Final Chap- It's a Wonderful Life-Caribbean Style
TITLE: It's a Wonderful Life-Caribbean Style
AUTHOR: Sword01
RATING: Mild PG (character death, vague religious themes)
DISCLAIM: I do not own "It's a Wonderful Life"
Disney Co. owns the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and characters.
SUMMARY: Jack Sparrow is sent to earth as a guardian angel.
A/N: I was torn whether to post a positive story
with so much pain and suffering going on in the world.
Please keep Haiti and the victims of the earthquake in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks.
The fetid air of Fort Charles’ brig suddenly morphed into the calming sea breeze from the Port. Silvery starlight surpassed the amber glow of the prison’s torches. James forcefully closed his mouth and glared at a carefree Jack Sparrow. The pirate stood slack against the back of a wooden shed as he surreptitiously inspected his nails.
“Advanced warning before this” James gestured with his hand, “sudden change in scenery would be appreciated.”
“Jus grantin’ yer wish, Commodore. Ye tain’t in the brig.” Jack brightened, leaned upon the toes of his boots, and tucked his thumbs in his sash.
At the rhythmic crunches of feet along the shell lined path, both men rushed towards the entrance of the back ally. A familiar figure walked towards the row of clapboard officers’ houses. The long shadows cast by the cressets revealed a thin woman dressed in long skirts. James immediately recognized Elizabeth’s determined pace.
“E-lizabeth!” He ran towards her. James gently reached for her elbow. “E-liz-abeth. You know better than to walk unescorted at night. Quickly, let me see you home.”
Elizabeth turned to face James and his breath caught. Her hair was pulled up in a severe bun. The plain brown frock of simple homespun hung off her frame and washed out the color of her golden curls. She recoiled at James’s touch.
“E-liza-beth?” James could not believe that this repressed woman was the same vivacious imp that held his heart in the palm of her hand. He looked into her eyes and was saddened to see fear. Elizabeth trembled and cowered.
“PPPlease, sir. Let me be.” She squeaked.
“E-liz-abeth. It’s me, James. You’re husband.”
“I- I--I have no husband.” She shook with fright and her dark eyes filled with tears.
“Please leave me”
James grabbed her by both arms and shook her.
“E-liz-abeth. LOOK AT ME. I am your husband. You’ve nothing to fear.” James hovered and searched her widened eyes.
Elizabeth let out an ear splitting scream and slipped out of James grasp. She ran as fast as her sensible shoes would carry her against the oyster shell path. Lantern light began to flicker in windows of the houses along the alley. The silent night was punctuated by the barks and howls of dogs.
“Halt! Who goes there?”
James saw the approaching night patrol and quickly ran in the opposite direction. Sparrow watched the long stride of his ward and jerked his body forward to follow. Both wound up with their backs against the rough brick of a familiar looking building.
James looked up and read the placard.
Black smithy
Iron Works. Ferrier Services
H. Brown, proprietor
Est. 1750
James quickly gathered his breath and motioned towards the sign. “Surely Master Turner would know me.”
The smoke coated windows grasped at the small light within. The musky smell of wood smoke and tang of metal filled James’s nose as he pushed open the door. Mister Brown sat on a stool in a darkened corner. The roaring forge was still aflame, but no steel was being wrought.
“Mister Brown.” James shook the old man’s shoulder.
“Snugg..eh..uh?” He stuttered and James smelled the fumes of alcohol.
“Mister Brown. Where is your apprentice, Master Turner? I wish to speak with him.”
“’Ere now. The smithy is closed. Come back in the mornin’ if ye wish to place an order.” The drunkard’s lips searched for his rum flask.
“No. I do not wish to place an order. I must speak with Master Will Turner.” James impatiently grabbed the man’s shoulder.
“Take yer hands off me.” Mr. Brown jerked out of James’s firm grip. “And where you go bout with the notion I ‘ave an apprentice? Had one once. He ran off with the missus. That’s been nigh on two score years ago.”
“NO. William Turner. He would be a young man about twenty, dark hair.” James’s dark eyes squinted with confusion.
“Listen, Mister…..” Brown finally looked at James with bleary eyes.
“I told ye’ I have no apprentice. There’s no Turner here. Now go on with yerself.” Brown tipped his flask to his chapped lips and drank deeply. James continued to stand there and frown.
“GIT! GO ON WITH YE! For I notify the garrison. I’m a law abiddin’ citizen, I ‘yam. Now leave.” Mr. Brown struggled to stand up, only to succeed in knocking over his stool.
James reluctantly turned around and was tapped on the shoulder by Sparrow.
“Curious, that. No Master William Turner---er Junior.” Jack tapped his chin and thoughtfully looked into the open loft of the smith.
“I do believe said whelp died upon the high seas, as alas, there was no fine upstandin’ Navy prig to fish his carcass out of the wreckage.” Jack staggered towards James and emphasized his point with a swaying jab of his fingers into James’s shoulder. “Now, do ye believ’ me?”
James hesitantly nodded his head.
“What about Governor Swann?”
“Governor Swann? Ah, the Guvnar----Lizzy’s father. Here again, the Dauntless was witho’ its illustrious Leftenant.” Jack began to walk out into the night air, hands fluttering at his sides to keep his balance. Suddenly the pirate stopped and fleetly twirled upon his heels to meet James face to face.
“The illustrious Leftenant twould be you.” Jack drawled and quickly flashed a golden smile. James pulled up short to avoid colliding with his nemesis. Jack’s smile quickly dropped into a moue and he scrutinized James’s frame, as he leaned precariously away.
“As I was sayin’. Because you were not your fine upstandin’ Navy prig aboard the Dauntless’s maiden voyage to this fair port, Governor Swann died at the hands of the pirate horde upon the seas. Nasty affair, too. Lizzy had to see the whole thing, as it were.” Jack’s eyes glazed and his tone became hushed. “That’s why she’s scared of her own shadow. Poor girl was ahem, ----- compromised. But she survived the attack. Rescued by a merchantman and taken to an elderly spinster.” The pirate’s eyes flashed and he began to sashay down the shell lined path. His face became animated and his voice picked up, just as if he’d been hypnotized by the macabre tale and had been snapped back into consciousness.
“All she does is read books. Oh, and occasionally teaches the kiddies their letters. Terribly boring.” Jack clicked his tongue and shook his head.
James slid down the wall and willed the tears from falling.
“E-liz-abeth.” He softly whispered and hung his head.
“Well now.” Jack cheerily spoke and twirled towards the street.
Shall we continue?”
James waved his hand.
“No Sparrow. I’ve seen enough.”
“You see how many lives you’ve affected for the positive, Commodore?”
“Yes. I see.” James’s voice teetered with uncertainty.
“Still prefer that you are, shall we say----nonexistent?”
James took a deep breath.
“NO. I shall be most happy to return to my life as I know it. I will face any consequences.”
“That’s the spirit.” Jack started to slap James’s shoulder, but quickly dropped his arm and coughed into his clenched hand.
They began to walk towards the beach in silence.
“But, what of E-lizabeth. If she is truly unhappy, she must be released from our vows.” James’s long legs tried to keep up with the broad swath of the dizzying pirate.
“Now Commdore. Do you truly know that Lizzy is unhappy?”
“I see her look at the shore. I recognize that restlessness in her eyes.” James’s voice shook with frustration. “
“Her face never lights up when she gazes at me. I’m afraid she is doing her best to tolerate my company.” His voice softened into a forlorn desperation. James’s lowered his gaze and clenched his jaw.
“Have ye taken her in yer arms and truly told her your heart’s desire?”
“Well.” James flushed crimson. “What about my letter that I slipped beneath her door the day of our wedding ceremony?”
“Lizzy didn’t see it. The wind caught it and drew it upon the ramparts where it was blown to sea.” Jack dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand.
James remained crest fallen.
“AH, say no more.” Jack’s face fell as he looked upon the Commodore with pity. He remained silent.
A brief frown crossed Captain Sparrow’s glum expression.
“Well, what are ye waitin for man?” Jack slapped James’s between the shoulder blades and the Commodore glared. Jack began to back up, contritely pushing his hands up.
“Lizzy is a very smart lass, but she’s not clarivoy----clarinet-clariss.” With frustration, Jack pushed his hand towards his forehead. “She’s not a mind reader.” He made a grand sweep with his arm, when he finally struck upon the word.
James looked puzzled.
“Women like to be coddled and held.” Jack held up his hand to stop James from protesting.
“Yes, Lizzy ain’t like our typical genteel women folk. But I can’t help but notice she’s a breathin’ live woman. Surprise her. Take her in your arms and whisper your true desire. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
James frowned, took a deep breath as he briefly pondered Jack’s advice. He resolutely shook his head.
Jack looked heavenward. “Really? A full report an accountin’ of evrythin?” Ye don’t say.” He turned his face away from the night time sky, screwed his mouth to the side and looked down.
“Well, Commdore. This has certainly been very entertainin’ but afraid the opportune moment has come and gone. I must leave now.”
He flashed a golden smile and turned towards the sea.
“Jack.”
The pirate turned around.
“Captain Sparrow.” James walked towards Jack.
“Thank you.” James held out his hand and Jack warily took it. When he realized James was offering his sincere thanks and a genuine handshake, Jack pumped his hand and grinned.
“Captain Sparrow, you are a good man. I wish you the best of luck on earning your wings.”
“Thanks mate. Just remember. A man needs his mates. No man is an island. Er-that is no man of course is not an island. Not big enough” Jack started to walk away, but suddenly, his drunken gate carried him back towards the spot James stood. “’Cept I knew one bloke that nearly capsized his boat. He was as big as a whale. Ah, and Barbossa. He’s well, let’s say he could pass as an islet, aye?” Jack gave an indulgent smile and turned on his heel. “I digress.” Jack waved his hands and a slow grin began to creep along James’s angular features.
“Don’t rely solely on yourself. Ask for help. An’ take tha’ bonny lass in yer arms and tell her ye love her. I think it will be worth the speech.” Jack’s voice began to retreat.
“Thank you, again, Captain.”
Jack doffed his hat and gave a low bow. “I bid you adieu, Commodore.”
James watched as Jack’s form gradually faded into the humid night.
As he rested his hands behind his back, a strange tugging and nibbling at his bucket cuffs caused James to quickly turn around. The grey war horse had softly padded up in the sand.
“I agree, Zeuss. Time to tack towards home.”
He tugged on the lapels of his frock coat, straightened his hat and realized that his clothes were sopping wet.
“Never existed, indeed.” James barked out a laugh and kicked the grey into a relaxed cantor.
A truly bewildering sight greeted James as he came upon his house. He was puzzled to see the windows of the Commodore’s domestic residence ablaze with candlelight. People were filing through the small entrance. The Commodore’s mouth hung open as he took in the scene from the small entry hall. He stammered when he saw his home filled with his friends and a sizable group of the plantation elite. Gillette was busy carrying a full bottle of champagne over the heads of the growing crowd and Elizabeth stood in the corner with her father. Someone had commandeered the writing desk and placed it in the middle of the salon; a yard long roll of parchment stretched across the surface and flowed into a pile upon the floor. Lord Eldon bent over the table. The quill he griped in his spindly hand moved from side to side as the Lord signed his name with a flourish.
Every so often, someone would step out of the crowd and tenderly grab Elizabeth’s hands and softly speak. She would graciously bend her head towards the speaker, offer a bright smile and laugh. On several occasions James would watch her quickly wipe away a tear. He held his breath as William Turner approached her. Elizabeth smiled, nodded her head. James ground his teeth when Turner proceeded to sweep her into an inappropriate embrace. Elizabeth’s hands quickly, politely pushed him back. Instead she gently took both of Turner’s hands in a sisterly clasp. The apprentice nodded. Both had a deep look of disappointment in their eyes. James cleared his throat and walked forward. Elizabeth’s eyes locked onto James and she dropped Will’s hands. She ran towards James and threw her arms around his shoulders. He felt his wife’s slender frame shake with her sobs.
“OH James! I was so worried. We could not---No one could find you. Where did you ever get off too? You’ve been a naughty husband.”
James gently held her back and saw that her eyes were puffy.
E-lizabeth.” James hugged her tightly and his lips gently brushed her ear. He softly whispered. “I love you so. Do you know that you are my world?”
“James. My husband.” Elizabeth pulled away. Her dark eyes searched his face as she gently caressed his cheek.
“James.” Her voice was full of tenderness as she smoothed her slender arms around his neck and deeply kissed him. James flushed but found that he could care less if all of Port Royal watched as his wife lovingly demonstrated where her heart truly lied.
“AH, Commodore Norrington. My son, have some sherry.” Governor Swann was busy clapping him on the back, oblivious to the couple’s embrace.
“I dare say that was too close a shave. We nearly lost our Commodore over some trivial minutia.”
James gently pulled away and flashed his eyes towards the Governor. “What?”
“You’ve not heard?”
“Heard what?”
“My boy, the court-martial has been dropped. The good citizenry of Port Royal have come to your rescue. They’ve formed a petition requesting the dismissal of your court martial and I do believe every man-jack one of them has endorsed it!” Weatherby Swann lowered his head and James craned his neck to hear the Governor’s whispered words. “You’ll be relieved to know that Master Turner spoke the God’s truth.” James’s head jerked up to find the blacksmith, but Will had disappeared.
“Remind me to give my gratitude in person.” James smiled.
“OH James. Look.” Elizabeth pointed above her head. A kissing ball full of fragrant juniper, moss, and ivy hung from a candelabrum suspended from the ceiling. James eyes quickly darted about his home and noticed the good Governor had decided to spread the holiday spirit. The banister was draped in fragrant boughs of pine and holly sprigs adorned the sashes of every sitting room window. The kissing ball began to gently sway in the Caribbean breeze and a silver bell twinkled and peeled amongst the cuttings.
Governor Swann turned his face towards the kissing ball and gave a hearty laugh as he clapped his hands.
“Splendid! My nanny used to tell me whenever a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”
“Wings, angels” James mind was busy putting two and two together.
He pulled Elizabeth into a sweeping embrace, looked briefly towards the ceiling and winked. “Good show, Captain Sparrow.”
“James? Someone left this book upon the table.”
Elizabeth handed James a weathered tome. He opened the cover and inscribed with a flourish was:
Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.
Have a wonderful life.
Captain J. Sparrow.