Chapter nineteen: Surprises

I paced around the room, new silks of my gown swishing audibly as I turn each time. We were so stupid! We should have never stayed here! Now Elizabeth and Will were in the biggest danger of their lives, not counting what had happened before with Jack, before I knew him. My stomach went cold at the thought of seeing his feet swaying; his neck stretched in the noose. For that's what was in the future. The noose. For all of us.

I noted tears running down my cheeks. I had to pull myself together. Go out with dignity if needed. I was a member of the Black Pearl, I was the lover of her captain. I was the fiery Irish lass who had seen too much for a lifetime, but I used that to my advantage.

I sat down at the small vanity, noticing the dark circles under my eyes; making them seem bigger and more gaunt. I rummaged around in the vanity's drawers and found a small pot of rouge, surprising myself. I dabbed some on, and my apperence grew more rosy. I even smoothed some on my lips. But tears still fell, making streaks of the make-up. I wiped it off and stood up again.

I was ready for dinner in apperance, I suppose. I had changed into the black silk dress Jack had made up for me. With the tightfitting bodice, lined with whale-bone, making me seem slimmer. It had a sweetheart neckline, just barely showing the tops of my powdered breasts. I put on a corset too–secretly revevling in its strength around my torso. My red hair was in a thick braid and wound into a bun at the nape of my neck, giving me a more regal air. I even put on the onyx and opal brooch that was once my mother's. He knew who I was, and I would be damned if I cowered or hid that I was the daughter of Victoria and Gerald Shane. I would be damned.

"Mack?" Jack walked into the room, holding something behind his back. I didn't even bother to look, but sat down on the chair and looked up at him.

"Why so glum, chum?" He asked, truly looking concerned. He kneeled in front of me, and put his chin on my knees.

"Why?" I demanded, my voice shrill. "Why? We are about to meet with the governor who one; hates pirates, two; killed my mum, three; knows who we look like, and four; knows we are pirates. A million and one reasons to kill us. That is why I am glum."

"A million, you say?" Jack taunted, trying his best to make me smile. "Cause I only counted four..." He scrunched his face up in thought, and ticked off four fingers.

I gave him a slap upside his head.

"Hey!" He protested, standing back up, his one hand still behind his back.

"Why cant you see the seriousness in the situation?" I demanded, tears streaming again.

"Why can't you see the amuesment? Listen, love, we can escape. We have escaped a few things, you and I. We can do it again. Its not like he is coming here, and surrounding the house with a whole garrison of French troops,"

"Why French?" I asked miserably.

"Because...the French don't like me."

"Im sure the English don't like you either,"

"Wel...lets just say that the French and I have a score to settle, in my favor." I rolled my eyes and leaned back in the chair.

"Hey...wanna see something?" He suddenly asked, mischief in his eyes.

"What?"

"Smile first," he prodded. I gave a half smile that was more of a gargoyle grimace. "Good enough."

Jack produced a somewhat large black velveteen box, with a deep crimson ribbon tied in a bow around it. I plucked it out of his hands, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Oh! Jack..." I gasped opening them up. Inside was a set of black sapphires. A thin bracelet, a delicate gold ring with a square stone, two large tear drop earrings and a thick necklace with sapphires the size of my thumb.

"What...?" I asked, stunned. Jack pulled out the necklace and fastened it around my neck. It was heavy and the metal cool. The very centre stone, larger then the rest, fell just above the crease of my bosom.

"Well...when I saw these at the Isla, I had to get them. I didn't know you then, but I thought they were so special, I had to give them to the right person, and not let some pirate take them and sell them for a whore." Jack pulled out the ring, and grabbed up my left hand, which had fallen in my lap; limp with surprise.

He hand hovered in front of mine, he looked up at me before putting on the ring.

"Will you marry me?" He asked.

"Jack...don't jest," I said in a breathless whisper.

"I'm not," Jack said in all honesty. "I know that you are scared witless about this dinner. I blame myself for not getting us out of here on time, and I blame myself for draawing attention to the house so was cant easily escape. I think you will have more courage, knowing that no matter what, you are the wife of a Sparrow. If the worst happens–God forbid–but if it does, you will have a bolster of courage when you walk up to those gallows. Because you are mine."

Tears were flowing freely. I gave a giant sniff, and hovered between two mediums.

"You are just doing this to give me courage," I said softly.

"No!" Jack said fiercely, his eyes black. "I am doing this now. I have wanted this for so long. But what happened in Africa set me back. I was unsure of myself,"

"You? The famous Jack Sparrow unsure of himself?" I gave a weak smile.

"Yes. I was. Marry me? Please?" Without one last thought, I flung myself onto him, crying and laughing at once.

"Yes," I finally gasped out, trying to wipe tears from my eyes as I hugged him. "Yes," I repeated over and over again.

"There." Jack pulled himself away from me, and slid the ring on my finger.

"But...if we are caught tonight, I wouldn't be a Sparrow yet," Jack took my hand and led me to the vanity mirror.

"Do you Jack, take this Mackensy Shane to be your lawful wedded wife? Through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part? I do. Mackensy Shane, do you take this Jack Sparrow to be your lawful wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part?"

"What... Jack...?"

"I can do this! I am certified, through me ship. Now asnwer the question. Im begining to think you don't want to."

"I do," Blurted.

"I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride. With pleasure,"

Jack leaned down and kissed me hard and long. There was a sudden knock at the door, and I jumped back, my eyes wide.

"The governor is here. Are you two ready?" It was Will.

"Yes," Jack said confidently. I finally got a good look at what he was wearing.

"Jack!" I cried, shocked. "Your hair! Your beard!

Indeed his beard was shaved, and his hair was combed through and tied back neatly in a pony-tail. No beads were seen.

He was a perfect gentleman.

With an air of dignity, Jack took my hand and placed it on his arm, my new ring shining.

"Mrs. Sparrow," He said silkily. He opened the door.

"Mr. Sparrow," I sighed. We walked down the stairs and into the foyer.

I gasped.

The governor was not Jerome, the man who killed my mother. This was simply Jerome Frederick. The governor of Port Royal. The worrying was for nothing.

But now, I was married to Jack Sparrow. My heart lifted.