(A/N) One more chapter!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN POTC!
Port Royal was on the horizon and Elizabeth was visibly nervous, Jack sensed it, Bill sensed it, and so did Will. Bill and Jack had been informed of the situation with Caleb, and both hesitated on the idea, but was relieved that at least Bill was going to be there.
"My father is very intimidating…" Elizabeth was telling Bill, giving him a warning. "So please just be on your best behavior." Elizabeth was fumbling through her closet.
"Just bring them all. It would be less of a hassle. Did your father like my boy? Or did he detest him?"
"My father was grateful for what Will did, rescuing me, so much so that he granted Will clemency when we returned to Port Royal. But did my father approve of our courtship, no, does he like Will, no."
"So why did he go ahead with the wedding?" Bill asked as he helped Elizabeth open a trunk.
"He needed a successor, and since there was no way I was going to wed the Commodore, he figured Will would be a strong leader. I can never be a Governor, simply because I am a woman…it's possible…but unlikely…"
"So he was using him?"
"Yes. But I didn't care, I loved Will, and I was getting married, and I honestly could not care about what he was using Will for."
"Interesting…"
"What's interesting?" Elizabeth asked with a smile as she piled the clothes in the trunk.
"How my boy, having the blood of a pirate, would be a Governor…" That made Bill smile.
"I know." Elizabeth then laughed. "Will was so nervous when I told him…he nearly fell out of his chair…" Bill watched Elizabeth laugh. It was good for her to laugh, and he could see how Will fell in love with her. Elizabeth reminded Bill of Will's mother, a beautiful, caring, and deeply compassionate woman. She could also if she wanted to, put Will in his place, making her a very strong willed woman.
"So, how do you feel about Caleb?"
"I don't know. I mean I understand his duty to the crown, but to leave…I trust him Bill, and that's what I'm going on. I have trust issues with my father and James Norrington, so I'll just take it a step at a time."
"Are you sure your going to be able to act normal around Caleb? Like a husband and wife should."
"I hope so." A knock at the door startled her, and Will walked in, and she smiled.
"Can I talk with Elizabeth alone?" Will asked his father.
"Sure." Bill then walked out of the room, leaving Elizabeth and Will alone.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said as she walked up to him.
"You could get hurt." Will took her hands and held them up.
"I know, but this also needs to end. If that means I stick my neck out a bit more, than so be it."
"Elizabeth, I love you…" Will then reached in his pocket. "I know we've done this before, but I would like to ask you again." He pulled out the ring box and opened it for Elizabeth to see. "After this, I want you to marry me…I want you to be my wife."
"Will…" She looked in his eyes, so warm, so kind, so loving. "You didn't have to ask…my answer will always be yes…always." She then leaned on her toes and reached up and kissed him with vigor and passion. Will accepted her love for the simple reason that he loved her, and that this kiss was the first one she gave him with passion since they found each other again, she was finally beginning to move on.
Will pulled Elizabeth back and slipped the ring on her finger. "I love you…" Elizabeth smiled and kissed Will again. For some time they stood there just holding one another, knowing they wouldn't see each other for a very long time.
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"It's just up this way." Elizabeth said as she walked with Caleb on her arm. Bill was behind them.
"I've never seen a house this bloody big." Bill said as the large white faced Governor's mansion came into view.
"I know…it's really too big." Elizabeth noted. They walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. Soon the door opened and Elizabeth's maid Estrella answered the door.
"Miss Swann?"
"Yes Estrella, it's me…" Elizabeth smiled. Estrella practically pulled her through the door and enveloped her in a hug.
"Your father will be so happy…" Estrella then ran off to fetch her father. Bill and Caleb entered the foyer and waited. Elizabeth was nervous and Caleb reached for her hand and smiled at her.
"Elizabeth?" Elizabeth whipped around to see her father.
"Father…" For some strange reason Elizabeth began to cry, and ran into her father's arms.
"God Elizabeth, I thought the worst…"
"I'm fine…" Elizabeth hugged her father tightly. For the longest time they were that way.
"I thought after you found the truth that you would never come back…" Her father stopped. "Who are they?" He noticed Caleb and Bill standing.
"Commodore Caleb Forester, sir." Caleb extended his hand to the Governor. "This is my father, Commodore Charles Forester."
"Retired of course." Bill extended his hand and shook the Governor's hand.
"Who are they Elizabeth?"
"Well, father the reason I came back was to tell you that, I married Caleb…" Those words left a bitter taste in Elizabeth's mouth.
"What? What happened to mister Turner?" Elizabeth paused.
"I heard that Jack was in Dominica, and he was…on the way…there was a storm and it destroyed the ship we were on. Will died…and Caleb's ship picked us few survivors up. A courtship evolved from there, and we got married. I never met up with Jack, nor did I want to after Will died." It was rehearsed, she was sure this question would be asked.
"Elizabeth, I am sorry. I know I didn't care for mister Turner, didn't think he was good enough for you, but he was a good man." Elizabeth passed a glance at Bill, and he looked red in the face. "You must be tired…your room is still up there, oh, well, I guess you'd want to share it with Caleb…" The Governor then looked at Caleb. "There is a room that is connected to it…you can share the two rooms. Oh yes, and Charles, please there is a room a bit further down the hall for you. Estrella!" The Governor ran through the house looking for the maid.
Bill then walked towards Elizabeth and lightly grasped her shoulders. "Guess he doesn't have a problem that you married a Commodore."
"No he doesn't." Elizabeth answered.
"Elizabeth, we have to jump at the first opportunity to run into Danielson…" The Governor returned.
"Estrella is setting up your rooms. Now, Elizabeth, I am having Commodore Norrington and Commodore Bronson Danielson for dinner. My my four Commodore's at the table…I can't wait for the table talk. You will join us of course?"
"Of course. I would love to."
(A/N) Yes, the table talk…