Port Royal's dock yards were bustling with activity when Gibbs finally tied the small boat they'd been ferried from the Pearl in to the dock and helped Jill out. The noises and smells were similar to the slave market in Tortuga but they sounded more welcoming, pleasing Jill's senses. She took Jack's offered arm and followed along beside him as he led her silently through town.
"I expect Mrs. Turner will give you the grand tour so I won't bore you, love," Jack said out of the corner of his mouth.
Jack's presence seemed to bring a mix of welcoming calls and worried looks. Jack waved at everyone as they past, clearly enjoying himself. Jill decided to ask Jack about what he'd been up to later, when they were both alone on the Pearl.
Finally the flat ground began to rise below Jill's feet and she looked up to find beautiful house at the top of a steep drive over looking all of Port Royal. Jill paused, sure they were treading where they weren't allowed but Jack just pulled her along, continuing up the drive. Watching the large windows closely for firearms, Jill noticed a small figure quickly disappear, leaving the curtains rustling. She was startled when the front door flew open and two young children came flying out, followed by a maid holding small jackets.
"Uncle Jack! Uncle Jack!" Jill heard the kids saying as they approached.
Jack released Jill and knelt to gather the children in his arms. He quickly released them and gave them both his most serious look.
"You both have been behaving for your parents right?" he asked, sternly.
"Of course, Uncle Jack!" they both said at roughly the same time.
Jill smiled as Jack and the children continued their "serious" conversation on the way up to the house. Jill followed behind, feeling a bit awkward.
When they finally reached the house, both children clinging to Jack's legs, they were greeted by a well dressed couple standing in the doorway. The looks on their faces barely contained their joy at Jack's arrival. The man, tall with shoulder length brown hair, stuck his hand out stiffly toward Jack. It was obvious Jack was a bit taken aback by the man's mood but as soon as they shook hands the other man pulled Jack close and hugged him, a broad smile on his face.
"Jack, long time no visit. It's good to see you again," the man said pulling away from Jack.
"Well, you know, busy earning a living, Govna," Jack responded, ruffling the kids hair as they finally turned him loose. "Mrs. Turner," Jack bowed slightly to the woman standing beside the Governor.
"Please, Jack, call me Elizabeth. There is no need for formality between friends."
"To right. Here, I want to introduce you to Jill. Jill, this is my good friends Will Turner and his lovely wife, Elizabeth." There was a sharp tug at the hem of Jack's coat. He looked down and was met with identical stern gazes. "And the twins, Bill and Jack."
The stern gazes turned to welcoming smiles as the twins rushed forward. They both bowed respectfully before continuing on past to play in the yard.
"Well come in already. There is so much to catch up on," Elizabeth said as she moved aside to allow Jack and Jill entrance to the house. They followed Will and Elizabeth to an informal seating area.
"Now before we get too far, Elizabeth, I have a favor to ask you, love," Jack said, lowering himself into a seat beside Jill.
"Anything, Jack," Elizabeth replied with a beaming smile.
"Jill here needs some new clothes. A whole new wardrobe in fact. Would you do me the honor of taking her into town and helping to pick out some dresses or something?"
"Of course Jack. I'll send for the driver right away."
"Wonderful," Jack said as Elizabeth turned to a servant girl standing in the corner and whispered to her to bring the carriage around, "And take your time. We'll be here for a while gathering supplies for the Pearl."
Elizabeth turned back and nodded, fixing Jill with a kind look. "We'll turn her into royalty for you, Jack."
Jill quickly turned to Jack, panic on her face. Jack only returned her smile.
"I don't need anything fancy, Elizabeth. I just need something to wear daily on the ship. Something practical," Jill said, taking matter into her own hands for once.
"Don't listen to her, love. I want her spoiled today," Jack said all but silencing Jill's half-hearted protests.
"Jack, I'm sure we can come up with something to please you both," Elizabeth said, ending the conversation.
The group sat silently for a while as tea was brought in and served. A few moments passed before a female servant entered and whispered into Elizabeth's ear. Elizabeth nodded and the servant departed.
"The carriage is ready," Elizabeth said, putting her teacup down. Everyone else followed suit.
Jack and Will watched as Elizabeth and Jill stood and left the room. A sharp silence fell in the room as Jack and will just stared at each other waiting for the servants to clear.
"So who is she?" Will asked Jack quickly once the coast was clear.
"Do you like her?"
"Who is she?"
"Jill is a childhood friend of mine from Tortuga. Known her for as long as I can remember. She's a great girl."
Will didn't respond, trying to wrap his head around Jack as a child. Jack let the silence stretch as his leg began to bounce out of nervousness. They both watched out the window as the carriage pulled away from the front of the house.
"I think I love her, Will," Jack said, his words tumbling over each other.
"Is this a problem?"
"Pirates aren't supposed to be tied down. If I married her, I'd have something holding me back."
"How does she feel?
"The same, I think."
"Jack there isn't anything I can tell you to make this any easier. I'm happy with Elizabeth and my family. I don't really feel tied down to anything by being married."
Silence stretched through the room again as both of Jack's legs began to bounce. Will watched his friend with on eyebrow cocked over his brow eyes. The silence was broken by a loud crash over their heads followed by two young voices starting to cry. Will sighed and jumped out of his chair, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts.