A/N:Technically this was written for loveislayered-loveisamystery's prompt for Milah meeting Belle…which it is…it just also happens to have Milah and Bae feels. I don't even know where this came from…Storybrooke AU
Some Gifts Don't Come With a Bow
It was different, this new world, this Storbrooke, but she had fought hell and high water to get here and now that her and Killian were together once more, that was all that mattered.
She stood at the stern of the ship, looking out over the quiet little town. Bae had grown into a fine man now with a family of his own that didn't include her and that hurt her greatly. He had Emma and Henry and Rumple and that girl called Belle, but Milah was to have no part in his life, he made that clear.
"You chose your life when you ran off with Hook!" he yelled at her, waving his arms towards the Jolly Roger.
"Baelfire, please, try to understand," she begged.
A dark laugh passed through his lips, "You're no better than what he was, a coward, leaving your troubles behind for a better life."
"That's enough, Baelfire!" Killian's firm tone appeared from behind them and the man instantly turned back into a boy, his stance shrinking at the sight of the Captain. "I'd look to your own child's past before you go scolding your mother for yours."
Bae's lips turned to a shameful frown and his gaze fell to his feet.
"Come love, let's be on our way."
A pair of strong arms enveloped her from behind and lips were being pressed to her neck. "Troublesome thoughts, love?" Killian whispered in her ear, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Today's his birthday," she said in a solemn whisper.
Killian held her tighter, "Milah, love, I'm sorry. I'd forgotten."
She shook her head, her fingers desperately wiping at trickling tears. "It's been well over three hundred years, Killian, I wouldn't expect you to remember." She let out a sigh and turned in his arms. "I'm going to see Rumple."
Killian's brow curved, "Might I ask why?"
"Emma's boy, Henry. He managed to pilfer a bean for me some time ago; while you were off with the prince on one of your excursions…I used it to go home."
"What?!"
Milah chuckled, "You weren't here, I wasn't to be missed. It was quick, there and back. I went home, just for a moment, I wanted something of his if I couldn't be in his life." She took his hand and led him over to a shipping crate and lifted the lid, revealing a tattered teddy bear. "It is his after all. Perhaps he should have something from better days on his birthday."
Killian drew her in close, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his lips to her hair. "I think he'll very much appreciate that, love."
The shop bell chimed when she walked into Rumple's seemingly empty shop. Trinkets and treasures lined the walls and filled cases, memories of the past to those who lived in town. The only memories this place brought her was loathing. Her eyes narrowed at the hand sitting in the locked glass case, Killian's hand, the one he took. Milah's grip tightened around the box under her arm, her eyes squeezing closed at a lame attempt to shove away the frustration.
"Um…hello?" A female voice broke her thoughts and she spun around to be greeted by dark auburn hair and bright blue eyes.
"Hello," Milah nodded.
"Yo...you're Milah! Baelfire's mother?" she asked with a bright smile.
Milah had seen Belle before, but had never actually met the woman. She hadn't felt the need to be on friendly terms with her former husband's lover.
"I...yes, I am," she admitted quietly, cradling the gift box in her hands.
"Why aren't you at the party? I thought Rumple would have told you," she canted her head, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I know things aren't great between everyone, but you're still his mother."
Milah couldn't help but feel jealousy towards the woman, she was getting the relationship with her son that she wanted, yet she still seemed to…care. She should have known that there was going to be some sort of gathering, but it didn't hurt any less to hear the words aloud.
She shook her head, "No," she said softly, "he's made it perfectly clear that he doesn't wish to see me." She sighed, closing her eyes so the tears wouldn't fall.
Belle approached her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder, coaxing her to look at her. "He does love you," she said with assurance. "Baelfire is still very much a child at times, not having the chance to grow up properly."
Milah shot the woman a glare.
"Oh…no! I didn't mean…sorry," she fumbled over her words, wincing as if she had been struck. "Just give him time."
"Time?" Milah laughed bitterly. "Three centuries wasn't enough?" She groaned and pulled at her hair. "Look, can you just make sure that he gets this." Milah held out the box with a sigh. "It's not much, but maybe it's enough."
Belle took the box with a warm smile and set it on the counter. She came back and took Milah's hands in her own and gave them a gentle squeeze. "It will be, because it's from you."
"You don't even know what it is."
"You're his mother," she argued, "What it is doesn't matter."
It had been a long hard night. Milah had spent most of it silent and Killian had tried at every moment to lift her spirits. Nothing had worked though. Not a candle lit dinner, not a dance beneath the stars, nor a tale of his youth. She knew she would feel better as the days passed, but right now she just wanted to curl up and disappear.
She was wrapped in Killian's arms when a knock came to the cabin door. Killian pressed a kiss to her hair and maneuvered himself around her to get up and answer it. The door closed and then there were muffled voices, what sounded like a heated Killian arguing with someone on the other side. Eventually the voices died down and Killian's face appeared beside hers.
"Come, love."
"I'd rather not," she replied turning over to face the wall.
"Milah…" he sighed, "trust me, you do."
Reluctantly she removed herself from bed and went up on deck. Baelfire was there, standing in the moonlight, clutching his bear with an unknown expression on his face.
She sighed. "Here to remind me how much of a shit mother I was," she berated, putting on a tough mask. He'd only ever had cruel words to say to her before, what would make matters any different now?
Bae approached her, large dark eyes blinking between her and the bear that he was constantly turning over in his hands. He opened his mouth to speak a few times but no words came out and his gaze fell to the deck.
"Well then, I'll be back to bed now."
She didn't have the chance to move, within a second she was being pulled into his arms and he was sobbing openly into her hair.
Milah's heart crumbled inside her chest. No matter the age it still hurt to see your child weep, especially while clinging to you. "Bae, sweetheart," she cooed, instantly wrapping her arms around him and holding him close.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, "What I said…I…I…"
"Shh, it's all right, it's all right," she whispered over again, rubbing circles into his back.
"I'm still mad," he grumbled, pulling back and giving her a small scowl.
"I know." She smiled and ran a hand down his cheek. "Come, let's take a walk, yeah?"
The morning came and she woke with a smile larger than she had in a long time. She rolled over in Killian's hold to be greeted by his bright blue eyes and pressed a humming kiss to his lips.
"Better spirits this morning, I see."
"Mmm, indeed."
"All go well with young Baelfire."
Milah chuckled, "He's not so young anymore, Killian."
"Everyone is young to me, lass," he paused and eyed her carefully, "save you." He smirked and gave her a wink.
She slapped his shoulder and wiggled her way out of bed. "Oh yes, because you're so young yourself," she snickered.
"And where are you off to?"
"I owe someone a thank you. Belle."
"Belle?" he quirked an eyebrow, "The Crocodile's Belle?"
"One in the same," she smiled.
"Whatever for," Killian exaggerated with a shake of his head.
Milah unknowingly brought her hands up to her chest, smiling softly down at Killian. "For helping me give Baelfire the most wonderful gift."
"And what might that be, love?" Killian yawned stretching his arms over his head, already nodding back off to sleep.
"His mother."