Disclaimer: Disney owns POTC, I own my OCs.
A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea
Changes
Jack woke early, surprised at how clear-headed he felt. Apparently his choice of foregoing his usual visit to the Faithful Bride, in favor of indulging in another, equally pleasurable, vice had agreed with him, he thought. He turned to look at Eve, as she slept peacefully beside him. This woman from another time, so miraculously well-suited to me in every way, is carrying my child. He suddenly felt a rush of pride, as well as…curiosity.
Jack gingerly grasped the bedcovers and, watching her to make certain she wasn't disturbed, carefully pulled them back to reveal her body as she slept. He looked at her belly, still so flat and taut, wondering about the tiny person growing within. Unable to restrain himself, he reached out his hand, laying it flat on her stomach.
Strange how a creature, so small and invisible, could cause me to feel such profound fear. After all, he thought, I am a pirate! Brave, strong men fear me. I fear no one and nothing…until now.
It was truly a humbling revelation for him.
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I opened my eyes to see Jack next to me, watching me with a strange expression of wonderment. I felt his warm hand on my stomach, and I smiled.
When he noticed I was awake and watching him, he pulled his hand away quickly, as if I had suddenly burned him.
"Morning, luv! Best get up, we have a busy day ahead," he said briskly, as he quickly began to dress.
I lay there, watching him. His self-consciousness was remarkably surprising, and endearing, and I couldn't help smiling.
"Come, come now, Eve," he said, gesturing impatiently, "Stop dilly-dallying! We've got to get the Pearl re-supplied today." He paused to glance at me. "And please, stop that insufferable smirking!"
He stood and headed for the doors.
"Jack," I called.
He sighed, "What, luv?"
"Your boots are on the wrong feet," I mentioned.
He looked down, then returned to sit on the bed, mumbling, "Bugger it all!"
He switched his boots to the correct feet and stood, holding his arms out. "There! Am I presentable now?"
I smirked at him. "You put your shirt on backwards," I commented, unable to resist giggling.
"Wha-…" he began, as he looked down at himself. "Bloody hell, Eve!" he exclaimed as he struggled to pull his arms out of his sleeves and rotate his shirt to face front. "Maybe I should just have you dress me in the mornings!"
"I'd be more than happy to undress you, darlin'," I suggested, enjoying his embarrassment and exasperation.
He glanced at me with an annoyed look. "I'm going now," he announced, heading for the doors.
"And you look irresistibly handsome!" I called, as he slammed the doors shut.
I giggled to myself as I got up and dressed.
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Jack was on deck with Gibbs, each of them holding a piece of paper, discussing supplies.
"Mornin', lass! How're ye feelin' today?" Gibbs said as he saw me.
"Very well, Gibbs, thank you," I replied as I joined them.
"So, in addition to our usual supplies, Gibbs, we're going to need to procure these items as well," Jack was explaining, referring to his paper.
"What's that?" I inquired, trying to get a look at the paper.
"Ruby provided me with a list of necessities, to have on hand," Jack explained.
"Ruby?!" Gibbs burst out, incredulously.
"Aye, Eve has chosen Ruby as her…consultant, in these matters," Jack replied.
Gibbs regarded me with concern, "Ye are aware of Ruby's heathen tendencies, lass?"
"I am, Gibbs," I told him, "And I trust her."
Gibbs looked at Jack, "An' ye approve of this, Cap'n?" he asked, skeptically.
"Aye, Ruby's skilled and capable…in these matters," Jack said to his first mate, adding, "And if Eve's happy with her, then so am I."
Gibbs appeared thoughtful, "Aye, Cap'n, that may be a wise choice, then."
"I'd like all these…extras…brought to the ship after nightfall, Gibbs. After most of the men have gone into town," Jack explained, "No need to arouse any suspicions in the crew just yet, savvy?"
"Aye, Cap'n," Gibbs replied, "I'll see to it myself." He hurried away to carry out Jack's orders.
Jack turned to me. "You know, luv, we're going to have to decide when we want to share our happy announcement with the crew," he pointed out.
"I'd prefer to wait as long as possible," I said honestly, "I have no desire for them to regard me any differently until absolutely necessary."
"I agree," Jack replied, as his gaze swept over my body. "In all likelihood, darlin', the time will soon come when those clothes you're wearing will become too…clingy…for you to wear anymore," he mentioned.
I glanced down at my flat stomach and nicely defined waist, and my feet. How long would it be before I'm no longer able to look at my feet, I wondered.
I looked at Jack miserably. "I don't want to get fat," I whined.
He draped his arm over my shoulders, saying smoothly, "Eve, we both know it's not really fat." He smirked conspiratorially at me.
He appeared so proud and pleased with himself, I couldn't help smiling. "Captain Jack Sparrow, you know you're irresistible!" I told him.
"Aye, luv, I do," he said arrogantly, "But it's always so nice to be reminded." He leaned close, kissed my neck, and growled softly, "And if you choose to remind me tonight, the way you did last night, I won't protest."
"Does that mean you don't want to go to the Bride tonight?" I asked disbelievingly.
He pulled me close, saying, "Why go to the Bride, when there are so many far more enticing things to do here?"
I shook my head as I looked at him. "And to think I was worried you wouldn't find me desirable anymore!"
"All evidence to the contrary, luv," he said as he kissed me eagerly, yet briefly. He looked at me yearningly, for a moment, then said, "Well, the sooner we get our shopping done, the sooner we can come home, savvy?"
Jack guided me protectively across the plank to the dock, and we proceeded into town. We chatted about everything we saw along the way, until something caught my eye.
I stopped and peered into the shop.
"See something you like, luv?" he asked, smirking.
I slid my arm around him inside his coat, saying, "As a matter of fact, I do." I smiled and continued, "That dress is perfect, Jack." I pointed to a teal silk damask Empire style dress, with a rather revealing neckline. As he looked at it, I explained, "One of the first things that'll happen is that 'the Girls' are going to get bigger, and that neckline would be quite flattering, don't you think, Jack?"
"The Girls?" he asked, confused.
I smiled demurely, "My breasts," I clarified.
"Ahh, those Girls," he said thoughtfully. "Bigger, you say?"
"Yes, Jack," I replied, "And the high waist and full skirt will be very flattering as the baby grows."
"How much bigger?" he questioned, staring at my chest.
"Noticeably," I answered, reaching out to his chin to tip his head up to look at my face. "Can we go inside and look at the dress?"
"Of course, darlin'," he replied quickly, "So, when's this supposed to happen"
I glanced at him exasperatedly. "In about five minutes, Jack," I teased.
"Oh good," he said happily, as I rolled my eyes at him.
The dress ended up fitting perfectly, which was fortunate. If it hadn't, we would've had to order it to be made, which could take several weeks.
We continued our stroll through town until we arrived at a shop where I could procure more suitable shipboard attire.
Jack addressed the proprietor, explaining what we required, "M'lady is with child, and thus, she will be in need of breeches and shirts that would more suitably accommodate her…growing…shapeliness."
The man found some clothes he thought might fulfill our needs, and brought them out to us. The breeches had a drawstring waist, which was quite practical. I expanded the waist fully, to see if they would be a good fit.
"Oh my God, it's huge!" I exclaimed, as I regarded the waist line, and what seemed to be acres of fabric.
Jack cleared his throat, "Well, yes I know, luv," he said smirking, "But this is hardly the time or place to discuss that! What do you think of the clothes?"
I raised my eyebrows and looked at Jack wide-eyed. When I saw the teasing expression in his eyes, I couldn't help giggling.
"I certainly hope these are far roomier than I'll need," I mentioned.
Next, I examined the shirts. The cut across the shoulders was a good fit, and the generous amount of gathered fabric that made up the body of the shirt looked ample enough.
"These meet with your approval, then luv?" Jack asked me.
I nodded. "They should be fine," I answered, my mood growing dark as I thought of the upcoming changes in my girth.
Jack looked at me with a concerned expression, "You alright, Eve?"
"Yes, Jack, I'm fine," I replied, slightly irritably, as I continued to look around the shop.
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"Blasted mood swings, bloody hell," Jack muttered to himself, as he went find the shop's proprietor.
They were finalizing their negotiations, when the man asked Jack, "This her first?"
Jack looked up, surprised. "Aye, it is," he responded.
"Lad, I been through this six times with me missus," the shopkeeper explained, "An' ev'ry time, she gets all sad an' gloomy 'cause she don't feel pretty."
"Yes, I've noticed that," Jack mentioned, "And what would you suggest I do about that?"
"Ye gotta treat the lass extra nice, lad. Give her things that make her feel special," the man explained, "Me missus was always quite fond of earrings."
"Earrings?" Jack repeated, as he remembered all the times he'd absentmindedly fingered the plain gold hoops she wore.
"Aye, just got a pair of real beauties in, too," the proprietor mentioned.
"Let's have a look at them," Jack said to the man. He called over his shoulder, "Be right back, luv," as he followed the man into the back room of the shop.
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A/N: Jack's flustered and awkward and Eve's moody. What a pair! Maybe they should start saving those doubloons for some therapy for their child! Haha! Tons o'thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! You're the BEST! Hope you enjoyed!