All These Things That They've Done

“Jack, you
cannot raise an infant on a pirate ship!”
Elizabeth’s voice was strong and unwavering.

“Can too!”
Jack argued.

“He or she
will need fresh food, milk…”

“…I’ll get
‘em.”

“…and God
forbid your ship be attacked...”

“…I’ll hide
the wee one!”

Elizabeth
approached Jack calmly, wanting to try a different approach.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Jack, you know that Loralei and the baby
are more than welcome to stay with Will and I.
You know it’s safer and…”

Jack put
his hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders.
“Elizabeth, I know tha’ yer not jus’ tryin’ t’ get under me skin.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I know tha’ ye care about Lor an’ the babe,
an’ even me, though ye may not care t’ admit it.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> He winked at her. “But ye need t’ hear me out, lass. I can’ leave Lor behind, ye know tha’.” Elizabeth nodded. “An’ as
fer me child, ye know I’m not bein’ bullheaded or forgettin’ its well
bein’. I didn’ see me son grow up…”

Jake
interrupted. “T’ be fair, Dad, ye didn’
know I existed.”

Jack rolled
his eyes. “Yes, lad, I’m aware o’ tha’,
but I’m makin’ a point.” He turned his
attention back to Elizabeth. “I don’
wan’ t’ miss a minute o’ me child’s life.
I’ve already started makin’ changes t’ me ship t’ make sure that
safety’s ne’er an issue. There’s a
place t’ hide out in case o’ attacks, there’s goin’ t’ be more than one ship
too…” Jack took a deep breath.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I won’ let anythin’ hurt me family – jus’
like I wouldn’ let anythin’ hurt you or Will.”

Elizabeth’s
face was apologetic. “I’m sorry, Jack.”

“No harm
done, lass. Jus’ remember tha’ despite
wha’ some may say, I do think a lot o’ things out before I do ‘em.”

“You will
stay until the birth?”

“O’
course. I don’ wan’ me love t’ be
uncomfortable.” Loralei walked into the
room then.

“Bit late
for that, Jack.” She struggled to sit
down on the sofa; Jake helped her.

“Rough
mornin’, love?”

Loralei
smiled. “Yes and no.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Come here.”
She took her husband’s hand and placed it on her swollen stomach.

“My
God…” Jack smiled widely, tears shining
in his eyes. “Gonna be a fighter, this
one.”

“Am I missin’
somethin’?” Jake asked.

Loralei
extended her hand to him. “Feel this, honey,”
she said, her own tears forming. Jake
put his hand on her stomach and jolted when he felt the baby kicking.

“Amazin’.”

Jack looked
at his son. “Up t’ helpin’ me finish
the nursery today, lad?”

“O’
course.”