A/N: Sooooo terribly sorry for the long wait between updates! I kind of forgot about this story for a while, but now for the final chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates. You know that.

Chapter 5

Home

He scampered along through the knee-high grass. The orange-green blades grasped at his pants as he hurried to the cliff's edge. The sun was low over the ocean, painting the world as he knew it in brilliant yellows and oranges and reds. He glanced back over his shoulder.

"Hurry up, Mom!" He exclaimed excitedly.

Elizabeth strode quickly through the tall grass until she reached her son's side. He smiled up at her and she placed her hand on his back. Every time that smile lit up his face, she was reminded of Will. It brought a fresh pang of sadness every time she thought about him, but today was the day she had been waiting for ever since he left her on this very island ten years ago.

Ten long years she had waited faithfully. More often than not she had cried herself to sleep. But after her son had been born, she had a new reason to live. She had to provide for him and keep him safe so that one day he might meet his father. Many times she wondered if Will would really be allowed to stay with her forever after ten years of her faithful waiting or if it was just a story. Many times she would walk the beach and pretend every ship she saw on the distant horizon was the Flying Dutchman coming to get her. Every time was met with disappointment, though she knew in her heart it was not him.

Before he left her, Will had given her his heart. It was the only thing other than her memories that she had left of him. Sometimes when she got lonely, she would take his heart out of the secret hiding place she kept it and press her ear against the cool, dry wood and listen to it beat. With every beat, she felt closer and closer to him, but when she put it up the distant feeling came back stronger than before.

She grew restless often and wanted to be back out on the high seas with sword in hand and wind in her hair. Any ship would do so long as she was free. But then she remembered her promise to Will to keep his heart safe and she was immediately flooded with guilt. Never, while he was away, did she set foot on a ship of any kind. If she did, she knew the temptation to leave in search of him would be too great.

But now all that was over. The longest ten years of her life had finally come to an end. She would no longer wish to be free. She would not be lonely and would certainly not cry herself to sleep. No, she would fall asleep in Will's strong arms every night and forget these years. They were finally past.

The sun dipped below the horizon. A green flash of light echoed across the sky. Elizabeth's eyes searched the distant horizon. There she was. The Flying Dutchman. Elizabeth smiled.

She could feel her son inhale a deep breath in awe of the moment. She glanced down at him to see his eyes fixed upon the quickly approaching ship and a broad smile on his face.

"Let's go down to the beach so when he arrives on land we'll be there," she said.

He nodded and tore his eyes away from the sight and scampered down the well-worn path to the sea's edge. Elizabeth gathered up her skirts and ran after him, her feet barely touching the ground beneath them. Her mind raced with all that she would say to Will. All the things he had yet to catch up on in his son's life, all the things she had done.

She glanced out at the ship. They had let down a longboat already with only a single passenger in it. Her heart leapt at the sight. Will was almost home.

She rounded one last turn to see her son waiting anxiously at the water's edge. The longboat was growing closer. Elizabeth hurried to her son's side and clasped a hand over her heart. She could make out his outline in the dim light. His muscular arms pulled the oars and propelled the boat through the water, his dark, wavy hair was tied back.

The longboat ran up onto the shore a few feet from them. Elizabeth did not hesitate. Will climbed out of the boat and she rushed to him, arms spread wide open. He grabbed her in a tight embrace and their lips met. After so long, Elizabeth knew her faithful waiting was worth it.

Their lips parted and she just held him. It had been so long since she had held him. She never wanted the moment to end.

"You're home," she whispered. It was all she could think. "You're home."

She could finally begin living.

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A/N: A touching end to my little stories. I hope you guys liked it! I'd like to thank:

popcorn, EponinexEnjolras, mz-turner, orlysluv, RubyVulpix, latebloomer04, Shani8, and a muggle named Caity

for all your wonderful reviews! Thank you for reading!