Honor Among Thieves || Book Two

FINALE: PART ONE

One year later. . .

"Jeremiah Leonard Sparrow and Russet Diana Sparrow were born on July 31st of 1729."

Sera smiled approvingly at her fancy script and allowed a moment for the ink to dry before she closed the weathered cover of her log book and returned the quill to its ink well. Before she could stand up, a pair of arms snaked around her shoulders and the familiar scent of rum filled her nostrils as coarse, whiskered lips brushed the crook of her neck.

"How's me new bride?"

"Wonderful, Jack." She smiled and closed her eyes as she leaned against him. "Just wonderful."

He smiled against her pale skin and gently pulled her hair out of the loose ponytail that hung between her shoulders. "We have yet to consummate our bond of holy matrimony, darling. I say it would be a sin to wait any longer. . ."

"It's only been an hour."

"An hour too long." He mumured, nipping playfully at her neck as his rough calloused hands slid the straps of the dress she had chosen for the ceremony off her shoulders. "It's been much more than that, really. We haven't lain together since--"

"Since I got pregnant with the twins." She retorted with a wry smile, crossing her arms over her chest. "Speaking of which," Her brow furrowed. "Do you think they'll be alright?"

"Of course they will." He gave her shoulders a reassuring pat before massaging them. "She's a nun, innit she?"

"Well, yes, but--"

"And your father's sister."

Sera frowned. "Yes, but I had only met her a handful of times before and that was the first time I'd seen her in at least a decade. I don't know her all that well, but," She raised her chin. "My father trusted her, so will I. Besides, she did always make sure to slip some of the nursery's funding to my father every now and then and she knew what he did, so I guess--"

"Relax, love." Jack purred, leaning down to kiss her bare shoulder. "Just relax. The children will be fine."

She sighed. "You're right. I just--Who knew being a mother would be so stressful?"

"Ah," He kissed her other shoulder. " I'll help you release that stress."

With an impish smile, Sera stood up and allowed the loose pearly gown to fall around her feet in a lumpy mess of lace and golden buttons; she was wearing nothing underneath.

Jack's eyes gleamed with carnal hunger as they drank in every square inch of her bare, alabaster body. "My, you look. . .stunning. Magnificent, even." His dark eyes met hers as he sauntered toward her. "Gorgeous. Beautiful. Breath-taking. I-I can't even think of enough words you're just," He took the tips of her fingers in his hands. "Perfect. And, by the powers, you're mine! All mine." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips with barely restrained lust. "All of this," He ran his hands along her curves. "Belongs to Captain. Jack. Sparrow."

She giggled and unbuttoned the single button holding his shirt together before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself close to him.

"And don't you ever forget that." He added, kissing the tip of her nose.

"And all of this," She smiled wickedly and held her hand over the hardened mound between his legs. "Belongs to me. Don't you forget that, Jack, or I might just cut it off."

"You would never. . ."

"Don't tempt me." She muttered, teasingly tugging on his bottom lip. He smirked. "That's a rather hypocritical thing to say, love, when yet you stand here tempting me."

"It's what you want, isn't it?"

"Oh yes. It's precisely what I want."

With that, his lips claimed hers with a fiery fervor filled with pent-up passions and buried emotions he had been wrestling with for over a year that would now, finally, find their release within his dearly beloved. . .

º º º

"You have not lost a step, love." Jack observed afterward, gazing lovingly at Sera as he lay on his side. She smiled and ran her fingers through the wiry dark hairs on his chest. "I was afraid it wouldn't be the same."

"It wasn't the same." He said, pecking her on the lips. "It was better."

"Better?"

"Mmm-hmm. Exponentially so."

She quirked an eyebrow. "What are you saying? Wasn't it good before?"

"Yes." He uttered quickly. "Oh yes, it was fantastic before but now, it's even better." He kissed her again. "Because you're me wife."

Smiling, she nestled against him and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you."

"Love you too."

Sated, the pair descended into silence as they basked in the warmth and comfort given by each other's embrace but after nearly an hour, the peace and quiet was broken by Jack.

"So, when do we leave for the Fountain?"

"Huh?"

"The Fountain." He leaned against the headboard. "That was goin' to be part of our honeymoon, wasn't it?"

"About that. . ." Sera winced and sat up as well, sweeping her dark hair away from her face. Jack's brow furrowed. "What is it?"

"I won't be joining you on that venture." She replied, lowering her eyes. He slumped and stuck out his bottom lip. "Why not?"

"I have a.  .  .situation to handle."

He narrowed his eyes. "What sort of situation?"

She toyed with her golden wedding band, still refusing to look up. "It has been brought to my attention that one Mister Edward Teach has been dabbling in things that no man should dabble in. He's wreaking havoc on the seas, trapping ships in bottles."

"How is that feasible?"

"Black Magic is all I can figure." She said, stealing a glance at him. "I have to speak with him and put a stop to it. Somehow."

He sighed and rested a hand on her tattooed thigh. "Who is this Edward Teach fellow?"

She looked at him funnily. "You don't know?"

"No. . ."

"He's the captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge."

Jack shook his head, still not  understanding. Sera giggled. "I can't believe you, Jack. Blackbeard."

His eyes widened. "Blackbeard?"

"Yes. Edward Teach, Blackbeard--It's all one in the same."

"You can't talk to 'im, Seraphina! The bloke's crazy! He's like a--like a zombie or somethin'!" Jack exclaimed. Sera rolled her eyes. "By definition, you and I are too. I have to do it, Jack. It's part of my duty."

"But," He sighed. "Never mind. I guess I'll be goin' alone then. . ."

Frowning, she kissed him on the cheek. "I'm sorry, Jack, I really am but I can't--"

"I know, I know. Y'can't let it go." He kissed her on the cheek. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I will."

"And that you'll rendezvous with me as soon as possible."

"I'll do that too. Then, hopefully," She rested her head on his shoulder and stared at the cieling. "We'll find what we're looking for. I'll set out in a few days' time, head to the nursery in Jamaica and see the twins before I track ol' Blackbeard down. You should come along. We can go our seperate ways there."

"Of course." He wrapped his arm around her bare waist. "But not before we've had a proper honeymoon, savvy?"