"Jack, you cannot raise an infant on a pirate ship!" Elizabeth's voice was strong and unwavering.
"Can too!" Jack argued.
"He or she will need fresh food, milk…"
"…I'll get 'em."
"…and God forbid your ship be attacked..."
"…I'll hide the wee one!"
Elizabeth approached Jack calmly, wanting to try a different approach. "Jack, you know that Loralei and the baby are more than welcome to stay with Will and I. You know it's safer and…"
Jack put his hands on Elizabeth's shoulders. "Elizabeth, I know tha' yer not jus' tryin' t' get under me skin. I know tha' ye care about Lor an' the babe, an' even me, though ye may not care t' admit it." He winked at her. "But ye need t' hear me out, lass. I can' leave Lor behind, ye know tha'." Elizabeth nodded. "An' as fer me child, ye know I'm not bein' bullheaded or forgettin' its well bein'. I didn' see me son grow up…"
Jake interrupted. "T' be fair, Dad, ye didn' know I existed."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Yes, lad, I'm aware o' tha', but I'm makin' a point." He turned his attention back to Elizabeth. "I don' wan' t' miss a minute o' me child's life. I've already started makin' changes t' me ship t' make sure that safety's ne'er an issue. There's a place t' hide out in case o' attacks, there's goin' t' be more than one ship too…" Jack took a deep breath. "I won' let anythin' hurt me family – jus' like I wouldn' let anythin' hurt you or Will."
Elizabeth's face was apologetic. "I'm sorry, Jack."
"No harm done, lass. Jus' remember tha' despite wha' some may say, I do think a lot o' things out before I do 'em."
"You will stay until the birth?"
"O' course. I don' wan' me love t' be uncomfortable." Loralei walked into the room then.
"Bit late for that, Jack." She struggled to sit down on the sofa; Jake helped her.
"Rough mornin', love?"
Loralei smiled. "Yes and no. Come here." She took her husband's hand and placed it on her swollen stomach.
"My God…" Jack smiled widely, tears shining in his eyes. "Gonna be a fighter, this one."
"Am I missin' somethin'?" Jake asked.
Loralei extended her hand to him. "Feel this, honey," she said, her own tears forming. Jake put his hand on her stomach and jolted when he felt the baby kicking.
"Amazin'."
Jack looked at his son. "Up t' helpin' me finish the nursery today, lad?"
"O' course."
