Usual disclaimers... but I'm still plotting.

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Chapter 61 – Preparations

Captain Groves was surprised to find that Bessie had given birth when the HMS Dauntless returned several days later. He had not known that she had been ordered to the fort, but on hearing it had been unsurprised at events. He was the oldest of seven children and had often helped with his siblings.

"Have you named her?" he asked, peering at the baby as Annie held her happily whilst Bessie finished the vegetables.

"Not until her father has seen her," Bessie admitted sadly. "But then I guess it would be too much to ask of you to release me?"

"You know I cannot," Theodore replied regretfully.

"Isn't she a lovely baby!" Annie smiled, holding the child better for Theodore to see. "Couldn't you let her father see her..."

"Yes, she is lovely Annie but you know her father is a pirate," he sighed.

"But she is his first-born..." she lamented. "It's such a shame..."

Theodore shook his head, realising he was being ganged up on, grateful that the marine that had been watching Bessie that day had left before his traitorous household had been revealed. "No pirates!" he ordered, trying to keep his voice stern but knowing it would have little effect on Annie. "Will it be long until dinner?" he asked, changing the subject. "I have some paperwork I need to see to..."

"Dinner will not be for another hour Captain," Bessie said, reaching across to take her child from Annie. "If you will excuse me, it is time for her feed..."

"Of course," Theodore said, standing to one side as she left the kitchen. "You will not be disturbed."

Bessie nodded as s he passed him, ignoring the marine in the lobby as she climbed the stairs and shutting her door behind her. She sighed on seeing the outline of another marine through her window, pulling the drapes so that he could not see in before she slipped her dress from her shoulders to feed her daughter. Already she felt much better than before and, as soon as Jack returned, she would be ready to leave.

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Yet again Laura walked out to the bay, trusting to her note that the Black Pearl would wait for her as they had done before. Every day that she could for the last month she had done so and was relieved to see that the pirate ship was at last there. She scrambled down the steep bank, waving across to the ship. She smiled to see a small ship's boat lowered and Henry climb down and row across to her. "Miss Bristow," he nodded, grinning. "Captain is expecting you!"

"Thank you," she smiled, accepting his steadying hand as she climbed into the boat. He pushed off and soon more hands helped her up onto the deck of the Black Pearl. The pirate she now knew as Gibbs was waiting for her. "Miss," he acknowledged, leading the way to the cabin. She could see Jack pacing within.

He waited until Joshamee shut the doors behind him before speaking. "Well?"

"Congratulations Captain Sparrow," she grinned. "You have a beautiful daughter... or so Will tells me!"

Jack beamed. "When?" he asked.

"About a month ago," she explained. "The baby came a little early – on the day you showed up outside the harbour. It seems the Commodore did not trust you were onboard and hurried Bessie to the fort... which brought on her labour... ruined his chaise!"

"What?" Jack blinked. "M' child was born at th' fort?"

Laura nodded. "In the Commodore's own office," she smiled as Jack laughed at the irony of it. "But Bessie is ready to leave as soon as possible... and we have a plan!"

"Do tell..." Jack grinned, listening as she explained what she and the Turners intended doing. "An' Bessie will follow?" he pressed.

"If they think your daughter is still at the Captain's house they will not watch her as closely... just be ready at the edge of the trail in case they give chase..." she warned.

"I will... an' I'll wait fer yer there as well. T'morrow?" he asked eagerly.

"Tomorrow... shortly after lunch," she assured him. "But as usual, I must head back..."

"I'll get one of th' men t' escort yer," Jack offered.

"I will be fine," she smiled. "I've done the walk most days for the last month... I know the way."

"If yer are sure," Jack nodded, standing and opening the cabin doors for her. He stopped, finding the entire crew waiting on deck.

"Well?" Joshamee asked. "Tell us!"

Jack grinned, unable to keep the delight from his face. "Bessie an' I have a daughter..." he said. He would have said more, but the crew erupted into cheers. "We get them out t'morrow," he shouted over the noise, repeating himself when they quietened. "We get them out t'morrow – so I want this ship clean an' ready fer action in case we have to fight our way clear!"

A chorus of 'Aye Captain' echoed around the ship as he walked Laura to the ship's rail. Henry climbed down to row her back ashore. "Tomorrow lunchtime then Captain," she smiled as she climbed down.

"Aye, t'morrow lunchtime!" Jack acknowledged. "I'll be waitin' fer yer!"