A/N: Anything in italics like this is Elizabeth's recollection of the events of that day. Kind of like a flashback.
Chapter 2: Tuesday
Elizabeth sighed as she settled farther into the tub of steaming hot water. Her sore muscles began to relax as her eyes closed and her mind drifted over the days events. Will's gentle love making in the morning before he left for the blacksmith's shop, and her rather dull afternoon with Mrs. Tumnus and Mrs. Gray, two middle aged women that Elizabeth used to enjoy chatting with. Since her marriage to the middle class William Turner though, they've been all gossip and snide comments, remarking on not only the fact that he still worked at the smithy, a second class working level job, but that they hardly ever saw her at any of the evening functions she used to attend.
"Elizabeth, has that husband of yours been keeping you chained to the bed darling? We've seen you only once since the wedding three months ago. Not that you mind I'm sure, a handsome young man like that." Mrs. Tumnus commented as they watched Elizabeth turn a soft shade of pink, her eyes reverting to her tea cup with extreme interest.
"Now Gladys, that is not fair! Why, when I was married three years ago, you wouldn't see me at any evening functions with a warm and willing man at home waiting for me."
"Please ladies, this conversation has become far too bold. What of this evening? I could very well join you this evening." Elizabeth tempted them with a change of subject as she looked from one to the other.
"Oh that would be marvelous! Had I known that a few remarks about a certain love life would have gotten you out of the house I would have done so earlier. It's not healthy for a woman such as you to be kept indoors for Mr. Turner's sport only."
And that was only the beginning of the day. Trudy and Gladys were still over when Will arrived home from the smithy early, nursing a bruised and swollen cheek.
"My goodness, Will, what happened?" Elizabeth asked in a breathless voice as she rose quickly to his side, gentle fingers prodding at the purple knot on his right cheek directly underneath his eye; which was beginning to swell and turn a nasty shade of dark blue.
"Nothing much for you to worry over love, you've got company." He flashed a crooked smile, more to the left side of his face than the right and winced at the effort.
"Nonsense Mr. Turner, come and sit, let us fuss over you as women are apt to do." Trudy ordered as she grabbed his arm, pulling him onto the couch next to her. "Let us take a peek, my husband is a doctor." She reminded as she looked closely at his cheek, her own fingers retracing the line Elizabeth's only moments before.
Sparked jealousy shot through Elizabeth at the sight of another woman's hands on her husband. Despite the fact that Trudy was the wife of the town's doctor and rather skilled with the many small injuries Port Royal men and women encountered from day to day.
"Please, Mrs. Gray, I assure that nothing is wrong."
"What happened, Mr. Turner?" Gladys chimed in as she placed a hand on Will's shoulder.
"The head slid off of my hammer while I was molding a craft, nothing more serious than that. Carelessness on my part, for I should not have allowed my own tools to end up in such a dangerous state." He spoke quickly, lifting himself from the couch and making his way to Elizabeth's side once more, seeing the concerned look etched into her features as he slid his hand to cup her cheek. "Nothing more my love, I promise. It should clear up in a day or two." He promised, lowering his lips to her briefly for a small touch of lips prior to pulling away.
"Pardon ladies, I must wash up before supper. Will you be joining us?" He questioned lightly, seeing their faces brighten.
"Unfortunately not Mr. Turner, but we are stealing your wife away from you for one night. She has neglected her social life for far too long and I fear we've missed her at our old functions." Gladys spoke while gathering her things as she watched with mild interest at the exchange between the Turners.
"That is, if it's all right with you Will." Elizabeth's small voice from his side wafted up to his ears as he peered over at her.
"Of course darling, I wouldn't dream of keeping you from your social events." He chuckled and bid the two other women farewell before slipping upstairs to wash and change.
Moments later Will was immersed in hot water up to his shoulders as his wet tresses hung in disarray at his neck. He sighed and closed his eyes until a soft hand brought him back to the present.
"Are you indeed all right, Will?" Elizabeth's voice was soothing and he leaned into her touch.
"I'll be fine Elizabeth, nothing I'm sure I cannot handle." He smiled in reply, seeing her face. "Do not be worried Elizabeth, I am well I promise."
His hand reached out, water dripping down to his elbow as the droplets ran intricate paths over his sinewy forearm. Running a damp finger down her cheek he traced the line of her jaw before cupping the back of her neck and pulling her down to meet his lips.
His kiss was soft and calming, his lips gentle and anything but prodding. She sank into it willingly, welcoming the soothing feel of their intimacy. She reluctantly pulled back and her tongue traced her bottom lip as if savoring the last taste of him before she stood and made her way to the door.
"If you need anything I shall be changing, since you obviously did not catch my hidden meaning when I asked your permission earlier."
"What do you mean? You don't wish to attend the social tonight?"
"William, when have I asked your permission to do anything?" She asked with a small lift of her eyebrows as she waltzed from the room, his deep laughter muffled by the closing of the wash room door.
It was a short time later when he walked into the room with a loose fitting pair of cotton sleep pants. A hand ruffled the long curls with vigor as he attempted to rid them of water before sitting heavily on the edge of the bed.
Elizabeth was sitting at the vanity as she applied a small amount of make up to her eyes and cheeks before pinning her hair high above her head. She connected with his eyes from the mirror and smiled lightly, continuing to fuss over herself as she thought was needed.
"You don't need all of that, Elizabeth. You happen to be the most beautiful to me when you're in absolutely nothing at all." He stood and moved behind her, resting his hands over her bared shoulders, his index finger tracing the line of the dress from one shoulder to the other across her chest.
She sighed, slapping his hand away as she rose and turned to him.
"I will not let you coerce me, William Turner. As much as I despise going to this social it may be good for me. I have missed talking with the people is knew through father."
"If you missed it why did you not ask?"
"I know you hate them Will, I know how much you abhor attending these kind of events, so I was afraid to ask."
The intensity in his eyes, even through the mirror, was enough to make Elizabeth break the gaze, focusing on the hairbrush she lifted into her hands. Will took it from her gently, turning her to face him. His hand cupped her chin as he forced her to look at him.
"Never be afraid to ask anything from me. I will gladly go with you tonight if you wish it. I want to give you everything Elizabeth, everything from what you have to what I have in my power to give you. I might not be a rich man, but with you at my side I feel the want to give you the world."
Tears blurred her vision as she pushed her body against his; the warm skin beneath her made it that much more real as she sniffled into his throat.
"I married you not for your wealth William. You are indeed wealthy for your heart is pure gold." She stated with a small smile and pulled away, wiping the tears from her cheeks as she slapped his arm.
"Get away; you have ruined my makeup. I shall be even later than I am already." She shooed him away from her with a flick of her wrist as she took the wet piece of cloth into her hands, clearing the streaks from her eyes and cheeks.
Elizabeth groaned lightly as her mind drifted to the party at James and Melinda Kensington's home. Not as regal or as impressive, but none the less enchanting. Melinda had been Elizabeth's long time friend for many years and she wished her and her new husband endless years of happiness. James on the other hand was anything but supportive as he constantly questioned Will's line of work.
"I cannot see the wife of the social Elizabeth Swann still working in a filthy sweatshop." He commented at dinner, his words eliciting several grunts of acknowledgement from the other three couples there. Two of which were the Tumnus' and the Gray's.
"Well, it is not your business to know or see what my William does with his life. It is what he has grown up with; what he knows. I applaud him for his standing work at the blacksmith's shop." Elizabeth sat up a bit while speaking, stressing that she would support her husband in any way possible.
"Yes I know my dear, but with you as his wife what would work have to do with anything?"
"James!" Melinda scolded, turning furious green eye to her husband, her hand laying on his arm in warning.
"Just because I come from a family that is well off doesn't mean Will can not have honor in what he does. Much for the same reason you are still paid for being Captain of a ship that you are scarcely ever aboard." Several at the table gasped aloud at her statement, and the crying of a baby broke the tension.
"Elizabeth, will you come check on Matthew with me?" Melinda broke in, blotting at her lips delicately with her napkin, standing and waiting for the young woman to join her in the doorway.
When they had gotten to the room Elizabeth placed a hand to her shoulder, catching her attention.
"Please forgive me; I spoke wildly and out of place. I had no right to scold and belittle the host the party."
"No Elizabeth, if there was anyone out of place it would have been him. I am the one who is sorry." She commented and lifted the month old child from the bassinet next to their large bed. The infant immediately calmed in his mother's arms, making Elizabeth smile at the bond between mother and child.
"When are you and Will going to start having children? Though it is not my place to ask, it is a quite improper question."
"No, it's completely justified I don't know when we will have children, we have not exactly discussed the matter."
"The matter does not need to be discussed for it to come full term. James and I were just beginning to hint on a family when we found I was with child. Does he want children?"
"As far as I know, he's always been rather good with them. He's begun teaching lessons with the sword for a few of them. There are few in Port Royal who would trust this task to any other than Will."
'You're terribly proud of that husband of yours." Melinda laughed at the spark in Elizabeth's eyes while speaking about Will. "He is a fine man, at times like these I would gladly trade with you." They laughed and talked as the baby fell into a contented sleep before rejoining the party in the large living room. The onslaught continued with renewed force as Elizabeth's leash was cut shorter and shorter, before she finally snapped, her anger and hurt directed at James Kensington himself.
"Elizabeth, tell me again why you did not marry Commodore Norrington. I hear that he was married last month in England, a proper marriage."
"I wish him the best, but I did not have the same feelings for him that I harbored for Will."
"I still cannot imagine you in the arms of that man."
"Why not?" Her temper began to raise, her brow furrowing and her cheeks becoming red at the center.
"He's, well… the notion itself is positively indecent. The Governor's daughter in the arms of a cocky working class scamp is almost unheard of."
"William Turner might not have made much money to rise from working class to high class in your eyes, but he is a better man than you shall ever be. Be careful how you speak of my husband in my presence. I hold nothing but the utmost respect and honor for that man and how he lives his life. He is not afraid to continue working when he knows he has no need to; he does it because he loves it. He does not see a working class life as cumbersome, he sees it as freeing. I am sorry if I have insulted you, but I will no longer idly stand by and let you belittle my husband. He has more care and love than anything I could ever receive from the likes of Commodore Norrington or yourself." She turned, seeing everyone wide eyed at her outpouring of anger and emotion, though her voice never rose. It was evident in her eyes as she turned the light brown orbs to her friend.
"I apologize again for my outburst, Melinda. I shall take my leave a bit early." Gathering her things, Melinda walked her to the front door, wrapping her in a friendly hug before watching her retreat down the steps and into the night, walking the short distance between their homes.
Going straight to the bath, she briefly questioned the manservant as to the whereabouts of her husband. The answer was always the same; he was back at the smith's shop finishing a project that he had suddenly remembered. She trudged her way up the stairs and straight to the freshly poured hot water.
Sitting up she brought her knees to her chest, resting her chin atop them as she closed her eyes, willing the night to disappear. It wasn't until the water moved and a body joined her that the bright brown eyes flew open, turning to look at him with shock and relief.
"Will, I didn't hear you." He saw the look of depression and emotion in her eyes as he leaned forward and pulled her back against his chest, settling her between his legs as he situated himself behind her.
"Was it that awful?"
"Worse. Though it was by no fault of anyone other than me, I ruined the entire night."
"How could you do that darling, your presence itself is a mere breath of fresh air. You were always so popular at those events."
"I have not lost my popularity, though they are no longer interested in my for being myself, they are more content in gaining any and all knowledge about my marriage with the working class William Turner."
She felt him tense behind her and closed her eyes, tilting her head so her forehead rested against his throat. They sat quietly for a few moments. Every once and a while his hands would move against her skin lightly, as if to remind himself that she was there in front of him.
"Elizabeth, do you regret giving your life up for me?"
Her question caught her by surprise and she lifted her head to look up at him.
"No Will. You are my life, and I would not change what I have now for anything in the world."
"Yes, but, without your father we would be living in the back room of the smithy. When I say there is nothing I can't give you it's a lie. I lie to you every single time I say that, because I am not afraid to admit that I haven't enough money to let you live in the luxury that you deserve."
"I do not desire luxury. I do not desire anything but you beside me. The bed I would sleep in could be small, as could the house we dwell in. I would give everything up to wake up next to you every morning for the rest of my life. In sickness and in health; for richer or poorer. Money has never mattered to me." She stated as she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. She stood, stepping from the tub as she reached out to him. He took her hand without question as they gazed at the single large towel she had brought in with her. With a chuckle and a giggle, they wrapped themselves together, his front to her back ash they tried to fall into step with one another.
His lips quick fastened to the racing pulse point at the column of her neck, his hands gripping the towel around them moving up to rub her stomach and breasts. She sighed, leaning back against him as he led her to their adjoining bedroom. He pushed her out of the towel, taking it in both hands as he dried her hair first. Massaging her scalp he moved to her neck and shoulders, making sure all drops were removed from her beautiful white skin. His lips found her breasts with ease, and he kissed them both reverently before toweling them off and moving to her back and stomach. When she was completely dry and trembling from the aftermath of his attentions, he lifted her into his arms and moved to the edge of the bed.
He lowered her tenderly to the blankets, his body stretching out over hers as he smothered her face in kisses. She did the same to him, mindful of the now smaller knot and darker bruise on his cheek, bestowing a kind kiss to the sore region before moving to his shoulders. It proceeded slowly, and both were equally ready when he entered her with a single thrust. It started as it always did, his pace slow and mind boggling while she writhed and clung to him, her body meeting his every move. As the tempo increased though, she could do nothing but mold into his body and ride out the emotions and passion that never failed to knock them into another world. He soon followed as he exploded with her name on his lips, his face buried in her shoulder as her own was smashed at the crook of his neck and shoulder.
They lay side by side in the aftermath, their sweating and pulsating bodies holding the other so close that no breath of air could come between them.
"Never forget that." Will's voice was lower, his accent more pronounced and cockney as he dropped a loving kiss to her nose, his eyes drifting shut as they fell into a contented, dreamless sleep.
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A/N: Here is the epic part two of our little series. Hope you all enjoyed it, leave me some reviews to let me know what you think!
_Liz_