"I warned you something was something odd about the situation." Elizabeth grumbled against his arm once again.
From his position behind her, James could not see her face, but he could feel the displeased scowl twisting her smart lips.
Even while getting scolded, he was much too comfortable to offer much of a retort. Instead, he chose to offer a deferential, "You did." as he placed his head on top of hers. Burying his nose on her hair to enjoy the lingering scent of soap from their bath earlier, letting his hands move aimlessly over the swell in her middle.
After their return home, Elizabeth appeared to decide that his punishment would consist of serving as her personal recliner for the rest of her pregnancy. Although, he had the suspicion that it was her indirect way to assure he would stay home and within her sight.
If that were to be her intentions, he was determined to comply without protest.
Her divine voice, her sweet smell, the fine lines of her body, it was all an incredible comfort that allowed him to remain completely slack. His muscles so limp that he sank further into the collection of pillows at his back; grateful to be back in their home, on their bed.
Since the incident on Isla de Padres a few days prior, his entire body ached uncomfortably.
But at least his injuries were minor enough that they were not a complete inconvenience for his daily life, he noted with gratitude, adjusting his legs so she would have more space in between them. He was certain his wife would not have been as benevolent had that not been the case.
Yet, at that moment, he felt nothing but contentment.
"I do regret not having listened to you, Elizabeth." he offered, pressing a light kiss to the shell of her ear, rubbing the knuckles of her hand, hoping she would sense his sincerity.
Although her response was only a small, vindicated grunt from deep within her chest, it was devoid of any real irritation.
As her back pressed closer to him in search of warmth, her gaze rose to meet his as she offered him an enchanting smirk, nose crinkling and eyes shining with a mischievous glint. It was a wonder how that look on her was more telling than any words she could say.
"Oh, is that what you would have me believe?" she asked with a voice that carried a light, teasing lilt. "Is that perhaps an admission of having committed an egregious mistake?"
Elizabeth had already forgiven him, but she still expected him to indulge her as an apology.
He returned her sly smirk with a matching one. "I'm not certain that is quite what I said, Love."
One fine eyebrow raised in a soft arch as she turned a little more towards him, "It wasn't?"
The world around them always faded away when he had her this close.
She was staring at him with such a daring, attractive expression than his lips had reached for her before he even formed the conscious thought, and it took her no longer than a second to return his affections.
He had meant for the kiss to be a chaste one, but as her lips moved eagerly against him, his eyes closed involuntarily. It wasn't until the sensation of her fingernails scratching against his scalp ripped a groan out of him, that he remembered himself; forcing some restraint back into his head after a couple of heartbeats.
While the doctor had declared that there was nothing to be concerned about with respect to her health and their child's, the old man still remarked that her pregnancy would weakened her constitution as it progressed. Elizabeth had scowled unhappily at the remark, but James had become determined to prevent anything else from causing her any further upset; even if it required him to stay in bed guarding her all day until their child was born.
In spite of the vigorous fight they had, his wife's behaviour had remained particularly affectionate since their return. Something that he was finding quite enjoyable himself.
His interest was enthused when he felt her avid tongue stroke his, leaning a little harder into her.
She needed to rest. James forced himself to remember, bringing his palm to stroke her bare knee. The cadence of his mouth slowing into a languid pace as his kiss became shallow, indicating her he wanted them to stop.
Elizabeth huffed against his mouth, but stopped without much complaint after a few seconds. Still, her face remained just as close as her lips moved to brush his face instead.
"I supposed I could admit to your perception having been much sharper than mine." he breathed against her.
"Is this you admitting that I am always right?"
The excitement in her eyes was almost child-like at the possibility.
"Not always." he reasoned, chuckling with mirth once he felt her teeth pressing mildly on his cheek. "But in this occasion? Yes."
"Hmm." her head tilted to the side in contemplation before she released a resigned sigh, "I suppose that is acceptable."
She was smiling at him, but the continuous tracing of her thumb on his jaw bone made him alert. The action was something that he had noticed she seemed to do favour almost unconsciously whenever she was anxious; although he was still uncertain whether it was meant as a comforting gesture for him or for her.
"There is something worrying you still."
Some of the mirth left her face as her thumb finally stopped its lingering and trailed down the side of his neck instead.
Both her eyebrows raised with curious surprise, "Oh. You were able to deduce that from my incredible kiss?" she taunted him playfully, unwilling to admit she had been caught.
"No." he corrected gently, using both his hands to cradled her face as he directed his serious stare only at her, "I deduced it from the worried frown you keep gazing at me with when you think I'm not paying attention to you."
The glint of recognition in her was immediate.
This time, her sight was very real. "...Have you received news from The Audacious?"
Ah.
Some of the guilt returned at the obvious reticence in her question. The uncertainty of how much would be prudent to tell her, was something that caused him great conflict whenever the subject presented.
"I already promised, did I not?"
She stared quietly at him for a long moment but then she acknowledge him with a nod. "You did."
...
They had remained stranded on the rowboat for what felt like hours. Idly waiting for one of their ships to locate them, and Elizabeth had taken ample time to relate what had happened. opportunity to throughly berate him while they did.
Once his wife had disposed of all traces of her burst of emotion, she had reclaimed her anger and dissatisfaction, making her thoughts known clearly.
"The Essex was ambushed after the boats left for the docks." she had informed him, tersely staring back at the burning island in front of them. The large mountain had finally calmed, but the rivers of bright yellow had yet to dim.
Whatever evidence might have been hiding in there was completely lost to them now, he realized grimly.
"A pair of ships appeared from behind the rock formations on the east and engaged The Essex. The sloops were small and much less powerful, but their attack was too bold."
"It appeared as if they were purposefully trying to draw their attention." she pondered with a mild frown, rolling her eyes with exasperation a moment later, "Of course it worked perfectly. Those dimwits on The Essex broke promptly formation to chase them out of the bay, leaving The Dauntless alone."
Those news did manage to reignite some of the anger from before.
'Do not deviate from your duty.' His orders had been clear.
The feeling died quickly once he realized that the disobedience was a result of his lack of capability to instil discipline on the men under his charge.
The captain of The Essex had been visibly infuriated at being forced to take commands from a Captain that was half his age.
He should have given it more proper consideration, he scolded himself with irritation. before choosing it to assist sending the Audacious to guard the opposite side of the island
"The Dauntless stayed in position, but I don't know what happened to it after the volcano exploded."
Gillette likely gave the order to abandon the bay as soon as the boats were retrieved.
James looked back at the large mass of land ahead. The yellowish gleam that had illuminated its surrounding had almost disappeared.
The Dauntless should be looking around for survivors by now... The wait would not be much longer.
His mouth opened again when a new doubt crossed his mind, "Where were you hiding?"
Elizabeth had been resting comfortably against his chest, but her eyes raised cautiously at his question, her lips pressing together before she finally admitted with distaste, "The hold of the Audacious."
"And then you stole one of the boats?"
She did not appear appreciative of his phrasing, as she emphatically corrected him with a vehement, "I borrowed a boat."
A short chuckle escaped him at the unrepentant response.
It had been such a long time since she had gone against his direction not to board one of the ships without previous warning, that he foolishly ignored the fact that the woman he married would be completely willing to crawl around the insides of a small, 'dirty' hold, if it meant it would help her accomplish her purpose.
The effortless manner in which she kept succeeding in violation their security should have probably alarm him. Yet, what surprised him the most, was his utter lack of surprise at the news.
If there was someone who might know the insides of those ships as well as he did, then it would be Elizabeth.
Besides, James was not oblivious to the truth that he held significant responsibility for the development of such skills. Thus, he could not justly scold her for her daring acts.
The displeased scowl she was showing, indicated that his dear wife seemed to understand that her trick would not be working on him again.
Maintaining a composed expression, he continued with his questioning, "What excuse did you use for the servants?"
Even if she had given orders not to be disturbed, he was certain the maids would notice it immediately if Elizabeth suddenly decided to neglect to eat her meals, especially considering her current state. And if such poor excuse had worked, then he would have to replace the entire staff on the state one they returned home.
His thoughts were interrupted by Elizabeth's response.
"I'm currently displeased with you. And so, I decided to flee back to my father's Mansion during you absence."
His eyes narrowed at her words, feeling slightly offended she would think to run away to her father's residence even as a pretence.
"And what about your father then?"
The Governor would certainly realize his daughter was missing once he decided to pay her a visit.
"If my memory serves me correctly, he already caught your lie once before, Love." he said, aware that she would not appreciate the reminder.
Immediately, her expression changed. The way her brows furrowed and her lips pursed resembled that of a petulant child being scolded, and it only managed to make her look more endearing in that moment.
"Well, I'll have to inform you that I did not lie to him." she protested, crossing her arms as she stared at him with her nose raised high in the air. "I really am angry that he conspired with you to give you the resources to come here."
One of his eyebrows raised, entirely unimpressed. "Is that the case? And how exactly do you intend to charm your way out of trouble when the Governor finds out that you being 'indisposed' was a mere excuse for you to chase after a certain husband?"
Her frown deepened as she casually pushed away from his chest. "You are finding enjoyment in this. Are you not?"
James merely stared at her, supressing his amusement as he waited.
After making a low sound of disgruntlement, Elizabeth eventually relented. "'The sanctioned absence of my husband by the esteemed Governor of Port Royal has caused my mood to become rather foul. Therefore, I find the need to advise against a visit until it improves so'" she recited smoothly, offering him an arrogant smirk after sharing the absurd explanation she created.
While her innate assertiveness was one of the things that had first attracted his interest, sometimes it troubled him to think that it was that same confidence which led her to act so recklessly.
He gave her cheek a light pull to erase the unwarranted smile; but he couldn't stop from smiling himself when her face turned slightly to the side and her teeth sank mildly onto the thick part of his thumb in retaliation.
"I am a married woman." she declared tersely, straightening her back to look the perfect picture of a prim and proper lady. "My father can no longer intervene in my affairs."
His smirk grew wider as he leaned in even closer, their faces just inches apart as he argued, "He'll take your from my side until our child is born if I attempt to assist you like I did before."
"I will not be forced away from my home." she warned, moving her face away from his with irritation.
He would never allow for her to be taken either, even if it was her father.
Instead of continuing with his teasing he patted the top of her head gently, asking with curiosity "Were you nauseous during the journey?"
Her eyes returned to him, her mood suddenly becoming lighter. "It was mostly without mishaps." Looking down at herself as she pated her swell with care and proudly announced, "This child is very smart. It knew not to cause a disturbance so I could save you." Still looking down with a smile she praised with a tone full of affection, "Such a good darling."
His insides warmed at the sight, his hand grabbing hers and squeezing it.
A strong wave against the hull reclaimed his focus back to their surroundings. They were still stranded in the middle of the ocean, in a small boat, waiting to be rescued, with the only piece of land nearby wrecked by disaster...
"What happened after you reached the island?"
Elizabeth's expression became cautious. The look he saw on her made him remorseful again.
"I stole a row boat and followed you to the city." she began, her concerned frown deepening as she added swiftly, "I had no intention to engage in any way, I only meant to survey the terrain from the outskirts of the city." she continued, resting her head on the divot of his neck and shoulder, "I had almost convinced myself I had lost my head before the volcano exploded." her hold on his shirt tightened, but she refused to look at him as she continued. "Then the lava started flowing... dozens of pirates appeared in the plaza... and I was desperate to find you. So I charged at a group of pirates attempting to escape the docks."
James knew from the clumsiness of her explanation that Elizabeth was intent on giving him as much information as she could without risking his temper again.
Even if it was true that his reaction had been one of extreme anger, it had been a result of his fright. There was never a moment when he had meant to provoke her fear, and the reassurance of having her safe in his arms was helping subdue him with unexpected ease.
As long as Elizabeth and the child were safe, he had no reason and no desire to fight her actions.
So he tried to encourage her with a gentle tone. "And then?"
"I coerced one of them into telling me about the cave. I ran there to warn you, but the entrance was blocked. I started running again to try to find a different one. I didn't know what had happened to you, and I was so worried because I couldn't find you..." her voice waned as she continued speaking, sounding as exhausted as she appeared, "And then I did." she finished, her words nothing more than a troubled whisper.
His arms tightened around her, securing her to his chest as his lips moved to her ear.
"I promise you Elizabeth,..."
...
"I will never leave you like that again." he repeated his promise, hoping he would be more persuasive this time. "And I will stay on this room by your side until our child is born if you want me to." he added sincerely.
Her smile was more normal this time, nodding in understanding before laying her head down next to his on the pillow. James stared silently as her eyes fluttered closed and the time between each breath become longer, until he was certain she had fallen asleep; and then he followed shortly after.
The months that followed passed rather peacefully, sometimes almost boringly so.
The Essex and The Dauntless had managed to chase and destroy Roger's remaining ships that night. And after their captain's demise, his remaining lackeys seemed to lose the nerve to continue attacking the garrison's. Since, there had been no new attacks recorder either on land or at sea. Thus, the the largest threat around the Caribbean had finally been remedied.
True to his word, James had remained on the island since the incident on Isla de Padres, but with the hurdle of her stomach growing bigger by the day, Elizabeth found herself struggling to find the stamina to do much.
Apart from the permanent uncomfortable sensation that had settled in her body every time she moved, she found herself very exhausted, to the point that exerting her body for longer than a few minutes depleted her entirely, which annoyed her greatly, certain that she had not slept as much as she had in the past few month, since she was a baby herself.
Whenever she was not sleeping, she mostly spent her time with James, or visiting her father whenever he was much too busy. Occasionally, she even invited some of the ladies she liked best to have some afternoon tea; although many of those invitations turned into thinly veiled interrogations about the upcoming birth of her child or inquires about her husband's latest exploits.
Still, she was too delighted that her pregnancy was progressing without incident, in spite of her husband's excessive concerns.
She also had considerable amounts of idle time, having to get creative to think of different ways to amuse herself.
Knitting had become her preferred method not only to pass the time, but to help relax. And with her feelings becoming more restless, she found herself with her hands holding onto a pair of needles almost daily, to the point that James had once teased her about the amount.
"You've made enough bonnets to start a business, Elizabeth."
Her hands stopped in the middle of their work. When her eyes raised, she found her husband had stopped changing in favour of watching her with an amused smile.
"I thought you didn't care for this sort of activities."
"I don't. But you won't give me back my sword." she reminded him with a pout.
Her response only made his mirth grow. Walking to her, he crouched in front of the chair she was sitting, his hand reaching for her latest creation.
"Then stop." he ordered lightly taking the needles from her and giving the back of her hand a kiss. "Our child will not be able to wear these many clothes."
His assessment was likely true.
James hand moved to rest on the now large swell of her stomach. His stare becoming soft when he received a thump in response.
Coming closer the he whispered to the child inside her, "You should be born soon. Your mother is impatient now."
A strong flutter that she'd been ignoring since morning, awakened at the base of her stomach at his words.
While she cherished all the time she spent with her little baby, talking to it, reading to it, imagining the little face that would gaze at her once it was born...
The thought of finally being able to meet the small creature that she had been imaging so much caused her some conflict. The excitement and impatient that she felt at the thought of her child's arrival grappled with the nervousness and the faint dread.
And then, there was a persistent worry that no amount of distractions would let her forget. And as the days of the expected day neared without any indication that it was time, the thought became louder.
Maybe her child was taking so long to come out because it wasn't excited to meet her.
Her hand reached for his, holding tightly with what she hoped was a normal smile.
If not for James' completely composed attitude that helped tranquilize her on a daily, she would have lost her nerve months ago.
His smile fell a little when their eyes met, his hand caressing her cheek. "Just be patient for a little longer, Love." he encouraged her tenderly, making her chest become lighter.
She nodded once, eyes closing as she relished on the feeling of his warm palm against her skin.
...
It wasn't until the end of a quiet day in the middle of cold winter when she found herself rushing one of the young soldiers that guarded the entrance to the fort.
"Go fetch my husband." she ordered the lad, holding onto her stomach while the maids held onto her.
The young man appeared disconcerted for a few seconds before she growled more vehemently, "The Commodore! Now!"
She watched as the soldier climbed onto a horse and crossed the gate, quickly disappearing thru the path that led back to the port.
The new wave of pain travelling thru her body, forced her in a forward bend. Elizabeth did her best to find her way to the second floor while wishing she had listened to the maids suggestions that she remained there.
When she felt warm liquid trickle down her legs, she could only curse silently.
James arrived back into his home in a confused state. He rushed back into the building without even taking the time to lead the horse back to the stable, throwing the reigns to one of the remaining soldiers at the gates, crossing the entrance with sure steps.
It was already late enough for the candelabrums to have been lit, but the inside was still filled with the noise of the servants moving around.
Before he could move another step, he heard it. A noise that filled him with dread.
A scream.
Elizabeth's scream.
Loud and pained.
His heart clenched violently in his chest, his breath catching in his throat as his stomach plummeted down like a stone sinking into icy water. His hand instinctively reached for the banister as he rushed up the grand staircase, nearly slipping as he climbed the steps with large strides. His muscles tensing in preparation before he understood what was happening.
His long legs carried him thru the hallways that led to their room with urgency. Momentarily losing the ability to formulate thoughts, James threw open the door and stepped inside.
The sight that met his eyes as he barged into the room made his insides revolt and his throat close. Something deep down in his stomach coiled in a way it never had before.
Nausea hit the back of his throat as a warm, very familiar smell overwhelmed his nose in a moment, the metallic quality of it was enhanced by the heat trapped inside the room due to the closed windows.
Her delicate form was lying down on the bed, blood staining the previously pristine linen. There was a lot of it. Too much of it.
Why was there so much? Was she badly injured?
Elizabeth was still screaming, her face painted a deep shade of red. She was covered in sweat, her eyes swollen and stained with tears running down her cheeks. Her face marred by a pained grimace.
A new yell of pain ripping thru her mouth, freed him of his lethargy. But as he tried to move forward and go to her side, he was stopped by one of the women inside the room he had failed to regard.
"Men are not supposed to enter the room, Commodore. You need to wait outside." the old woman scolded him with disapproving stare.
What nonsense was this woman saying?
James was unable to respond for a moment, appalled that the woman was trying to prevent him from reaching his wife.
"But, I.." he started to argue, feeling nervous energy traveling through his body, urging him to act, to do stop her pain, to protect her.
Regardless of the woman's assuring words, he could not part his eyes from the sight of his wife's defenceless, writhing form.
"Elizabeth is in pain." he argued weakly.
"Such pain is expected during labour."
Those words did mange to reclaim his attention.
Elizabeth had finally gone into labour then?
The solider that she sent for him had been ignorant to anything else beside the fact that his wife's request for his return home had been of a pressing nature. And James had been much too impatient to stay and push him for more detailed information.
Was labour truly meant to be of such a... gruesome nature?
His wife was in such state that she did not seem aware of his arrival. But he knew she had called for him.
"I heard her screams..." but his voice faltered slightly before he could manage to get the words out completely, not daring to repeat the incoherent words that he heard from the door. The woman should have heard them as well.
Anyone would be able to recognize that his wife was suffering.
He wasn't even certain how he had accomplished to form words in the first place, but all he cared was that he needed to know she was alright.
The old woman showed him a more understanding, tolerant expression once she saw the state he was in, but she remained firmly planted in front of the him. "She is not dying, Commodore." she promised, looking slightly exasperated as she turned to look at the other women moving behind her. "It is normal for the mother to struggle with the first one, but she's doing a good job." she said confidently, only managing to reassure him enough for him not to push her out of the way and force his way to his wife.
James had no way of knowing what was considered 'normal' in such circumstances, but the cries of pain she continued to release sounded entirely alarming to his ears, striking him with the need to go to her side and console her.
"You need to wait outside, Sir." the woman insisted, more deferentially this time. "The Madame will be alright."
He didn“t want to leave. Leaving her felt like a completely foolish thing to do. And there was nothing he yearned more than to stay with her
The uncertainty of being confronted with an unprecedented situation, did not allow for him to make a proper decision.
He didn't want to cause a confrontation with the women attending to his wife and child but... Surely the woman couldn't truly expect him to walk out of the room and leave Elizabeth alone in such state?
'James'
As he debated on how to proceed he heard her soft breath from across the room, his head turning back to her immediately.
His eyes met with the rich, dark eyes of the woman laying on the bed.
She had finally noticed him standing by the door. Her eyes were unfocused and dampened with tears, but the moment she saw him, she gifted him with an affectionate smile. That smile was enough to assuage some of his fear, and he understood the effort she was putting into appearing more composed.
Her features appeared strained by the effort of the simple gesture, yet she continued looking at him warmly.
'It's alright' she said, making his frown deepen and his mouth open in protest. But she shook her head softly, letting it fall tiredly on the bed as she offered with a little more strength 'I'm alright' before a second later her expression was disrupted by an evident flinch. Head tilting backwards as a faint moan of pain escaped from her tense lips.
A firm touch on his arm reminded him of the presence of the obstacle blocking his path to her since he stepped into the room. The woman put pressure into her touch while signalling to the entrance he had crossed.
The only thing that allowed for his feet to move as he was pushed out of the door was his trust that Elizabeth would not lie to him about her well-being.
"Now, do try not to barge inside again, Sir. You'll distract the Madam." she warned before closing the door on his face.
The feeling of uselessness was distressing. He was powerless to do anything to stop the screams of the woman she loved.
So instead of allowing any thought, he focused on one point on the door, imagining his wife on the other side. The memory of her glassed eyes and red cheeks still at the forefront of his mind. Her precious smile as she saw him, his only real source of comfort.
Hours passed with him enduring the pitiful screams coming from the other side of the door. Feeling like he might lose his mind with worry.
Then finally, there was another cry. A different one. A smaller, shriller one. A cry that was new and vulnerable in nature.
Everything went silent after that.
