Disclaimer: I don't own POTC. Chapter title is a poem by Martha Collins.

A/N: Thanks, Jaynie Grace. I don't mean to brag, but I do love my opening sentence. I was going for a real attention grabber. Thank you for the reviews!

Chapter 5: Homecoming

"Camille, don't play games," Gretchen called, coming out of her room. "You know perfectly well that I never learned-" she stopped short when she saw the handsome young Will Turner standing next to Camille.

Camille cleared her throat. "Gretchen, I would like you to meet Mr. William Turner. He is the head of the household."

In that moment, the pouting pucker on Gretchen's face was suddenly angelic as she glided down the staircase. "Gretchen Thatcher," she said in a lighter tone, extending her hand almost to his lips.

He kissed it politely. "Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Thatcher. Could you please excuse me?" he said, continuing towards the staircase with her bags.

"Oh, of course," she said, following him up. "You may know of my late father, God Bless his soul, Maximilian Thatcher. He was one of the richest landowners in Peru…"

Camille made her way to the kitchen and began dinner, which went very smoothly when Annie, Ana Maria, and the children returned. Priscilla had brought along some of her dolls, and generously shared with Sheila and Cadence before supper. Peter and Gabriel were exchanging pirate stories animatedly.

"All right, children," Ana Maria said, setting the places. "Go and wash up," she said as four pairs of footsteps scrambled out of the room.

"That smells wonderful," Gabriel observed, taking a seat. This made Annie grin.

"Yes, Annie is a wonderful cook. It's because of her that I was able to feed an entire ship of men," Camille explained, pouring the wine. She straightened up. "Jack! William! Gretchen! Dinner time!" she called.

Cadence was the first one to come scampering back into the kitchen. Ana Maria set her in her chair, cutting her food up into tiny pieces for her. Peter was next, and he wanted to sit right next to Gabriel.

"Annie, sit down. You've been on your feet all day, I'll serve the food," Camille said.

Annie huffed, taking a seat on the other side of Peter. "Thank ya, child," she said gratefully. Ana Maria sat next to Cadence so that she could help her with any food she managed to get into her mouth, and Sheila on the other side of her. Priscilla sat next to her brother. "Miss Camille, may I sit next to the captain?" she inquired.

"Of course you can, my dear," she said as Jack made his way into the kitchen. He had taken off his hat and jacket because Annie did not allow Peter to wear either at the table, and he had been forced to set a good example.

Again Priscilla beamed at Jack, motioning for him to sit right by her. Jack cocked his eyebrow, and looked to Camille for reassurance. "Sure this is all right, darling? She is another woman."

"I won't get too jealous, I promise," Camille smiled, putting the food on the table. As she took her seat, Jack nudged her and nodded to the other end of the table.

Will was pulling out Gretchen's chair for her, and she had chosen the only seat left, which was right next to his. She grinned, looking at Jack who shared her feeling.

The meal was immensely entertaining, because it was so different from usual. Gretchen barely touched her food because she was so caught up in talking to Will, who was pretending very hard to be interested in what she had to say and nodded every once in awhile. The children were extremely well behaved, and Cadence barely managed to get any food on her dress. Priscilla was enchanted by Jack. And none of them brought up the treasure.

"I must say, that was delicious," Gabriel complimented. "Not a servant in our household could have prepared a meal quite like that."

Priscilla nodded, not taking her eyes off Jack. Gretchen was of course, still talking to Will.

Jack nodded, wiping his mouth and setting down his napkin. "Well, we have three of the loveliest and most hardworking ladies to thank," he said, gesturing towards Ana Maria, Annie, and Camille who all turned the same shade of pink in the cheeks and looked down simultaneously.