What Is and What Will Never Be
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not & cannot obtain ownership of POTC 1, 2, or 3
Elizabeth Swann-Turner walked across the hall, the bottom of her cream-colored dress brushing the carpet. She stopped as she reached the window-sill, pulling the curtain aside, and looked out. It was a beautiful morning. From that window, you see the marketplace and the harbor. Not seeing any ships of yet, Elizabeth stepped back from the window, only to give a slight gasp of surprise as she felt an ache in her stomach, and at the same time, a hand at her back.
"Elizabeth."
She turned around to look into the handsome face of her husband.
"Will", she returned with a tired sigh.
"You look extravagant today, my darling", Will said, giving her a kiss on the forehead. He still couldn't believe she was nine months pregnant (the baby was due in but a few days) yet she barely showed, and was as beautiful as ever.
"Do I?" Elizabeth answered with a smile. "Must you always compliment me in such ways, Mr. Turner?" She suddenly blushed. "Even before our marriage..."
"Most assuredly, Miss Swann. With what other ways might I woo such a lady as yourself?"
"Oh, I see", Elizabeth responded, a smile forming again on her lips. "All these compliments...and only to entice me..."
Will kissed her. "Do they work, Miss Swann?"
"Mrs. Turner. And yes..." she pressed her lips against his. "They work."
Will let out a relieved sigh. "Well, that's a good thing. I suppose the pointers from Jack Sparrow did something good."
"Oh! Speaking of that pirate...you are aware he is to be coming today, correct Mr., Turner?"
"Yes, dear", Will said in more seriousness, and sat her down on a nearby armchair. "Elizabeth, are you sure you feel well enough today?" he asked as he kneeled before her, concern filling his eyes.
"Will..."
"Because the last thing you need is to get worked up from a rowdy visit..."
"And who said it was going to be rowdy? Captain Sparrow is only coming on my behalf. Which is quite...kind of him, I must say."
"Think about it, Elizabeth. Captain Jack Sparrow. He's sure to misbehave", Will smirked at the memories.
"Oh, don't forget Will, Jade Rochet is coming along as well."
"Is she?"
"It'll be quite lovely to see her again. She's been a good friend."
Elizabeth noted the slight skeptical look Will had.
"What are you thinking, Will?"
"Well, just that Jack's changed, is all. It's a tad strange to think of him settled with a lass." Will vividly remembered his time in Tortuga; watching Jack get slapped by several women; watching strumpets hang on Jack, and Jack readily accepting their offers.
"Oh, Will, come now; he was never really that bad! And you know that he's fallen for Jade. I could see it in their eyes."
"I suppose your right, darling. You know better than I."
"Yes, but, seeing as they are coming together, Jade is sure to have a hold on Jack, and make sure things don't get rowdy. Anyway, they're here for support... and I do wish to see them Will, so please don't keep me cooped up when they arrive", Elizabeth entreated him.
"Alright", Will consented, kissing her hand. "But if Jack pulls any wisecracks, or you feel at all ill..."
"Will", she cut in gently. "Thank you, I love you. I'm sure I'll be fine."
Will helped her up. As she stood, she put a hand to her stomach and sighed. "I'm just a tad tired, is all."
Will was about to say something, when Elizabeth spoke again. "I shan't sleep all day though..." she yawned.
"Elizabeth, love, you look fatigued", Will brushed his hand across her cheek. "Come".
He walked her to the bedroom, and brought her to the bed. She lay down, giving a soft groan. "Why must I be so sore?"
Will lie down next to her, gently massaging her back.
"Mmm...Will, what would I do without you?" she murmured, unable to resist giving him a passionate kiss.
Will looked back at her and grinned. "Do you remember that time when your father walked in on us?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Which time?"
"The time."
"Oh...oh!" Elizabeth giggled. "What was that? The third time? The no-hands rule?"
Will laughed. "Oh, God, I'll never forget that. That completely taught me to never kiss you in public again."
Elizabeth laughed with him. "Oh, dear. Now you know why my father annoys me so much. How embarrassing! I just remember him walking in on us..."
"He was rather furious..."
"Well, we were supposed to be at the dinner party..."
"But we snuck away..."
"We couldn't resist..."
"And then your father came storming in..."
"Yes, and he finally was fed up, and said we could kiss and whatever, but he was going to watch us..."
"To make sure there were no hands involved."
The couple broke out laughing. As they calmed down, Will gave Elizabeth another kiss before he got up. "Alright now, darling, that's enough excitement for today."
"Will..." she begged disappointedly.
"Now, now, you must get some rest before our company arrives."
She pouted. "Fine." She adjusted herself against the pillow.
"Will?" Elizabeth called before he reached the door.
"Aye?"
"Remember to wake me when they arrive."
"I shall, darling", he chuckled. "I shall." He reached the door, stepping out.
"Will?"
"Yes, darling", he sighed as he tuned back around, near the doorpost.
"I love you."
Will smiled at her. "I love you more than anything in the world."
"It's going to be so very soon", Elizabeth responded merrily. "But, good night...or good midday..."
Will gently shut the door.
Elizabeth thought she faintly heard voices chattering back and forth as she awoke. She disregarded them, but just as she did so, she heard footsteps approaching the door, and sat up immediately. She relaxed when she saw who opened the door.
"Elizabeth?" Will prompted gently.
"Yes, Will", she responded as she sat further up, running her fingers through her hair. "Am I mistaken or do I hear voices in the other room?"
"You do, darling, you do", Will answered, coming towards her, a smirk on his face. "Now, Elizabeth", he said, taking her hand as she stood up. "Remember what I said—"
"Will, I know what you said; let me have a good time!" she said, playfully smacking his hand away.
"Alright", he said with a shrug.
..."Jack! You wouldn't!"
"Aye; that I would, lass. Ye know I'd just try it."
"So, we all are having a party without me?" Elizabeth called as she walked into the living room.
"Elizabeth!" Jade hurried over to give her an embrace. "The baby...?"
"Elizabeth, love", Jack greeted, taking her hand and kissing it. "You look absolutely gorgeous."
Elizabeth blushed and grinned when she saw Will's protective expression, and as he shook his head at Jack.
"It's so good to see you again. Jack..." she glanced down at her hand, which was still covered by Jack's.
"Oh! Sorry, love", he said, dropping his hand. "Per'aps I might do this to a pretty madam instead." He gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
Elizabeth blushed again.
"Between friends. Savvy, Will?" Will could tell Jack was up to something, just by the look on his face.
He came to Elizabeth's side. "Aye, she is beautiful Jack. That's why..."
"Oh my! Must you two always fight over me?" Elizabeth exclaimed, as she broke out into laughter.
"Well! Now that we've got that introduction over with, tell us about your journey", Will said. "I'll just get some tea."
"Oh, it was rather nice. We had a storm, but it quickly passed, and Jack got the crew out of it", Jade responded. "And this morning wasn't bad, was it, Jack?"
"No, not at all." He exchanged a furtive glance at Jade, but she seemed to take no notice of it.
"But comment allez-vous, Elizabeth? Will was just telling us how well you've been getting along..."
"Aye, how's the little Turner? Strapping lad, eh?"
"Jack..." Elizabeth murmured slowly.
"You've had the baby. By the looks of it, eh?" Jack murmured, eyeing Elizabeth up and down.
"Or are ye pregnant again?", Jack voiced with a laugh. "Well, shall we see 'im then?"
"Jack, I'm still pregnant. The baby's due in a couple of days. My first baby", Elizabeth smiled. This was so Jack. She watched him in his bewildered state. She smiled again, placing a hand on her stomach. "I know I don't' look it..."
"Well, then", was Jack's final response, as he looked at her stomach. "I'll blame it on the rum."
"Elizabeth, do forgive him." Jade said, moving in front of Jack, who had turned around, and had commenced walking in a circle.
"He has had un peu de rum...et..." she looked back at him. "I'll not make excuses, he is..." Jade suddenly laughed.
"It's alright. I'tis rather amusing, isn't it?"
"Oh, lovely! Ye women talking behind me back, are ye?" Jack said as he walked back towards them. "Liz—sorry, love."
"S'alright, Jack, really. I'm not offended. I'm just glad it was you rather than anyone else...you know these village people—all up in your business, especially since I'm the governor's daughter an' all that rubbish", she frowned and added softly, "I'm just lucky I have Will."
Jade touched her arm sympathetically, giving her a look that told her she perfectly understood.
"Yes? Everything alright here?" Will said as he came into the room with a kettle of hot tea.
Elizabeth smiled. "We were just talking about you."
"Really?" he said, coming to her. "Elizabeth, darling, what's wrong?" he asked as he brushed away a fallen tear.
"Sentimental things, really, mate. All of it got to the lass...an' the pregnancy..." Jack offered towards Will.
Elizabeth gave Jack a look.
"It's just...I'm not sure how I would've handled everything without you, Will. What with my father, and home...and everything."
"Darling..."
"And yet you're always here, as you are now." She kissed him.
"I love you, Elizabeth", Will whispered in her ear, and kissed her amorously.
"And we endure it yet again", Jack murmured to Jade.
"Oh, Jack, you must admit, it's so sweet", Jade sighed, looking into Jack's eyes.
He sighed. "Mayhap I can find a..." he looked back over at the couple, still absorbed in one another. "...a diversion away from those lovebirds."
"Quoi sorte de diversion?"
"Hmmm", he muttered in question, and leaned in to kiss her.
"My, what a diversion. I'd say it worked, wouldn't you, Monsieur Sparrow?"
Captain Sparrow responded with another kiss, lifting her chin as he did so, and his hand gradually moved to her neck, through her curls.
"Jack..." she sighed to him. She put her hand on his wrist, stopping him from pushing down the top of her gown.
"Hmm."
"We're company, you idealistic pirate!" she chided softly.
She turned round, but Will and Elizabeth had vanished.
"Now where do you suppose they've gotten off to?"
"They're probably doing what we were thinking of doing..."
"Jack..." she suddenly heard the door to Will and Elizabeth's bedroom.
She gave Jack a look, who shrugged, and they both went to the sound.
Upon entering they saw what they had not expected to see.
Will was standing over Elizabeth, who was lying on the bed, breathing heavily.
Will turned to Jack and Jade, panic-stricken. "I think she's going into labor."
comment allez-vous: how are you