REVISED CHAPTER FIVE:
The rain pelted steadily on the window, making it nearly impossible for Will to see the harbor.
"William?" A soft voice asked from behind him but he didn't turn around. His gaze was fixed on the water knowing that somewhere out there were his sons. It seemed to him as though eternity had past since he had last seen them, before he went mad.
"They're out there somewhere, they could be dead, or dying and I wouldn't know," He said in a low dull voice, one that he had grown accustomed to hearing.
"That's true," Elizabeth said from where she lay on the bed reading a book.
Will turned and looked at her, she had become more realistic over the past few years.
"I miss them," He said walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge of the mattress.
Elizabeth put her book down and gently took his hand and squeezed it.
Will sighed and laid back so his head was resting on her stomach and he was staring up at her face.
It had more lines on it then he remembered but was one he still loved.
"You can't do anything about what happened William," She told him sternly as he opened his mouth to speak. "What's done is done."
"I just can't help but dwell on it, the memories, they come to me so often. Sometimes I think I can hear them running down the hall laughing and I'll open the door and for a second I'll see them, then they're gone." Will confessed.
"I wish I could say the same, they rarely even come to me in my dreams. I cant even picture Alaina anymore," She told him.
"The boys knew more heart ache then they should have, " Will said in agreement. "They never were the same after she left."
"Neither were you might I add," Elizabeth reminded.
Will nodded. "I did lose it after that, and I'm glad Mrs. Bates took them away. I didn't want them to watch me go through what I am."
Elizabeth nodded. "I didn't want them to either,"
Will closed his eyes and listened to the sounds around him. The rain on the window, the crackling of the fire, and the soft breathing of his beloved.
"William Turner don't you dare fall asleep on me," She warned picking up her book and lightly slapping him with it.
"But its so peaceful here," He murmured.
"I might not know much William, but I do know this," Elizabeth said in a whisper as the fire slowly died. "Those boys love you and they know that wherever they are your love is right with them."
Will smiled and squeezed her hand gently before drifting off into a deep sleep.
………………………….
Mrs. Bates stood listening by the door. Will often talked to his dead wife now; he did it everywhere, even when he was sitting down at the table eating. It was as though he couldn't cope to losing Alaina so he turned to Elizabeth, pretending as though she was still here.
'But maybe, just maybe,' Mrs. Bates thought as she continued down the hall. 'He really can see her, perhaps he's so close to giving up that he can communicate with the ones who have gone before. But then, why doesn't he talk to Alaina?'
Her musings continued as she walked down the stairs, catching a glimpse of Carrick as he went into the study. Carrick was the only one who remained in the accursed house, Jill had gone back to London years ago, leaving Carrick to himself and he enjoyed it that way.
'He's getting as bad as Will,' Mrs. Bates thought seeing him sit down at the desk and pour over papers.
Every now and then he would talk aloud as if Alaina was there, asking questions or sometimes just verbalizing how much he missed her and how sorry he was.
'The two suffer from the same illness,' Mrs. Bates concurred silently. 'Both love women who are dead,' And with that thought she went into her room and closed the door.