Three months had gone by since baby Jacqueline was born. Jack and Jake had perfected things on the Pearl to the point that neither parent had the slightest worry about their child's welfare. Even Elizabeth had been satisfied with the arrangements.
With the Mercenary now sailing with the Pearl, Jack had taken to the title of "Commodore Sparrow" quite well – however, he let Jake call each and every shot on his own ship. Things were going quite well for all, though Jack honestly had no immediate destination in mind. They had sailed to a small island by the name of Sima to search out a treasure rumored to be there; several precious gems and pound of gold and silver later, they were on their way…they sailed simply because they could. Jack wasn't concerned with much more than being a father – to both his infant daughter and teenaged son.
Though Jake covered it up well, Jack understood that his son missed having someone special in his life. He barely ever mentioned Nicolette anymore; it seemed as though even her name pained him. Jack hoped that somewhere in their travels, his son would once again come across love.
Meanwhile…Noel and Nicolette were living a life that could have been construed as perfect, but quiet. Nic had taken to writing again, although she found it difficult at first. Every time she lifted her quill, she thought of how Jake had bought her journals…the memory didn't fade, but it lost its potency as life with Noel continued. Noel took her to every social function that occurred in Tyrine, proud to have her on his arm, still amazed that she was his wife.
Physically, the couple was…shall we say, occupied. Nicolette thought that she and Jake were an adventurous couple when it came to lovemaking, but when she and Noel were alone, an entirely new world was opened to her. At first, Nic was hesitant to try "new things" but soon after the honeymoon, she found herself begging for Noel to do things she'd never imagined. Their love life was never dull…
And now…Anchors had been lowered for the night, Jack and Loralei had retired to their cabin, and Jake was wandering the deck of the Mercenary. He had come to a decision and needed to talk to his father about it. He jumped ships and made his way to his parents' door.
Loralei had just finished nursing Jacqueline and called out, "Yes?"
"Mum, s'me. Can I come in?"
"Course ye can, lad," Jack answered. The door opened and Jake walked in. He saw his father holding his little sister and he smiled. Jack didn't look up right away, he was too busy smiling down at "Jackie" as she'd been deemed, who was focusing on capturing one of her father's beard braids in her tiny hand.
"Dad?"
"Aye?" Jack finally looked up and Jackie captured her prize. "Ow," he laughed.
"Dad, can we talk about somethin'?"
The tone in Jake's voice let Jack know that this was something bigger than, "Me crew is drivin' me nuts." "Son?"
"I wan' t' go t' Tyrine." Jack was silent, waiting for his son to continue. "I wan' t' move on with me life, Dad, an' I've been tryin', but I jus' feel like before I can find another love, I need t' say g'bye t' me first one…properly." Loralei sat by, simply listening, understanding, and feeling her heart break for her son.
Jackie began to whine a bit in Jack's arms, he simply adjusted her, stroked her cheek, and she was happy again. "We'll plot our course tonight, Jake." His voice was soft, but sure.
"Thank ye, Dad."
Jack smiled and nodded. "Let me put yer sister t' bed an' we'll start." The pirate stood without disturbing his daughter and took her into her nursery, which was attached to his cabin. He placed her in her crib, kissed the top of her head, and tucked her in – she was asleep almost instantly. When he returned to his cabin, he was pleased to find Loralei and Jake standing over a map, Loralei trying to show him why the course she had pointed out would save them a few days travel. "Ye should listen t' yer Mum, Jake, she had a pretty good teacher."
The three of them agreed on how they would sail come morning – in three days, they'd be in Tyrine.
