When love interferes

A.N: This is the last chapter of the story and I just wanted to take the oppertunity to thank all who have been reading and reviewing. I love you all*hugs*


Chapter twenty: A black ship on the horizon


Christine's mouth fell open in surprise. Was she hearing this? James took her in his arms, seeing how pale she became.

'' Are you alright my love?'' He inquired worried.

'' I'm…I'm…fine…I think…'' She removed herself from his arms. '' Did you just ask me to marry you or am I just going insane?''

James chuckled when he saw that she was alright. '' Yes I did…I want you to be my wife.''

Christine did not know what to say…she had never expected this from him! Of course, she loved him more than anything in this world, but was she the proper wife material for a Commodore?

'' I don't know what to say…do you mean it? You seriously want to marry me?''

James took her hands in his and kissed the top of them softly. '' I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't. Why is it so hard for you to believe?''

'' You are a Commodore…I'm just a poor sewer…It doesn't seem a profitable match for your status.''

'' Christine…I don't care whether it's profitable for my status or not…I would give it all up in a heartbeat just to be able to be with you. Can't you see how much I love you? ''

'' Oh James…'' Christine said, feeling tears fighting to escape her eyes. '' Of course I do…I just never imagined you would give it all up for me…I've got nothing to offer.''

'' I have everything I need and desire…except the love of a beautiful woman. I've chosen you as my future partner, I want to spend the rest of my life beside you.''

'' This is all too much…I never knew you felt so strongly about me…''

'' Neither did I…Christine, stop torturing me so… I need to know your answer before my heart bursts with anticipation!''

Christine smiled as she saw how much he truly loved her. '' Yes...yes…Of course I'll marry you!'' She flung her arms around him, embracing him tightly. Norrington's face lit up as he held her close. He took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately.

'' You've made me the happiest man in the world.''

Jack stood there nearby, watching the scenery. He could not believe his own eyes, this couldn't be happening! Of course he felt happy for her…she had become a person he greatly liked and cared for, but deep inside he felt empty. This was it…what they had on the ship could never happen again. She was going to get married. He had always considered her a great catch…a challenge, but after a few weeks his mind changed. She was not an object to his satisfaction, she had become a friend. He had never realised how much he actually would miss not having her on the ship…she was now a part of it. He watched the two lovebirds embracing and kissing, they joy emitting from their eyes. They were happy, she was happy…and that's all he wished for her.

'' May I be the first ta congratulate ye two…gettin' married…not somethin' I was expectin'.'' Jack said with a smile. He shook Norrington's hand and kissed Christine on the cheek.

'' Thank you Jack…this is all so unexpected…I can barely believe it myself.'' Christine said glowing. Lucas came over to congratulate the couple as Jack had.

Jack put an arm around Lucas's shoulder '' Aren't ye proud lad…not only did ye save her life but her marriage as well…even though it was not known at the time that it would ever occur.''

Lucas didn't know what to answer to that so he just smiled. Jack hadn't expected an answer anyways so he didn't wait for one.

'' Ye two must be dyin' ta get back home and spread the happy news so I won't keep ye.'' He took his hat off and bowed slightly before he headed to the helm. Christine watched him go and a feel off loss entered her heart. She would miss all this. Her life here hadn't always been as she had wanted it to be, but as she recalled the time spent there she knew she had enjoyed it. Jack had been a bit pushy, always trying to get her into bed, but knowing him she knew he only did it out of care. She knew he loved her as a friend.

'' Why won't you go back to the ship…I will follow you shortly.'' Christine suggested.

'' Alright…'' He kissed her once more on the lips and then headed over to the Dauntless.

Christine went to the helm where she found Jack by the wheel. '' We will be leaving shortly…'' She tried to start a conversation, but Jack didn't reply. She sighed as she walked over to him, raising his arm from the wheel so she could squeeze between it and his body. She put her arms around him, hugging him close.

'' I will miss you…'' Jack lowered his chin to rest on the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her.

'' I know luv…me too.''

Christine broke out from the embrace and stood in front of him. '' I will never forget you…before I met you I thought all pirates were vile and crude…I was wrong. I know you won't admit it…but you are a good man.''
Jack caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and smiled. God how he would miss her!

'' Yer Commodore is waitin' for ye…'' Christine put her hand on top of his on her cheek and leaned forward, capturing his lips with hers.

'' Good bye Jack…'' She let go of his hand and left the helm. Jack stood there silent, the feeling of her soft lips still lingering on his. He closed his eyes feeling a sting in is heart. Why did she have to do it? Why couldn't she just go? Why did she have to kiss him? This act of hers brought back memories of their previous days…days when it was only they.

Christine was gone before Jack left the helm. The ship had set the course to Port Royal where they were to be wed. Jack watched the ship sailing in the distance and sighed. What was he supposed to do now?

---

Back on the Dauntless James had told Elizabeth and Will about the wedding and they were congratulating them with kisses and handshakes.

'' Oh I'm so happy for you two…I can't believe you're getting married!'' Elizabeth said ecstatic.

'' Neither do I…this was all so sudden…I never even imagined he would find me.'' Christine replied with a smile.

'' Oh you poor thing…it must have been terrible for you to spend all that time in the hands of pirates!''

'' At first it was…but then I got rescued by another pirate.'' Christine saw the doubt in Elizabeth's eyes.

'' I know it sounds strange that a pirate can rescue you, but he did…and I will be eternally grateful to him for that.''

'' So that ship we just met was not the ship that kidnapped you?'' Elizabeth inquired stunned.

'' No…it's the ship that rescued me.'' Christine smiled.

'' That explains a lot…that's why James didn't arrest them…I thought the man had lost his mind.'' Elizabeth said chuckling. Christine smiled, but inside she was aching. She didn't want to talk about it any longer…it only made the separation harder.

'' I'm exhausted…I think I will turn to my room. James, would you be so kind as to show me where it is?''

'' Of course…'' She bowed politely to Elizabeth and Will and then took Norrington's hand, who led her out of the room.
Standing outside a cabin door James turned to her. '' This is your cabin, mine is just two doors away. I don't have much for you to wear since I wasn't sure I would find you…''

Christine saw how it hurt him to speak of it so she quickly replied. '' It's alright…I'm sure Elizabeth can help me out.''

A small smile spread over the Commodore's face. '' I have something I want to show you.'' He led her to his cabin and told her to sit down on the bed. He rummaged through a drawer and finally found what he was searching for. He pulled out a scruffy looking bag and took it over to where Christine was sitting. Christine looked at him puzzled. What could possibly be in that bag?

'' I found this in you hut they day you were abducted.'' He opened the bag and pulled out a familiar rose-colored dress. Christine clasped her hand over her mouth in astonishment. She couldn't believe it…

'' My dress…the one you bought for me…I thought I would never see it again…'' Tears started to flow freely from her eyes.

'' Thank you…thank you for saving it.'' She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. James returned the embrace and smiled.

'' I thought you might want it back…''

'' How did you know you would find me?''

'' I didn't…but I swore to myself that I would bring you this dress, no matter what.''

'' Oh James…I don't deserve you…I don't deserve all this…''

'' Yes you do…you deserve everything I can give you in this world…'' James said with a smile as he captured her lips in a soft but passionate kiss.

'' All my life I've had nothing…and nothing was all I thought I would get. But then I met you…you've changed my life so much that I barely recognize it as mine.''

'' Is that a good or a bad thing?'' James said worried.

'' I'm not sure…I'm not sure I will ever get used to all this…''

'' But you will still marry me…please don't tell me you've changed your mind!''

Christine put her hand on his cheek. '' Of course I haven't changed my mind…how can you think that. I love you more than anything in this world…and if I must get used to all this pampering I will.''

James breathed easier. '' Oh good…you got me worried there…''
'' Forgive me…it was not my intention to do so.'' She kissed the top of his hand.

'' Always…how can I not forgive such a face…so sweet and innocent…'' He said with a smile. Christine smiled back, holding his hand securely in hers.

'' You should change clothes…I will call on you when the tea is ready.'' James stood up from the bed and left the room.

Christine stared at the dress in front of her. It was still as beautiful as the first day she saw it. With a smile she took her clothes off and put the dress on. She looked at herself in the mirror. Something was different…turning to her side she examined herself in the mirror. He skin had turned a bit darker from all the work out on deck and her hair was lighter. She pulled it out of her face and smoothened the dress. She looked beautiful…just as the day she first got the dress.

***
Two years had passed and Christine and James were happily married. Shortly after their arrival back Elizabeth told her father about Will and how she intended to marry him. Of course it was a shock to him, after all he was only a black smith, but he saw how much in love the two were so he gave them his blessing. A double wedding was held with fireworks and merrymaking. People all the way from England were there for the wedding and even the King himself sent his regards. Life had never been sweeter.

Christine sat by the window, breast-feeding their little boy. He was named Kenneth and was the apple of his parents' eyes. He was born a little over a year ago and brought much joy to the family. He looked just like his father but had his mother's smile and spirit, a quality James was much pleased with.

When they boy was full she gently tapped on his back to get him to burp. When that was done she laid him down into his crib, watching him suck on his thumb as he fell asleep. She turned her gaze towards the horizon, which she often did, and saw a ship with black sails sailing in the distance.