Norrington's Darling

A Lover's Comfort

POV: James Norrington

"It was not long before we shared our first kiss. Though the Pearl would dock only for a week, we made the most of it. I discovered what a kiss should be like, what a touch should feel like. All Cutler Beckett had done to me was a thing of the past. With my captain at my side, I was happy." Zuri's eyes lock with mine. "And still I am happy in the presence of my lieutenant, my captain, my commodore, and my admiral."

For a long moment, I am at a loss for words. The only thing I can think to do is connect my lips to hers and ask permission to French her, but I don't know how she'll take it after the story she just told me. So instead, I pull her close to my chest and a nuzzle my nose into her hair, breathing in her sweet scent. She leans against me heavily. Her eyes are dry, her tears wasted.

"James?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad I told you," she says.

"I'm glad you told me, too," I whisper. "I'll protect you from him at whatever cost. I promise."

Zuri loops her arms around my neck. "Thank you, Jamie. Thank you."

POV: Zuri Sparrow

The rest of the day James and I spent organizing the house, unpacking boxes. Beckett visited twice, neither times speaking to me. Groves and Gillette, the two lieutenants I was familiar with James had worked with and grown up with in childhood, stopped by and congratulated him on the promotion. Groves said nothing about what James had looked like upon returning. 

James and I sat on the bed as Groves and Gillette pulled up chairs. James lifted me by the hips and put me in his lap, similar to before, but I was facing the lieutenants, my back to James's chest, unlike before, when I had been sitting sideways on his lap.

We talked long and late into the night. I cooked up a dinner worthy of the king with James's assistance and the four of us ate around a table, talking and laughing, drinking red wine and eating the perfectly cooked fish.

James handled me daintily. Gillette and Groves had to notice it, but they didn't speak of it. I was grateful for that. I didn't want to talk about it. I knew I would probably burst into tears. And that was something I couldn't explain to the lieutenants. 

We toasted to prosperity and honor. Groves and Gillette begged to see a kiss, so James and I rolled our eyes and kissed quickly. Groves clapped James on the back like it was a big deal. I wondered if it was.

I kissed both Groves and Gillette on the cheek in a goodbye, practicing the attitude and actions of a noblewoman. Both men kissed my hand in their own goodbyes, along with offering me flowery words.

"An honor to finally get to know the beautiful woman that has consumed our admiral's every waking and sleeping thought," Groves said as he placed the kiss on my hand.

"A lovely dinner and a lovely evening spent with you, Miss Sparrow. It was my pleasure," Gillette said with a smile.

"The pleasure was mine, both of you," I assured them.

"If you don't mind, my love," James began, "I'd like to speak to the lieutenants before I join you."

I placed a kiss to his cheek. "Of course, my darling," I whispered. I retreated up the stairs, giving James a sultry look that visibly made him weak in the knees as I left, and softly opened the door to our shared bedroom. I slipped off my clothes and pulled on the same red silk slip I had slept in on the Pearl. I sat on the bed, crossing my ankles, waiting for my beloved.

I allowed my thoughts to stray to imagine being married to James. I felt a soft warmth in the heart at the idea of finally marrying James. But it was followed by a sharp prick at the idea of getting married without Jack being there.