A/N - Wow, I actually got some reviews! Thank you guys!
Jupiter's Light - A three year old AND a baby. He's royally screwed. *rubs hands together* I can see it now, muahaha.
Kyesha - Jack is definitely going to need the-rapy after this. Poor lad. Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.
DeliahSerpent - Why thank you, I appreciate it and I'm glad you liked it!
BrkLnLady-Don't you worry I won't neglect my other story. Thanks for reading this one too! :D
Bobo3 - Wow I'm honored you read my story I think yours is great. Life was harsh back then people died all the time from little things even. I'm glad you think my story's interesting.
Jack opened his eyes to feel a heavy weight resting on his lap. Blinking in confusion he remembered in a rush that he had fallen asleep at Sally's table, leaning back in one of the chairs. Currently perched on his lap and gazing up at him curiously was the small tousle-headed boy he had seen in her bed last night. Bright blue eyes gazed up at him unblinkingly
"Can I help ye lad?" Jack's voice was gruffer if that was at all possible in the mornings. The boy cocked his head and Jack was reminded suddenly of a parrot owned by Mr. Cotton, a pirate on his ship the Black Pearl.
"Who are you?" Jack groggily felt around for his possessions and began assembling them. Setting the boy as gently as he could onto the floor, he stood up.
"The name's Jack Sparrow. Captain to you, however. Where's your Auntie Sally then?" The boy pointed towards the bed and Jack feeling a wave of dread hit him looked in on her. She lay sleeping, her breathing labored. Her cheeks were flushed with fever and Jack knew with a sinking feeling that it wouldn't be long.
The boy silently slipped his little hand into Jack's and Jack started, not realizing that the boy had crept up beside him. Looking down at the tiny paw engulfed in his large hand, he felt strange. He wasn't one to be around children, never had been.
"Well then lad what's your name?"
"Ethan." The boy swiped at his nose with his free hand and Jack made a face in disgust. Not that he was anything cleaner he mused to himself silently. The boy's lack of fear around him made him realize that he was probably used to the roughness and looks of pirates. Not that Jack was altogether a rough man, but he was by no means an ordinary looking one.
"I'm hungry," Ethan stated suddenly. Jack looked around the room and then back at the sleeping Sally in bewilderment.
"What do you normally eat?" The boy toddled off towards a cupboard and pointed up at it. Jack found a loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese wrapped up in cheesecloth. He used his dagger and set about slicing off pieces for the little boy who perched on a chair at the table.
Ethan sat popping chunks of bread into his mouth and staring at Jack with a wide-eyed, unblinking owl-like gaze. It made Jack rather uncomfortable so he rose and peered down into the cradle. The infant who slept there would no doubt wake soon. Jack had no idea what to give her. He couldn't cook anything beyond crude sailor's meals and he only drank liquor and water. Or liquor like water, he thought with a chuckle.
A loud hacking noise came suddenly from Sally's bed startling the baby awake. He wasn't sure if it was a boy or a girl, but its eyes popped open and it took a deep breath before setting up such a racket that Jack stumbled away and almost fell over Ethan and his chair.
"For the love of Christ that thing's loud!" he covered his ears with his hands and saw Ethan giggling at him. Scowling at the boy he stole a piece of bread and tried to eat it and keep his ears covered at the same time.
Sally rose from bed like a shot and was cradling the infant, whispering to it and bouncing it up and down slightly. The baby eventually hiccupped and stopped yowling. Sally dipped a rag into a jar and the baby sucked on it hungrily.
"Milk," she explained when Jack looked at them curiously. He wondered how she kept it cool, and then realized that she probably milked whatever animal she got it from every day and therefore it wouldn't go bad. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"There are goats in the back. Got a few after the last time I saw you with the money you gave me." He nodded and then inquired as to whether or not the baby was a boy or a girl.
"A wee lass this one is, I named her Gwen."
"And how do you propose I am to feed her while she is in my care? I can't bring animals onto the ship and the only woman is Anna Maria. While she is a woman she isn't too endowed with maternal instincts nor is she able to nurse." Sally smiled at him and shook her head.
"There is a girl down the street that I take Gwen to when the goats don't produce milk. Her babe died after it was born and she has milk to feed Gwen. I help her scrub the floors of the pub where she works in return." Jack made a scoffing noise.
"So I am to what, kidnap this girl and take her with me? Most females in their right minds wouldn't want to go off with a pirate crew, let alone sail on the Black Pearl. Is she crazy?" Sally out right laughed at the last question.
"And what do you care if she is, Captain Sparrow? Everyone knows that you're downright mad." Jack smiled at this and Ethan was fascinated by his gold teeth, staring at them so hard he forgot he had food in his mouth until Sally gently reminded him to chew.
"The lass is rather attached to wee Gwen, you might not have to kidnap her. But aye if worse comes to worse you'll have to take the girl until you find the children a home. We should go talk to her and see what she says." Jack rolled his eyes and felt like slamming his head onto the table. Womenfolk were something he liked dealing with as much as children. It wasn't that he didn't like women, it was rather the opposite. He liked women too much. They all saw him as a rake, or a scoundrel. He had yet to meet a woman who could stand for his behavior.
"Here," Sally placed Gwen into his arms and he was so startled he almost dropped the baby girl. She then fussed over Ethan, wiping off his face and leading him over to a basket with some folded clothes in it. Taking off the little boy's nightshirt she began dressing him. Jack awkwardly balanced the tiny girl in his hands and she blearily looked back up at him. Her eyes were blue like Sally and Ethan's. He remembered that Hester had had gray eyes like the sea on a stormy day. He wondered who the father was.
Sally grinned broadly when she glanced over to see the pair sitting at the table staring at each other. She knew deep in her heart that Jack would take to the children and care for them himself. Frowning she pressed a hand to her chest and took a ragged breath. That or he would give them up to the first woman he met who looked like she was a mother. Sally hoped that the girl they were going to see would agree to go along and watch over the children. Annie Lindsay was a girl with a spitfire disposition and great courage. She knew that Annie would fight for the children.
Hearing cursing, she looked over to see Jack holding Gwen away from him at arm's length. Gwen had a blissful smile on her little face and Jack had a spattering of white baby-vomit down the front of his pants. As his face darkened and he sputtered incoherently Sally saw Gwen's face begin to crumple and her cheeks redden. Jack instantly placed a finger over her lips.
"Now, now don't get hasty love. There's no reason to be wailing like you were before." Gwen promptly began to gum his finger and he made a face as drool covered part of his hand. He took his finger away but hastily put it back when Gwen started to cry. If it shut the child up, she could have his finger. Looking at Sally he glowered at her as she giggled behind a hand.
"They're like bleedin' animals they are. Get over here and help me woman." Sally grinned again as he growled at her before finishing buttoning up Ethan's breeches. Going over to a bucket she dipped a cloth into some water and handed it to Jack taking Gwen from him as she did so. Muttering darkly he swiped at his own breeches and gave Ethan a look as the little boy skipped over.
Ethan hid behind Sally's skirts and stuck his tongue out at Jack. He blinked at the little boy before rolling his eyes and groaning inwardly. Kids, they were little monsters. He would rather face Barbossa and his crew ten times over than get saddled with a pair of brats and here he was with these two.
Throwing the rag onto the table he watched Sally bundle up the baby in a worn, pale blue blanket and swirl a cloak around her thin shoulders. Taking up Ethan's hand in her own she held Gwen in the crook of her arm.
"Ready?" Jack rose and slapped his hat onto his head before sticking his cutlass and pistol into the sash he wore around his waist. Nodding shortly, he followed the trio out the door. Once outside in the warm sun, he gained some of his swagger back as the warmth cascaded down his back and front. The streets weren't busy, which wasn't surprising given that most of Tortuga's inhabitants were whores and pirates neither of which was inclined to rise early when they didn't have to.
They had only gone down the street a little ways when they stopped in front of a pub with a wooden sign overhead that read 'The Blue Mermaid'. Jack had gone to this particular tavern a few times but he couldn't remember much about it. Shrugging, he followed Sally and the children inside. As he turned to shut the door he felt a burst of air and his hat was neatly knocked off of his head.
Casting dark eyes above to where his leather hat was pinned to the doorjamb by a dagger, he shot them over to the bar where a thin, short girl stood her arms crossed in front of her chest. Bright red hair flowed down her shoulders and her green eyes were glittering dangerously. Jack unpinned his hat and gave her a charming smile.
"Well, well if it isn't Annie Lindsay. I do think we can cut this visit short, Sally I don't think Annie will give us what we're looking for." Sally looked vaguely confused. Annie had never mentioned knowing Jack Sparrow although most female inhabitants of Tortuga were inevitably connected to the rogue of a man.
"He broke my sister's heart he did, the bastard." Annie lifted her chin and glared at Jack contemptuously as he stroked his own chin and pretended to try to remember her sister. Annie hissed and balled her hands up into fists.
He did remember her sister; Laoghaire Lindsay wasn't one to be forgotten. He didn't know what all this business about breaking her heart was, when he and Laoghaire had spent some...time together it had been under a mutual agreement that neither wanted anything else from the other. Apparently she hadn't been able to keep her end of the bargain.
"Now really, we're all adults here. This little quarrel of yours is going to have to wait. We need to talk to you Annie, I need your help." Sally's thin frame shook as she was battered by another coughing fit. Annie quickly helped her to a seat and fetched a mug of water. Taking Gwen from Sally she sat in the seat next to her. Jack sauntered over and flung himself into a chair next to Annie, grinning wolfishly at her and sticking her dagger deep into the wooden table in front of her.
Annie ground her teeth and resisted the urge to bury the dagger into his chest as she moved her chair away from him. Placing Gwen on her shoulder and patting the baby's back she looked over at Sally her eyes pointed and angry.
"This had better be good, Sally m'dear." Jack shook his head and for once managed to look serious.
"Oh it is, love. Trust me."
Jupiter's Light - A three year old AND a baby. He's royally screwed. *rubs hands together* I can see it now, muahaha.
Kyesha - Jack is definitely going to need the-rapy after this. Poor lad. Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.
DeliahSerpent - Why thank you, I appreciate it and I'm glad you liked it!
BrkLnLady-Don't you worry I won't neglect my other story. Thanks for reading this one too! :D
Bobo3 - Wow I'm honored you read my story I think yours is great. Life was harsh back then people died all the time from little things even. I'm glad you think my story's interesting.
Jack opened his eyes to feel a heavy weight resting on his lap. Blinking in confusion he remembered in a rush that he had fallen asleep at Sally's table, leaning back in one of the chairs. Currently perched on his lap and gazing up at him curiously was the small tousle-headed boy he had seen in her bed last night. Bright blue eyes gazed up at him unblinkingly
"Can I help ye lad?" Jack's voice was gruffer if that was at all possible in the mornings. The boy cocked his head and Jack was reminded suddenly of a parrot owned by Mr. Cotton, a pirate on his ship the Black Pearl.
"Who are you?" Jack groggily felt around for his possessions and began assembling them. Setting the boy as gently as he could onto the floor, he stood up.
"The name's Jack Sparrow. Captain to you, however. Where's your Auntie Sally then?" The boy pointed towards the bed and Jack feeling a wave of dread hit him looked in on her. She lay sleeping, her breathing labored. Her cheeks were flushed with fever and Jack knew with a sinking feeling that it wouldn't be long.
The boy silently slipped his little hand into Jack's and Jack started, not realizing that the boy had crept up beside him. Looking down at the tiny paw engulfed in his large hand, he felt strange. He wasn't one to be around children, never had been.
"Well then lad what's your name?"
"Ethan." The boy swiped at his nose with his free hand and Jack made a face in disgust. Not that he was anything cleaner he mused to himself silently. The boy's lack of fear around him made him realize that he was probably used to the roughness and looks of pirates. Not that Jack was altogether a rough man, but he was by no means an ordinary looking one.
"I'm hungry," Ethan stated suddenly. Jack looked around the room and then back at the sleeping Sally in bewilderment.
"What do you normally eat?" The boy toddled off towards a cupboard and pointed up at it. Jack found a loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese wrapped up in cheesecloth. He used his dagger and set about slicing off pieces for the little boy who perched on a chair at the table.
Ethan sat popping chunks of bread into his mouth and staring at Jack with a wide-eyed, unblinking owl-like gaze. It made Jack rather uncomfortable so he rose and peered down into the cradle. The infant who slept there would no doubt wake soon. Jack had no idea what to give her. He couldn't cook anything beyond crude sailor's meals and he only drank liquor and water. Or liquor like water, he thought with a chuckle.
A loud hacking noise came suddenly from Sally's bed startling the baby awake. He wasn't sure if it was a boy or a girl, but its eyes popped open and it took a deep breath before setting up such a racket that Jack stumbled away and almost fell over Ethan and his chair.
"For the love of Christ that thing's loud!" he covered his ears with his hands and saw Ethan giggling at him. Scowling at the boy he stole a piece of bread and tried to eat it and keep his ears covered at the same time.
Sally rose from bed like a shot and was cradling the infant, whispering to it and bouncing it up and down slightly. The baby eventually hiccupped and stopped yowling. Sally dipped a rag into a jar and the baby sucked on it hungrily.
"Milk," she explained when Jack looked at them curiously. He wondered how she kept it cool, and then realized that she probably milked whatever animal she got it from every day and therefore it wouldn't go bad. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"There are goats in the back. Got a few after the last time I saw you with the money you gave me." He nodded and then inquired as to whether or not the baby was a boy or a girl.
"A wee lass this one is, I named her Gwen."
"And how do you propose I am to feed her while she is in my care? I can't bring animals onto the ship and the only woman is Anna Maria. While she is a woman she isn't too endowed with maternal instincts nor is she able to nurse." Sally smiled at him and shook her head.
"There is a girl down the street that I take Gwen to when the goats don't produce milk. Her babe died after it was born and she has milk to feed Gwen. I help her scrub the floors of the pub where she works in return." Jack made a scoffing noise.
"So I am to what, kidnap this girl and take her with me? Most females in their right minds wouldn't want to go off with a pirate crew, let alone sail on the Black Pearl. Is she crazy?" Sally out right laughed at the last question.
"And what do you care if she is, Captain Sparrow? Everyone knows that you're downright mad." Jack smiled at this and Ethan was fascinated by his gold teeth, staring at them so hard he forgot he had food in his mouth until Sally gently reminded him to chew.
"The lass is rather attached to wee Gwen, you might not have to kidnap her. But aye if worse comes to worse you'll have to take the girl until you find the children a home. We should go talk to her and see what she says." Jack rolled his eyes and felt like slamming his head onto the table. Womenfolk were something he liked dealing with as much as children. It wasn't that he didn't like women, it was rather the opposite. He liked women too much. They all saw him as a rake, or a scoundrel. He had yet to meet a woman who could stand for his behavior.
"Here," Sally placed Gwen into his arms and he was so startled he almost dropped the baby girl. She then fussed over Ethan, wiping off his face and leading him over to a basket with some folded clothes in it. Taking off the little boy's nightshirt she began dressing him. Jack awkwardly balanced the tiny girl in his hands and she blearily looked back up at him. Her eyes were blue like Sally and Ethan's. He remembered that Hester had had gray eyes like the sea on a stormy day. He wondered who the father was.
Sally grinned broadly when she glanced over to see the pair sitting at the table staring at each other. She knew deep in her heart that Jack would take to the children and care for them himself. Frowning she pressed a hand to her chest and took a ragged breath. That or he would give them up to the first woman he met who looked like she was a mother. Sally hoped that the girl they were going to see would agree to go along and watch over the children. Annie Lindsay was a girl with a spitfire disposition and great courage. She knew that Annie would fight for the children.
Hearing cursing, she looked over to see Jack holding Gwen away from him at arm's length. Gwen had a blissful smile on her little face and Jack had a spattering of white baby-vomit down the front of his pants. As his face darkened and he sputtered incoherently Sally saw Gwen's face begin to crumple and her cheeks redden. Jack instantly placed a finger over her lips.
"Now, now don't get hasty love. There's no reason to be wailing like you were before." Gwen promptly began to gum his finger and he made a face as drool covered part of his hand. He took his finger away but hastily put it back when Gwen started to cry. If it shut the child up, she could have his finger. Looking at Sally he glowered at her as she giggled behind a hand.
"They're like bleedin' animals they are. Get over here and help me woman." Sally grinned again as he growled at her before finishing buttoning up Ethan's breeches. Going over to a bucket she dipped a cloth into some water and handed it to Jack taking Gwen from him as she did so. Muttering darkly he swiped at his own breeches and gave Ethan a look as the little boy skipped over.
Ethan hid behind Sally's skirts and stuck his tongue out at Jack. He blinked at the little boy before rolling his eyes and groaning inwardly. Kids, they were little monsters. He would rather face Barbossa and his crew ten times over than get saddled with a pair of brats and here he was with these two.
Throwing the rag onto the table he watched Sally bundle up the baby in a worn, pale blue blanket and swirl a cloak around her thin shoulders. Taking up Ethan's hand in her own she held Gwen in the crook of her arm.
"Ready?" Jack rose and slapped his hat onto his head before sticking his cutlass and pistol into the sash he wore around his waist. Nodding shortly, he followed the trio out the door. Once outside in the warm sun, he gained some of his swagger back as the warmth cascaded down his back and front. The streets weren't busy, which wasn't surprising given that most of Tortuga's inhabitants were whores and pirates neither of which was inclined to rise early when they didn't have to.
They had only gone down the street a little ways when they stopped in front of a pub with a wooden sign overhead that read 'The Blue Mermaid'. Jack had gone to this particular tavern a few times but he couldn't remember much about it. Shrugging, he followed Sally and the children inside. As he turned to shut the door he felt a burst of air and his hat was neatly knocked off of his head.
Casting dark eyes above to where his leather hat was pinned to the doorjamb by a dagger, he shot them over to the bar where a thin, short girl stood her arms crossed in front of her chest. Bright red hair flowed down her shoulders and her green eyes were glittering dangerously. Jack unpinned his hat and gave her a charming smile.
"Well, well if it isn't Annie Lindsay. I do think we can cut this visit short, Sally I don't think Annie will give us what we're looking for." Sally looked vaguely confused. Annie had never mentioned knowing Jack Sparrow although most female inhabitants of Tortuga were inevitably connected to the rogue of a man.
"He broke my sister's heart he did, the bastard." Annie lifted her chin and glared at Jack contemptuously as he stroked his own chin and pretended to try to remember her sister. Annie hissed and balled her hands up into fists.
He did remember her sister; Laoghaire Lindsay wasn't one to be forgotten. He didn't know what all this business about breaking her heart was, when he and Laoghaire had spent some...time together it had been under a mutual agreement that neither wanted anything else from the other. Apparently she hadn't been able to keep her end of the bargain.
"Now really, we're all adults here. This little quarrel of yours is going to have to wait. We need to talk to you Annie, I need your help." Sally's thin frame shook as she was battered by another coughing fit. Annie quickly helped her to a seat and fetched a mug of water. Taking Gwen from Sally she sat in the seat next to her. Jack sauntered over and flung himself into a chair next to Annie, grinning wolfishly at her and sticking her dagger deep into the wooden table in front of her.
Annie ground her teeth and resisted the urge to bury the dagger into his chest as she moved her chair away from him. Placing Gwen on her shoulder and patting the baby's back she looked over at Sally her eyes pointed and angry.
"This had better be good, Sally m'dear." Jack shook his head and for once managed to look serious.
"Oh it is, love. Trust me."