Everyone was back to the ship within the hour. They all seemed drunk and or tired due to playing cards all night but they came back. Will had already retrieved Elizabeth so they set sail. Currently the two of them were helping out with this and that. When it came to lunch time however, Jack, Elizabeth and Will brought their food into his cabin to continue reading.
Madelyn seemed older and very tired. Much more than the last time Emma had visited. The young boy was watching Emma as she walked.
"So I take it you're little William ay?"
He nodded but didn't say anything.
"You don't talk to strangers do you?"
This time he shook his head.
"Well, I'm not really a stranger you know. When I first met you, you were only this high," she said indicating with her hands.
They finally stopped at a very shabby home which was probably where they lived.
"I'm going to put on a spot of tea," Madelyn said smiling a little.
They went inside and right away went to the stove while young Will went over to play with some toys of his.
"So, how are you," Emma finally asked.
"'m fine. I hear you're doing pretty good; how's that going?"
"S'not bad. I bloody hate the corsets though. Other than that...oh I wish I brought Elizabeth with me today. She would've loved to have met you since she was but a babe the last time."
"She's all grown now?"
"She is Will's age."
"Mum, can I go and see Philip. We were going to trade today." The boy had the most adorable voice.
"Alright, just be careful savvy?"
"Savvy." The boy scooped up his things before turning to Emma. "It was nice to meet you Ma'am."
Emma could've laughed; the boy was being so proper. She could never get Elizabeth to talk that politely. Even if she threatened her.
Elizabeth and Will busted out laughing and Jack went to the door to make sure no one was walking by.
"And it was very nice to meet you too." She patted him on the head and he kissed his mother before running out the door. Madelyn brought over the tea cups and sat down.
"Where was he running off to?" Emma asked taking a small sip.
"Bringing his pebbles to a friend. They fancy them marbles and wanted to trade. Imagine that, he's eight years old and playing with rocks."
"Indeed."
They sipped their tea quietly.
"So, how's Weatherby?"
"He's fine. Nothing seems to be interesting lately. And you? How's Bill?"
Madelyn might've tried to hide it, but something was going on. "He's fine," she said quickly.
They finished and just sat in relative silence. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Madelyn answered and it was one of Emma's maids. "May I help you?" she asked crisply.
"Don't worry, she's one of mine," Emma said quickly.
"Sorry to be stopping by but i's time to get back home."
"Thank you Julie."
The maid left and that only left the two women. Emma was about to hug Madelyn when she suddenly began to cough. It was a hacking cough that seemed vaguely familiar to her...
"It was wonderful seeing you again," Madelyn said once the fit was over. She gave Emma a tight hug which she returned with all her heart.
"Get well," Emma whispered before walking out the door.
She looked back at the house they lived in. Something told her this was going to be the last time she saw it and Madelyn and young William.
The carriage ride back was, well, dull. No one was speaking and Emma was staring out the window. Before she knew it though, they were back at the house. Elizabeth met her at the door.
"Did you get me anything?" she asked after five seconds.
"You'll see."
The two of them went up to Emma's rooms and she showed her the pretty fabric she'd bought.
"And the dress will be lovely, you'll see."
Elizabeth seemed to be trying to hide her disappointment and wasn't succeeding.
"I also got you this apple. A very nice boy was selling them. In fact, you met him when you were only a few months old."
"That's interesting. Thank you mother," the girl said biting into it. "It tastes wonderful."
Emma shooed Elizabeth out of the room and told her to remember to throw the core into the garbage this time and not out her window like the last. Alone now, Emma went back to her new past time which was diary writing and preparing to make Elizabeth's dress.
"Look, she even made a little diagram of it," Elizabeth said.
The two men looked into the book where on one page was a picture of the outfit.
"Me sister made a dress like that," Jack exclaimed.
"She did have a hand for sewing," Elizabeth said before continuing.
At dinner that night Emma told Weatherby about seeing Madelyn again.
"Was everything good?"
"Not really, they live in the slums. I felt so bad for her and little William."
Weatherby didn't mention it again and had a strange look on his face.
Will, as they might have guessed, might have had a few things to say on the subject. However, Elizabeth using her eyes reminded him that he was on a ship so he'd have to worry about that later.
Later that night, it was time for Emma to tuck Elizabeth in for bed.
"So, what story would you like to hear tonight?" Emma asked.
"Tell me a pirate story."
Emma thought about it. "Any in particular or how about a new one."
"New one, new one."
"Okay, how about the tales of Captain Jack Sparrow."
"It stops there for that night," Elizabeth said.
"What, which one did she tell," Jack asked.
"I don't really remember. It was over ten years ago."
Muttering caught their attention. Will was saying things under his breath and had a red face.
"Something wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
"Your father, that's what? Sounded like all of a sudden he didn't care anymore. I'm just glad he didn't think I was that same little boy from then. Then what would he think. I'm just some little street rat who doesn't even deserve..."
Elizabeth and Jack got comfortable. This was going to take awhile.
Okay, I hope it was loved by everyone. If you check out my profile, I have a new link half way down. Also, I have a new one-shot listed if you wanted to see that too (it's called Fin). So long as my laptop works, I'll hopefully update soon. Sometime around the 6th of December (since that's my b-day) Any questions or comments are greatly appreciated. Later. :-)