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

I stared between Jane and Melody. Jane looked very sympathetic, while Melody continued to stare at me in awe.

"Can't it wait?" I asked hopefully.

She shook her head. "He says it's urgent."

I sighed, kissed Melody on the forehead one more time, and eased her back into her mother's waiting arms. I smiled down at her, keeping her attention for a few more moments before she became distracted by her mother's eyes.

"Come, James. I'll go with you." Alexander offered.

Alexander and a curious Oliver struggled to keep up as I walked briskly down the hallway, the staircase, and to the parlor, where a man wearing a red and blue uniform waited.

"Admiral Norrington." he saluted.

I returned his salute, and fixed a stern stare on his face. "Yes?" I growled.

"Orders from the Admiralty, sir." he said in a bored tone as he passed me a leather satchel.

I opened it with annoyance, and skimmed the weather-beaten parchment it contained. "This...This states that I leave in the morning!" I said with shock as I passed it to Alexander, who also skimmed its contents. "That's rather short notice." I said suspiciously.

The soldier glared. "It took a while to get here, because of a pirate attack. I believe that makes a statement."

"I can't leave!" I seethed. "My wife just had a baby!"

"My apologies." he bit out. "But there are merchant ships being attacked as we speak, which requires your attention."

As a last resort I turned to Alexander.

Alexander shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid you have to go."

"Yes." The soldier said smoothly, a smirk caressing his lips. "There are certain duties that can't be neglected anymore."

I took slow steps toward the soldier, and didn't stop until I was nearly nose-to-nose with him. You had better pray to God that you're never assigned to my ship, under my command." I growled.

"No worries." he smiled wickedly. "I have my ways." With that, he snapped a crisp solute, and walked at a leisurely pace out the front door.

"Do you suppose everything is alright?" I asked the people around me as Isabella cooed softly to my baby. "He's been down there for quite some time."

Theodore nodded. "They could possibly be negotiating. I wouldn't worry."

I allowed a soft sigh, and smiled as Melody timidly reached out and grasped one of Isabella's fingers.

"She's so beautiful!" Isabella cooed.

I chuckled, and stroked my baby's hair. "She looks just like her papa."

"And she'll probably be just as stubborn." Philip jested.

Isabella tossed him a glare, I laughed, and Theodore rolled his eyes. Melody's expression twisted into one of confusion at the sudden noise and movement, and released a soft cry.

I smiled sympathetically, and held my arms out. As soon as Isabella eased her into my arms I began cooing, and cradling my baby. "Hush now." I whispered against her little temple. "You're alright, I have you."

"My apologies, Chrissy." Philip said as he stood. "I forgot that there's somewhere that Isabella and I need to be in half an hour. We need to get ready."

Isabella furrowed her brows for a moment. "Oh, that. Must we?"

Philip nodded. "Yes, dear."

"Well..." she started, looking over at me and Melody.

I smiled at her. "It's alright, Isabella. We can have you over for lunch tomorrow."

"Alright." she smiled back. "Thank you."

I watched the two leave before turning my attention to Theodore. I pat a spot on the edge of the mattress, and motioned for him to sit.

He did so at a leisurely pace, and smiled down at Melody once he was seated. "She's very beautiful," he said quietly. "And she has intelligent eyes. I expect she'll be no less than what her eyes are showing."

"Thank you." I whispered. "Would you like to hold her?"

"Yes, please." he stared tenderly down into his little niece's eyes once she was in his arms, and a soft smile tugged at his lips. "Abigail wants to have children." he murmured. "The wedding is two months away...I wasn't so sure about the idea...but now..." his smile grew as he stared at little Melody. "I never thought anything so small could be so..." he chuckled at his loss of words.

"You're going to be a wonderful father." I assured him.

I'm not certain, but I thought I'd heard him whisper, "I certainly hope so."

James walked into the room, then. His eyes were red, and angry, and his breaths were labored.

Theodore, as though feeling the sudden tension in the air, gently passed Melody back to me, nodded to me and James, and then shut the door firmly when he left the room.

"James?" I asked uncertainly. "Are you alright?'

He pinched the bridge of his nose, and took a few deep breaths before walking slowly to us. He eased himself at his rightful place beside me on the bed, and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and Melody's.

I sighed. "What did he say?"

He pressed his face to my neck. "He brought orders of whenI...have to leave."

I took a deep breath. "When?"

He swallowed hard. "Tomorrow morning." he trembled against my body as he wrapped his arms around me and the baby, who was crying softly again. "How do you feel?"

"Exhausted." I mumbled.

It was true, too. It was only mid-day, but a lot had happened since I'd woken this morning. Quite frankly, child birth is very tiring. I had reason to just lay in bed all day.

"What is it, sweetheart?" James smiled at our baby.

"She may be hungry." I said thoughtfully.

I shamelessly uncovered the right side of my chest, and offered my breast to Melody, who accepted happily. She put her little fingers near her mouth, and closed her eyes as she drank.

"She's very hungry." James chuckled.

I smiled lightly and stroked her little fingers. "When do you think you'll be back?" I asked without looking away from her.

"Two or three months." he whispered. "I'm terribly sorry about all of this. I would take you with me if I could, but if we were to be attacked..." he seemed to shiver. "I'd rather you be here, safe."

"I know.' I whispered back. "I...I agree with you."

My eyes slowly traveled to his. His gaze held mild surprise at the small bit of information I'd shared. "No objections?'

I shook my head slowly. "No."

"This will be the longest we've ever been apart. You're usually very upset when something such as this comes around. Are you feeling alright?' he asked with concern.

"I am upset. I just..." I had to think for a moment. "When I look at our baby...I just can't think about myself! Nothing about me matters anymore...just her, and you. Even though I'd rather have you with me...I'd rather keep her from the danger, instead of go with you for my own selfish reasons."

I watched as the different emotions played across his features. A smile finally pulled at his lips, though, and he kissed my temple. "Good...Good. That's how I want you to feel."

I furrowed my brows. "Why?" I asked innocently.

"I want you to want to stay away from danger. That's how you're supposed to feel about those situations."

A tiny cough let us know that Melody was finished feeding. I smiled, and gently took her from my breast. "Pat her back until she burps." I said quietly as I passed her to her father. I watched with a smile as he took the blanket from around her.

"She's naked." he stated. "Why is my daughter naked?"

"We haven't any clothing for her. Don't you remember? We were uncertain of which sex she would be, so we didn't purchase her any clothing."

A small burp passed Melody's lips a few moments after James began to pat her back. He chuckled, and held her close to his chest as he replied, "We can purchase clothing tomorrow when we go to town, before you see me off."

I furrowed my brows. "Will any shops be open that early?"

He, too, furrowed his brows for a moment before his small smile fell. "No...I suppose not."

I sighed, and rubbed his upper arm as my eyes grew watery. "Abigail and I can buy her a few things to wear."

Judging by the pocket watch on the night stand, ten minutes of silence went by before either of us spoke again.

"She's asleep." James whispered. "I'll put her in her bassinet."

He slowly eased himself to the edge of the bed, wrapped Melody up in her soft blanket, and left the room.

I didn't go back to our bedroom after I laid sweet Melody in her bassinet. I went to my study instead, and stayed there for the better part of two hours. I didn't do much, really. I drank a glass of brandy, paced a few times, and then pulled out a map and began charting the course I would be sailing.

After the first thirty minutes doing calculations and charting, I vigorously threw my quill down on my desk. The rest of the hour and half was spent pacing, ready, and drinking small amounts of tea and brandy. Not all at once, obviously.

I went back to my map again, and was in the process of picking up my quill when a figure in the doorway caught my eye. The quill slowly slid from my fingers as my wife walked leisurely to my side. She was wearing a cream colored nightgown that barely went past her thighs, and she acted like she was very weak, and pained.

I rushed quickly to my study closet and got out a blanket, then wrapped it around my wife to hide her from any house staff that may pass by the open study door.

"Are you drunk?" she asked quietly.

I furrowed my brows. "No. Why do you ask?"

"You're swaying."

I reached out and stroked her cheeks. "I'm not swaying, darling."

"Your breath merits a strong smell."

"But I'm not drunk. Are you feeling alright, Chrissy?" I asked in concern.

She lightly placed her hands on my chest, and pressed her face to my neck. "I don't know."

It was at that moment that I lifted my wife up into my arms, and eased her on my lap as I sat in the chair behind my desk. "Do I need to fetch for a doctor?"

She shook her head. "I just feel so...weak."

I smiled at her, and placed a kiss atop her head. "That's natural."

"But I didn't feel so weak the first time..." she mumbled.

"The midwife said you would be feeling very weak...because you had the baby so early. It's a miracle that she was born so healthy."

"Hmm." Was all she said.

A sigh escaped my lips as I sat and allowed my hands to wander her body in a gentle manner, eliciting small sighs and barely audible moans from her throat.

"Must you go?" she murmured against my ear, before taking my lobe between her teeth.

"Yes." I mumbled quietly.

"There isn't another way?"

I nuzzled her temple as I pulled her tighter against me. "I'm afraid not."

"I understand." she whispered brokenly.

I picked her up and made my way to the stairs when I could feel her tears against my skin. Even though her body was weak, there were still ways I could make the night special for her before I had to leave on that wretched goose chase.

The next day found us rising before the sun, and down at the docks just as it was peaking brilliantly over the sea. I stood just a few yards from the gangplank with my wife, daughter, and son. Alexander, Isabella, and Abigail were there as well, bidding Theodore and I goodbye.

"Promise you'll come home soon." My wife whispered so that only I could hear.

I nodded. "I'll do my best."

She smiled weakly, and stroked my cheek with one hand while she cradled Melody against her with the other. "Be safe."

I returned her soft smile. "I'll do my best." I then looked down at little Melody, laying quietly in her mother's arms.

She was looking around and listening to all of the hustle and bustle of sailors working on and near the ship. To be honest, she looked slightly frightened, and near crying.

"Melody." I whispered as I leaned down close to her little face.

Her eyes flicked quickly to mine in a heartbeat, and a small amount of her fear seemed to leave as soon as she looked at me. With a small whimper, she held her arms out, reaching for me.

I took her gently into my arms, and cradled her against my chest as I kissed her little forehead. "I love you."

To my surprise, and everyone else's, Melody put her little hands on my cheeks as though she'd understood what I'd said, and she was trying to embrace me. I found myself holding tears back as I kissed her little temples, and then pressed my face to her blanket-covered belly.

After a few more minutes, I turned my attention to my son. "Oliver." I said quietly. I leaned close to his ear, and whispered. "You're the man of our home for as long as I'm away. Take care of your sister and mother." I paused for a moment, a smile threatening my lips. "Make sure my wife doesn't do anything rash."

He laughed softly, and took Melody from my arms. "Yes, Father."

I looked over at Isabella and Alexander, who were just standing near our little group. Looking further, one could see two silhouettes hiding in the shadows of the docks just behind the Ambassador and his daughter. Theodore and Abigail saying their goodbyes. I smirked. Theodore didn't seem like one to hide in the shadows to simply "talk". I shook my head as my gaze drifted to Isabella.

She smiled lightly, trying to keep her mask of society composure from faltering. These things are always difficult for her, even though she courts me no more. Losing me would be like losing a big brother to her.

I returned her smile, and took her small hand in mine. "Do not worry, dear friend." I whispered in her ear.

She sniffled as she nodded.

I leaned down and placed a kiss on her knuckles, as any gentlemen would, and nodded to her father. Alexander nodded in return, and wordlessly pat my shoulder.

It was then that I turned and gave my wife my full attention. She had been waiting patiently, and would soon be rewarded for it. "Darling..."

I couldn't say anything else, for she had thrown herself against me, and wrapped her arms about me as she pressed her face to my neck.

'Curse propriety.' I caught myself thinking. I tilted my wife's head back and kissed her, long and tenderly, right on the lips. I didn't care if anyone could see us. I didn't care what it would do to my reputation. I didn't care if anyone of the elite society frowned upon me for kissing my wife in public. If was to be at sea for two months, I wasn't going to settle for a simple kiss to her smooth knuckles. I was going to tell her everything I wanted her to know without speaking. I didn't need to speak. I wanted her to feel it. She felt it, too. She held my face gently, keeping me there for a few moments longer.

"Please come back to me." she whispered brokenly.

My gaze softened as I stared at her tear-streaked face, and a new, merciless wave of detirmination washed over me as I kissed her one more time. "I will."

(Sniffles) Poor Norrington! Sorry peoples for taking so long to get this posted. Semester exams and tests have been stressing me out, and this is the first time I've been able to think clearly. Please don't be mad! Please review! Thank you!