So yes, it's all nearly over, and as such I am (accidentally) maintaining large gaps between posts to keep you interested. Luckily, I have only two more weeks of school and then I have a week off, and whilst I should be spending that week writing a 2000 word essay, instead I hope to finish this off.

Thanks for all the reviews, be they here or on they are all much appreciated.

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A Future Brightened

Darkness came; dinner was taken, and not once did Elizabeth see or hear her father say anything about the Commodore. She was incredibly confused.

Her eldest sister Charlotte, and her husband, as per usual, spent the evening with them, and as such, took up most of her father's attention, especially when baby Ethan appeared in his nurse's arms. Elizabeth didn't even manage to evoke a response from Thomas, who merely observed his sister, her husband and son, without much of a word.

Elizabeth knew that she ought to stay in her family's presence for most of the evening, but her confusion was driving her insane, and she was certain, tiring her. After two games of cards with her brother in-law, both games which he successfully defeated her in, she bid her adieus, and retired to her room.

Esther was surprised to see her arrive much earlier than anticipated, but Elizabeth simply responded that she was tired. As such, Esther set to work on preparing Elizabeth for bed, and when completed, left her charge alone.

But Elizabeth could not sleep. Her brain was racking over every single detail that had occurred that day, from the moment the Commodore left, to now. But she could find no answer to her many predicaments.

Hearing a creak at the door, Elizabeth was aware that Esther would be checking constantly, to make sure Elizabeth was asleep, and knowing that most of that would be done by checking the light from below her door, Elizabeth promptly blew out the candle beside her bed.

Her room, now bathed in the cool blue glow of the night, calmed Elizabeth greatly, but still she could not find the ability to sleep.

Leaving the warmth of her bed, she moved to the door leading to her small balcony, opening it, and allowing the curtains to flutter in the soft evening Caribbean breeze. Leaning against the doorframe and staring out to the bay, Elizabeth found herself thinking about her life here, and how different England would be too her.

England, with its four seasons, and considerably cooler weather, seemed like a distant dream, despite Elizabeth's knowledge that for a small time in her life, it had been her home. Yes she missed it, that large house in the countryside, where she still held vivid memories of running in the fields of long golden grass with Georgia, before adulthood had changed her; memories of her mother, often painting images of the land or of various animals.

At this thought, Elizabeth sighed. Would her mother have been able to help her in her current life? Would she have influence over her father, and allow her to marry William Turner, or would Elizabeth be a completely different person? Already married, and with a litter of children?

At this Elizabeth had to laugh. For despite her mother's most probable dream of having all her daughters married, and well, she found herself quite amused that as an eighteen year old girl, and with three older sisters, two married, and only now beginning families of their own, that she would as such, have a great litter of children of her own.

But still Elizabeth sighed, before sliding down the wood, hugging her knees to her chest, and just thinking.

It was the scuffle and rustling of noise below her that caused Elizabeth to stop thinking, and force her hearing. The noise continued, and Elizabeth, moving to her feet, looked down to the wall below her, and gasping audibly when she saw Will, almost reaching her.

"Will! What on earth!" She whispered hoarsely, grabbing his attention.

Will stopped and looked up at her. He continued to climb the remaining distance as he spoke to her. "I need to talk to you."

Elizabeth didn't respond as Will swung himself over the railing, and taking her in his arms in a warm hug. "What's going on?" She asked him, still whispering, and leading him into her room.

"I've been going crazy for hours." He responded, as they both took a seat on her bed. "Your father and brother visited me today." Elizabeth gasped. She had seen her father and Thomas leave the house, and only observed what appeared to be an argument, unable to hear what was being said.

"I know, it surprised me too, as I was certain your father had found out about us, and was coming to tell me off. But instead, I think he told me to continue my pursuit." Will finished, wondering why Elizabeth hadn't lit a light.

"What? And I can't turn any lights on or Esther will think I'm still awake." Elizabeth said, reading Will's mind. "My father encouraged you to pursue me?"

"But the thing is, I was under the impression that Thomas approves of us, but his expression throughout was blank, almost as though he detests the idea of you and I marrying. Having said that, I also think that your father merely holds suspicions about us, and today was a test. I mean, that would explain Thomas's expression wouldn't it?"

Elizabeth nodded, looking to the floor thinking. "It would, and if he were to show approval to the idea of us marrying, it would prove my father's suspicions to be correct." She was thinking out loud, but Will could only nod and murmur approval to her mindset. "Did he give you any signs? Any marks to work with?" Elizabeth turned to Will.

Will nodded. "When your father would pose a question to me, he sometimes shook his head slightly when his father wasn't looking, or else was just looking at me, like he was pleading. Often they were moments when there was a possibility I might say the wrong thing."

Elizabeth looked back to her thinking point, now especially confused. "James Norrington visited today."

"I know; your father mentioned it, and the fact that you no longer pose a possibility of becoming Mrs. James Norrington." Will spoke.

"You see that's what doesn't make any sense! My father was pressing that marriage, and so now I'm confused as to why he hasn't said anything about it not happening! He hasn't even spoken to-" Elizabeth was cut off when her bedroom door burst open, and Thomas strode into the room. "Thomas!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Will, who was partially hidden from the door by one of the bed posts, had immediately dived for cover and was now hiding under Elizabeth's bed. Elizabeth glanced in the direction of Will, and upon seeing him absent, stared back at Thomas who was now shutting Elizabeth's door and locking it.

"When you have company, Lizbeth, it will do you good to remember to lock your door." He looked at her, a knowing look.

"I don't know what you mean." Elizabeth responded, moving to get back into bed.

Thomas smiled, crossing over to her, before kneeling down at her bed, lifting the sheets and staring under, and as such, seeing Will. "You can come out now, Mister Turner." He said, dropping the sheets and standing.

A few moments later and Elizabeth was feeling incredibly uncomfortable. On one side of the bed was her brother, and the other, her lover.

"I noticed movement out the parlor window, and crossing to it, I saw you," he nodded to Will; "crossing the garden, before climbing up the wall." Will swallowed, certain a reprimand was coming. "Next time you plan such a thing, be sure to ensure your movements are not observed."

"You want him to come here again?" Elizabeth asked confused.

Thomas didn't respond to the question. "Father has suspicions of you both." He said simply. "Georgia has heard and seen things and mentioned them too him. When I spoke to father today, we got into an argument. You see William, my father today had every intention of warning you away from Elizabeth. Our argument was extensive. I told him that no matter what your father did, you are a good man; you are honest, you are true, and you make my sister happy, and from all accounts, you are nothing like the man your father was. I told this to my father, and reminded him that we cannot judge children by the actions of their parents. If that was the case no one would take our Royal family seriously, or pay them the respect they deserve. There were a number of other examples I gave, which I shan't mention here.

"Instead I shall tell you this, word will get out about Norrington's rejected proposal, and I assure you that is what they will here. Lay low for a while, and in a few months, display the proper attentions of courtship. Do this, and in six months, you'll both probably be living in a small cottage somewhere behind this hill." He looked between the two of them with mild amusement, before moving to leave.

"So, today, he was approving me as a possible son in-law?" Will asked to Thomas's back.

"No, he was approving you as a possible courtier of his youngest daughter. He shan't approve you as a possible son in-law until he has reason too." Thomas responded staring at Will.

Will looked to Elizabeth, who was beaming up at him, and smiled at her. "And to think," Will began quietly; "if this hadn't happened, tomorrow I would have considered demanding it too." Elizabeth's smile softened, but her eyes maintained their brightness.

"Goodnight Lizbeth." Thomas said from the doorway, disappearing, as Elizabeth moved onto her knees, pulled Will to her, kissing him deeply whilst wrapping her arms around his neck.

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