[Okay, I don't have an excuse this week. You can pound me at any time.]

Kimmi continued to improve but the city didn't. Half of it was underwater and the rest was soon to follow. Jack began to build a large boat. Will helped as much as he could and soon, it was ready for us.

Rumors grew of a new town being built nearby but we could not stay to see it. We had to leave before Norrington carried out his threat.

"Where will you go, child?" Governor Swann asked me as I packed our things.

"I don't know, Uncle. The ocean is vast, I'm sure that we will find a place." Sarah helped me fold sheets and pillowcases. Elizabeth entered the room.

"The boat is ready." She smiled as I took up all of my bags. "Here. Let me help you with those." She took half of them and Governor Swann picked up Kimmi. It was a solemn walk to the boat.

I loved Jack more than gold, but this had been my home for 8 years and the only home the children had ever known.

Jack met us at the dock and threw the bags up to Will and Peter. He noticed my mood.

"What's wrong, luv?"

"Oh, it's nothing." He kissed my cheek and walked me up to the deck. "It's beautiful, Jack!" Governor Swann set Kimmi in Jack's arms.

"I am sorry to see you young people leave. You bring back my youth. Take good care of my daughter, Mr. Turner. She is safe in your hands." He hugged her and turned to me.

"Uncle, what are you talking about? You sound as if you are leaving."

"It's not me that is leaving. It's Will and Elizabeth."

They smiled back at me. "You don't mind, do you?" She asked.

"Of course not! My biggest regret was leaving you!" I hugged her and hugged Will. [Ooh! Give him a smooch too!]

"Well, we'd better get going now." Jack put Kimmi in her cabin and we all said goodbye to Governor Swann.

A light breeze carried us away from the port.

"I am yours to command, First Mate Amanda!" Elizabeth jokingly saluted.

"In that case, go make us some dinner." I walked off laughing, knowing she wouldn't do it.

Jack was in our cabin reading when I came in.

"Jack, put your shirt on. One of the children might walk in!" I tossed the shirt and hit his face with it. He snarled and tossed the book and shirt away.

"You try me, Amanda Sparrow." He took his Captain stance and backed me up into a corner. "It's not very wise to disturb your Captain." He fingered a strand of my hair and ran his fingers over my neck. "Amanda…" He stopped and grabbed me into a sensuating kiss. My soft hands found the scars on his bare back. Scars that had not been there when I was with him last. But scars inside are harder to cure than scars outside.

I rested my head on his tanned shoulder. "Jack, I'm so sorry that I hurt you."

"It's alright, luv. I told myself that it would heal over time, and it did. I put it behind me and only remembered that I love you. You never forget the things that you love."

"You love the sea," I said, not really even meaning it.

"I could never love anything like I love you. For 8 years, I went to sleep with your face in my mind. For 8 years, I woke up every morning searching for you sleeping next to me. For 8 years, my ears pined to hear the sound of Peter and Sarah talking and laughing. For 8 years, my hands longed to hold you close to me, and I'm never letting you go again." He lifted my chin and kissed me again.

"Mommy! Peter took my blanket!" Sarah stood in the doorway in her nightgown.

I shrieked and got in front of Jack to cover him up. "Sarah! You're supposed to be in bed."

"I was! Then Peter started bugging me!"

Peter appeared from the doorway. "I did not!"

"You did too!"

"I did-"

"That's enough! You two, bed, right now! I don't want to hear another word about it." Needless to say, it is difficult to have a love life when you have 3 kids under the age of 12. So anyway, night turned into morning and the whole ship was asleep.

Jack's POV

I awoke the next morning rested and happy. My arm had lost its circulation and was causing me pain. I turned to Amanda who was still asleep. My arm was under her shoulders. I smiled. She could make my arm hurt if she wanted to. She could get anything she wanted because she had me now. I shifted so that I could look at her. She was beautiful. Just like the day I met her. She'll always be precious to me.

Amanda's POV

Jack's beard tickled me awake. I opened my sleep-laden eyes and looked up at him. He smiled and I laughed at him, placing my hands on his muscled arms.

"I must look a sight in the morning." I imagined my messy hair and disarranged nightgown.

He lightly kissed my lips and lowered his weight on me. "No, Amanda. You're perfect."

I smiled. "I'm the luckiest woman in the world."

And so began a long a passionate relationship that involved adventure, more children, friends, but most importantly - love.