Deliverance And Destruction

A/N: Okay so it’s been way too long since my last update and I do apologize for that. Thank you for the wonderful reviews!! I’m glad that everyone is enjoying the story . Now onto the latest chapter…hope it’s up to par!!

Elizabeth sighed heavily as she rubbed her stomach trying desperately to soothe the horrible churning that had her on her bed curled up in the fetal position. She had been in bed for the last twenty four hours and wasn’t about to leave it anytime soon. To the side of the bed was a bucket that one of the maids had brought in upon her request. She had spent the last few hours purging whatever might possibly be left in her stomach. The truth was undeniable to her now as she lay there feeling miserable. Elizabeth scooted towards the edge of the bed when she felt an overwhelming wave of nausea wash over her. Her eyes watered as she felt her throat constrict as she began to vomit again. Only this time nothing came out as she leaned over the edge of the bed. Just painful dry heaving and then the tears began streaming down her cheeks in hot little rivers. After what seemed like an eternity she finally stopped gagging and rolled onto her back with her head slightly hanging off the edge of the bed. Beads of sweat had collected on her forehead and now rolled backwards into her already sweat dampened hair.

The creaking of the door as it was pushed open startled her making her roll quickly onto her stomach before pushing herself onto her knees. Her heart sank back down into her chest when she saw that it was only one of the maids. It was Gabriella….her maid from the time she had been able to begin walking. Gabriella gave her a gentle smile as she approached the bed with a tray loaded down with a pitcher of water and a glass along with a couple pieces of toast.

“Morning Miss Elizabeth…how are you feeling today love?”

“I feel awful…I must be near death.”

“Oh nonsense now love…you’re not dying at all.”

“Oh no? Well then what in God’s name could possibly be wrong with me?”

From outside in the hallway Will stood nearby the slightly ajar door as he listened to the conversation between the maid and his wife. Knowing that Elizabeth would never tell him what was wrong he took it upon himself to listen in and find out just what exactly was going on with her.

“Oh love….trust me on this…you’re not dying at all.”

“It certainly feels like death…constant vomiting and the horrible dizziness. Gabriella…what’s happening to me?”

“Darling you really don’t know?”

“No…I…I haven’t the slightest idea what’s wrong with me.”

“It’s obvious…you’re pregnant Miss Elizabeth.”

Her mouth fell open as her hand dropped to rest on her still flat stomach. Her tea colored eyes grew wide as she finally looked up at Gabriella.

“No…no I couldn’t possibly be pregnant.”

“Course you can love…you have a husband.”

Elizabeth swallowed hard at the mention of Will. Yes she did have a husband…whom she hadn’t been making love to in ages. Now Jack on the other hand…they were together on a regular basis…that baby could very well be his! Outside in the hall Will’s mouth fell open before he closed it just as quickly. So Elizabeth was pregnant? He had no doubts that the child was more than likely Jack’s and not his own…but that wouldn’t keep him from being the child’s father. He was Elizabeth’s husband and it was his right to raise any child of hers. It was in the best interest of the child to have him as a father instead of that scallywag pirate Jack Sparrow anyway! Pushing the door completely open he barged into the room making Gabriella and Elizabeth gasp in shock at his entrance. Elizabeth grabbed the blanket and hastily wrapped it around her scantily clad body as she scowled up at Will.

“Gabriella you’re dismissed now…I need to speak with my wife.”

“Wait just a moment…you’re not her boss.”

“Gabriella…I said leave us!”

Without another word she simply nodded and hurried out of the room shutting the door behind her leaving the two of them alone. Elizabeth glared at him angrily as he picked up the bucket moving it away from the bed. Sitting next to her he reached out to touch her but she slapped his hand away quickly.

“What do you want Will?”

“Answers Elizabeth.”

“To what? How long were you standing outside the door eavesdropping?”

“Long enough to hear that my wife is pregnant…how long?”

“I…I don’t know…maybe a little more than a month.”

“Were you going to tell me?”

“Hadn’t decided…it’s not…”

“Not what Elizabeth? My business?”

“No…I was going to say…it’s probably not even yours.”

“So you think it’s Jack’s then?”

“Makes sense don’t you think? I have been having an intimate relationship with him for a very long time now.”

“Whether it makes sense or not I’m your husband Elizabeth…and that child would be much better off without Jack as a father and you know it.”

“That’s your opinion…but it’s my choice to make. You can leave now…we’re done here.”

Will scowled as he pushed himself off the bed and stormed out of the room slamming the door to leave Elizabeth alone again. So she was going to try and shut him out was she? Well he wasn’t about to let that happen…not when he still loved her so much. He was going to do whatever it took to keep her by his side…even if it meant taking drastic measures. A smile began stretching across his face as a solution to his problem began to manifest in his brain. It was perfect…it just had to work! He would have Elizabeth declared a danger to herself and their unborn baby and have her put in his charge. Then he would move them back to England where he knew Jack would never follow because pirates were wanted men on those shores. Once he had them in England he could have her all to himself and he could raise that baby as his own! Will hurried down the stairs and out the front doors of the mansion nearly knocking Jack down as he came in. Picking up his old leather hat off the floor he shouted after Will’s retreating form.

“Well pardon me mate!”

Jack’s dark eyes shifted to the top of the stairs to see Elizabeth standing there looking frighteningly pale. He rushed up the stairs taking her hands in his.

“Love…are ye alright?”

“No…where’s Will?”

“He jus’ ran out of here like his arse was on fire darlin’. Care t’ tell me what that was all about?”

“I…I’m sure Will is just furious with me as usual…he probably went to the smithy to blow off some steam.”

“Well let’s get ye t’ bed…ye look dreadfully pale darlin’.”

Elizabeth let Jack take her back to her room and help her into bed. She tried to push away her concerns about what Will might be up to as she turned on her side with her back facing Jack. Feigning a yawn she watched as Jack stood to leave her alone so that she could sleep. Hearing the door close she sat up quickly and then pushed herself to her feet. She just had to know where Will had gone! Grabbing her coat out of the closet she didn’t even bother to change out of her nightgown. There wasn’t time for all that…she had to put a stop to whatever her husband was up to and she had to do it now!

A/N: Okay bad place to stop but it just makes it more interesting. Will is going to pay a doctor at the asylum to have Elizabeth declared mentally unstable and to place her in his care. Then he is going to start plans to move them back to England…of course he will be taking Miriam with him as well because he wants both of the women that he loves by his side. Please read and review!!