Author's Note: Here's number13! Hope everyone likes!
Chapter Thirteen
Soon everyone had filed into the Governor's ballroom where the reception was taking place and started getting their plates ready and drinks filled before they sat down to hear the best man's speech. As though on cue the Governor went up to Jack and said, "It's about time for your speech, wouldn't you say?"
"Aye, it is at that," Jack said, lifting his glass of wine (much to his chagrin they weren't serving rum) and tapping it with a spoon to get everyone's attention as he stood up. When everyone was looking at him attentively he began. "Let me just start by thanking the groom on behalf o' the bridesmaids, who I must say, all look lovely today and are only outdone by the stunning bride," here he winked roguishly at Elizabeth, soliciting some laughter from the audience and making Elizabeth herself roll her eyes. "I've got to say," Jack continued, "I find myself a tad nervous, the last time I was up in front of this many people, and this group of people in particular, I was almost executed. I can only hope ye'll be more forgiving this time." There was some uneasy laughter here and the Governor shifted uncomfortably. By now the whole town knew who Jack was but he had nonetheless hoped to keep it quiet.
From beside the Governor, Commodore Norrington quietly said, "Perhaps you should have told Jack you wanted it kept quiet."
"You really believe it would have done any good?" muttered Governor Swann as Jack continued with his speech.
"I met the young groom a little over a year ago, but so much has happened since then that it seems like much longer. It was apparent to me from the first day that he was deeply in love with Elizabeth, and who could blame him? He told me from the beginning that he would die for her, and I must say, he very nearly did. But you all know o' that adventure and I won't waste yer time by retelling the whole tale—thrilling s it may be. Suffice it to say, they both proved their love for each other and their will to be together won out. Aside from that there is not much else for me to say, so I hope you'll join me in raising a glass to toast the new couple. May they live in happiness for the rest o' their lives." As Jack raised his mug everyone in the room copied him and toasted the newlyweds.
Will and Elizabeth beamed and embraced and once Jack walked over to them Will shook his hand and pulled him into a hug. "Well I must say, that was better than I expected. Short, yes, but to the point," Governor Swann said, walking up as Elizabeth hugged Jack.
"He's just full of surprises, isn't he?" Bill joked, taking the opportunity to tease Jack as Elizabeth rolled her eyes in exasperation at her father's tone.
"Jack's not a simpleton Father, why would you think he couldn't give a decent speech?" Elizabeth asked.
Jack, himself, couldn't help but grin in amusement as he said, It's alright luv, I know what he means."
As the day progressed Bill seemed to get steadily weaker, coughing every few minutes, his strength quickly draining even as he struggled to hide just how horrible he felt so as not to ruin the day. He was not entirely sure he had succeeded in this though, Will seemed to give him worried looks more often and Jack kept an almost constant presence at his side, as though afraid he would collapse, all just signs that his attempts at discretion were failing miserably, just like his health.
"Why couldn't ye have served rum here son?" Bill joked, trying to get the worry in his son's eyes go away after a particularly bad bout of coughing. "This high society wine must be aggravating me throat."
"Aye, can't argure with that mate," Jack, who was really wishing he could have some rum to calm his worry, quickly agreed.
Will grinned reluctantly and said, "The Governor took control over most of those kind of details, you're welcome to complain to him though."
As the evening began to darken people slowly started to head home and finally the only ones left were the newlywed couple, Bootstrap, Jack, Commodore Norrington, and Governor Swann. The latter two were in a corner talking and the other four were in their own group.
"You feel really bad, don't you?" Will asked his father finally, after a particularly nasty bout of coughing.
"Well, no worse than usual," Bill lied, glancing at Jack who he knew he wasn't fooling at all. Will seemed skeptical too, and he glanced at Jack as well, as though for confirmation to what Bill said. Jack didn't say anything and his silence seemed to confirm Will's worst suspicions. "One way or the other I'll be okay in the end," Bill said quietly, his voice hoarse.
"Well, I want to tell you that I am really glad you came and we got this chance to get to know each other," Will said as the two hugged tightly.
"Thanks for allowing me the chance. You do know, I would never have abandoned yer mother and ye, right?" Bill started heavily, his voice shaking slightly, whether from the pain in his throat or the grief in his heart it was hard to say.
"I know," Will interjected, "It's okay, I understand," he said, an answering quaver in his voice now too. "You did what you thought was right, and as Jack once said, you can't expect more than that."
"Didn't I tell ye mate?" Jack asked then, grinning at Bill. "Ye said ye didn't think he'd understand and I told you that ye didn't give him enough credit."
"Aye," Bill agreed happily, "Aye, ye were right o' course."
"Well, it's getting late, my daughter and her new husband are no doubt wishing they could get to their new home now," Governor Swann said, walking over to the group and standing next to Elizabeth.
"Father, Will and I will go to our new home when we want to and not before," Elizabeth said icily, obviously annoyed at the interruption.
"Elizabeth, I was merely making a suggestion, do you really think it's proper for you to be out this late?" Governor Swann said.
"He's right dear, Jack and I don't want to keep you any longer than necessary," Bill interjected. "It is getting late and I'm an old, sick man; I get tired easily." It pained him to admit this, but he wanted to prevent an argument between Elizabeth and her father, and he did need to lie down before he fell down.
"At least allow Will and I to walk you both to your ship," Elizabeth said quickly, casting an annoyed look at her father.
"You'll be leaving in the morning then Jack?" Commodore Norrington, who had been observing quietly, asked now.
"At the very least tomorrow afternoon. When I'm not pardoned you navy types make me nervous," Jack said cheekily and Norrington rolled his eyes, but he nonetheless allowed a small smile.
"Will you be going with him then?" the Governor said to Bootstrap.
"Well I'm not really sure," Bill muttered with an uneasy glance at Jack. "I'm kind of taking it one day at a time."
"I see," the Governor said, though whether he did or not Bill wasn't really sure. "Well, I'll let you four be off then, I am going to get home and go to bed. Congratulations Elizabeth, dear, I'm very happy for you."
"Thank you Father," Elizabeth smiled her gratitude and with that the Governor kissed her cheek and exited.
"I too, should get some rest, I have duty in the morning, so if you will excuse me," Norrington said, and nodding to them quickly, he was off.
"Alone at last," Will said as the four slowly started in the direction of the docks, walking side by side. Bill walked with Jack on one side and his son on the other and Elizabeth walked beside her husband. "You know, you don't really have to leave with Jack tomorrow, you could stay here with us if you like," Will said eagerly. "Couldn't he dear?" he added to Elizabeth.
"Yes, of course, we would be delighted to have you," Elizabeth told him. "You could even start staying with us tonight, we have a spare bedroom. What do you say? A bed that doesn't move with the waves?"
Bill chuckled gently at their earnest argument to have him stay but he said, "I appreciate your kindness, really I do, but I would not presume to impose on your wedding night, and as for after tonight…" he hesitated and then said, "Well in truth I'm not really looking past tonight at the moment, it's best not to. I take one day at a time these days." As if to prove his point he started coughing heavily and had to stop walking, leaning on his knees as he tried to stop and catch his breath.
"You shouldn't talk like that," Will said stubbornly once his father had finished and straightened up. "You'll be just fine."
"I've given up on that thought a while back son," Bill said weakly, trying to make him understand. "Besides, as far as not staying with you goes, I think it's fitting that I'm on the Black Pearl again. I think it's where I belong, after all, it's where so much of this started," he said as they reached the docks where the Pearl herself sat waiting.
"Here we are," Jack said, staring up at his beloved ship.
"Yes," Bill murmured, turning back to his son. "Thank you for letting me attend your wedding, and if you don't mind me saying so, I don't think you could have found a more perfect bride, not if you'd searched the whole world." He smiled warmly at Elizabeth as he said, "Her spirit reminds me o' Carol Anne."
"Thank you, that means a lot," Elizabeth said, her eyes tearing up as she hugged him.
"Of course I would let you back into my life. All these years I have wanted you here and now you finally are," Will said, causing Bill to smile sadly.
"I only wish we could have more time together," Bill said. "Ah well, isn't that the nature of people," he mused, "To always want more than we can have?"
"I thought I told you not to talk like that," Will said desperately, "Lets just take it one day at a time, I'll see you tomorrow, right?" he asked.
Bill sighed, his eyes a little overly bright. "Tomorrow," he murmured wistfully. "We'll see son, we'll see."
The two embraced tightly for a few minutes before separating and smiling sadly at each other. "Well, night," Will mumbled, his eyes searching his father's.
"Night," Bill said softly. "Try not to be too sad when I go," he said suddenly, earnestly. "You have your whole life ahead of you and an exquisite wife to share it with. Don't waste to much time mourning for those who are past. Promise me."
"I promise," Will choked out, sensing his father's need to hear this from him.
Bill nodded his head slowly, studying his son, "I love you, you know that right?" he asked.
"Of course," Will managed to say, "And I love you too Dad."
Bill nodded and, giving his son a final hug, turned and boarded the Pearl. Jack followed close behind and Will and Elizabeth turned and together headed to their new home. As the two of them walked, a shudder went through Will and he glanced back at the Black Pearl.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, concern in her voice.
"I'm not sure," Will murmured. "Just a feeling I got all of a sudden that I won't ever see him again." He was silent for a few minutes, staring up at the black ship in the darkness and it seemed ominous to him for some reason. Then though, after a few moments, Will visibly shook himself and turned, smiling, to his new bride. "I'm probably just being silly, don't worry about it. Lets get home, it's getting chilly out here."
Aboard the Black Pearl Bootstrap had just managed to get on deck when he collapsed, coughing. Jack kneeled down beside him with a steadying hand on his friend's shoulder. "Breathe William," he muttered softly as he waited for the coughing to subside.
When it finally did, Bill lay there gasping, to exhausted to even wipe the blood from his face. "Come on mate, lets get ye in bed," Jack said. "I'd be the last one to say anything against the Pearl, but even I'll admit her hardwood floors aren't the most comfortable place to sleep."
Bill chuckled faintly and working together, they managed to each get in a standing position, Bill leaning very heavily on Jack. They had only taken a couple of steps, however, when Bill started coughing again, his legs giving out as he sagged to the floor, losing consciousness. Jack sank with him, falling to his knees before he managed to hoist Bill up and stagger toward his cabin, his unconscious friend draped over his shoulder.
A/N: Aw, poor Bill, so sick and so miserable. At least he and his son are good tho. Please review!
