Over the next two weeks, worrisome thoughts crossed Elizabeth's mind constantly. She hadn't been completely honest with Will in that aspect: when he would see her furrowed brow and ask if she was alright, without fail she would reply 'Yes love, just fine' – masking her concerns with a smile. Not only was it the baby's development that was worrying her but also her past…
Elizabeth's mother died at birth, something that was not only common in those days – but she had been told that it if she ever was blessed with children, she might face the same difficulties. Though Liz didn't invest her heart in everything anyone had told her, she took this warning seriously. This was a scary time for her. Will wasn't oblivious though and could sense that there was something that was on her mind. He trusted her to tell him, so Will would watch – and listen – still she mentioned nothing to him. He tried to push it out of his mind; saying to himself that it was just her changing emotions and the behavior would soon subside.
As Liz lay in bed one night, she tossed and turned, and couldn't feel settled. Half asleep she was growing frustrated with the uncomfortable feeling that prodded her. Finally she completely awoke and slightly sat up in bed. It was then that she became aware that it was the baby that wasn't letting her rest. Now in this case, most women would sigh and try to settle again and console their restless unborn child. But Elizabeth on the other hand, was ecstatic! Quickly she placed her hand just below her ribs where she felt the kicking and her face brightened with pure joy. Immediately she woke up Will beside her.
"Will! Will wake up!" she shook his shoulder
He grumbled something and sat up abruptly. "Hmm what? Liz what's the matter?" he asked, eyes wide, expecting some sort of danger by the way she awoke him.
She took his hand and placed it on her barely visible protruding stomach. For a second his face was expressionless, and then he felt it – the movement of his baby. It was almost as if it was just pressure applied, more than a violent movement. But it was definitely not caused by Elizabeth. His eyes lit up as well and he quickly looked up at his wife who had tears of joy forming in the corners of her eyes. "Did you feel that? ….. And that? …. Did you feel that Will? Wow isn't it just wonderful?" Her voice was reminiscent of a child on a snow white Christmas morning.
"Its amazing…" he breathed. Will then shifted and laid his head on her stomach softly, he heard nothing but again felt the tiny foot brush his cheek through his beloved's womb. Elizabeth lay back on the bed in her bliss. She let the hot tears run down the side of her face and heard them hit the bed softly beside her. Will looked up and smiled, then turned on his stomach and perched himself on his elbows to see her face.
"Oh I knew it Will… I knew everything would be alright." She whispered, eyes closed, facing the ceiling above her.
"You were worried." He said knowingly as he reached over and swiped a salty tear from her cheekbone that threatened to fall.
Liz opened her eyes and looked at him when she nodded. More tears fell as she leaned over and embraced him. Will held her close and rubbed her back gently. "It's alright love, no need to worry any longer…It's half Turner with the Swann's stubborn spirit, how could we have any doubts of It's survival." He gave her a smile once she lay back down. Will relaxed next to her and kissed her nose when she smiled back. "I love you" She said.
"I love you… I love you both." Will bent and kissed her stomach. Elizabeth grinned and ran her hands through his smooth curly hair. She nestled herself in the crook of his neck as she took a deep breath. For the first time in months she felt unrestrained with such burdensome thoughts…. Again the baby moved within her.
The next morning couldn't come soon enough for Liz. She waited – for what seemed like forever – for Will to awaken. Once his eyes opened they were met by her cheerful gaze.
"Hello beautiful." He said, making a move to lean and kiss her but was stopped quickly by a pillow making contact with the side of his face.
"Mr. William Turner…" She said, perched above him on her knees, pillow still in hand. "You didn't mention your birthday all week? You were expecting me to forget weren't you?" A mischievous smile spreading across her face.
"And that deserves a beating with a pillow?" He asked with a laugh, rubbing his head.
"Well some sort of punishment!" She replied, taking another whack at him, this time in his chest.
"Oh that's it!" he said, grabbing the pillow beneath him and sitting up on his knees as well. As soon as he did so Liz jumped off the bed and scrambled to the other side, just out of reach. Will lunged across and barely made contact with her arm.
"C'mon Will! You can dodge a sword but not a harmless feather-filled cushion?" she said tauntingly, the playful smile still evident on her lips.
He laughed and got up from the bed slowly. Liz let out a squeal and jumped on top of the bed once more. Will reached back and hit her on her behind, making sound contact. She turned quickly behind her to try and ward him off, slowly backing up creating space between them. Will smiled, then pointed near the window with a gasping expression. "Look! You're father!"
"Wha-" Liz turned around with a skeptical expression.
Will took this as his chance. He jumped up on the bed and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her down with him on the plush covers beneath them. She was consumed with a fit of giggles; their legs were intertwined as they both gasped for breath from all the laughing.
"Will – that's cheating! You can't bring my father into this." She said, playfully slapping his arm.
He laughed and toyed with her hands. "I knew that would get your attention."
She smiled and looked down.
He tilted his head with hers to try and meet her gaze. "You miss him?"
Liz bit her lip and nodded slightly.
"Well we'll see him soon…after the baby is born. I'm sure he'll be glad to learn he has a grandchild."
She smiled and leaned in to kiss him quickly. "I don't think I could have married a sweeter man..."
Will slightly blushed and changed the subject before he grew more crimson.
"Now what was exactly was I getting reprimanded for?" He asked, his hands grasping her loose cotton nightgown, keeping their bodies inches from each other.
"Your birthday Will! How did you expect me to give you a gift if you didn't remind me?" She said with her same smoky eyes
"I didn't want you to buy anything. I have everything I want." He replied with a small smile, kissing her lightly on the lips
"Hmm" she returned the kiss. Then jumped to her feet and hopped from the bed. "As true as that may be for the both of us, I still have a surprise for you." Her large smile returning as she looked behind her for him to follow.
They went down the stairs, she leading the way. "Liz really you didn't have to get me anything…" They went through the kitchen to the back door. She held it open to allow him to walk out. "I really would be fine with a kiss from you." He said before going outside. She smiled and kissed his cheek "Go look in the barn"
He gave her a questioning glance then walked across the garden towards the stable. As he opened the door, his eyes adjusting to the dimmer light. As soon as he entered, he saw the form of a horse, tied loosely to one of the masts. The buckskin stallion was impatiently swatting flies with its long, brown tail. Will walked up to the gentle beast and petted its white and tan nose. The horse immediately took a liking to the kind man and nuzzled its head closer to his hand. Will smiled "Hello there. Well aren't you a beauty. I never expected to see you in here."
Liz walked in behind him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "So what do you think?"
"I think he's amazing! Better a horse than I could afford before… by the way –"
Liz knew he was going to be curious about the price. "Don't worry. He was one of the studs at one of the Yates' farms. They weren't getting any colts from this one so they had no need for him." She said, stroking the horse's strong neck.
"Well he's wonderful love, thank you." He replied with a broad smile.
He certainly was a tall animal. Will could barely see over his back. The white on his nose was in the shape of an elongated diamond, reaching just even with his eyes. He walked around him, taking in the size of the horse. When he reached the other side he peaked over to look at her. "How about we see how he rides?"
Liz looked at him skeptically. She folded her arms insecurely and furrowed her brow slightly at the thought. "I don't know Will…last time we rode I –"
"A different horse…. Come on now love" he said walking over and taking her hand. "We'll spend the day at the beach. No work today – no nothing" He pleaded with soft eyes, enough to melt anyone, especially his wife.
She held on tightly to his chest as they kept a steady pace down the cobbled streets. Soon they reached the shores edge and Will immediately jumped off, kicking off his boots and taking a dead sprint for the water. Liz hopped down and watched with a smile at her enthused husband. She lightly touched the horse's side and stroked his fine hair absent-mindedly. Her shoes were soon discarded in the sand along side Will's. She dug her toes in the cool sand and let the breeze blow her hair freely and unhindered. Will was already waste deep in the water and turned to look at his wife admiringly.
"Its warm Liz! Just waiting for you…" He said splashing around.
"I think I'll stay up here for now –"
"Scared." He said kicking some water mocking thoughtfulness. "I've never known Elizabeth Swann to be afraid of anything." He said with a slight wink.
She laughed and threw her arms down to her side and took off at a run towards him. "How many times do I have to tell you?" she yelled as she splashed into the ocean, falling into his welcoming arms. "It's Turner now." She said softly thru the sounds of the crashing waves. It was then a kiss ensued. So tender was the union that the lovers let themselves dissolve into the oceans salty waters. The ungilating waves pushed their bodies harder against one another, pressing their lips, smoothing their mold they formed even tighter.
After a quick dinner and a walk around the square, both Will and Elizabeth both confessed they were tired and wouldn't mind going back to their warm home with dry clothes. As they approached the newly attained stead Will paused. A grin formed on his lips as he took Liz's hand tighter in his hand. "Come on, follow me." She laughed and followed willingly; jogging lightly they reached an inlet. A few yards from the beach was a cliff. Surrounded by scruffy leaves and other pink and green flora – it looked like a scene taken straight from the Caribbean. The sun was setting an orange and red, throwing a glow on their path as the lovers approached the almost invisible cave. Just big enough for a few people to sit to be freed from the rain, they slowly came up to the rocks and touched it lightly. Elizabeth looked around in wonder. The plants, the amazing surf coming right up to the entrance of the shallow cave, it was wonderful.
"How did you know this was here?" She asked in wonder
"When I came to the market a few days ago, I came to the beach, to take a look. I was standing on the cliff above…" He said pointing up. "I happened to look down and see this…. Isn't it great?" Will bent down and took a seat, leaning up against the rocks. Liz took one more look around. The setting sun was in front of them, the town was behind them and their only audience was a flock of gulls one hundred yards away.
A mischievous grin played on her features as he knelt in front of Will, catching his attention. She kissed him passionately and soundly on the lips. She leaned him back on the sand, straddling him. When they parted, Will looked slightly surprised. "I thought –"
"I was tired?" she replied. "Don't start what you can't finish love." Her voice was heavy and almost a whisper. "Besides, It's your birthday." Her grin was detectable in the dim light. Will held her tighter and vigorously turned them around so he was on top, leaning slightly on one side as to not put too much preasure on her, but their lips mere millimeters from touching. "Right." He breathed her scent, moving his hand further down her thigh. "So as a 22 year old, I am now allowed to open my present."
She smiled and pulled his hips down onto her own. "No… As my husband you're allowed to open your present whenever you desire…"
Elizabeth's lips collided with his. Her sweet taste fueling his hunger for her as the sound of the crashing waves faded into the background. His mouth found the hollows of her neck, again approaching her pouted lips.
"I desire…" He breathed