Ch. 13
Will and Elizabeth stood at the bow of the Black Pearl, looking out at the approaching shores. Sighing, Elizabeth rested her head lightly against her husband's chest. "What was that about, love?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing," she replied. "I'm just ready to be home. I enjoy this kind of adventure enough, but I think in the end I'm just not made for the sea like you are."
"I'm always anxious to be home at the end of a journey, too," Will admitted. "Pirate may be in my blood, but I was raised too long on land to completely abandon my longing for it. Just don't tell Blackbird I said so."
"I'm afraid it's a tad too late for that, mate," Blackbird teased, resting a hand on Will's shoulder. "Don't worry; I don't think any less of you for being a bloody landlubber. Me, I'm always aching for the sea the moment we step foot on land. But even I'd like a little break after this journey."
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Will wearily pulled out his key and unlocked the door to their house. "Welcome home, little mates," he whispered to the twins as they all stepped inside. Looking around, he saw that everything wasmuch like he'd left it. It was as if they'd never been gone. Marie instantly climbed up to her bedroom to look around, but he and Elizabeth lingered in the kitchen.
"Well…" she said finally, taking a look around. "We're home."
"Aye. Don't tell me you're already bored?"
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "Bored? A mother's work is never done, Will Turner. I believe I shall begin with the mess that you were apparently too inconsiderate to clean up before leaving…"
Will started to defend himself, but he saw the smile in her eyes. "I love you," he said quietly. "Don't ever let me forget that again."
"Don't worry, I have ways of reminding you," she replied, reaching up to pull the hat off his head. They were still locked in a kiss when Blackbird came in.
"Oh," she said, turning around quickly. "Don't let me interrupt anything…I was just coming by to make sure you got home alright."
"Thank you, Blackbird," Will teased. "You may leave now."
"Alright, alright, I know how to take a hint," she replied. "Jack and I are going to the Jolly Roger for a drink. You're welcome to join us, if you like."
Will looked at Elizabeth for a second. "That's alright," he finally said. "I think I'll eat at home tonight. Of course, I still owe somebody a dinner alone, if we could find someone to watch the children…"
"Go on," Blackbird said with a grin. "You two lovebirds go have a romantic dinner all to yourselves, and I'll just sit here with your kids till you get back. No, no, I insist. Don't even start to feel bad about leaving your sister here all alone into the late hours of the night. Go. Have fun. I'll be just fine…"
"Okay, I get your point, Blackbird," Will interrupted. "We won't be late, I promise."
"You better not be," she said. Her face was completely serious, but he could see that she was just messing with him. "I'll go get Marie."
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"You mean I get to stay here with Aunt Blackbird?" Marie asked excitedly when her mother informed her.
Elizabeth smiled. "Your father and I are going out for the evening. I trust you'll be a good girl and help your aunt with the boys?"
"Yes!" Marie said earnestly. "Aunt Blackbird, you and I are going to have so much fun! Will you tell me another story about pirates?"
Glancing at Elizabeth, Blackbird nodded. "Sure I will, but not right now. Right now we're going to play the 'be quiet so your aunt can get a few minutes of sleep' game."
"I promise we won't be too late," Elizabeth assured her as she and Will headed out the door. "And there should still be food in the cupboards if you get hungry. And the twins have been fed, so they shouldn't need anything. And if they get too fussy, don't hesitate to send someone to come get us. And-"
"Elizabeth, relax," Blackbird interrupted. "I've got it under control, savvy?"
Elizabeth just laughed and nodded. "Alright. Sorry. Be good, Marie," she said as Will closed the door behind them.
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To Will's surprise, Joe was able to get them the room he had requested almost a month before. "Not many people 'ere in Tortuga have need for a private dinner," had been his explanation. As the server poured wine into the small glasses, Will had to smile at Elizabeth. "Still worrying?" he asked quietly.
"Not really," she replied. "I never thought I'd say this, but I trust Blackbird. She's proven to have a lot more to her than I'd first believed."
Will nodded. "Good," he said shortly. "Then you can spend the entire evening focusing on how roguishly handsome I am." He raised his glass slightly. "To the future."
"May it ever be satisfyingly boring," Elizabeth added jokingly, raising her own glass to meet his.
As the glasses clinked, Will looked across the table at her and grinned mischievously. "Drink up, me hearties, yoho!"
A/N: Wow! Two chapters out in as many days! This is a record for me. Anyway...the end! Much to my dismay, this story is over. Hope ye liked the ending...I did, but then, I'm the author ; ) I am in the process of thinking up a third fanfic, but Winter is a busy season for me and I make no promises as to when I'll actually start working on it and posting it here. I may try to work on it over the winter, but it would mean longer waits between the chapters. The alternative would be to wait until Spring and have more frequent updates...won't say much about this one, but I will tell ye this: it's mainly about Marie, and lateBloomer04's character Juan Palacios will be appearing. Now that I've peaked your curiosity, please review and tell me your opinions about whenI should begin work on POTC 4! Love y'all.
Namarie,
pirateoftherings