A/N: Hello all! Here I am again and I come bearing another update! I'm hoping to get this story finished by next Fridayin time for"Dead Man's Chest"to comeout in theaters. After this chapter there are only going to be three more for a grand total of 15 chapters which is kind of ironic because it is one less than the first one but it's still longer. Anyway, virtual hugs to everyone that reviewed last time and please don't hesitate to do it again and enjoy this chapter! So without further ado...

Chapter Twelve

"You're here!" Will exclaimed when he spotted his father and Jack walking up the lawn of the Governor's mansion toward him the late morning sun. Bill had spent the morning resting and saving his strength while Jack had been working on his best man speech and Will and Elizabeth had been running around making last minute preparations.

"Did you have doubts that we would show up?" Bill asked.

"Of course not," Will responded quickly. "What's wrong with your voice?" he asked concernedly. "You sound very hoarse."

"My throat's just bothering me a little is all," Bill said, waving it off. "Don't worry about me son," he said, not wanting to worry him by telling him he had spent most of the morning trying to rest while his body tried to cough up his lungs.

Will raised his eyebrows questioningly at Jack as Bill admired the decorations. "No use worrying mate," Jack just muttered quietly.

Will nodded his head, a little uneasy now but trying to push it aside. "These are some decorations," Bootstrap commented now.

"Yes, Elizabeth's father spared no expense," Will responded.

"There must be a thousand flowers scattered all over the place!" Bill exclaimed in amazement.

"One thousand exactly," Governor Swann said, appearing at Will's elbow. "Nothing is too good for my daughter and her soon to be husband."

"O' course not," Jack agreed solemnly, winking at Bill.

"It's time for you to get in your wedding clothes, don't you think?" the Governor said to Will reprovingly.

"Yes, of course," Will agreed. "I was just about to go up there. Jack, Father," he said, nodding to each. "I'll see you later."

The two pirates returned the nod as the Governor said, "There are servants prepared to assist you with whatever you need, all you need do is ask."

Will nodded his head in thanks and after shaking Jack and his father's hand one last time he was off.

"He's a fine boy," Governor Swann said, watching Will.

"Yes, he's a fine man indeed," Bill said, stressing the man as he too watched his son's retreating back.

"Aye, he is at that," Jack agreed.

"Indeed," the Governor murmured. "A good man," he conceded. "I must get to Elizabeth," he said and excused himself.

"I need to sit," Bill said tiredly after he had gone. "I'll just find a good seat now, shall I?"

"Alright mate," Jack said, giving his friend a quick once over to assess how he was holding up so far. "I'll just go check on yer son."

Bill nodded as he sank into his chair and Jack patted him on the shoulder and went off after the younger Turner.

"I'm finally here," Bill murmured, staring around him after Jack had left. "I made it, I'm actually going to see me son get married."


Once Jack entered the mansion he realized he had no idea where it was that Will was getting ready. The place seemed so huge; he could be in any number of directions in any number of rooms. Luckily for him there were all kinds of servants hustling around preparing things, getting that ready and fixing this.

"Scuse me," Jack said, grabbing the arm of one as he hurriedly passed by. "Can ye direct me to where young Mr. Turner is preparing himself for the wedding?"

"Of course sir," the servant said, "I was just going there myself, the Governor wishes me to give him a message."

"Well I'd say that works out nicely then," Jack said as the servant led him up the long winding stairs.

"Indeed sir," the servant agreed politely and Jack grinned at being addressed this way by a man who, while a servant, would actually be considered higher class than a lowly pirate.

"This way sir," the servant said, turning down a long hallway. About halfway down said hallway he stopped and knocked on a door.

"Come in," came Will's voice form inside the room.

"The Governor told e to tell you that the wedding is scheduled to begin in twenty minutes sir," the servant said once he had entered and ushered Jack in.

"Very good Charles," Will said as he adjusted his jacket in front of the mirror. "However," he said, a slight irritation obvious in his tone, "You can tell the Governor that I am well aware of when the wedding begins and of the current time."

Charles bowed and exited the room gracefully, presumably to deliver this message when Will sighed in frustration. "Charles," he said, calling the poor man back into the room again.

"Sir?" he asked politely.

"Don't actually tell him that," Will said. "Just tell him I said thank you for the warning."

Charles smiled, sensing Will's exasperation. "Yes sir," he said and with another bow he disappeared.

"Pompous old man doesn't think I know the time of my own wedding," Will muttered angrily after Charles had left.

"Ye can't let the Governor get ye down," Jack said easily. "Today is yer day mate."

Will sighed again, trying to forget the Governor's passively aggressive insinuations and he smiled. "You're right Jack. I'm not going to let him ruin it for me. Besides, he does mean well." He paused here and frowned then said, "I think so anyway."

"Course he does," Jack said, "Ye got to give him some credit. He loves his daughter and it's her day too, he wouldn't do anything to mess it up."


"Oh Elizabeth, you are completely stunning," The Governor said as Elizabeth came out of her dressing room in her wedding gown.

"Thank you Father," Elizabeth said, smiling happily. "I hope Will thinks so as well."

"He'd have to be blind not to," Governor Swann declared. "You know, I've thought of this day for years, and now here it is. The day I have to give you away," the Governor said, a small smile on his face and a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Elizabeth smiled gently and said, "It's not like you're saying good bye to me. Will and I are going to live here in Port Royal after all. The only time we'll be gone at all is the honeymoon and we don't leave until tomorrow and after we return we will all see each other a lot."

"I suppose you are right," the Governor murmured softly, gently kissing his daughter on the cheek. "It's just hard for an old man to let go."


"Ten more minutes, I had better start out there," Will said, glancing at the clock on the wall.

"Aye mate, lets go," Jack agreed, motioning for Will to lead the way.

Will took a deep breath, nodded, and exited the door, Jack close behind him.


"So the groom appears," Bill said when he spotted his son.

"Yes, I'm here," Will said, "Hello Commodore," he greeting, spotting Norrington in his seat.

Norrington inclined his head, acknowledging the greeting, and said, "How are you holding up?"

"Wonderfully! I can't wait!" Will said enthusiastically.

Norrington smile a little regretfully, perhaps remembering how close he came to marrying Elizabeth but all he said was, "Elizabeth is an amazing woman, you are an extremely lucky man."

Will nodded, smiling hugely, "Don't I know it," he murmured, also thinking of how she had almost been Norrington's and silently thanking the heavens that she wasn't.

The wedding music started playing just then and Will and Jack hurried to stand in their proper places and after a couple of minutes a hush came over the crowd, which signaled the arrival of the bride.

When she appeared Will drew in an involuntary breath, "She's so beautiful," he whispered, the love in his eyes apparent for all to see.

All eyes were on Elizabeth as she advanced slowly down the isle toward Will. She was radiant and beaming from ear to ear, her eyes answering the deep affection in Will's.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two young people together in holy matrimony," the minister began once Elizabeth had reached her spot next to Will and they were both standing before him.

"If there is anyone here today who objects to the joining of these two young people stand before us now or forever hold your peace," the minister said.

For an anxious moment Will and Elizabeth gazed around the yard but no one stood and they both breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to the minister smiling eagerly.

"Do you have your vows ready?" the minister asked and at their affirmative nod he said, "Elizabeth, if you would go first."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and turned to gaze at Will, taking his hands in hers. "Will," she began in a steady voice, "You are the one thing in my life that has always made me smile, always made me happy, and always been the light at the end of the tunnel through all the difficult times. You have always been there for me and there is no one on this Earth who I love more," here she took a wavering breath, and tears brimming in her eyes said, "And now, on this day, as we start our lives together, I can honestly say I have never been happier. I love you Will Turner."

"Your turn Will," the minister said softly.

"Elizabeth," Will started, "I have loved you from the moment I first opened my eyes aboard the Dauntless and saw you standing over me. I beheld your beautiful face all those years ago and I knew you were the one. You were a shining angel that never lessened in brightness or intensity. I love you, and am ecstatic at the thought of spending my life with you by my side."

A tear fell down Elizabeth's cheek and there were signs of tears brimming in Will's eyes as well as they gazed at each other, oblivious of all else. Throughout the audience there were others crying as well and even Bootstrap and Jack seemed a little sniffy.

"Now for the rings," the minister said, gently bringing the couple's attention back to the ceremony. "If you would bring them forward please?" he said to the little boy serving as the ring-bearer.

Will bent down to the boy's level to retrieve them. "Why thank you," he said, giving the boy a pat on the head. He stood then, handing Elizabeth the box that contained the ring she would give to him.

"Elizabeth, I want you to slip the ring onto Will's finger and say, with this ring, I thee wed."

Elizabeth removed the ring from its box and gently inserted it on Will's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed," she murmured softly.

"Will, now you put the ring on her finger and say, with this ring, I thee wed," the minister said, guiding them through it.

Will gently lifted Elizabeth's hand and placed the ring on her finger. "With this ring, I thee wed," he said softly.

"Do you, Elizabeth, take Will to be your loftily wed husband, to love and to cherish, from this day forth, until death do you part?" the minister asked.

"I do," Elizabeth said happily, looking adoringly at Will.

"And do you, Will, take Elizabeth to be your loftily wed wife, to love and to cherish, from this day forth, until death do you part?"

"I do," Will answered, smiling lovingly at Elizabeth.

"I now pronounce you man and wife," the minister declared. "You may kiss the bride," he said and Will gathered Elizabeth in his arms and kissed her deeply to tumultuous applause from the audience.

"That's my boy!" Bill said proudly as the newly wed couple kissed.

When they parted Elizabeth laughed happily as people rushed forward to congratulate them.

"I bet yer glad yer not a eunuch now, eh mate?" Jack couldn't resist but say with a grin. "Otherwise tonight wouldn't be nearly as much fun!"

Will sighed and shook his head but nevertheless he grinned as he shook Jack's hand.

"Attention everyone," the Governor said, "We have cleared a room for the reception. There's plenty of food and drink for all!"

"Oh I like the sound of that," Bill said with a grin. "Plenty of drink for all!"

"That's why I love weddings mate," Jack agreed as everyone started into the mansion, led by Governor Swann.