London Calling: The Sequel to The Attainment of Evangeline

Chapter Twenty

The Caribbean Sea, near Tortuga
July the 6th, 1745

Evangeline had never seen a sunrise like the one that greeted her as she stood at the bow of the Artemis. Oranges and yellows met the clear blue of the water, touching but never intermingling. It led them straight toward Tortuga, a bright heading as if Jack required help navigating to his favorite place on Earth. Still, it was beautiful.

They had been up late, going over logistics again and again. Jack had spoken to Barbossa and Gibbs for hours, ensuring they would take care of the Pearl. He mostly worried Barbossa would sail it from Shipwreck Island, and he'd never see his ship again. It was not an entirely unfounded concern, but Barbossa swore the past was well behind them.

Geline had business to attend to that had nothing to do with the journey. Since her night with Jack on his little paradise of an island, she had spent her free time wondering about the topic of sex and how best to move forward with Jack. That night had released something within her, lowered a wall she previously erected to keep herself in the role of a proper young woman. To keep herself safe. Yet, Jack had made her feel so cared for that night. She knew she wanted to experience everything with him. She felt completely ready.

Her mother, God rest her soul, had never had a chance to explain the intricacies and logistics of lovemaking. A reason had never presented itself, and now that she wished to know more and prepare, Elizabeth became the best person to ask for guidance.

Lizzie seemed shocked and yet honored when Geline asked her for advice. She had prefaced their talk with the fact that she had only engaged in sex one time with her husband but that she would try her best to answer any questions. Her friend had been willing, kind, and patient. Geline left the talk with loads of information and felt better about her thirst for knowledge. There was now no reason she shouldn't approach Jack.

They had woken criminally early to leave that morning, and Geline briefly panicked, forgetting where she was in the darkness. With so little sleep, Geline took longer than Jack to focus. And Jack knew there was no begging her to stay in bed and toss the whole ordeal, but he had tried. Let's Stay, he said, kissing her shoulder. Let the others go and deal with it. He knew better than to press his luck. He knew she had made up her mind days ago. So, he did not force it again as they walked toward the docks except to say I love you before he boarded as if he knew what awaited them.

Geline had waited to officially step foot on the Artemis to say her goodbyes to those who weren't joining them. Pintel and Ragetti were staying behind to keep an eye on the fort, and with Ragetti acting as temporary Keeper, he had much to do. They held her tightly, and she forced herself to commit their faces and parting words to memory. They demanded she return without injuries this time. Gibbs' hug had come with a warning, something she had not expected: Don't lose yourself out there, Miss Evangeline. We like ya just the way ya are.
Barbossa had lingered, staying back from the pack of men, politely waiting his turn.