Chapter Eight
Deep Conversation
Bella sat quietly aboard the Black Pearl with her nose shoved into yet another book about pirates. She gasped when reading about Will Turner and how he was in love with none other than her mother. As her golden brown curls blew in the wind, her face became barried further into her book titled Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates.
The eight year-old girl was so into her book that she didn't see her foster father approach her. "Whatcha readin'?" Captain Jack Sparrow asked curiously. Bella turned the front of her body to show Jack. She didn't have time to talk. All she wanted to do was read about pirates and their unique and daring lifestyle. Jack chuckled as he took a seat on a nearby barrel. He asked, "Haven't ye read that book already, lass?" Bella shook her head, putting up with her hair hitting her in the face. "No, Papa," Bella replied.
Finally, the child put down her book and gazed at Jack. Her arms were crossed. "Why the bloody hell didn't you tell me that Mama was in love with Will Turner?" Jack stared at the young lass. Both pairs of dark eyes stared back at each as if they were testing one another. "Ye see, lass, yer mother was a very complicated woman," Jack began, trying to hide his laughter. "She couldn't make up her mind about who she wanted. She was first engaged to Norrington and then Will. But see then she kissed..." Jack paused for a moment and narrowed his eyebrows. "Why I am tellin' you this? Yer an eight year old little girl who knows nothing about the world."
A golden brown eyebrow raised towards Jack, just like her mothers used to. "Jack Sparrow," Bella said. "I'm smarter than you think. I may be eight but I'm smarter than most full grown men." Both of Jack's eyebrows raised at what the eight year old girl just said to him. "Most full grown men are pirates, Isabella," Jack informed her.
"There's a few decent men out there, Papa. Like Grandpa and even though Mr. Norrington came after you, he helped Mama escape from Davy Jones," Bella answered. She was becoming angry with Jack and if she had the power and authority, she would slap him right then and there. Jack sighed before replying, "He did that because Norrington was in love with yer mother, lass."
Willy was listening to the conversation nearby, waiting for the perfect opportunity to interrupt their conversation. He approached them and chimed in, "Basically our mother was the town slut, Bella." Willy wore a smirk on his face, knowing his harsh remark would get to his younger sister. Too bad he didn't get away with it. AnaMaria was to the group of three within seconds of hearing Willy's remark. She placed Elizabeth into her father's arms and grabbed a hold of Willy. Looking down into the boys brown eyes, she snapped, "Never EVER say that about yer mother again, do ye here me, Willy? She would be ashamed of ye if she heard you say such fowl things about her."
The brown haired boy rolled his eyes, not caring about what AnaMaria had to say. "Don't roll yer eyes at me, boy," snapped AnaMaria. Everyone was so focused on the way Willy had just acted that they hadn't noticed Bella run off below deck. Except Jack. Jack, with the squirming and hollering toddler in his arms, followed Bella. He left the furious female pirate to deal with Willy. "You're not my mother!" shouted Willy.
"Thank the heavens for that because Elizabeth would be doin' worse damage to yer hide!" Jack heard AnaMaria shout back.
Jack searched below deck before finally finding Bella in between two large brown crates of rum. He frowned and sat down in front of the crying girl. Elizabeth was still in his arms. "Bella..." Jack said, softly. He thought long and hard, trying to figure out the right words to say to the crying child. It was difficult. He had dealt with them arguing before but this time Willy had gone to far. He had insulted one of Bella's heroes and their mother.
"Isabella Marie, yer brother didn't mean anything by it. He's a boy. Boys are just jerks," Jack said soothingly, smiling down at Elizabeth who tried to reach out to her "older sister". Bella lifted her head from her arms and looked at Jack. She couldn't help but smile at Elizabeth. For comfort, Jack handed Elizabeth to Bella, who received an instant hug from the toddler. Elizabeth made herself comfortable in Bella's lap and stared at her father. "You're not a jerk, Papa," Bella said, wiping her tears away. Jack nodded and said, "I wasn't always this nice, Isabella. I was the number one pirate wanted by the East India Trading Company before I met yer mother and Will Turner. I spent most of my time in Tortuga or on a deserted island because of Barbossa."
"He's not a jerk either," Bella interrupted. Jack laughed at this and replied, "Barbossa has a soft spot fer you and Willy, even if he doesn't like to admit it. Around the time I met yer mother, I had been marooned on an island. Barbossa put me there. He took my ship. Most of the time I spent trying to get my ship back than plundering and all that other pirate stuff." Bella nodded, listening closely when Jack got an idea. He knew that AnaMaria would disagree with him if she was around but she wasn't. "Bella, how would ye like to see Captain Will Turner's heart?" Jack asked.
Bella's small brown eyes grew larger than ever at Jack's question. "Can I?" she asked, very much excited. Jack nodded and stood then took Elizabeth from Bella's arms so the eight year old could stand. Jack led Bella into the captain's chambers and opened the small closet where Elizabeth's cutlass was stored. Jack reached in and pulled out the Dead Man's Chest. Jack smiled, hearing the squeal of excitement from the golden brown haired beauty. He removed the key from around his neck and unlocked it.
The two stood back as the chest unlocked. All the commotion caused Elizabeth to giggle. Bella looked down into the chest in awe as it finished opening. Jack picked up the delicate heart in his hands and showed it to Bella. "Papa, how'd you get a hold of Will's heart?" Bella asked. Should I answer her? Jack thought to himself. He knew he had to. She'd ask questions later. "Yer mother kept it safe fer William," Jack replied. "See, Will didn't trust a lot of people and out of them all, he trusted yer mother the most. When she died, I took the chest with me so I could protect it for Will and yer mother. If anyone dangerous gets a hold of the chest and is able to open it, they could stab the heart. Then Will would die and in his place would be his killer."
It looked like Bella was thinking long and hard about everything Jack said to her. "May I hold it?" Bella asked, holding out her tiny hands. Jack nodded, placing the heart into Bella's hands. Bella sat down and said to the heart, "Will, it's me, Isabella. I don't know if you can hear me but I just wanted to say hello. You don't know me but I know all about you and you know my mother." Jack watched Bella, feeling as if he may cry watching the scene. At least she had a chance to talk to her father, even if it was just his heart. Jack looked over at his daughter, thinking of how lucky he was to have the opportunity to know his daughter and raise her. He kissed Elizabeth's forehead and she giggled.
"Mama died, yknow, Will. Papa says she was in love with you. I wish I knew my mother. I wish I even knew you but I've always been told that I'd get to meet you in ten years. You started your journey before I was born. Two more years, Will Turner, and we shall meet." There was a pause. "Honestly? Sometimes it feels like your my real father. I can't wait to meet you," Bella whispered, knowing that Jack wouldn't hear her. She stood carefully and then placed the heart back into it's chest. She looked up at Jack.
"Thank you for letting me see Will's heart."
A/N: I'm very proud of this chapter though I'm not sure if I like Bella's last words for it. I hope all of you liked it too and I couldn't help myself. I wanted Willy to be mean to his sister in this chapter since in previous chapters it states how Willy hates Elizabeth and you didn't see them fight. Plus I wanted AnaMaria to go against an eight year old little boy. Well review! Chapter Nine will be up later tonight or sometime tomorrow! That one focuses mainly on Willy and Jack with some Will!! YAY! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and PLEASE review! Thanks!