AN (3/10): Sorry for the long delay. My computer completely spazzed over the weekend. And I had another Sterling Scholar interview yesterday. School...it feels me with dread and I wish I could just stay asleep until nine in the evening everyday...that's when I get my best ideas, I think.
(3/13): I'm gonna be lazy and only give short replies to reviews. The chapter is quite long enough as it is, anyway. Oh...and I'm sorry if this makes little to no sense. I typed half of it up at about two in the morning last night...
One More Day: Chapter Nine
The Turner household. Why did that strike such fear into my heart, then? It wasn't as though Will was going to turn me in to Commodore James Norrington. No...he would never do something like that. Did it matter that I had a lass with me that was carrying my child? Marriage was overrated, after all. Who needed it? Certainly not I. Why would I want to give her the last name of Sparrow? That just...it didn't go with her rather beautiful name. Yeah. It didn't bother me that I was showing up at a married couple's home with a woman that was just a mistress to me. Not at all. Sighing, I started walking up the pathway towards their rather small and quaint home.
Obviously Elizabeth had taken quite the fall (in society's eyes) when she'd married Will Turner. Of course, once his blacksmith started doing remarkably well (as it was sure to do, eventually) and he had a lot of money, he'd buy her all the things she wanted and would even get her a maid. Ridiculous...if Will had just turned to piracy, when I'd asked him to, he would've realized that he could make a whole lot more money in a lot less time. He could've always gone by some ridiculous nickname to keep from sullying his "real" one. Then he could've married Elizabeth and given her everything she'd been used to as the spoiled daughter of the town's governor. I wouldn't mind Elizabeth so much if she'd been more than an only child...she'd never gone wanting at all and didn't know how to empathize with people who had. She was an example of someone with a free spirit that reigned it in...I saw a glimmer of what she could've been like on that island. Could've, mind you. Her chances for change shifted dramatically as she decided to love the blacksmith instead of me, the scallywag. It was just a passing attraction, on my part. Honestly, how could I have done anything to her on that island? She didn't like me in that way and I was really battling depression, while there...hence the heavy drinking. Being on that island again...well, it was enough to drive me almost insane. If she hadn't been there...I surely would've lost what little sense I have left.
Of course, thinking while walking doesn't stop the inevitable-I was soon at the door of the Turners. It was a nice door. Simple and solid oak. I liked simple doors. Don't ask me why. Sighing, I gingerly knocked on the simple oak door. No answer. Of course, it had only been a few moments. It seemed like an eternity as I put my fingers on the doorframe and started drumming them. Where was the whelp? He should be home...it was just barely sunset. Generally one would assume that you'd finish up with work by now. Of course, this is Will I'm talking about. I'm sure after the initial few weeks of blessed bliss he'd go back to spending far too much time pounding metal.
After I'd nearly worn holes into the doorframe, the oak door slowly opened. Of course, I didn't really almost wear holes into the doorframe...it just felt like it. A faint smile graced my face as I recognized who it was. He looked completely bewildered to see me. In fact, his mouth actually dropped a few inches as he dumbly asked, "Jack?"
"Tha'd be Captain Sparrow, if you'd please," I replied with a grin. Couldn't he tell how nervous I was? Probably not...he wasn't the sharpest sword in his smithy, after all. There was a very uncomfortable silence as he still stared at me with those light brown eyes of his registering complete surprise and bewilderment. "Or Jack. It doesn' really matter, eh? I am the same person, after all, whether ye call me Jack or Captain Sparrow or even Mister Smith."
"Uh," he replied slowly, blinking a few times. I think that the fact that I was actually standing on his doorstep finally clicked in his mind because the look of confusion changed to curiosity. "What are you doing here, Jack?"
"A question tha' does need t' be answered, doesn' it?" I replied. My smirk seemed to be that much more mocking as he met my expectations. He was reacting like a holystone. Of course, we hadn't seen each other in nearly two years and that was only because he'd managed (somehow) to recognize me at their wedding. At the very end, mind you. "Well, Mister Turner, I am in need of some 'elp."
"What kind of help?" he asked suspiciously, glancing behind me towards where the carriage was waiting. She hadn't gotten out of the carriage yet because of my request for her to stay in until I knew if they'd help us or not. Okay (I love using that word, even though it makes her a bit distressed), maybe I did come across as the sort of man who only asked for favors when it profited me...this was probably one of the very few selfless acts I'd done. And it couldn't really be considered selfless, since I'd been the one that had put her in this condition to begin with...it really was all my fault, wasn't it?
"Does it matter?" I quipped. That boy would be the death of me, someday. He asked far too many questions that I didn't want to answer. "Le's jus' say it involves...well, I should probably jus' wait for Elizabeth t' come before tellin' ye. No sense in explaining it twice." Stalling...yeah, I was doing a lot of that lately. Almost like trying to stop time. If I could stop time, I wouldn't have to worry about the birth of my child.
"It's been a long time since we saw you last," Will remarked cryptically. There was some sort of warning to his voice...or was that just my over-active imagination? Why wasn't he going to get Elizabeth? Shouldn't he? Was I making too many assumptions? Probably...goodness, I really didn't know what was wrong with me. I felt frazzled each time I opened my mouth or listened to anyone speak. Almost like they were judging me. Will didn't even know about the baby...
Not long enough, though, since I saw them last. I did consider them both my friends...but they were too stiff for a man like me. "I know. Two an' a 'alf years. Ye look...well...respectable." That's as good a compliment as I could get out of my mouth. He looked well-fed and smug with himself. Well, mostly. There seemed to be a hint of tiredness on his face. Of course, that was probably because I'd showed up asking for help. Helping a pirate generally meant you were risking your life...
"Well, I'd hope so. I am a respectably married man, after all." Definite emphasis on the respectably...goodness, he was trying to tell me to leave, wasn't he? The boy had been mostly replaced by a man. Mostly.
"Ye think I'm about t' ask ye t' do something "unrespectable"?" I asked with a laugh. Should I treat him as a man? No. That'd be too easy. It was much more fun to tease him and watch my insults sometimes go over his head even though he was slightly taller than I am. "Hardly. Don' worry...this won' involve anythin' hazardous t' yer health."
Will thought for a moment, clearly weighing his decisions in his mind. He didn't have too many, actually, but that didn't stop him from looking like he was thinking harder than he probably had been thinking on any issue before in his life. "What is it?" Well, at least he'd learned a bit of caution, eh? Some men never did learn that. They would just blindly agree to do someone a favor and would end up losing everything they ever loved. Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration...but I think you get the point I'm trying to make, eh?
I really didn't want to come out and say it. So, I turned slightly towards the carriage and motioned my bonny lass to come out. The carriage driver offered his arm to help her keep her awkward balance and she stepped out. I smiled lightly at her as she smiled tiredly at me. Then I turned to look at Will again. "Satisfied?"
He seemed absolutely astounded. Obviously he hadn't been expecting to see someone in her advanced condition step out of that carriage. Or see anyone step out of that carriage, for that matter. "Jack?" he questioned softly after he was able to think a little again. "Who is she?" A logical question, eh?
"My reason for comin' here," I replied with just a hint of exasperation behind my voice. "She's going into premature labor an' the doctor said she needs some rest an' relaxation. D' you think we can stay for a month or three?" She'd better appreciate the sacrifice I was making for her. Captain Jack Sparrow did not ask people like Will Turner for favors.
However, the whelp only had to think about it for a moment before he nodded. At least he thought I was an okay friend, eh? I'd hate having to turn to someone else. They wouldn't be so understanding. "Yes. She and you can stay here, Jack. Elizabeth and I would enjoy the company."
Maybe all wasn't right in the Turner household. Of course, I could be imagining things. Instead of asking why they'd enjoy our company if they were a young couple in love, I merely smiled and bowed slightly. "Thank you." I'd probably never been so relieved in my life. She'd have somewhere safe to stay and she'd have the baby at the right time. Hopefully those blasted irregular contractions would go away...I didn't want to see my child die right as it left her womb. It would devastate the both of us, actually. I knew that she was looking forward to this baby, even though she was terrified about the whole birthing procedure.
She reached my side and I put my arm protectively around her waist after kissing her gently on the cheek. She looked so beautiful right now...I know that she thought she was fat and ugly, but she really did look beautiful. She smiled and extended her hand to the almost gawking Will. "Pleasure to meet you, Mister Turner." Her American accent was fading fast. Now she sounded almost like a cultured British gentlewoman. Where did she pick that up?
Will grinned and replied with, "Will. Call me Will," as he gently put her hand to his lips. Why did that bother me? It shouldn't. It was the respectable thing to do, after all. He muttered some nonsense extolling her beautiful name and how cheerful she looked. Yeah. She certainly looked cheerful, suppressing a sigh of pain as another contraction hit her. Or, maybe, she just realized how stupid Will was being. Hopefully. That man...gah. Trying to get on her good side and therefore on my good side. Maybe he just didn't realize how jealous he was making me, eh?
Stupid git. Sighing slightly, I decided to interject my professional opinion. I know that she was glad to meet Will because of her infatuation with that ridiculous movie (I had since determined that the man playing me had looked nothing like me (amazing how your memory 'fades' over time, eh) and the movie hadn't been based on anything but the bare bones of the story) and the characters therein...but she was my bonny lass. Will had already married his 'perfect' mate. "Well, now that we all know each other...can we come in?" Sure, I was still a bit worried that Will would say no...it was probably nothing, this worry, but I couldn't help but feel that something was going to happen while we were at the Turner household and that something would definitely not be good.
"Aye," Will replied, chuckling. He seemed to remember his manners and stepped away from the door, gesturing myself and my love inside their not-so-spacious abode. "I'll go and get Elizabeth. Back in a moment, Sparrows." I suppose he thought he was being cute by emphasizing that s, eh? Stupid whelp...he had a lot to learn about life still. If he'd just come with me when I'd offered him a job...well, it would've made everything easier, wouldn't it?
He disappeared up some simple stairs to find his precious bride as I gently grabbed my lass's hand and lead her into what was presumably the front room. "Wha' d' ye think of him?" I asked as I helped her sit down on one of their sofas (it could be a very lengthy process, these days) and sat down next to her.
"Just as I imagined," she replied with a slight laugh. "But you seemed just a little jealous, Jack." She was teasing me. I could tell she was teasing me because of the glint of mischief in her eyes. She had such expressive eyes...
I chuckled and shrugged. "Protectin' your best interests, luv. Tha's all." I kissed her quickly, knowing that Elizabeth and Will were headed down the stairs because of the footsteps echoing behind where I was sitting. Lovely. I hadn't seen Elizabeth since that day two or so years ago when I'd nearly been hung until Will'd saved me. We hadn't exactly parted amicably...but what did it matter? Elizabeth had gotten married and I'd gone on with my life after that night on the island...
Of course, nothing had happened between the two of us. She'd just been very drunk and I'd been drunk with both the rum and the dismay of being on that bloody island again. I believe I'm repeating myself...but I want to dispel some beliefs people in the fictional future have. Now, my bonny lass has told me about insane people out there that actually have me fall in love with Elizabeth or get her pregnant...you know, that just didn't happen. Nor will it ever happen. I know my place in the world. Besides, she's young enough to be my daughter. Nothing happened on that island.
"Jack!" Elizabeth greeted warmly as she approached the sofa we were sitting on. She looked just as lovely as ever. Marriage hadn't filled out her figure any...which was a bit odd, but I wasn't about to mention how gaunt and tired she looked. Maybe the life of a blacksmith's wife wasn't suited for the little princess, eh? Or...maybe she was just ill. I shouldn't make assumptions...it really was a bad habit. "It's been ages."
"Yes." Well, what else could I say? Goodness, I hated it when people left me no options in speaking. Like she had. I wanted to tell her that we wouldn't be much of a bother to herself or Will...but she hadn't brought up the subject at hand yet. Bother.
She smiled and glanced towards my lass. A flicker of jealousy flashed across her eyes so quickly that I was almost sure I'd imagined it. Almost sure. Maybe Elizabeth was jealous of the fact that I'd found a woman...but I really think she was jealous of the fact that my bonny lass was carrying my child. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss," she said cordially, holding out her hand.
My lass smiled and nodded. "Pleasure's all mine," she said as she extended her hand out to shake Elizabeth's. Now, that was just a bit weird. Generally, women didn't shake hands. They'd kiss each other on the cheek as a way of greeting, even if they didn't know each other. Of course, my lass was very used to shaking people's hands as a way of greeting and I didn't think Elizabeth particularly wanted to pretend to like my lass...
Could she really be that provincial? Goodness, so what if I was dating a woman a few years younger than Elizabeth? Did it matter? No. Was it any of Elizabeth's business? No. I quickly said her name to Elizabeth and added, "We'd like t' stay here for a few months until the baby's born. Is tha' all right?"
Elizabeth seemed a bit astounded. That stick known as Will obviously hadn't told her what I was here for. Gah. I could throttle him. She slowly nodded and said, "I suppose so," at Will's urging as they sat down on the love seat next to the sofa. "Why do you need a place to stay, though?" she asked a few moments later after several minutes of incredibly awkward silence. Trust Elizabeth to make me answer the tough questions I didn't want to address, eh? Of course, I could understand why she wanted to know.
"Actually," my lass said, taking the hint that I didn't want to answer that question by the look of annoyance that had flashed across my face as I'd listened to Elizabeth, "I'm threatening t' have the baby too soon. The midwife wanted me t' find a place where I can rest and not strain myself so the baby 'as a better chance of survival." She was obviously assuming that both Elizabeth and Will could tell she was going to have a baby. If they couldn't...well, I'd think they were both blind.
"Oh," Elizabeth replied with a faint smirk. Maybe she'd thought that we were hiding from the law until the baby was born or something. I don't know, but she definitely did have a better attitude around the expectant mother after that. "Well, we've got a room for you upstairs." She smiled all the broader at my lass. Maybe the two would do some female bonding later on. "Let me show you." She glanced towards me. "Jack, you can go an' get your luggage." She seemed to laugh softly at herself in her head as she glanced at the condition of my arm, so she looked to Will next. "You can help him."
Well, they probably didn't have servants or Elizabeth wouldn't be telling me to get my own bags, especially since I only had the use of one of my hands. She'd definitely taken a step down in comfort when she'd married Will. People do crazy things when they're in love, though. Like myself. It didn't even bother me that Elizabeth was ordering me about like a common servant. No...I wanted to escape this room and get the luggage and get used to living with these two...respectable people. It made me shudder, thinking how long I'd probably have to live here. Ah well.
I helped my lass stand and kissed her gently (both Will and Elizabeth looked distinctly uncomfortable as I did this. At least, from what I could see from the corner of my eye they did...) before bowing slightly. "I shall return wiv the luggage, then. Won' this be fun?" I don't think that either Will or Elizabeth caught my sarcasm as I left the boring little room behind. Will must've stood there dumbly for a minute because it took a few seconds for me to hear him start walking after me to assist me with all the luggage. It would be fun to lead them on...until, of course, they deciphered more of my personality. Bother. This really was a bad thing, living with them, wasn't it?
Jack: Yeah. I didn't really know how to act around my sister-in-law when she was pregnant. She had the same problem our dear protagonist is having...contractions a month too early.
I'm glad you liked the last chapter...it was a blast to write. The next one will be...very interesting, indeed.
CrazyPirateGirl: Perhaps he'd leave her in a few years...but not now. Jack's fallen in love with the lass. Of course, he will leave the Turner household without her. And I'm going to leave a lot of what happens at the Turner household up to your imagination...but it should be funny, the idea I have for the next chapter...
Daisy: Alaska sounds like fun. Tis kinda cold up there, I've heard. My cousin once lived in Alaska. And then in New York. She just got married, too. Not that that has anything to do with anything. Anyway, thanks for the review! I enjoyed reading it and would type up a long reply to everything you discussed...but -oh crap. I forgot his hand was in a sling- I'm being incredibly lazy. Lazy is good, right?
As for her comment about the baby being there in a month...well, it was hopeful. Liz had contractions early and Adelle was born right on time. Anyway...thanks for the review! (Yeah, I realize I just repeated myself. Do I care? No. I want to get this up there.)
Raisin: Well, Sean Penn did do a good job in I Am Sam. Unless I'm mistaking my actors. Anyway, Johnny doesn't like speaking in front of crowds so I think he was probably relieved that he didn't win. And Sean Penn sounded like he was drunk, during his segment of the award shows. It was creepy. And seeing Johnny with the moustache and teeth...yeah. It was really snazzy.
As for the cat fight between Elizabeth and our bonny lass...I'm not going to show it. Because Jack wouldn't see it. But, rest assured, it did happen. For reasons you'll see later. And...it will be a shock to Jack when she actually has the baby next chapter. Poor man...he's going to lose his mind and never want to see another pregnant woman again after what will happen.
I really wanted to write a longer response...but I want to get this updated so I can stop worrying about disappointing people. Since you were the first reviewer (thanks for the reviews about From Anonymity to Infamy, by the way), you get a loverly picture of a unicorn that is all shiny and stuff. Thanks!
