I just want to thank all of the reviewers and I would respond to you all individually, but I think that's against the rules (I'm not real sure). But thanks for all the grammar checks, I really appreciate it, and I think I corrected them. Again, many thanks to those of your who are reading this story, I love you all! Kisses from Jack to all of you!

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: BIRTHDAY SURPRISES

There was a gentle knock on the door about an hour later. "Lunch is ready," Anamaria announced.

"That's our signal," Jack sighed, rustling Sunni's hair.

"Mm. . . it's too hot ta wear a dress," she moaned, rolling out of bed.

"Why don't ye put a smile on me face all day an' just wear yer white underdress," he said, tossing it to her.

Sunni pulled it on with slow, lazy movements. "I don't think my legs will work."

"No worries, luv," Jack smiled cockily as he pulled on his shirt. "Ye don't need ta walk anyways." He took his red bandana from his head and tied it around Sunni's eyes. He then scooped her up and carried her outside.

"Jack," Sunni said, trying to see underneath the bandana, "th' ship's not movin'."

"I'm surprised you didn't notice sooner," Jack commented.

"I was busy before."

Jack smiled, his gold-capped molars shimmering in the Caribbean sun. He carried his wife to the gangplank and made his way downward until he set Sunni's bare feet on soft, white sand.

Sunni gasped at the feeling and tore the blindfold off. The crew was standing about the island, holding bottles of rum, singing 'Happy Birthday.' Sunni covered her mouth as she looked about the beautiful beach with palm trees, a bonfire roasting a pig, fruits, cakes and musical instruments strewn about.

"Welcome to th' Caribbean, luv," Jack whispered.

The Pearl spent the entire day docked at the small, sandy island. The music never stopped, the rum flowed freely, and everyone was having one hell of a time. Sunni and some other crewmembers swam in the blue ocean, with Jack keeping a watchful eye, of course. After crawling out of the Caribbean sea, soaking wet, Sunni changed from her white dress and into one of Jack's shirts and a pair of trousers for one of the first times in her life. The trousers fell just below her knees, just like Ana's, and she exposed her ankles, bare feet and calves without feeling too scandalous. She snacked on fruit and cake, and even sang a few songs for the entire crew. They feasted on roasted pork, apples, biscuits, and crackers for dinner.

"I don't believe ye did this, Jack," Sunni sighed as they swung lazily in a hammock tied between two palm trees. It was late afternoon already.

"Hm," Jack murmured into her light hair. "'s not over yet, darlin'."

"Oh really?" Sunni glanced over her shoulder at her husband.

"You'll see around sunset."

"Sunni! Sunni!" Anamaria stumbled to the resting couple. She had her fair share of rum and was staggering a bit. "C'mon, lass," she hauled the smaller woman to her feet. "Gibb's has a song fer ye to sing!"

Sunni allowed herself to be pulled toward the fire where someone was strumming a familiar tune. Slowly it came to her and she started humming, "Da da da da da da da nah nah nah. . . an' really bad eggs!"

Jack let out a whoop of laughter when he heard the song. Joining the festivities, he tipped back his bottle of rum and danced with Sunni, swinging her around as he did Elizabeth only a few short years ago. Sunni had an arguably better voice than Elizabeth did, and she was smaller and easier to pick up. Her long blond hair streamed out in unruly curls, shining in the Caribbean sun. The crew joined in singing and finally ending with a hearty, "Yo ho, yo ho! A pirate's life for me!"

"Ms. Sunni," Gibbs' voice rang out above the cheers. Everyone quieted down. "Th' crew an' I joined together ta get ye a few gifts the last time we were ashore. However," he smiled, "Jack informed us how much ye loved surprises an' how impatient they made ye. . . so we're gonna give 'em to ye in about an hour or so."

Sunni grabbed the floppy hat off her head and threw it at him good-naturedly. "You're a wicked man, Mr. Gibbs," she laughed.

The Governor paced up and down the balcony of Sunni's room. He continually checked the horizon for a certain ship with black sails, but found none.

"Father, she's fine," Elizabeth assured him for the seventh time that day. She heard her son gurgle, so she shifted him on her hip. "Jack's a good man."

"I don't understand why he took her again," the governor repeated. "Or why he hasn't brought her back yet. Or why I haven't received a ransom letter."

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip. "Father, I know, and I know that you know, even if you deny it, that Jack is an honorable man. I'm sure that he's just taking her for a ride. You know Sunni, she probably even talked him into it."

The Governor just gave her a look. Elizabeth shrugged. "You know she would!"

He sighed. "Why hasn't she written to tell us she's okay?"

"Father," Elizabeth sighed. "Jack was trying to save Caitlyn. He did what he had to do, now trust him." Just then, Will entered the room.

"G'day, William," Gov. Swann said distractedly, but continued on with his previous conversation. "Christopher Hudson is going ecstatic."

"Chris Hudson?" Will asked. "The sailor on Norrington's flag ship?"

"Yes, he's up for Captain of his own ship right now. I've been conversing with him about a possible marriage to Caitlyn."

Elizabeth coughed to cover a gasp.

"Why Hudson?" Will asked, glancing to his wife.

"Caitlyn has taken an unusual interest in the sea lately, and I saw them as a smart match."

"Because of her interest in sailing?" Will asked, again casting a knowing eye toward Elizabeth.

"Yes, Will. You see, a good father notices things like this. There is nothing I don't know about daughters. You, too, will learn the trait."

Elizabeth glared at Will as he struggled not to laugh. "Well," she changed the subject. "Today is Sunni's nineteenth birthday. She's capable of taking care of herself."

"Poor girl," the governor sighed. "It's her birthday and she's stuck all by herself on a ship in the middle of the ocean with a bunch of awful pirates. She is probably having the worst time of her life."

Sunni was having the best time of her life. Supper was finished and she was being prepared to receive her gifts.

"Now," Gibbs said as Sunni settled into the crook of Jack's arm. "They ain't wrapped or nothin' proper like you're used to-"

"Oh, Gibbs, get on with it!" she cried.

He smiled. "This," he pulled from his pocket, "is fer ye ta show off on yer ankle when ye start wearin' pants like th' rest of us." He presented her with a bracelet made of shiny gold coins.

"Oh, Gibbs," she breathed. "I shall wear pants from now on just to show this off." She threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you so much." Afterwards, she immediately attached it around her ankle.

Next, Anamaria and a few other crewmembers stepped forward. They were carrying a medium sized chest. "We figgered," Ana began, "that in a few more months, Jack won't let ye do a whole lot more'n sit around. So, we thought ye might want somethin' ta do."

In a flourish, the men threw open the trunk lid and present her with yarn, fabric, needles and thread. "We figger ye can make some blankets and clothes fer the little Sparrrow comin'," another member threw in.

Sunni fought to keep her poise. "That was very thoughtful. Very. . ." she took a deep breath to stop the tears. "I appreciate it so much."

Jack tightened the arm around her and teased, "Aw, look what ye scallywags done! Ye started the waterworks again!"

Sunni laughed, easing the lump in her throat. She smiled thankfully at Jack.

Perch came forward next. He was all by himself, no other seamen stood by him. The old man smiled warmly at her. "Ms. Sunni, since th' Pearl is becomin' yer new home, I thought it was time ye blended in with th' rest of us. I thought it was time ye at least looked th' part pirate." Then, he smiled reflectively, "Just like my wife did. Ye two look very similar." He bent down and set an assortment of bandanas, jewelry and trinkets in her lap. "These belonged to my wife when we were sailin' the high seas. She'd want ye ta have them."

"Now I know I'm going to cry," Sunni exclaimed, her voice breaking. She wrapped her arms around the old man's neck. "I don't know if I can accept this."

"Please. I have no use for them, Mrs. Sparrow."

Sunni quickly swiped away her tears. "Thank you," she nodded.

Jack leaned over and kissed her cheek. With his thumb, he wiped away the rest of her tears.