Chapter 11: Elizabeth's Choice and Mackenzie's First Words
Important Author's Note: I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in awhile, but I finished the entire story a week ago and then my computer crashed. So now I have to start the rest of the story all over again. I'm so sorry to keep you guys waiting so long.
Elizabeth smiled when she saw Will carrying Mackenzie around the Black Pearl; they were on their way back to England. Elizabeth then thought about what was best for Mackenzie. She wasn't sure if a life away from her Grandfather would be the best thing for her. Elizabeth sighed as she got up from her seat and went to the back of the ship. Will saw his wife leave and saw his father leaning against the pole with his hat over his face. "Father, could you do me a favor?" Will asked.
"Sure thing, what is it?" Bootstrap asked.
Will placed Mackenzie into his lap. "Could you watch Mackenzie for a little bit? I have to go see what is bothering Elizabeth," Will replied. Bootstrap nodded and watched his son go after his wife.
He found Elizabeth leaning against the railing of the ship looking out into the ocean. Will walked up behind her with a smile. "Is there something wrong?" He asked. Elizabeth turned around and looked at her husband.
"I'm all right, Will, I was just thinking about some things, that's all," she replied.
Will placed a hand under her chin and got her to look him in the eye. He could see the sadness in her eyes once he looked into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes. "What is it?" He asked. Elizabeth sighed sadly and looked at the ocean again.
"I don't know, Will, I should be happy. We're going back home, but now that we are going home, it just feels different. England doesn't feel like home anymore. I mean, is it right for Mackenzie to be raised in England or is it right for her to be raised in Port Royal?" She asked.
Will placed his hands on hers as he too looked out into the ocean. "I'm not sure, love, I really don't know. Do you want to raise Mackenzie in England?" He asked.
"I just want her to be happy, I want you to be happy," she said.
"Elizabeth, look at me," he said softly.
Elizabeth turned in his arms and looked at him. Will caressed her cheek with a gentle smile. "Elizabeth, you should know me better by now. You should know that I'm happy as long as you are. Yours and Mackenzie's happiness is all I care about. I don't care where we live or how we live. As long as I am with you, I can never be any happier," he whispered. Elizabeth placed a hand over his with a smile, but then the truth kicked her hard.
"Will, I miss my father," she whispered.
"Then we'll return to Port Royal once we gather our stuff from England. We'll raise Mackenzie there if that is what you want," he said.
Elizabeth thought about it for a minute and sat down. She really did miss her father. Staying in Port Royal seeing him everyday during the past eight months was great. However, now that they were on their way towards England, Elizabeth believed that she was taking Mackenzie's chance of being with her Grandfather. Sure, she had Bootstrap, but that wasn't the same. She still wanted her father to see Mackenzie once in awhile too. Will went down on one knee before her and took her hands in his. He got her to look at him again. "Elizabeth, it's your call. We can either stay in England, or we could return to Port Royal. That's your choice and only you can make it," he whispered. He then placed a kiss on her forehead before leaving to get Mackenzie. Elizabeth leaned back against the railing of the ship again with a sigh. She didn't know what to do. She loved England, but she loved Port Royal too. She sighed as she stood up and went back to see what Will was doing.
Will was holding Mackenzie in his arms and looked up when he heard Elizabeth coming back towards them. "I think Mackenzie should have the chance of being with her Grandfather. I want to go back to Port Royal," she said. Will stood up with Mackenzie in his arms with a smile. He walked over and kissed her cheek.
"Then, we'll get our things and we'll return to Port Royal," Will said softly.
Elizabeth nodded and then she took her turn to hold Mackenzie. Mackenzie giggled as her mother held her. That's when it happened, Mackenzie said her first words. She pointed her finger at Elizabeth with a smile. "Mama," she said. Elizabeth looked at Will with a gasp.
"Will, she just spoke," she said.
Will stood next to Elizabeth and Mackenzie giggled again. "Mama, mama, mama," she cooed. Elizabeth kissed the top of her head with a smile.
"That's right, Mackenzie, mama," Elizabeth whispered.
Mackenzie then held her arms out to Will. "Dada, dada," she said. Will took her into his arms and held her close to him. He never felt such joy in his life. He was so proud to have Elizabeth and Mackenzie by his side. He kissed the side of her head and looked at Elizabeth. Mackenzie then yawned and fell asleep in Will's arms. "I think someone needs to go to bed," Will said. He placed Mackenzie into Elizabeth's arms and watched as his wife walked back over to Jack. Jack was steering his job while humming the tune to the song that Elizabeth taught him.
"Jack, are you ever going to stop singing that song?" Will asked.
"Why should I stop singing the song mate?" Jack shot back.
"I don't know, maybe because you sing it every twenty seconds," Will replied.
"Aye, boy, I'm a pirate and this is me ship. I can sing anything I want and there is nothing you can do to stop me. If you have a problem with it, I'll make you walk the plank," Jack said.
Will rolled his eyes and sat down. "So, how's little Jacob doing, is he keeping Anamaria and you up at night?" Will asked. Jack chuckled at the thought.
"Aye, the kid's got a loud mouth," Jack chuckled.
"Let's just hope you don't start drinking around the poor kid, you don't want him to start the same habits when he gets older," Will said.
"He's my son and if he wants to drink rum when he gets older, then I'll let him drink the rum. You should think about your own little kid, whelp."
"Okay, okay, excuse me for trying to give you some advice. We don't need you to pass out like you have done before."
Jack rolled his eyes and saw Anamaria come out of their cabin. "Jack, you better come down here and take care of your son. I'll take the wheel for awhile," Anamaria snapped. Jack sighed as he let the wheel go and Anamaria took his place. Will couldn't help but laugh as Jack went into the cabin.
"It looks to me that Jack doesn't like taking care of Jacob," Will said.
"He enjoys it, except when the time comes for him to do the dirty part of the work," Anamaria said.
Will then started laughing again. He got up when he saw Elizabeth coming out of their cabin with a gentle smile on her face. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You seem much happier now," he said. Elizabeth placed her hands over his with a smile.
"I am; we're going home after we reach England. Father will be able to be with Mackenzie all he wants when we return to Port Royal," she sighed.
She placed her head against his chest, and Will only held her even closer to him. "I love you Will Turner," she whispered. Will kissed the top of her head with a gentle smile.
"I love you too, Elizabeth Turner," he whispered back.
AN: Now, it's done again. Now I have to work on chapter 12 all over again. Man, I don't want to do this again. Oh well, read and review please.