Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Pirates of the Caribbean (oh but I wish I did. Jack Sparrow yum) nor am I making any money from this story. I do however hold all rights to Katherine Darcy and any other original characters that may appear in this fanfic.
Here it is! The final chapter to Rising From the Ashes. There is some sex in this chapter so be warned.
CHAPTER 20: I love Weddings!
Jack stood on the deck of his ship admiring the job his crew had done decorating the Pearl under Elizabeth's supervision. White and red roses decorated the railing and an alter had been set up next to the stairs that led to the helm. A priest waited at the alter ready to perform the ceremony. Jack had spoken to him earlier and had found him to be a good humored and kind old man. He was well satisfied by Elizabeth's choice in the priest. Now Elizabeth and Katherine were locked in his cabin leaving Jack to pace the deck nervously.
It had been a week since Murdock's failed raid on Port Royal. The people worked busily to repair their shops and their homes. This was a new beginning for them and for Jack as well. Jack had placed the question before his crew and Governor Swann had granted them a pardon. Swann had also seen fit to grant them a Letter of Marque, which made their actions legal as long as they did not attack any British ships or ports. Norrington had made it quite clear that Jack and his crew were welcome in Port Royal any time they wished. In fact Norrington was standing several feet to his left a smirk upon his lips. Jack was roused from his thoughts as Will clapped him on the back.
"Don't look so terrified, Jack. It doesn't become a pirate captain."
"Silence, whelp," Jack snorted, "I am not terrified. I'm perfectly calm."
"If that's so, Sparrow, then why are you attempting to pace a hole in your deck?" Norrington spoke up enjoying seeing Jack so riled.
Before Jack could respond the Governor signaled for them to take their places and after knocking stepped into Jack's cabin. Jack froze and laughing Will drug him over to the alter where the minister waited. The band the governor had hired came to attention and Jack's mouth went dry as they began to play. The door to his cabin opened and Elizabeth came out first smiling happily dressed in a lovely blue gown. She took her place opposite Will and turned to look back as the wedding march began to play.
Governor Swann and Katherine stepped into view and Jack felt his breath leave him in a rush. Katherine was the very image of beauty. A long white veil fell over her face but Jack could see the smile on her face as her eyes focused on him. Her dress was beautifully made. The sleeves were slit and the boat neck displayed just a hint of her cleavage. The skirt of the dress rustled as she walked her long train trailing behind her as the Governor led her down the isle.
Katherine smiled beneath her veil as her eyes fell upon Jack. His hair hand been combed and the dreadlocks removed so that his hair fell gracefully down his shoulders and shone in the bright Caribbean sun. He'd done it for her. She almost laughed when she saw that his precious scarf was still in place. She was sure that the dreadlocks would be back before she knew it. But that was just fine with her. They were a part of him and so she loved them. Her eyes moved from his face to take in the clean crisp shirt he wore and the finely tailored black trousers. His boots were new as well. Over top the white shirt was a black vest. She'd never seen a man look more handsome. Swann brought them to a stop at the bottom of the steps before the alter.
The minister smiled at those gathered. "We gather here today to witness the union of this man, Jack Sparrow and this woman, Katherine Aurora Darcy, in holy matrimony which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man has any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or forever hold his peace.
The elderly minister waited but only smiling happy faces looked back at him. Satisfied he turned his kind eyes to Katherine. "Will you have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"
Katherine looked into Jack's eyes. " I will."
The man gestured with a wrinkled hand. "Come to me, my children." The three stepped onto the alter itself.
The minister turned to Governor Swann. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
Governor Swann smiled ironically, "I do." He placed the Katherine's right hand in the hand of the minister and then sought his seat.
"Now, Jack," the clergyman intoned, "Repeat after me."
Jack did so, his eyes locked on the brilliant blue of Katherine's, his voice carrying to his clearly to his friends and the curious on lookers who had gathered on the docks. "I, Jack Sparrow, take thee Katherine Darcy to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us depart.
The old man turn his gray eyes back to Katherine. "Now, m'lady, repeat after me."
Katherine smiled and blinked tears of joy from her eyes. I Katherine Darcy take thee Jack Sparrow to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
The clergyman turned to Will, "The rings please." When the rings hand been handed over the minister intoned: "Bless these Rings, O merciful Lord, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children's children. Amen."
The old man handed Jack one of the rings. "Place this on your lady's finger and again repeat after me."
His dark eyes never leaving Katherine's Jackrepeated "With this Ring I thee wed, and with my body I thee honor," Jack placed the ring on her finger, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Now Katherine took the remaining ring and repeated after the minister, "With this Ring I thee wed, and with my body I thee honor," Katherine placed the ring on Jack's finger as he had her, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
The minister offered up a prayer as Katherine and Jack knelt together their hearts pounding in their chests. "Let us pray. O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever hereafter remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
The minister bid them rise. "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder." Then shall the Minister spoke unto the people. "Forasmuch as Jack and Katherine have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they be Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Now, my boy," the minister chuckled, "You may kiss your bride."
Jack didn't have to be told twice. Before those gathered Jack lifted her veil and kissed his wife. Katherine returned his passion and it took the catcalls of the crew to separate their lips. The minister laughed behind them. "It is my great pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sparrow!"
Jack and Katherine held tightly to each other as their friends and family surrounded them. Jack was barely aware of Will's congratulations or Elizabeth's tears of joy. For the moment the world revolved around them.
Jack and Katherine danced with each other and Katherine obliged the crew and their friends by taking a turn with each while Jack danced with Elizabeth and then with Anamaria. Slowly the drunken members of Jack's crew slipped below and Norrington, Elizabeth, Will and the Governor bid their goodbyes, as the Pearl would leave tomorrow at first light. Jack and Katherine had promised to return as soon as their honeymoon was over. Finally, Jack and Katherine were left in relative peace as only half the crew remained on deck. Katherine turned to her husband and smiled at the thought that he was now hers forever, "Where are we going?"
Jack smiled back, caressing her cheek with his thumb. "Wherever the wind takes us, luv. I'm in no hurry." Jack's grin grew roguish, "But for now, I have a wedding night to enjoy."
Katherine squealed as Jack swept her into his arms and carried her towards his cabin. The remaining onlookers laughed and Jack grinned at them as Katherine blushed. "Don't expect us on deck any time soon, mates!"
"Don't worry none, Cap'n, your ship is in good hands. Enjoy yourself!" Gibbs called back his voice slurred.
"I intend to, mate," Jack called back before carrying his bride across the threshold and slamming the door behind him.
Jack spun Katherine around in his arms once then sat the laughing woman gently on her feet. Her laughter faded as she looked up into his hungry eyes.
"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on," Jack whispered as his hand moved to her hair freeing it and allowing her silken red tresses to fall gracefully down her back. Jack smiled tenderly, "It's hard to believe that you're mine."
Katherine smiled at her husband her blue eyes bright, "I am yours, Jack. I always will be." She shivered as Jack pulled her closer wrapping an arm about her waist.
Jack lowered his lips to that of his wife and Katherine felt her knees go weak under the onslaught. She felt his hand nimbly unlacing her dress and before she quite knew what was happening the gown fell to the floor to pool at her feet. She lifted her arms and allowed Jack to pull her chemise over her head and blushed, as she stood before him naked.
Jack ran his eyes over her possessively and fought to keep his hunger for her in check. He wanted her to enjoy this as much as he would. But, above all, Katherine was a virgin, of that he had no doubts, and he did not want to frighten her. "You're beautiful," he repeated before lifting his wife in his arms and carrying her to the bed. Their bed. Jack lay her out on the bed and then joined her laying next to her on his side. His fiery Katherine was shy under his gaze but he could see the growing hunger in her eyes. He ran his fingers down her side and felt her jump when they brushed over a ticklish rib. Slowly his hand moved to cup her breast and he brushed his thumb over her nipple.
Katherine gasped and arched off the bed. "Jack," she moaned turning into his touch. Reaching up she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him desperately. Jack pulled back and allowed his lips to drift down to her neck and then down to her breasts. Katherine cried out as he took one rosy tip into his mouth and her fingers tangled in his hair as she held him to her. Jack repeated his actions on her other breast his hand meanwhile roaming her body freely. Katherine moaned in appreciation of his efforts. Her skin was so soft under his fingers. Katherine began to pull at his shirt and he obliged her by taking it off and throwing it across the room. Jack undid his belt then removed his pants before turning back to the woman under him.
Katherine exalted in the feel of his skin against hers and the feelings that he was causing as she ran her hand over the taut muscles of his back. It was not until she felt him poised at her opening that she felt fear. Jack felt her tense and paused brushing his lips across her forehead. "It'll hurt just this once, my love, but only for a moment. I'll be gentle."
Katherine looked up at him and nodded. Jack kissed her passionately as he pushed himself into her. Katherine's gasp was muffled as he penetrated her barrier and a single tear fell from her eye. Jack kissed it away and with a great act of will remained still until she began to move underneath him. Jack set a slow gentle pace, which quickened gradually as their cries filled the room. Katherine screamed his name as she reached her fulfillment and her muscles clenching around him Jack followed. Jack collapsed onto her for a moment before he rolled to her side gathering his bride into his arms. Katherine snuggled against him like a kitten a smile curving her lips. "I love you," she whispered.
"And I you," Jack replied kissing her hair and watching as her features relaxed in sleep. Feeling happier than he had been in his life Jack rested his chin on top of his wife's head and soon he joined her in dreamland. This was one dream that Jack had no intentions of ever waking from.