Disclaimer: I do not own the movies or the characters you recognize. I am making no money off of this story.
Epilogue
"Mum!" Thomas yelled from the docks. He ran across the wooden planks and up the gravel path to the red brick manor-house. Standing in front of the large open windows he shouted his news. "They're here! They're here! The ship just docked. Come on!" He only stayed in front of the house long enough to announce the ship's arrival and then sprinted back to the dock.
"I'd like to imagine that, under normal circumstances, he would have been this happy to see me come home," Will said to his wife as he got up from his desk.
"I'm sure he would have been even more energetic," Elizabeth assured him with a smile. She walked over to a white wooden crib on the other side of the room. "I hate to wake her, but I don't think she'll want to miss this," she said as she lifted the sleeping toddler out of the crib with tender hands.
Will came over to the pair and gently laid a kiss on his daughter's forehead before placing another kiss on his wife's lips. "Come on. We don't want to keep family waiting."
By the time they reached the docks, the golden-haired toddler in Elizabeth's arms was squirming in an attempt to get free. The Flying Dutchman was safely tethered to the dock and the gangplank had been lowered. Will greeted many of the crewmen as they descended from the ship since he knew most of them from his time as the Dutchman's captain. Finally they saw who they were looking for.
"Uncle Gibbs! Uncle Eric!" Thomas cried, running up the gangplank and bumping into a few of the sailors who were still coming off of the vessel. Eric greeted him with open arms and lifted the child into the air.
"Oomph!" he exclaimed. "I think you're getting a little too big for this my boy." He set the child down on the deck and patted his head. Thomas turned to Gibbs and hugged him, his short arms unable to wrap around the old pirate fully.
"Good ta see ya Tom," Gibbs said. "Ye look taller than the last time I saw ya."
"Well I grew a lot since last year," Thomas told him proudly, standing up tall.
The trio walked down the gangplank to where the rest of the family was standing. Everyone took a moment to embrace each other or shake hands. Gibbs had taken the toddler out of Elizabeth's arms and was tossing her up in the air and catching her. The little girl was shrieking with laughter and her smile was instantaneously infectious.
"I can't believe little Emily is almost three," Eric said, gazing at the child with warm eyes.
"Neither can we," Elizabeth agreed. Gibbs handed the child back to its mother. "She's getting so big, so fast."
"Don't say that," Gibbs commented. "It makes me feel old."
"Mr. Gibbs, you're dead," Eric rationalized. "You can't get any older."
The old pirate pretended to take offense to the captain's comments. "I know that. But it feels that way in me mind. So Will," he said, turning the conversation in another direction, "how has your first year as gov'ner of Port Royal been? No serious trouble I hope."
"Well, it's interesting that you should say that…" Will began.
His wife put a hand on his shoulder, interrupting before the proud man could start retelling their trials and triumphs of the past year. "There will be plenty of time to exchange stories. Let's go up to the house. I'd imagine that you would like to rest and eat something before we start exchanging tales. I'm sure you have a lot to tell us." Elizabeth turned toward the house before anyone could challenge her decree.
"Wait," Eric replied. "We have a surprise for all of you first."
"A surprise?" Will asked hesitantly. "We're not very fond of surprises."
"You'll like this one," Gibbs assured, and then he whistled up to the deck of the ship.
A familiar figure strode into sight and down the gangplank. The Turner family was clearly surprised. Only the little girl in Elizabeth's arms didn't recognize the man standing before them.
"Jack?" Elizabeth asked. "Why…? How…?"
"Are you dead?" Will questioned blatantly, staring at his friend with a worried expression. It had been nearly three years since they had last seen their friend.
The pirate scoffed at the idea and started to laugh. "Course I'm not dead. I'm Jack Sparrow," he reminded them all, as if his name was enough to ward off death.
"Then why were you on that ship?" Elizabeth inquired.
"Well, ye see. There's a bit of a story ta that," Jack said, grinning. "Long story short, I got in ta a speck of trouble and I was lucky enough ta happen upon these gents," he explained.
"What he means to say is that we rescued him," Eric put in.
"I'll tell ya all the details over supper. Now come on, we don't want the food ta get cold," he said, ignoring the captain of the Flying Dutchman and walking toward the manor-house.
"I have a feeling it's going to be a very long night," Elizabeth said to Will. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her. Together with the pirates and their son they made their way back to the manor-house.
Author's Note: Okay so that really is the end. I just thought it needed a cute, fluffy, optimistic ending after all the crap I put them through. Once again, thank you for reading. Reviews are greatly appreciated, especially positive ones, but I'm willing to acknowledge constructive criticism as well. Happy reading!