behind her.
'I'm frightened,' she said suddenly, her hand reaching out to grasp her friend's tightly. 'I'm so scared something will go wrong.'
Concerned, Laura stepped closer to her, wrapping an arm about the younger woman's shoulders. She had her own personal opinion about Marin's child, but was a little shy of voicing it, in case she was wrong and worried her friend un-necessarily.
'I'm sure everything will be as Amata expects,' she said soothingly. 'If there was any reason for her to be worried, she would be, wouldn't she?'
Marin nodded tersely, forcing herself to smile as the children ran past, Beth in tow in her rightful place as the youngest of them. She giggled loudly, waving to her mother as Dugan leant down to sweep her up into his arms and carry her to the front of the group.
'She adores Dugan,' Laura commented, feeling her friend begin to lean heavily on her arm.
Marin lowered herself awkwardly to the bench outside her house, sighing in relief as the cool breeze swept over her.
'It's hardly surprising, though, is it?' she said, wryly. 'He's been a constant presence in her life since the day she was born.'
With smiles tinged with sorrow, they exchanged a glance, Marin's hand going instinctively to her bump as the baby inside moved. Laura found herself staring at the movement, trying to tally the limbs that she could see with Amata's assessment of her friend. Marin's smile widened suddenly as she noticed her friend's stare.
'So what do you think is going on in there?' she asked lightly, startling Laura as the older woman tried to cover her thoughts.
'I wouldn't possibly comment on it,' Laura tried to bluster. 'After all, I'm hardly experienced, and Amata knows what she's doing . . .'
Marin's hand covered hers gently, calming her into silence.
'Laura, I know that you've learnt an enormous amount from all the women here,' she said carefully, watching her friend for any sign of denial of her talents. 'I know that you've been present at every birth since you arrived here, so you're hardly inexperienced. And I know that Amata respects your opinions, especially since you were right about Savy's little one. So, please, tell me what you think.'
Her pleading gaze bore into Laura until she couldn't take it any more, tearing her eyes from Marin's with a guilty blush.
'Well, if you're certain . . .' she stammered, unsure that she should make her idea known.
Marin gave her a sardonic smile, raising an eyebrow to encourage her.
'I know Amata says that the child you're carrying is large and lying awkwardly,' she began, her voice quiet and shy, 'but I've been watching you, and that just doesn't make sense. When the baby moves, I can see the limbs as they press into you, and what I see doesn't tally with Amata's certainty. I think you may be carrying twins, Mar.'
Marin's eyes widened in shocked surprise, followed swiftly by an endearingly joyful smile.
'Do you really think so?' she asked, her voice sounding breathless with excitement.
Encouraged by her friend's reaction, Laura let herself relax, leaning forward to explain her reasoning.
'I do,' she said, 'but please remember I could be wrong. But you seem too big to be carrying just one child, and as I said, I've seen too many limbs moving at once for there to be only one in there. I think that's why Amata thinks the child is lying wrong.'
Marin bit her lip, overwhelmed by the thought of two children at once. Such a birth would be difficult, she knew, harder than Beth's by far, but it would be easier than trying to deliver a breech, or a babe lying sideways in the womb. Thoughts like that frightened her beyond belief. She knew all too well that many women died in childbirth, and though she would be in the best of hands, she did not want to leave her children to grow up motherless, knowing Jack as well as she did.
'I hope you're right,' she murmured vehemently. 'I do so hope you're right.'
A hand slid along her waist to caress the active bump, startling her as Jack pressed a cherishing kiss to her temple.
'Still showing no signs of coming out?' he asked blithely, holding her close as she shook her head. 'Ah well, it'll happen soon enough, love.'
'Hearken unto the expert,' Laura muttered sarcastically, unable to hide her laughter as Jack shot her an indignant look.
'You're spending too much time with that husband of yours, miss,' he said warningly.
'Mrs, if you please, Captain Sparrow,' came the demure reply, and Jack was forced to take most of his wife's weight as she erupted into almost hysterical laughter.
He was about to reply to Laura's quiet comment when he heard his name being called from across the square. They turned to find James and Will advancing towards them, looking very concerned about something or other.
'Afternoon, gents,' Jack managed cheerfully, before Marin's elbow connected with his ribs.
'What's wrong?' she demanded, alarmed by the angry worry in her cousin's face.
James sighed gustily.
'We've just received word that a contract has been taken out on Governor Swann,' he said grimly, nodding as Laura gasped. 'And Devante apparently overheard one of the strangers who came ashore last week asking questions about him. I have reason to believe one of the richer families back in England have decided to remove him from the Caribbean for good.'
Laura had turned pale, clutching at her husband's arm for support.
'Whatever for?' she cried, shocked that anyone could want her uncle dead.
Will glanced at James, seeing his friend's reluctance to admit the truth.
'Because he pardoned us,' he told them. 'And because there has been no attempt to seek out and sink pirate ships around Jamaica since we left for Cape Horn two years ago. The merchants know there is no danger from pirates any longer, but the men who own the trading goods and plantations out here don't. They think the governor condones the acts of piracy that affected their business over five years ago.'
Marin gripped Jack's sleeves.
'You have to go and warn him,' she told the men, ignoring her husband's protestation. 'Jack, I know you want to be here, but the Pearl is the fastest ship in the Caribbean. If anyone can get to the governor in time, it's you.'
Jack held her gaze for a long moment, weighing up what little choice he had. Marin would never forgive him if the governor was killed because of his refusal to go, and he knew he would never forgive himself if he missed the birth again. Forced to choose, he decided his own failure to forgive would be the lesser of two evils.
'Oh, alright,' he sighed, gracing her with a fleeting kiss on the tip of her nose. 'Will you gentlemen be joining me?'
James nodded firmly, not even needing to glance at Laura. Will hesitated for a moment, eyes straying guiltily to where Matthew was playing in the sand.
'We'll look after him,' Laura assured him, making Will's mind up for him with that simple phrase.
He nodded, wincing as Jack raised his voice.
'Mr Gibbs!'
The stout man ambled towards them, tipping his cap to the women with a roguish grin.
'Aye, cap'n?' he drawled.
Jack looked him over, surprised to see his old friend ashore and sober.
'Get the Pearl's crew together,' he ordered. 'We sail on the evening tide.'
Gibbs saluted smartly, just about preventing himself from clicking his heels together. Marin hid a smile. Gibbs was a man who lived by orders, and it was clear how much he had missed them over the past year. The older man made to walk away, but turned back with a look of confusion on his face.
'Beggin' yer pardon, sir, but where are we sailin' to?' he asked curiously.
Jack grinned at him.
'Port Royale, mate,' he told his first mate. 'There's an assassin needs to be taught where not to ply his trade.'
Gibbs grinned again, this time his whole body fairly vibrating with excitement as he ambled at high speed towards the houses to gather together his old friends. Marin exchanged a glance with Laura. They could only hope that the Pearl would get there in time.
*~*~*
Will: 'dera? 'dera!
Jack: Come out, come out, wherever you are!
*suspicious rustling out of sight*
Will: *glances at Jack* That wasn't me.
Jack: Weren't me either, mate.
Will: Ah.
*both move to either side of offending rustling*
Both: 'DERA!
Ildera: *leaps up in fright, stuffing a piece of paper down her top* Ahh!
Jack: What have we here, luv? *reaches out to take paper away from her*
Ildera: *leaps backwards* You put your hand anywhere near my top, I'll castrate you, Jack Sparrow!
Will: Calm down, 'dera, we just want to know what you're hiding from us.
Ildera: Ever occur to you that maybe there's a good reason I'm hiding something?
Will: *smile* Possibly.
Ildera: *eyes glaze over for a moment*
Jack: *tries again*
Ildera: *slaps his hand away*
Jack: Ow!
Ildera: Serves you right. *deep breath* Now, are we going to get on with the reviews or not?
Will: James isn't here yet.
Ildera: *pause* James . . . is . . . coming?
Will: *frown* Well, yes.
Ildera: *turns away, muttering under her breath * All three of them . . . Mary, Mother of God . . . * strange expression comes over her face* Oh God. Excuse me!
*Jack and Will leap out of the way as she bolts for the restroom, scattering the reviews everywhere*
Jack: *gathering the papers* Here we go again.
Will: It's Marin all over again.
James: *unseen* Has anyone seen 'dera?
Jack: She's praying to the porcelain gods, mate.
James: Ah. *comes into view* She dropped these then. *hands over reviews*
*they listen to the sounds coming from the restroom*
Will: We really should get on with these, shouldn't we?
Jack: Could be right there, mate.
James: Druidan54, my thanks for your compassion towards my wife. I shall be sure to pass it on. However, I do not feel that I would be funny as a father. I would like to think that I would be the straong arm of discipline in my household, as my father was before me . ..
Jack: Save it, mate, Beth's already got you wrapped around her little finger and she's not even yours.
James: *sheepish coughing*
Will: Er, Jack?
Jack: Yeah?
Will: It might be an idea for you to duck.
Jack: Wha - Phhhpt! *gos down under a deluge of snowballs*
Ildera: Don't tell me, let me guess - courtesy of SP, right? *reads reviews* Stop trying to get secrets out of me! Honestly, I'm not going to give anything away that might spoil the story, SP.
Jack: *ducking snowballs* I'm NOT cute, I'm just rugged, that's why you like me, luv!
Will: Somehow I don't think that's going to win her back over to your side, Jack.
James: My dear SP, it would be wiser not to let Jack know you're softening towards him. He'll stop making the effort to charm you. And please, accept my sword in return as an act of respect for your continuing feud with Captain Sparrow. *offers his sword - you know, the one Will made for him*
Ildera: What will be will be, SP, just be patient. I have a few tricks up my sleeve yet, don't you worry. *snorts* I'm sorry, I have to do this one for you.
Jack: *looks up from the snowballs in time to have 'dera pour a glass of lemonade over his head*
James + Will: *look everywhere but at him, trying not to laugh*
Jack: Compliments of Sparow's Pearl . . . *bright smile* SP? *tackles SP, ties her up* We need to settle this like grown men . . . or man and woman.
Will: Alright then. Dell-Doo, what a pleasure to see you again! I'm sure James doesn't HATE his nickname, I just don't think he's too fond of it either. But Dugan was certainly touched when we told him about you.
Ildera: He blushed. heather321, I have a surprise for you! But I'm not going to tell you what it is, you'll just have to keep reading.
James: MiseryLovesCompany, I do so hope you are wrong with regards to the next child. I don't think my nerves could stand another male Sparrow.
Will: Ah, you love 'em really.
James: That's as maybe, but I'm dreading their teenage years.
Will: You'll have problems of your own by then. Lucy, m'dear, how are you? Hold on for your surprise, it'll come up in a few chapters time, don't you worry.
Ildera: Ms.Baldwin, you are very lucky Marin didn't hear you say that. And this isn't the end, I just thought I'd give everyone fair warning for when the end was coming.
James: SiLvErFaTeD and Starrika, welcome, and keep reading. I'm fairly certain 'dera would cry if you didn't.
Ildera: Just because I'm a little emotional at the moment, James, doesn't mean that I'm going to cry at everything.
James: No, not at all, 'dera. I quite understand.
Ildera: You do? *tears* That's so nice of you!
Will: Oh for heaven's sake. *tries not to laugh at James' expression as 'dera throws herself into the former commodore's arms* lilitaliandragon, yes, Gibbs can sing, and believe me, you don't want to hear it.
Jack: *wanders back from his conversation with SP* emma436, she's updating, she's updating. I personally can't wait for your response to a little something she's popped in there for you, but anyway . . .
Will: Welcome home, Kai-Sparrow. Yes, she's written more, but be warned, we are nearing the end.
James: 'dera, are you alright now? *leans backwards to look down at her*
Ildera: *sniff* I think so.
James: *innocently pulls out the bit of paper she was hiding to wipe her eyes*
Ildera: No!
Jack: *takes paper from James' hand* Aha. Hold her a moment, would you, gents?
Will + James: *exchange a grin, and wrap their arms around 'dera*
Ildera: Jack Sparrow, don't you dare read that!
Jack: Ah, it's a review from Merrie . . . Hmmm . . . *evil smile* Let her go, boys. *murmurs to the other two*
Will: I don't know, Jack, that seems a bit cruel.
James: *wicked smile* We are only trying to help her become immune to us, Mr Turner.
Will: I suppose so.
Jack: 'dera?
Ildera: *sighs resignedly* What?
Jack: *grins*
Will: *smiles*
James: *charms*
Ildera: MERRIE!
*THUD*