Chapter 22: Home

For the next two days, the Black Pearl was making her way closer to the island of Jamaica. For those days, Will, Elizabeth, Bootstrap, James, and William made sure they spent as much time as possible with Guinevere, Jack, Juliet, as well as Elizabeth and Jack Jr. The Turners and James were happy to be going home, even though the Black Pearl still felt like home.

"Are you sure that you want to leave so soon?" Guinevere asked.

"Guin, darling, don't encourage them," Jack groaned. "After all the trouble these two have gotten us into, they're lucky I didn't make them walk the plank."

"Jack, how could you say that after all the fun we've had?" Elizabeth laughed.

"Easy, I just did," Jack retorted.

"What would your life be like without us?" Will asked.

"My life would be a lot simpler without whelps out to save their distressing damsels, damsels in distress, etcetera, etcetera," Jack replied.

"But it wouldn't be so exciting," Elizabeth commented.

"Her Majesty has a point, my love," Guinevere said. "This is a pirate's life. If we didn't face danger once and a while, it would cease to be a pirate's life at all."

"And I am afraid that I must agree to that well-spoken point," Jack admitted. "Despite all the trouble you've gotten me, my ship, and my family into, it has been a wonderful life together."

"It's a pirate's life for me," Guinevere jested.

Later, Jack and Guinevere tended to Jack Jr. and baby Elizabeth. The cabin was filled with the sound of baby cries. Guinevere fed Elizabeth first, rocking her as she did so. As she did so, Jack Jr. continued to wail impatiently.

"Little man, patience is a virtue," Guinevere whispered.

"Not when you have an empty belly," Jack said, picking up the crying baby boy.

Jack bounced Jack Jr. around as he walked around the room, waiting for Elizabeth to finish. As he did so, Jack began to hum "A Pirate's Life for Me."

"Are you going to teach that to every one of our children?" Guinevere asked.

"Yes, and we'll sing it all the time," Jack replied.

"I certainly think that our children can become the most fearsome pirates in the Caribbean, if they choose to," Guinevere commented.

"Why stop at the Caribbean? I say the entire world," Jack laughed.

Finally, Elizabeth finished feeding and Jack Jr. took his turn. Elizabeth and Will then entered the room.

"It sounds as if you two need some assistance," Elizabeth said helpfully.

"Well, that's very kind of you, Lizzie," Jack said, placing Elizabeth in her arms.

"Hello, darling," Elizabeth greeted.

"Hello, little one," Will said, stroking baby Elizabeth's cheek.

Although Elizabeth was too young to smile, a smile was in her eyes as she looked at Elizabeth and Will.

"You know, we could always need a babysitter," Guinevere laughed.

"And it's good practice for the next addition to the Turner family," Jack added.

"We're flattered, truly," Elizabeth said sincerely.

"Our next addition will enjoy the company of yours," Will said.

"Indeed, I think so," Guinevere agreed.

"No one can resist a Sparrow," Jack said with a devilish smile.

"That's why I love you," Guinevere said, kissing Jack.

"I can certainly resist a Sparrow," Elizabeth said, feigning pride.

"Your resisting me was burning me rum and sending me to the Locker," Jack replied indignantly.

"And that's why it would never have worked between us," Elizabeth said wisely.

"Keep telling that to yourself, love," Jack laughed. "While you are thinking that, we're approaching Port Royal in a day or two so I can boot you off me ship."

"Thank you, Jack," Will replied.

"You're quite welcome, William," Jack said unctuously.

"Not you. You named your baby Jack," Will replied with a grin as he looked at the now mollified baby boy.

"Oi, if it's not the monkey, it has to be my own baby!" Jack groaned.

"Just kidding, Jack," Will laughed.

"Whelp," Jack muttered.

Meanwhile, Juliet, James, and William were spending as much time together as possible. They knew it was only a matter of days before James and William went home, so they decided to have as much fun as possible. The three children spent the day running about the ship, banging through the doors, and laughing as they played with make-believe weapons.

"Maybe we should slow down. We wouldn't want you to lose your breath," William teased.

"Shut up, William!" Juliet jested, "In case you didn't notice, my lungs are full of air."

"I wasn't referring to your condition, I was referring to losing breath at the sight of me," William said with a smirk.

"Or me," James added.

"That's it, both of you are walking the plank!" Juliet jested.

"Oh, says who?" William asked.

"My father's ship, makes me captain," Juliet replied.

"You'll have to make us," James said playfully.

"You do know that I can handle a sword better than the both of you," Juliet said lightheartedly.

"That's how you'll make us walk the plank?" William laughed.

"No, this is!" Juliet countered.

She instantly jumped on the boys and began to tickle both of them mercilessly.

"Oh, no! Defeated by a girl!" William groaned.

"Girl or not, I can whip you any day!" Juliet laughed.

"Alright, alright, we surrender!" James said as he giggled.

The three friends lay on the deck, just staring up at the sky.

"You know I love you two, right?" Juliet asked sincerely.

"Ewww," James and William groaned.

"Not that way, you half-wits!" Juliet laughed. "I meant as friends."

"Oh, well, then we love you," William said with a grin.

"You honestly scared us for a moment," James admitted.

"We actually thought you loved one of us," William said.

"I can't love you like that, you're my friends. You're really like brothers. I can't marry someone like a brother," Juliet replied, wrinkling her nose.

"We are the strangest family ever," William sighed.

"LAND HO!" Gibbs shouted.

Guinevere looked through the spyglass to see the snug harbor in the distance.

"Port Royal, ho!" she shouted.

"Very good, Gibbs and darling," Jack said.

Will and Elizabeth raced up to the deck.

"What's all the shouting?" Elizabeth asked.

"Port Royal awaits you, Mr. and Mrs. Whelp," Jack teased.

"Jack!" Guinevere said, aghast.

"Sorry, just kidding," Jack said sheepishly.

"James, William!" Elizabeth called.

The two boys, accompanied by Juliet, emerged from below.

"Are we there already?" William asked dejectedly.

"Yes, we're home now," Will said.

"Do we have to go back?" James groaned.

"I'm afraid so," Elizabeth said glumly.

With a sigh, James and William turned to Juliet.

"Well, what are you staring at?" Juliet laughed as she pulled the boys into her arms.

"I'll miss you," Will said.

"Me too," James added.

"I love you two," Juliet laughed.

She then kissed William and James on their heads.

"Now go on before I make you walk the plank," Juliet jested.

Will and Elizabeth then said their goodbyes to Jack, Guinevere, and the babies.

"I'll be seeing you soon, little ones," Will whispered.

"I'll miss you," Elizabeth whispered.

Jack Jr. and Elizabeth bounced about gleefully.

"By the time we see each other, there will be a new addition to the Turners," Elizabeth said happily.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there happens to be another baby Sparrow running around," Will laughed.

"It's an entertaining thought," Guinevere said thoughtfully.

"Certainly is," Jack agreed, smiling with a mouth full of gold.

"Pirates," Will and Elizabeth muttered, shaking their heads.

Both of them started down the gangplank.

"Elizabeth!" Jack called.

Elizabeth turned.

"It will never work out between us," Jack jested.

"Yes, keep saying that, Jack," Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes.

"Will!" Jack called. "Nice boots!"

Will smiled. "Thank you, Jack."

"You will always remember this as the day that you were booted off by Captain Jack Sparrow!" Jack declaimed.

From the harbor, Will, Elizabeth, James, and William watched at the Black Pearl drifted off into the horizon.

"Do you really think he'll stay out of trouble?" Elizabeth asked.

"If he doesn't, then we'll be the first to know," Will laughed.

"Come on, James, I'll race you home!" William said cheerfully. "Loser walks the plank!"

Elizabeth and Will watched the boys speed off into town.

"So, Mrs. Turner, are you ready to go home?" Will asked, kissing Elizabeth's hand.

"I am indeed, Mr. Turner," Elizabeth said happily.

Will swept Elizabeth up into his arms. "Shall we?"

"Certainly," Elizabeth giggled.

Elizabeth and Will's lips entwined with happiness and as much passion as a newly married couple.