I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney does. I only own the characters who weren't in the movies. You know, the ones I made up. I also do not own Isabella Swann, Ambassador Alexander Swann, or Count Phillip Rochester, who belong to Vilofied.

My stomach was cramping. Again. First thing in the morning, for a week now, I've woken with horrible stomach aches. A groan escaped my throat as I sat up, and I hunched over and put my arm over my stomach.

"James…" I groaned. "James, wake up." I shook his shoulder as hard as I could without being rough.

"What is it?" he mumbled, not even bothering to open his eyes or move.

"I…need a…chamber pot." I choked. "I'm going…to be…sick…"

In a heartbeat, James was out of the bed and looking for the object I'd requested. I, on the other hand, was doing my best to get out of bed without heaving all over the sheets.

"Here, darling. Easy…" he soothed as he helped me get to my knees.

I hunched over again, and just as I did, I lost it. My body lurched violently while I tried to keep my face in the bucket, and it was all I could do to try to keep from falling over. A steady hand grabbed my shoulders, keeping me upright. This hand soon became comforting and soothing as it began to stroke my shoulders while my little sickness continued.

"Th-that's the…fifth time th-this week." I panted after I finished. "I think it's safe to assume…that I'm with…child…a-again."

James sighed as he pulled me sideways between his legs and against him, then pressed a kiss to my temple. "I agree." he mumbled. "I think you should get back in bed, too."

I gently pulled away from his chest, and looked him in the eyes. "But, I need to take care of…"

"Oliver is going to be fine, darling. His health has improved, and Abigail has done a wonderful job looking after him. She'll understand."

I sighed as I stared into his light green eyes. There was a lot of sorrow and determination there. There was no getting around him on this command. "Help me to the bed." I mumbled.

With a smile, James lifted me from the floor and placed me gently on the mattress, then eased himself down behind me as I rolled over on my side. His strong arms wrapped around me as I settled beneath the sheets with a small cry. Another groan passed my lips when James sat up, causing the bed to shift slightly. I then felt myself being turned over on my back, and my limbs were uncurled from against my stomach.

"What are you doing?" I moaned when the pain seemed to intensify.

James didn't answer me, but pushed the sheets away and pushed my shirt up to the point that only my chest and shoulders were covered. He then laid his hand flat on my stomach, and began rubbing in big, slow circles across every inch of exposed belly.

"Is that better?' he asked.

I closed my eyes and allowed my head to loll to the left, in his direction, while I tried to focus on his hand rather than my pain.

"You don't know how much I wish I could take your place." he said softly.

I chuckled. "You wish to be a pregnant woman?" I teased.

"No!" he answered quickly. "I meant…I wish I could be in pain for you." he mumbled. "I'm not good at saying things like that."

I laughed softly, reaching for his face. My hand was enveloped in his free hand, and I felt a lingering kiss press to it. I smiled. This was how things were supposed to be. I could just picture a small child running in to the room, and interrupting a conversation we were having by leaping between us on the bed.

"What is it?" he chuckled.

"I was picturing our child."

I opened my eyes and looked into his, and found them soft, and swimming with love and pride. He leaned down and placed a light kiss on my forehead, then continued rubbing my belly as he laid down beside me. "What are we going to name him?" he asked.

"We're going to name her Grace, or Melody." I chuckled.

James propped himself up on his elbow with a playful look in his eyes. "How do you know it will be a girl? What if we have a boy?"

"I just think our child will be a girl. But, if it turns out to be a boy, he will be named after his father."

A slight smile pulled at the corners of his lips, and he leaned down and kissed me, and then placed light kisses on my belly. When he was finished, he eased himself beside me again, and tucked my head beneath his chin in a loving manner.

"I feel much better now." I whispered, pulling my shirt down over my belly.

"Good." he smiled.

I laughed. "I would like to check on Oliver, now."

"No. You need rest." he began to stroke my front again.

"I've had plenty of rest!" I whined. "I slept all night, and would really like to get out of this bed."

"No." he said a bit more seriously.

I turned over this time to look at him. "James…"

"No, Mrs. Norrington." he said firmly.

Mrs. Norrington. Any time he used my formal title, there was no changing his mind.

"Fine." I grumbled.

"That's a good girl." he cooed.

He'd fallen fast asleep. I'd laid in bed long enough that he'd nodded off. Now was my chance. I slowly pulled James's arms from around me and eased myself away from him, and off of the mattress. He barely stirred. I chuckled, smiling at my stealthiest. I was free! I tiptoed to the door and shut it quietly behind me. I couldn't believe my luck!

"Where are you going?" A quiet voice asked from behind me.

I cursed under my breath, and slowly turned around.

"You know, that really isn't proper language for the wife of one of the most well-known men on land and sea." My brother, Theodore, stated with a smile.

"Shh!" I hissed. "You'll wake him up!"

"And why are you sneaking away from your husband?" he asked suspiciously.

I slouched, then sighed. "Ever since we lost the baby, James has been more protective than he used to be." I motioned for him to come closer, which he did. "I'm with child again, and if you breathe a word of that to anyone, you may not live to see your niece or nephew!" I added quickly.

He smiled. "Where are you trying to sneak off to?"

"I just want out of the house for an hour, or two. I was going to take one of the horses out for a little while, down to the shore. Please, Theodore! Please let me do this!" I begged in a whisper.

It was Theodore's turn to sigh. "You know he won't be happy if he finds out."

I nodded. "I know. But I've got to get out of this house! I haven't been outside in days!"

After a few moments, he gave out a heavier sigh. "My horse is saddled, and in your stables. Just ask the stable hand for him."

It was all I could do to keep from jumping up and down with excitement! "Thank you, Theodore! Thank you!" I whispered happily.

"Just…" he started. "Please be careful. If anything happens to you, James will never forgive me, and neither will I."

"I smiled. "You have nothing to worry about."

"John, could you please bring me Theodore's horse?"

"Yes, Mrs. Norrington."

I stood nervously in the entrance of the stables, just waiting for James to storm out of the manor. I love my husband more than words can express, but when it comes to protection, he can be absolutely ridiculous! I just wanted out of the house for a bit.

"Your horse, Mrs. Norrington. I took the liberty of adjusting the stirrups for you."

"Thank you, John." I said quietly as he handed me the reins.

I quickly climbed up and into the saddle, and gently nudged the midnight-black stallion into a canter. The cool afternoon air kissed my face and blew hair back, causing me to smile. I didn't care that the wind was causing bumps to appear on my skin, or that it was sending shivers down my spine. It felt wonderful. I nudged the stallion harder, and harder, until we were going at a full gallop. The sheer speed and power of the animal took my breath away, and for once, I felt as though I was flying!

An eruption of laughter burst from my lungs as the horse's hooves hit the sand of the shore, and water splashed up and soaked us both. I let out a shout of joy as the horse ran through waves that came nearly past his legs, and leapt over a few fallen logs.

Not until my breath and the horse's became labored did I pull back on the reins, bringing us to a sudden stop. I then dismounted, and allowed the horse to rest. I sat in the sand and listened to the waves as they crawled up on the shore, and nipped at my bare feet and ankles. It was so quiet. No bustling footsteps of house staff, no clanging dishes as dinner was prepared.

The only thing that felt wrong was that James wasn't here to share this with me. Sure, I wanted to be alone. It was alright for the first few minutes of that thrilling ride through the waves, through all of the excitement. But then, after I sat still for a few moments, and reined my mind back in, I found that I was missing my husband. The sound of his breathing, the occasional feel of his lips brushing against the skin of my nape, and his arms wound tightly about my waist as we gazed at the sea. This all felt very wrong without him.

I sighed and laid back in the sand. Why was everything so confusing?! I'd wanted to be free, away from the confines of my home, but after I got my wish, I wanted to go back! I growled and closed my eyes, only to be interrupted by Theodore's horse as his nose roved over my face, and then my belly. I chuckled, and opened my eyes again. Even Theodore's horse seemed to know what was going on.

"Fine." I grumbled at the animal. "We'll go back."

James was waiting for me on the back porch of the manor when I returned. Just as I pictured, he looked very, very angry with me. I dismounted with my head held low, and walked slowly to him on the porch.

"Where have you been?" he seethed in a dangerously low voice.

"I just went for a ride." I answered casually, trying to stay calm. I'd never seen him this angry with me before.

"I thought I told you to just rest, Chrissy?!" he said a little louder.

My temper flared at his tone. "I've rested enough, darling. I'm tired of being inside!"

"I've been keeping you inside for a reason!" he snapped.

"Because you're scared!" I shouted. "I feel like a prisoner in my own home, James! You won't let me take care of Oliver, you won't let me walk about the manor alone, you won't let me outside!" I yelled louder.

"I'm just trying to protect you, and the child!" he yelled back. "If you don't eat, the baby doesn't eat! If you get sick, the baby could get sick, or die! Look at you! You're dripping wet, and out here without shoes, no less!"

"Protect me?!" I said incredulously, my voice rising a few octaves. "You're not protecting me, James. You're keeping me prisoner, and I'm tired of it!"

"I'm trying to prevent something from happening again." he growled in that low voice, before he grabbed me by the upper arm and started to pull me inside.

I tore my arm from his grasp and jumped back from the door. "I am not going back in there! I've spent enough time being locked up!"

His eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to me. "You will come in, and you will take it easy. We are not losing another child." he growled, reaching for me again.

I leapt away from his hands and held my head up in defiance. "You can't just keep me locked up in a house for nine months." I snarled.

He stepped closer, until our noses were nearly touching. "Can't I?" he snapped.

That was it. I'd had it. As soon as the words left his mouth, I did something I had never done before. I slapped him. I slapped him so hard, that the sound of my hand striking his cheek echoed. My hand throbbed from the impact, so I'm certain James's left cheek stung very badly. I could feel my eyes glassing over with tears as I watched James cover his cheek and stare at me in shock. The anger in his eyes disappeared, and in its place, hurt filled them.

I shook my head as I walked backwards toward the horse. Only then did I realize that Alexander, Isabella, Theodore, and Abigail were watching us. I ignored them, and kept my eyes on James. "Do you know why I came back? I felt guilty!" My voice was broken with sadness. "I felt wrong about going off on my own…I actually missed you!" I climbed slowly into the saddle with shaky hands. "You're not the man I married. When he comes back…so will I."

With those words, I turned the horse and galloped away, trying to ignore James crying my name.

HELLO!! Sorry for the delay in updating. I've begun writing a new story called 'Silence is Cold', which you can find on my profile. School has been a bit stressful too. So, those are my reasons. Anyway, please review! Thanks!