Disclaimer: Never will I make money off of POTC unless a miracle occurs. Ditto goes for keeping Norrington.
"When in love, simply surrender. Your life will be much easier that way…"
-Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies
"Love is the ultimate way for managing gentlemen…"
-Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen
Chapter 14: Then Comes Marriage
The ceremony was wonderful though small. Anne preferred it that way as it was far more intimate. She'd forever remember Andrew's eyes, the intense emotion she saw in them as they pledged their troth. The moment she began that march, her eyes locked on his and never left them.
Before she knew it, Anne had become Anne Gillette. A quick yet loving kiss sealed the union. Then there was a walk down the aisle and the Wedding breakfast.
The interactions between the happy couple got to the point that Theo, one of the groomsmen, felt compelled to comment that he could hardly eat withthe "nauseous sentiment"going on. Gillette merely retorted back with a French swear word that told Groves exactly what he could do with himself.
"I did it!" Pru exclaimed to her husband, "I brought them together."
James slid a wry glance at his wife. "I hardly think you did it…they rather fell into love."
"I think we did it, didn't we Elizabeth?"
"Of course we did." Elizabeth smiled.
Will spoke up. "I have to agree with James…"
Elizabeth turned to her husband with the arched brow and pout that she did so well. "Oh really? I feel quite hurt by that…"
Will shrugged. "Perhaps you had a bit of a hand in the match…"
"That's better." she chimed in.
Theo said, "Well, I'm glad my neck won't be in the noose anytime soon. I'm smarter than you men."
Really, he was entirely too smug. So much so that Theo didn't observed the sly smiles on Elizabeth and Pru's faces…
Pru slipped her arm through his left as Elizabeth did the same with his right.
"Dear Lieutenant," Pru mischievously said, "I was just remarking the other day that I had not gotten as well acquainted with you as I wanted…"
Elizabeth agreed, "Yes…I have not either. Tell me, what sort of qualities in a lady do you like?"
Theo just began to feel uneasy. "Why?"
Pru shrugged. "We're curious…are you assuming we have ulterior motives?"
James felt like playing the hero to his friend. "You always have ulterior motives dear…"
As an aside to Theo, he whispered, "Run if you don't want to be captured."
James deftly managed to take both women's arms and allowed Theo his escape.
"Why did you do that? He's our next project you know!" Pru exclaimed with annoyance.
James continued strolling after he gave Mrs. Turner over to her husband. "He clearly did not want to be a 'project' just yet. Couldn't you be like other women…the one's whose projects include decorating the house and embroidering?"
"And is helping friends find love and happiness not noble enough for you? Besides if I were like other women, would you love me as much?"
She was discreetly flirting with him. Since no one could see her movements, her hand was stroking his torso in a circular pattern. James suddenly found himself quite eager to leave the celebrationearly. Right now, as a matter of fact...
"As much this will enlarge your head, I love every unique quirk you have…I could never marry a conventional lady once I met you…"
He began to lean in for a quick kiss…
Just then Anne and Andrew Gillette strolled over to the couple.
Pru glanced over at the couple.
"Anne! I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed.
"Thank you! I know I'm the happiest I've ever been…" she stated as she looked up at Andrew with a loving smile.
He smiled back. "I honestly don't think anything is missing in my life now."
James hadn't said anything in the past few moments. He loved his sister, truly he did, but interruptions were quite annoying…
However, he did recover. He gave his sister a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you, little Annie. Be happy."
Anne's voice was full of emotion as she replied, "I love you too, big annoying brother of mine. I will be happy, be sure of that."
James was somber and stern when he turned to Andrew. "Take care of her." he ordered, "Or you'll answer to me."
As much as it made her heart warm, Anne retorted, "Actually, he'll have to answer to me if I find anything lacking…" She grinned at her husband. "Isn't that correct?"
"I rather believe that you'll have nothing to complain about." Andrew said, flirting.
A footman approached the group with a package, a late wedding gift, apparently.
Anne opened it, curious to see who had sent the gift.
It proved to be the small model of the Dauntless. Looking closely, she exclaimed, "Oh look! There's a miniature Andrew on it and…" She looked closer… "a pirate?"
"Jack Sparrow." Andrew spit out.
"Captain" Pru added.
"Why is he on the Dauntless?"
Andrew's cheeks were pink as he explained, "That is a rather long embarrassing story that I'll tell you later. Is that a card?"
He already thought he knew who had sent the gift, but wanted it confirmed.
"Yes, but it smells like…rum" she said, puzzled.
Anne handed him the card, upon which was written, "Thought you'd want a ship that I won't commandeer. Drinks all around, mate! –Cpn. J. S."
Andrew rolled his eyes. "I hate that pirate!"
Anne looked up at him coyly. "Perhaps I can put your mind off him…if you want to leave early…and explain a book I've been reading…I'm having so much trouble with it."
Andrew was instantly agreeable. "Yes, I can see you'd need a willing partner. Let's go."
Andrew drug Anne off to get to the small home that Gillette had been able to buy with the promise of Anne's dowry. James tried to ignore that he knew exactly what they'd be doing there, and that it wasn't having tea...
James and Pru walked on, mainly because it might have been considered impolite to laugh at either Andrew's dismay or his eagerness to leave. Even James had gained a sense of humor over the rascal, though he'd never in a million yearslike the pirate. Anti-piracy was too ingrained into the fiber of his being. After all, he had a reputation to protect.
As they arrived home, Pru looked up at James. "I do believe it's high time to collect my forfeit." she murmured.
James frowned. "Forfeit?"
"Yes, from the bet about our children, remember? Actually, I can claim two forfeits since you lost twice…"
James groaned. "What must I do?"
"Well, for starters, I think it's your turn to be the pirate…" she said mischievously.
"Arrrrrrrrr! Prepare to be boarded." James's attempts at being a pirate caused Pru to laugh uproariously. He really was that terrible at being something completely unlike him.
"I don't take kindly to laughter, wench." he growled.
"Well perhaps you prefer trying out page 23 of that new book... Your sword should serve well for that…" she said seductively.
"Aye…That be good, says I."
"Good, says you? Catch me first, and then we might have a decent sword fight, says I!" Pru began running and made it to the top of the stairs before being scooped up…
"I think I like this game…mate" was all James said before they entered their bedchamber…
Some time later, Pru murmured, "Drink up me hearties, yo ho!"
AN: Yay! Everybody is happy and together, save Groves who will be getting his own story as soon as I think of it. Thanks for all that reviewed and read. :) Remember the Epilogue as well. Its just a cute thing I thought up...