-Little Miracles-

Disclaimer: I'm practically broke at the moment, so I don't think that such financial conditions would indicate that I would own something as successful as Pirates of the Caribbean. If I did, I can guarantee that I would have tons of money in savings and stuff, and that I'd be paying a whole lot in taxes.

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Chapter 10

So many things had changed for Commodore James Norrington in the last few months—most especially the last week alone. He had been promoted, rejected by a woman in favor of a blacksmith and love, and lost his grandfather—the man he had considered to be his father. He had also settled more firmly into his new position, made a firm friend in the newly-arrived Mary Katherine Birch and her uncle, and for the last week, now, had a little girl who trusted him implicitly and also gave him someone to come home to.

He found that merely having Lily in his home had brought him more joy than he had ever hoped for.

After Elizabeth chose William Turner, he had nearly given up all hope of having a family of his own. But Lily had renewed that hope, and he knew that even if he should never marry, he would still be quite content. Thomas had been right, however, on the day Lily arrived. She would need a woman to look to, eventually, but she also made it imperative that if he should marry, he would have to choose very carefully and wisely.

He had a feeling that Lily would also likely help to make that easier for him.

As he made his way home again after a rather tiresome and tedious day, his thoughts dwelled chiefly on the easy routine he and Lily had fallen in to over the past week or so. He would get up and get dressed, occasionally behind a screen when she was in his room after a nightmare, then he would wake her and help her ready for the day. They would then go down to breakfast and talk a bit before he left for the fort.

Two days ago, she had also initiated a new part of the routine, which involved an exchange of hugs and kisses—hers to his cheek, and his to her forehead. He would then tell her to behave for and help Jacob and Cecil, and she, in turn, would ask him to pass greetings along to 'her' Nathan and 'her' Murtogg and Mullroy.

When he returned home, she would greet him on the front walk with another hug. He would carry her inside and the evenings were spent doing various things before dinner and bed. Stories were now told or read every night without fail.

Upon reaching the front walk, however, he discovered that the routine would be disrupted tonight. Lily did not come to greet him. He was a bit early today, though, so maybe that was why. She might be inside playing and had lost track of time.

Entering the house, he found Jacob at the parlor doorway, as usual. He looked around, but saw no hint of Lily's silvery-blonde curls. "Where is Lily?"

"I hope you don't mind, but Miss Birch came around this morning and asked if Lily could and would like to spend a day with her. I didn't see any harm in it, and allowed her to go," Jacob said.

James nodded, though he was slightly disappointed to not have Lily's greeting this evening. "That is fine."

Jacob, however, seemed to have seen or sensed that disappointment. "Don't you worry none, Lad. She'll be home soon," he said, laying a sympathetic hand on James' shoulder. "Miss Birch said she wouldn't keep her too late. In fact, I expect them back any moment, now."

James nodded again, finally moving to hang his hat and remove his sword. "Is there anything else I should be informed of?"

"Yes, Sir. This came for you today," Cecil answered, entering from what could be considered a very small ballroom. James mentally shook his head. What did his father intend to do with this house? He had yet to come and look it over or even claim it, leaving James to see to it. His father probably intended to come live here for the sole purpose of making his life miserable. It sounded to James as the thing Charles Norrington would do, just as his life was beginning to come back together.

Cecil handed over a small, sealed message, and James looked it over. There was no indication of who had sent it until he came to the seal. He recognized it immediately, his shoulders dropping. He rolled his eyes and broke the seal. "Do they truly have nothing better to do than continually harass me?"

"What is it?" Jacob asked.

James skimmed over the parchment. "Another invitation for afternoon tea with the Williamsons—the fifth this week alone. Apparently, I haven't been clear enough that I have absolutely no interest in that daughter of theirs."

"And just what is wrong with her?" Cecil asked.

James shot him a dry look, but forgave him. Cecil was still fairly new to Port Royal, and so didn't yet know much about the ways of the socialites here. He was learning quickly, however. "There is nothing truly wrong with her, exactly, but there is nothing interesting about her, either. She is dull and speaks only of simple topics that catch her interest. She embroiders, though based upon what I have been forced to examine when I could find no adequate excuse to decline their invitation, it is only very basic stitches that aren't even properly done. At all of her parents' dinner parties, they display her non-existent musical talents."

"She's musical?"

"She couldn't carry a tune to save her life, and her instrumental skills with a flute are far worse than a very young child simply trying to make noise."

"You're being a bit harsh, aren't you, James-lad?" Jacob asked.

"No, I think I might be slightly more on the generous side in this matter." Cecil winced. "And if that isn't enough to endure, Mister Frederick Williamson tends to speak only of how much money he has made on each and every shipment he sends out, or how much he loses. There have been times that he speaks of his tobacco plants and how many have wilted, diseased leaves. He also drones on about how many slaves he has and which ones are giving him what sorts of problems. I could go on and on for hours and not even begin to list all I find offensive about them and nearly every other landowner on this island is just as bad or worse."

"So will you be accepting this one?" Jacob asked innocently.

"I will not. And not just because my time is filled, now, with Lily present. This particular one is set for a day when I shall be on patrol anyway. They've memorized me—my build, the way I walk, my voice and many of my personal habits—why can't they figure out when I am gone? Patrols are on a set schedule; you would think they would have learned it by now."

Jacob chuckled, though he sobered quickly. "Speaking of patrols, what do you plan for Lily when you leave?"

"She will likely prefer to stay here with you where it is familiar," he told them both, more than happy for the change in subject. "But should Mary Kate ask and Lily wish it, she is free to stay with the Birches as well. Of the people in town, she seems to tolerate them the best."

"Does she understand that you'll be gone for around two weeks and that she won't be able to see you? Does she understand that you aren't leaving her?" Jacob asked.

"I think so. I should probably speak to her about it again—and soon—as the next rotation for the Dauntless is next week. I should start preparing her, but I hope it isn't too hard for her."

"I believe she'll be all right. Especially after a few of these patrols. The first few will be hard for the both of you until you adjust." Jacob paused, giving James a reassuring smile. "She'll learn though. All you need to do is make certain you return in one piece."

"That will be the trick, will it not?"

"It will be easy enough if you stay out of trouble. I hope you don't run into anything worse than usual," Jacob said.

"The both of you need to think more positively," Cecil cut in. "If you keep going on about trouble, then it will surely find you."

"You might be right about that," Jacob said. He gave James a stern look. "Now don't you go getting in over your head, Lad. I can't keep my word to your dear grandfather if you go and get yourself hurt, and I'm certain that if you do, there'll be no such eternal peace for you once Geoffrey finds you."

James smiled at the image that sprang up of his grandfather. Even now, he could still see that certain mischievous twinkle in his eyes and smell the scent of the sea, tobacco, and peppermint that had always clung to him. The little crinkles at his eyes as he laughed and his voice; a rich, deep tone much like his own—or so he had once been told. His smile faltered somewhat, though, as he imagined that voice speaking endless lectures of disappointment for getting killed.

His grandfather would also likely know about Lily and the mere thought of her conjured an image of how she might react if something were to happen. "No. There would be no rest for me at all, I think." Not from his grandfather, nor his own conscience, should it continue to exist.

"I say again, you both need to be thinking positively," Cecil said. "You keep talking like you are, and Miss Lily is apt to come home, hear it, and throw a fit. If you'd take my advice, you'd speak of something else, and right quick!"

"It needs spoken of at some point," Jacob said. "Better now than too late."

To James' amazement, Cecil shrugged his shoulders. He knew Jacob had taken the younger servant under his wing, but Cecil was only becoming more and more like the elderly cook all the time. "I hope you're prepared to soothe Miss Lily, then, because she and Miss Birch are riding toward the front walk as we speak."

James whirled around to see that the butler was, indeed, correct. He strode back out the front door, forgetting his hat, and stopped near the great white stallion. He made certain to stay well enough away, though, outside the range of the horse's reach. Sure enough, the horse she named 'Starlight' reached his head around toward him, trying to catch James' coat between his teeth. Mary Kate gave the horse an admonishing but gentle slap on the neck. "You are already home! I am sorry. I hoped to have her home before you arrived," she said.

"Please, don't worry about it," he said. "Did she enjoy herself?"

"She wore herself out." Mary Kate indicated the slumbering child in the saddle before her. "She fell asleep on the way back."

"Did she, by chance, sleep any earlier in the day?" James asked, trying to gauge how the rest of the evening might go.

"No, though there was no lack of trying on my or Rosemary's parts. She simply refused to sleep." James stepped closer so he could pull Lily down. "I did find she seems to enjoy flowers, however. She was content enough to help Rosemary and I pull a few weeds and she was most helpful in choosing flowers to cut."

"I can see that," he said, noticing the patches of dirt on Lily's green dress. She settled into her customary position—head on his shoulder, hand grasping his vest between the first two fastened buttons—and snuggled closer to him in her sleep. She seemed to know instinctively who now held her. "I know she probably wasn't, but I feel I must ask anyway; was she any trouble?"

"Of course she wasn't," Mary Kate said as she swung down to the ground. She quickly sobered. "Whatever her life in England was like—whatever her parents were like, they certainly have her too scared to do anything wrong. She was a complete angel; asking politely only for things she absolutely needed. She refused to touch anything at all without considerable amounts of coaxing, and when Rosemary and I were busy, Uncle Arthur said she would find an empty portion of the wall and sit quietly on the floor. He tried to convince her that he would do nothing to her if she simply wished to play. She wouldn't, though when I returned to her at one point, she was sitting in his lap looking at his model of the Gallant."

"How did he accomplish that?" James asked, moving the conversation beneath the eaves of a nearby shade tree. He eyed the horse warily in case he would need to move away from its teeth in a hurry, but the horse simply dropped his head and began eating.

Mary Kate's expression was a strange mix of mirth, sadness and concern. "He had to change into his naval uniform." She focused more on him. "You've made a deep impression on her, James. I've noticed she only seems comfortable when she is around uniformed men."

"She is comfortable around you as well," he said.

"She is, but nowhere near as much as she is when you or Nathan are close by. It's funny what just a bit of fabric sewn in a certain pattern can do to a person. She wouldn't have a thing to do with Arthur until she saw him in uniform. Then you could barely drag her away. That is your influence, James. Yours and no other except, perhaps, Nathan's. Let no one tell you differently."

I don't intend to, he thought, though outwardly, he only nodded. "I can imagine her opinion of uniforms is strengthened by the fact that many men at the fort have been bringing little toys and gifts to her. Did she show you any of them?"

Mary Kate laughed. "She did! She is quite proud of all of her toys, and eager to show them to anyone willing to look. She also remembers who gave her what and on what day."

"So I had noticed. Did she tell you about her storybook?"

"She did, though I must admit I was a bit surprised that Lieutenant Stone had been able to finish it so quickly."

"I asked him about that when I thanked him. He said that compiling and illustrating children's stories had always been a small hobby of his. He also said that particular book had been meant for his newly-married sister, but when Lily arrived, felt it should go to her instead."

"He is a good man. All of your men are, especially to have given her treasured gifts. She cherishes the ones you gave her over all of them, though," Mary Kate said, suddenly serious. Lily shifted then, with a slight whimper. James adjusted his grip slightly, and she settled back down. "That reminds me. I have something for her, myself."

"Oh?" James asked, intrigued. "You know, if people keep giving things to her, she will become spoiled."

"And you wouldn't have it any other way. I know you'll certainly keep her grounded well enough to keep her from becoming obnoxious about it. No, the items I have are things she can use." She handed him a small package after untying it from the saddle.

He took it as best he could and began walking toward the house. "What is it?" he asked, looking back to make sure Mary Kate was following.

"Some clothing. Nightgowns to be specific," she said. "I remembered what sizes she wore and purchased a few more for her."

James glanced over at her, a slight puzzled frown marring his face. "You didn't need to do that. I could have easily have bought them."

Mary Kate favored him with an amused smile. "Ah, you could have, indeed, but I doubt they would have been the same, as you will see." He paused, gesturing for her to enter the house first. "I improved them."

As they walked to the parlor, he tried to figure out exactly what she meant by that. He looked around, setting the package down, and found Jacob motioning him over to a thick stack of quilts on the floor in the corner. Guessing what purpose the quilts were for, he knelt and gently shifted Lily down onto them. He also gently worked her shoes off her feet, thinking it might help her rest easier. She immediately turned onto her side as he withdrew, curling up in the small nest of blankets. Jacob covered her with a light coverlet.

James quietly returned to his guest, retrieving the package of nightgowns as he found a seat a proper distance from hers. Mary Kate looked at him expectantly, so he opened the package. Inside, there were, indeed, three nightgowns. He immediately found where they had been 'improved upon'. Mary Kate had added some small, embroidered images to each cuff, collar and hem. On one, she had stitched small flowers, butterflies and songbirds from England. On another, he saw small, detailed sea gulls, anchors and starfish. The last one was stitched with stars and different kinds of leaves, some of which seemed familiar, though he couldn't place them.

"Was I right in saying what you bought would not be the same?" She was obviously thoroughly amused.

"I never questioned whether you were or not." He looked over the nightgowns again, then back at her. "I do thank you, though. I know she will love them."

"You are quite welcome. Lily is a joy to make things for. I best take my leave, however. I have no doubts that it wouldn't be proper for me to stay, and Rosemary will soon have the evening meal prepared in any case."

James stood. "I will walk you back out, if you wish."

"Yes, thank you." She gave him a brief smile as he politely offered his arm.

"Thank you again for the nightgowns," he said, trying to be quiet for Lily. "I know she already has several, but I have a feeling these three will become her favorites."

Mary Kate smiled warmly. "It is truly a pleasure, James, especially after today. She is a wonderful, sweet little girl." Her silvery-blue gaze, perfectly level with his own, became more solemn, though it lost none of its warmth and sincerity. "If you ever need my help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to come to me. No matter the time of day or night."

"I will."

She pursed her lips, as if contemplating something. "You never did say what her nightmares were like, as I recall. How is she doing?" she said hesitantly.

"She is much improved. She has been playing more, I think, and she is beginning to fill her clothes a little better as well, though I suspect she gained much under Henderson's care even if it was small ship rations," he answered as they reached the front door. He gazed further out and around to see Starlight still munching on his lawn.

"And her nightmares?"

"They seem to have lessened in severity, but—"

"No!" Small, stocking-covered feet pattered the short distance at a run. "You can't leave!" Lily cried, tugging on Mary Kate's skirts.

James frowned slightly, uncertain what he should think of this display. Mary Kate, however, released his arm and crouched to Lily's level. "But I must, Lily. Rosemary will prepare dinner soon, if she has not already begun."

"But you can eat here, can't you?" Lily tugged on his sleeve, looking up at him. "Can't she, James?"

James started, not expecting this. "Well—"

"I am sorry, Lily," Mary Kate intervened, glancing up toward him. "But I am afraid I could not. I must return home, now, for it would not be proper for me to stay here any longer without my uncle or Rosemary present."

"Why not?"

Mary Kate gave her a slight, yet amused smile. "You will know and better understand when you are older."

James nearly shuddered to think of what he might go through then, should Lily still be in his care. He only hoped he could do as well as Arthur Birch was with Mary Kate. Lily nodded glumly, then, accepting the fact that there was no convincing the woman today, though she obviously thought otherwise. "Can she come another day?" Lily asked, looking at him again. James smiled, amused.

"I will be dining with you tomorrow evening with my uncle and a small number of others, if I recall correctly," Mary Kate answered for him.

"Yes. Nathan, Governor Swann and his daughter and son-in-law, Lieutenant Stone and a few other officers will attend as well," James said.

"Nathan?" Lily asked, excited once more. James nodded. "Will Mister Thomas be here too?"

"No, Lily," James said. "He is on patrol, do you remember? We saw him off two days ago."

Lily nodded. "But Nathan an' Mary Kate an' Mister Arthur and Mister Stone will be here?"

"We will," Mary Kate answered. "Is it all right if I leave, now?"

Lily nodded again. "I guess so." She was still rather glum, though.

"Thank you, Lily," Mary Kate said. She gave her a very kind, warm smile. "I shall see you again tomorrow." She stood, giving Lily's hand a short squeeze. "I wish you both a pleasant evening."

"Good evening, Mary Kate. We will see you again tomorrow," he said as she turned and mounted her horse. She gave them another quick smile, then turned the white horse toward the gates.

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Thank you all for the lovely comments and reviews! I don't really have time to respond individually this week, but I do thank you nonetheless.

If you are a new reader, welcome! I hope you're enjoying this story as much as I am enjoying writing it.

As to the question of whether I know much about 3-year-olds, I know that I've worked with young children before—not only babysitting but in a daycare as well—and every child is different. I'll just leave it at that.

Again, I thank you for the comments and concerns, and apologize for not being able to respond to each at this time.

Have a wonderful week, and I shall return next Saturday with the next chapter.

- Seaweed