Hearts Across the Sea Epilogue

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Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted and Terry.

Original Characters such as Julia Carlisle and Abigail Peterson are my own creation.

Characters: James Norrington, Theodore Groves, Murtogg, Mullroy, William Turner, Elizabeth Turner, Julia Carlisle, Abigail Peterson.

Setting: A few months after The Chosen.

 

Hearts Across The Sea

 

Epilogue

-

Abigail stared at her teacup. It was her favorite, white glaze with pink flowers on one side and blue stars on the other. The servants would always make certain it was clean and ready for both breakfast and brunch, but now she was just staring at it, not drinking her tea and she was barely touching her breakfast of poached eggs on toast with a bowl of porridge and orange slices on the side.

“The gall of some of these officials,” Abigail’s father said after he finished drinking some of this tea. “They want the judge to give Pick Pocket Pete a lighter sentence.”

“Why would they do that?” Fredrick asked.

“His skills in thievery and being an escape artist could make him an excellent spy for he crown,” their father shrugged. “The man is a criminal and should be treated as such. I didn’t become a lawyer to see the law be treated this way. I will have to work extra hard to make my case seem convincing.”

“You can convince everyone,” Abigail said. “You are the best lawyer on the island.”

“I appreciate your confidence,” her father smiled at her.

“What happened,” her fourteen year old brother, Timothy asked. “On your journey. I heard you fought against pirates.”

“I heard there were mermaids,” Abigail’s sister added.

“There were pirates,” Abigail lied. “They have been attacking the merchant ships and somehow managed to capture Admiral Norrington and his crew. There was a great battle, secrets were revealed, feelings were discovered and we lost good friends.” She would never shake the feeling of Whitecap turning into sea mist before fading away, nor would she shake the feelings she had after Theodore had asked her if they did fancy each other. There was a bout of silence, followed by an agreement before they went to opposite ends of The Atlantis. By they time they sailed back into Port Royal they were holding hands.

“A young woman such as yourself shouldn’t be gallivanting with sailors,” her mother said in a sharp tone. “And what happened to your other trunk? I had noticed two were missing when you had left and you only returned with one.”

“There was a storm and it had become lost at sea,” Abigail explained before she stirred around her porridge and took a taste. It was a bit too sweet; she wasn’t observing how much treacle she was spooning in.

“It appears you and I will be spending an entire day in the shops,” her mother said.

“I have plenty of dresses,” Abigail glanced towards her younger sister. “I think Lillian needs a new gown.”

“Yes,” Lillian brightened. “It has been ages since I received a new dress. May I have a new dress mother? My governess said I have received top marks.”

“She does deserve a reward,” their father smiled.

“The three of us will go dress shopping together,” a new smile formed on her face. “I’ll see if we can find matching dresses for the three of us.”

Abigail fought back a cringe and matched her gaze with Fredrick who smiled weakly at her. “I have already made plans for the day.”

“You have?” Her mother raised her eyebrows.

“I have invited Captain Groves for lunch, if it is all right with you father?”

“From what I have gathered he is a rather splendid chap,” her father smiled. “You are an adult, Abigail, you do not need my permission to invite friends for lunch.”

“And after lunch we are going for a walk,” Abigail continued. “But do not worry mother we will go shopping for dresses soon, since there will be an event to attend.”

“An event,” her mother lost her temporary sour expression.

“Admiral Norrington had proposed to Julia, and she accepted. There will be brunches, and engagement party, the wedding ceremony and the reception meal. You know we are going to have new dresses for those events.”

“We should send a letter of congratulations to both of them,” her father said.

“Don’t write it now,” Abigail held up her hands. “They haven’t informed Julia’s father yet.”

-

It was too quiet in the Carlisle sitting room for James. Both he and his fiancé were waiting for Julia’s father to return from an important business meeting and James wasn’t sure who was more worried about revealing the news, he or Julia. Perhaps he shouldn’t question his emotions as worry, but more of an excitement. Julia had accepted his proposal and she was sincere, and the kiss? It was genuine and it was one of the sweetest kisses James had experienced, right before she fainted, and he and the doctor spent an hour by her side, even after she had recovered to make certain she would not experience any more spells.

“I wonder if we should have told Henry when he let you in,” Julia broke the silence. She wore the same lavender dress she had worn to the ball. Her two personal servants had styled her hair into a twist with enough left over for thick curls and she wore a lace-trimmed headpiece. “I haven’t told him, only my serving girls.”

“He will learn soon enough,” James said. The three ships had returned in the later afternoon the day prior and James had seen it himself to make certain Julia returned home safe and sound. He also had decided to wear the same suit from the evening of the ball.

“I think he will be pleased,” Julia smiled. “Everyone seemed to have been pleased.”

“Yes they have,” Neither he nor Julia could have contained their excitement of the proposal. They have told everyone and Lieutenant Pryce had suggested opening bottles of fine brandy and wine to celebrate.

The celebration was cut short once the ships were docked. James had walked Julia back home before he joined up with Lieutenant Chase to inform Mrs. Chase about the lieutenant’s transformation. She did not believe at first, not until Chase lead her to their bath chamber and had gotten his legs wet enough for them to shape and change into a tail.

It was equally uncomfortable for James who sat on the sofa and waited for nearly an hour until both the lieutenant and his wife emerged, holding hands. She still loved her husband, despite what he had become.

“I will believe that will be the last time I accept a meeting in the evening and follow it up with another after dawn,” Roland Carlisle sighed as he entered the room. His tired expression was replaced by one of surprise when saw both his daughter and James. “Good morning, Julia, Admiral. Sorry, if I seem to be a bit forgetful. I just remembered Henry had mentioned you were here.”

“Good morning father,” Julia tried and without success tried to speak without sounding nervous. “How was this morning’s meeting?”

“It was short,” Roland chose a chair opposite of the couple and sat down. “Mostly we were discussing the cost of shipping out the coffee beans to the colonies and to England. The cost is no longer severe, now that the East India Trading Company is no longer in the Caribbean. How was your journey? I have heard stories about you, your friends and Captain Groves rescuing the Admiral from pirates, and you managed to take one of their ships.”

“It is pretty much the same as you have heard,” James smiled, knowing that someone like Roland Carlisle could know the actual truth of about what had happened. “The first of the trading ships was indeed attacked by pirates but the other two were taken by mer-people.”

“Mer-people?” Roland blinked. “Actual mermaids, beautiful women with fish tails?”

“There were mermen,” Julia added. “We managed to defeat them to the best of our abilities and rescue James and his crew, and I would like to add that Captain Groves is a friend.”

“It is quite true,” James nodded. “We are telling everyone else we have been attacked by pirates.”

“Because it would be more believable,” the older man raised an eyebrow. “And what of the new ship.”

“It would be hard to explain, but by a miracle the Dauntless has been raised and is as good as new.” James had decided not to tell Roland the Naiad had also been sunken, and everyone else it was a former pirate ship that had been renamed the Dauntless after the original.

“It does seem to be quite an adventure,” Roland leaned back. “Perhaps it would be better discussed over lunch, and yes Admiral I am inviting you.”

“Thank you,” James adjusted his collar. “We can also discuss plans for an upcoming event.”

“We have to tell you now,” Julia added. “We are hoping for your blessing.”

James noticed the confused expression on Roland’s face and continued. “During our voyage back I have proposed to Julia.”

“And I have accepted,” she smiled at James.

“You have?” Roland pointed at James before he pointed at Julia. “And you have.”

“Yes,” Both James and Julia had nodded.

“I see,” Roland closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Admiral James Norrington, welcome to the family.” He launched himself out of the seat and held out his hand. “I can understand what you mean by plans.”

“I also have to send word out,” James shook Roland’s hand. “Inform the rest of the Royal Navy, Governor Swann, although I have a feeling his daughter had already told him.”

“Julia and I have to send letters over sea. She has a few uncles and aunts and several cousins to inform.”

“I also have to write a few letters,” James nodded. Once he returned to his house the first letter he would write would be to his mother’s.

The End.