Chapter 5

"I'm your...what?" I couldn't believe what Jack had just said. "No, I can't be…There's no way…" I trailed off, trying to wrap my head around the information that had just smacked me in the face.

"I didn't think you'd believe me. But it's true. I swear on pain of death it is. You're my daughter."

"It's not possible. I grew up in Los Angeles in the 21st century! My parents are James and Alexis Diaz!" I was beginning to lose my calm, and Jack could tell.

"It's not probable, love. But it's true," Jack explained. "When you was just born, your mother died. I couldn't bring you up here on the Pearl like I wanted to, it was too dangerous. I knew I had to give you up, but you couldn't stay in the 18th century. So I went to the 21st century and I left you on the doorstep of James and Alexis Diaz. They took you in and raised you as their own. On your first birthday, I came back. I had left a note with you a year before, explainin' everything…"

"So my parents knew the whole time who I really was."

"Aye, they did. When I came back, they thought I was there t' take you back with me, so they sent you to your grandparents' house. When I explained that I wasn't there t' take you with me, only to visit like I said I was going to in the letter, they didn't believe me. They had the authorities after me, so I went back to the Pearl and sailed back home. I knew at that moment I had t' get you back for good. Your my only daughter, Angel, and I'd move heaven an' earth to protect you. I knew I'd have to wait t' get you back though, an' when I found out you were in Jamaica, I set off to bring you home once and for all, back to the time and place you truly belong," Jack finished. I was shocked.

"So...everything I've ever known about my parents and my family has been a complete lie? I wasn't born to the Diaz family, but to pirates?" I managed to say.

"Yeah. I wanted to tell you when you first came on board, but I knew there was no way you would've believed me then. So I figured I'd wait and tell you once we were closer to home," Jack responded.

"So, you're taking me back to the 18th century, where I really was born and you're gonna keep me there?" I asked, afraid of the answer.

"You're only staying if you want to. If you want to go back to the 21st century and live out the rest of your life as Angel Diaz, that's up to you. But you can come back and live out the rest of your life as my daughter, Angel Sparrow, if you'd rather." Jack informed me. "Right now, I'm jus' takin' you to see the place where you were born."

"And where's that?" I asked.

"Tortuga." That was the only response.

With that, Jack got up and left the cabin. I remained in my chair, frozen in shock. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. But for some reason, it all made sense. I was practically a mirror image of him and I acted so like him. As a child I had always felt like I didn't belong in the 21st century. I always felt like I was a old-fashion girl trapped in a different century. And boy was I right. I was really an 18th century pirate. I began thinking about what my life would've been like if Jack had never given me up. I'd be standing next to him by the helm most likely, and we'd be sailing to someplace exotic in the Caribbean, chasing treasure ships.

After about 20 minutes or so, I got up from my chair and walked to the doors of Jack's cabin. I took one last look around, taking in the site before me, then left. I walked back up to the deck and saw us surrounded by thick fog. I could see the entire ship clearly, but when I tried to look beyond it, all I saw was fog. I turned and walked up to the helm where Jack stood, steering us on a course homeward bound. I took a place beside him, looking out at the fog.

"We should be out of this fog in 10 minutes or so," Jack said, not taking his eyes from the fog ahead of us. Anamaria had been right. The water here was unusually calm and I could barely tell we were moving.

"I can't wait to see the place where I was born," I said, turning to look at Jack, this man who was my father. He smiled, realizing that I had accepted that I was his daughter. His left arm slid across my shoulders and pulled me into him. My right arm went around his waist, keeping me close to him. I inhaled the smell of leather and the sea from his jacket, as well as the smell of rum.

"You'll love it. Tortuga really is a remarkable place. Keep in mind, once we cross into the 18th century, the ocean will look the same, but once we get to Tortuga, you'll see how different it really is," Jack informed me. As insane as the idea was that my father was a pirate, I embraced it rather quickly. I finally knew who my father was and couldn't wait to see the place of my birth.

Ten minutes later, the fog lifted and I looked out to sea. I had no idea where we were, just that we were in the 18th century.

"Hey Jack, I'm goin' to run down to my cabin real quick. I'll be right back," I said, my arm slipping down to my side from Jack's waist.

"Alright, but hurry back. I want you at my side when we pull into Tortuga," he replied, his arm sliding from my shoulders. I promised that I'd be back as soon as possible and set off. I reached my cabin and took my hair down from the sloppy bun it had been in all day and brushed it out. I quickly but carefully put it into two French braids and set off to the deck once again. When I arrived, I saw docks straight ahead of us. Figuring we had at least reached our destination, I jogged up the stairs to the helm and took my place at Jack's side again. His arm instantly went to my shoulders and drew me to him. I could tell his was anxious, so I put my arm around his waist in an attempt to comfort him. It seemed to work.

"All hands to the deck! Drop canvas! Prepare to dock!" Jack's voice called out to the crew below us. The crew scrambled to drop canvas and we coasted into the harbor of Tortuga. A huge group of pirates were on the docks, clearly awaiting our arrival.

"Toss up the lines! Tie us off!" Jack yelled. Once the ship was tied to the dock, a plank was brought to the ship. I watched as Anamaria and Cotton, among the others of the crew, disembarked onto the dock below. Jack offered his arm and I took it, and we walked down the plank. Once we touched the dock, a cheer went up from the crowd. Jack smiled with pride and I did as well. Then I heard someone shout: "She looks jus' like 'im!" I had my sword and pistol on my belt like Jack did and I saw a few eyes fall onto them. I soon heard another shout:

"Welcome home Miss Sparrow!" That sent another cheer through the crowd. Everyone shouted a welcome to me.

"Thank you! It feels good to be home!" I replied. Clearly that's what everyone was waiting to hear. Another cheer rang out and I saw bottles of rum being passed around in celebration. No doubt Jack told anyone who cared to listen that he had to give me up into the 21st century.

We were swept to the town square, where a small band of pirates had accordions, a piano, and fiddles. The music started up and Jack took me into the middle of the crowd and we danced into the early evening.

Author's Note:
Reviews are welcome – Artemis