The sun was barely above its hilltop horizon when Will opened his eyes to the dimly lit room. He stretched his arms and rose quickly as he went to the window and peeked through the curtains, careful not to let too much light in to disturb his sleeping wife. It was a beautiful fall day. The leaves were shining with dew on the ground and the coldness of the window made him pull his back his hand. The town was already beginning to stir as carts, men on horses, and ladies in wide-brimmed hats milled around the road and walkways. Will ran his hands through his hair as he turned around to face the bed once more. He stood there staring at his beautiful Elizabeth, with her hair disheveled, her mouth slightly open, laying on her side facing him. He smiled fondly knowing how tired she was. Will hardly slept the night before, his mind was too busy and he would get up and check on Katie almost every hour. Finally, the fourth time he got out of bed, Elizabeth awoke and followed him, telling him to just bring her to the bedroom. They had placed two extra pillows on each side of her and placed the tiny baby between them. Will walked over to the bed and lay back down beside his family, staring at each of his girls with wonder and admiration. He placed his hand very gently and slowly on Kate's stomach. His palm covered her from her knees to her belly while his fingers reached the top of her forehead. He was amazed at how small she was and this tiny little life and this living and breathing soul was the result of the absolute and complete love he shared with Elizabeth. Will removed his hand and lightly touched his fingers over the tuft of hair on the top of her head. It was thin, but still held a light color…blonde or brown he wasn't sure. Silently he lay there watching her sleep and make small cooing noises as her little mind raced.

"Good morning daddy."

Will looked up quickly to see Elizabeth smiling at him.

"Good morning mummy. Have a good night's rest?" He asked, brushing a stray hair from her eyes.

"Wonderful." She said strained, as she pushed her hands above her head. As she shifted to move on her back she cringed and rolled into a slight fetal position. "Ooooo – I'm so sore. I don't think I can move." She laughed. "Ow Ow Ow or laugh. Remind me not to laugh!"

Will couldn't help but chuckle but sympathized for her, knowing her pain she bore was unbelievable.

Liz looked to Katie, sleeping soundly beside them. The little girl twitched and moved her little hand slightly. Elizabeth attempted to get up again but remembered again that she was hindered. She sighed and pointed to the dresser.

"Will, could you get that yellow blanket over there? I think shes cold."

Immediately Will went across the room and promptly brought the cotton blanket back over. Elizabeth carefully wrapped it around Katie; the best she could not wanting to wake her up. "Oh…this is what we get for having a baby in the middle of the fall.

Will smiled and looked back down at his daughters sleeping, peaceful face.

Elizabeth rolled over to her back with the image of pain on her features.

"Lay down Liz. You need you're rest." Will said, getting up and going to her side of the bed.

She shook her head slightly before throwing off the sheets from her legs. "I can't. I need to go to the market and buy a few things that Mrs. Yates recommended."

"No worries." He said with a hand on either side of her shoulders, trying to get her to stay put. "I'll go, just make me a list. You really do need to stay here and rest, there is no good reason I can think of for you to get out of this bed."

Elizabeth smiled as she relaxed, tired of resisting him. "Alright." She said grabbing the covers and pulling them back up to her chest. "Get me some paper and a quill."

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Will bought the bottle of milk, the herbs, and the extra sheets Elizabeth had instructed him to get. The sight of a man with sword on hip, and basket under arm wasn't a common occurrence one might see everyday in New Bern. He received a few questioning looks, mostly from women, but Will merely nodded his head as if to greet them. Will's last stop was the bakery just down the road from the Dock. Before he walked in the door a man staggered in his way, almost knocking him down.

"Excuse Me" He grumbled.

"No, my apologies." Will managed to get out through his face in a grimace of the stench of whiskey that was radiating off the tall stranger.

The man started to walk off again, but instead grabbed a post to catch his balance. This allowed Will to get a better look at the man without him being in the shadows. It was his father.

"Bill?" Will questioned when he put his hand on his back.

Bootstrap looked sideways to his son, once he recognized his face his face brightened as he went to him for a hug. "My boy!"

Will protested the union by stepping back, his features hard.

Bootstrap may have been drunk but he saw the look of distain that his son was throwing his way.

"William, listen…about last night –"

"Yes what about last night? You weren't there for the birth of your grandchild. Although even Jack could find the time, you seemed to be preoccupied." His voice was low and distinct.

"Its not like that William, I had every intention of going."

"Oh, well obviously intentions aren't good enough." He said before attempting to push past him.

"Now stop! Listen to me."

Will halted and turned slowly, his eyes boring through his father.

"I- I meant to come, really I did. But I got to thinkin' … you're a grown man now, with your own family…And I haven't really been there for you in the past and I just thought- well I thought why should now be any different. To tell you the truth I didn't even think you would notice I wasn't there."

Will was silent for a moment, thinking over what Bill had just confessed.

"Of course I noticed."

Bill looked down, still swaying a bit from the alcohol. "Well I'm sorry then" He said quietly.

Will gave him a forgiving grin as he kicked the dirt below his boots. "It's alright. But promise me that you'll try to make a new start with your granddaughter, don't pick up where you left off with me."

"Deal." Bootstrap smiled.

Will grinned back and shook his hand in mock agreement.

"So…" Bill started, meeting his son's eyes again. "I have a grand daughter?"

Will laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. "Yes a healthy baby girl."

"Can I see her?" He asked eagerly.

"No." Will replied shortly.

Bill face dropped with a questioning look.

"Not right now." Will laughed. "She and Liz need their rest, its still early yet…and besides you aren't in your best shape."

Bill let out a hearty laugh and looked down at his clothes that were stained with rum and ash from his pipe. "Aye, you're right – tomorrow then?"

"We'll look forward to it."

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Will got what he needed from the bakery. He went to the dock just in time to catch Jack and the crew cleaning up the ship, readying it for its next voyage.

"Jack Sparrow!" He yelled from the pier.

Jack saw Will waving for him to come down; he staggered over to the ladder and made his way down. "Aye, hope you 'ave a good reason for tearing me away from my duties." As he walked closer he got a better look at him and squinted his eyes quizzically. "Will mate…nice basket."

"Very funny Jack. I've come here to talk of something serious."

"Go on." The captain said, crossing his arms.

"The chest. Was it lost in the collapse?"

Jack looked into the air as to be thinking. "Aye, I suppose it was."

"Thats as good as throwing it to the depths…I suppose?" Will asked, hopefully.

Jack tilted his head and fingered his mustache with one of his hands. "Mmm…its probable. I don't see how anyone could get a hold of it – if that's what you're worried about."

"Well yes Jack it does worry me some! I don't want to go through all that again."

"No worries mate" the captain said, patting his back with a cheesy grin plastered on his dark features. "No one knows its there and even if they did, there is no way of getting it."

Will shrugged. "I guess you're right." He shot his head back up to look in Jacks eyes. "But it would make me feel a hell of a lot better if you go and check. See how extensive the damage is, then we'll know how safe we really are."

Jack nodded disheartedly and attempted to appease Will. "Like I said mate, don't worry about it. Ol' Captain Jack has everything under control."

"Alright." Will said as he began to walk away. "I'm trusting you." He said with a pointed finger.

Jack put his hands together and gave him a bow. "As you should."

Will gave him a sideways glance before turning and going back down the pier to his horse tied to the post.

"And Will, I wasn't kidding about the basket. It suits you rather nicely!"

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When Will returned home, he first went to the kitchen to put away the goods he had bought at the market. He made careful movements, not wanting to make too much noise in case Elizabeth was asleep. He went up stairs to check on her, and as he entered the bedroom he saw the sheets strewn without his daughter or wife in them.

"Lizzy?" He called

"We're in here Will." He heard her voice from the washroom.

He walked in to see Elizabeth sitting in the tub with Katie in her arms, bathing her. Will couldn't help but smile as he leaned in the doorway.

"I thought we both deserved a nice warm bath." She said with a broad smile.

"I think your right." He said with the same grin. Will walked over to her and knelt down to see her face to face. Slowly he kissed the tip of her nose then traced the top of her lip with his tongue. "I think you deserve a lot more than that." He whispered.

Liz giggled as her eyes widened. "You're going to have to hold off a few more weeks my dear."

Will understood unhappily and gave her a puppy dogface, which melted her heart immediately. "But I can keep you slightly contented until then." She whispered with the same coy smile he had moments before.