A Pirate's Love

Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Jack took down a bottle of wine, "Would ye like a glass as well Maddy," he asked as he began getting glasses out of her cupboard.

"I have rum if ye prefer that Jack." She said listening to him behind her.

"I had a pint when Jorja drew me bath, I think she'll probably drink wine so I'll do the same," Jack said and turned with the bottle and the glasses toward the door.

Madeline spun around. "Jack." She said in a whisper.

Jack turned, "Aye," he said smiling.

Tears poured from her eyes. She couldn't stop them. "Did ye sleep with her?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Now how is that any of yer business love," Jack asked still smiling.

Madeline wanted to slap that smile right off of his face. "I guess it's not. I don't have a hold on you." she said in a whisper. But my heart does she thought. She felt ill.

"I mentioned to the Commodore how JJ and I were about to leave and that ye might need a man around once we left," Jack told her.

"I don't need him." She said sternly. "Or want him."

"I also mentioned to him that Jacquette is still out there, so need or want him I have a feeling he's going to be sticking close by just the same... besides, ye might change ye mind one of those lonely nights after I'm gone," Jack told her. His smile never faltered but his eyes were full of all his rage and pain he still felt.

"No one can fill that void but you Jack." She said quietly looking deep into his eyes. She moved closer to him. "Please stay with me tonight. One last time." She pleaded. "I need you Jack." She said her tears running down her cheeks.

"Sorry love, ye made yer bed, now yer going to have to sleep in it... alone," he said. Jack bent a little closer, "Hurts doesn't it," he quipped and quickly turned and left the room. "Drinks all around as we are celebrating," Jack exclaimed.

"What," Jorja asked.

"The safe return of me son to me," Jack told her as he handed her then James a glass.

"Where's Maddy," James asked.

"Kitchen," Jack told him.

James put his glass aside and went into the kitchen. "Maddy," he called her name softly.

Madeline watched as he left. His words driving a knife straight into her heart. She heard James behind her. "What?" she snapped.

James moved closer to her but did not touch her, "Jack is a fool," he said softly.

"No James, I'm the fool. I kept his son from him for too damn long. I've lost him. I've lost his love." She said as her tears overwhelmed her. "I've lost him to that woman!" she hissed.

"That woman is with a different sailor every night of the week Madeline, she doesn't look like the type but she is," James told her. "What happened out there? I thought the two of you were closer then ever when you left," he asked.

"So did I." She said quietly. "But Jack's right. I was selfish when it came to JJ. I didn't trust him enough to tell him from the very beginning I was pregnant." She poured herself a glass of rum and swallowed it down. "And when we left, Jack realized how little he trusted me. Can't say I blame him." She moved away from him and pulled the chicken out of the oven. "Ouch." She cried realizing she burned her finger.

"And why does he think you should have told him? He's a pirate... Madeline, let me help you," James said moving to help her. He got the pot on the stove then he took her hand and led her to the sink, "Let's run some cool water on that," he said turning on the water.