Disclaimer – still not mine. All as in Chapter 1.

Emotion runs close to the surface in this chapter – read and enjoy

Petal of a Rose

Chapter 11 – A Bird In The Hand

3 months after the Wedding…

Elizabeth leaned gently against the railings of The Pearl. They were docked in Tortuga and she had just returned to the ship after a brief visit ashore. Jack was off somewhere with Gibbs and, before leaving had kissed her and told her he would be as quick as he could.

She smiled reflectively, her life was indeed blessed. Being with Jack, spending every sun filled day with him, basking in his love was so totally and utterly amazing; she sometimes struggled to believe that it was real. And the nights – well – the nights were even better. She still couldn't think of some of their antics without blushing, and her an old married woman of some three months. How was it possible to improve on perfection? She pondered, it really was a fools question. They just did, every day and every night.

She filled her time until Jack's return, tidying their cabin and remembering their time together since the wedding. Humming to herself, she was unaware the door had opened and Jack was watching her speculatively.

Jack leant against the door frame with his hip; legs crossed at the ankles and watched his Wife humming softly, as she moved about the cabin. His breathing grew heavy and caught in his throat as it always did when he saw her. He was immensely proud of her. She had settled into married life as easily as she has settled into his bed, had his crew wrapped around her little finger, but, he pouted, not as tightly as he was entwined. His body started to react to the exotic image this thought conjured. He snapped back to reality. His gorgeous, gorgeous Lizzie, who meant more than anything else to him. Even his treasured Pearl ran second to the place she held in his heart.

Elizabeth became aware of eyes watching her. She turned swiftly, catching her boot on a loose plank. She felt herself falling towards the corner edge of the table and put her hands out to cushion her fall. In an instant, she felt herself lifted by secure hands, and pulled back to safety. She turned and pressed into Jack's solidly dependable frame, shock making her shake and feel rather light-headed. "Jack…thank God you were here."

"Hush, Lizzie, luv. I've got ye, yer safe now!", Jack said, wondering how in God's name he had managed to get to his Wife so quickly…if ever her head had hit that table edge…! "Ye know I'll do anythin' to protect ye." He eased her back and tilted her chin to look into her face. His eyes travelled slowly over her delicate, arched brows, the high forehead, her classical nose and wide, generous mouth, before returning to her eyes. All present and intact, he thought, relieved. She was recovering from the shock now and her eyes were smiling back at him. 'Radiant', he thought. 'She has an inner glow to her.'

"Jack…", she said, dropping her gaze to his chest, "I have something to tell you."

"Oh. An' who did ye gossip with t'day then, luv? Who is it ye have a juicy titbit about to share with me today, then?

"Jack! Pay attention! This is important"

"'m sure it is' luv.", he said, breaking their contact and walking to the offending table. He pushed it against the wall, out of harms way, then picked up a bottle of rum, and, tilting his head back, drank deeply.

"Jack…I'm pregnant!"

Jack gagged as the fiery liquid passing down his throat was met by his heart coming the other way! His eyes opened wide as he coughed and spluttered, arms waving wildly as he struggled for air. Finally he managed to gasp, "Wwwwhat?!!"

Elizabeth grinned sheepishly, before her look turned anxious. "I saw the midwife this morning, Jack. She confirmed it. In six months time we'll have a baby to think about….are you angry with me?

Jack's mouth was working furiously, but, for once, words were beyond him. He darted across the room and scooped his Wife up into his embrace. Finally, he managed to speak.

"Oh…Lizzie…luv! Tis the best news! Course 'm not angry. Ye have a way 'bout ye tho' of puttin' me life in jeopardy", his voice broke, became husky.

Elizabeth looked into his face. Shock was slowly being replaced by a growing wonder. A proud grin spread across his features as a lone tear slipped from his eye.

"Ye made me a proud man, luv. Me heart belongs to ye and the little'un always. Now ye must rest. 'm sure all this standin' about ain't good for ye – an' there'll be no more cleanin' either!"

Elizabeth smiled ecstatically and held him tight.

Four and a half months later….

"..Jack…Oh God…Jack!...it's too early! I'm not due for another 6 weeks!"

Jack looked down at his wife as another contraction claimed her grotesquely swollen body. He was panicked. Elizabeth had sailed through her pregnancy, but had grown huge with child, so much so she could not manage to climb any steps and for the last few weeks had been confined mainly to their cabin. Now they were being cast into hell. His mind was in turmoil. Panic, sheer, unadulterated panic was hovering close to the surface…and he was scared. Terrified – at a loss at how to help her. He knew he had to stay outwardly calm for her sake, calm her as best he could, so that she could cope with the pain.

"Tis alright, darlin', the little one is in a hurry to meet his gorgeous mother, that's all. Stay calm now, Lizzie, everythin' will be fine. Trust me, luv."

Elizabeth had woken in the night, a slight stabbing pain across her abdomen, which had worsened throughout the dawn hours. It was now mid-afternoon and she was in agony.

As soon as they had realised what was happening, Jack had altered course for Tortuga, and the nearest Midwife. Gibbs was at the helm, coaxing the last ounce of speed out of The Pearl. But, Jack knew, they would not reach port in time.

Cotton was the unofficial doctor on board, he sewed up wounds, and tended illnesses, but the only birthing he had ever done was as a young lad on a farm, but, any port in a storm, Jack thought.

Elizabeth's waters had broken hours before and her contractions were now coming hard and fast. Sweat coursed off her abused body, as she fought valiantly to stay abreast of the terrible, all consuming pain. Jack was at her side, doing his damndest to encourage and soothe her. Cotton was in attendance. His enforced silence a strange comfort in the tension filled room. The only other occupant was Cottons' parrot, perched on the table and omitting an occasional squawk.

Elizabeth suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to push. She glanced at Jack, who looked down at her, his voice seeming to drift towards her in a murky fog.

"Is it time, luv?"

She quickly nodded her head, another punishing wave building. She sucked in her breath, to push through the swelling onslaught. Jack looked to Cotton, in place to receive the baby. He looked back to Jack and nodded once, then returned to his task, a look of intense concentration on his face.

"Right…push, luv! Push hard. That's it! Good girl."

The crescendo broke over her and the pain diminished only to start another swell.

"Well done, luv! Now again…ready? Push again! Good! Keep going!"

She pushed with all of her might. Her body ebbed and flowed with the pain.

And so it continued….

An hour later, the pain was becoming unbearable. Jack was wracked with guilt. How could this be happening? He hadn't realised it would be this bad! How could he bear to put her through this? He had to…for her!

Cotton was looking worried…things were taking too long and she was becoming weak.

As the next contraction hit, Jack implored Elizabeth to push as hard as she could. He had sensed the worry from Cotton. The tension in the room was broken by the parrot who suddenly screeched, "Wind in her sails! Wind in her sails!"

"Shut that bloody bird up!", Jack snapped, and returned his attention to his wife. He felt so helpless, completely at a loss at how to make things better for her. He dipped a cloth in cold water and dabbed the sweat from her face. He was distraught. She was growing weaker, her breath faltering. Another contraction built.

"Sound the depth! Sound the depth!", the parrot squawked.

Jack flung the cloth at it! It missed. The bird fluffed its feathers and turned its back on the proceedings.

"Come on, luv. Not much longer! You can do this with one big push!"

Elizabeth, by this point was exhausted. All she wanted to do was tear Jack's head off and bounce it round the cabin walls! If it was so friggin' easy, why didn't he do it? She gathered her strength and pushed with every available piece of strength and determination she possessed. Her whole body bore down and, finally, into the world came their son.

Elizabeth sank back against the pillows – too exhausted to raise her head. Jack looked anxiously at Cotton, who was staring at the new arrival. He picked Jack's son up by the ankles and soundly smacked his bottom…nothing! No gasp and no cry came forth from the pathetic little bundle. The silence stretched endlessly. He tried again…and again. Nothing! Jack willed his precious son to take his first breath.

Cotton lifted his eyes towards Jack, his eyes misted with moisture. Jack and Elizabeth's baby son was blue and lifeless.

Jack stared at his son, delight turning to grief and despair. He looked down to Elizabeth who, puzzled by the grave atmosphere and silence was struggling to sit up.

"What's wrong Jack! Why isn't my baby crying? What's happening?"

Jack closed his tear filled eyes, drawing strength as he realised he would have to; somehow, tell Elizabeth that their child was dead. He took a deep breath, praying that he could be strong for her. He knelt beside the bed and took her hands in his.

"I'm so sorry, Lizzie,", he whispered, "He wasn't strong enough – I'm so, so sorry, darlin'…he didn't make it!", and together they shared their grief for their dead boy.

Cotton, as efficiently as possible, tended to Elizabeth's needs and wrapped the baby in a blanket. Jack was comforting Elizabeth, who was distraught, whispering words of solace and holding her tight while she sobbed.

Cotton went to step outside, the baby in his arms.

Elizabeth suddenly screamed as her body was assailed by pain greater than she had known previously.

Jack looked toward Cotton, panic written across his face. Cotton disappeared out of the door and handed the dead infant to Gibbs, who had relinquished the helm to Ragetti in case he was needed. He turned back and re-entered the cabin, leaving Gibbs mouthing silent words.

"Oh…God!...Jack!...I'm going to die!", screamed Elizabeth as another crushing pain swept over her. "What's happening to me?"

Jack, thankfully, immediately realised what was taking place. "Yer havin' a baby, luv," he said in awe, "an' this one seems to be in a bit of a hurry to make its way int' the world…now push, me darlin'. 'm with ye and it'll be fine, luv…trust me!"

Elizabeth pushed with long forgotten reserves of strength. Minutes later, their daughter was born, and cried lustily at the first opportunity.

Relief, joy and despair coursed through Jack in equal measure. He had a daughter, a bonny, wee lass, to grow up just like her mother.

"Lizzie, me lovely, we have a beautiful daughter, she has all her fingers an' all her toes – and she's hungry!"

Elizabeth lifted her head and smiled weakly. She had never been so exhausted, so intensely tired in her life. Jack passed her the tiny, perfect little girl and she held her to her side, a look of contentment on her face. Slowly, her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.

Oh…only one chapter to go and I swear, you'll love it!

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