The Fine Line Between Legends And Lies

Chapter 50:

A/N: Okay this is the FINAL chapter of this story…yay!! Jack’s Great Aunt Colleen is very ill and dying…they leave the estate to Jack and Elizabeth. Everything is going well until Jack runs into a former love. He is reunited with his teenage sweetheart Lucinda Darling (picture Drew Barrymore in Ever After). Read and review please and let me know what you think of the ending!!

Elizabeth’s tea colored eyes grew wide with excitement as the carriage headed up the long and winding cobblestone pathway that lead to the tall iron gates surrounding Four Winds estate. Jack smiled as he watched her face light up. The mansion looked exactly the same as it had when he had came to visit many times before as a boy. The magnificent house was built of lightly colored gray stone and had many tall rectangular shaped windows with frosted glass panes. Smoke could be seen coming out of the chimneys the closer they got to the iron gates. The carriage rolled to a stop when they reached the gates. The driver opened the door and held out his hand to help Elizabeth out of the carriage. Jack stepped down and dug into his coin purse pulling out ten silver schillings to give to the driver. After a quick thank you he climbed back up onto the carriage and began to drive away. Jack opened the iron gate and stepped aside for Elizabeth to walk inside before closing it behind them. He took her hand in his as they walked up towards the mansion. Elizabeth drank in the beautifully tailored landscape inhaling the sweet perfume of the many rosebushes that permeated the air around them.

“This place hasn’t changed a bit…it’s still just as beautiful as I remembered it when I was a little girl.”

“Aye…Aunt Colleen an’ Uncle Harmon seem t’ be keeping everything in order from the looks of things. They’re going t’ love ye darling.”

“You seem so certain.”

“An’ why shouldn’t I be? Yer the most wonderful thing t’ ever happen t’ me…..along with becoming a father of course.”

She smiled at him as she squeezed his hand a little tighter. Jack knocked on the door grinning down at Elizabeth as they waited for the door to open. A moment later the large black door swung open quickly to reveal an elderly looking man dressed in a butler’s uniform. He looked down his nose at them snobbishly.

“May I help you….sir?”

With a chuckle Jack cleared his throat to reply.

“Ah still here I see Elias?”

The old man squinted his pale blue eyes for a moment as he studied Jack closer. After a moment a broad smile stretched across his wrinkled face.

“I can’t believe it! Little Jackie Sparrow?”

“The one an’ only Elias…except m’ not so little anymore mate. Where’s Aunt Colleen an’ Uncle Harmon?”

Before Elias could answer a young woman’s voice called out to him from the parlor.

“If we have company Elias either show them in or send them away!”

“Yes Miss Lucinda…right this way Jackie…Miss Colleen and Mr. Harmon are out in the garden.”

Jack followed Elias towards the parlor grabbing Elizabeth’s hand as he did. He was curious to know just who this Miss Lucinda was and why she thought she had the right to give orders. They walked into the parlor stopping short just inside the entryway. Sitting on the sofa closest to the door was a young woman with reddish brown hair that was woven neatly into a French braid. She was dressed in a sage green taffeta dress that had a sweetheart neckline. There were accents of white lace around the neckline, covering the bodice of the dress, and at the ends of the elbow length sleeves. Around her slender neck was a string of pearls. Elias spoke up to announce them interrupting Jack’s thoughts.

“Miss Lucinda, this is Mr. Jack….”

She cut him off abruptly.

“I know who he is…no introduction is necessary.”

“Elizabeth stared up at Jack with raised eyebrows as she shifted Jacob in her arms. He shrugged his shoulders as he flashed her a nervous smile. Lucinda stood up and quickly walked over to where Jack stood. Then without a word she delivered a hard slap to his face.

“M’ not sure I deserved that.”

“Oh trust me….you more than deserved it! So you finally decided to come back now that I’m an old maid?”

“Jack what is she talking about? How does she know you?”

“Love I have no idea what she’s babbling bout….an’ I can’t say that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her.”

Lucinda frowned as she placed her hands on her hips.

“You’re telling me you don’t remember me? After everything we shared Jack?”

Suddenly his eyes went wide as an old memory flickered in his mind.

“Lucinda Darling?”

“Oh so now you remember me? Where have you been all these years?”

“Um….here an’ there.”

“And just who is this with you?”

“Oh….this is me wife Elizabeth an’ our son Jacob. Elizabeth….meet Lucinda Darling.”

The two women shook hands quickly as if it burned when their skin touched.

“Your wife? So you got married?”

“Aye…been jus’ bout a year now.”

“Did you forget your promise to me then Jack?”

“Promise?”

“You promised to marry me….or have you forgotten?”

“Love that was years ago…..an’ I was jus’ twenty.”

“Yes and I was fifteen and in love with you.”

“Well that was then……m’ married t’ the woman I love an’ we’re expecting another baby. What bout ye….didn’t ye ever get married Lucinda?”

“Almost….but I was widowed before the wedding. His name was Daniel Easham and he was an officer in the East India Company.”

“I’m very sorry to hear that.”

“We would have been getting married next month if his ship hadn’t went down two weeks ago.”

“So what are ye doing at Four Winds?”

“I’ve been taking care of Colleen and Harmon.”

“What do ye mean taking care of them? Where are they?”

“They’re out in the garden getting some fresh air. Your Aunt Colleen isn’t well Jack…I have to warn you.”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“Jack….she’s dying….her kidneys have started to fail.”

“An’ Uncle Harmon?”

“He’s fine…just worried about Colleen. It’s good that you showed up because Colleen doesn’t have very much longer. And I’m afraid Harmon won’t last long without her.”

Without another word Jack headed for the garden pulling Elizabeth into step behind him. He walked through the French doors out into the garden….there on one of the chase lounge style sofa’s was his Aunt Colleen. Her once beautiful thick dark brown hair was now thin and silvery and she was very thin. Her skin was paler than he had ever seen it. She was dressed in a white cotton nightgown and had a light blue blanket draped across her legs. He blinked when he felt tears sting the back of his eyes. His Uncle Harmon was a short distance away picking some roses from one of the rosebushes for Aunt Colleen. He cleared his throat as he walked over to where his Aunt Colleen was sitting. Elizabeth followed close behind him. Colleen looked up from her book and smiled when she saw Jack. Putting her book down on the table next to the sofa she held out her arms to him. Jack let go of Elizabeth’s hand as he bent down to hug his Aunt Colleen.

“Hello Aunt Colleen.”

“Oh my little Jackie! Harmon! Jackie’s come to visit!”

Harmon turned around and waved as he started walking back over to them.

“How’s your father dear?”

“Jus’ as ornery as ever. Aunt Colleen…there’s someone I’d like ye t’ meet.”

He pulled Elizabeth who was still holding Jacob around to stand beside him.

“Aunt Colleen this is me wife Elizabeth an’ our son Jacob.”

“Oh Jackie…you got married? How wonderful! And what a lovely family you have.”

“Thank ye Aunt Colleen….we’re actually expecting another little one now.”

“That’s wonderful Jackie….she’s so pretty too.”

Elizabeth smiled as she felt her cheeks starting to burn from the blush that stained them. Harmon handed the roses to Colleen before embracing Jack. Jack couldn’t help but notice how much smaller his Uncle Harmon seemed to him now. His hair was white and his eyes were a paler blue than they used to be.

“Uncle Harmon, this is me wife Elizabeth an’ our son Jacob.”

“Oh Jack…what a beautiful family. Your boy looks just like you.”

“Thank ye Uncle Harmon.”

“Harmon they’re expecting another little one now.”

“That’s fantastic…we’ll have a nice dinner to celebrate it tonight!”

“Uncle Harmon ye don’t have t’ do that.”

“Of course I do boy….you’re my favorite great nephew! Come along….I need to speak with you anyway.”

Jack turned to Elizabeth placing his hand on her stomach lightly.

“Keep my Aunt Colleen company? I’ll be back in a little while darling.”

She nodded leaning in to kiss him softly. Colleen patted the empty chair next to her.

“Have a seat my dear.”

“Thank you. Is it alright if I let Jacob run around?”

“Oh of course….he’s fine dear.”

Elizabeth let Jacob down and watched him as he toddled away on wobbly legs like a drunken little pirate.

“Don’t go too far Jacob.”

“I won’t mama.”

“So how long have you and Jackie been married?”

“Nearly a year now.”

“Oh…so then you were with child before you got married?”

“Yes….Jack and I were stranded on an island…just the two of us and well……that’s how Jacob came to be.”

“It’s not how you got together that’s important, it’s the fact that you’re together because you love each other. That’s what really matters.”

“Yes….I suppose you’re right…and Jack and I do love each other.”

“Then why do you seem so worried?”

“That girl…Lucinda…”

“Ah…you’re afraid she might come between you and Jackie?”

“Its’ silly I know….but she used to love him.”

“That was a long time ago dear. Jackie was very young and so was she. It’s obvious that he no longer has those kind of feelings about Lucinda. You’re the woman he loves.”

Across the garden Jack walked with his Uncle Harmon.

“Jack I’m glad that you decided to come and visit….it makes this a whole lot easier.”

“What?”

“I’ve left my entire estate to you.”

“The entire estate?”

“Yes…Four Winds is yours Jack. Colleen won’t be here much longer….maybe another month…and without her I just don’t know how long I’ll be around.”

“Uncle Harmon….don’t talk like that!”

“It’s reality Jack….nothing to do but face it. Now Four Winds will be yours….raise your children here.”

“Thank ye Uncle Harmon….m’ honored that ye would want me t’ have Four Winds.”

“Now then….let’s head in and get the cooks to start preparing dinner.”

Jack and Harmon turned back and headed towards the patio where Colleen and Elizabeth were sitting. Jack smiled when he saw his Aunt Colleen holding Jacob on her lap.

“Jack could you carry your Aunt Colleen inside?”

Nodding Jack bent down to scoop Colleen up into his arms. Elizabeth picked Jacob up and stepped back to stay out of Jack’s way. Jack carried Colleen back into the parlor and set her on the sofa. Harmon ushered Elizabeth and Jacob into the house before stepping back inside himself. He strode towards the kitchen to have the cooks start preparing an elaborate meal for dinner.

“Jackie, take Elizabeth upstairs to pick out a room. Try the one on the east wing…the very last room. It should be the one with the cradle in it.”

“Thank ye Aunt Colleen.”

“Hand Jacob to me…I’ll watch him while you find your room.”

Elizabeth let Colleen take Jacob and then reached for Jack’s hand as they left the parlor. They headed up the large spiraling staircase and turned towards the east wing of the mansion.

“So what did your Uncle want to talk about?”

“He’s giving us Four Winds.”

“But this is their home Jack…why would…”

“Love Aunt Colleen is dying…her kidneys are failing an’ Uncle Harmon says she won’t last more than a month. An’ when she’s gone…..m’ afraid he won’t have anything t’ live for.”

“So he left us the entire estate? What about the Black Pearl?”

“Aye….we’ll keep the Pearl an’ go traveling whenever the horizon beckons love.”

“What about….Lucinda? Is she part of the deal?”

“No love….Lucinda won’t be staying.”

Jack and Elizabeth walked down the long hallway until they finally reached the very last room. The doors to the room were large and painted white. They had pewter colored handles on them. Jack opened one of the doors and stepped aside to let Elizabeth go in ahead of him. Inside the large room the floors were a dark rich cherry wood and there was a large crimson rug that spread across the majority of it. Against the north wall of the room was a large four poster cherry wood bed made up with white cotton sheets and a crimson colored velvet blanket. There were lots of white and crimson pillows covering the bed as well. At the foot of the bed was a large cherry wood trunk to place their clothes in. On the east wall was a cherry wood crib for Jacob to sleep in. On the south wall was a desk and a fireplace. Also on the east wall were French doors leading out onto a terrace overlooking the garden.

“Oh Jack this room is beautiful. Are we going to stay here?”

“Ye mean are we going t’ keep the estate?”

“Yes. Are we?”

“If that’s what yer little hear desires Izzy?”

“It is. Jack I love this place.”

“Then it’s settled…we stay.”

“Oh thank you darling….I promise I’ll show my gratitude later tonight when Jacob goes to sleep.”

“Oooh I like the sound of that.”

They shared a quick kiss before heading back downstairs to join Colleen and Harmon while they waited for dinner. A short while later Elias announced that dinner was ready. Lucinda also announced that after dinner she would be departing from Four Winds. They sat down to an extravagant meal of turkey with gravy and potatoes with onions and carrots as well. There was corn and fresh bread loaves along with wine and tea. Dinner went smoothly filled with light conversation. But Jack didn’t fail to notice the lack of conversation between his wife and Lucinda. After dinner Lucinda said her goodbyes to Colleen and Harmon. Elizabeth nudged Jack as she headed into the parlor to join Colleen and Harmon.

“Say your goodbyes to her Jack.”

“Izzy…I don’t want ye t’ be upset.”

“I’ll be upset if you don’t…now go.”

“Alright…I’ll only be a moment love.”

Jack followed Lucinda out onto the front porch of the mansion where a carriage was waiting to take her home.

“Well Jack….I guess this is goodbye?”

“Yes this is goodbye Lucinda.”

“Jack?”

“Yes?”

“Why didn’t you come back for me like you promised?”

“Lucinda I think it’s best if we jus’ let things lie the way they are.”

“No Jack…you owe me this much at least. Why didn’t you make good on your promise to marry me?”

“That was a long time ago Luci….I was a boy who knew nothing bout what I was promising.”

“Luci…it’s been ages since anyone has called me that. You used to call me that all the time. Jack….did you mean it when you told me you loved me?”

“Luci I suppose I meant it as best I could back then. I didn’t really even know what love really was…..well not until Elizabeth.”

“You really love her don’t you?”

“M’ madly in love with Elizabeth….she an’ me son are everything t’ me….an’ so is the new baby that’s on it’s way.”

“So you really are going to have another child then?”

“Aye…in a few months.”

“Well then…I guess there really is no room for me in your life Jack Sparrow.”

“It looks that way….m’ truly sorry bout yer fiancee Luci. I hope that ye meet a real nice gentleman t’ take care of ye.”

“Thank you Jack…it was nice to see you again….I’ve been wondering about what happened to you.”

“An’ now ye know…goodbye Luci.”

“Goodbye Jack.”

Lucinda leaned in on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on Jack’s cheek before climbing up into the carriage with the help of the driver. Jack stood on the porch and watched as the carriage took Lucinda farther and farther away from him.

*A MONTH AND A HALF LATER*

Jack was awoken by Elias shaking him roughly.

“What the bloody hell is it Elias?”

“Come quick Jackie….it’s your Aunt Colleen!”

Jack threw off the blanket and ran to his Aunt and Uncle’s room in nothing but his breeches. Elizabeth was on his heels pulling her robe over her nightgown. They stopped in the doorway when they reached Colleen and Harmon’s room. Harmon was kneeling on the bed cradling a very limp and still Colleen in his arms. Her head was leaning against his chest and her eyes were closed. Harmon was rocking back and forth as he stroked her silvery hair. Jack could hear his uncle’s voice cracking as he talked to his dead wife.

“Oh Colleen….no please…not yet! I wasn’t ready for you to be gone yet! Please come back…..I love you!”

“Oh Jack…do something…help him.”

Jack approached the bed cautiously.

“Uncle Harmon?”

“Oh Jack…thank God…help me wake your Aunt Colleen!”

“Uncle Harmon….she’s not going t’ wake up…she’s gone.”

“No….no Jack….not my Colleen!”

“M’ sorry Uncle Harmon….ye have t’ say goodbye.”

*TWO DAYS LATER*

Jack, Elizabeth, Jacob, Harmon, Lucinda and Elias stood clad in black as they prepared to bury Colleen. The sky was gray and a soft drizzling rain had started to fall on them as the priest spoke. Everyone placed a white rose on Colleen’s gravesite after she had been buried. They stood a short distance away as Harmon had a moment alone to say his final goodbyes to Colleen.

“How long do you think he will last without her Jack?”

“Not long…Aunt Colleen was the love of his life…he’ll die without her.”

A short time later Jack brought Harmon back inside the mansion and upstairs to his room. Lucinda had gone home after the funeral so now it was just Jack, Elizabeth, Jacob, Elias and the rest of the mansion staff with Harmon. Elias had the cooks prepare a light supper and then he brought a tray up to Harmon’s room. Jack and Elizabeth took Jacob to bed after eating dinner and turned in for the night.

*ONE WEEK LATER*

Jack and Elizabeth had woken up and were heading downstairs for breakfast when Elias met them in the hall. His eyes were watery and the end of his nose was red as if he had been crying.

“What’s the matter Elias?”

“It’s Mr. Harmon….he’s….”

Jack didn’t even wait for Elias to finish before running into his uncle’s room. There in bed was Harmon lying on his back with his eyes shut. It looked like he was sleeping except that he wasn’t breathing. Elizabeth touched Jack’s shoulder softly.

“Is he?”

“Dead? Yeah…he’s gone love.”

“He’s with Colleen now.”

*TWO DAYS LATER*

Once again Jack, Elizabeth, Jacob, Lucinda and Elias stood dressed in black out in the rain as they buried Harmon next to Colleen out in the garden by the roses. Lucinda left quickly after the funeral leaving Jack and Elizabeth alone in the mansion. Elizabeth had gone upstairs with Jacob to lie down while Jack sat in the parlor sipping on a glass of rum. Elias approached him quietly.

“Will you be staying in the mansion Jackie?”

“Yes….Elizabeth an’ I will be making Four Winds our permanent home.”

“Very good sir.”

Jack waved him away and continued sipping his rum in silence. He needed to let Gibbs know that he was in charge of the Pearl while Jack spent time here at Four Winds and until he got the urge to travel the seas again.

*SIX AND A HALF MONTHS LATER*

Elizabeth clutched at the sheets as she grit her teeth and pushed with every ounce of strength she had. She could feel the baby’s head as it began pushing against her pelvic bone. The nurse looked up and flashed a smile at her.

“That’s it Miss Elizabeth…keep pushing I can see the head!”

Elizabeth gave a shrill cry as she pushed harder.

“The shoulders are coming out now! One more good push Miss Elizabeth!”

Elizabeth cried out as she gave the final push sending the baby sliding out of her and into the nurse’s arms. The nurse quickly cleaned off the baby as it began to squeal. Elizabeth began to cry as she heard her baby’s first cries. After cutting the umbilical cord the nurse wrapped the baby in a blanket and handed it to Elizabeth.

“Here you are Miss Elizabeth….a beautiful baby girl.”

“Oh a girl! Get my husband?”

The nurse opened the door and called for Jack who was pacing the hall outside the room. Jack raced into the room falling on his knees beside the bed.

“Are ye alright love?”

“I’m fine.”

“An’ the baby?”

“The baby’s fine…a beautiful little girl.”

“A girl? What’s her name?”

“Amelia Colleen Sparrow.”

“Amelia Colleen Sparrow…I like it.”

“I thought you would. Amelia after my mother and Colleen after your great aunt.”

“Thank ye darling.”

“When I’m able to I want to take you to visit my mother’s grave.”

“I’d like that darling.”

*TWO MONTHS LATER*

Jack slipped his arm around Elizabeth’s waist while he held two year old Jacob in his other arm. Elizabeth held two month old Amelia in her arms as they stood at her mother’s grave. The headstone read “ Here lies Amelia Danielle Swann loving wife and mother.” Jack smiled as he listened to Elizabeth talk to her mother.

“Well mother I got married and had a family just like you said I would. This is my husband Jack and these are your grandchildren Jacob and Amelia.”

“I think yer mum is looking down from heaven smiling right now.”

“Oh Jack….I love you so much….I’m really glad we got stranded on that island together.”

“I love ye too Elizabeth…..so am I darling….so am I.”

The End!

A/N: Please read and review and let me know what you think about the ending of my story!!