CHAPTER ELEVEN: ARRIVING AT PORT ROYAL

The next morning, Sunni brought Jack's breakfast to the cabin before he could awake and protest. The storm had passed and the Pearl would be headed be Port Royal soon.

Jack was still asleep when Sunni returned with their meal. She flopped down on the bed and laid on her side to face her sleeping husband.

"Jack," she murmured in a singsong voice. "Ja-ack."

He moaned and inched an eye open. Sunni was smiling at him, and her sea green eyes were bright and dancing.

"Morning," she whispered. "Did you sleep well?"

Jack smiled and closed his eyes as he rolled on top of her to fall back asleep.

"Jack!" Sunni laughed from beneath him. "You have to get up! Your breakfast will get cold."

Finally, he rolled off of her and threw his feet onto the ground. "How long have I been out?" he stretched.

"I'd say a good ten or eleven hours."

"What!"

"Relax. Ye fell asleep las' night at about nine. It can't be later'n eight or so now."

"We need ta get ye ta Port Royal," Jack mumbled, pulling on his clothes.

"Ye need ta eat first-"

"Ye need a doctor."

"I need a doctor?" Sunni exclaimed. "You're th' one who collapsed over th' railing of a ship!"

"Sunni, ye been sick-"

"Jack," she stopped him by putting her hands on his shoulder. "It's a typical pregnancy sickness."

"Listen ta me, luv," Jack looked down at her from his dark, kohl-lined eyes. "You're five feet tall an' weigh," he lifted her from her booted feet- "about a hundred pounds. Yer too slight ta be carryin' a baby. You're also eighteen. You're goin' ta see a doctor ta make ye more suited ta carry a child."

"What's he gonna do?" Sunni laughed as her feet still dangled and she was eye-level with Jack. "Give me another foot of height an' slap on an extra five years? An' I'm nineteen, by th' way."

"Ye aren't either, yer birthday's in another two weeks."

"Jack," she sighed. "Just eat breakfast with me. Pleeaasse? It won't take long."

He sighed and sat down to comply with his wife.

They sat at Jack's desk and enjoyed breakfast together while Jack studied Sunni.

"You have a real disconcerting habit of watching me eat," Sunni mumbled.

"I'm just takin' in the sights."

Once Jack was allowed to stand at the helm again, he ascertained that they were less than a day from Port Royal, yet. If all went well, they would dock before midnight.

Sunni was figidy all day. She was slightly queasy again, but dared not say anything to Jack. Instead, she busied herself by helping Perch stitch a torn sail.

"Yer hands be shakin'," Perch observed as he shoved a needle through the black canvas.

"My father's gonna kill me when he finds out I'm pregnant by a pirate," she exhaled. "Elizabeth'll probably disown me. I can't live in Port Royal, no one'll have me. An' I think Jack wants me ta stay on land. I-I just don't know what I'm goin' ta do."

"Ye worry too much, little lady. There should be no worries aboard th' Pearl. Ye need a rum."

Sunni laughed. It was a sweet sound that rarely graced the atmosphere of the Black Pearl: a woman's laughter. "After this little one's born, Mr. Perch, mark my words, you an' me will toast rum bottles."

By night fall, Sunni had grown so restless, that Gibbs ordered her to bed. She had a sore stomach and a headache anyways. She had been ignoring both all day. When Jack checked on her, she was sound asleep. She stayed that way even as the Black Pearl pulled up into a secluded dock just a stone's throw out of Port Royal. Jack checked on her one last time as the darkness of night threw a shroud over the sky. It was nearly eleven thirty. Jack hoped she would sleep through the night. Right now, he had some old friends to visit, and a proposition to propose.

"Keep an eye on me cabin," Jack whispered to Gibbs who had the night watch. "I've got some business to attend to."

"Aye, Cap'n," Gibbs nodded warily.

The dark streets of the seaside town were quiet as the dead as Jack stealthily made his way to the two story cottage he knew well. Not a light was to be found in this virtuous town, for it was a week night and there was work to be done early in the morning.

Jack carefully broke into the house with the blacksmith shop attached off to the side of it. Inside, he made a small, quiet racket, knowing that Will was a light sleeper. Sure enough, moments later, William Turner appeared in the doorway, sword poised, ready for battle.

"'Ello, mate," Jack drawled.

"Jack!" he cried.

Sunni awoke with a start when she realized the boat was no longer moving. Jack was not in bed beside her as she was growing accustomed of him being. She slipped on a coat over the dress she had failed to remove earlier and slipped outside.

"Gibbs," she hissed. "Where be Jack?"

"Slipped out fer some business," Gibbs answered, shifting uncomfortably. "Probably went ta yer sister's."

"Blast," Sunni strode toward the gangplank,

"Ms. Sunni, wait, ye can't-"

"I very well can, and don' try and stop me," she answered firmly. "This is my hometown, I know my way around, now return ta yer watch."

Her voice held so much authority that Gibbs didn't dare disobey. He simply watched as she marched off the boat onto the dock. He sent Jack a silent message to beware.

"Jack! You have no idea how good it is to see you!" Will exclaimed, dropping his sword with a clatter. Jack winced at the noise, not wanting to wake Elizabeth.

"Words that fall on my ears constantly," Jack replied in his normal cocky manner.

"Elizabeth's been worried sick, goin' outta her mind. Have ye heard? The Commodore thinks Sunni was picked up by pirates after her ship caught afire."

"Yes, yes, I heard," Jack held up his hands.

"Then maybe you can help! The governor said there would be no repercussions for your presence in Port Royal if you could assist in finding Caitlyn."

"Will, mate," Jack said, soothingly, trying to appease his frantic demeanor. "Rest easy, boy. Sunni is fine."

"You know where she is? You know who has her?"

"Aye, I know-"

"I have to go wake Elizabeth-"

"No, mate! Don't do that!" Jack lunged for the doorway leading to the stairs. "There are some serious propositions we must discuss first, savvy?"

"You want ransom money to tell us about Caitlyn's whereabouts?"

"No, no," Jack waved his hands around in their customary dance. "Listen, William, if she were in any danger, I'd hunt dear Sunni down all by me onsies, savvy?"

"Then, I don't understand-"

"William, I picked her up. The Black Pearl took 'er aboard once 'er ship sank."

A look of relief washed over Will's face. "Oh, thank God! I was worried that some lecherous crew with evil intentions had taken her. I truly believe that the governor was worried that she would be robbed of her virtue and be scorned by all men for the rest of her life. Everyone will be so relieved to know she's still as innocent as a white lily."

Jack swallowed hard. "Yes, well," he said, with effort.

"Where is she?"

"Still aboard th' Pearl. Asleep."

"Elizabeth will be so relieved."

"Hold on, young William. Discussion first." Jack stopped when he realized Will was studying him through narrowed eyes. "What? Do I have something in my teeth?"

Will tilted his head thoughtfully and then reached for Jack's neck. He pulled the gold chain with the golden band attached to it out of his shirt. "Jack," he breathed. "I recognize this."

"I didn't steal it from ye, mate."

"No, I know that." Will shook his head. "My father wore one of these. I later found out it was a pirate's symbol of marriage. Ye got married?"

Jack sighed and pulled out a kitchen chair. "'S a long story, mate."

"But, Jack! I don't understand- this is incredible! We have two things to celebrate now. I must meet her. We'll go to the Pearl and get her and Sunni."

"One in th' same," Jack mumbled quietly to himself. "How is th' youngest Mr. Turner?"

Will was taken aback by the sudden change of subjects. "John's great. Took his first steps a few days ago."

"Wonderful, mate!"

"Why are you stalling?"

"I'm not-"

"Jack."

He sighed. "Sit down, mate. Ye got any rum?"

"No," he answered. "Th' governor drank it all." He took a seat.

"Okay, might as well bite th' bullet, right? No use in beatin' 'round th' bush. Better get right to th' point-"

"Jack!"

"Okay, okay," Jack fingered the ring on his chain. "It's true. I got married . . . about seven or eight months ago, actually. She was livin' right here in Port Royal as a matter of fact. But, a few weeks ago, she got sick of waitin' fer me to come home. She got a ride on a British ship, but it was struck by lightning, burnt and sank. . ."

Will's brows furrowed. "Wait a minute, are we talkin' about your wife or Sunni, because. . . "

"We're talkin' about 'em both, whelp. They're one in th' same. I married Sunni."

"You did what!"

"What's going on?" Elizabeth yawned, coming through the doorway. She took in the pirate in her kitchen and gasped. "Jack!"

Will shot up from his chair, mouth open to exclaim something, but Jack stood as well.

"Will!" he yelled, stopping him.

"What!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Before Jack could explain anything, Elizabeth reached out and slapped him across the face.

"Elizabeth!" Jack yelled.

"Jack!" Sunni burst through the back door.

"Sunni!" Elizabeth cried, and for no reason at all, slapped Jack again.

"Elizabeth!" Will exclaimed.

Sunni looked at Will and Elizabeth's stunned expressions. "You told them, didn't you? Ye told 'em I'm pregnant!"

"Pregnant?" Will and Elizabeth shouted at the same time.

"I didn't mention that part, luv," Jack said quietly.

Elizabeth's eyes rolled upward and she fell to the floor in a dead faint.

"Well," Jack let out a breath. "Went better'n I thought it would."

Sunni nodded in agreement, looking at her sister's motionless body. "I thought she woulda smacked ye at least two more times before she fainted."

"You're pregnant?" Will exclaimed, rushing to his wife's aid. "How did this happen?"

Jack smirked, "Well, about three months ago, I came back ta Port Royal after a long trip ta sea, and I was really lookin' forward to seein' me wife, savvy? And-"

Sunni cut him off with a light smack on the shoulder.

Elizabeth finally sat up again, back to her senses. She moaned and placed a hand to her forehead. "Someone please tell me I just had an extremely strange dream."

Jack shrugged and looked at Will. "I guess young Sunni ain't as innocent as a white lily anymore," he smiled sheepishly.

Elizabeth jumped to her feet and charged at Jack with a wild look in her eyes. Sunni quickly stepped between the two before her sister could do any bodily harm to her husband. While being held back by her sister, Elizabeth was shouting, "You did this, didn't you, you bloody pirate? You robbed my eighteen year old sister of her virtue, you ingrate and now she is pregnant! How will she ever find a respectable man to marry her? You have ruined her future you bastard!"

"Elizabeth, Elizabeth, sit down," Sunni pushed her sister into a kitchen chair. "Everybody sit down."

Jack stayed standing, face to face with his wife. "How'd ye get off the ship?" he asked her.

"Walked down th' gangplank an' onto th' dock, just like any other civilized human being," she answered with a smile.

Jack gave Sunni a Look.

She smiled mischievously. Jack had a difficult time keeping the stern look on his face. "I think," Sunni continued, "that I have Gibbs convinced I'm part-captain of th' Pearl."

Elizabeth interrupted, "Will someone tell me what in the bloody hell is going on here?"

Sunni and Jack sat. "Elizabeth," the younger woman began, "it's not as bad as you think."

"How can you say that? Of course it's bad! It's awful! Did he force himself on you?"

"No!" Sunni exclaimed.

"You consented to such behavior!"

"Elizabeth, will you please listen to me?" Sunni yelled. When she had her attention, she continued. "Jack and I are married."

Elizabeth turned on Jack. "You got her pregnant and then you married her thinking that would make it all better?"

Sunni shook her head. "We were married before I got pregnant. I kept my virtue until I got married."

"When did this happen?" Will asked.

Jack and Sunni proceeded to tell them the whole story.

"Ye married eight months ago!" Elizabeth felt faint again. "An' you were drunk. Father's going to kill you! For God's sake, Caitlyn, he's a bloody pirate!"

"And Will's a bloody blacksmith," Sunni shot back.

Will glanced at Jack. "Shouldn't we be defending ourselves?"

Jack shook his head and answered in a low voice, "Ye learn, mate. When two lassies are fightin', especially sisters, never interfere. NEVER," he said in a fatally serious tone.

"Father got over Will's occupation," Sunni was saying.

"Call me crazy, sister, but this is a little more extreme!" the older sister hissed.

"Ye can't help who ye love!" Sunni shouted, her infamous temper exploding.

"Caty, he's a pirate! He steals, he plunders, he drinks-"

"He's sitting right here," Jack interjected.

"He's greedy, he's manipulative," she continued as if she didn't hear Jack.

"An' I love 'im," Sunni declared. "Fer Christ's sake, Elizabeth, stop lookin' at me through rose-colored glasses. I drink, I'm bold, I'm no lady, I have an awful temper-"

"An' I love her," Jack said, quietly. Sunni started and spun to face him. He rarely said the woods. They smiled at each other briefly. Sunni turned back to her sister. "What's done is done. We can't change anything now."

"Where are you going to live?" Elizabeth asked.

"She's stayin' here until the baby's born," Jack answered.

"What? Jack, no!" Sunni cried.

"Luv," he said gently," Ye been sick fer th' past week."

"It's normal, I swear. Elizabeth was sick like that when she was pregnant with Johnny."

"I know, but why risk it, luv?"

"Jack's right, Sunni," Will spoke up for the first time. "And you're welcome to stay here, you know that. Even if your father disagrees."

Sunni moaned with the mention of her father. "I don't want to stay here, as generous as your offer is. I want to stay with you, Jack. Elizabeth, please tell them that it's okay. Tell them that is normal," Sunni pleaded.

Elizabeth's jaw was set in a scary expression. "I would like to talk to my-" she seemed to choke over the next words, "-brother-in-law in private."

Jack looked positively terrified. "What?"

"Come with me," she stood and strode out of the room.

Jack looked to Sunni who only shrugged and motioned for him to follow her.

Once they were alone in the hallway, Elizabeth shoved Jack against the wall. "You married my sister?" she shrieked.

Jack nodded slowly.

Eyes narrowed, she asked, "Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"You're Captain Jack-bloody-Sparrow!" she exclaimed. "Famous for having any woman in the Caribbean! A self-proclaimed lifelong bachelor! Why in th' hell would you marry my sister?"

"She's my better half."

Elizabeth was stopped short for a second. "Your better half?" Jack nodded. "What kind of bloody line is that?"

"Elizabeth," Jack tried to explain, but was cut off again.

"There must be a reason, Jack Sparrow. You do nothing that does not profit yourself, what do you gain from this?"

"I gain a wife."

Elizabeth set her jaw. "You love her?"

"Of course I do."

Elizabeth sighed. "When did hell freeze over?"

Jack smiled. "At the precise moment I was born."

Elizabeth led Jack back into the kitchen.

"Did you convince him that pregnancy sickness is normal? That it's okay for me to stay on the Pearl?" Sunni demanded.

Elizabeth rubbed her temples. "I can't believe I'm about to agree with you, but. . . tis normal. Of course she can stay here with us, but it may be better if she were to stay on the Pearl."

"What?" Will demanded, taken aback by his wife's opinion.

"Look at the predicament she's gotten herself in," Elizabeth sighed. "Pirates and all those associated with them are, by order of law, to be hanged. I am positive a wife of a pirate counts under that ruling. Father overlooks Jack's presence in Port Royal at the moment, but once he finds out he impregnated his youngest daughter, he'll be livid. And. . . I hate to even bring it up, but, by law, Sunni will be sent to the gallows as soon as the baby's born."

"Make something up, then," Jack ordered. "If she were pregnant by rape of a pirate, they couldn't hang her."

"She'd just be ostracized for the rest of her life," Elizabeth countered.

"It'd be better than death."

Elizabeth just gave him a look.

"Fine," Jack threw up his hands. "I'll go find a lad, force 'im at knife point ta act like HE married Sunni."

"You will do no such thing!" Sunni cried. "Listen, everyone is making this much too complicated. We could see a doctor, get the approval for me to travel on a ship for another six months, an' Jack keeps me aboard. We don't tell Father about the baby an' our marriage until th' child is born. Maybe a baby will soften him up."

Will shrugged. "Couldn't hurt, but I doubt a doctor will give you his approval."

"He will-"

"Caitlyn Marie," Jack began in a serious tone. Then he took a deep breath. "Let me talk ta ye in private, savvy?"

Sunni let out a sigh as she rose to her feet. Jack followed her to the family room and the two stood near the fireplace, facing each other.

Will and Elizabeth watched intently from the kitchen.

"Sunni's very stubborn," Elizabeth said, watching the two argue.

Will nodded as Sunni stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips. "Jack is stubborn, as well." They continued watching.

Finally, Jack framed Sunni's face with his hands in a surprisingly gentle gesture. He spoke softly, looking deep into her eyes. He brought his head down until his forehead touched hers, but he continued talking.

After a while, Sunni finally nodded. The couple began walking toward the kitchen again when Johnny started crying.

When Elizabeth stood, Sunni held up a hand. "Let me get him," she smiled. "I haven't seen my nephew in such a long time."

Jack was alone with Elizabeth and Will.

"What did you say to her?" Liz wanted to know.

"I convinced her she would be healthier on land, close to a doctor. It would be better for the baby and she wouldn't be in any danger like she would on the Pearl."

"Jack, what about Father-?"

"Elizabeth," Jack held up his hands. "Listen, I understand th' entire situation with yer father. When he finds out, well, it may not be the best day in Port Royal. An' I understand I may not get to see my wife very often. But look at her, for Christ's sakes. My Sunni's barely five feet tall and she weighs hardly a hundred pounds . . . she tol' me about yer mum an' how she died givin' birth ta Caitlyn. Well, it ain't happenin' ta her. My wife an' my child are gonna be healthy, savvy?"

Will studied Jack carefully. "You're truly worried about her."

"Of course I am!" Jack threw his arms up. "Tomorrow, I'm takin' her ta th' doctor."

"Johnny just needed changing," Sunni informed them, coming back into the kitchen. "He's asleep again."

"Speaking of sleep," Jack stood, placing a hand on the small of Sunni's back. "Ye need yer rest, luv. We should get back ta th' Pearl."

"Don't be daft," Elizabeth rose. "You'll stay here tonight and tomorrow, we'll accompany you to the physician's."

Jack and Sunni were given the extra bed that Will pulled out of a closet and set up in the family room. The house was quiet again, and Sunni lay snuggled in the crook of Jack's arm. Tears slid silently down her cheek.

Jack felt the moisture falling on his arm. He sighed and wipded away a tear. "Luv, ye know it's fer th' best if ye stay here, don'tcha?"

Sunni sniffed and nodded, but didn't answer. Jack pulled her closer in his arms, feeling her body form to his, and tried to sleep.