Usual disclaimers... I hate 'em!
Last chapter today... must type more and be evil tonight. Hope to have a few more chapters by the weekend... but at least I am not holding any back today {smilie} I hope you understand by reading all three why I wanted to keep these three together... they kinda belong in a group.
Ta!
***
By the time they all reached the shore Jack was already waiting for them, arms crossed indignantly standing on the beach. But as he reached to help Catherine from the boat he broke into a wide grin as she broke out into fresh giggles. "It's good t' hear yer laugh," he said, picking her up and carrying her across the sand. He put her down where the ground was firmer and Isaac handed her crutches to her.
"Thank you Isaac," she smiled. Waiting until he left, she turned to Jack and kissed him properly. "Am I forgiven?"
"If that is a promise fer later luv, I'll forgive yer anythin'" he leered.
"As soon as I can it is more than a promise..." she teased, straightening as she spotted the others walking towards them. "Company," she hissed.
Jack turned to see Will, Elizabeth, Theodore and all the children walking towards them as the crew safely beached the boat. "Well, what d' yer think of yer new home?" They looked around them in amazement at the beautiful bay. "Of course yer need t' build it first," he shrugged, "but th' crew will help!"
"Jack, it's astounding!" Elizabeth gasped, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you!" Theodore and Will just stood in silence, stunned.
"Tortuga is about three hours ride in that direction..." Jack pointed roughly southwards. "There is a track although it is rather overgrown in places. I suspect th' Old Man will clear it when he brings in th' masons an' stuff." He looked around carefully. "I'd have a good look round an' decide where yer want us t' build an' we can start clearin'," he suggested. He helped Catherine sit as everyone else wandered off exploring. "D' yer ever fancy settlin' down luv?" he asked, watching her face carefully.
Catherine sighed, shaking her head. "No," she confessed. "And I'd never settle anywhere without you anyway." She looked around the bay realising how even the few homes that were going to be built there would change it irrevocably. "There's only one place I'd even consider settling anyway..."
"Where?" he pressed, curious.
"Well, it's a little further north with a nice grassy glade and a deep hidden pool..." Catherine said softly.
Jack frowned before realising where she was referring to - the very first place he had made love to her. "Bahamas eh?" he smiled. "Bit dangerous fer an' old pirate..."
"But beautiful all the same." She lay down on the grass, watching the sky through the waving palm fronds. "Wake me when you see the others return..."
"Yeah, well I'd join yer luv, except somehow m' pistol seems t' be wet!" Jack sighed heavily and started dismantling his pistol and cleaning it, studiously ignoring the smirk on her face. He was glad that he had not been wearing his boots else he'd have been drying them too.
***
Elizabeth and Will wandered around the bay, quietly looking at the view and the stunning scenery. The children had raced down to the sea again to welcome James who was swimming in with Jean Claude.
"Well at least we are all ashore," Elizabeth smiled. "I still cannot believe that Jack allowed him on board."
"You know Jack cannot handle women crying... especially little women! Richael had him where she wanted him and Jean Claude simply boxed off his escape. He had to say yes to save face and appear the gracious Captain," Will laughed, glancing across at his friend who was cleaning his pistol. "But regardless, we are here now Elizabeth - where would you like your house? That side of the bay would catch the morning sun, and this side the sunset..."
Elizabeth looked around, considering. "This side definitely. Do you think Theodore will live with us or want his own house?"
Will shrugged. "I hadn't thought about it," he admitted. "Does it matter?"
"Well we should ask him before they start clearing the trees," she suggested, walking across the sand to where Theodore crouched beneath a palm tree changing Charlotte. He looked up at their approach.
"Theo," Will began cautiously. "We were wondering if you wanted to share a house with us... it would be a lot less work and easier to build..."
Theodore blinked in surprise. "I had not thought about it... I was more concerned about getting free of the Governor..." He looked up at them. "Don't you mind having me with you?"
"No, else we would not be asking!" Elizabeth laughed. "And Charlotte at least will be growing with other children in the house..."
Theodore finished with the last of the pins, relieved that it held in place when he picked her up and placed her back in the sling. "Thank you," he smiled. "Although I don't know what help I can be... I don't know anything except how to sail a ship..."
"Ridiculous!" Elizabeth declared. "That involves mathematics and many other skills you simply have forgotten!" She smiled. "And I will feel safer having two swords nearby..."
"Then I would be delighted to accept Elizabeth," he smiled, laughing as he saw Richael bringing James towards them, babbling excitedly. The donkey had seen the grass though and was determined to beat her to it.
"Let him go Richael," Will called. "He won't roam far!" She let go of the rope and James bolted for the grass and was head down, contentedly munching within moments. He noticed Billy was helping with the boat whilst Eilis was struggling across towards the sand towards Jack. "We should get the cats across too," he suggested to Elizabeth. "Jack will be pleased to be rid of all the animals."
"Children included," she laughed as she heard Jack warning Eilis away from his dismantled pistol
"Oh, I don't know... I think Eilis will always belongs more to him than us however much we raise her..." he replied, smiling to himself as she sat giggling in Jack's lap, his arms flapping wildly as he told her another of his greatly exaggerated pirate tales. He looked across to the Black Pearl, noticing the crew loading the remaining ships boats with all manner of tools that they would need to cut down some trees and start clearing space for a house and a forge. "Do you think you will be happy here Elizabeth?" he asked quietly.
"I think it is a beautiful place," she smiled. "Although we won't be able to pop out to the shops like we used to at Port Royal. We will have to grow a lot of our food too, and get a goat and some chickens..." Already she could visualise a tidy vegetable plot, perhaps even a small boat to allow them to fish in the bay. Will looked worried at her comments, but she placed her hand on his arm reassuringly. "We will manage Will, don't worry."
""I wasn't worrying!" Will protested.
"You were," she grinned. "But you'd better both go and sort out the crew and show them where to start. Pass Charlotte to me Theo and you can help him..."
Theodore handed his daughter to Elizabeth, striding briskly across the sands to catch up with Will. He was grateful that at least it appeared he could be useful.
Jack looked up as Will approached, interrupting his story. "What?"
"Crew's arrived," Will informed him.
"Well, it's yer house an' yer forge," Jack shrugged. "Yer tell 'em what yer want 'em t' do!"
"But..." Both Will and Theodore gasped at Jack handing command of his crew over to them.
"Well I'm not gonna be livin' 'ere, am I?" He waved his arms at Will and Theodore. "Don't bother me... go on... shoo!"
Although Jack waited until they were half way down the beach before he restarted his story, Will smiled as Eilis squeaked in delight. "More monkey!" Obviously the old Barbossa story again - one of her favourites.
They met with the crew near the high tide mark, Jean Claude putting back on his damp shirt as they approached. "Jack says we weren't to bother him and to instruct you where we want cleared," Theodore explained.
"I think he is enjoying Uncle duties too much to be bothered," Will laughed.
Jean Claude glanced up the beach, smiling at the antics of Jack. "Well I guess you'd better instruct us then," he laughed as he directed some of the men to row back to the Black Pearl for more equipment.
Theodore frowned as he noticed a large amount of rope being carried by the crew. "Jean Claude," he asked, "what is the rope for?"
"Why to mark out the house with," he explained. "We cannot have Madame Elizabeth's kitchen too small, or the parlour too big - can we? I thought it would be easier if she could walk through the house first to save any errors later..."
"Ahh!" Theodore sighed, gratefully realising that it would also minimalise the number of trees that they needed to cut down. He grinned.
"Oui, there is that advantage too," Jean Claude smiled at Theodore's understanding of having less trees to cut down. He laughed, clapping him on the back before remembering that only a few weeks ago he would have tried to hang him. Tides turn he mused, tides turn.
***
Jack watched out of the corner of his eye as Jean Claude and the crew began laying out the rope, Elizabeth guiding them this way and that through the sometimes thick foliage. "Yer'd best be headin' back luv," he said, setting Eilis on her feet. "Yer don't want t' miss tellin' Jean Claude where yer want yer bedroom..."
"My very own room!" she gasped in disbelief.
"Don't see why not!" Jack winked. "But I'd get there quick if I were you! Otherwise you might miss out!"
With a squeak she dashed off, showering Jack and Catherine with sand with the speed of her departure. "Thanks!" a voice beside him sighed. "Do I take it that story time is over then... I was enjoying that!" Catherine propped herself up on her elbows, frowning.
"Yer were meant t' be asleep!" he chided.
"What? And miss all the exciting bits? Do I get another story tonight?" She batted her eyelids, pouting.
"Yer'll get somethin' if yer keep that up," Jack warned.
"Maybe that is what I'm after," Catherine teased, laughing at him.
"We could stay on th' beach yer know... rig a tarpaulin or lie beneath th' stars..." he suggested.
"The stars sound fine to me Jack, as long as I have enough blankets to keep warm. It will save having to struggle on and off the Pearl at least." She distractedly rubbed her leg, not even realising she did so - but Jack did. The sun and the rest had made her feel better and she could almost begin to believe it would soon heal.
"I'll get some things over," he grinned as he quickly reassembled his now dry pistol.
"Don't fall in..." Catherine teased.
But Jack did not and returned with blankets, food and drink for the day and for the evening. He searched around for dry timber for the fire and started to accumulate enough to keep a fire going for most of the night. Eilis helped, as did Billy and Richael once they had sorted out their rooms with Jean Claude.
"Captain?" Oran looked at their efforts. "What's with the wood?"
"Private beach party t'night... fer two!" He grinned. "Means yer won't be kissin' m' wife t'morrow mornin'!"
"Damn!" he teased. "Oh well, I'll see you're not disturbed at least," he offered. "Do you want any shore watch set?"
"Set a few along th' trail an' we'll be fine. Although Hallam should turn up t'morrow with some workmen..." Jack glanced across to the outlined house. "So yer had best tell Jean Claude t' start gettin' those trees down b'fore dark!"
"Aye Captain," Oran nodded, wandering off in search of Jean Claude.
***
Dusk could not come soon enough for Jack, and his fire was already burning merrily as the last boat pushed off. Peace! No chopping of trees, no manic children, just perfect peace. "Ta!" he smiled in gratitude as Catherine handed him a bottle of rum as she herself took a quick swig from the bottle of wine he had found. The crew had managed to fish in the bay and a fair number of modest sized fish sat speared on a long stick over the fire. He wrapped an arm around Catherine and they sat in silence, watching as the stars came out above them, the moon rising through the skeletal rigging of the Black Pearl. A perfect night that could only get better.
***
Okay - you know the drill... orderly line, no back chat, review!
Teehee!
Last chapter today... must type more and be evil tonight. Hope to have a few more chapters by the weekend... but at least I am not holding any back today {smilie} I hope you understand by reading all three why I wanted to keep these three together... they kinda belong in a group.
Ta!
***
By the time they all reached the shore Jack was already waiting for them, arms crossed indignantly standing on the beach. But as he reached to help Catherine from the boat he broke into a wide grin as she broke out into fresh giggles. "It's good t' hear yer laugh," he said, picking her up and carrying her across the sand. He put her down where the ground was firmer and Isaac handed her crutches to her.
"Thank you Isaac," she smiled. Waiting until he left, she turned to Jack and kissed him properly. "Am I forgiven?"
"If that is a promise fer later luv, I'll forgive yer anythin'" he leered.
"As soon as I can it is more than a promise..." she teased, straightening as she spotted the others walking towards them. "Company," she hissed.
Jack turned to see Will, Elizabeth, Theodore and all the children walking towards them as the crew safely beached the boat. "Well, what d' yer think of yer new home?" They looked around them in amazement at the beautiful bay. "Of course yer need t' build it first," he shrugged, "but th' crew will help!"
"Jack, it's astounding!" Elizabeth gasped, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you!" Theodore and Will just stood in silence, stunned.
"Tortuga is about three hours ride in that direction..." Jack pointed roughly southwards. "There is a track although it is rather overgrown in places. I suspect th' Old Man will clear it when he brings in th' masons an' stuff." He looked around carefully. "I'd have a good look round an' decide where yer want us t' build an' we can start clearin'," he suggested. He helped Catherine sit as everyone else wandered off exploring. "D' yer ever fancy settlin' down luv?" he asked, watching her face carefully.
Catherine sighed, shaking her head. "No," she confessed. "And I'd never settle anywhere without you anyway." She looked around the bay realising how even the few homes that were going to be built there would change it irrevocably. "There's only one place I'd even consider settling anyway..."
"Where?" he pressed, curious.
"Well, it's a little further north with a nice grassy glade and a deep hidden pool..." Catherine said softly.
Jack frowned before realising where she was referring to - the very first place he had made love to her. "Bahamas eh?" he smiled. "Bit dangerous fer an' old pirate..."
"But beautiful all the same." She lay down on the grass, watching the sky through the waving palm fronds. "Wake me when you see the others return..."
"Yeah, well I'd join yer luv, except somehow m' pistol seems t' be wet!" Jack sighed heavily and started dismantling his pistol and cleaning it, studiously ignoring the smirk on her face. He was glad that he had not been wearing his boots else he'd have been drying them too.
***
Elizabeth and Will wandered around the bay, quietly looking at the view and the stunning scenery. The children had raced down to the sea again to welcome James who was swimming in with Jean Claude.
"Well at least we are all ashore," Elizabeth smiled. "I still cannot believe that Jack allowed him on board."
"You know Jack cannot handle women crying... especially little women! Richael had him where she wanted him and Jean Claude simply boxed off his escape. He had to say yes to save face and appear the gracious Captain," Will laughed, glancing across at his friend who was cleaning his pistol. "But regardless, we are here now Elizabeth - where would you like your house? That side of the bay would catch the morning sun, and this side the sunset..."
Elizabeth looked around, considering. "This side definitely. Do you think Theodore will live with us or want his own house?"
Will shrugged. "I hadn't thought about it," he admitted. "Does it matter?"
"Well we should ask him before they start clearing the trees," she suggested, walking across the sand to where Theodore crouched beneath a palm tree changing Charlotte. He looked up at their approach.
"Theo," Will began cautiously. "We were wondering if you wanted to share a house with us... it would be a lot less work and easier to build..."
Theodore blinked in surprise. "I had not thought about it... I was more concerned about getting free of the Governor..." He looked up at them. "Don't you mind having me with you?"
"No, else we would not be asking!" Elizabeth laughed. "And Charlotte at least will be growing with other children in the house..."
Theodore finished with the last of the pins, relieved that it held in place when he picked her up and placed her back in the sling. "Thank you," he smiled. "Although I don't know what help I can be... I don't know anything except how to sail a ship..."
"Ridiculous!" Elizabeth declared. "That involves mathematics and many other skills you simply have forgotten!" She smiled. "And I will feel safer having two swords nearby..."
"Then I would be delighted to accept Elizabeth," he smiled, laughing as he saw Richael bringing James towards them, babbling excitedly. The donkey had seen the grass though and was determined to beat her to it.
"Let him go Richael," Will called. "He won't roam far!" She let go of the rope and James bolted for the grass and was head down, contentedly munching within moments. He noticed Billy was helping with the boat whilst Eilis was struggling across towards the sand towards Jack. "We should get the cats across too," he suggested to Elizabeth. "Jack will be pleased to be rid of all the animals."
"Children included," she laughed as she heard Jack warning Eilis away from his dismantled pistol
"Oh, I don't know... I think Eilis will always belongs more to him than us however much we raise her..." he replied, smiling to himself as she sat giggling in Jack's lap, his arms flapping wildly as he told her another of his greatly exaggerated pirate tales. He looked across to the Black Pearl, noticing the crew loading the remaining ships boats with all manner of tools that they would need to cut down some trees and start clearing space for a house and a forge. "Do you think you will be happy here Elizabeth?" he asked quietly.
"I think it is a beautiful place," she smiled. "Although we won't be able to pop out to the shops like we used to at Port Royal. We will have to grow a lot of our food too, and get a goat and some chickens..." Already she could visualise a tidy vegetable plot, perhaps even a small boat to allow them to fish in the bay. Will looked worried at her comments, but she placed her hand on his arm reassuringly. "We will manage Will, don't worry."
""I wasn't worrying!" Will protested.
"You were," she grinned. "But you'd better both go and sort out the crew and show them where to start. Pass Charlotte to me Theo and you can help him..."
Theodore handed his daughter to Elizabeth, striding briskly across the sands to catch up with Will. He was grateful that at least it appeared he could be useful.
Jack looked up as Will approached, interrupting his story. "What?"
"Crew's arrived," Will informed him.
"Well, it's yer house an' yer forge," Jack shrugged. "Yer tell 'em what yer want 'em t' do!"
"But..." Both Will and Theodore gasped at Jack handing command of his crew over to them.
"Well I'm not gonna be livin' 'ere, am I?" He waved his arms at Will and Theodore. "Don't bother me... go on... shoo!"
Although Jack waited until they were half way down the beach before he restarted his story, Will smiled as Eilis squeaked in delight. "More monkey!" Obviously the old Barbossa story again - one of her favourites.
They met with the crew near the high tide mark, Jean Claude putting back on his damp shirt as they approached. "Jack says we weren't to bother him and to instruct you where we want cleared," Theodore explained.
"I think he is enjoying Uncle duties too much to be bothered," Will laughed.
Jean Claude glanced up the beach, smiling at the antics of Jack. "Well I guess you'd better instruct us then," he laughed as he directed some of the men to row back to the Black Pearl for more equipment.
Theodore frowned as he noticed a large amount of rope being carried by the crew. "Jean Claude," he asked, "what is the rope for?"
"Why to mark out the house with," he explained. "We cannot have Madame Elizabeth's kitchen too small, or the parlour too big - can we? I thought it would be easier if she could walk through the house first to save any errors later..."
"Ahh!" Theodore sighed, gratefully realising that it would also minimalise the number of trees that they needed to cut down. He grinned.
"Oui, there is that advantage too," Jean Claude smiled at Theodore's understanding of having less trees to cut down. He laughed, clapping him on the back before remembering that only a few weeks ago he would have tried to hang him. Tides turn he mused, tides turn.
***
Jack watched out of the corner of his eye as Jean Claude and the crew began laying out the rope, Elizabeth guiding them this way and that through the sometimes thick foliage. "Yer'd best be headin' back luv," he said, setting Eilis on her feet. "Yer don't want t' miss tellin' Jean Claude where yer want yer bedroom..."
"My very own room!" she gasped in disbelief.
"Don't see why not!" Jack winked. "But I'd get there quick if I were you! Otherwise you might miss out!"
With a squeak she dashed off, showering Jack and Catherine with sand with the speed of her departure. "Thanks!" a voice beside him sighed. "Do I take it that story time is over then... I was enjoying that!" Catherine propped herself up on her elbows, frowning.
"Yer were meant t' be asleep!" he chided.
"What? And miss all the exciting bits? Do I get another story tonight?" She batted her eyelids, pouting.
"Yer'll get somethin' if yer keep that up," Jack warned.
"Maybe that is what I'm after," Catherine teased, laughing at him.
"We could stay on th' beach yer know... rig a tarpaulin or lie beneath th' stars..." he suggested.
"The stars sound fine to me Jack, as long as I have enough blankets to keep warm. It will save having to struggle on and off the Pearl at least." She distractedly rubbed her leg, not even realising she did so - but Jack did. The sun and the rest had made her feel better and she could almost begin to believe it would soon heal.
"I'll get some things over," he grinned as he quickly reassembled his now dry pistol.
"Don't fall in..." Catherine teased.
But Jack did not and returned with blankets, food and drink for the day and for the evening. He searched around for dry timber for the fire and started to accumulate enough to keep a fire going for most of the night. Eilis helped, as did Billy and Richael once they had sorted out their rooms with Jean Claude.
"Captain?" Oran looked at their efforts. "What's with the wood?"
"Private beach party t'night... fer two!" He grinned. "Means yer won't be kissin' m' wife t'morrow mornin'!"
"Damn!" he teased. "Oh well, I'll see you're not disturbed at least," he offered. "Do you want any shore watch set?"
"Set a few along th' trail an' we'll be fine. Although Hallam should turn up t'morrow with some workmen..." Jack glanced across to the outlined house. "So yer had best tell Jean Claude t' start gettin' those trees down b'fore dark!"
"Aye Captain," Oran nodded, wandering off in search of Jean Claude.
***
Dusk could not come soon enough for Jack, and his fire was already burning merrily as the last boat pushed off. Peace! No chopping of trees, no manic children, just perfect peace. "Ta!" he smiled in gratitude as Catherine handed him a bottle of rum as she herself took a quick swig from the bottle of wine he had found. The crew had managed to fish in the bay and a fair number of modest sized fish sat speared on a long stick over the fire. He wrapped an arm around Catherine and they sat in silence, watching as the stars came out above them, the moon rising through the skeletal rigging of the Black Pearl. A perfect night that could only get better.
***
Okay - you know the drill... orderly line, no back chat, review!
Teehee!