Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.
Chapter 27: Camille and Will
Will had woken up to Cadence's cry. He stumbled through the darkness, finally finding his way to the child. She was standing up, holding her arms out. "Daddy!" she cried.
"Yes darling, Daddy's here," he said soothingly, picking her up. "What's the matter?"
She rubbed her eyes. "Muffin?" she asked hopefully.
Will rolled his eyes. "I told you to eat your supper last night, young lady."
Cadence looked at him for a minute, then repeated herself. "Muffin?"
All hope of getting any more sleep was gone, so he gave in. "All right," he said, setting her down. "But you have to walk to the kitchen."
The little girl scrambled towards the door, picking up her little feet. "Muffin!" she squealed.
Will laughed, keeping close behind his little one. He helped her get down all of the steps, and set her on the counter as he got her food. He smiled as she looked up at him with crumbs all over her face. "Did you enjoy that, Cadence?" he asked.
She nodded, then pointed. "Camy!"
"No dearest, we are not going to wake Camille. It's much too early."
"No, Daddy." She pointed again. "Camy."
Will looked, and sure enough Camille was sitting outside, in a simple dress on the stone wall at the end of the backyard before the garden. He wiped the crumbs from Cadence's face and wondered for a moment whether Camille wanted company. If so, she probably would have asked for some. Regardless, he was longing to talk to her about their relationship.
Taking Cadence in his arms, he quietly slipped out the back door and towards the redhead. She heard them approaching and glanced back, but continued to keep her gaze on the sunrise.
"Do you always wake up this early, Camille?" Will asked when he got close enough. Cadence reached out her arms and Camille took her.
"When all you've got is a horizon to stare at all day, the sun becomes significant. Did you forget that, William?" she asked playfully.
He smiled, watching Cadence play Patty Cake on Camille's lap. "Yes, ever since becoming a parent."
"You know, I'm really not going to feel right without a child balanced on one of my hips. I do wish she could come with me," she said, taking Cadence's hands in her own.
Will nodded. "Yes, but I'm afraid she's the key to my sanity," he said, taking a seat next to them.
"How are you doing, by the way? You look much better. Are you doing all right mentally?" Camille asked with concern.
He nodded. "There are still times where it gets impossible, but things are becoming much easier."
Camille smiled. "Good, I'm glad to hear it. And being with Annie and her children will make it so much easier for you to raise Cadence. She'll have playmates and everything."
"Camille, thank you so much," Will said sincerely. "You have been a god sent to us."
She grinned. "Now Will, you have to remember to write as often as possible. I want to know how everyone is doing, and I don't want any details left out."
He laughed. "I can't believe you're not going to stay in Port Celebros with your father. The estate is beautiful, your father is rich…you could not have to lift a finger for the rest of your life and live better than most others."
"Yes, but I've lived here for years. And before I met Jack my father's wealth was a curse. I have had everything handed to me on a silver, or rather, golden platter, and I believe it's high time I pass the gift on."
He looked at her in fascination, shaking his head. "You're one of a kind, Camille."
She laughed. "Yes I know that, thank you." Cadence began crying all of a sudden. "Oh darling, what's wrong?" Camille asked in a worried tone.
"She's been doing that lately. I think more of her teeth are coming in," Will pointed out.
