Thanks again to the reviewers, they were much appreciated!
Summary of chapter: Will spends his last days in Port Royal.
Disclaimer: I don't own the movie or any original characters. But I do own Penelope and the kids! And Bobby the rocking horse!
Rating: PG
Warning: Mild swearing. Will making breakfast. That one very scary!
The Memoirs of Captain Jack Sparrow, Part 3
Will left the wooden toy in the front hall and ascended the creaking staircase, trying to spot his wife. One hand on the frail banister, he tried to peer into his children's room from the steps, until the object of his search spoke from downstairs, and he nearly fell down the stairs.
"Will, I'm here." Penelope was standing below him in the hall, looking up at him.
"Hello," he began, climbing down off the staircase, and coming to stand by the rocking horse, which he gestured at. "Farewell present." He gave her a half smile.
"For the children, I presume," she answered bluntly, her arms folded. Will sighed and nodded. He couldn't stand it when she was like this. "Very generous."
"They're my children too," he defended himself, annoyed.
"That's why you-" she started, but Will interrupted.
"I'm not going because I don't care about them, or you. I know you'll never understand why I have to do this, but you didn't know Jack."
"Well, you didn't seem to know him that well last night! If I remember rightly you said you 'never saw eye to eye with him'! Why is he so important all of a sudden?"
"Because he was brilliant. There's something else you should know…" Will said, ignoring his wife's protests, "… I've asked Elizabeth to come with me."
"You've what?" She hissed, her voice low.
"She deserves to be a part of this."
"How could you?" Penelope was angrier than she could put into words. She could not believe that Will was actually going ahead with this venture, and even less that nothing she could say would stop him. Deep down, she knew it must not be because of this Jack, but she could not consciously formulate a possible different reason. She had her suspicions, of course, but wanted so badly not to believe them that she could not dwell on them.
"You can't possibly understand," he repeated, infuriating his wife even further.
"How dare you speak to me like a child!"
"Because you're behaving like one!"
"You BASTARD!" shouted Penelope, surprising both Will and herself. She never swore, she prided herself on it.
"Why are you shouting?" Both heads turned to look at the owner of the little voice which had spoken from the top of the stairs. Clasping her hand over her mouth as tears began to flow, Penelope ran into the kitchen, slamming the large door with a heavy thud.
"Don't worry sweetheart," called Will, as he ran up the stairs to comfort his young daughter. "Your mother's a little upset. Come and see what I've bought for you!" Will invited, lifting Emily onto his shoulders, and carrying her down to see the rocking horse.
He held her high for a second so that she could touch the ceiling, then placed her carefully on the toy. Grinning, Emily began to rock there in the hall, until Will took her off to carry it into their living room, where she resumed her play. She thanked him eagerly, and he left her to see his wife. He went through the short passage, and pushed the door tentatively forward. Penelope was sitting in a stool in the far corner with her back to him. He crossed the floor, and knelt by her side. She turned her face to him, and he saw her red rimmed eyes and blotched cheeks.
"I'm sorry," he started, taking her hand, "but I have to do this, and nothing you can say will stop me. I have a week left in Port Royal. What would be the point of fighting during our last few days together? For the sake of our children and ourselves, let's try to make the most of the time we have left."
Penelope squirmed on the seat. "I know. I agree with you, I want to love you, it's just, I feel so hurt, so betrayed, I …"
"I know. I know, darling," Will whispered, putting his arms around her.
"Very well. We won't argue before you leave," Penelope agreed, although she still felt unsatisfied.
"And you'll manage without me. You're strong, and you have Charles and Rachel to help you."
Penelope nodded, kissing Will on the lips. "I'll manage." They held each other for a few minutes, until Penelope had to go up to feed the baby.
They did not speak of the matter over dinner, though both Will and Penelope sensed the feeling of uneasiness over them as they ate and talked. Emily was blissfully unaware of her father's plans, and had even forgotten her parents' earlier argument. She talked animatedly about her new rocking horse, whom she had named "Bobby", and thanked her father repeatedly. There was an awkward moment when she asked the reason for the gift, but Will told her it was simply a "special present".
Will had to leave for the blacksmith's shop early the following morning to sort out the orders for swords, and Penelope tried to organise her own feelings while washing her son. She knew she was uncomfortable with Will taking Elizabeth with him, but most of all she was puzzled. He hated Elizabeth as much a she did. Why should he even wish to speak with her, let alone spend such a long journey with the woman? The idea that Will still secretly loved her barely entered her mind. The thought was just too much for Penelope to think about, that her Will should love the woman she hated most. Eventually, Penelope angrily told herself to accept the situation, along with the explanation that this Jack was such a special person, and not to dwell on it again. You trust Will, she told herself, stop doubting him like this. Besides, she did not want to query it, and have it lead to another argument. She hated to argue with her husband.
The days before Will's journey were spent in a happy daze, as the family were doing anything they could together. Will and Penelope managed not to row, and concentrated on being happy until their separation at the end of the week. To his surprise, Will had seen Elizabeth in the town several times during those days, once when he was with Penelope on market day. He avoided catching her eye and ignored her presence, although it was clear she was there to see him. He was still uncomfortable about being around her, but he could not think why. He assumed it was just because of their past, and was anticipating their journey with mixed feelings. A part of him wanted to be close to her again, yet another part of him hated her for numerous reasons. Despite his ignoring of her, however, Elizabeth managed to approach him once, and arranged for them to meet at five o' clock instead of seven. Will wasn't sure why, and he wasn't certain it was not just an excuse for talking to him, as she couldn't give him a reason.
On his last night in Port Royal, Will and Penelope let Emily stay up late, and they all sat outside together, playing and talking. Will's heart swelled up with pride at how much his daughter was growing, and with sorrow at how much he would miss his family. Emily had been told of her father's due departure and had been upset, but she was still too young to understand the true consequences it would have. After finally putting his daughter down to sleep, Will joined his wife in bed, and presented her with the necklace. He had tucked a lock of hair into the locket, and Penelope cried as he tied it around her neck.
"I'll miss you so much, Will," she sobbed as they embraced. "How will I live without you?"
"Sshhh… it will be right in the end…" Will whispered, unable to think of anything else to comfort her with.
Finally, she fell asleep. Will stayed awake, just resting against the headboard. He didn't want to risk not waking up in time, and he was meeting Elizabeth at the harbour very early the following morning. However, despite his efforts, sleep overcame him eventually.
Will woke with a start at precisely three o'clock drenched in a cold sweat. He knew he had had a vivid dream, but could not recall what it was about or what had happened. Energised by adrenaline, he sprung out of bed, unsure what to do next. It was a good two hours before he was due to meet Elizabeth, and he had already prepared everything he needed. He didn't have many different clothes, but had packed a few pairs of worn trousers and shirts that he wore while he was working. He had decided not to use their large, wooden trunk, as it would be too heavy and inconvenient, and instead was taking his possessions in a strong sack. It was a little surreal that he was taking so few items, as all he had other than clothing was some money and the book from Jack, but he decided he would not need much.
He had the brainwave of making breakfast for his family, to save Penelope the trouble and to fill in some time, but as soon as he had reached the kitchen, realized this was not a good plan. He did not know where any of the different foods were; his wife always cooked, and he had no reason to. Clumsily going about the pantry and knocking over various items, he gathered some things that could make up a breakfast. Taking a loaf of bread, a few apples and six eggs back into the kitchen, he then wondered about how to prepare them. Bread was just bread, he reasoned, and already fit to be eaten. Likewise with the fruit, although he was not sure. Did Penelope usually do something to them before they ate them? Unable to think what it was, he put them to one side and made a start with the real problem; the eggs. He made an attempt with a large cooking pot and some water, and after about half an hour, decided that would suffice. He arranged the "meal" on the kitchen table, cutting the apples in half and setting cutlery and plates, and admired his effort.
Not bad for a blacksmith, he told himself, pleased. (He wasn't to know that when his wife was to come down and find browned apples, solid, cracked and cold eggs and hardened bread the next morning, she would merely smile and throw it away.) Will looked at the time again, and wondered what he was to do for an hour. He made a half hearted attempt to clear up after his culinary efforts in the kitchen to please his wife, and walked about the house, trying to memorise it. Finally, twenty minutes before he was due to leave, he went into his children's bedroom to say goodbye. He kissed his son on the forehead, tucking the blanket gently around the baby. Brushing Emily's hair off her face, he kissed her cheek. She stirred briefly, but didn't wake up, and Will took one last look at his son and daughter before going to his own bedroom.
Penelope was still fast asleep, her eyelashes throwing light shadows across the rest of her face. She was still wearing the necklace. Will knelt beside the bed, and shook her gently. Her eyes fluttered opened, and she looked at Will in surprise.
"Will… what time is it?" She mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"Still early. I'm leaving now," he told her quietly, and she nodded and closed her eyes again, too sleepy to register what he was saying properly.
"'Bye…" she murmured, as he kissed her and stood up.
As he reached the door, he turned, and called back, "I love you!" But she had fallen back to sleep.
Although he was a little early, Will set off for the harbour, to find Elizabeth waiting alone while an early merchant ship unloaded its goods. As he drew closer, he could see bruises on her face, and her red eyes told him that she had been crying.
*****
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Journey actually starts next time, and there will be a story finally! Tune in next week, etc, etc…