8. A Favor for Will and Elizabeth
The following morning I awake next to Jack in my bed. I blink my eyes rapidly to extinguish the sleep from my head. Jack is lying on his back, his mouth open as he breathes. I smile down at him and climb over his resting body and off the bed.
Downstairs, the rest of the crew are still sleeping, so I decide to run back upstairs and wake Jack to wake the crew.
"Jack!" I whisper in his ear, "Time to wake up!"
"Dead men tell no tales," he mumbles as he turns over onto his side.
"I know that—but you need to wake up now," I say, tugging gently on one of his braids.
"Alright, I'm up, I'm up," Jack grumbles as he sits up in bed holding his head, "that was a lot o' rum last night,"
"Yes it was!" I laugh. Matt comes in and stands in the doorway.
"Tell me I'm not the only one hurting from last night," he says, his eyes narrowed almost shut.
"Jack's feeling it too," I say rubbing Matt's shoulder.
"No use wasting the day over a night spent drinking rum," Jack says finally getting out of bed and putting the rest of his clothes on.
"What's the plan for today?" I ask.
"We meet up with Mr. Turner and his wonderful wife-to-be," Jack replies with a sarcastic undertone.
The three of us hobble down the stairs and leave the store for Will and Elizabeth's house. We walk through the streets of Port Royal until we finally come to their home. Jack knocks on the door loudly and shortly after, Will opens the door.
"Jack! Lindsey!" he exclaims as he hugs us both.
"William!" Jack greets his friend with a smile.
"So great to see you again, Will," I say hugging him again.
"Who's this?" he asks still smiling and gesturing to Matt.
"That's Matt, my best friend. Matt, this is Will," I introduce him.
"Pleasure to meet you, Will," Matt says as he shakes Will's hand.
"Pleasure is all mine!" Will replies, "Come on inside," Jack walks inside behind Will. Matt shoots me a glance of awe.
"He's so hot," Matt whispers to me.
"I know. I told you you'd like him," I reply as we enter the house.
"Elizabeth! We have guests!" Will shouts.
"I'll be right down!" She calls back from upstairs.
"So you're all here for the wedding, then," Will says as he sits down in a chair.
"Aye! We promised ye we would!" Jack replies with a fake smile.
"It's a good thing you came early—we could use a bit of assistance actually," Will explains.
"Like what?" Jack asks, his fake smile dropping into a look of grave regret.
"Jack! Lindsey! You're finally here!" Elizabeth interrupts as she runs into the room. Jack and I stand and hug her.
"Great to see you again," I say smiling.
"It's always great to see you both," she replies.
"This is my best friend Matt," I say to her, "Matt, Elizabeth," they shake hands.
"Wonderful to meet you, Matt," she greets him with a smile.
"Same to you," Matt replies.
"I am SO glad you've come early, Lindsey. There is an enormous favor I need to ask of you," she says as she sits down in another chair across from me.
"What is it?" I ask, feeling nervous.
"Well, I feel I should have asked you sooner, but at the time I just didn't know what I wanted to do about the wedding, but, Lindsey, I would be so honored if you could be my maid of honor," she says, her smile glowing and lighting up her face. A smile spreads across my face as she asks me.
"I'd love to!" I exclaim, relieved that the favor isn't really a favor at all.
"Oh brilliant! I have the dress picked out and everything," she says, "come with me!" she grabs me and takes me upstairs.
"Maid of honor?" Jack asks with a quizzical eye.
"Yes, see, Jack, that was my question for you—would you be my best man?" Will asks quickly.
"Um, William, ye do know what that means fer me, right?" Jack asks, feeling a bit uncomfortable at the situation.
"Yes Jack—I do want you to be my best man. No, you don't have to cut your hair or anything—just wear what I have picked out," Will explains, "you don't have to do anything—you just walk Lindsey down the aisle and stand next to me on the altar. That's it,"
"Right, I'm well informed on how weddings work, dear William. What I'm concerned about is, well, I'm a pirate!" Jack exclaims.
"I'm a pirate too, Jack—same with Elizabeth and Lindsey—we're all pirates. And I'm sure Matt over here is a pirate too," Will explains.
"And what of this walking down the aisle nonsense? I am pretty sure that the best man doesn't need to walk down the aisle," Jack says.
"Well you don't have to walk down the aisle. I just thought that since Lindsey is the maid of honor you'd like to escort her down the aisle," Will replies.
"I'd rather not; put ideas in 'er head too soon for weddings," he responds.
"Fair enough," Will concludes, "so you'll do it?"
"Aye, I'll do it. As long as rum will be involved at some point," Jack says.
"There will be rum for you, Jack," Will replies.
"Well, given the deficit of rum at weddings, ye had me a bit nervous," Jack admits with a grin.
"Understandable," Will laughs.
"Oh Will! You should just see her in that dress!" Elizabeth exclaims when we both arrive back downstairs.
"It fits perfectly," I reply with a huge smile.
"It looks beautiful on her," Elizabeth says, smiling just as wide as I am.
"Matt, would you like to be in the wedding as well?" Will asks Matt.
"Oh no, I'm fine!" Matt replies courteously.
"No, I think he should be involved too," Elizabeth states, sitting down in the chair.
"Well, if you'd like, I can sing," Matt says finally.
"Oh perfect! What could you sing for us?" Elizabeth asks.
"Well, I have a few songs I could do—they're from our century though," he says.
"That's fine! Surprise us! I'm sure we'll love whatever you choose," she replies.
"Now, the wedding is at 11 tomorrow morning, so that means you have to be here at 9:30 at the latest," Will explains. We all glance at each other and then back at Will and Elizabeth.
"We'll be here," I reply with a smile.
"Thank you all so much!" Elizabeth exclaims as we all stand to leave.
Sorry this chappie was shorter than others--I just needed to set up for the next chapter:)