Usual disclaimers – pah!

Chapter 34 – The Surprise

By the time they reached Tortuga, Jack realised how reluctant he was going to be to no longer have Bessie on board. He would, however, not be disappointed to see the departure of Cotton the macaw.

"Are yer ready fer yer surprise then?" he asked, grinning at Bessie as the Black Pearl anchored alongside Bessie's Revenge, the crew throwing lines to bring the two ships closer together. "Well, I guess yer'd best come on then," he said, offering her his arm and escorting her out onto deck. "Jem can look after th' children fer a while," he assured her, nodding to the elderly crewman who hurried to keep an eye on the unruly mob within.

"All ready, Captain," Henry assured him, holding the plank steady for Bessie as Jack led her carefully across to the other ship.

"Everything?" Jack said quietly.

"Everything," Henry grinned, hardly able to contain his delight at the surprise. He hoped Bessie would like it as much.

Jack turned to Bessie. "Close yer eyes now," he instructed. "An' trust me…"

Bessie looked at him, a teasing smile flitting across her lips. "Jack…"

"Close 'em or yer go no further!" he warned, smiling as she shut her eyes, holding out her hands to him.

Carefully Jack led her to what had before been the master cabin of the ship, pushing open the doors. For a moment he caught his breath as he looked around him. Constance had done an incredible job and the place really felt like home. "Yer can open them now," he smiled, standing back so he would not obstruct her view.

Bessie opened her eyes, gasping with surprise. The master cabin had been transformed into what looked like a sitting room. The stern had been opened up, forming a gallery, and a number of settees and easy chairs had been bolted to the deck, storage cupboards and drawers lining the walls. "These are my…" she stuttered, suddenly realising why the furniture looked familiar.

"Aye," Jack smiled. "Th' furniture came from our home… Corbin never bothered with it once he realised you were no longer there…"

"It wasn't looted!" she said in disbelief.

"Giselle an' some of the whores moved in," he admitted. "Kept most of th' things safe…" He turned her round, kissing her. "D' yer want t' see th' rest of th' ship now?"

Still stunned, Bessie nodded. "Is this what you meant when yer said about me living on board?" she asked.

Jack grinned. "Aye. I'll ensure yer have enough crew t' keep yer safe an' man th' ship… Jem an' Henry have volunteered t' be yer senior crew…" He led her across the main deck to the other small cabin, allowing Bessie to enter first.

Her squeal of delight assured him that everything was as it should be. He followed her through the doors, surprised when she threw herself into his arms. Looking around, he smiled. Although the furniture was placed differently due to the shape of the cabin, he felt that they were back in their own bedroom. The four poster bed had been modified to fit the lower ceiling and her dressing table sat snugly beneath one of the windows. Two cribs were made ready for the twins and for Milly.

"There's a number of small cabins fer th' children below decks," he informed her, guiding her back out of the cabin and down the stairs. "They've done yer a nice little galley through there an' a mess area…" He waved behind him, indicating the area to his right.

"You meant what you said about not letting me out of your sight," she smiled, turning round to kiss him.

"We'll hide yer safe in a cove when we sail, an' come back fer yer later," he informed her. "It has a degree of risk, I admit, but I'm not happy about leavin' yer where any of Corbin's old crew could easily find yer…"

She smiled, looking around her at the gun deck which had been altered into a permanent mess area, although there were still four cannons nestled amongst the trestles. She walked aft, looking in surprise at each of the cabins where the children's' beds and bunk beds had been fitted. "And where will the crew sleep?" she frowned, suddenly realising that there was nowhere for the men.

"I've had an area in th' hold adapted," he informed her, "although there's another cabin beneath th' stairs there that'll sleep yer senior crew…"

Bessie wrapped her arms about him. "Thank you, Jack," she beamed. "It is wonderful!"

Jack grinned, kissing her deeply, hoping to himself that wonderful could also mean safe. He prayed it would be so.