Chapter Twenty-Four: Making Amends

James sat silently on the deck of the Black Pearl, staring off into the night sky. It looked more beautiful than it ever had to him, now that he was where he had always dreamed of being. On the most famous pirate ship in the Caribbean with the most fascinating pirate captain he'd ever heard of.

His happiness was short lived, though, as he heard someone puking on the other end of the deck; he got up and walked around to see none other than Alaina leaning over the railing. Quickly he went up behind her and held her loose hair back from her face. When Alaina felt him behind her she stopped and rested her chin on the railing, trying to desperately compose herself.

"It's okay, I'm right here," James told her soothingly, stroking her hair. Very few times in his life had he ever seen her wear her hair down, and he'd never been able to play with it like he was doing now.

He watched, helpless, as she leaned over again and spilled out the contents of her stomach. "Do you want me to get someone?" he asked as she quit and sank down onto the deck, shaking. She shook her head no and he sat down next to her and hugged her.

"I love you, Alaina," he told her, knowing that's exactly what she needed.

"I love you too, James," she said, wrapping him in closer to her and kissing his forehead.

James smiled and snuggled up to her. He loved it when she played the mother role. They sat on the deck like that for a long time, just listening to the wind, waves, and Alaina's heavy breathing.

"It's about time you went to bed," Alaina told him, reluctantly releasing him.

"Can't we just stay out here a little longer?" James asked, not wanting to have to go to bed.

Alaina smiled to herself and nodded. "Just a little longer," she agreed, resting her chin on his head and closing her eyes.

***

Will woke up slowly to complete darkness and for a moment wondered where he was. Then he remembered his dream and sat up. Or was it a dream? Elizabeth had told him it wasn't, but if it had been a dream she would have told him that.

Thinking it was too much to think about now he got up off the bed and made for the door. His body was begging for food and he was going to look for some. On his way to the gallery he passed by the room he knew Alaina was occupying with Ana Maria.

Pausing for a moment, he decided on whether to eat and then talk to her, or vice versa. He decided on the latter and quietly opened the door to find Alaina lying asleep on one of the small beds.

Stealthily he crept into the room and knelt down beside her bed. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and tried to smooth her hair that was strewn out all over the pillow.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Alaina," he whispered, and she slowly opened her eyes. "I was angry," he explained, but he didn't see the hurt dim from her eyes.

"I should've told you," she said hoarsely.

"Yes you should have," he agreed gently. "But you didn't, and I understand why now."

Alaina looked confused and was about to say something but he shook his head. "You need to go back to sleep now," he told her, kissing her forehead. "I love you, Alaina."

"I love you too, Dad," Alaina mumbled before she closed her eyes and fell immediately to sleep. Will watched her for a moment, noticing how, at that moment, she reminded him of Elizabeth. With a small smile, he kissed her forehead again and slowly got up.

Before he closed the door, he took one last look at her, knowing that even though they'd tried to make amends, none of this was going to go away easily.

***