The Christmas Guest (4/4)

[geekmama]

Chapter 4: Christmas Gifts

Elizabeth was so relieved by James’ lenient attitude toward her out-and-out lie, and so overjoyed that he seemed to have no plans to arrest their houseguest, that she was moved to invite the Commodore to dinner on the morrow, Christmas Day. Norrington accepted with alacrity, and took his leave.

“What did he

Comments

[tseek_unique]

Oh! Such a sweet tale, despite the hint of sadness at the end. Jack and Elizabeth make a great couple. I'm very glad that Jack received so much gentle care and companionship from everyone. A very nice Holiday offering. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

[geekmama]

Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Precisely my intent. This is the time of year for it, after all.

Thanks so much for reading, and commenting. Happy Holidays!

[cymbeline]

I really enjoyed this story, great interaction between the characters. Merry Christmas!

[geekmama]

Thanks so much, and a very Merry Christmas to you, and your family, too!

[veronica_rich]

I am not a J/E person, but those parts were well-written, and ... I really liked the center part of the story, the flashback! It's like those old-time stories where you have conflicts and trouble, but eventually good people learn to get on with each other and have a fine time of it (especially at a holiday).

[geekmama]

Re: Old time Christmas Story--yeah, that was the idea. Glad that came through.

I wasn't a J/E shipper at first, but so many people object to OFC's (which Harry is, of course) that I decided to try it with that pirates500 thing I did last August. I got a pretty good response to it, and plot bunnies started hopping about, too, so I've got two plotlines going now (and actually a third, with that of The Elusive Norrington, which has another OFC). Nothing like variety.

Glad you enjoyed the story, and thanks so much for letting me know.

Happy Holidays!

[tessabeth]

The structure you used here was really *useful*; in that, it gave that melancholic air to the whole thing, whereas the central part alone would've been too happy-happy, you know? I think it was dead cunning of you :)

Something that might break, rather than bend. That's spot on, that assessment.

Also very much liked “They’re frolicking,” Jack said, returning the look with a bland one of his own.

And: “I’ve not been much of a church-goer in recent years, except when disguised as a parson, of course.”

(Thanks for bringing all the fuzzy to the party :) I can go back to blowing things up now, knowing that at least *someone's* being nice to him.)

[geekmama]

too happy-happy

Oh, yes. I like fluff, but it has to have something to cut the sweetness, you know? That's what I try to do in the Harry stories, too. Otherwise they'd be pretty boring. Gotta have occasional angst and conflict.

So happy you thought the "break, rather than bend" assessment was accurate. I wasn't sure about it, quite, when I wrote it--after all, she had lost her mother, and had been through various other experiences involving death. But I figured she'd lost her mother at a very young age, and she was pretty much used to getting her own way, so Will's death might push her over the edge, so to speak.

And yay! for JS/JS and Explosions of all kinds!! WhooHoo!

[gryphons_lair]

Y'know, by the time I got to the end I'd completely forgotten this story had an 'envelope plot'?

Which is a compliment, BTW. You sucked me in, but good! :)

I loved the little implied romance between Gov. Swann and Mrs. Hathaway. It added a nice little extra dimension to the story.

And Swann's reaction to the idea of His Precious Daughter taking snuff was just perfect. I'd forgotten that was coming into fashion about then, until Elizabeth unwrapped the snuffbox.

Jack as a secret gentleman-- and the way the valet saw through him immediately-- was also vastly amusing, and quite believable.

I could go on, but really, all the elements just fit together like a well-crafted puzzle, to make a very enjoyable holiday story.

Thank you!

[geekmama]

So very happy you enjoyed it!

I quite like the 'envelope plot' format for these J/E things, as it allows the inclusion of Will (other than doing them as a threesome, which I'll leave to fabu, who accomplishes it so admirably). I really don't think you can leave her feelings for him out of the picture and stay true to canon.

As for Jack as secret gentleman, I think it's as plausible as anything else. He's universally magnetic as far as personality and looks go, but his background is still fairly mysterious, which is so nice for writers of fanfiction.

Thanks for reading and commenting, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

And more Dreams and Desire in the works??? *begs*

[gryphons_lair]

As for Jack as secret gentleman, I think it's as plausible as anything else.

Oh, I agree. It's not the history I give to my Jack, but that's not the same thing as saying it's not plausible. There are enough hints in enough directions in the canon that you can justify Jack being raised as a gentleman or a wharf-rat, or pretty much anything in between you like, really. You just need to pick the 'right' bits to emphasize.

And more Dreams and Desire in the works???

The sequel is, um, stalled. And has been for a while. As has the other fic I was working on. The only things that seem to want to work for me lately are the wishkisses ficlets. I'm resigned to waiting for the writer's block to break, at this point.

Though there have been a few additions since the last time you saw it, I think.