Pushing open the door, he discovered Elizabeth in the middle of enjoying a bath while Casey's sleeping form was laying inside the wooden cradle that the Governor had gifted him.
The sight of the exquisitely carved wood reminded James of his encounter of that very morning.
"I crossed paths with your father today." he announced as he walked to the fireplace and placed his sword next to hers on the rack she'd had commissioned to be mounted over it a few months back. "The Governor was in the middle of an unscheduled inspection of the docks." A small smirk danced on his face as he continue disposing of his uniform, "Although his only interest seemed to be in knowing how much longer it will take for your completely recovery. I think he would appreciate it if we invited him for dinner once you..."
His movements stopped abruptly once he realized she had yet to respond to any of his words.
"Love?"
When his call was once again met with nothing but silence, his heart speed uncomfortably. He reached her side with a few long strides, landing heavily on his knees next to tub. His hand moved in front of her parted mouth, finding the soft displacement of her breath with relief. Once he became certain that she was merely sleeping, he allowed his head to fall forward as the brief flash of dread passed him.
As his gaze raised, he allowed himself to look at his wife carefully; her eyes remained closed, but there were no signs of distress in her features.
This time, her name left his mouth with more strength, giving her shoulder a firm squeeze as he did. "Elizabeth."
Tension filled her body in an instant, dark eyes opening wide with fright as she clung to his arm. Her dazed gaze looked around the room in bewilderment, stopping at his face when their eyes met.
Reaching for his cheek with a confused frown, her fingers pressed into his skin as if to corroborate he was truly there.
"James?"
Sleep addled her words, but her grip remained secure. Slowly, the unease unraveled from her body as her expression began to shift from pressing alarm to dawning recognition.
"May I ask what made you decide this was an appropriate place to take a nap, Love?"
"I fell asleep." she confirmed in a low murmur tinted by embarrassment and lingering sleep.
When she saw his amused smile at the rosy tint of her cheeks, Elizabeth brought her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." she muttered lazily, rubbing her forehead against him in an effort to dispel her tiredness.
Feeling the light shiver move down her back, his arms sank into the water and picked her up in a swift motion. The water had long since became lukewarm.
"You'll get wet." she protested, appearing more alert as she frowned at him.
Both his shirt and trousers were already completely soaked, leaving a wet trail on the floor as he passed. He didn't care for any of it.
"And you will get sick."
He felt a weak shake of her head against his jaw, before she began arguing grumpily, "It was only for a moment." Little by little, her voice seemed to be regaining its strength.
James let out a soft, exasperated sigh as he adjusted her in his arms, hearing the wet squelch of his clothes cling to his skin. "A moment, was it?" he replied, arching an eyebrow, "That is quite the claim for someone who was so deeply asleep that you did not hear me moving about the room, as I attempted to carry a conversation with you."
Her mouth curved into a faint, amused smile against his neck. "It took you that long to notice I was not listening to you?"
"I don't think you are in a position to tease me so happily, my dear Lady." he observed, lowering her down onto the bed and pulling onto the perfectly made covers to wrap them around her naked frame.
Crinkled nose and pouting lips, Elizabeth looked adorably irritated at his words. However, instead of objecting, she raised her hands to his head and pushed off the wig he had neglected to discard, leaning into him and pressing a wet kiss to his mouth once she was finished.
It was a soft kiss, languid and unhurried, his eyes closing in acquiescence as he became engrossed by the sensation of her loving mouth on his; until the moment he felt the sweep of soft fabric on the side of his face and down his neck. It was a futile attempt to help dry him, but he was appreciative of the effort nonetheless.
"Valiant as it was, I did not require rescue, Dear." she whispered petulantly as soon as they parted.
"Regardless. Please do make sure one of the maids is attending to you in the foreseeable future."
Her eyes rolled playfully as a huff moved past her lips. "You are terribly overprotective." she chided with a gentle pull at the collar of his wet shirt, "...and you need to dispose of these."
"I will do so. While you find something to wear." he determined quickly, straightening his back and offering his hand to aid her stand, bringing her near him as he volunteered with an inviting smile, "Or would you like my assistance?"
While the offer seemed to appeal to her, Elizabeth pushed away from him as she walked past him. "I do believe I can manage it on my own."
"I'll go find another shirt then."
After discarding his wet garments and putting on a dry change of clothes, James returned to the room to find Elizabeth's silhouette still working behind her dressing curtain.
Looking to entertaining himself while he waited, his attention turned to the child resting inside the cradle. Casey had remained blessedly asleep through all of the clamor they had provoked, but as he approached the sleeping form, he felt a small frown pull between his eyebrows.
"Love." he called softly, still staring with confusion at the sight in front of him.
"A moment, Dear." he heard her respond while his eyes remained focused on his son.
"Why is he sleeping like this?"
Their son was laying in the most contorted position he had ever seen, his small limbs were bent at odd angles in various directions. It looked tortuous and painful, so he reached into the cradle with the intention to reposition him into a semblance of comfort. However, before he could even touch Casey, a pair of delicate hands reached from behind him and grasped his wrists with needless strength.
"No. Don't you dare." Elizabeth demanded with urgency, her breath hitting the side of his neck as her chest pressed tightly to his back, effectively trapping him in place and stopping his venture.
Her unexpected actions had him looking over his shoulder with perplexed inquiry, but his wife was already glaring at him with a warning scowl.
Instead of intimidating him, her discontent pout provoked his intrigue. One of his eyebrows rising with intrigue as he suppressed a smile.
"And why should I not?"
"I don't know why! Your child just enjoys sleeping like that." she informed him in a low hiss, still not relaxing her powerful grip on his wrists. "If you move him, he will wake up and start wailing. Most earnestly."
The way in which she ignored her own bond to their child did make the corner of his mouth flinch upwards. He requested to be freed with a soft push of his back, turning around to face her once she did.
In her haste to stop him, she appeared to have forgotten to finish dressing properly, and he found the precarious way in which the thin straps of her chemise hung down her shoulders to be unfairly distracting. Hence, he had no alternative but to carefully take a hold of the maddeningly enticing strip of fabric and place it back to its proper place, taking advantage of the opportunity to caress the soft, delicate underneath.
"You already attempted to do it, didn't you?" he surmised with a hint of mirth, gazing at her with sympathy.
Instead of receiving a laugh, he watched as his wife's troubled grimace deepened with dissatisfaction before her face buried on his chest.
"It is certainly a possibility." she conceded with a reluctant mumble.
In an effort to comfort her, his arms wrapped around her back, stroking the back of her head.
"And he cried?"
A short, muffled groan vibrated against his skin from the point where her lips were touching him, the weight of her body now resting completely against him. "Like a little, vindictive, unforgiving Banshee." she eventually admitted while clinging onto his back. "He cried so much, James. I almost gave in to the temptation to cry alongside him."
The mirth he'd been feeling completely disappeared after listening to her piteously confession. Using a gentle finger, he pushed on the bottom of her chin until he met her eyes. The red line framing them was proof enough of the veracity of her words.
"I'm sorry." he begged softly, holding her even tighter as he kissed the top of her head, caressing soothing circles into the skin of her shoulder when he noticed the rigidity in her muscles. "I have not been here for you."
Her head shook in denial as she looked over his arm to Casey.
"...maybe I am doing something wrong."
The timid whisper was so unlike her that, for a moment, he was unsure he had understood her correctly, but the anxious manner in which her eyes peeked at him from under her lashes, desperately begged him to prove her incorrect.
"That can't possibly be true, Love."
"But why does he keep crying so much? I don't think he is sick ...What if he is angry at me?"
An involuntary chuckle escaped him at the impossibility of the possibility.
"Elizabeth, he is a child. Children cry."
At least that was what his -admittedly limited- understanding of them told him.
He knew that his lack of experience with them should have disqualified him to provide judgment. Still, permitting her to entertain such self-flagellating notions was something he was not willing to do. Yet, in spite of his reassurances, his wife maintained a concerned wrinkle between her eyebrows as she regarded him with a doubtful expression.
"You cannot be certain of that."
After growing accustomed to Elizabeth behaving as nothing less than confident and mischievous, it was difficult to understand the insecurity reflected in her eyes. She adored their son; kept him well-fed, well-rested and well-cared for. He would not be able to find any fault in her actions even if he had wanted to.
"Perhaps." he admitted easily, "But I am certain he does not hate you." Holding her still as he leaned close to her face, he willed her to believe him, "He is healthy, and well cared for. And I adore you for it."
Staring at him with a much improved expression, a sincere smile finally drew on her precious lips before she pulled on his neck and brought him down into a kiss.
The sensation of her warm body nestling into his presented a significant allure. One that had him pressed to find something else to focus on besides the soft, still damp curves of her form molding against his chest. However, it became a futile endeavor once her hands dug inside his shirt and began stroking his skin. The combination ofher remorseless palms wandering over his back and the slow strokes of her tongue were only serving to arouse him even further.
As the heat began stirring his longing, he was forced to put some distance from each other.
Elizabeth made a loud noise of protest when his lips abandoned hers, but remained otherwise unmoving as he took a step back, glaring at him with an unhappy pout directed solely at him.
"Was my kiss so lacking that you would stare at me with such murderous intent, Love?" he jested with a light smirk, forcing his attention away from his protesting body.
Before he could continue his teasing, the question was out of her mouth, "Do you not want me anymore?"
He was certain that the bewildering confusion he felt must have been present on his face. Even so, the words were so devoid of sense that he could not bring himself to give an appropriate response as he struggled to understand their meaning when put in that particular order.
"...Pardon?"
"You haven't touched me! And it has been months, James!" she complained looking equal shares angry and embarrassed, pressing her lips into a thin line and clenching her jaw tightly. Before granting him the opportunity to defend himself, Elizabeth's cheeks reddened, continuing with a hint of resentment in her tone, "Or is it that you no longer find me desirable?"
Undesirable? ...to him? His Elizabeth?
"Elizabeth, I don't... of course I wasn't..." He was so entirely unprepared for their current situation that he lost the ability to articulate a proper sentences, as if he were an uneducated simpleton. "You just gave birth." he managed to produce, holding onto her shoulders before promising her in a soothing breath, "I would never dare do anything as brutish as to insinuate myself on you while you are abed and recovering."
He had just reclaimed her unconscious body from inside the bathtub but mere minutes ago.
A petulant and aggravated frown appeared at his response, but at least the distress seemed to subside.
"That is utter nonsense, I am in perfect health." she decided, after giving his explanation barely a moment of consideration. "Which means that your concern is unnecessary."
The situation was such that his reactions became hampered as his mind attempted to maintain his wife's tempo. Thus, when she took a firm hold of his wrist and tugged impatiently, he followed without thought, allowing himself to be led to the bed. Landing gracelessly on it when she pushed him back with a little too much force.
"But…"
His faint protest after realizing what she wanted was swiftly forgotten when she landed heavily on his lap and pushed a finger to his lips.
"Quiet down now. If I hear another word of protest from you, it will be years before you see any action again, Commodore."
There was such a deadly serious expression on her narrowed eyes as the threat was proffered that he felt a small twinge of true fear settle on the base of his stomach. Besides, the maddening heat that she had provoked had yet to dwindle, making him significantly less inclined to argue against whatever she was intending to happen.
Keeping his lips joined, James nodded his understanding without any further objection.
Her spirit brightened with just that. "Marvelous." she declared with a pretty smile adorning her mouth, bringing her hands to his chest and grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling it open much faster than he was prepared for.
"Elizabeth?" he ventured carefully, causing determined eyes to glance up at him while presenting a rather childish scowl.
The sight both warmed his heart and incited his desire, and he couldn't prevent the adoring smile from appearing on his face as he held the side of her face and he stroked her cheekbone.
Even angry as she was, Elizabeth was such an enchanting woman.
"I love you."
He was rewarded with the sweetest of smiles. The kind of smile that made his chest burn with gratitude at knowing he was the recipient of it. The kind of smile that could not allow him to doubt his place in her heart.
"Do you truly?"
Immediately, her chin tilted down towards him, her hands travelling the length of his arm with deliberate slowness until they finally moved to rest on either side of his neck. Her alluring whisper and caressing hands made his fingers twitch with the need to touch her, so his arms grabbed onto her hips.
Seeing the shadows disappear from her delicate features made him smile in delight.
"With all my heart, Love." he promised, raising his head from the bed to press his mouth to hers, parting his lips to feel the dizzying warmth of her shocks travelling down his shoulders as her thumbs rubbed patterns on his skin.
The affection in her kisses was sweet and innocent, forcing away the remnants of the cold he'd been feeling since his clothes became wet.
His hands moved over every contour he could find, receiving a gratified sigh into his mouth when he reached the curve of her chest. The sensation of it in his palm was as divine as always, although somehow different from before, fuller. The though made him groan with the excitement of his new discovery, but when he massaged the mound with a little more force, Elizabeth hissed softly, wrapping his hand with a brush to his knuckles.
"Be gentle." was her commanding breath against his mouth.
Easing his grip in obedience, he chose to move to her side and down her back before finally settling on the back of her thigh instead.
Their movements turned disorderly as their keen touches roamed everywhere. The hand that was not holding tightly onto his hair soon moved down to the front of his trousers, forcing a loud growl from his chest at the deliberate press of her knee between his legs.
The need to have her was making him impatient, urging his actions.
However, right as his hands started hoisting the hem of the thin fabric still separating him from her, the sound of a small, pitiful whimper reverberated in the room. Followed by the conjoined groan of frustration that they failed to stop as they halted in the middle of their fumbling to stare at the cradle next to their bed, willing Casey back into his peaceful sleep.
When there was no other sound after waiting for a few prolonged heartbeats, they relaxed against each other.
Her palm instantly landing over his mouth when he let out a soft chuckle at her relieved exhale, reproaching his audacity without ever having to utter a word.
But, uncaring of their efforts, a demanding cry erupted from the cradle the moment her lips sought to resume their activities, making it clear that he would not quiet down until he was paid the due attention.
Accepting that their son was not in the disposition to let them continue, Elizabeth let out a loud, frustrated whine of her own, stopping all movements and hiding her face deep into his neck.
"How? "she growled into his skin, curling her body as if she was trying to hide into him. "I don't understand. He is so small. How can he possibly be this loud?"
James knew he should not have, but he let out a sound of amusement thru his nose, which resulted in a growl of irritation as a response. Still, she offered no attempt to get away from him, likely much too exhausted to.
His arms held her tightly as he gave the side of her head an apologetic kiss.
The low whimpers were becoming progressively louder, indicating the need for their attention elsewhere.
Elizabeth's muscles tensed as she prepared to stand, but before she could, he hugged her securely to his front and rolled to the side so that she would laid down on the messed covers, buttoning back his trousers as he left the bed.
Once he lifted the bereaved, crying child into his arms, Casey clung to him as best as he could, much in the same way his mother had just done so.
His eyes glanced back at her as he mumbled soothing words to his child. Her face waspressed down to the mattress, her hands holding tightly to one of the pillows.
"Elizabeth?"
A muffled sound of acknowledgement was her response.
He smirked at the sight of his thoroughly exasperated wife resisting a fit, choosing to focus on consoling their son first.
Casey's cries withered as quickly as they came once he found a comfortable place against him.
"He can be really unfair sometimes." he heard her scoff softly, turning around to find her standing right behind him, moving her face to rest on the back of his shoulder as one of her thumbs dried the remaining tears staining the rosy cheeks.
James watched with amusement as their son took possession of one of her fingers and would not let go.
The three stayed like that until Casey's eyes began fluttering again.
"...I'm tired." she confided reluctantly, peeking at him with a troubled face as she waited for his reaction.
He could understand that. What he did not understand was the reason why she appeared to believe her words could upset him.
"Maybe having someone else to assist would help lighten your exhaustion." he proposed, holding her gaze with a warm smile as he begged her to accept the offer.
Her displeased frown lasted for only a couple of seconds once her eyes wandered to Casey's face resting on his shoulder. Once her eyes met beautiful, soft green framed by light eyelashes, she conceded with a begrudging nod.
When her baby released a soft yawn, she moved to take him into her arms, wincing in pain when he managed to trap a few strands of her hair inside his fist.
It was not an easy task, but with James' help, they managed to retrieve the mistreated lock without provoking their son's anger.
"I might need to shorten it." she mumbled distractedly, looking as her husband work on untangling the tight knot that had been created in her hair with a resigned grimace.
His fingers stopped in his quest; gaze raising to find her own with a questioning frown.
"Why?"
The one word was sufficient to express his displeasure with the idea, making her smile mirthfully as she pointed at their son.
"I might become bald otherwise, Dear. This little runt has been constantly tugging on it." she accused remorselessly, hugging her darling's body closer to her chest and placing a kiss to his forehead. "Besides, I look nightmarish."
His fingers had resumed their gentle work on the tangles mess, and once it was freed, he brought it to his lips and pressed a reverent kiss to it, her eyebrows raising at the action.
"Your beauty is unquestionable, Love."
Her chest fluttered uncontrollably at the loving declaration of her dear husband. And at the same time, a twinge of regret remained at having been interrupted earlier. She truly wished to show him just how much his praise affected her.
"Is that the reason you were so keen to marry me?" she taunted with playful interest, leaning closer and using the tip of her nose to trace his jaw. "Because you fancied my face?"
The roguishness behind his smirk was unexpected but thoroughly enjoyed, making a light shudder of delight travel up her back when his fingers stroked her hip.
"I fancy your body as well." The shamelessness of his admittance made her nose crinkle as a mirthful giggle erupted. During her moment of distraction, his mouth had wandered down to her ear, licking a wet path over the shell while he helped her support Casey's body with commendable ease. "I'll admit that I nursed the greatest of hopes to be permitted into your bed after being pronounced as your husband."
The low, deep whisper he used was enticing. Thinking of the many times that she had allow him inside various other places, she once again regretted the untimely interruption.
"How very brazen of you, James Norrington." she chided him, using his chest to support her balance as she raised onto the tips of her toes, regarding him with a pleased smirk. "I should have you punished for such uncouth remark."
He looked more than willing to suffer thru any 'punishment' she might deem necessary, leaning down until his face hid into the side of her neck.
"Congratulations should be in order, then. As it happens, you are very much welcomed in my bed."
"That truly is cause for celebration." he agreed with a soft hum of anticipation.
Her eyes rolled to the side, stepping away from him to return to said bed.
"However, I lament to inform you that we will not be able to fulfill any of your hopes for the night."
James quickly followed after her, settling next to her.
"Truly regrettable."
Threading his fingers around the thick strands of her hair, he gazed at it with rapt interest. "...Is it truly necessary then?"
Her brows furrowed in confusion at the sudden question, "Is what necessary?"
"Shortening the length of your hair." he clarified, still playing with the long locks of hair entangled on his fingers. "Were you serious about doing it?"
Her muscles relaxed against the heap of pillows behind her, lightly bouncing the bundle in her arms.
"Why?" she inquired happily, reaching to trace his jaw with a tender knuckle, "Would you dislike it if I did?"
Even while certain he must have realized she was merely being playful, his answer was earnest.
"I feel a particularly strong affection for your long hair," he confessed, reaching for an errand strand and placing it behind her ear, gently brushing the side of her face before letting his hand trace a path down her shoulder, all the way to the base of her back. "But you can do as you see fit." he promised, staring at her with an entrancing gaze.
Her answer was a soft and uncharacteristically demure whisper, "I'll just have to be very careful to keep it away from him, then."
