Norrington's Darling

The Norringtons, Caught

POV: Zuri Sparrow

"You haven't raised an alarm," said Will.

"Odd, isn't it?" said Jack. "But not as odd as this. Come up with this all by your lonesome, did you?"

"I said to myself, think like Jack."

"And this is what you've arrived at? Lead Beckett to Shipwreck Cove so as to gain his trust, accomplish your own ends? It's like you don't know me at all, mate." I rolled my eyes at my brother's words. He'd done exactly that a day ago. 

I slipped out of my niche from where I'd watched them and drifted away. Tia appeared in front of me. "I hope that lingering sense of magic around you is from the letter you sent to your husband about that baby you carry." A smile quirked on her lips. 

"Of course I did," I said, grinning. "All thanks to you, Tia. If you hadn't taught me how to do magic, I'm sure I would have died a long time ago." I looked up at the sky. "Somewhere out there, James is seeing this sky."

"When will you go to him?"

"As soon as he writes a reply on the letter. I told him what to do."

"Goodnight, Zuri," Tia said. "And if I don't see you again, promise me you'll teach your child magic. And know that you were the best friend I ever could have wanted."

"Even if it was awkward when you were with my brother," I said in return and she smiled. "I promise I'll see you again one day, Tia."

She smiled sadly. "Don't promise things you can't keep."

I watched her leave, wondering at her ominous words.

There was a tug. A magic tug. James had replied, had called me to his coordinates. I smiled. I had already written to Jack so that he could call me back when tomorrow dawned. I closed my eyes and pictured James on the Flying Dutchman. I dissolved into the wind.

My consciousness returned in a flash the moment my feet touched the ground. I swayed, as I always had when using transportation magic that Tia had taught me, and reached out to steady myself on the first blue and gold person I saw. Thankfully, it was James.

"Zuri!" he cried, beaming. "Oh, darling!" He held me steady, then crushed me to his chest the instant I wasn't wobbling anymore. "Darling!" 

"James, James, let me kiss you," I gasped. "Please!" Without waiting for an answer, my mouth latched onto his. He kicked the door to his quarters closed and drew me further into his quarters. His arms held me steady.

I hugged him. I didn't let go for a very long time. 

"That letter—" He pulled away. "Zuri, that letter. You really mean it? You're really..." His hand drifted to my stomach.

I nodded, beaming. I put his hands to my stomach. "I'm pregnant!"

He gave a cry. James put his head on my shoulder. "Oh, thank God! Thank God!" He pulled back to study my face again, eyes shining with unshed tears. "I'm going to be a father?"

"Well, maybe. It's only been just over three months. I might still lose the baby."

"You're not going to lose the baby," James promised me. "I know you won't. You are a very strong woman. A very strong mama. You'll have them, I know you will." He kissed me, soft, sweet, and short. 

I settled into his hold. "I've missed you, husband."

"And I've missed you, dear wife," he breathed, holding me close and breathing me in. He kissed me, passion overcoming him. He pulled himself off me. "Is it bad that I'm desperate for you even after learning you're carrying our baby?"