Destiny's Requiem
chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
Ten Years After Awe
“You haven’t changed” she placed her hands on Will’s face disbelieving that he was real and in front of her.
“Neither have you.” He smiled at her most sincerely but unable to hide the bit of sadness that pulled at his heart, knowing that she was no longer his.
“That probably has something to do with the water from the Fountain of Youth.” She chuckled lightly and reached up to press her lips to his quickly, it was a kiss between friends and both knew it. “I was so afraid that you would become like him.” She hadn’t meant for that to come out of her mouth but it was a major burden she had been baring since Jack had come back into her life.
“Davy Jones chose his fate when he turned on Calypso, I’d never turn on you Elizabeth. I just want you to be happy and I knew that Jack would make you happy. You always were more like him than me. I couldn’t expect you to live your life alone. You needed someone living, not someone bound to a ship.” His eyes saddened again momentarily. “Where is Jack?”
“He’s waiting for us in town. He felt that he at least owed us a few minutes to ourselves.” She smiled at him before confessing, “I love him Will, but I also love you. It makes me feel guilty sometimes.” For some reason she felt she needed to confide that in him, maybe because he was her eldest friend and he was still so important to her, and she missed him.
“Don’t. I am dead. Relationships don’t work from the beyond the grave Elizabeth. I love you and I will always love you, but you needed to move on. I can sense your happiness and that‘s what keeps my heart beating, it grounds me. That’s why I gave Jack the letter. I never doubted your ability to remain faithful to me, I just didn’t want you to live a life that lonely. It tormented me everyday I had to feel your loneliness. I know my heart is safe, and yours is free.”
She hugged him tight unsure of what to say to such a statement. After a few moments passed she spoke again, ”Come on, you need to come and meet your son. He‘s been wanting to meet you.”
Will eyes widened and she merely nodded. “I have a son?”
“Aye.” She took a deep breath, “and a nephew of sorts.” She looked up at him fearing he would be somewhat disturbed by that news. “Willy is your son, and Josh is Jack’s. They both can’t wait to meet you, but Willy hasn’t stop bouncing for days. I‘ve told him so much about you, but he still wants to hear every tale from your mouth.”
Lizzie led Will back to the town and up into a small tavern where they had spent the previous evening. When they walked in Jack was lying on the floor playing dead as the two ruthless pirates had just slain him.
“Never did I think I’d live to see the day that Jack Sparrow would be playing with children.” Will laughed at the sight.
“He can be a bit of an overgrown child from time to time.” Lizzie smiled.
“I heard that!” The dead man suddenly rose from the floor, causing the previously ruthless pirates to turn and take notice of Will standing there.
Willy immediately walked over to him and Josh quickly ran into Jack’s arms when Jack motioned for him.
Will crouched down to be on level with the boy and smiled at him, but the boy spoke before he even had a chance to introduce himself.
“You’re my father, aren’t you?” Willy asked eyes gleaming, hoping against all hope that everything his mother and uncle had told him was true.
“I am.” Will smiled at him and was immediately attacked by the child as he flung his arms around the older man’s neck. Will immediately return the gesture pulling the boy close.
“I’ve been waiting so long to meet you!” He exclaimed, “Mum has told me all about you and that you captain a ship just like Uncle Jack’s but that it sails in the sea of the dead. Is it true?”
Will laughed, “Yes.” He ruffled the boy’s hair. “Would you like to see it?”
“Yes!” Willy practically shrieked.
“Elizabeth…” Will spoke but was interrupted.
“Of course you can. Go. Spend time with him. Just promise me you’ll come back for a bit.” She smiled at him. She had been so relieved that he wasn’t angry with her and all she wanted was a chance for her son to know his father, she couldn’t have imagined this day to have gone any better.
“Looks like it’s just you and me Josh.” Jack smiled down at the boy perched in his lap. “What say you we kidnap yer mother, eh?”
“Aye!!” Josh yelled and ran over to his mother hugging her leg.
She smiled at Jack before leaning down to return the boys hug.
“I think this is good for Willy.” She spoke to Jack, “He’s been curious about Will for a while, this might help him.”
“Will seemed quite happy about Willy ‘imself and I told ye he wouldn’t be all tentacle-y.” Jack motioned with his fingers making Josh laugh at him.
Lizzie laughed too and walked over to him. “He said he was happy for us. That he wants us to be happy.”
Jack picked up Josh and wrapped his arm around her waist, embracing his family. “I believe I told ye that too luv.” She rolled her eyes at him, but enjoyed his reassuring presence as well as his warmth.
“Its strange without Willy here,” he commented. He had gotten quite used to standing with them all at the helm of his ship, their ship. At the moment both his ship and his ‘nephew’ were in the harbor, and it was an off feeling for him.
“He’ll be back soon enough.” She kissed his cheek. “I think it’s cute that you miss him.”
“Did ye really just call me cute?” He asked.
“Aye.” She laughed and kissed his lips briefly. “I did.”
He rolled his eyes and laughed at her “What say you to a nice stroll on the beach?” His eyes sparkled as he looked at her.
“That could be arranged. What do you think Josh?”
The boy merely smiled at her “Build a castle!” The boy exclaimed excitedly, he loved playing in the sand, even if his castles looked more like giants clumps.
“Aye. A big one.” Jack smiled at the boy before turning to walk to the beach, his son on his hip and the love of his life on his arm.
Life hadn’t gone exactly as planned for Elizabeth Swann as fate and destiny played equal parts in altering her course. She’d experienced love and loss, death and rebirth, ups and downs, but she’d found a way to be happy albeit walking a rather unorthodox path. The same could be said for Captain Jack Sparrow. His life took many a turn and ended up forcing him to be the good man he never wanted to admit to being. Somehow she saw what no one else did in him and forced it out of him. He was thankful he had his legend to protect that which he came to cherish so much thought never expected to have.