PotC-Fic - Growing shapes (4) The garden
Title: Growing shapes (1-4)
Author: blackpoetcat
Pairing: Norribeth
Characters: James Norrington, Elizabeth Swann
Rating: none
Disclaimer: It's all Disney's, no profit intended, just my little world of fantasy...
Summary: Takes place after CotBP, ignoring DMC + AWE;
What if relationships go another way than expected?
My personal thanks goes to dear underworldvixen for betaing :-).
Growing shapes
Part 4 - The garden
The first changes I noticed were her rosy cheeks and her slightly tanned complexion. Apparently she spent quite a lot of time outside, not caring about the foolish standards which dictated proper British ladies to appear with milk white skin, even in the Caribbean. Her fresh and healthy appearance suited her as much as her smile when I called on her four days later.
“You’re looking adorable, Elizabeth.”
Her smile grew wider and she offered me a seat beside her on the garden bench.
“Thank you, James. How is your shoulder?”
Only an instinct prevented me from shrugging. With a smirk I moved the mentioned part in a slow circle.
“Nothing serious, it will be fine in less than a week.”
She nodded and touched my arm.
“I’m glad to hear that. It would cause me great pain if he... If you…”
I took her hand and gently squeezed it.
“Don’t think about anymore, Elizabeth. It is over.”
Again, she nodded. We stood silent for a short while, each of us lost in thought, but well aware of the closeness we reached during these last weeks; as we were of the bitter end of her engagement…
“Father told me Will left Port Royal last night, aboard the Prudence.”
“Yes. She’s destined to the Northern colonies. He’s an excellent blacksmith, I’m sure he will achieve a good life there.”
“I hope so, regardless of his… Behaviour.”
Again, I squeezed her hand and started to stroke it tenderly.
“Of course you do, Elizabeth. So do I. He’s not a bad guy, just a rash-tempered, very emotional young man who lacks experience and has to learn some discipline.”
She smiled at me and suddenly I felt her fingers entangling with mine. A lump was building inside my throat, I couldn’t leave her eyes. My heart throbbed like it would jump out of my chest the very next moment. She was so close, so…
“James…?”
It was a whisper, including a hint of tentativeness. Her lips trembled; the tip of her tongue peeked out, licking them, while her eyes were still focused on me. I couldn’t help, couldn’t suppress my desire anymore. Slowly I closed the gap between us and kissed her; gently, with all my fondness, waiting for her reaction. And then her lips opened, pressed further against mine, inviting me to explore the sweetness of her mouth as passionate as I longed to do for such a long time...
Breathlessly, we separated after what seemed an eternity to recover some air. Her swollen, wet lips formed a surprised ‘Oh’; her gaze was a bit foggy. I was all smiles, never felt happier in my life and knew at once that this was my second chance; the ultimate chance to declare my true feelings…
Without releasing her hand, I knelt down in front of the bench.
“Elizabeth… You are my horizon. The only reason I ever wanted to marry you is because I love you with all my heart. And that was why I accepted your first choice. Nothing is more important to me than your happiness, your freedom to choose.”
She gasped and clutched to my hands like they were anchors. The anchors she always had; will always have to secure her ship of life…
“James… I…”
“No, please, Elizabeth. Let me finish. I love you and would be the happiest man on earth if you would consider marrying me. But as I said - it is your choice, your decision. If you still want me to just be your true friend, I will. I would never want you to become my wife if you don’t love me. That would destroy you, and I don’t want you to end up hating me for making your life a misery…”
I swallowed hard and tried not to tremble, because I never felt such fear, not even when I proposed to her the first time. And with the instinct of a battle-experienced soldier I knew that she had already sensed my anxiety…
A single tear was running down her cheek when she smiled in a way I never saw; enchanting, touched by a passion hidden deep inside.
“Less than two months ago, I would have denied that we have more in common than friendship and our social class. But I learned to know you. And I found a soul so much alike I never hoped to achieve. Your way to deal with me made me love you, James.”
I felt my eyes widen, my blood rushed to my heart and I prompt forgot how to speak properly.
“Elizabeth… Darling… You… Really…”
I wasn’t able to complete the sentence, but she already nodded and pulled at my hands to invite me back to her side.
“Yes, I love you. And I promise to marry you if you’ll kiss me again; now!”
If I ever received an order, it was her demand to plunder her sweet mouth once more. Well, who was I to object? To kiss the woman I loved, my future wife, was the most wonderful order I ever had to follow…
The end