The wind blew the shutter up against the window. A few tapping sounds presided the racket made my rattling branches from the old oak tree near the house. Elizabeth had no recognition of the unpleasant sounds. She had been lying in bed for what seemed like forever and her mind never stopped wandering, as it had done for the past week. Periodically Liz would turn to her side and lay an arm next to her, as if forgetting Will wasn't lying there. But cold sheets and an empty pillow would bring her back to reality. She had been sleeping in the guest bedroom ever since Will had become ill… but truthfully she hadn't actually slept at all. Liz would try and make herself find some sort of peaceful slumber, but without exception, it eluded her. She didn't pretend to know that this cycle of exhaustion wasn't good for the baby, which worried her also. Elizabeth sunk lower in the covers, trying to warm herself. The guest room was always drafty from that faulty window that now pulsated in the gusts of wind. Will had told her he would fix it, now she couldn't care less. Liz paused and closed her eyes as she tenderly bit her lower lip in thought. After a moment she threw back the sheets and grabbed her robe from the dresser near by. She draped it around her thin frame and took the candle from the bedside. As quietly as she could, Liz made her way down the hallway, making sure not to stumble over the staircase banister as she had heard Will do many times before in the dark. She slightly smiled at the thought of him yelping in the middle of the night – her running out to check on him – and Will on the ground, nursing his swollen toe. He had a bad habit of getting up to get a glass of water in the early morning hours. Her smile faded as she reached the master bedroom. Liz pushed the cracked door open a bit further and peeked inside. She saw the doctor in one of the chairs in the corner, no doubt soundly asleep. That was apparent by his steady snoring. She walked in and made her way slowly to the fireplace on the far side of the room. The moonlight coming from the untied curtains allowed her to blow the dim candle out. The fireplace and nighttime glow was enough for her to see where she was going. When she approached the fire, the warmth radiated from its flames and made her features glow. She bent down and placed her hands close to the orange brim. Liz curled her toes as the fire warmed her cold bare feet and thawed her body. Again she stood, this time she went to a nearby chair and placed her hands on its back and leaned forward. For a moment she just stood there… finally she turned her head and for the first time since she entered the room – laid eyes on Will. She was afraid to see how his condition had progressed, if it had done so at all or not. Cautiously she approached the bed, swallowing hard before she became too close. Silent and still she looked over him. His helpless state was enough to bring tears to her eyes. Liz brought her hand up to her mouth to stifle her cries. It was overwhelming and on of the first times she realized what it would be like to live a life without her one true love… it wouldn't be a life at all. In desperation she knelt down and felt his leg, as if to hold him there with her. She placed her hands higher up his body to his stomach and chest. Elizabeth could hardly see from the ears blurring her vision. When she came to his face – her eyes traced every contour, every feature. Her eyes moved quickly, soaking in his presence. Again she covered her mouth.

"Oh God." She spoke in a hoarse whisper. She took his hand and put it on her cheek. She leaned into him and relished his touch, wanting him to really touch her again, and to feel his hands. Her eyes closed and a flood of tears cascaded down her face.

"Will please… don't do this…pl – please stay." She strained to speak through her sobs. "I love you so much." Over and over she whispered this single phrase, and again and again her eyes scanned his face and her hand caressed his hand.

"I love you, you hear me Will? …. I love you…. God." It became almost impossible for her to speak from her crying, she paused for a moment then looked up and closed her eyes once more. "God are you listening? I'll do anything… Lord I'll do anything!" Again she put his hand to her face. She kissed his palm and knelt her head to lay it on his chest. Her fingers clung to his damp shirt. After a moment of sobs she brought her eyes to him again, they were red and watering.

"Don't leave me Will Turner…Don't leave us." She whispered as she placed a hand on her stomach. The whole time, Will hadn't made any indication of her presence. But what consoled Elizabeth was his ruddy cheeks and steady breathes. She bent down lower to the ground where she was finally sitting on the floor. She laid her lips to his hand and kept her eyes on him. Once more she kissed him then finally laid her head to the side and rested it on his bedside, her hands clenching his.

Elizabeth uneasily awoke. She lifted her head and rubbed her neck. Her sore muscles ached from falling asleep sitting up against the bed. She realized the sunlight was streaming through the nearby window. For days the sun hadn't shown itself until now. Liz shielded her eyes from the glare as she stood slowly. She made her way over to the window and approached it with tender steps. Her feet padded the rug with attentiveness. As she stood looking out she embraced herself and slightly leaned back, then a bit forward again, as if making herself consoled. Her mind was in another place and her stomach burned of hunger pains. Liz closed her eyes and laid her head against the window frame. The previous night had brought so much to her attention, and weight to her heart. For days she had tried to put the thought of Will dying out of her mind. Even though she had led a life previous to him, those 18 years weren't anything compared to what life was like now, with him. He brought her to life. Part of her wanted to go out to the sea again, just as she dreamed when she was a little girl. To grab a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other. To trash the dresses and take up some trousers as she dueled feared pirates. In that way she envied Annamaria. But at the same time she was content in New Bern, on dry land, with Will, and pregnant with his child. Although they had chosen a more domestic lifestyle, it was nothing like the one she lead in Port Royal. There was no formality and she was free to he herself and speak her mind. Also the idea of Will never meeting his son of daughter, and their child never having a father was unbearable. Elizabeth brought a hand up to her forehead and rubbed it slowly. Then she rested her chin against her knuckles, still gazing out the shining window. The crackling, dying fire was the only noise in the room…the she heard:

"Elizabeth…"

Her name was called in a distant sounding voice, almost inaudible. She spun around to see Will extending a hand to her.