A Pirates Passion
Chapter 12
Dangerous as it was and fleeting as it could be, Jack would not live any other way. His most important lesson he had to teach his son, he began teaching him right from the beginning. Be your own man, make your own rules and never let anyone be the cause of your forgetting what you believed in. Trust until you had reason not to, and never trust again lest ye be a fool.
JJ worshiped the ground Jack walked on and absorbed everything Jack taught him. He also would watch Jack when Jack thought he wasn't paying attention. So as the months begin to pass not only did JJ begin to look more like his father, but he also began to take on more of his father's personality as well. Except where his mother was concerned… he missed his mother and looked forward to the day he saw her again.
He wrote in his journal that she'd given him faithfully so that he wouldn't forget a thing he wanted to tell her about his journey with his father. JJ began to see a change in his father as the months passed. Jack's anger diminished and JJ often caught him writing in the new journal from time to time. JJ also caught his father simply staring at the journal as well.
He deducted that his mother must have written something in it to his father that was causing his father some turmoil. But at the same time, his father confused JJ. The confusion was because where on the one hand Jack seemed to be missing Madeline as much as he did he would then spend many nights alone with others whenever they would stop into Tortuga or other ports of call that were ‘pirate friendly’. But the more JJ thought about it the more he began to wonder if that was the reason his father spent time with other women.
On the beginning of their journey, Jack was very glad to be rid of Madeline. If she was not there she could not betray him any longer. And he could forget that she had and put all his energy into showing his son all the ins and outs of being a pirate captain. Jack watched his son change and evolve until he saw less and less of Maddy in him. Jack would often chastise JJ whenever he complained by telling him he sounded like his mother. JJ would almost immediately do an about face, so within three months time Jack hardly ever heard the boy complain.
Being around the crew also was changing JJ's perception on the world and he began to realize quickly just how much work it took to live life on the sea, Jack did not coddle to him as his mother. Jack made the boy carry his own weight and thereby helped the boy to not just become stronger but to overcome his ordeal with Jacquette. JJ now wore the scars from his captor's whip like a badge of courage just as his father wore the "P" brand and vast as sundry of scars he'd gotten over the years. JJ's nightmares disappeared quickly as did his tears. JJ wore kohl around his eyes like his father and he began collection trinkets and beads from everywhere they went that he had Jack help weave into his hair after accumulating enough for a nice strand.
Maddy had written to him in the journal she'd given to him. Jack's first reaction to it was more of the same. But, as time wore on and he thought more about her and more importantly how he'd treated her the more he felt like he'd been a little unfair. He also began to think of her with Commodore James Norrington and although Jack would never admit it willingly it made him more then a bit jealous.
He also began to realize that the longer he stayed out at sea the more likely it was that she and Norrington were probably married. Sure she'd told him she'd love him forever but he'd done everything he could to show her he cared nothing about her. Maddy was not a fool she would only wait for so long before moving on with her life. All this made Jack realized how big a fool he'd been by letting her go so easily. Jack knew that when he did return seeing her again would make him want to win her heart back and he knew she'd do everything in her power to make that hard. So he began devising his plan of "attack."
Four months later...
Madeline hurried through the regiment of troops in the fort. She asked where James was and was pointed in the direction of the dining hall. She burst through the doors. "James!" She stopped when she saw that he wasn't alone.
Her uncle and some other men in uniform were there. Apparently in the middle of a meeting. "Oh, Commodore. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." She said hurriedly and left.
James excused himself and left to catch up to Madeline, "Madeline wait, is something wrong," he asked as he touched her shoulder.
Madeline smiled at him. "No James" She said and took his hand. "James feel." She said placing his hand on her stomach. The baby was kicking like crazy.
James grinned from ear to ear, "My goodness, she's active, what have you been doing to her," he teased.
Madeline giggled. "Nothing silly." She said as she placed her hand next to his on her stomach. She gasped when the baby kicked again. "Oh James." She said looking back at him. "You were in a meeting. I’m so sorry I interrupted."
"Boring and dull compared to this, I am glad you did. I'm not able to concentrate much on military affairs these days anyway. Won't be long till we have a little bundle to welcome into this world. I can hardly wait," James exclaimed as he leaned over and kissed her.
Madeline felt herself blush but kissed him back. She pulled away quickly when she heard troops behind her. "James."
"What is it darling?" James asked.
"Your men." She said trying to pull away from him. She could still feel the blush in her face.
"What about them," James asked not releasing her. He kissed her mouth again.
Madeline rested her hands on his chest. She kissed him back passionately. She moaned in his mouth. Her hormones were raging. James hadn't made love to her in quite a few weeks. He was afraid of hurting the baby. "Mmmmmm." She moaned.
"Shall I have them walk you home my darling," James asked.
Madeline looked up at him. "Could you?" She asked smiling.
James raised his hand, "Moorson, Riley, over here," he said waving them over.
The regiment came marching to the Commodore in proper order. The two men leading them stopped just a foot or so in front of James and Madeline. "Yes sir," one of the men said.
"Riley, I want this regiment to see the lady home, as you can see she is in a delicate way and I want you to see to it she gets home safely, is that understood," James said sternly.
"Yes sir," Riley said respectfully.
James took Madeline's hand, "I shall see you later this evening my sweet with dinner, is there anything special you would like," he asked.
Madeline pouted. "No." She said and turned on her heel. Not even bothering to wait for the soldiers.
James put up his head, "I think the lady would prefer if I escorted her home. Carry on men," he said and waved them away. He quickly got in step with her and tucked her arm in his, "Better my darling?" he asked.
Madeline didn't look at him but kept walking. "Don't ye have your meeting to get back to?" She snapped.
James chuckled, "You're bound and determined to punish me and yet I've no idea what offense I've committed," he said lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it.
Madeline practically growled under her breath as he laughed. "Ye haven't touched me in weeks James." she hissed.
James stopped and held onto her hand making her face him, "Madeline, it's not because I've not wanted to, I think it just safer for the baby," he said grinning. "I love you. I still intend to marry you and make you the happiest woman in Port Royal," he said hoping to make her smile.
When she did not he sighed and got down on his knee. Several townspeople stopped and looked at them like the commodore had lost his mind. "Madeline please my love, my life do not be angry with me, for it breaks my very heart to have you cast such a glare in my direction," he said removing his hat and holding it over his heart. He looked up at her soulfully.
Madeline snapped his hat out of his hand. She could see a crowd beginning to form. She began to pull on his arm. "Oh James, stand up." She snapped. She bit back a smile. When he didn't, she pulled harder. 'James, people are staring."
"Let them stare, let them snicker and mock me for I know I am a bloody fool, a fool for you my love for you hold my very heart in your hands," he moaned soulfully.
"Oh for God's sake James!" Madeline said and pulled on his hand. "Come on." She said as they made their way towards her home. When they got there she turned towards him. "I'm sorry James, I've just been so, so..." she said flaying her hands around.
"Frustrated." James said. "And you think I'm not," he asked.
"James, we won't hurt the baby." She said moving closer to him. She smoothed the lapels of his jacket and rested her hands on his chest.
James cupped her chin, "Perhaps if you're wearing something special for me tonight I might be persuaded," he grinned. "But now I have to get back to the Governor or he will demote me," he smiled as he leaned and kissed her mouth. "I really am a bloody fool who loves you very much for you truly do hold my heart in your hands," he murmured against her lips.
She moaned against his lips. "I love you James." She whispered kissing him back.
"Then I don't feel quite the fool," he whispered. "I'll try to be early," he promised before turning and heading for the door.
Madeline nodded and watched him leave. And true to his word, he was early and she was wearing something special. A blue lace nightgown. And Madeline did persuade him.