Pirates of the Caribbean – The Life I've Always Wanted

By Princess-Pirate

Email: lz_iceprincess@yahoo.co.uk


Summary: Sequel to Blood Is Thicker Than Rum. The story picks up eight months later. Tragedy strikes as romance blooms between someone they never thought would fall in love.


Disclaimer: All the characters, ships, and places in the Caribbean belong to Walt Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, as well as the dialect in the flashbacks from the movie. I don't own any of them (I wish). Some of the new characters are my own creations and therefore I have some ownership over them.

A/N: Please read and let me know what you think. Reviews and ideas on coming chapters are most welcome.

Chapter 4 – A Change Of Heart

"Elizabeth" Governor Swann nearly fell down the stairs as he rushed up to greet his daughter.

"Father" Elizabeth hugged the older man tight, not wanting to let go.

"What are you doing in Port Royale?" he asked, "I thought you would at least let me know when you were coming.

"We need help father" Elizabeth said and step from the door to reveal another person.

"Good day Governor" Jack said as he took off his head and bowed.

"Don't call the Commodore please?" Elizabeth begged as she led her father to a couch "Listen to me first, I beg you?"

Governor Swann nodded and sat down. "Explain my child" he said as he looked at her.

"We were attacked during the night by a Spanish ship" Elizabeth said "The mast would have fallen on Anamaria and her child but Will pushed them out of the way and the mast fell on him."

Tears started to well up in her eyes and she looked at her father.

Governor Swann hugged his daughter. "Is young William alive?" he asked and Elizabeth nodded.

"We wanted to go on but the ship's doctor feels it best to have him rest on land. Jack's out of pirating now and we agreed to sail with him and Anamaria to here to come and visit. Then the accident happened."

"Say no more child" the governor, said as he stood up "You'll all be my guests here until William is better."

Elizabeth smiled and hugged her father again.

Soon after the house was brought in readiness for the guests. Governor Swann had summoned the best doctors in town and had sent a carriage to go and fetch Will and the rest of the guests.

Governor Swann was in the sitting room when the party arrived. Will was taken upstairs and Elizabeth introduced him to Bill, Katherine, Anamaria and Jonathan. To their surprise Jonathan held his arms out to the Governor.

He looked at them and Anamaria smiled and nodded. He took the little boy in his arms and they began playing.

"I'll let the maids show you to your rooms" Elizabeth said before she headed up the stairs to see how Will was doing.

******

"He's in incredible pain," the doctor said as he wiped his hands on a cloth "But I believe I acted quickly enough to keep him from losing his leg."

"Thank you doctor" Governor Swann said as he held his daughter. Everyone else had retired to their rooms to get some rest. Elizabeth had argued to stay awake until the doctor was finished with Will.

"You may go in and see him Mrs. Turner" the doctor said "I still need to go and do some rounds but I'll be back within the hour to see to the boy."

Elizabeth nodded and walked into the room, followed by her father.

Will was lying in the big bed, his bare chest slowly moving up and down as he struggled for breath. The comforter was pulled over his hips and Elizabeth could see the bandages that were tightly wrapped around his slim waist, to prevent movement.

Her eyes traveled towards his legs and she could see his right one was larger than the left. She remembered the doctor telling her that the mast had broken his leg as well.

"Oh Will," she said as she slumped into the chair next to his bed, taking her husband's hand in hers "Please don't leave me?"

Governor Swann quietly excused himself from the room and left the couple alone. He knew his daughter was exhausted but her pride and love for Will would keep her from saying anything.

The doctor returned soon after and began checking on Will again. "Good" he said as he probed Will's hips and leg "There seems to be a decrease in the amounts of fluid between his muscles. With luck it would be drained completely by tomorrow."

Elizabeth smiled at his words and looked down at Will. "When will he regain consciousness, doctor?" she asked as she looked at the man.

"It depends on how soon his fever drops lass" the doctor said as he held a hand against Will's forehead "The sooner the fever leaves his body the sooner he'll start waking up. But don't despair. The young man will be needing all the support her can get. He'll have to refrain from walking and stay in bed for at least six weeks."

"Six weeks" Elizabeth started and looked sadly at Will.

"Yes" the doctor nodded "And after that he'll have to walk with crutches and help. It's going to be a hard and painful road to recovery but I believe that he'll make it through all right."

"And I'll be by his side no matter what" Elizabeth said as she held his hand.

******

"You still up lass" Jack said as he silently entered the dimly lit room.

Elizabeth nodded and smiled at the pirate. "I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway" she sighed as she wipe some of Will's hair out of his face.

The doctor had settled Will for the evening and he went home.

Jack entered the room and sat down on the chair at Will's other side. "Ow's he doin' lass?" Jack asked.

"The doctor acted fast enough to save his leg and he's pleased with the success. He says Will only needs to get enough rest to recover his strength. The only hard part is getting him to walk again. He said that Will, will have some trouble in the beginning since his hips are broken."

"Don't worry yer little head about that" Jack said as he looked at his friend "Ole Will is going te be all right and we'll soon be terrorizing the Spanish Main again."

Elizabeth nodded and smiled at Jack. She took Will's hand in her again and the two friends continued talking late into the night.