Once is Never Enough

Chapter 15 – Elizabeth, Jack, and the captain

Elizabeth woke up in the early morning and rolled onto her side. Her now eight month old pregnant stomach was protesting against the movement but she was able to sit up. Jack was gone already and Elizabeth thought that he would be.

Stretching her arms out she slid her dress over her head and put her shoes on. Walking up to the deck she saw Jack standing on the side, looking out into the water. She hated when he got this way. The loss of Mr. Cotton made his nervous and it was exactly five months ago when he was killed. That was the last time LeBanon was able to board the Black Pearl. Will had shot him dead.

"Jack." She said quietly, laying a hand on his shoulder. "The baby is moving. Do you want to feel?"

He looked at her and gave an encouraging smile. Placing a hand on her stomach Jack smiled as he felt his child move inside her.

Elizabeth loved to make him happy. She wanted to be his wife and have his child and be a little family. A little family with a mommy, a daddy, and a baby, that's all she wanted.

"Jack?"

He looked at her and his smile faded. "What's wrong love?"

"Jack, what if something goes wrong? What if something happens to the baby?"

Jack wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. He felt the desire start to course through his body. He hadn't had her since her supposed-to-be wedding night and all this waiting for her to have the baby so they could go to bed together again was killing him inside.

"Nothing is going to happen love, I promise. He will be the perfect little pirate, just like his daddy."

Elizabeth seemed to relax as she fell into Jack's arms.

"Wait a minute. How do you know it's going to be a boy? What if it's a sweet little girl like me?"

Jack shook his head, determined his unborn child was going to be his little pirate.

"Will you love it no matter what?"

Jack sighed silently, not wanting to see and emotional woman he hugged her closer. "Of course I would. There's no law saying women can't be pirates."

Elizabeth smiled and felt the baby move again; it was the most amazing thing in the world to her. Jack saw her smile and couldn't help but do so himself. In a few short weeks he was going to be a father and nothing could ruin the happiness he felt.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"I haven't been to see a doctor or a midwife yet. I need to go to one soon."

Jack heard the worry in her voice and headed up to the helm where Alex was at the wheel.

"We're going to have to stop at the next town."

Alex looked sideways then back toward the horizon. "Aye Captain."

Jack sighed dramatically. "Is there a problem between us?"

Alex closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. "No Jack, it's just that you see the ones who are first targeted. For you it's Elizabeth and that child of yours. For me it would be you or the rest of them back home. What's the point anymore? Are we only pirates because we can't get out anymore?"

Jack spoke to stop his brothers ranting. "We're pirates because we want to be. Leave if you want. Go stay in Timlan with the rest of the family. Hell, start your own." The pirate paused. "If that's what you really want of course."

"You know it's not Jack."

"Well then, you're more then welcome to stay here. The Pearl may not be some fancy home, but it's what I got."

Alex thought of his brother's words and honestly wondered what Jack was going to do.

"Hey, Jack? What about you and your family? You told me yourself this is no place for a child."

"Aye, that's what I said, and I haven't changed my mind."

Alex plunged headfirst into the next question. "You're not going to leave her are you?"

"No. I'm taking Elizabeth and the baby to St. Petersburg to live."

Alex looked around like he was lost or confused. "What about the Pearl, what about piracy?"

Jack smiled then touched the smooth wood of the Pearl. "I'm giving her to someone I trust. Someone who will look after her until I'm ready to come back. Until Elizabeth and the baby are ready."

Alex looked at his brother and almost thought he was the younger, less experienced one. "You're not, giving her to me are you?"

"Why not? You're the perfect choice. I know you wouldn't betray my trust and I know you could keep her in good condition."

Alex smiled. "You mean you would like for me to keep her in good condition."

Just then a silent understanding went between the two brothers and Jack looked to the sky.

"Good man."

Elizabeth was brushing her hair when Jack walked into the cabin they shared. She saw almost a look of hurt on his face and she stood to go to him.

"Elizabeth darling, you shouldn't be on your feet. Why not take it easy until we reach port?"

Elizabeth shook it off and hugged him the best she could. "Jack, the baby isn't going anywhere and I won't pop." She said and smiled, it wasn't returned.

"Jack what's bothering you? Please tell me?"

"Nothing darling." He said, not wanting her to see the disappointment in his eyes over giving up the Pearl.

She cupped his face and kissed him tenderly. "Tell me."

"Me, you and the baby are going to live in St. Petersburg for a while. Alex is going to watch the Pearl and take care of her while we raise our son."

Elizabeth shook her head. "Daughter. Why would you do that? Jack, I don't want to keep you away from the Pearl. This is your life."

Jack shook his head and wrapped his arms around her. He remembered the day he first went to Port Royal and met Elizabeth. She had been falling through the sea and he was there to save her. That same day, only minutes later, he had held a gun to her head but never thought about pulling the trigger or harming her in anyway. Not once did the thought even pass through his subconscious that she would someday have his child.

"No Elizabeth. You're my life."

TBC

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