"Tara? Tara?"

Tara opened her eyes, then quickly narrowed them against the bright sunlight drifting in her window. She was lying in bed alone in the master bedroom, dressed in her night things. It was obviously morning, and Tara realised she remembered little of the night before.

It was Elizabeth standing beside her bed, smiling sweetly. Tara saw that Elizabeth was dressed in a simple grey dress, her hair pulled messily back from her face, as though she planned on getting changed later.

"Good morning," Elizabeth smiled.

Tara groaned. "My head hurts."

"I'm hardly surprised. You drank a lot of rum, Tara."

"Rum?" Tara asked, now confused. She sat up and pushed a hand back through her messy hair. "What happened last night?"

Elizabeth laughed softly. "You must be really hungover. Don't you remember? You're getting married today."

Joy, warm and beautiful, spread through Tara. She smiled widely. This was it. The day she had dreamed about ever since she was young. Her wedding day. Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes, and she sobbed quietly. Elizabeth watched her, a look of gentle care upon her face. Eventually, Tara stopped crying and looked up.

"Where's Jack?" Tara asked, stretching.

"The Pearl. Will and Ben are getting him ready," Elizabeth informed her. "Now, we had better get some breakfast."

Tara pulled a robe over her nightdress and followed Elizabeth into the long, oak-beamed kitchen, where Rose was pouring tea. Rose was dressed in a similar way to Elizabeth, and looked equally happy. She greeted Tara with a warm hug.

"Congratulations," she said.

"Thank you," Tara smiled. "I'm so nervous!"

"Don't be," Elizabeth said, walking over. "Everything will be just fine, I promise."

&&&&

Jack leaned casually over the side of the ship, the fresh sea breeze tousling his hair, his eyes narrowed against the harsh morning sunlight. This was it. This was the end of his freedom. This was the start of a new life with the woman he loved. So why did he feel so goddamned nervous? He raised the bottle of rum in his hand to his lips, but just as his rough lips brushed the smooth cool glass, a voice rang out behind him.

"Jack! What are you doing?"

Jack spun to see Will hurrying towards him. He scowled.

"Drinkin', savvy?" he growled, gesturing to the bottle. He took a mouthful but spluttered and choked as he took in Will's appearance. "Will- wha' are yer wearin'?"

Will was dressed in shiny shoes, black trousers, and neat, crisp white shirt and a long black jacket. His hair was pulled ever-so-neatly back into a ponytail and he was holding a new black tri-cornered hat in his hand. He blushed slightly. "I am best man," he said moodily. "Thus I feel the need to look smart."

Jack muttered something about hoping Ben wouldn't dress quite so fussily. Will walked over and took the rum from Jack forcefully.

"I forbid you to turn up to your own wedding drunk," he snapped.

"Okay, okay, Pa," Jack mocked, turning back to the sapphire waves. Will touched his shoulder.

"You okay?" he asked gently.

Jack sighed. "A littl' nervous. No more than expected."

"Aye," Will agreed, his voice a soft murmur.

Jack looked at his friend, his eyebrows lowered. "When are ye and Eliz'beth goin' ter wed, eh?"

"Soon, I hope. I'm a little scared of asking her. She likes our life the way it is."

"Tell me, Will, me lad, have yer gone all the way with 'er?"

A small blush crept up Will's cheeks as he inclined his head slightly. Jack nodded.

"Yer ought to wed 'er as soon as yer can. Or else yer'll be havin' babies before she's Mrs Turner."

Jack snorted at Will's suddenly pale and scared face, and turned back to the sea.

&&&&

"Tara!"

Tara ignored the cries from downstairs to continue surveying herself in the full-length mirror in the bedroom. She looked beautiful, if she thought so herself. The dress was the most simple and elegant one on the whole of the island, with a top part made of tight white silk and extremely short sleves, and a deep, low neckline which revealed a lot of her dark skin. The top half had no back, so the back her slim, perfect torso was visible. The skirt was made up of three layers- white cotton, white silk and white lace, and cascaded to the floor in heavy layers. Her hair had been curled and fell in ringlets. Her hands clutched a small bunch of white roses.

"Tara!"

She tore her eyes away from the mirror, and walked slowly out to the hall, coming to stand at the top of the stairs. Elizabeth and Rose were standing at the bottom, dressed in tight dresses of blood red satin. They beamed up at her.

"You look... beautiful," Elizabeth whispered.

Tara smiled and slowly descended the stairs. Elizabeth and Rose each took one of her arms, and took her outside. Tara gasped as she stared at the carriage waiting there. It was large, with two seats- one high and at the back, the other low and in front. Two horses, pure white, were attached to it.

"Oh, wow," Tara whispered.

"Jack sent it up," Rose smiled. "All his idea."

Tara climbed onto the back seat. Rose and Elizabeth got in in front, and Rose set the horses off. They were heading back to the main part of the island.