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[turned_captain]

Call it narrative imperative, call it coincidence, or what you will, but the waters in the Caribbean inlet of the lake have parted and the Flying Dutchman is in what, for want of a better word and with liberal use of inverted commas, we shall call 'port

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[byhisbootstraps]

Sometime after this...

Mr. Turner (currently the only member of the family who isn't Captain Turner) has missed the reunion going on elsewhere on the ship, as he's been in his hammock below deck.

When he comes out blinking into the sunlight, his first realization is that they've made port in that strange place between worlds again. His second is ... harder to quantify, but something -- something's changed.

Slowly he steps up to the wheel, runs a hand along its weathered wood.

[turned_captain]

The ship is Bound to the soul of her Captain, and her Captain is currently filled with something inadequately described as mere 'joy', so it's not surprising that the vessel feels different to one of her crew.

The Captain hasn't left the ship, of course, but he doesn't make an appearance on deck for a few minutes; being distracted as he is in his cabin.

When he does appear, he's smiling so hard it feels like his face will never be the same, and he stops by the door, watching his father. Savouring the moment just before imparting the biggest of news.

[byhisbootstraps]

Bootstrap turns at the sound of a footfall on the planking.

"William," he says in greeting, and then the look on his son's face makes him straighten involuntarily.

"...What's happened?"

[turned_captain]

He's actually been rehearsing this moment intermittently for the past hour or so. The build up, the teasing, the making Bootstrap guess that he's to be a grandfather

But Will can't help himself. It just comes out.

"She's pregnant."

[byhisbootstraps]

A slow indrawn breath, and a dawning smile.

"Elizabeth?"

[turned_captain]

There are times when it would really suit if Will were a sarcastic man. He is not, however, and he continues to grin, coming forward onto deck so as not to wake her.

"Who else? I'm going to be a father."

[byhisbootstraps]

My son.

Is going to be a father.

For a long moment he can't speak, only smile even wider.

[turned_captain]

"You," Will clarifies, in case he hadn't figured this out, "are going to be a grandfather."

[byhisbootstraps]

... That was just about to sink in, yes.

"A grandfather," he breathes, and then without warning he's laughing for sheer joy.

[turned_captain]

It's enough to have Will joining in.

He's not quite over the shock himself.

[byhisbootstraps]

This is not a time for formality.

Bootstrap steps forward and throws his arms around his son, pounding him on the back.

[turned_captain]

Will wasn't even thinking of formality. He embraces his father tightly, utterly delighted in the prospect of being one himself.

At least at first. Then he's just clinging to him, his laughter faintly hysterical.

[byhisbootstraps]

"Oh, Will," he says, as his own laughter subsides. "Of all the days I never dreamed I'd see...."

[turned_captain]

Will grins again, or still, or something.

"Another Turner."

[byhisbootstraps]

"Another Turner," Bootstrap repeats, and there's a sudden sheen of moisture in his eyes.

[turned_captain]

Will laughs again, still grinning, then adds,

"I have no idea how to be a father."