Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.
Chapter 24: Dying to Hear Good News
"Camille!" Annie exclaimed as the woman ran into her arms. "Oh child, it be so good to see ya!"
She squeezed Annie. "Yes, it's been so long! How have you been? Annie, I've missed you so much!" Camille said, pulling away and looking down at the children. "Peter? Sheila? You've both gotten so big!"
She looked back, as Will and Cadence were coming down the gangplank. Will was trying to coach Ana Maria into coming ashore, as well. She waved her hands. "Ana, come on! Come on, come down here!" She turned her attention back to the children. "Peter, you must be ten years old by now!" she said, pretending to be very impressed. "In no time you'll be taller than I am!" she said as she hugged him.
"It's good to see you again, Miss Camille," Peter said politely, trying to hide the huge grin on his face.
"And is this little Sheila? How old are you now?" Camille said, bending down to the little girl.
Sheila giggled. Her hair was all braided now, and she wore a yellow cotton dress with shoes to match. "I'm six now, Miss Camille."
Camille gasped. "Six? Wow!" she exclaimed, making Sheila beam. "That means that you're old enough to start baking cakes with me. Would you like that?"
Sheila nodded, and then got behind her mother as Will, Cadence and Ana Maria came ashore. Annie looked down. "Don't be frightened, girl. These be the ones that be comin' to live with us," she told her little girl.
"Yes. Annie, I would like you to meet Mr. William Turner and his little girl Cadence. And-"
"Ana Maria!" Annie cried with joy, heading toward the young woman. Ana Maria smiled as Annie hugged her. "Girl, it's been ages! Oh, you've grown so beautiful!" she gushed as Ana Maria got tears in her eyes. Then Annie grabbed Will, who was holding Cadence and pulled them into a great big hug.
Camille laughed until she was pulled in, too. "Annie," she said, crushed between Ana Maria and Peter, "it's so good to be back again."
Annie finally released them all. "Now, come. I been bakin' all day for the Turners, but I had a feelin' that you'd be stayin'. And you two ladies are not gonna lift a finger to help me, is that clear?" she said, putting her hands on her hips and looking at Camille and Ana Maria. "The children and I are in charge, and anyone else will just be gettin' in the way," she said as they made their way to the carriages.
They made it to the house, and Camille gasped when she entered it. She had almost forgotten what living here had been like. And she never remembered it being this big. This was going to be heaven!
"Annie, where is Father?" she asked, remembering her father.
Annie was already making her way to the kitchen, which smelled wonderful. "Oh, he's just in his room gettin' some rest before supper."
Camille stopped. "Rest?"
Annie avoided eye contact with her, getting her apron on. "He's been sick lately, but it's nothin' to be concerned about. Just a chest cold," she said, reassuring Camille. But Camille wasn't reassured.
"Annie, why didn't you tell me he was sick? We could've been here sooner."
Annie waved her hand nonchalantly. "There was no sense in worryin' ya. And I know what you're goin' to say next, the doctor has already called on 'im twice."
"Twice? Annie, are you sure it's not serious?"
"Child, he's fine. And if you go upstairs and change outta them clothes, you will be, too. That goes for the rest o' ya!" she said, causing Ana Maria and Will to look up. "There be a new change o' clothes for you and yer daughter, Mr. Turner. And Ana, ya can just fit into one o' Camille's dresses."
Camille nodded. "That's right. Will, I'll show you to your room," Camille said, making her way upstairs. She went through her wardrobe with Ana Maria until they were able to pick out a dress, which didn't take long. Camille didn't feel like wearing a corset just yet, so ungracefully squeezed into a dress without one.
Annie was calling them already for dinner, so she stopped just outside her father's door and listened closely. She couldn't hear anything, and gently rapped on the door. "Father?" she whispered. No reply.
She pushed the door open, shining a crack of light into the room. She could see that there was already a lamp lit on one side of his bed, and the sickly pale light from it made him look awful. She had a moment of panic when she saw his sleeping face, doubting Annie's confident words.
She crept in, trying to make a little noise to wake him up, but he didn't stir. "Father?" she asked quietly. "Father, it's me. I've returned."
Then he blinked. "Camille?" he asked with a great air of confusion. "Are you-" he coughed. "Are you here? Annie said it would be a few more days."
"The sea was very calm, Father. We had an easy time sailing in," she said sitting on the bed. "Father, it's good to see you again," she said, helping him sit up.
"Camille dear, there's no need to help me, I'm fine," he assured her in a shaky voice. Then he looked up at her, putting his arms out. "Ah, my little girl," he said, hugging her. "How I've missed you."
"I've missed you as well, Father," she said, trying not to let the single tear squeeze out of the corner of her eye.
