Stede reached down and took Ed's hand. "You ready?"

Ed managed a curt nod. He didn't know why he was so worried about this. It's not like they had a problem with Ethan. He swallowed as he willed his legs to stop trembling.

"I asked Lucius to gather everyone on deck so we can speak to them all at once."

Ed nodded again and his eyes swept down to where Hallie lay tucked in his arm. He still felt like he was doing something wrong when he was holding her like this. He looked sideways at Stede feeling slightly jealous. His husband looked so natural when he held her. Perhaps it came with practice. He shifted uncomfortably, "Let's do this."

Stede looked back at where Ethan sat on the floor, playing with a wooden train Pete had made him. "Are you coming Chook? We're going to introduce Hallie to the rest of the crew." He held out a hand with a smile.

Ethan looked at the hand and pouted, "Do I have to?"

Stede was surprised, normally the boy wanted to be wherever they were. "No, of course not, I just thought it might be nice to come and be with your family."

"It will be boring," Ethan whined.

Stede exchanged confused glances with Ed. Where was all this coming from?

"Did you do this with me? When I came here?" the sulky voice continued.

"Of course not sweetheart. We didn't have to. The crew knew about you from the start."

"You were the whole reason we were on that ship in the first place mate," Ed added fondly.

Stede moved to where Ethan sat and brushed a soft hand through his sons hair. "We would really like it if you came out on deck with us, but it's completely up to you. If you choose to stay here and keep playing we will understand, Daddy and I won't love you any less."

Ethan sighed heavily and looked at the train in his hand. "Can I bring my train?"

"Of course you can sweetheart," Stede smiled at him and held out his hand once more.

When they finally wandered out of their cabin, silence fell over the deck of previously rowdy pirates. They stood still in front of them, a battered Ed holding Hallie, Stede's arm around his waist supporting him carefully, his other hand holding Ethan's.

"What the fuck?" Jim muttered.

"Is that…?" Black Pete squinted.

Frenchie took a step backwards, fear in his eyes, only stopping when his back hit Wee John's chest.

John put a large gentle hand on Frenchie's shoulder and squeezed comfortingly.

No one said anything for a while as they stared at the scene the family presented.

Finally Oluwande spoke. "Uh, where exactly did that come from?"

Lucius grinned at him, "Well, sometimes when two people are alone…"

Stede coughed loudly, and when Lucius looked to him, he swung his eyes to Ethan pointedly.

"Was that in those dirty blankets you were holding when you came back on board?" Fang peered at the child in Ed's arms.

Ed shrunk back into Stede's chest, Fang's comment felt like an accusation. "I didn't mean to," his still hoarse voice creaked out, "I didn't realise I still had a hold of her. I wasn't trying to hide her honestly." His chest grew tight as his breathing hitched in his throat. He felt Stede's thumb begin to rub at his back reassuring him.

"Hush my love you've no need to defend yourself. Breathe," Stede whispered close to his ear and kissed his head. Raising his eyes and his voice he spoke. "Everyone, We'd like you to meet Hallie Bonnet-Teach." They'd discussed the surname quickly before they left the cabin. Stede was worried it would make it sound definite and permanent, and Ed was just worried he felt represented. "Ethan has my surname first so it's only fair that Hallie has yours."

Frenchie let out a small whimper.

The Swede raised a hand. "Erm, What is it doing here?"

"Ah, well, Yes. Short story is Ed rescued her from The Guerrera. She will be sailing with us until we make port and can see a doctor and get her checked over. Not that Roach isn't doing a marvellous job."

Roach gave a dismissive wave of his hand as all eyes turned to him in disbelief.

"Then if she's given a clean bill of health, she will join us permanently."

"What exactly do you mean by permanently?" Frenchie managed to choke out.

"Well, She will live with us, as part of our family, our crew. Just like Ethan." Stede looked down at the boy and squeezed Ethan's hand in his own, in time with his last three words.

"On the ship?" Frenchie stuttered.

"You needn't be afraid of her Frenchie. I promise she's not a witch, or whatever it is that you're thinking, she's just a baby."

"A... a...a...baby? No no no! Babies are so easily possessed by goblin spirits. Captain Bonnet, I'm sorry but you gotta throw that thing overboard right away."

"We will be doing no such thing Frenchie!"

Ed closed his eyes as the world seemed to spin and blur around the edges. He swallowed thickly and forced his eyes back open as Stede continued to speak.

"Wee John, do you think you can you make her some clothes while we set sail for… What's the nearest port?" he asked Buttons.

"Barbados."

"Right, we make our way to Barbados to sell some of the stuff we pilfered from The Guerrera, restock our larder, and get some bits and pieces for the little princess."

"I'm on it, Boss." Wee John lumbered away, dragging a still shellshocked Frenchie behind him, and Stede was surprised to see Black Pete peel away and head below also.

"How long will it take to get to Barbados?" Stede's attention was back on Buttons.

"2 weeks, give or take. Depends on the winds."

Stede felt Ed sway next to him, "Darling? Are you ok?" he whispered.

"Not feeling so great," Ed mumbled.

"Roach?" Stede called and indicated that Ed needed help. He quickly took Hallie from his shaking arms as Roach led him back to the cabin.

Stede lingered for a few minutes, letting the crew come and meet Hallie properly, but he was itching to get back to Ed, and before too long he was making his way back into their cabin.

He found Ed slumped in the couch with Roach stood behind him, holding a cold wet cloth to the back of his neck.

"Ed?"

There was no answer from Ed.

Roach cleared his throat, "Think it was just a case of 'bit too much too soon' Captain Bonnet."

Stede reached a soft hand out and brushed his fingertips lightly over Ed's hair, settling it on Ed's shoulder. "I'm so sorry my darling, I shouldn't have pushed you to do that today."

"Not your fault. I should have known I wasn't ready," came the annoyed voice from under the veil of hair.

"You did so well my love."

Ed pushed Stede's hand away and stood up so suddenly he swayed where he stood, "Stede, I almost passed out! I could have fucking dropped her!" he dropped back into the chair and cradled his head in his hands.

"Darling, you need to remember you've just been through unimaginable horrors, Anyone else would have died. Stop being so hard on yourself."

"I hate this Stede. I feel so weak, and useless," Ed grumbled.

"Sweetheart, let me look after you for a change."

Ed fell into a sullen silence.

There was a long pause and Roach suddenly was very interested in the trinkets on the shelves next to him.

Finally Stede spoke. "We should reach Barbados in approximately two weeks."

Ed stared at the floor between them and said nothing.

"John is going to make her some clothes." He knew Ed had heard all of this out on deck, but didn't know what else to say.

There was still nothing from Ed.

"Ed, darling. Are you very cross with me?"

Ex exploded, "I'm not cross with you love," he hissed, aware Hallie was sleeping in Stede's arms. "I'm fucking pissed off that I can't keep my fucking shit together for five minutes to talk to our fucking crew!"

Stede cupped Ed's face, forcing him to look at him. "Darling, look at me. You've been through so much lately, and I'm so proud of you. You're concussed, dehydrated, emaciated, sleep addled and you delivered a baby while chained up in the prison of some asshole's ship, who by the state of your body, seemed to think you were his personal punching bag." His voice became quiet. "I thought I'd lost you forever."

Ed winced at the memories and swallowed heavily. Looking to Stede he was once again struck with how natural the man looked with a baby in his arms. "Where's Ethan?" he asked, changing the subject.

Stede looked about him, "Uh, not sure, he was with us on deck. Roach, do you think you could go and check on him please?"

"Of course Captain Bonnet," Roach answered, pleased for a reason to leave.

Once he had gone Ed looked back up at Stede. "Can I hold her? Please?"

Stede nodded and began to move his way.

"Show me how to hold her properly? Like you do?"

"Ed, you've been holding her just fine."

"I almost fucking suffocated her Stede!"

"When?"

"When we came back on board! She was wrapped up in the blanket so tight and I…" Ed gulped for breath as his chest became tight again.

"Shhh, breathe with me my love," Stede pressed his lips to Ed's temple, "You said it yourself, You didn't realise you still held her."

Ed felt his eyes fill with tears as he tried to force himself to breathe naturally, "How does someone not notice they're holding a baby? And then, just now, out on deck, I almost dropped her." Guilt churned his stomach as he pushed the wet towel off of his neck.

"Edward! You're shaking like a leaf! I'm so sorry I put you through that my love. Here. Hold your arms out." He gently transferred Hallie to Ed's waiting arms, "There, see. Perfect."

Ed looked down into Hallie's sleeping face and felt a rush of love overwhelm him. Immediately he was calmer. He felt his heartbeat slow and his shoulders relaxed. He took a deep, grateful breath and let it out slowly. "She's so tiny. Never had much practice with babies. Kids I was alright with, babies used to scare me. Always been fucking terrified of dropping them. And it's uh, been a while."

Stede sat next to Ed on the couch and leaning over kissed Hallie's forehead, and then Ed's shoulder. He shuffled closer to Ed and together they sat and watched the baby sleep, entranced.

The door was swung open and Roach appeared with Ethan in tow. "Found him. He was just playing with his train."

Ethan's eyes were on the floor. They darted up to where his dads sat together on the couch then stared back at the floor. "Sorry," he mumbled as he scuffed his toe from side to side where he stood.

Stede looked at him curiously, "You're not in trouble Ethan, We just didn't know where you were."

"Just playing with my train," he echoed Roach's phrase as he ran the wooden engine up and down his leg distractedly.

"Do you need me for anything else Captains? Only I need to go and begin preparing dinner."

"Thank you Roach, We will eat in here again tonight I think." Stede rubbed a comforting hand on Ed's knee.

Roach nodded his approval.

"We will call you if we need anything."

"Right," Roach's eyes moved from Stede to Ed and he hesitated, "Can I just say, Captain Teach? Little Princess looks mighty comfortable in your arms. It's a good look on you."

"Thanks mate," Ed's eyes misted over as they followed Roach out of the room.

"You see. Nothing to worry about darling."

"It's just that… well I've never… done this before. I'm very aware you have and I gotta say love, I'm feeling completely out of my depth."

"Are you having second thoughts about her being a part of our family?"

"No nothing like that, just stupid doubts creeping in I guess."

"I love you," Stede whispered.

"Love you more."

"Love you most, Stede kissed him. "And we both love you little one."

Unseen by the both of them who were looking down at Hallie lovingly, Ethan's eyes flicked up to them with a smile, which dropped from his face and returned his eyes to the floor when he realised they weren't talking to him.

After dinner Stede settled in to feed Hallie and Ed took Ethan to the hammock they had strung up in the corner of the auxiliary wardrobe they had cleared for him.

"Why isn't Papa coming to read me a story?" Ethan's bottom lip stuck out and he crossed his arms over his chest.

Ed blinked in amused surprise as Ethan looked so much like a mini Stede, that for a moment he forgot they weren't actually related. "Sorry love, he's got to feed your sister."

"When will she be able to play with me?" Ethan pouted.

Ed chuckled, "Not for a few years. She's still a baby."

Ethan made a face. "She's so boring. Babies are boring. I thought it was going to be fun having a sister, but she can't even play with me."

Ed patted the boy's head gently, "She will be able to eventually. Patience Chook."

Ethan just sighed and turned his back to Ed.

"Night my boy," he kissed his sandy hair but received no reply.

Ed returned to where Stede sat with Hallie in his arms, on the couch. "You'll never guess the conversation I just had with that boy."

"Hmm?" Stede looked up at him.

"He's annoyed Hallie can't play with him."

"Oh, What a love. But really, he should have other kids his age to play with."

Ed sat next to him on the couch and stretched out his knee, wincing slightly as he felt the familiar pull. "Are you on that again?"

Stede frowned. "How would you feel being the only child on a boat out at sea for months on end. I mean, does he even remember the last time he stepped onto dry land? When was the last time, if ever, he spent time with another child."

"Well, maybe we can take him to some parks when we're in Barbados. Maybe he'll meet some kids there and have a play."

"What, so that he makes friends for a few days, only to not see them again for months?" Stede brushed a light finger through Hallie's dark hair as he spoke, his voice tinged with sadness.

Ed turned so he sat sideways on the couch, facing his husband. "I'm not sure what you want me to do here Stede. Do you want to abandon our boy?"

"No!" Stede's eyes widened at the thought.

"Do you want to retire and build a house on land and send him to a school?"

"Not really."

"Do you want to adopt another five kids and form a singing group called the Von Crap family singers?"

That earned him a small smile, "Of course not Ed."

"Well what do you want then?"

"I don't know." Stede sighed and shrugged, "I just want him to be happy."

Ed put a hand on Stede's knee, "Love, he is happy most of the time. This is just a phase he's going through. He's growing up, trying to understand some new emotions. Just give him some room to breathe."

"You're right of course you are."

The wardrobe door creaked open a touch but neither of them noticed, too caught up in each other.

"I'm always right, aren't I little princess?" Ed leaned in to tap a finger at Hallie's nose.

Hallie swung a hand out and grabbed a piece of Ed's hair which had been swinging dangerously close to her chubby little fist.

"Owww, Ta for daddy. Ta," he carefully pulled his hair out of her hand. "Stede, I love her so much."

"Me too," Stede whispered.

"I didn't know there was any more room in my heart to love anyone else this much."

"Babies tend to do that."

Ed turned a worried look to Stede, "What do we do if the doc says we can't keep her?"

"I can't think of any good reason why they would, She's gaining weight easily now she's getting regular feeds and she doesn't seem sickly, but we'll cross that bridge if it comes to it."

Silently, without being seen, Ethan closed the door and snuck back to his hammock, his heart dragging on the floor, along with his feet.

The next morning Ethan woke up and crept out of his room, intending to snuggle with his dads in their comfy bed like they used to. Looking over, his face fell as he saw them both still fast asleep with Hallie tucked neatly between them. He sighed and began to turn and drag his feet back to his hammock. As he turned he got his foot caught on the side of the small coffee table and he tripped. The table fell and the two brandy glasses that had been left there from last night smashed to the ground.

Stede awoke with a jump. "Who's there!"

Ed sat up quickly holding Hallie to his chest who had started wailing at being awoken so suddenly.

Muffled sobs came from the ground.

"Ethan?" Stede called out, confused.

"You go to him, I'll try and settle her, love."

Stede pushed out of bed and padded to where Ethan sat in the middle of smashed glass, crying. His eyes widened, "Oh Chook, what happened? Let me get the dustpan, don't move."

When Stede came back he noticed Ethan had a cut on his hand. Quickly he swept up the broken glass and tipped it into the bin. Scooping up a still sobbing Ethan he walked them to the bathroom. "Want to tell me what happened?"

Ethan wouldn't meet his eyes as Stede sat him on the vanity and wiped his face gently.

"Let's take a look at your hand then." He wet a cloth and dabbed the cut.

Ethan howled.

"Is there still glass in there my darling?"

Ethan nodded, sobs escaping his lips.

"Alright love, Time to pull out the tweezers."

Stede spent the next few minutes digging around in the cut, murmuring words of comfort when Ethan winced, and wiping the boys tears as they tracked down his cheeks. Ethan's sobbing slowly subsided as he began to calm his breathing and eventually the boy quietened, the occasional tear still escaping red eyes. Finally Stede pulled out a tiny but sharp piece of glass, "Got it!"

"Lemme see!" Through his red rimmed eyes and his hiccups Ethan pulled his Papa's hand towards him as he surveyed the bloody piece of glass. "Cool!"

"You didn't think it was that cool when I was digging it out of your hand." Stede arched an amused eyebrow as he dropped the offending item onto a rag. He turned back to where Ethan still sat on the vanity and wiped the cut with the wet cloth once again. He smiled gently at his son. "Now, Are you ready to tell me what happened?"

Ethan's excited face fell away as quickly as it had appeared and his breath hitched. "I just wanted a cuddle in your bed is all, like we used to," he mumbled.

"Is that why you were creeping through the cabin?" Stede pulled a roll of adhesive tape from the cupboard and some cotton wool. Ripping a piece of tape off with his teeth he tore a small piece of cotton wool, placing them both gently over the cut on Ethan's hand, and pressing a soft kiss to the bandage.

Ethan hesitated, then nodded.

"Sweetheart you never have to feel bad about wanting a cuddle. You're always welcome."

"No room," the boy mumbled quietly, not meeting his Papa's eyes.

"Of course there was room my love. There will always be room for you in our bed."

"She was in the way."

"Hallie?"

Ethan nodded again, his blonde hair falling into his face. "My foot got caught. I tripped and fell. And the glasses went smash!" Tears filled his eyes once more as he reached up to rub his face. "I'm sorry Papa!"

"Ethan darling don't be apologising for breaking glasses. They are easily replaced. You? Not so much." He drew the boy close to his chest and hugged him for a long time as Ethan settled in his arms. "Now let's go see if Daddy has managed to calm the little princess. Then we can all cuddle in bed together." He lifted Ethan into his arms, "Oof! You're getting big little man!" He pressed a kiss to the side of his head, "But never too big for cuddles in bed with his dads."

A/N
There's a little backstory to how Stede and Ed saved Ethan here. My headcannon is they heard of him being on a ship and treated poorly, and immediately set to rescue him. Which they did. And then they set fire to the ship. I may write this one day. I may not.
Also I attend the David Jenkins school of authenticity. Trains and The Sound of Music both exist in this universe.