What Is & What Will Never Be

Chapter 22

Disclaimer: I do not & cannot own POTC 1, 2, or 3...

"Regarde comment sont menées
Depuis Noël douze journées
Car suivant ces douze jours
Les douze mois auront leur cours"...

Quand à Noël, on se chauffe au soleil
Le jour de Pâques, on se chauffe à la bûche de Noël...

From outside the window the carolers were heard singing the traditional Christmas hymns as they strolled through streets on the 7th jour de Noël.

Jade smiled contentedly as she stood by the window, looking down at the snow-covered town. She was a tad chilly, but at least heat from the cup of cinnamon tea she was holding and the fire helped to warm her.

Jack had told he would be back shortly. Word had come that someone was here to see him, and that that someone was waiting at the Black Pearl. Jade wondered who it could be, especially at this time. Not only because of the holiday, but also the weather. The snow was quite heavy.

"Oh, Jade!"

Elizabeth's call broke her out of her reverie. "Would you come in the kitchen for a moment?"

"Yes."

Elizabeth dusted her hands on her apron as Jade came in.

"Oh, it smells absolutely wonderful, Elizabeth", she said with a smile.

"Oh, thank you. Now, would you—oh, dear! I'm such a mess!" She paused as she licked a sticky piece of fruit from her thumb.

"That looks lovely. Exactly how my tante used to make it."

"Well", Elizabeth answered. "Let's hope that my Christmas pudding tastes as good as it looks." She broke off a small piece for Jade and one for herself.

Jade took a bite, letting the many flavors and tastes of fruit and nuts and rum melt in her mouth.

"How is it?" Elizabeth asked in anticipation.

"C'est délicieux!"

"Yes!" she exclaimed, hugging Jade. She brushed her hand across her brow. "For years I've been working on getting it absolutely right."

"Well, I know Will and Jack will fancy it. Especially Jack", Jade said with a smirk.

Elizabeth laughed. "I just hope they don't get too drunk off of it."

"And I hope our dear Captain Sparrow won't notice that a couple bottles of r-u-m are missing", she added quietly.

"Oh, Elizabeth, you took his rum without permission?"

"I know, I shouldn't have", she sighed, lifting one of the emptied bottles.

"I'm sure he'll understand."

"Yes. Well, I'd better try this then, haven't I?"

Just as she took a bite, the door was heard.

"'Quand à Noël,

On se chauffe—oh come on Will, me lad, show some spirit!"

"Will, Jack!" Elizabeth called as she rushed to the door in the midst of finishing her small piece of the pudding. "You're just in time to—"

"Oh, no, no, no—I've got no time!" Jack exclaimed jovially. "Jade? Where's—"

"Jack—"

"Ah! Alright love." Jack took Jade's arm, placing a quick kiss on her lips. "Come on—make haste!" He tugged her towards the front door.

"Jack", she expressed amusement. "Where are we going?"

"No time", was his answer. He waved goodbye as he ushered Jade out of the house, the door closing with a loud, 'click'.

Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips, still, looking at the door. "Well, I never—"

She was suddenly stopped as lips covered hers and hands wrapped around her waist.

Elizabeth sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck. It felt like time had stopped; that they were the only two people in the world, frozen in that moment as they kissed. Elizabeth moved closer to him, breathing in his scent. And she was again thanking God that they had each other, and nothing could tear them apart.

Will suddenly broke from kiss, and left Elizabeth to gasp as he slowly swept his tongue just under her lower lip and across to her cheek.

He stepped back and licked his lips. "You had a bit of fruit and rum on you."

She blushed, bringing her hand to her face.

"Don't worry—I got it all."

"Naughty, naughty Mr. Turner!" she scolded, but could not hide a smile.

He smirked, moving close to her again. "I suppose I've ruined my desire to be nice all year." He stepped away from her again. "Abstinence. That should teach me, eh?"

"W-Well", Elizabeth started, stopping him as he began to walk away. "I think since it is the last day of the year, we can make an exception."

"Oh no, darling", Will shook his head, trying to hide a smile. "This certainly isn't an exception. I mean, if we cheat now, who knows how horrible we'll act next year, and the year, after that...and what an example we'll be to Jenevieve!"

He paused, and looked back at Elizabeth, who now had her arms folded crossly.

"As it so happens, I desire to inform you, my dear Aunt Charlotte arrived today for Noël, and she took Jenevieve to her cottage for the day."

Will was silent as he let her continue.

"So, now we have the house to ourselves."

"Indeed", Will answered, the smirk still on his face.

"William Turner, come here this instant!" Elizabeth breathed.

As soon as he was just inches from her, she kissed him, grabbing his collar as she pulled him down into the wooden chair of which she sat.

Elizabeth let out a murmur of surprise as Will picked her up, still locked in a passionate kiss, and only stopping to whisper, "I have a more comfortable idea."

Will let her down as they reached their bedroom door.

"Go in", he said.

Elizabeth glanced at him mysteriously, but opened the door. Her breath was taken away.

"Oh, Will", she exclaimed. A trail of poinsettia petals and holly leaves led to the bed, which was scattered with roses.

She turned back to him. "Did you--?"

He nodded.

"When did you do all of this?"

"This morning, after you thought I left for work."

She bit her lip, fighting back tears.

He smiled, brushing his hand across her cheek. "To a Merry Christmas and New Year, and everlasting love."

"What a romantic you are", she murmured as he took her in his arms, embracing her, and kissed her.

Elizabeth was overwhelmed with emotion as he whispered her name into her ear.

"I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you too", she replied, staring in his dark eyes, filled with devotion to her.

She stayed wrapped against him, never wanting such bliss to end.

Will held her close, whispering to her, and kissing her gently.

She knew that it would never end.

1st song: Look at how they are carried out

Since Christmas' twelve days

For following those twelve days

The twelfth month will have their course

2nd song: When it's Christmas, one heats oneself by the sun

The day of Easter, one heats oneself by the Yule log

tante: aunt

C'est délicieux: it's delicious