Disclaimer: POTC is Disney's pride and joy, OCs are mine.
A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea
Breakwater
We'd sailed with pristine weather for several days after the squall, yet strangely hadn't seen any other ships. I'd wondered if it was because hurricane season was near, as Jack had mentioned. When I asked him about it, he told me it was because we weren't passing through any of the well-traveled trade routes. I had the suspicion Jack didn't want to engage in any entanglements with other ships until after the baby was born. Fortunately, the crew was kept busy with repairs to the ship and with tending to the Pearl's regular maintenance and upkeep. I assisted with as many tasks as I could, in my large and ungainly state. I kept the metal fittings of the ship well polished and helped to mend her sails.
I also helped Ruby tend to her animals, and had developed a fondness for her very stubborn and cantankerous goat, Brutus. The hay always made my eyes itchy and I sneezed whenever I was down below with her animals, but I still visited Brutus daily to give him a biscuit for a treat. Ruby scolded me for spoiling him, but I could tell she was pleased with the goat's improved disposition. To Ruby's relief, Brutus was no longer in the habit of ramming her backside while she cleaned his pen.
I was on my way to the helm after visiting with the animals, when I felt a sudden, sharp cramping in my belly. I paused, gripping the rail of the steep steps leading up to the deck. And then it passed, nearly as abruptly as it began.
Turning, I immediately retraced my steps back to the animal pens to find Ruby. She was still with the cow, clearly her favourite, cooing softly to the animal.
"Ruby! I just felt…something," I said quietly as I approached her, "Almost like a cramp, but it was over so quickly."
She looked at me critically. "Dis di first time ya felt it, star?" she asked.
"Yes," I answered, "It was very quick and sharp."
"Did ya water break yet?" she questioned.
"No, not yet," I replied, knowing that she referred to the rupturing of the fluid-filled amniotic sac that had provided cushioning and protection for the baby as it grew. When that happened, it was a sure sign that labour would soon begin.
"Ya let mi know if ya feel di crampin' again," she told me, adding reassuringly, "Ya probably just ripenin'."
I looked at her with uncertainty.
"Ya getting' ready, star," she explained, and resumed coddling her cow.
I wandered back up to the deck in a daze, heading toward the bow. I needed to be alone and to think. Unfortunately, panic made my mind race.
Not today! Oh, please, not today…not now! I'm not ready, I'm not ready, I'm not ready! Please, just wait a little longer. Please, baby, please!
Okay, take a breath, I thought. Calm down! Ruby's probably right, there's no reason to worry. After all, it was just a little cramp! Labour pains are quite different. Maybe it was just gas? There's no reason to panic!
"Ye alright, lass?" Gibbs asked me, "Ye look a bit…outta sorts."
I'd been so absorbed with my thoughts I hadn't even heard him approach. "I'm fine, just needed some air, Gibbs. I was helping Ruby with her animals," I lied, smiling sweetly at him. I hoped the smile seemed sincere, and not like those smiles Jack displayed, when he was lying to placate someone.
"Aye," he responded, "The beasties can stir up a foul stench after a while! But, they be blessed to have ye an' Miss Ruby to look after 'em."
This time, I had no doubts in the sincerity of my smile.
"Miss Ruby dotes on her beasties as if they were her children," Gibbs commented with an amused smile.
"Do you have any children, Gibbs?" I asked out of curiosity.
His expression grew far away. "No, lass. Me bonny wife Abigail, she was expectin'. This was back when I sailed with the Navy, ye understand." He paused, lost in his memories as he gazed out at the sea. "I was away at sea, at the time. Well, upon returnin' home, I learned my bonny Abby had passed…durin' childbirth."
I gasped. "Oh…Gibbs! I'm so sorry," I said quietly, "You lost them both?" It must've been devastating for him.
"Aye, lass," he continued, "Never returned to me duties in the Navy. I spent…lord only knows how long…in Tortuga, three sheets to the wind. 'Twas then that Jack found me, passed out with the pigs. He had me join his crew, an' I been lookin' after him an' the Pearl ever since."
"And now you have the added burden of looking after me," I teased him gently with a smile, "And soon, yet another Sparrow will require your watchful eye!"
"Oh, lass, 'tis no burden at all," Gibbs replied warmly, "Cap'n Jack, an' ye as well, Eve…ye're like family to me…like the children I never had…"
"Does that mean Jack and I can teach the child to call you 'Grandpa Gibbs?'" I teased him with a smirk and a nudge of my elbow.
"Now that'll be a cold day for certain, lass!" he said chuckling, "Think I might prefer 'Uncle Gibbs,' if ye don't mind me sayin' so."
"Uncle Gibbs, it is!" I exclaimed, when another quick, sharp cramp made me wince.
"Lord, god, almighty, lass!" Gibbs blurted out, "Ye're not…"
"You hush, Gibbs!" I said sternly, "Ruby says it's not labour yet! She says I'm just getting ready. And don't you dare say a word to Jack! Do you understand?"
"Aye, lass," he reluctantly acquiesced, "'Tis only right that it be ye who tells him, when it be the time."
"Thanks, Gibbs," I said, breathing a sigh of relief.
I left him to return to the animal pens to find Ruby, but she was no longer there.
"I'm tired of climbing up and down these damn stairs," I complained to myself, as I returned to the main deck of the ship.
"Have you seen Ruby?" I asked Gibbs, as he passed by
"Aye, lass, she was headin' to the galley," he answered, as he continued on his way to tend to his duties.
I looked up to notice Jack at the helm, as I went to look for Ruby. He had that dreamy, lost-in-his-thoughts expression on his face.
Thankfully, Ruby was indeed in the galley, and I would not need to search further. I felt rather fatigued, and was looking forward to resting on deck in my hammock.
"It happened again, Ruby," I confessed with some trepidation.
She regarded me with a frown. "Been long since ya feel it, star?" she asked me.
"Just a few minutes," I replied.
"Ya no worry, Eve," she said reassuringly, "Ya no in di labour yet. Di crampin' come too soon. Ya need ta go rest, an' be still. Ya do no more chores ta-day."
"Maybe I'll go lie down in the cabin," I muttered, "I am pretty tired."
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I entered the cabin, immediately noticing how stuffy and warm it was. Crossing the room, I opened the casement windows that lined the back wall. A refreshing breeze blew in from the sea, smelling of salt and brine, whispering of adventure.
I relaxed on the bed. It felt wonderful to just rest. I'd probably just over-exerted myself in my attempts to keep busy. My body felt tired, but my mind was quite alert and so, my thoughts began to wander.
If I'd been born here, I wondered, in this time, in this part of the world, how would my life be different? Would I be a rich, prim and proper lady; or a lusty tavern wench? Would I have ever met Jack or sailed on the Black Pearl? I smiled, thinking the odds were better had I been the tavern wench.
And I wondered how my loved ones back home, in modern times, were doing. It had been more than a year since I'd gone missing. I knew I was most likely presumed dead, drowned during the squall. I wondered if they had finished grieving, and if anyone still missed me. Surely everyone had gotten on with their lives by now. I certainly had, I thought with a smile. Different time, different place…completely different life. Maybe that prophecy Ruby had so long ago was destiny. I'd never seemed to quite fit in, never seemed quite satisfied with anything in my old, modern life. Here, I felt blissfully content and peaceful. I couldn't think of anything that would make it better. Funny that all the things I never wanted back home, were the exact things that made me so very happy here!
The doors to the cabin were flung open. "You alright, luv?" Jack asked, as he closed the doors behind him, "Gibbs said you looked like you didn't feel well." He walked over, climbed onto the bed, and curled himself against me.
"Gibbs has a big mouth," I complained, "I was just a little tired, Jack. Ruby suggested I should rest, and not do any more chores today."
"For once, I agree with the blasted woman," Jack commented.
I turned over to face him. His beautiful dark eyes reminded me of the gentle, soulful eyes of Ruby's cow. I couldn't help smiling; thinking Jack probably wouldn't appreciate the comparison.
"Jack, have you ever seen a woman give birth before?" I questioned him, as it occurred to me.
"Can't say I have, Eve," he replied, brushing a strand of hair from my cheek, "But I have heard it. The tortured screams I've heard while in prison couldn't compare. I hope these trances you're learning with Ruby help with that. I don't think I ever want to hear you scream like that." He had a look of fear, mingled with sadness, in his eyes.
"Do you think…" I hesitated to ask him the question, but I needed to know his answer. "Do you think, after seeing the baby being born, that you'll still desire me, Jack? Or…will seeing my body…giving birth…completely obliterate any and all desire you have for me?"
Our eyes locked and we looked at each other for a long moment. Long enough for me to begin to fear and dread what he might answer.
"Maybe…you shouldn't be there, Jack," I suggested.
"Eve, I've seen the decks of ships awash with blood and entrails, and littered with the severed limbs of men," he began, looking me straight in the eyes with such intensity it nearly made me wince.
"That's not what I mean," I interrupted, only to feel his fingertips on my lips, hushing me.
"You've seen the ugly marks left on my body by the life I've lived, Eve," he continued with brazen honesty, "You've seen me cut open, and you stitched me back together and healed me. And none of that has quenched you desire for me. What makes you think I'd feel any differently toward you?"
"Jack, lots of men can't bring themselves…to feel the quite the same about a woman after she's born a child…even if they didn't…even if they weren't in the same room, when she gave birth," I fumbled uselessly for the words. "A woman becomes nothing more than a mother in their eyes…and the men…end up taking mistresses," I finally concluded.
"What makes you think I'm that kind of man?" he asked, with an almost accusing tone.
"Fear," I said simply.
"Ah, yes…fear," he repeated, his eyes glinting, "And that would be the same fear that might lead me to believe that, after enduring the agony of childbirth, you'd never want me to touch you again."
"Touché, Captain," I remarked.
"I think after the two months have passed, and you've sufficiently recovered," he said with a smirk, "Fear will be the last thing on our minds, luv. Savvy?"
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Jack stayed with me in the cabin the rest of the afternoon, keeping me entertained with tales of his past adventures, and making me laugh at the many ribald and off-colour jokes he'd heard during his numerous visits to various taverns over the years. In turn, I told him a few jokes I had heard during my college days of frequenting pubs. He was taken aback by my telling of some of the more raunchy ones, which made me smile smugly. I enjoyed surprising him!
Ruby brought us a dinner of vegetable stew, with fresh bread and butter. Jack and I ate on the bed, still talking and laughing together. We were so relaxed and comfortable with each other. There were no pretenses, no "Captainly demeanour," no trying to impress. I felt like I was glimpsing what Jack must've been like as a boy, before life had hardened him into a man, and then, a pirate.
"C'mon, Eve," Jack said suddenly, grabbing my hand and helping me off the bed.
We left the cabin, Jack leading me along the deck to the bow of the ship.
"Port side, darlin'," Jack directed, pointing toward the horizon.
I immediately looked to my left, to see the most spectacular sunset I'd ever seen. The sky was a fiery orange, with a glowing red sun just about to touch the slate blue of the sea. The contrast of the dark water with the blazing colours of the sky was breathtaking!
Jack stood behind me, embracing me closely. We watched in silence as the sun slowly appeared to submerge itself into the sea. The sky darkened from red to a deep burgundy, before surrendering to the blue-black night.
"If I remember correctly, luv," Jack's voice said in a low rumble by my ear, "You were once quite fond of this…" His lips brushed my neck, and I felt his warm breath heat my skin, followed by the chill of the sea breeze.
I gasped tremulously, as I felt my body engulfed in goosebumps. Although I couldn't see Jack's face, I knew he was smirking. My turn, I thought, as I shifted my footing on the deck, brushing my backside deliberately against him. He inhaled sharply against my neck, and I was overcome by goosebumps again.
"Jack…" I said softly, drawing out his name with a sigh. I leaned my head back against his shoulder, as he kissed me on the tender skin just behind my ear.
"Yes, my love," he whispered, continuing to sweetly torment my neck with his lips.
"Cabin…now," I told him, breathlessly.
We hurried back to the cabin. I heard Jack locking the doors as I glanced over at his table full of maps. Inspired by a wicked idea, I smiled as I swept my hand over the table, sending Jack's maps and charts fluttering to the floor.
"What the hell…" he began, stopping when he noticed I had perched myself on the table.
I lay back on the table, stretching languidly, watching him with a devious smile. "Chart your course, Captain," I told him suggestively.
He sauntered toward me, pulling off his coat, his roguish grin sparkling gold, his eyes flickering darkly with lust.
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I woke during the night, slipping out of the cabin quietly for my walk on deck. Still weak in the knees from my amorous escapades with Jack, I wandered slowly, holding the rail of the Pearl lest my legs should give out from under me.
Finally reaching the bow, I stood gazing at the sea, enjoying the cool breeze that blew off the vast expanse of water. I couldn't help smiling. It had been such a flawlessly perfect day!
But the sensuous warmth I'd been feeling was quickly replaced with a biting chill as the breeze blew over my body. Frowning at the uncomfortable sensation, I looked down to discover I was standing in a puddle of water…and my breeches were soaking wet…
Oh god, I realized with horror…my water had broken!
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A/N: And so we finally begin the long awaited adventure of the birth of Jack's and Eve's baby! I must mention that what I write regarding the birth is based on a lot of research and my imagination, since I have never been pregnant nor experienced childbirth. I invite corrections from those of you who have been through these experiences, if anything seems really inaccurate. Thanks so much to all of you who have read and reviewed! I love reading all your comments! Hope you enjoy the chapter!