I actually wrote and posted this story a few months ago, but after looking at it long and hard I decided to overhaul it. I'm taking a different route, and I think this will be more fun for me to write and for all of you to read. So, I hope you enjoy it :)
Chapter 1
The Evil Queen's men stormed the castle. Snow White and Charming could hear the shouts and the clang of swords from the nursery where they were saying good-bye to their daughters.
Two-year-old Emma clung to her mother as Snow gently ran her fingers through her soft blond curls. Emma had been their light and joy. Already her mother could see that the little girl would have her stubborn streak. She held the little girl to her chest, and sobbed for all they would miss.
She looked over and found her husband holding their other baby girl. Already the tiny baby had a connection with her father. He was the only one who could quiet her cries and sooth her to sleep. Snow could see the longing written all over his face, and then the anger that came after it. Tears began to flow down his cheeks as he stared down at the small pink bundle in his arms.
"I can't do it, Snow. I can't leave them to fend for themselves!"
"Charming, we have to. Everyone's lives are at stake, we have to do what's best for the kingdom."
She saw that all her husband wanted to do was fight to keep their girls. The two precious babies that they were now placing into the wardrobe. Emma held out her pudgy little hands, crying for her mother. While Charity lay in the pink blanket, waving her tiny arms and kicking her little legs as she wailed.
Snow carefully closed the doors, and felt her tears fall harder as the wood muffled her children's cries. Charming stood beside her, his face a mask of rage and hurt. She feared he would never be the same, that they would never be the same. The couple stood in each other's arms as the battle drew nearer to the nursery door.
The couple stood still and silent as they watched their children disappear into the unknown., before grabbing their weapons. They fought side by side for what seemed like hours. Charming was injured, and Snow clung to him as the battle raged around them. She closed her eyes, and darkness enveloped her.
The Evil Queen's men stormed the castle. Snow White and Charming could hear the shouts and the clang of swords from the nursery where they were saying good-bye to their daughters.
Two-year-old Emma clung to her mother as Snow gently ran her fingers through her soft blond curls. Emma had been their light and joy. Already her mother could see that the little girl would have her stubborn streak. She held the little girl to her chest, and sobbed for all they would miss.
She looked over and found her husband holding their other baby girl. Already the tiny baby had a connection with her father. He was the only one who could quiet her cries and sooth her to sleep. Snow could see the longing written all over his face, and then the anger that came after it. Tears began to flow down his cheeks as he stared down at the small pink bundle in his arms.
"I can't do it, Snow. I can't leave them to fend for themselves!"
"Charming, we have to. Everyone's lives are at stake, we have to do what's best for the kingdom."
She saw that all her husband wanted to do was fight to keep their girls. The two precious babies that they were now placing into the wardrobe. Emma held out her pudgy little hands, crying for her mother. While Charity lay in the pink blanket, waving her tiny arms and kicking her little legs as she wailed.
Snow carefully closed the doors, and felt her tears fall harder as the wood muffled her children's cries. Charming stood beside her, his face a mask of rage and hurt. She feared he would never be the same, that they would never be the same. The couple stood in each other's arms as the battle drew nearer to the nursery door.
The couple stood still and silent as they watched their children disappear into the unknown., before grabbing their weapons. They fought side by side for what seemed like hours. Charming was injured, and Snow clung to him as the battle raged around them. She closed her eyes, and darkness enveloped her.
Six years later in a village not affected by the Evil Queen's curse, a pirate by the name of Captain Hook had come ashore with his crew. Little did he know, his life was about to change. He had been mourning the loss of his love to the Dark One for three months. In that time, he had become withdrawn and prone to drunkenness. He loved nothing and no one, and he didn't see an end to his despair.
Until he saw a little girl with dark hair struggling along with her arms full of firewood. Her short legs moved a quickly as they could, almost as if she was being pursued. Something about the child made Hook follow her.
Charity finally reached the sad little cottage on the outskirts of town. A small spiral of smoke was coming from the chimney, and all appeared to be quiet. She reached for the latch, but before she could open the door a rough hand wrapped around her arm.
"I thought I told you to be back before lunch, girl", came the gruff voice from behind.
She shuddered, "I'm sorry sir, I had a hard time finding the wood you requested."
The man, the only father she'd ever known, reared back his hand to strike her. Charity stood with her eyes closed, expecting to feel the sting of a slap at any moment.
Instead, her father was being held between two men. A man in a dark coat stood over her.
"Are you alright lass?"
She looked up into the face of a pirate. He had short black hair, stunning blue eyes, and only one hand. He reached out his good hand, and took her smaller one.
"The names' Hook lass, and I'll make sure that you're taken care of."
Killian Jones could feel the little girl quivering as he led her back to town. Surely there is a woman in this sorry place that will take the poor little thing, he thought to himself.
He went from house to house, but no one would take the little urchin at his side. He couldn't leave her with the man following along behind them. That left only one option, he would have to take her with him. Strangely, this thought didn't bother him as he'd thought it would. Instead, for the first time since Milah's death he felt whole again.
"Lass, how do you feel about becoming a pirate?" Hook said with a smile.
He watched as the little girl gave a faint smile, and a nod.
They deposited the man at the local tavern, and Hook went in search of some new clothes for his little companion, who now refused to leave his side. He found a woman willing to part with some small boy's clothes for a few shillings. He looked down to see what Charity thought about his purchases. He was startled to find her reverently stroking the coarse material as if she'd never seen anything finer.
Hook couldn't imagine what the little dark haired girl must have been through in her six years of life. However, he intended to make sure that she never wanted for anything ever again. He held her hand as they made their way to the docks, and smiled when her little eyes rounded in awe at the sight of his ship.
He watched as her head turned this way and that, trying to take in every sight around her. He was surprised that the men didn't frighten her. They were a surly bunch, but she never shied away from them she just offered a shy, impish grin. Soon they reached his cabin. He set her up on his bed, and then called for Smee.
"Smee, find a cot or something for our new friend to sleep on."
The man scurried off, and soon came back with a little wooden bed under his arms.
"Hammer had some extra lumber in the hold, so he just threw this together for our new crew member", the bearded man said with a smile.
Hook put the small bed in the corner of his cabin, and hung an old blanket in front so the little girl could have her privacy. He watched as she set her little bag of clothes on the bed, and then looked around the room. He went to his trunk, and pulled out a quilt he'd bought a few days ago.
The blue material had made him think of the sea, and he'd purchased it not really understanding his own reasons. Now he was thankful that he did, as he watched Charity's eyes light up at the gift. He smiled as she ran her tiny hands over the soft material, and then grinned up at him.
He helped her spread it out on her little bed, and then went in search of a crate to put her clothes in. When she was all settled, he decided they would have to tackle a bath. The thought made him terribly nervous, but the dirt and soot covering her little body couldn't be comfortable.
"Mr. Smee, please bring up a tub of warm water."
The other man looked at him oddly, then understanding dawned.
"Yes, captain."
Hook got out some good smelling soap, and a worn towel. Then the door banged open, and Smee returned carrying a metal tub. He sat it down in the middle of the room, and then quickly retreated.
"Charity, would you like to take a bath so you can wear some of your new clothes?"
He saw her nod her head, "Alright then, I'll be just outside the door. If you need anything give a shout."
Hook left the room in a fit of nerves. How was he supposed to raise a little girl? He knew nothing about them! He paced in front of his door for a good while before the it opened. There standing before him with her hair clean and her face shining was his littlest crew member. The new clothes were a bit baggy, but she didn't seem to mind.
He gently took her hand, and began to lead her to the galley, "How about something to eat? I'm starving."
He smiled at her emphatic node. As she took his hand, he could feel his brokenness beginning to mend. Having someone to worry about and care for instead of mourning his lost love was just what he needed.
Thank you for reading! Please review and tell me what you think! :)