Chapter 14: Parenthood and Propositions

As William endured torment from León, Jack and Guinevere found themselves readjusting to parenthood. It had been ten years since Juliet was born, and Guinevere and Jack had all but forgotten what it was like to have a baby, let alone twins. Jack, ever the gentleman and devoted husband, tended to Guinevere and their children as he had while Guinevere was pregnant.

"Wahhhh!" cried Elizabeth and Jack Jr.

Guinevere raised herself to go to the crib, but Jack's hand lowered her back to her pillow.

"You need your sleep, Mrs. Sparrow," Jack whispered.

"But my babies need me," Guinevere protested groggily.

"They've been fed already. They don't need you at the moment," Jack replied. "You need your sleep. You're the one who brought them into this world, noise and all. You sleep; I will take care of them."

"But Jack-" Guinevere moaned wearily.

"No buts about it," Jack countered. "You stay here and sleep while I tend to our treasured babies. That's an order."

"Aye, Captain," Guinevere said as she fell asleep once more.

Jack then crept over to the crib and picked up baby Elizabeth. "Shhh, shh. There, there, my little pearl. You're safe with me. Go to sleep now."

Jack walked around the room, bouncing Elizabeth in his arms and singing to her. In a matter of minutes, the baby girl was asleep in Jack's arms. Next, Jack tried the technique on Jack Jr. Jack Jr. was a bit more difficult to lull to sleep and more stubborn than his sister.

"Come on, little pirate," Jack whispered. "You gotta go to sleep now."

Jack Jr. still wailed and Jack continued to comfort his son and lull him to sleep. Gradually, Jack Jr.'s cries ceased into a whimper. After a few minutes more, he was asleep in the crib with Elizabeth.

Jack was exhausted. "This isn't as easy as I thought."

Jack then resumed his spot on the hammock with Guinevere. As dawn approached, Elizabeth and Jack Jr. were wailing once again.

Jack rose to tend his babies, but this time, Guinevere stopped him. "You need your sleep, Captain Sparrow."

"What time is it?" Jack asked groggily.

"It's dawn," Guinevere whispered.

"My babies need me," Jack jested groggily.

Guinevere giggled. "Unless you have milk, they need me now. They must be hungry."

Jack then fell back to sleep.

Guinevere then picked up baby Elizabeth from the crib and fed her. Elizabeth guzzled down milk greedily.

"Easy, little one," Guinevere laughed. "You've got to share with your baby brother."

Elizabeth finished drinking and with a few pats on the back, she let out a tiny burp.

"You have your father's appetite already," Guinevere commented with a smile.

Elizabeth yawned, as if in content. Guinevere kissed her daughter and laid her back in the crib. Next, Guinevere fed Jack Jr. The boy, Guinevere found, had an even bigger appetite than his sister. Guinevere tried to take him off the milk, but Jack Jr. just cried, his own way of asking for more. Guinevere indulged him and let him feed more. Finally, Jack Jr. finished drinking and with a few pats on the back, he too, let out a burp.

"Both of you have your father's appetite," Guinevere commented with a smile. "And you both have my stubbornness. You are most definitely Sparrows."

Guinevere kissed Jack Jr. and laid him in the crib with Elizabeth. "You've met your godparents, your parents, friends, and yet I regret you don't know your sister, Juliet. She will be along. She's a good big sister; I promise you that on my honor as a pirate and a pirate captain's wife and your mummy."

Certain that her children were satisfied, Guinevere then crept back to her hammock with Jack, wrapping her arms about her husband and taking comfort in his warmth.

Later that morning, Guinevere woke in Jack's arms. She found her husband awake and smiling at her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Sparrow," Jack greeted.

"Good morning, Captain Sparrow," Guinevere greeted in reply, kissing Jack on the lips. "Did you sleep well?"

"As well as can be, despite having two babies," Jack replied.

"Our babies are very stubborn," Guinevere told him. "They have your appetite and my stubbornness. I certainly know they are ours now."

"I'm sure they have more of my traits instilled in them," Jack said. "Yes, they are truly Sparrows."

Guinevere yawned. "I haven't felt this exhausted since Juliet was a baby."

"I have never felt this exhausted at all," Jack replied. "But I welcome the exhaustion for the benefit of our beautiful twins."

"As do I," Guinevere agreed.

"The day is still young and our twins are asleep," Jack said cheerfully. "Shall we enjoy this rare moment alone?"

Guinevere smiled. "We shall."

Jack grinned and kissed her head. Then his lips found Guinevere's.

"Mmm," Guinevere moaned in satisfaction. "They've only been born last night, but I feel as if we haven't had a moment alone for ages."

"Let's make this last, then," Jack said with a devilish smile. "Take what you can."

"Give nothing back!" Guinevere laughed as she embraced her husband.

For once, after a long time, Jack and Guinevere enjoyed a loving moment that they could not recall since they had children. The moment was passionate and sweet. There was no better way to express their devotion. However, the moment was only just a moment.

"Wahh! Wah!" cried the twins.

Jack and Guinevere sighed.

"Well, it was fun while it lasted," Guinevere shrugged. "Your turn."

"I think it's your turn, darling," Jack countered.

"Are you sure it's not your turn?" Guinevere asked dubiously. "I was up last feeding them."

"I think it's your turn," Jack said lightly.

"Jack, I am more exhausted than you are. I just gave birth to your twins and I've been up and down with them for half of the night if not all. Go to our children before I toss you out of this bed myself," Guinevere said wearily and hotly.

"Yes, Mrs. Sparrow," Jack said immediately.

"No need for that," a voice interrupted.

Will and Elizabeth appeared in the cabin.

"What are you two doing here?" Jack asked.

"It sounded as if you two needed help," Elizabeth said sweetly, picking up the boy. "And this is us helping."

Will eased little Elizabeth in his arms. "You both need your rest. Elizabeth and I will take care of the beloved babies."

"Can I have your word on that, William?" Jack asked warily.

"Jack, you know you can," Will groaned, rolling his chocolate eyes. "Why do you insist on asking that?"

"Pirate," replied Guinevere and Jack in unison.

"Guin," Will groaned, rolling his eyes again.

"Sorry, Will," Guinevere apologized. "I have to be careful with trusting people with my children. You should know."

"You have our word that we will take care of them," Elizabeth declared. "Now please rest."

Without further protest, Guinevere and Jack eased back on their hammock and fell asleep again. On the main deck, Elizabeth and Will relished caring for their new godchildren. The two enjoyed the moment as if Elizabeth and Jack Jr. were their own children.

Will strolled around the deck, bouncing little Elizabeth along on his shoulder. Little Elizabeth could not smile or laugh, but Will's paternal instinct told him that she was happy with him. Elizabeth cooed and twined her tiny fingers in Will's.

Will smiled lovingly. "Dear Elizabeth, you are so like your mother. The same beauty, the same affection, the same strength."

Elizabeth came to Will's side with Jack Jr. in her arms. "Young Jack here has the strength of his mother and father. I think he's far more charming than his father. He gets it from his mother, clearly. He's just as clever as Jack and stubborn like Guin."

"I haven't felt this lighthearted since William was a baby," Will sighed wistfully.

"Feelings mutual," Elizabeth agreed.

Just then, gazing down at wide-eyed Elizabeth, Will had a sudden, wonderful thought. "Elizabeth, William is ten years old. Watching Jack and Guin have their new babies has given me an idea."

"Go on," Elizabeth said with interest.

"When William returns to us, I think it unfair if he must grow up alone, as was our lot," Will began. "Do you want to try and give him a baby brother or sister?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise. "Will, are you serious?"

"Is Jack a mad man?" Will asked with a chuckle.

"I don't know if it's the best time," Elizabeth said.

"I think there is no better time," Will said optimistically. "We've been given a gift. I served my time ferrying souls ten years to truly be with you and William again. I think we should make the most of it. Would do you think?"

"I think it's brilliant!" Elizabeth gasped, throwing her arm about Will's neck. "Once we find William, we will give him a brother or sister."

"Agreed," Will said happily.

Meanwhile, aboard King's vessel, Barbossa and Lucia yelled and banged on the bars of the brig to catch the attention of the guards.

"Let us out! We must speak to the Commodore!" Lucia boomed.

"Shut up!" a guard said, annoyed.

"We have to speak to the Commodore, you wholly-headed deckhand!" Barbossa growled. "We have a sick girl in here, too. Let us out, or you best be saying your prayers."

Without further hesitation, the guard unlocked the brig doors. Juliet was left behind as she had not awoken since her coughing fit. She was growing paler by the minute and she shivered constantly. Sweat was glistening on her brow, and it was clear that the fever was on her. Barbossa and Lucia winced before regaining their composure.

"Stay with the girl and look after her," Lucia commanded. "And keep your paws off her. If she even breaks a nail…well, use your imagination."

"I'm not afraid of you," the guard said, trying to appear stout.

With hands that moved faster than lightning, Lucia snatched the guard's pistol from his coat.

"I'd listen to her if I were you," Barbossa warned.

"You're a dead man if that girl dies," Lucia threatened.

"Now, now, dearest daughter," Barbossa simpered. "Put the gun down and let the nice man go."

"Can't I at least give him a slight injury? How about in the foot?" Lucia asked as the guard winced.

"If we request a meeting with King, an unexpected wound to his officer would cast a slight pall," Barbossa advised her.

Lucia reluctantly lowered the gun. "Watch over the girl."

She and Barbossa then exited the brig for King's quarters. King was not in his cabin and the two knew this was a perfect opportunity to sneak in. Without hesitation, they slipped in and waited for Commodore King to enter. After at least ten minutes, King finally entered his chamber. Barbossa and Lucia then eased out of their hiding place and Lucia cocked her pistol. King heard the click of the pistol and knew he was not alone.

"You escaped the brig. Well done," he said condescendingly as he faced Lucia and Barbossa. "I see that you realize that your friends are a dying breed."

"Indeed we have," Barbossa said in agreement.

"We are here to strike a bargain," Lucia declared.

"What sort of bargain? For the lives of your friends?" King asked with mild interest.

"No," Lucia replied. "We want to tell you where they're going."

"That information is useless to me as you two don't know where your friends have gone," King said haughtily.

"Are you so certain, Commodore?" Barbossa asked doubtfully. "We may not have a map to our friends, but we know them and we know where they're going."

"Do explain," King commanded.

"Our friend Captain Sparrow is under threat from Ponce de León and is seeking the Fountain of Youth," Lucia explained. "Captain Sparrow will be headed for the land of Florida and so will León. Where Captain Sparrow is going, the Turners and Mr. Cardinal are certain to follow."

"Are you so certain?" King questioned. "I'd hate to imagine the consequences if you were lying."

"We are gentlemen and women of fortune, Commodore," Barbossa said sincerely.

"We marooned the Turners and Mr. Cardinal after we heard they planned to betray you," Lucia told him. "I wouldn't be surprised if Captain Sparrow has rescued them by now."

"What is your bargain then?" Commodore King asked.

"If you release us, we will lead you to Captain Sparrow as well as his friends," Lucia declared.

"I suppose you want me not to kill them so just to let you know I can't spare them," King said flatly.

"Then kill them," Barbossa shrugged. "We don't need them. You release us and you kill all of them. You rid the seas of the greatest threat in the Caribbean and your greatest enemy, Captain Sparrow."

"Do we have an accord?" Lucia asked, extending her hand.

King hesitated a moment before resolutely shaking Lucia's hand. "I expect you to hold to your end of the bargain."

"As long as you hold to yours," Lucia agreed with a smile.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Commodore," Barbossa said graciously.

"Go back to the brig before I throw you in," King said acerbically.

With a nod and a tip of the hat, Barbossa and Lucia strutted down to the brig.

"I think this might play in our favor," Lucia said hopefully.

Just as they reached the brig, both of them were horrified. Juliet lay still on the brig's floor paler than ever. Blood was ebbing from her mouth, running along the floor.

"What did you do to her?" Lucia snapped, drawing her gun. "Tell me or I'll shoot lead through your brain!"

"I didn't harm the girl, pirate," the guard said truthfully, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Let him go, Lucia," Barbossa whispered as he knelt by Juliet.

Lucia put away her gun and joined Barbossa, placing her hand on Juliet's head.

"Her fever is worse," she said, worry in her voice. "She's burning up."

"What do you make of this?" Barbossa said, pointing to the blood oozing from Juliet's mouth.

"Oh my God," Lucia gasped. "We're running out of time."

"What does it mean?" Barbossa asked, bewildered.

"It means time is against us," Lucia explained. "She's coughing up blood in pints."

Barbossa remained silent. He knew what was going to happen before Lucia told him.

"At this rate, if we don't reach the Fountain in a matter of hours, Juliet will die."