A week passed and the ship fell into a new routine. Wee John had made Hallie some simple dresses but was insisting on getting some nicer fabrics when they made port, and Black Pete had showed up and shyly presented them with a small wooden cradle he had made, which came apart at the sides to add bits so it could grow with her. Apart from a few exceptions, most of the crew were happy to keep their distance from Hallie. Fang had fallen head over heels in love with her and spent most of the time she was on deck playing peekaboo with her or coddling her, his eyes filling with tears as her chubby hands pulled on his beard. Roach had already amazed them with the easy way he handled her and the other surprising person was Jim. They'd appeared in the captain's cabin and announced they were going to take Hallie for a walk. When the slightly concerned captains quietly followed Jim, they found them pointing out parts of the ship to her and explaining what they were called and what they did. This became a routine and every day at 2pm Jim would take Hallie for an hour. Sometimes Hallie was sleeping, but Jim still took her out and sat with her in their arms, talking to her in low Spanish about anything and everything. Every day during this hour Ethan also went to help Roach in the kitchens, giving the two captains some much needed alone time, where they could nap, kiss, plan, or often just sit and chat without worrying about either child, and Ed and Stede came to love the moments where life seemed a little simpler.

Ethan's school lessons had begun and he spent a few hours a day working with Stede learning his alphabet. Each day there was another class with one of the crew, and Ed had started to try and teach him music, lamenting the lack of a piano on board, which had led to a humorous conversation of its own.

"That's your own fault my darling." Stede raised his eyebrows, "There was a perfectly good one in there when I left."

"Why haven't we ever replaced it?"

"Well I can't actually play, and you never seemed to be bothered."

"I didn't know we would be… wait, you can't play? Why the fuck did you have one in your cabin to start with?"

"I was taught as a child, never could get the hang of it I'm afraid. Yet another disappointment for my father." Stede sighed. "It just seemed like something I should have, and it looked good. Plus I thought that maybe one day I would entertain someone who could play. And I was right wasn't I?"

"You're a fucking lunatic. And I love you."

"We'll get one when we stop in Barbados."

"Right, Then I can teach you to play."

"Yes. NO! Not me! Ethan."

"Yep, and you."

"No, don't be ridiculous, I'm too old to learn."

"Absolute bullshit. No such thing as too old."

Their quarrel was interrupted with Roach knocking on the door and their conversation lay forgotten with the presentation of warm scones with jam and cream.

As one week merged into two and they began their approach to Barbados, lists were made up of what they would sell and what price was deemed reasonable, what food supplies they were in need of, and what items they needed for Hallie. Ethan was going through a growth spurt and would need new clothes and shoes, and as per Wee John's request, they would pick up some fabric for him to make Hallie's new clothes. And there was a piano to purchase and install on board. The decision had been made to stay docked for a week, longer than they usually would, but there also was a visit to a doctor for Hallie on the cards, plus maintenance and repairs on the ship.

"Now Ethan, do you remember the rules I told you about when we leave the ship?" Stede questioned the night before they docked.

Ethan looked up from his colouring. "You're Captain Edwards, Daddy is Captain Stevens, Our ship is called The Esperance and I'm not to speak to anyone unless you say so," he recited dutifully.

"Perfect."

Ethan scrunched his nose. "But I can still call you Papa and Daddy right?"

"Of course darling, It's just other people who might refer to us with those names. I assure you we wouldn't ask you to do this unless it was absolutely necessary."

"Why is it necessary Papa?"

Stede froze as his mouth went dry. He was hoping for a few more years before curly questions like this.

"Is it because of her?" He made a face at Hallie.

Ed reached out and ruffled his hair, "No of course not buddy. It's just, Your Papa and I got into some trouble a few years back. And there's some fucki… some nasty people looking for us that might hold a grudge."

Ethan climbed up into Ed's lap. "Nasty like the people that hurt you?" his wide eyes searched Ed's face, and his little fingers trailed over fading bruises on Ed's arms.

"Nasty like the people that hurt me. Yes." He pulled Ethan to his chest to cuddle him. "Don't worry Chook. Nothing like that will happen to you."

Stede reached a hand out and took Ed's in his, "Or to any of us. We'll just stick together and try to blend in."

Ed scoffed at this, knowing full well neither of them were all that great at blending in. They would both have to work very hard at not being recognised this week.

The next morning they woke and dressed themselves in plain breeches with loose linen tops, hoping to look like the merchant captains they were imitating. As they walked through the market, they tried to avoid eye contact with the stall holders, relying on the crew to do the job of bartering and selling and purchasing. They walked into the first clinic they came to, Hallie in Stede's arms, Ethan's small hand enveloped in Ed's and Stede strode forward confidently. "Hello, we'd like to see a doctor."

"I'm sorry, do you have an appointment Mr…"

"No no appointment, I'm afraid we're on rather a tight schedule."

"Well I'm sorry but Dr Piper's next free appointment isn't for three weeks."

"You didn't even look!" Ed scowled as he stalked forward but stalled as he felt Stede's hand at his chest.

"Ed, I'll handle this," he muttered quietly.

"But Stede, she didn't even look!"

"Ed." Stede warned, and finally the man stepped back glowering at the woman behind the desk.

"I'm sorry, We can't help you." She smiled with fake sincerity.

"No problem at all, thank you for your time." Stede nodded at her, then turned and guided Ed out of the surgery.

"What the fu.. what was that all about?"

"Think they cater for the more well-off patients, I forgot we're trying to blend in as simple merchants, we'll have to find one that will see us."

"Did you see the way she looked at us? Like we were nothing but fucking dirt on the bottom of her shoe. Stede I've got money, I can pay!"

"Ed we must be careful, we just have to try to keep our heads down, Remember there's a price on both of them."

They tried two other clinics but had the same problem, and finally they retired to a local eatery for lunch where they sat outside at a table, slightly deflated at how the morning had gone.

"We'll have to get Oluwande or Lucius to ask someone where we can take her." Stede mused as he played with his glass, Ethan sat quietly next to him chewing the last of his sandwich, his eyes wide as he took in all of the sights and sounds surrounding him.

Ed held Hallie in one arm while his other hand was stabbing his knife into the table, earning some dark looks from other patrons. "I hate this. This skulking around, not being able to do anything. Makes me so fuc…. So antsy."

"Stede? Is that you?" Mary's voice caught him by surprise.

Stede's eyes flew open as they bored into Mary's pointedly. "No madam, you are mistaken. I am Captain Edwards of the Esperance."

Ed's eyes flew between Stede and Mary as he quickly put two and two together.

Mary coughed, "Of course, I'm so sorry. You just reminded me of my ex-husband. He… tragically died a few years ago. I guess I'm just still not used to living without him, that I see him everywhere I go." She dabbed her face with her handkerchief and blew her nose loudly.

Stede looked at her, a smile threatening his lips in amusement, Jeez Mary, go easy on the crocodile tears! He forced his face into one of concern. "I'm sorry to hear that madam. You know I think I knew this Stede."

Mary stopped her fake sniffling and eyed him carefully. "Did you indeed. Would you mind awfully accompanying me back to my house to reminisce, swap some stories? I do so miss him." Mary's voice was calm and gentle but her eyes were insistent, staring.

"We will gladly do so madam."

Few words were said as they all followed Mary back to the house on the hill, Hallie still sleeping in Ed's arms and Ethan quietly walking alongside them, his small hand clutching Stede's. When they got to the top of the driveway Mary turned on them. "What the hell Stede?"

"Mary, please!" His eyes flew to where Ethan stood eyeballing the big house.

Mary's wild eyes flew to Ethan and then to Ed and back to Stede in shock. She crossed her arms. "Well, aren't you going to introduce us?"

"Of course. Mary, This is Ed, My Husband. Ed, meet Mary, My ex-wife."

Ed nodded a tentative hello and Mary's eyes widened with surprise.

"And this is?" Mary indicated Ethan.

"Ah, this is our boy Ethan."

Ethan waved at Mary as a wary look played on his face.

Ed didn't think Mary's eyes could get any bigger, but they did. Whatever she had been expecting it wasn't this.

"Hello Ethan. I'm an old friend of your dad's."

Ethan raised confused eyes to Ed and then looked back at Stede.

Stede rushed to clarify as Mary settled her harsh eyes back on him, "Oh he calls me Papa, Ed is Dad. Saves confusion."

"Ah" the blank face nodded and moved to Hallie, "and this is?"

"And this is the newest addition to our family. "Hallie," he nodded simply at the baby in Ed's arms as if that explained everything.

Mary stared at him, then shook her head in disbelief. "We have a lot to talk about Stede. Let's go inside. I'm sure Alma and Louis will have a million questions for you."

She turned and entered the house.

Stede moved to follow her but Ed's hand found his and pulled him back.

"Maybe I should just head back to the ship love," he shifted uncomfortably.

"Why?"

Ed gave a one shouldered shrug, "Well I dunno, but I didn't wake up this morning entertaining the idea that today might be the day I meet your fucking ex-wife and kids," his low voice was panicked.

Stede squeezed his hand gently. "What are you worried about? They'll love you! I've told you how I used to play pirates with my kids, right?"

"Many times, but there's a difference between playing pirates, and meeting your dad's new husband who happens to be motherfucking Blackbeard!" he hissed at Stede.

"Ed, language!"

Ed looked down to where Ethan stood between them his eyes wide, "Sorry Chook, pretend you never heard that." He raised his eyes back to Stede. "Look, all I'm saying is that I'm just not sure I'm ready to 'meet the family'."

Suddenly the door was flung open and Ed had no choice as 'the family' ran out to meet them. A blonde girl and a dark-haired boy threw their arms around Stede as Ethan stood back, eyes widening with shock at the two children hugging his Papa.

"Daddy!" Louis cried.

Alma pulled at Stede's hand, "Fought any pirates lately?"

Stede's apologetic eyes met Ed's, "Uh, maybe."

Alma followed his gaze to Ed and she looked him up and down taking in the scruff of his beard and the silver-tinged braid at the back of his head, "Who are you?" she said bossily.

"Uh guys, this is my… my Ed. Ed, this is Alma, and Louis."

Louis stepped up to Ed and tugged on his pants, "Are you Dad's Doug?"

Ed shot a panicked look at Stede, The fuck should he say to that?

"Well sussed!" Stede patted the boy's head gently. "And this is Ethan," Stede crouched to look at Ethan whose thumb had worked its way into his mouth. "Hey Chook, this is Alma and Louis, they are friends. You can talk freely in front of them."

Ethan's thumb popped out of his mouth. "I like your jacket," he said shyly to Louis.

Mary appeared behind them, "Alright kids, why don't you go any play. Stede and I have a lot of catching up to do."

Standing up Stede dusted his breeches off as they watched Alma and Louis speed off. Ethan looked back at Stede and after a nod he followed after them.

"Come on. I've made some tea. I need to hear everything." Mary turned and disappeared back into the house.

Stede took Ed's hand in his and squeezed it three times, I love you, and they followed Mary inside.

It took a while but finally all the relevant explanations had been made, Mary's tea sat untouched, stone cold on the table as Stede sipped his with clear enjoyment.

"And so that's what we're doing here," Stede finished.

The stunned silence was interrupted as Hallie began to whinge.

"Here love, You'd better take her, she settles better with you," Ed deposited Hallie into Stede's arms. "Is there somewhere I can heat up some milk for her?" he addressed Mary.

"Sure, the kitchen's just through there," Mary pointed over her shoulder, "but I can help y…" she trailed off as Ed stalked off, clutching his shoulder bag, in search of a stovetop.

Stede looked at Mary, "He's a little on edge about meeting you all. Also he's feeling a little underqualified to be a father." He looked down at the baby he held, "Especially to one so young," he held a little finger to Hallie's mouth and she began so suckle it hopefully.

Mary smiled at him, "You used to do that with our kids too. Do you remember?"

"I do." Stede's eyes misted over at the memory.

There was a pause as they both smiled down at Hallie.

"Did he really deliver her in the prison of a ship?"

Stede nodded, "And believe me if we hadn't attacked that ship when we did, I don't think either of them would have made it. If we had been a week later…" he shook his head not wanting to think about it. "He was so thin, And so was she. There was a moment there that… Oh Mary, I thought I was going to lose him."

"I'm so glad you found him Stede. Your Doug."

"You heard that huh?"

Mary smiled, her eyes soft, "You've got a whole new family on board that ridiculous ship haven't you?"

Stede felt his mouth dry up. He swallowed heavily, "I will never forget this family, Mary. I couldn't. You and the kids, you still mean so much to me."

"I know Stede.

"I mean I know it's completely unconventional, Me and Ed, Ethan and Hallie, But it's our family," Stede babbled.

Mary put a hand on Stede's arm to calm him. "I know Stede. Believe me, when it works, you know."

Ed made his way into the kitchen where he took a few deep grounding breaths. Through the big window above the sink he could see Alma, Louis and Ethan, playing tag. He smiled at them getting along and then quickly set to work, heating up Hallie's milk. He was just pouring it into one of the new bottles they had picked up in town, when he felt a sharp point of a knife press into his back. He slowly lowered the bottle onto the bench and swallowed carefully.

"I don't know what you're doing here. But I think you should clear off, don't you?" a voice came at his ear.

Ed took a breath and quickly whipped around pulling the knife from the man at his back and pushed him backwards.

The man stumbled into the bench and two bowls clattered to the floor with a smash.

From the other room came a wail and the man's head shot up, confused. "What the?"

Ed sighed, "Now you've done it. You've upset my little princess," he advanced on the man, knife in hand.

Stede and Mary clattered through the doorway, Hallie now screaming her little lungs out.

"Ed no!" Stede gasped, "That's Doug!"

Mary ran to stand between Ed and Doug, "Ed please, put the knife down."

Ed dropped the knife and it fell to the bench. "He pulled it on me first," he sulked.

Doug's eyes scanned the room and as he found Stede his eyes bugged, "Stede? You know this man?"

Stede nodded, "That's my husband!"

"Your…" Doug looked at Ed, and then back at the red-faced screaming baby in Stede's arms, "And who's child is that?"

Mary took his hand. "I think you need to sit down. Come into the other room," she pulled his arm and together, they left the kitchen.

Stede moved carefully around the broken china to where Ed leant back against the counter, breathing heavily.

"How was I supposed to know who he was man? He pulled a fucking knife on me!"

Stede jiggled Hallie in his arms, "I'm sorry my love." He leant his head down and kissed Ed's shoulder.

"And now I've gone and fucked up meeting the family. Just like I knew I would."

"You haven't fucked it up darling, it was just a misunderstanding, that's all. No harm done. If it's any consolation I'm sure Doug feels a right dick. Oh and look, You've done Hallie's bottle. Do you want to feed her or shall I?" Stede's attempt at changing the subject and pulling Ed out of his funk was flimsy and Ed saw straight through it.

Ed pulled the tie from his braided hair and pushed his hands through his thick mane of curls, destroying the careful plait Stede had done earlier that morning. "I'm going for a fucking walk," he mumbled. "Need to clear my head," he started toward the door.

"Ed?" Stede began.

Ed turned and leant his forehead against Stede's, his eyes closing at the comforting feel as they simply breathed in sync for a few breaths. "I love you Stede, I do. It's just…" He pulled away and began to pace, "Everything feels so fucking different when we're off the ship. Everything just feels… off kilter somehow? Maybe I'm still recovering, maybe I rushed into things," he sighed heavily and leant his arms on the bench, hanging his head between his shoulders. "I was already on edge slinking around this morning, pretending to be someone I'm not, then that shit with the fucking doctors? and then unexpectedly meeting your ex, and your kids, and then almost stabbing Doug? I just…" He stood and pushed his hand through his hair again, "I just need some air."

Stede nodded, "I understand darling. Take all the time you need."

Ed stalked out of the kitchen and Stede watched him go. Then realising Hallie was still screaming in his arms, he picked up her bottle and eased it into her mouth. Stede wiped her wet face as she settled into his arms and she began to calm as she suckled hungrily at her milk.