Chapter 20

To Play the Game

"So the Rose bowl isn't so bad… I've always liked California." Jack replied as he grabbed Anna's suitcase from the conveyor belt. Will continued to watch the shoot for both his and Liz's bags to appear.

"Actually it's kind of a relief that Dr. Anderson recommended that I stay out the remainder of the season." Will replied, eyeing Elizabeth's custom made pink luggage as it appeared, her family emblem embroidered in black on the front.

"You're sure about not going pro and all?" Will nodded as Jack helped him pull Liz's bag off the belt.

"Yes, that is something I have never questioned. Things are just falling into place Jack. First my internship next fall with the Museum of Natural history, then Liz's job offer with the studio just down the block. You just can't ignore an opportunity like that."

Jack nodded as they continued to wait for Will's bag.

"I bet your father is overjoyed, both of you moving to New York and all."

"It works out better for the Governor too, JFK is a lot easier to fly into." Will finally spied his bag rolling onto the conveyor belt. Jack looked over his shoulder, still no sight of the women. Liz and Anna had rushed off to find the restrooms moments after exiting the plane, and had not been seen since. Will grabbed his bag then turned around to assist in looking for the missing duo.

"Where did they run off too?" He questioned aloud.

"Probably found some airport touristy paraphernalia they just had to have." Jack replied.

"They can shop in town tomorrow," Will retorted as he looked at his watch, "we are due for dinner in a little over an hour."

"Plenty of time." Jack replied with ease.

"Jack, we are talking about dinner with the Governor of Port Royal." Will stated with slight agitation, "trust me I have been here before." Jack rolled his eyes,

"Who cares mate, it is just dinner." Will spotted Liz and Anna strolling towards them with a couple of bags in their arms. He pointed to his watch and Liz looked down at hers'. A look of concern crossed her face, she said something to Anna and their pace markedly increased.

"Jack grab the bags and let's go!" Anna quipped as she took her carry on bag from his shoulder. Will and Liz were already walking towards the security check point, passports in hand.

"What is the deal?" Jack complained as he started to pull the heavy luggage through the terminal. "It's just dinner!" Anna turned sharply to face him,

"Jack, Elizabeth's father is practically royalty. Dinner isn't going to be fish and chips, we have to shower and change yet and we only have an hour to do so."

"Change?" Jack questioned with disdain, "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Anna looked at Jack incredulously,

"Jack you're wearing a Hawaiian shirt and cut off khaki's."

"It's the tropics luv!" Anna forged ahead digging for their passports in her bag.


Once pass security, they scurried outside to find Ronald patiently waiting for them with the car. He quickly loaded the car and with few words said started off towards Elizabeth's house. Anna watched the scenic portraits fly by the car window as Ronald navigated them through afternoon traffic.

"Liz having Thanksgiving with your father was a brilliant idea. It is so beautiful here!" Liz nervously took Will's arm and looked at his watch, only confirming that hers was on time.

"Daddy is going to be upset; we are going to be late." Her lips pursed in concentration as she peered out the window. Will took her hand and offered a slight smile.

"He will understand, flying commercial into Port Royal isn't the same as taking his jet."

Jack looked across at Will, "So what is up with dinner an all, cause if I need a tux we are gonna have to make an extra stop."

"No tux needed, a suit will be fine." Will replied. Jack looked nervously to Anna who smiled and lightly laughed.

"I packed it; it's underneath your four pairs of board shorts." This comment was not missed by Liz who turned to look at Anna with a knowing smile.

"What!" Jack defended, "We're in the Caribbean! What the hell am I suppose to wear?" Anna patted Jack's knee,

"No worries babe, I took the liberty of packing a few extra things for you before we left."

Jack pushed her hand off,

"Who are you my mother now?" He sighed and looked out longingly at the passing Port. His Caribbean holiday was quickly turning into a disaster.

Once they arrived to the mansion, there was little time for greetings as the four of them were rushed to the south wing to their individual rooms. Will looked at Elizabeth exasperated as the butler pointed to his assigned room. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze before a maid whisked her off to her bedroom, in the North wing…

"He puts me in the room that is literally the furthest away from Liz." Will shouted to Jack as he pulled his suit out from his luggage. Jack walked casually into Will's room,

"I told you he didn't buy the water act." Will looked up from unpacking only to find Jack fiddling with a wall sconce dressed only in his boxers.

"Jack there is security cameras all over this house, right now there are about thirty people watching you prance around in your under trousers." Jack abruptly looked up at the ceiling before redirecting his attention to some trinkets on the dresser.

"Enjoy the show ladies!" He stated before meandering back to his room. Will chuckled and grabbed a clean undershirt and boxers before heading into the bathroom.

A half hour later he met Anna and Jack in the hallway, where a maid was already patiently awaiting for them to take them into the dining hall. Anna was wearing a black cocktail dress that had a high cut scoop neck that perfectly gathered at an empire waist then flowed softly to her knees.

"Anna you look stunning." Will regarded as he lightly kissed her on the cheek. He then looked to Jack who actually looked fairly kempt, with his hair pulled back, and wearing a simple black suit.

"Where is my kiss?" Jack jested as they headed down the grand hallway. Anna looked at the long portraits that littered the walls.

"Are these Elizabeth's relatives?" She questioned.

"No, these are prior Governors of Port Royal." Will replied. The trio walked in silence as they were lead through the maze of hallways.

Jack looked to Will, "Where is Liz?"

"She will enter with her father." Will answered with a sigh. Jack looked at Will then back to Anna who just gave him the look to shut up about the subject. The three were brought to a halt outside a large door, and as being ushered in their names were announced to the occupants of the room. The long table filled the room and was adorned with magnificent lines and candelabras. They were seated near the head of the table with Jack and Anna seated across from Will and apparently Elizabeth. There was about ten other guests that were seated at the table, all busy chatting amongst themselves. Jack leaned around a candle stick and looked to Will,

"Who are all these blokes?" He whispered.

"Holiday guests." Will replied with contempt. Jack looked down the table to see men dressed in full military attire, and women dressed as if they were attending the Oscars. Soon a silence fell upon the room and Elizabeth and her father were announced. Everyone at the table stood as the Governor escorted Elizabeth to her seat. Will was awestruck, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight before him. His fiancé was dressed in a black strapless silk evening gown that draped her every curve perfectly. He was almost jealous that the dress touched her skin so intimately. Her hair had been swept up off her shoulders and a new diamond pendant necklace (at least he had never seen it before) graced her neck. He offered her his hand as she took her seat next to him. The governor then was seated and everyone else followed in suit. After the toast, everyone started back into their previous conversations and Elizabeth's father began his inquiry.

"William, I hear that you accepted the position with the New York Museum of Natural history." Will quickly swallowed his asparagus spear,

"Yes, I was honored to receive the offer. The research is actually over the history of pirates during the colonial period so it should be very interesting." Weatherby smiled and nodded,

"When do you plan to move?" Will looked to Elizabeth who shot him back a blank stare.

"Well…" He stumbled, truth be told he had planned to take Elizabeth to New York this spring to go apartment shopping, but his father informed him that he had already purchased them a town home near the garden as an early wedding gift. Will had yet to inform Elizabeth of this new development because he wanted to wait until Christmas to have his father actually personally deliver the news.

"We have a lot on our plates right now with end of semester and finals. With my internship starting next fall, I thought Elizabeth and I could start to make more concrete plans after the New Year." Weatherby shook his head in agreement, and Elizabeth showed no signs of disapproval.

"Elizabeth how are the wedding plans coming along?" Anna questioned, trying to start polite conversation. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile as she thought about the upcoming event.

"It already seems like next August is around the corner," she answered brightly, "I am certain I will feel much better after we meet Ms. Wang in New York in a few weeks for my initial dress design." Jack looked to Anna,

"You're going to New York in a few weeks?" She smiled back,

"Yes! Elizabeth invited me to go along and help design the bridesmaid dresses. I am just thrilled to be meeting thee Vera Wang in person!" Jack looked to Will and visibly paled. Will just attempted to stifle a laugh. Both the woman caught on to the act, but decided to choose a better time to question their significant others about the ordeal. After the eight other courses were served, Anna noticed that Jack had barely touched any of his previous courses as the maid took away his dessert after he had just taken a single bite. She leaned over closely to him,

"Darling is their anything wrong?" Jack shook his head and offered a weak smile in return.

"Nothing luv, I just need to talk to you after dinner….alone." Anna swallowed her bite of chocolate torte, and it felt as if she had just ingested a stone. She was unsure what Jack wanted to talk to her about, but whatever it was it obviously was weighing heavy on his mind. For as long as she knew him, Jack had been confident and open with his thoughts and actions. Yet his previous display with Will made her think that whatever he was about to tell her, he had been planning to do so in two weeks. This could not be good. At last they were excused from dinner and had some brief time together in the study before all were retired to their rooms for the evening. With the five minutes they were given alone, Will lavished Elizabeth with kisses continually reminding her that when they were married he would not tolerate separate rooms anymore when they visited her father. She on the other hand did not seem too upset and quickly took her leave stating only that she would "see him later." Will knew better. With the twenty cameras he had counted on the way to the dining room alone, he knew there was no chance he would be able to sneak off to see her tonight, or any of the next four nights for that matter.


Will laid awake in bed for the next few hours, reading a few journal articles and working on one of his term papers. He glanced around the large room and was slightly intimidated by the large paintings and all the grandeur of the room. It almost seemed eerie, as if the eyes on the paintings were watching him. Shaking it off to a long flight and jet lag Will finally turned off the bedside lamp and settled down for bed. It wasn't ten minutes later when he swore he heard footsteps coming from within the walls. He lay perfectly still, listening for the noise again but heard nothing but silence. Not being the superstitious type, he once again blamed his nerves and closed his eyes again. It was at this time the footsteps started back up again, and he distinctly heard the sounds of someone walking from within the walls next to his bed. His heart was racing as he sat up in bed and listened carefully as the footsteps continued for a few more moments then stopped. The room was dark, and all he could make out was the dark shadows of the furniture and décor. He then heard a small creaking sound from behind the large wardrobe across the room from his bed. The wardrobe was at least 10 feet in height, and had long claw legs and a large cupboard area for clothing. He could easily see the wall from under the piece of furniture and although the creaking sound persisted, he saw no door or signs of entry. He stood from the bed clad only in his night shorts and grabbed the closest thing that resembled a weapon. It was an umbrella, or was it a cane? At the moment, in the dark, he wasn't sure but it would work. As he intensely watched the wardrobe, he began to see a light come from within the cupboard area, peaking though the cracks of the two large doors. His mind and heart racing he stood planted by the bed, unsure of what to do next. Moments after the light appeared the wardrobe doors started to open on their own accord. Will got into the defense position and was just about to yell for help when suddenly there was a loud commotion and Elizabeth fell out of the wardrobe hard onto the floor. The flashlight she was carrying went flying across the floor and landed near Will's feet.

"Shit." She softly whispered as she grabbed her wrist in pain. It took Will a few moments to sort out what just happened, before he was at her side lifting her onto the giant bed.

"Liz what the hell are you doing, you scared the life out of me!" Will whispered loudly, hoping no one else had heard the small ruckus. He recognized the wrist she was cradling as the same she had hurt barely a few months prior.

"Hear let me see," he cooed as he gently took her wrist and examined it for any signs of serious injury.

"I wanted to see you." Elizabeth meekly replied, keeping her tears at bay as Will looked at her wrist. Will looked up and saw her large hazel orbs staring back at him intently.

"I think you just sprained it, we can dig out your wrist splint tomorrow if you still need it." She smiled and nodded, diverting her eyes to the floor of the room. Will took his hand and placed it under her chin.

"I'm glad you came, I was already starting to miss you." She looked up and smiled fully back at him,

"I would have been here sooner if I didn't take a few wrong turns." Will looked oddly at her,

"How did you get here?" Elizabeth gave him a coy smile as she moved up to the head of the bed. It was then that Will realized she was dressed in a short black lace camisole held fast in the front by a dark pink satin bow. His focus now clearly redirected, he followed in suit but once he reached her he took her in his arms and kissed her, hard. She pulled away quickly, and crawled under the covers. Will was soon to follow, and within moments had her pinned beneath him, kissing her madly.

"Will…" she softly moaned between advances, "don't you want to know how I got here?" He pulled up from his wayward descent down her chest, the pink stain ribbon now hanging from his teeth. She couldn't help but laugh and he smiled releasing the ribbon and gently separating the garment to reveal her torso. Peppering kisses on her abdomen he mischievously replied,

"I'm not quite done missing you yet."


A while later, Elizabeth lay nestled in Will's arms while he gently rubbed her forearm and now much improved wrist.

"Ok, so tell me how you accomplished this?" Will asked softly. Elizabeth had her eyes closed, but couldn't stop the large smile that spread across her face.

"Will, this house was first built in the late 1800's. Back then the government officials were less protected and more at the mercy of the people. Angry mobs or attacks against the throne were a constant threat, so the house was built with passages within the walls that lead to almost every room…"

"And they all lead to wardrobes?" Will interrupted. Elizabeth poked him in the side and laughed,

"No! They open into closets, under beds, a lot of places really. The point is for the entrances to be concealed."

"So you're telling me that tomorrow morning I should hang my clothes in the closet versus using the wardrobe." He cheekily remarked.

"Only if you don't want my evening adventures to stop?" She coyly answered as she moved on top of him.

"Please don't stop." Will whispered as he claimed her lips.


Jack had walked Anna out through the back gardens to a steep overlook that had a stunning view of the Port. Anna's nerves were about shot, as the two of them sat in silence watching the massive sail boats and ships below.

"Jack what is going on?" She broke the silence and stared at him. Yet Jack's eyes remained fixed not on the bustling port below but rather the endless horizon.

"The sea fascinates me Anna." He cryptically replied.
"What?"

"It can be the most beautiful sight you have ever seen, with her sunrises and sunsets. Yet the moment you disregard her power you're consumed within her wrath, trying desperately to navigate the tempest to much calmer waters."

"Jack your scarring me." Anna replied with concern. He finally turned to her,

""I love the sea because it is ever changing, and unpredictable. The world would not exist with out it," he then took her hand, " I would not want to exist without it." It was at that moment Anna realized Jack wasn't talking about the ocean.

"Jack." She whispered, and slightly smiled trying to move in for a kiss but was quickly denied.

"Anna…" He then looked to the ground, and quickly decided against it-too cliché. "Marry me luv." This statement took her completely off guard. In fact for the first time in her life she was completely speechless and just sat across from him with her mouth slightly ajar and eyes wide. Jack looked curiously at her before shrugging his shoulders,

"You need me, you know it." Behind his false bravado she could see the tinge of worry in his eyes and realized she had yet to answer him.

"Jack Sparrow I would follow you to the world's end if you asked," she leaned in closely and brushed her lips against his,

"It that a yes?" He whispered, not yet taking her bait.

"Yes." He then boldly kissed her, and after a few moments his hands slowly snaked around to the clasps of her dress. She lightly laughed into his mouth and slowly pulled away.

"I'm feeling quite the tempest brewing Captain Sparrow," she teased as her hand snaked down the front of his shirt to his trousers.

"Bring it on luv," he answered as he slowly started to lay her down on the bench, moving the thick strap of her dress to kiss her bare shoulder,

"My vessel is nigh unsinkable."

"Except for in the hot tub at the Palms last year." Anna laughed aloud as Jack continued to slowly undress her. He suddenly stopped and looked up at her,

"That water was anything but hot." She continued to laugh but was soon silenced to tiny moans as Jack started his assault on her flanks.


The next morning the four were at breakfast on the patio when Jack and Anna let the cat out of the bag.

"Congratulations mate!" Will merrily replied as he stood and shook Jack's hand, then pulled him into an embrace. Elizabeth was squealing with delight and hugging Anna tightly.

"Had planned to do it in Vegas in a few weeks, but your grand shopping trip nipped that idea." Jack stated as he took his seat again, "I have the ring at home, wasn't expecting to do it so soon, but thought there was no point in holding off." Anna looked to Jack,

"Yes, he just had to have me right then and their." She replied airily.

"That is so romantic." Elizabeth stated dreamily, completely unaware of the hidden meaning.

"Have you thought about any dates yet?" Will asked.

"We are thinking much lower scale, something private on a beach with just the four of us present." Will nodded, and almost wished he and Elizabeth had eloped. So far the guest list for their wedding was around four hundred and was planned to take place on the courtyard of the fort here in Port Royal. Will then raised his glass of orange juice,

"I would like to make a toast." He looked to Elizabeth and then to his dear friends,

"Life is similar to a game in that the choices you make at any given moment can affect your outcome in the end. I feel very blessed in knowing that I have such wonderful friends and have found the love of my life to help me navigate and play this game." Everyone raised their glass in cheers, knowing that even though they were beginning a new level in the game of life they would never have to play it alone.

Fin


I greatly apologize for the time it took me to write this final chapter. I struggled with the setting and how I wanted to tie it all up in a neat package. Fiction writing is something in which I am a novice, but I love to do it! I want to greatly thank all my reviewers, your thoughts and insights are always loved and appreciated. I hope everyone enjoyed this story! Smiles!