/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Twenty Nine

The days passed by without an incident. Every morning without fail I was sick to my stomach and couldn't move for the better part of the day. Will stayed by my side during those dark moments of my life, holding me close and helping me when I needed it. In the afternoon when I felt decent enough to hold my own, I went out to sit with Bootstrap Bill and Jack, with the help of Will, of course. I don't know how I made it without him.

One morning, I was in the midst of my illness when Bootstrap Bill came striding in. I looked up at him, wondering why he wanted to come when I didn't look my best.

"I'm going out to find a doctor for you now," Bootstrap informed me. "I believe its safe enough that I won't cause a riot when I go out."

I smiled weakly. "They caused a riot the first time."

"They only pretended to," Bootstrap laughed. "I don't think they would try their hand against a cursed man, don't you think?"

I tried to laugh but a wave of nausea overcame me and I found myself buried into the chamber pot. I felt as if I were throwing up my internal organs in the process. When I was finally finished, I leaned back against the pillows, feeling my nightclothes pressed against my sweat soaked back.

"I will be back in a little while," he said and soon disappeared again.

Will handed me a glass of water. "Drink this, you'll feel better."

I sighed. "I feel like I'm going to be sick just looking at it."

Will's smile was strained with worry. "You must drink at least a tiny sip, Elizabeth. It will help get the taste out of your mouth."

"True enough." I took a small sip and swirled it around my mouth before swallowing. All of this was pure torture and I was wondering how long it was all going to last. I couldn't take one more minute of it.

In what seemed like no time, Bootstrap Bill came back, a doctor following in behind him. He was a young man, a handsome fellow with dark hair and strong hands. And in his face I could see his kindness and also inquisitiveness for the world around him that few people ever had. I instantly liked the man.

The man took my hand and kissed it lightly, bowing slightly. "My dear, it is a pleasure meeting you. You must be Miss Elizabeth Swann that this wonderful gentleman was telling me about."

I couldn't help but smile. "That I am, though I don't feel much like here at this moment."

The man laughed jovially, his laugh warming the entire room. "Yes, being ill isn't the most fun times in our lives when we catch it. I've had my own share of illnesses in my time."

"You don't seem that old," I said boldly.

"That I am not, but old enough to have times in my life when I thought I wasn't going to live to see another beautiful day," the man said. "Now, let me have a look at you and see what's causing you to be ill on this fine day."

Bootstrap Bill placed a hand on Will's shoulder. "You best come with me, boy. Women don't like having men watching them while they're being inspected."

Will looked at his father inquisitively. "But father, I couldn't possibly. I promised her that I wouldn't leave her side."

Bootstrap Bill chuckled. "And you won't be. I don't think you would be doing her a disservice by sitting out in the next room."

I watched the two of them go with longing. I hadn't wanted Will to leave, either, but I also knew Bootstrap Bill's logic. He was trying to give me more time.

As the door closed, the doctor knelt down beside my bed. Using his many tools from his black bag that he was carrying, he began checking my vital signs, making sure there wasn't anything wrong with me.

Putting his stethoscope away, the doctor studied me carefully. Not knowing what to think, I stared back at him. I wanted to know what he was thinking.

"Well, you're not dying, I can tell you that," the doctor finally said. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you were healthy and strong."

I narrowed my eyes. "What's wrong with me, then?"

"From what I've been told and from my observations," the doctor said, "I do believe you are with child."

I knew I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was. I groaned and leaned back against my ever loyal pillow, closing my eyes. This wasn't the time to be pregnant. I couldn't afford to be pregnant. There was so many things that needed to get done and I couldn't take nine months out of my life to have a baby right then.

Seeing my anguish, the doctor lowered his eyes. "I am sorry, madam. I wish I could give you something else, but that isn't the case."

I sighed before opening my eyes. "Don't feel about it, doctor. You were only doing your job."

The doctor nodded and smiled before standing up. "Despite many ill comings, many women end up looking forward to the coming of their first child. A baby is a beautiful thing and a joy to brighten the world."

To the normal family it might, I thought, but I said nothing out loud. I just gave the kind man a smile. The doctor gave me a curt nod and picked up his bag.

"Well, I'll be going now. If it comes the time you need help, don't hesitate to give me a call," the doctor exclaimed.

I nodded. "I will keep that in mind if I'm ever in a desperate need."

The doctor gave me one last smile and left the room without another word. A moment later, Bootstrap Bill came into the room and sat in the chair beside me. In his arms I saw a bulky package.

"Where is Will?" I asked, wanting to see his gentle face again.

"He is helping Mr. Brown with his shop. It's keeping him busy and his mind off worrying," Bootstrap Bill said, smiling. "Here, I thought tonight you might want to wear something than your old sailor's clothes that you've been wearing."

He placed the package on my lap. I looked at him curiously before turning back to the package. Opening it, I gasped in delight when I pulled out a beautiful dress. It was a sky blue and already I knew it would compliment my features when I put it on.

Putting the package aside, I gave Bootstrap Bill a kiss on the cheek and a loving hug. Bootstrap grunted in embarrassment, not used to the emotions of a woman after so many years. I pulled away, a smile on my face.

"It's beautiful, I love it," I exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"

Bootstrap Bill grunted again. "I saw it in a window as I passed by and I thought of you. You haven't had much luxury in a long time from what I can tell and I thought you deserved it this one time."

"I would hate to wear it for just tonight and it be unused for several months," I said, disappointment in my voice.

Bootstrap Bill looked into my eyes. "Are you with child then?"

I put a hand on his. "That I am, and I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm not ready for this."

Bootstrap chuckled. "You will feel that for a while but you will soon be looking forward to that little one in no time. I think you are more ready for being a mother than you will ever know."

"I'm just so scared," I said. "There's so many things that I—that we need to do and I don't have time to have a baby."

"If that is all that you are worried about, child," Bootstrap stated, "then you shouldn't worry so. Things will take care of itself."

"I know, but—" I began.

"Tonight you will not worry about the things that are happening in your life," Bootstrap said. "Tonight you will spend time with the man who loves you heart and soul and together you will celebrate the joy of the creation of a new life. Babies are the gift and joy from God, as my wife used to say."

I couldn't help but laugh. "And how am I going to tell Will, that he is going to be a father?"

"However you deem it most necessary," Bootstrap Bill. "He will be overjoyed beyond what you'll ever know."

"But we are not even married!" I cried. "I had never dreamed in all my life that I will bring a child out of wedlock. It will be the shame of me!"

"Now don't get yourself all worked up," Bootstrap soothed. "That can be arranged. You can still get married to my son before you even begin to show and nobody will know the difference."

Bootstrap Bill stood and kissed my cheek. "Now I think its best you get yourself out of that bed and get ready. I know how it takes hours for a woman to get herself ready and it will be this evening before you know it."

"But where are we going?" I asked. "I cannot be seen, as you said."

Bootstrap turned and smiled back at me. "There is a small, unknown little café in the corner of town that I know about. You and Will are to be dining there."

Before I could question him further, Bootstrap left the room without another word. I sighed as I made myself get out of bed. Sometimes I didn't know what to think of him. Just like Will and Jack, Bootstrap Bill was full of surprises, one that I would probably never figure out as long as I lived.

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Author's Note: Chapter Twenty Nine for everyone! I can't believe how long this story is getting! I thought it was only going to be between twenty and twenty five chapters, but I was wrong. I'm now beating my longest story that I've written so far, which was twenty eight chapters. But anyways, don't mind me.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I've made it as long as I could to make you all happy. I hope the story's going the way everybody wants it to go, for the most part. Thanks to all who've reviewed, I really appreciate it.

To willliz—Love and Peace? What would I write about in a story called that? But it's a good title for something someday. I've never read War and Peace, I don't read many classics in my spare time, much as I want to.

But anyways, I hope everybody's enjoyed the story so far. I'll update as fast as I can. Don't forget to review!