Once the newly reunited Turner family reached the head of the trail, its youngest member graciously volunteered to run up to the cliff to retrieve the remains of their picnic and the lantern – just in case it got dark before they arrived home. He looked to his father for permission.

Will was taken aback and looked at Elizabeth in complete and total helplessness. He had no idea what their son was or was not allowed to do. While he had been all over the world, seen things that were fantastic, amazing or just plain horrifying, learned more unique and diverse skills than the average man, he knew next to nothing about children – other than the fact that he had one. It was just beginning to sink in with him that learning how to be a parent and part of a family might just very well be more difficult than learning how to captain a ghost ship or coaxing a sword from molten iron.

"Be careful and be quick about it. That means NO tree climbing - no matter how fascinating they may look," Elizabeth answered William, thereby rescuing Will from his dilemma.

"Does he come with instructions?" Will asked as he watched the boy take off towards the plateau where he and his mother had waited out the afternoon. He simultaneously took advantage of William's departure to pull Elizabeth closer to him.

"They're more like guidelines," Elizabeth laughed as she slid her arms around Will's neck. "Don't worry about it too much, you'll get the gist of them soon enough. He's always pushing the limits to see what he can get away with. Think of it as a very long term apprenticeship."

Will turned his attention back to his wife. "He sounds like someone else I know," he murmured as he softly brushed her lips with his own.

"I love you," Elizabeth sighed between kisses.

"I know. I wouldn't be here now if you didn't," he replied and continued softly kissing his wife.

"That wasn't the answer I was expecting," she managed to murmur while trying to catch her breath.

"I didn't realize it was a question," Will shot back with a laugh.

"You know what I meant!" she interjected as she pressed herself against him, keeping pace with her husband's advances.

"I love you more than anyone will ever know."

Will suddenly pulled back from her as if he had been caught doing something he shouldn't. "I think our guide has returned," he said, shifting his gaze over her shoulder. He was accustomed to people allowing him and Elizabeth some privacy during their infrequent visits with each other – an ever present audience would take some getting used to – even one whose existence they were responsible for.

Elizabeth turned her head to see William trudging down the path carrying the lantern in one hand and half dragging the basket with the other. His attention was focused entirely on his parents and not where he was going. It was a miracle that he had managed to negotiate the path without falling. He obviously had his father's knack for escaping serious injury no matter how careless he was.

"I want to go home now," he announced to no one in particular. "And since I'm the leader that means I get to carry the lantern," he added, staring at his father as he dropped the handle of the now dusty basket.

Will couldn't decide if his son's announcement was a challenge as to who was in charge at the moment or a subtle request to relieve him of his unwanted cargo. Then again, it could all just be how he was reacting to the realization that he would now have to share his mother's attentions – not quite the same attentions, mind you, but sharing all the same. Carrying the basket wouldn't be much, if any, of an imposition. It would also be the easiest potential issue to deal with at the moment. As with anything else, Will understood the inherent reasoning behind starting small and working your way up – complying with his son's request seemed a reasonable enough place to begin.

"I'm ready to go home too. I just don't know which direction that would be. Do you think you could help me?" Will asked in as light a tone as he could muster – he was a bit out of practice doing anything other than giving orders and more than a little distracted from his brief interlude with the mother of his son. "Do you think I could carry that?" he inquired gesturing towards the basket. "I would hate to make your mother do it," he added with mock seriousness.

The trek home was mostly uneventful, with William dashing ahead of his parents, occasionally stopping to point out what he considered significant points of interest and sometimes falling back to walk next to his mother. His general demeanor told he was warming up to his father, but he was still unsure of himself. Will carried the hamper in one hand and held Elizabeth's hand in the other all while trying to contain his amusement at his son's commentary. It wasn't as if William was showing him anything he hadn't seen a thousand times before, but it was hard to not get caught up in his childlike enthusiasm. "This is something I could quite easily get used to," he thought to himself as he rediscovered things he either hadn't seen for years or had just taken for granted. This is my home. This is where I belong.

Elizabeth, for once, having nothing to do but to enjoy the company and surroundings still tried to keep one watchful eye on William, as was her habit, but mostly she kept her attention directed to her husband. Unsurprisingly, Will did likewise. They did not speak much during the short journey home, but their quick glances, shy smiles and overall expressions told each other all that was needed for the time being – words would have just been in the way.

Elizabeth felt Will hesitate slightly and pull back as they reached the outskirts of the town. She had anticipated that reaction, but had no idea how to circumvent it. Had not she reacted the same way on her first trip back here? The prospect of returning to the place where their lives had taken such a fateful turn had terrified her. Surely it must be worse for Will. The last time he had seen Port Royal he had been headed on a fool's mission that had required leaving behind everything and anything that meant something to him. They had both been arrested for a crime punishable by death. Elizabeth herself had been locked away in the jail beneath Fort Charles. It was certainly not how they had planned on spending that day. She sometimes wondered what it had felt like for Will to have to leave her behind in that cell. Watching him go had been almost unbearable for her.

"William, stop for just a moment," Elizabeth called to him. "Let's stop here and rest for a while."

"Do I have to rest? I did take a nap this afternoon like you asked." he pointed out as he optimistically eyed some nearby trees that looked perfect for climbing.

Elizabeth shook her head as she released Will's hand and eased herself down on a fallen log and stretched out her legs – taking care to arrange her skirt just so. "Just be careful and don't go too far. And don't fall out of any trees, please?"

Will remained standing as he watched William run off towards the trees then redirected his attention towards Elizabeth.

"Why do you want to stop? We're almost to town and I know you're not tired."

Elizabeth looked towards the town. They were probably not more than a twenty minute walk from their home. She turned her head back towards Will and sighed uneasily. Will might have tried to make his voice sound as if he were totally unconcerned about parading into the middle of town, but his body language said otherwise. She could see the strain on his face and the tenseness in his shoulders. "I – I just think it might be best if we waited until dark to continue."

Will took a seat next to Elizabeth. "Because of me," he said quietly as he again took her hand and kissed it. "I never stopped to consider the logistics of my coming back. This isn't going to be easy for any of us, is it?"

"No," Elizabeth agreed, "but we'll make it – together. You and I have been through worse. Remember, William and I only came back here three years ago. We just say you're away when anyone asks. No one has ever openly questions it, but you can imagine the speculation. So many people left after Beckett and the Company were here that there aren't many people left who knew us or why we left."

"But you still want to sneak me in under cover of darkness," he said as he raised an eyebrow.

"I said no one questioned why you were gone; I never said everyone believed us," she admitted as she leaned to rest her head on Will's shoulder.

Will put his arm around her waist and leaned towards Elizabeth, resting his head on top of hers. "Would I be correct in assuming that there still isn't a lack of scandalmongers in Port Royal?" he asked dryly.

"Aren't there always? Can you imagine what they would think if any of them saw me bring a strange man home at dusk – especially one who doesn't leave again before dark. Or for that matter doesn't leave at all."

Will struggled to contain his amusement at Elizabeth's seemingly innocent statement, but ultimately failed as he laughed softly. "Yes, I can imagine it quite well. I've actually been imagining the same for quite some time now. I would hope that they would correct in their assumptions as to what you were up to," he whispered to her as he lightly kissed her temple.

Elizabeth blushed and giggled shyly as she realized what she had inadvertently implied. "I would be greatly disappointed if they were wrong," she responded seductively as she moved one of her hands to rest on Will's thigh. "Why should I care what anyone says? We don't owe anyone an explanation and it's not like they won't notice you eventually anyway."

"There are bound to be questions as to where I've been."

"We'll just address them as they come up, it's not like you and I haven't been the main topic of discussion before."

Will rolled his eyes. "How well I remember. Remember how Mrs. Busby tried to pretend I didn't exist, even when I was standing right next to you? She never gave up hope that you would see things her way and choose a more appropriate suitor."

Elizabeth began to laugh. "That one is still around and she hasn't changed a bit. William and I ran into her on our way to meet you. She's trying to find me a new husband."

"Is there something wrong with the old one?" Will asked mischievously. "I seem to recall him being an affable young man."

"He was –is," she grinned at him as she leaned in to kiss him.

"And how did you convince her that you were not on the market, as it were?"

"I didn't. William told her I would think about her offer. I know I should have scolded him for lying, but I had more important things on my mind," she said as she again started to caress his thigh.

"I see you still haven't learned to be patient about everything," Will laughed as he straightened up and got back to his feet. He offered his hand to Elizabeth.

"Yes, I have," Elizabeth replied indignantly, accepting his offer to help her up. "There are just some things I've waited far too patiently for." She stood on her toes, stretched her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. This time she had his complete, undivided attention.

"Can we go home now?" a loud voice announced.

Will pulled back from his wife with a low groan in his throat – so soft that only she could hear it. There was that unexpected audience again. The truth was the he was suddenly in a bit more of a hurry to get home too. He gave Elizabeth one more quick kiss on the lips before answering his son, never once tearing his eyes away from his wife's face. "I think that would be a good idea," he said half to William and half to Elizabeth.

William retrieved the temporarily abandoned lantern, lit it, and waited for his parents. Will stepped away from Elizabeth just long enough to put his coat back on, nervously pat the pockets, and collect the empty basket before taking her hand again to finish the walk home.

The closer they got to the house, the quieter everyone became. Will had no idea where they were headed. He didn't see much point in trying to make out the details of the various shops and homes along their route as he was sure they had changed significantly in the past eleven years. Elizabeth had mentioned that she had done quite well for herself so it didn't really surprise him when they made their way towards one of the nicer sections of town. It wasn't as prestigious as living in the Governor's mansion, but it would certainly be more than sufficient. William turned around and flashed his father an increasingly familiar grin as they turned on Carmen Street. He continued walking backwards for several yards before turning back the right way and running to an entrance not too far ahead. Will could do nothing but to assume that this was the family home – a large home at that. Apparently "quite well" was somewhat of an understatement on Elizabeth's part.

Will and Elizabeth finally caught up with William at the entrance to the house. As soon as they arrived William opened the door and held it for his parents like a perfect little gentleman. Will stopped a few feet from the door, pulling Elizabeth to a stop with him. He dropped the basket to the ground, turned to Elizabeth and scooped her up instead.

"Will!" she exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

Will ignored her question. "William, can you bring the basket in the house? My hands seem to be full at the moment." His gaze intently focused on his wife's face.

William pushed the doorstop into place and heeded his father's request, but not without looking at his parents as if they had both taken complete leave of their senses.

Elizabeth half-heartedly tried to wriggle her way free, but at the same time wrapping her right arm around Will's neck for support.

"I wouldn't suggest that," he murmured as he tightened his grip.

"I asked you what you're doing."

"I thought I was supposed to carry you over the threshold? I seem to recall you mentioning that to me a time or two – or three," he said teasingly.

"That was supposed to be when we got married! And you did carry me that night." Her eyes remained locked with her husband's.

"There wasn't a proper threshold so it didn't count, now did it? That means we're a bit behind schedule. Just add it to the list of things we need to catch up on." His eyes sparkled in the moonlight – amplifying the mischief present in them.

Elizabeth laughed as she gently touched his face with her left hand before laying her head on his shoulder. Will turned sideways so that he could make it through the single door without bumping into the door jamb. The entrance hall was no where near as grand as the one at the mansion Elizabeth had once lived in, but it was of a significant size. A matched pair of oil lamps on the side table was lit. The wicks turned low -their buttery yellow glow casting shadows on the white washed walls. Will could not see far down the hall, but it was obvious that the house was rather large. Having this much space was going to be new to him too, but he was more than willing to make the effort.

"I think you can put me down now," Elizabeth's voice plainly indicated her wish that her husband not do so.

"No, not yet." Their time apart had done nothing to weaken their ability to interpret each other's desires without them being spoken.

Will began walking down the wide hallway, stopping in front of each door and room they passed, waiting for some sign that they should enter. William took it upon himself to close the front door and lock it before trailing his parents down the hall. He ducked under his mother's dangling feet and moved quickly to a set of double doors just ahead of his parents. He pushed the doors open with the grace and flourishes of the finest butler and gestured for them to step inside.

"This is our sitting room," he proclaimed.

The lamps in this room too, were lit and turned low. As Will gently set Elizabeth down on a small sofa facing the unlit fireplace; William made his rounds turning up all the lamps. Will turned a full circle taking in the simple, but elegant furnishings. On either side of the sofa was a pair of matched armchairs. All three upholstered in some dark fabric – blue possibly? It was difficult to tell in the low light. Mounted over the fireplace were two crossed swords – both of which he recognized, for he had made them himself. How Elizabeth had acquired them he had no idea. What he was sure of was that should the need arise, he could easily pull either one from its fixture and use it immediately. It would only surprise him to find that they were not well cared for and razor sharp. One the wall opposite the door was a set of heavy draperies covering what Will supposed were windows and an exit to the outside. He didn't pause long enough to examine any other details of the room. Those could wait until a more appropriate time - a time when he wasn't intent on other things.

While Will was perusing his new surroundings, William finished his task and plopped down on the sofa next to his mother. Will looked at him for a moment and considered asking him to move, but then thought better of it. William was used to being protective of his mother. It wasn't as if he was going to hand over all that responsibility to Will after just a few hours. Will looked at Elizabeth, shrugged slightly, turned one of the chairs towards the sofa and sat down, noting as he did how odd it felt to be sitting on a comfortable chair after a lifetime of austerity.

"Tell me how you met mother."

"William, you know that already," his mother reminded him.

"But I haven't heard father tell it," he importantly pointed out.

"It's the same story," Elizabeth said somewhat exasperated. She was beginning to regret her decision to have her son take a nap. He was just as awake and alert as when they had left the house earlier that afternoon. This was definitely not part of her plan.

"I still want to hear it," he begged, snuggling close to his mother, but not taking his eyes off of his father. "I want to hear everything about how mother saw you in the water, and how they pulled you out, and, and, and, about mother stealing your medallion because she thought you were a pirate. You weren't really a pirate, were you? At least not then, right? Isn't that the first time Uncle Captain Jack beat you in a sword fight? "

"He cheated," Will interjected without thinking. "And we didn't meet him until years later."

William's eyes widened with disbelief and horror at the suggestion that Jack would do something less than honorable. Will cast Elizabeth a curious glance. She smiled apologetically and shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm beginning to think that my version of the story may not be the same as your mother's?" Will continued.

"No, yours and mine are the same. The variations are courtesy of Jack. He's never been one to pass up the opportunity to portray himself as the all conquering hero – that goes double when talking to small boys," Elizabeth responded, rolling her eyes.

"Why am I suddenly feeling the obligation to set the record straight?" Will said to Elizabeth, the mischievous twinkling in his eyes betraying his amusement. His expression suddenly turned serious as he finally processed all that had been said. He looked back at William. "Wait - did you say Uncle Captain Jack?" There was just the slightest hint of distress in his voice.

"Yes, sir. He used to come visit us before we lived here. He still sends me birthday presents. They're just not always on my birthday. So does Uncle Hector."

"Uncle Hector? Does he come for visits too?" Will's disquietude was growing exponentially now.

"Not so much, but he gets my birthday right. I want a monkey like his, but mother keeps telling me no."

"I'm afraid I'll have to agree with her on that point," his shock at the revelation of his son's honorary uncles ebbing – but only minimally.

William frowned slightly. He wasn't going to argue, he knew better than that. And hadn't he ended up with a dog as a consolation prize? Still, who wouldn't be impressed by an undead monkey as a pet? "Will you tell me the story?" he asked again barely concealing a yawn that his mother had been wishing for most fervently.

"Just the one," Elizabeth interjected "And then it's time for somebody to go to bed."

"That sounds like a good idea. We have all the time in the world now for me to tell you stories," Will agreed. "And to be honest, I'm kind of ready to go to bed myself," he added, this time directing his attention towards his wife. The slight smile on his lips and the look in his eyes letting her know beyond any shadow of a doubt what his intent was.

William heaved a heavy sigh. "I suppose," he relented.

And so Will told his son of how his own mother had died and he had taken off by himself at a young age to find his father, but the ship he had been sailing on had been attacked by pirates. He told of his subsequent rescue by the crew of the Dauntless and how he had been apprenticed to Mr. Brown to become a blacksmith, yet still had remained friends with Elizabeth. The tale skipped ahead and continued with her kidnapping by undead pirates – although leaving out the part that the boy's now honorary Uncle Hector had been responsible, and how he, Will had rescued her and vice versa. He confessed how very much he had wanted to marry Elizabeth immediately, but had been forced to wait until he had finished his apprenticeship. Will was just beginning his account of all the commotion surrounding the planning of the wedding when he noticed, thankfully, that William was obviously beginning to nod off – surely he couldn't stay awake much longer. Elizabeth confirmed his suspicion with a slight nod of her head and a faint smile of her own – all without removing her eyes from their groggy child.

Partly due to the urgency he felt to keep the story short, and partly because he wasn't ready to discuss some details from that part of his life yet Will excluded certain details. He had not mentioned the difference in station that had nearly kept them apart forever, Elizabeth's engagement to another man, or his well timed, but potentially life threatening rescue of Jack. Not knowing how much William knew of what his parents had been through both together and apart, Will also opted to omit their arrests, the circumstances surrounding it, their temporary and extended separations, and the events leading up to them. Those memories reminded Will - not for the first time - what a miracle it was that his and Elizabeth's son existed at all.

Elizabeth eased herself from the sofa and gently allowed William to slide down onto the soft cushions. He wasn't completely asleep, but he was close enough that he did not protest when his mother moved. Elizabeth stretched on hand towards her husband in an obvious invitation for him to rise too. Will took her hand and stood facing her. He put his free hand on her cheek and leaned in to kiss her. This time the kiss they shared was unequivocally a blatant request and invitation for a much more intimate and private reunion than what they had thus far been afforded.

Elizabeth reluctantly pulled herself away from Will. She smiled to herself at the sight of him standing stock still, eyes closed, mouth partly open and breathing harder than normal. It was reassuring to know that she held the same power of him now as she always had – a power that was undoubtedly reciprocated.

"I'll take care of the lamps, if you can carry William," she whispered, somewhat breathless herself.

Will nodded, eyes still closed as Elizabeth made her way around the room. She doused all but one lamp and returned to the sofa. Will, apparently recovered from his recent trance like state, was standing beside it, looking down at the sleeping boy. When Elizabeth reached his side, he glanced at her once, and then leaned down to pick up their son.

Will grunted slightly as he picked up William. He looked small, but he weighed more than Will had expected. "Upstairs?" he asked softly not wanting to wake his son.

Elizabeth nodded in reply, but did not move. She continued to stare awe-struck at the two most important people in her life in the same room at last. "Do you realize the last time you held him he was only a few weeks old?" The emotion in her voice threatened to overcome her.

Will closed his eyes for an instant before opening them and looking down at the child in his arms. "Yes," he agreed. "But I'm trying to stay focused on what lies ahead instead of what all I missed."

Elizabeth gave him a sad half smile and started for the door. She had heard the unmistakable emotion in her husband's voice, and like him she knew there was no sense in dwelling on what had gone before. They could not regain the time they had lost together, but they could move forward as a family, as they had always wished. Will followed behind Elizabeth; his attention focused more on his wife's silhouette illuminated by the lamp's glow and the limp boy he was carrying instead of his surroundings. There would be plenty of time to explore the house later. Right now he had far more pressing matters to attend to. The Turner family paraded out into the hall and up the stairs.

Elizabeth stopped on the upper landing and cast an anxious glance at the door at the top of the stairs before turning the corner and heading down the narrow hallway. Will, too, cast a glance at the door, surmising that it must lead to their room. The idea of sharing a living space with Elizabeth was both exciting and daunting - for until now Will had led a solitary existence - his choice in the matter having never been taken into account.

Will followed his wife to the end of the hallway and through the door to the smallish room at the end. As with the rest of the house it was difficult to make out any details by the light of the lone lamp, but Will could tell it was definitely a child's room by the outlines of toys neatly lining the shelves. Elizabeth gestured to Will to put their son on his narrow bed while she retrieved his night shirt. William woke up just enough to sit slouched on the edge of the mattress.

"This is the fun part," Elizabeth said to Will.

"How so?" Will retreated to a spot near the door jamb.

"Just watch."

And thus Elizabeth began the awkward process of getting her son into his night clothes and tucked into bed. While William was semi-conscious, he wasn't alert enough to be of much help. It was much like trying to undress and redress an oversized rag doll with a mind of its own. Will watched in amazement as his wife tugged, pulled, cajoled and coaxed William into cooperating. He had never actually taken the time to consider exactly what it meant for Elizabeth to a mother. He had never really thought of her in those terms and it most certainly wasn't a part of her he knew, but from his perspective, she seemed to be quite adept at it. "Please allow me to be as equally good a parent as she is," he thought as he watched the tender interaction between mother and son. And please allow him to learn to love me too.