"So tell me, Elizabeth," the aged and wise Aunt Eleanor sighed after dismissing her soup. "What school have you considered for young John Michael?"
"He is only three years old," she timidly replied with a bright smile, "but the thought is not far from our minds."
"I was just discussing with your father what a fine lawyer he would make." Will gazed across the table where his son pulled apart the governor's roll with delight. If they only knew what was in the boy's blood. "Or, perhaps, an officer of the military. Well, needless to say, your father is extremely proud of such a bright young boy. I'm sure you are as well, William?" Will tore his eyes from across the table to the elderly woman blankly staring at him.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Of course he is extremely proud," Elizabeth gushed, knocking Will's ankle with her thin boot, her smile never fading.
"Ouch!"
"It's an honor for everyone to keep John Michael in their futures," she continued, however she was stopped sort by the slamming of the front door and excited protests of the front butler. The guests turned with alarm to match the governor as the sound of heavy boots echoed from the great hall. Only John Michael continued to play with his napkin, but aside from his soft sighs, there was silence.
"Well, I…I didn't mean to interupt anything."
Will's eyes widened as well as his smile as he began to realize who stood before them. A tall, swaggering man with a thick scarf tied about his braids lined in things like beads and charms of some sorts over a pair of dramatically expressive eyes and a more than distinctive grin. Elizabeth simply went white with surprise while the governor turned a lovely shade of red. Captain Jack Sparrow took a few steps forward into the dining room towards his dear friends and Will rose to meet him. "How have you been, my boy!" They started to simply shake hands but ended in a brief embrace. "It's been incredibely too long. I'm ashamed of you."
"You said you'd be back by last summer," Will chuckled, not minding the gaping in-laws about him.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion!" the governor roared. John Michael hopped from his lap as his grandfather stood and ran to the security of his mother.
"Really, Captain," Elizabeth breathlessly smiled, "you should have told us you were coming…" Jack's attention was completely stolen. The room watched as the weathered pirate very carefully lowered to one knee. The younger Jack turned from the lace of his mother's dress to see the strange clown watching him so intently, a thumb making its way to his lip.
"Hello, there," Jack cooed, smiling to the young boy's shyness and extending a smudged hand. "You must be Jack!"
"Don't lay a hand on that boy!" the governor exclaimed, storming over to the three. The child took cover behind his mother's side. Jack immediately stood again and frowned. "You're not welcome here."
"Yes, Captain Sparrow, I highly suggest you leave," Norrington added from his seat. The captain turned to see the old enemy and narrowed an eye towards him. "You have no business here."
"He has as much business as I do," Will sternly replied. Elizabeth decided to remain quiet, for her views on the current situation were unsure.
"I won't be long," Jack presented, turning his nose from the commodore, "I just wanted to see the boy. He's a beautiful boy, Elizabeth," he added to the silent mother with a bright grin, "didn't take much after your family besides your eyes, which would be for the better."
"Leave this instant! You'll not see my grandson again—your kind isn't appropriate for a young child to study!"
"His kind?" Will echoed, reaching for the boy. John Michael happily strode to his father's hand. "Captain Sparrow is a good man."
"He's a pirate!" Norrington roared.
"But a good man," Sparrow chimed happily. Elizabeth cleared her throat and raised her eyes.
"Father," she began quietly, "Father, I think we'll be leaving now. It appears that a dear friend of ours is in town." The governor's expression fell but was of no comparison to that of the other guests. Will remained fixed in a deep frown as he lead his boy and his wife to the grand door, Jack ambling behind.
"Elizabeth! This won't be the last of this!"
"Goodnight, Father." They began to whisper as she stepped into the night. "Jack, say goodnight to your grandfather."
"Goodnight, Grandfather!" the boy smiled in his father's arms. Will dropped his gaze and finally escaped the judging of Elizabeth's family.
"Goodnight, Grandfather," Captain Sparrow bowed elegantly, "I apologize for the rum."