Title: Shanghai

Author: Supplanting Promise

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.

Letters

Dear Jack,August 23, 1675

Dr. Meadows has just left my home and confirmed my fears. He believes that I will have quite a hard time birthing the baby and I fear that his unspoken words were the worst news.

I'm scared and I wish I had you here to help me through this. My father is a great support to me but I cannot tell him the full extent of my complications. My mother died trying to have me and he is deathly afraid that I will have the same fate; as am I.

I hope that when it comes time for the baby's birth that Gibbs will have you back here. I do wish for you to see your child at least once.

Please Forgive Me.

Love,

Elizabeth Swann

Dear Jack,September 23, 1675

I am now five months into the pregnancy. I am extremely tired all the time even though I do nothing all day. I am having new dresses made to accommodate my growing abdomen.

I had a few women who I had been friends with stop by the other day. I found them terribly dull and kept wishing for them to leave me be. But they stay for over an hour and a half before finally my father came to my rescue. The ladies gave me their condolences for Will's death, and congratulations on my marriage and impending joy.

Each time someone says 'Congratulations, Mrs. Turner' it drives the knife deeper into my heart. I wish I could yell the truth from the rooftops, but every time I see my father's proud face I stop.

Please Forgive Me.

Love,

Elizabeth Swann

Dear Jack,October 23, 1675

Six months down and only three more to go. I can feel the baby moving now and it is the most wonderful sensation. It feels as if there are small butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. I am highly emotional and cry almost at the drop of a pin. My father just smiles and puts up with my pouting, doing his best to cheer me up and keep back the next wave of tears.

I hope to see you in a few months. Take care.

Love,

Elizabeth Swann

P.S.

Have you found The Pearl?

Dear Jack,November 23, 1675

I am seven months into my pregnancy and I am miserable. My back is constantly aching and my feet have swelled to the point that it is uncomfortable to wear shoes of any sort. I wear heavy socks around the house and try desperately to avoid having to go out of the house. Dr. Meadows stopped by yesterday just to ensure that I was healthy and there were no complications happening now. He has told me to reduce my movement as much as possible and perhaps my discomfort will lessen.

I hope to see you soon.

Love,

Elizabeth Swann

Dear JackDecember 23, 1675

It is nearly Christmas and only a month until our child is born. I stay in my room now for most of the day. My father usually comes to sit with me during meals and in the evening, telling me of the happenings while I was gone or reading to me.

Now, when the baby kicks, I can feel it from the outside and I wish that you were here to share in this. Propriety says that it is highly improper for someone to lay their hands on a pregnant woman's stomach but it is the most wondrous feeling. I know that you would be in awe of it.

Please take care of yourself.

Love,

Elizabeth Swann

Dear Jack,January 23, 1676

A new year has started and I am beginning to get very nervous about the birth of our child. Dr. Meadows came by again two days ago and while he said that everything seemed to be in order the expression on his face said otherwise. He has told me to send for him as soon as my labour starts.

I'm not sure what is wrong but I fear for the life of our child.

Please come soon.

Love,

Elizabeth Swann

I slipped the last letter into my bottom drawer, in the secret compartment, along with the other six letters I had written. All of them were signed and sealed but I did not know where Jack was, and I know that if I had I still would not have sent the letters. I had deprived him of his right as a father and had no right to burden him with my worries. As I was standing to go take a bath I felt a gushing of fluid.

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