A/N: this is going to be an apology story and its going to be emotional! Characters may be OOC.

warning!: man slaughter, suicidal thoughts and graphic content

disclaimer: i do not own anything except my OC and the story line.

enjoy!

*flashback to July 4th 1684*

we had just finished loading the last of the cargo before setting off to find new lands. Being a captain isn't easy when you have a family waiting for you to return home...even though you might not be able to.

"Daddy!" a tiny voice called with the slight pitter patter of small, quick feet.

I turned quickly to see a small child around the age of 5 bounding towards the ship she was the definition of innocence and beauty, with her big forget-me-knot blue eyes wide with excitement and a big toothy grin with her two front teeth missing. Her messy mop of ebony hair flying behind her and all clad in too-big combat boots and overcoat with a hint of a green dress underneath. She was adorable...she was Erin.

"Daddy! daddy! please take me with you!" the child screamed as she ran into her fathers arms, my arms.

"Oh Rinny, you know its too dangerous for you, you have to stay with your mother until I return." I reasoned with her bending down to her height.

Hearing this her face dropped. I hated seeing her like this, so miserable, its almost as if the sun will never shine again if her smile isn't there for it to impress. She looked up at me with heartbreaking green eyes.

"Mommy's gone" She whimpered.

I stood stock still in place gazing past my daughters face into space. 'how could she leave her? She said she'd stay...she PROMISED she'd stay' these were the thoughts that kept running through my mind. It was no secret that Erin preferred me to her indifferent mother, Alice was always a free spirit. Never wanting to be tied down to one place and she wasn't... until Erin came along. I think a part of Alice always resented Erin for it, but never did I think she would go as far as to abandon her.

I was brought crashing back to reality when I felt small arms fling themselves around me and a face cuddle into the crook of my neck. I wrapped her up in my arms and tried, in vain, to keep her wild hair from entering my mouth as I comforted her. After a few minuets i stood with Erin still snuggled in my arms Turning quickly on my heal I strode towards my ship 'The Jolly Rodger' into the captain's quarters and sat her on my lap. I rocked us back and forth humming a soft tune. She finally looked up at me with bright green watery eyes and a quivering lip. It always amazed me how her eyes change from of blue to different shades of green, she's never had a mix of both.

"Am I going with you now Daddy?" She whispered as if someone else was in the room listening to our "private" conversation.

I smiled softly at her pleading teal eyes. "Yes you're going to be a pirate" I whispered back.

She let out a gasp and squealed in excitement. Grinning, I took her on top deck and sat her on my shoulders gaining the crew's attention.

"LISTEN UP YOU RAVENOUS DOGS!" I Hollered.

She giggled from my right as the crew immediately came to a halt and gathered around the small balcony leading from my quarters, Looks of confusion were shot amongst them as they all spotted the tiny child atop my shoulders.

"Captain?" My first mate Mr. Smee questioned gesturing to her.

"This is my daughter...and she will be taught the ways of piracy. Let it be known Any man so much as breathe in her direction in a way I dislike then you can send my regards Davy Jones." I growled at them forget-me-knot blue eyes glinting with malice.

Satisfied with the fearful looks on their faces I set her down and nodded for her to go and get acquainted with the ship. But she still stood there looking up at me with wide adoring blue eyes. she looked between the crew and me biting her lip, I thought she was nervous but her next words shocked Myself and the crew.

"Ain'cha gonna introduce me Daddy?" She inquired tilting her head to the right a like a confused puppy.

There was a collective chuckle throughout the crew as she blushed at how loud she was. I grinned at her and lifted her into my arms again so I could look her straight in the eye.

"but of course where are my manners?" She giggled. "Men...this is Erin-Marie Hook my light in any storm." I announced proudly.

'Today is the beginning of a new adventure or the both of us' I thought while looking at her forget-me-knot blue eyes. Turning her head to me she grinned even bigger and gave me a great sloppy kiss on the cheek while the crew cheered for her.

"Happy birthday my Rinny I love you" I said quietly so only she could hear.

She giggled and threw her arms around my neck hugging me tightly.

"Thank you daddy I love you too!"

Edited on 18th July 2018.