Disclaimer: Alas, POTC is not mine. Nor is Norrington, though God knows I've tried.
Warning, there be cursing here...Warning
Did I mention the cursing?
Also, note there is a rather lot of cursing, as I imagine I will be doing whenever I get pregnant…particularly if pain reducing drugs are not available…
"When in an uncomfortable situation, do not panic. Bluster if you must, but do not faint."
-Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies
"When in a difficult situation, try to avoid having men in the area. Send them off to do errands that make them feel useful. Then things will actually get done…"
-Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen
Chapter 8: First Comes Love
"YOU BASTARD! AAAAAGGGHHHHH!"
James was heard replying, "Pru, that was uncalled for! My parents were married when mother gave birth to me…"
Choking sounds were heard. "SHUT UP!"
Because of the sudden rain, they had been forced to take Pru into one of the caves. Labor progressed rather quickly and it soon became apparent that the next Norrington would come into the world right there and no other place. Anne arranged it the best they could for Pru to be reasonably comfortable.
They had to send for a doctor despite the storm. No body with Pru had ever attended with childbirth. Both Anne and Elizabeth were high enough born to have not had to assist with such things and the men…well, needless to say they usually were not within twenty feet of something like this…
"YOU SON OF A TORTUGAN WHORE!"
While the men were flustering about in reckless abandon, completely useless, Elizabeth and Anne took charge of matters. Since Groves appeared to be losing his head the quickest, the poor man was sent to fetch a doctor. Theo rushed out of the cave, faster than if the hounds of hell had been at his heels…A fine testament to the Royal Navy, indeed…
"I HATE YOU, JAMES NORRINGTON! DO YOU HEAR ME? I HAAAAAAAATTTEEEE YOOOOOOUUUUU!"
James went towards the cave's entrance, where Will and Andrew stood, waiting to help only if ordered to do so…
"How's she doing?"
"WHERE THE BLOODY HELL IS THE IDIOT WHO DID THIS TO ME?"
James winced.He was anxious and worried about his wife, which was proven by the vast amount of sweat pouring off him. Still, he felt a bit of decorum could be mustered, even in a case like this..."She's doing as well as can be expected…"
"GET BACK HERE YOU BASTARD!"
"I'm being called, it seems." James stated as he went back to where his wife lay.
From the back of the cave, Will and Andrew could hear James say, "I'm here, love. Relax…I'm here to help…"
"You already did help! And now I'm trying to give birth to a damn cannonball!"
Pru was lying on a pile of coats. Her hair stuck to her face, she was breathing heavily from contractions, and sweat dripped off her face. And to James, she was still beautiful…if a bit scary because of her anger…
"It will be over soon." James gave Pru his hand. "Squeeze my hand when you feel pain."
The next contraction came and it was a big one. Pru began to squeeze her husband's hand...
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
This time the scream wasn't just Pru's. James's yell, which was rapidly reaching the high pitch of a girl's, actually rose over hers…
"DAMN WOMAN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, TRYING TO BREAK MY BLOODY HAND?"
Pru glared at him. "That wasn't half the pain I'm feeling, Commodore."
It was never a good sign when she called him that. He was beginning to think that he'd never be allowed to share a bed with her again. Ever.
Concerned, he looked up towards Elizabeth. "How is she? Is the baby coming soon?"
He ignored Pru's, "Why don't you ask me that, moron?" in favor of Elizabeth's answer.
"I've never attended a birth before…so you're guess is as good as mine…"
Anne shrugged. She had less experience than Elizabeth in these matters…
Just then Pru groaned again… "I can answer that…NOW! It's coming now!I've got to push!"
Groaning, Pru felt a contraction come on and the intense urge to push with it. She grunted, pushing down with all the strength she had. Suddenly, she fell back, exhausted…
"Come on, Pru! I know you can do it…Push!" Elizabeth ordered…
"JJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!" Pru yelled as another contraction began…
She leaned as far forward as she could and with a few more pushes, a baby's wail was heard.
"You did it! You've got a beautiful baby girl, Pru!" Elizabeth said through her happy tears as she handed the baby to Anne…
No one observed James's reaction to the news. His whole being lit with joy and wonder. He would have had the biggest smile on his face if it weren't for the way his mouth had dropped in helpless awe…
"Oh, Pru," James, awed, said softly.
Just then, Pru doubled over again. "ELIZABETH!"
Pru began to push...she yelled with the exertion and pain...Elizabeth did her best to encourage and James his best to comfort…and another child came to the world, crying at the top of its lungs. Another girl…
"You've got another wonderful girl! Oh, Pru, she's beautiful" Elizabeth proclaimed.
Pru fell back, exhausted. "There aren't anymore, are there?" she asked weakly.
Elizabeth and Anne laughed through their tears. "We don't think so…"
Meanwhile, James had taken the first baby and wrapped her up in his jacket, the one they'd specifically saved for the child. He handed the baby back to Anne while he considered what to wraphis second child in.Looking at his other daughter, James thought for a moment. Suddenly, he took off his shirt and swaddled the second baby in his arms. With help from Anne, James handed both babies to their mother…
Even he had tears of joy in his eyes. "My dearest love, you've given us two incredibly perfect little girls…" he said, the passion evident in his voice.
Pru's eyes were glistening as well as she made the first contact with her children… "Look, they're so beautiful!" Pru glanced aside for a moment…
"I'm sorry for what I said…I think I might have said a few terrible things about your mother…"
James shook his head in denial. "Nonsense! My mother shall be interested toknow she was once a Tortugan whore. AndI shall forevermore consider, 'GET BACK HERE YOU BASTARD!' an endearment, love."
She bit her lip in worry, considering another issue that plagued her… "You…don't mind that they aren't boys…do you?"
James's expression changed to disbelief. "Pru, you gave me a family. Nothing could be better than that…Besides, we both know how much fun we had creating these two unexpected gifts…"
She laughed in relief. "Behave! We can't do that for several weeks afterwards…" She stopped.
"But what are we to name the girls?" Pru asked, changing the subject.
James thought about it… "What names do you like? I know we'd discussed a few…"
Pru looked at the girls. "I think one should be Felicity Alexandra…" One of the babies smiled sweetly.
James grinned. "I think that we have a volunteer, Pru."
"Yes, it appears we have our Felicity…but what of the other baby?..." Pru thought for a moment.
"How about naming her after her beautiful mother? Abigail…since you don't like your first name…" James suggested…
"I'd also like to name her after my mother, Emmaline."
"It couldn't be more perfect." James stated as he reached a hand over to Abigail and one to Felicity. Both girls grabbed for a finger and grasped…
If anyone who knew Commodore Norrington had seen his expression, they would never in a million years say it was the same person. The joy and wonder on his face was a far cry from the unemotional ice king of before…
Elizabeth and Anne slipped out unnoticed to tell the Andrew and Will…
Wearing a broad smile, Elizabeth told both of them, "I think you can peek in on them and meet Felicity Alexandra Norrington, and surprise arrival, Abigail Emmaline Norrington…"
The group crept toward where mother, father, and children sat. Never was there a more perfect picture of serene happiness. Each parent held a baby and was softly cooing to the girl. Any animosity from their earlier escapades were forgotten in light of what had happened…
Pru gave the whole group a proud smile. "Come closer and meet our Abby and Felicity…"
Elizabeth and Anne held the girls for a moment before returning them back to Pru and James.
Anne had tears in her eyes as she returned and stood next to Andrew. "They're beautiful aren't they? Andrew, I'm an aunt!"
"They're perfect…" he breathed.
Silently, Anne slipped her hand in Andrew's. It remained there for as long as they remained in the cave...
Meanwhile, Elizabeth was secured in Will's embrace, her back to his. She gave him a soft smile.
Will's brows drew together in puzzlement. "What?" he whispered…
Elizabeth sighed. "To think, in about eight months, we'll have one our own perfect angels…just like those precious ones…"
Will fainted just as the physician arrived to aid the Norringtons. The doctor found himself looking at a concussion as well, something Will's friends would tease him about for months to come…
AN: Two babies instead of one! Drinks all around! Honestly, I wasn't planning on it…(look at my AN at the end of "Song of the Sea")…but it just seemed to be the thing to do!
The part of therule for engagement for Dealing with ladies that says "but do not faint" is an homage to Jane Austen.
Thanks for all the reviews! Too many to address individually. In answer to how I have the time to write all this…College doesn't start for two weeks and I find time whenever I can to post…which is often, because I don't do much since I trying to relax before getting back into the grind! Lol!