A Pirates Passion

Chapter 15

Dr. Williams held the baby girl in his arms. The cord was wrapped around her neck and she was already blue. He felt exhausted and sighed heavily. "I'm sorry Mrs. Skye, there is nothing I can do." He said and gently unwrapped the cord from the baby's neck. He cut the cord from her and handed her to Tessy. Tessy had tears in her eyes and cleaned up the baby. Dr. Williams delivered the afterbirth and put Madeline back together.

"No" Madeline screamed and tried to get out of bed. "No!

James held her tightly, he was crying silent tears"Madeline, lie still love, you need to rest, please" he choked.

“Oh God no. Not my baby.” Madeline cried. “Please no!”

Will hung his head. He didn't know what to say or do. He'd never felt more helpless in his life. "Damn" he whispered under his breath.

Elizabeth moved off of the bed to stand next to Tessy and tears fell from her eyes. She was beautiful. Dark brown curly hair, Jack's hair. She took the unmoving bundle from Tessy's arms and slowly approached the bed. She glanced at Will before sitting back down.

James continued to hold her until Elizabeth gave Madeline her baby. He hung his head, too grieve stricken to look at the baby girl he loved as his own. But then he did, he couldn't help himself. He put his arms around Madeline and the baby and wept silently for several moments before he pulled himself together"She's beautiful just like we knew she would be" he whispered.

Madeline looked at the small bundle in her arms. Unmoving. At peace. She was beautiful. Madeline prayed she would open her little eyes, but knew she wouldn't. Oh Jack, she thought, if you only knew. Perhaps she would've lived. She slowly reached up and touched her hair. It was so soft. This was Jack's daughter. Her hair was the exact same color as Jack and JJ's. She wondered what color her eyes were. She slowly lifted her up to her chest and began to sob. "I'm so sorry my angel. I'm so sorry."

Elizabeth moved silently into Will's arms and cried.

Will held his wife close. He didn't speak there was nothing to say that felt right to him. So he simply rubbed her back and let her cry. Jack where in the hell were you when she needed you, he thought.

James moved to sit beside Madeline"What's her name" he asked softly.

Madeline's sobs lessened when she heard James' voice. "Angel. Angel Hope." She whispered and bent to kiss her small lips.

James touched Madeline's cheek"May I hold her" he asked softly.

Madeline didn't respond but slowly handed her daughter to him. She glanced over and saw Elizabeth crying. Her own tears had stopped. She didn't have any left. She caught the look in Will's eyes but couldn't read into what he was thinking.

"Mrs. Skye." Dr. Williams said quietly. "I’m sorry. Losing a child is never easy."

Madeline merely nodded at him and looked at James who was crying silent tears. "James."

James was lost. All his hopes and dreams seemed to have died with Angel Hope. He looked at her and held her to his chest and when Madeline said his name he lost all self-control and began to sob.

"James." Madeline said again and cupped his cheek. "Please don't cry." She could see the ache and pain in his eyes. She leaned in and kissed his lips gently.

"Mrs. Skye." Dr. Williams spoke again. "I don't mean to give you more bad news, but I’m afraid I must."

Madeline looked at him and cocked an eyebrow at him. "What is it" She snapped.

"With the amount of blood that you lost and from examining you. From your injuries from your fall, I'm afraid you'll never have any other children. I'm sorry." He said quietly and began to gather his things.

Madeline's heart leapt to her throat. She looked at James who was looking at her with his eyes wide.

"Doctor, you can't be sure of this" James said quickly.

"I am sure of this Commodore." He said. "From the force of the labor and from the fall, I'm afraid irreversible damage has been done to her. If by some miracle she does become pregnant, I do not believe a child would survive."

James looked at Madeline"Madeline, I'm so sorry I've let you down, I've let Angel down" he said gently giving Madeline the baby back. He got up"I will understand if you tell me the marriage is off, I've failed you miserably" he said turning his back to her and hanging his head.

Madeline looked down at her daughter. "Tessy, will you please inform the undertaker that I will be needing a casket for my daughter." Tessy nodded and quickly left the room.

"James." She said hoping he would turn. He slowly did. "You haven't failed me, I've failed you James."

"Doctor, perhaps we should give Maddy and James some privacy" Will said moving toward the door with his arm around Elizabeth.

Madeline smiled weakly at him. "Thank you Will." She watched as the other s left. "James, please look at me."

James looked at her"You couldn't let me down, unless you call off our engagement" he said as if he knew it had all ready happened.

Madeline looked at him. "James come here please."

James looked at her"Just say what you have to say Madeline... I know without the child you see no reason to marry me" he said. He went to her anyway"I love you, I'm here and I want to stay here" he said helplessly.

Madeline reached up and caressed his cheek. "I love you too James." She said in a whisper. "Please forgive me for not being able to give you any more children." she said lowering her head and looking at her daughter.

James looked at her and pulled her into his arms"I don't blame you, it's that bastard Frenchman to blame, I love you and that is all that matters to me. Are you saying you'll still marry me"

Madeline felt the warmth in his arms and sighed. "James, I don't know yet. Please don't be angry."

James moved away from her quickly"Do not toy with my emotions Madeline, I am as grief stricken as you over the loss of this child, she might not have been mine but I didn't care about that, she was yours and that's why I loved her" he said angrily.

"I’m sorry James." She whispered. She looked up at him. "I have something I need to ask of you."

"What is it Madeline" James sighed.

"Will you please have some of your men get Jacquette out of my house" She asked watching him.

"Oh course, I'll have it done right away" James said stiffly and started toward the door. He turned"Just remember one thing Madeline" he said.

Madeline at him"What's that"

"I was here through this with you, not that bloody pirate" he growled and stormed from the door slamming it hard behind him.