Chapter Fourteen

The whole town was going to be there, and normally this would have given Elizabeth the jitters of excitement and anxiety. But today, she was just tangled up inside with feelings of pain, suffering and overall astonishment. Had this really happened? Had her husband really died? Had she really slept with Will? Heck, she wasn't really sure if Will had come back from his bloody banishment...was this all a dream?

She could have pinched herself, like she would have when she was a child. But deep down, she knew that it wasn't possible for her to awake into reality. This was real. As real as The Isla De Muerta and the Curse of Barbossa had been. It was real even if she didn't want to believe it. The true question was, had this all happened for the best?

Elizabeth shrugged towards her mirror, smoothing down her dress

She was covered in black lace and silk. It was the dress that she had had in her closet for years and never worn. It was moth eaten and stiff as a board in some places, but those things didn't matter right now, at least not to her.

It was almost like the day of her wedding. The whole town was preparing, the maids were bustling, her father was pacing across the foyer. Elizabeth's feelings of regret where the same, too, but today, instead of laughing and anticipative voices outside her open window, there were quiet whispers heard precariously on the streets.

A part of her hoped Will would come to the funeral, but another part of her wanted him to let her be. He had comforted her yesterday perfectly. Listening and holding her, rarely speaking. But when he had gone home, he had left her feeling confused, and she didn't like confusion.

She couldn't help but laugh at Will's innocent face as Wilson tried to nag him for trespassing. She had cleared things up of course, it made her happy to know Will cared about her enough to break the law...but then again, he was a pirate...this yet again, was confusing her.

She took a deep breath, glancing once more at her figure, and slide towards the door. She took dainty, quiet steps down the stairs towards her father's face full of mixed expressions and anxiety. Young James, too, was waiting.

"My darling daughter, you look lovely." He tried to compliment her, but avoided a joyful tone at the same time.

She smiled at her father, holding in her tears...and then she saw her son. He was looking so old and mature today. Elizabeth bent down low and opened her arms giving him a sympathetic smile. He gladly jumped into them, his mature expression leaving and being replaced by cold, hungry tears.

&

They arrived at the church that Elizabeth had attended during her endless years in Port Royal. She was reminded yet again of the day of she had said her vows in this same marble-floored cathedral. James had originally wanted the ceremony in the fort, but he had easily given in to her pleas for the beloved church, most likely because, at the time, the Commodore had still been trying to win over her heart and letting her prevail meant avoiding (more) anger and refute from her in the future...

On that day it had been bright and beautiful, the massive building had calmed Elizabeth in her time of doubt. But today, it was overwhelming and made her feel small and insecure.

Holding Young James' hand tightly, they walked up the stone steps, her shoes clanking noisily as her body moped, forgetting about posture.

Just through the large wooden doors, and past the entry, Elizabeth found herself engulfed into the structural hall. It seemed to hold so many secrets of the past, reminding her of everything from Sunday services to baptisms and weddings. The two smiled at the sentimental faces and tears, smiling back at them as they walked by. "It's all pity" Elizabeth thought unappreciatively, "They don't really understand." She pulled her son down on the dark oak pews more forcefully than she had meant and found herself lost deep in thought.

The Commodore had never left any sort of death wish towards his memorial service, so in result, the ceremony was simple and classic. It had never crossed his or Elizabeth's mind to plan their funerals. He had, though, left everything to Elizabeth in his will, which had been quite a relief. She didn't know what she would have done if she had to raise Young James without proper funding. She had never had appropriate training for any type of job...

Elizabeth blinked out of her thoughts abruptly as the preacher stood up, beginning the procession. She looked at her father who gave her yet another reassuring smile, before folding her hands in prayer.

&

Will watched the rather happy groups of people scattered throughout the church steps and down onto the drive, talking gaily. They had obviously left their mournful selves inside the church, replacing them with bright smiles and gleeful conversation.

The ocean was gray today, very gray. The horizon was not visible as a veil of fog covered the outlook of the sea. There was a humid breeze, slipping busily through the grasses and up the cliffs and hills. Sure signs of a thunderstorm. The few suspicious glances he had received on his way up the steps before the funeral had been too much (even if he had just imagined them) and he had nervously slid around to the side of the church, listening to the procession the best he could through the stained glass windows. He wanted to be there and support Elizabeth, but Port Royal was a tricky town. Full of gossip and spiteful rumors, he didn't want to get Elizabeth caught up in the sticky web he found himself in after being charged for piracy.

Now, as he blended in with the crowd, he saw her... chatting to a woman he didn't recognize and her potbellied husband. They couple looked happy, like none of this had ever happened...and even Elizabeth had a simplistic smile on her face. But he could tell on the inside, through her eyes, that she was a mess.

The man and woman gave a wave and began to walk off, this was his chance. Will pulled his hat further over his eyes and walked quickly towards Elizabeth, brushing roughly past her and grabbing her arm. She seemed surprised at first, but then followed him, glancing around nervously until they where safely on the side of the church. "Will, what are you doing?" She asked after she finally contained herself pulling away her arm.

"Elizabeth...I..." Will didn't know what to say. Elizabeth was being quite short with him. He had come to support her...yesterday she had been so thankful to have his arms around her, know she seemed anxious and unappreciative. Simple excuses tripped his confused words as he tried to figure our Elizabeth's intentions, "I...needed to clear my conscience." Will said, it was half true, "...it wasn't my fault...was it?" He asked.

Elizabeth's eyes turned darker. He obviously hadn't said the right thing. But what else had there been to say? "So, it's all about you, is it?" She said, "Didn't care about my feelings or our son's! Just making sure your conscience is clear? I...we..." Elizabeth stopped as she realized her slip for the second time this week, she had said our son, not my son. But Will didn't seem to notice. He grabbed her shoulders gently, but kept his voice firm.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry!" Will said, "I just don't want me...you...anyone to pin this onto me! You know I really care about you Elizabeth. I'm here to support you!"

Elizabeth knew these were the words she wanted to hear, but now that he said them, she again turned upset. "I just lost my husband and all you can think about is us? Will, this might come as a surprise to you but I FEEL GUILTY TOO!"

Will stood up straighter and looked Elizabeth in the eye, but she avoided his pleading gaze, "Just leave Will, I'm twisted up about everything enough already."

Will started to say something, tilting his head slightly to the side and holding in the instinct to scream loudly. Throwing his hands up in the air he left. It was a bad idea to come. He walked away, not looking back. He was obviously unwanted, though he didn't quite know why...

But as he walked away, he missed Elizabeth's emotions turn from anger to guilt, then to sadness and regret as whimpered slightly, tears in her eyes, and called out quietly, "Will! Wait!" but she knew he was already to far away to hear her plea.