Mary looked at Hallie in Stede's arms, the story not sounding any less absurd after hearing the story for a second time. "Well maybe Doug and I could take Hallie to a clinic, in the next town over?"

Stede's heart dropped. Since Hallie had come into their lives, she hadn't been away from them for more than an hour at a time. He frowned slightly, "That's a five hour trip, not including the appointment."

Doug sensed his reluctance, "Or maybe you and Mary should go? Pretend she's yours? Then you can ask the doc any questions you might have." He looked to Mary, "Probably better one of them goes with her, we know nothing about her." Swinging his eyes back to Stede he added, "There's still some of your old clothes in the cupboard in the spare room that you could wear."

Stede settled slightly, "I don't know if Ed would agree to that, I'll have to talk with him about it." He had a feeling Ed wouldn't be happy about it but at least they would be able to get her checked over.

Mary eyed the sleeping baby Stede held, "Can I hold her?" she asked shyly.

Stede paused, then nodded slowly, "Of course." He stood and carefully placed Hallie in Mary's arms. Sitting back down he rubbed his palms on his thighs nervously. "Actually, If you're alright with her, I might go and check on Ed. He was pretty ruffled."

Doug looked guilty, "I am sorry about that."

"Of course, It was just a misunderstanding. He'll be alright, I'm sure. It's just… It's been a rough day for him." Stede rose to his feet again and with one last glance back at Mary and Hallie, went to search for his husband.

He walked until he reached the big oak tree near the fence and turned slowly, surveying the huge property. Where was he? His eyes scanned the fence line with no luck. He slouched back against the huge tree trunk and closed his eyes, sighing heavily as he let his head fall back.

His quiet moment was interrupted as an acorn hit him right between the eyes.

"Ow!" He winced and opened one eye. Ed stared back at him perched high above him a small apology playing on his lips.

"There you are!" Stede smiled at him. "I was looking for you."

"Sorry love," Ed mumbled gruffly. 'Needed to get out of my head."

"I understand darling."

There was a pause.

"Do they think I'm crazy?" Ed asked matter-of-factly.

"No crazier than they already think me."

"So that's a yes then?"

Stede smiled. "I used to come out here to this tree when I lived here, it was my thinking tree."

Ed's eyebrows shot up in amusement, "Can't see you climbing trees."

"Oh I never climbed it, Just sat here against the trunk, something about it always being behind my back, strong and immovable, and it being as far away from the house while still being on the property."

"What about now?"

Stede frowned, "What?"

"Will you climb up here and sit with me?"

Stede took a breath, "I'm not sure I can my love. I'm not build for climbing trees."

"You weren't," Ed corrected, "But since then you've climbed all over a moving ship, surely a stationary tree isn't that intimidating."

Stede gulped as he realised Ed was right, of course. He gazed around him looking for his first move, and It took a few goes but at last he was sat on a branch just below Ed. He reached over and held his hand. "I never knew what the view was like from up here." He gazed out across the sea lovingly, "I think if I had done this sooner I would have left earlier."

Ed scoffed, "Love if you'd tried to climb this tree before you met me you would have fallen, I know you."

Stede smiled up at him, "You do."

Their conversation halted as Alma and Louis chased by Ethan appeared under the tree.

"So you just live on the boat?"

"Ship," Ethan corrected Alma, and Ed and Stede shared a grin.

"You live on the ship?" Alma persevered with her questioning.

"Yes with Papa and Daddy."

"Do you go to school?" Louis pressed on eagerly.

"Papa is teaching me my ABC's, And Daddy is teaching me music. Daddy said we're getting a Piano so I can learn to play."

"Sucks to be you," Alma made a face.

Stede rolled his eyes, He knew she had never liked the piano lessons he made her take.

"And Uncle Lucius is teaching me drawing, Uncle Buttons teaches me about animals, Uncle Frenchie shows me my numbers, and I learn Spanish from Titi Jim." This was a lot of words for Ethan and he was red faced and shuffled his feet awkwardly.

Stede looked up at Ed and smiled proudly.

"Sounds boring," Alma sulked, a jealous note in her voice.

"It's not, I love it," Ethan protested, "I help Uncle Roach in the kitchen too. "We make eggs."

"You don't MAKE eggs idiot, you cook them!"

Stede frowned, He knew that tone all too well. Alma could be a bossy know it all when she felt threatened, and he looked down as he heard a new voice.

"Ethan have you seen your Dads?" Mary appeared below them, with Hallie still in her arms.

Ethan looked at Mary in confusion.

"Have you seen Stede?"

"Papa?"

"Why do you call him Papa?" Alma frowned at him.

Ethan's voice shook with uncertainty, "Because he is my Papa, Ed is my Dad."

"But he's our Dad," Alma shot at Ethan crossly.

"He's my Papa!" Ethan jutted his chin out with a stubborn glare, his voice was strong, defiant.

Alma took a step towards Ethan and crossed her arms. "That's stupid. And Ed is weird."

"Alma!" Mary scolded, "Apologise to Ethan, right now! When I find your Dad…"

"My Dad is not weird! He's motherfucking Blackbeard!" Ethan yelled in Alma's face.

Stede's face went white and Ed swung down from the tree.

Mary squeaked and jumped in surprise as Alma and Ethan stood toe to toe, their angry red faces inches from each other. They didn't even register Ed's arrival.

"Ok Chook, let's take a step back," he wrapped his hand into his sons and pulled him away.

Ethan shrunk into his leg and Ed picked him up and tucked him into his side.

"Blackbeard?" Louis repeated as he looked at Ed.

Stede clamoured down the tree as Mary, Alma and Louis turned and stared at him with open mouths.

"Stede?" Mary's eyes shot from him to Ed, "Is that Blackbeard?"

Ed sighed and Stede nodded, a half apologetic smile on his lips.

Mary's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she shot Stede a piercing look. "You married Blackbeard? Your Ed is Edward Teach?"

"That's me. Edward Teach, born on a beach," Ed interjected, trying to lighten the mood.

"Were you really born on a beach?" Louis looked at him.

"Nah, but it rhymes and it's fun to say," he lowered his voice. "Don't tell anyone that," he tapped the side of his nose with a conspiring smile.

"Stede, Were you going to tell me that?" Mary rounded on him, her eyes flashing.

Stede faltered under her glare, "Well, uh… Thing is Mary, Ed doesn't really do the whole 'Blackbeard' thing much anymore."

"Unless I have to."

"Unless he has to," Stede repeats, "So I was really hoping to avoid you dealing with that. Unfortunately our son had other ideas," He glanced at Ethan who hid his face in Ed's neck.

Alma inched toward Ed, "Are you really Blackbeard?"

"Yes, But I'm really really just Ed."

"And did you really marry my Dad?"

"I really really did." He looks to Stede.

"Why?"

"Cos I really really really love him," he smiles at Stede and leans over to lock lips with him.

Alma and Louis squeal and giggle, "Ewww!"

"Alright you two, There's afternoon tea in the kitchen." Mary grins at them as they raced off before turning back to Stede, who had his arm around Ed, who still held Ethan on his hip. "Miss Hallie needs a nappy change."

Stede dragged his eyes away from Ed, "Oh!" he moved to reach for her.

Mary waved him away, "I know how to change a nappy, just wanted to check you were ok for me to be rifling through your stuff to find the spares?"

"It's fine. Thanks Mary. I think we just need to have a quick chat with Ethan, then I'll run your idea past Ed. We'll join you back in the house in a bit."

After reassuring Ethan they weren't cross with him, he just needed to watch his language, they sent him back into the house to join in the afternoon tea. Stede turned to Ed and explained Mary's idea of them posing as Hallie's parents and travelling to the next town over to take her to a doctor.

Ed chewed on his lip and frowned as he realised he would be away from Stede and Hallie for half a day. Stede took his hand. "I think it's the best chance we've got. No one knows us there, we can't be traced, plus there's less of a navy presence."

"Perhaps I could come with you, I could pretend to be your brother?" Ed looked hopeful.

Stede pressed a kiss to Ed's forehead, "Sweetness, You won't even miss us. You don't have to stay here. You can go back to the ship, go shop for the new piano, or you could take Ethan to get his new clothes and shoes."

Ed said nothing.

Stede turned him in his arms, threaded his fingers through the greying curls and began to re-braid Ed's hair. He knew this always had a way of calming the both of them. They stood in silence as Stede focussed on weaving the silver hair through his fingers, giving Ed time to breathe and think. Eventually he tapped Ed's shoulder and held his hand out for the ribbon Ed had tied around his wrist. As he finished the bow he whispered, "You know I love you."

Ed leaned back into his chest, "I know."

"Then what are you worried about?"

Ed let out his breath. "I just, I don't know how to explain it. But the thought of being without you, it scares me. I go a bit fucking crazy when you're not with me. I don't know if you've noticed," the sides of his lips quirked up slightly.

"Sweetheart don't think about me being away," He dipped his head and kissed Ed's neck, "Think how good it will be to be when we're all back together again."

Ed dropped his head back to rest it on Stede's shoulder.

"Is that an agreement?"

"I suppose so," he grunted. "Doesn't mean I like it."

"Of course not my darling," Stede soothed.

Ed suddenly turned in his arms and locked eyes with him seriously. "But if you and the little princess aren't back in my arms by nightfall, I will come looking for you. And I will fight anyone who gets in my fucking way."

They wandered back to the house, arms around each other, taking their time and enjoying some quiet time in each others company.

When they entered the kitchen they were pleased to see Ethan, Alma and Louis sat at the table, back to being friends again, wiping crumbs off their hands.

"Mum, can we go and play now?"

Mary gave her daughter a stern look. "Are you ready to play nicely?"

Alma sighed and rolled her eyes, "Yes mum."

Mary looked at her for a moment then nodded her head to the door, "Off you go."

The three kids raced away as Mary turned back to the teapot.

Ed watched them go with a small smile, then dropping his arm from Stede's shoulders, moved to where Mary was cradling Hallie in her arms and trying to make tea. He motioned to her.

"Give her here, I'll take her."

Mary gratefully deposited Hallie into Ed's waiting embrace, and shook her arms out.

Stede noticed this and grinned. "Not getting clucky for a third then?"

Mary glared at him good naturedly, "Absolutely not." She rounded on Doug and waved a teaspoon at him, "And don't you be going and getting any ideas either." She turned back to the kettle, "She's lovely to cuddle, for a while, and then I remember being pregnant, labour, the sleepless nights, the midnight feeds, the nappies…" She trailed off, "Ugh, no thanks. I think I'm done with that."

Doug approached Ed with some trepidation, "Listen, sorry about before. No hard feelings?" he held out a hand to Ed.

Ed changed Hallie to his other arm so he could shake it. "No harm done mate. I mean I bet you never thought you'd come home to your wife's ex-husband's husband making up a bottle for their baby in your kitchen?" He grinned at Doug, who seemed to relax somewhat. They looked at each other and a small bubble of laughter erupted from both of them.

Mary's voice broke through their awkward laughter, "Ed, How do you take your tea?"

Stede answered for him, "I'll make it, I know how he likes it." He knew Ed hated when people made a fuss over the amount of sugar he took and he caught Ed's eye who winked, gratefully.

When the tea was made Stede took it to Ed, who moved Hallie to his other arm to take the hot teacup. He took a quick sip and felt the hot liquid trickle down his throat spreading it comfort down his arms and making his fingertips tingle. After only a few sips, Hallie began to fuss and he quickly put the teacup down on the table in front of him so he could adjust her to sit upright, and cuddle her to his chest.

"Ed?"

Ed looked up and saw Mary's thoughtful face staring at him.

"Want to do something weird?"

Ed and Stede looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Mary and Doug stared at them.

"Sorry Mary, that phrase…"

"It's just something that…"

"I mean, it was one of the first things he…"

"We fucking traded clothes and then…"

"You should have seen it…"

"I think I fell in love then and there…"

Their words overlapped each other between laughs.

Mary shook her head in amusement, "You two were made for each other." Raising her eyes to Ed she motioned for him to follow her. "Come with me," she put her teacup down to join his, "I have an idea." She swept out of the room leaving Ed looking at Stede with confusion.

"Just go with it my love." He shrugged.

Doug sipped at his tea, "Just scream if she tries to cut your balls off or something crazy."

Ed's shocked eyes shot back to Stede, "He's joking right?"

Stede let out a nervous giggle, "Yes of course he is, Go on, go with Mary." He smiled at him as Ed, still coddling Hallie to his chest, followed after Mary with one last look over his shoulder.

Stede watched him go and when he was out of sight he sipped his tea and his eyes flicked to Doug, "You were kidding weren't you?"

Ed followed Mary into a small room, obviously once the nursery, where she was rummaging in a low drawer.

"Take your shirt off," her muffled voice demanded.

Ed's eyes widened, "Uh, not sure what Stede has told you about me, but uh, I'm not interested. I'm flattered, but not interested."

Mary stood up suddenly, placing her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing.

Ed rushed to clarify "No offence meant, I just…"

"I'm not trying to seduce you." She rolled her eyes as a smug smile played on her lips, "I'm quite satisfied with Doug thanks all the same."

"And that's more information about my husbands ex-wife's sex life than I ever needed to know," Ed mumbled as his lips quirked.

"Just trust me and get your shirt off."

Ed's forehead creased with a frown as he gently placed a now sleeping Hallie in the cot and quickly removed the shirt in one swift movement.

Mary's eyes traced appreciatively over his tattoos. "No wonder it didn't work between Stede and I, if this is his type"

"Well that and the fact that he's gay,"

"Well, yes that too."

Ed bunched the shirt in his hand and threw it over the back of the rocking chair that sat in the corner. His eyes lingered on the chair, wondering if Stede had ever sat in it, rocking his children to sleep. Moving his attention back to Mary he opened his arms wide. "Well? Now what?"

Mary had disappeared once more into the drawer. Finally she stood up, pulling out a long piece of golden fabric with tiny lilacs embroidered on it. "This is something Evelyn taught me how to do when Lou was little. He never liked to be put down, and it's very good for skin-to-skin contact." She gently picked Hallie up from the cot, stripped her out of her simple dress so she was left in only her nappy and bloomers, and held her to Ed. "Hold her to your chest, like she was before."

Ed did as he was told and stayed silent as she wrapped the fabric around his torso and over his shoulders, Hallie still sleeping against his chest.

Finally Mary was finished, tying a knot at Ed's lower back. She moved around to his front, testing the give of the fabric around the baby. "There, not too tight," she observed. "You can take your arms away now if you like, She should be perfectly safe."

Ed swallowed heavily as he finally realised the purpose of this whole thing. Gingerly he pulled one arm away, and then the other. Hallie was still hugged close to him, snugly held in place by the soft gold fabric Mary had wound around him. He turned amazed eyes to her, "Fuck off! How did you do that? You have to show me how to tie it!" He moved from side to side carefully, testing out the feeling.

Mary grinned, "I will, I'll even show you another way to tie it too, for later when she's a bit older and wants to face outwards."

"This is a fucking gamechanger love!" Ed felt a sudden rush of love for Mary who had turned and was pulling something out of a cupboard behind her. The peach satin fabric spilled over her hands as she offered it to him.

"We call it 'babywearing'," she smiled at him. "Put this on, can't have you galivanting around my house half naked can I?" She gave him a small smile as Ed slipped into the soft cool robe that floated ethereally around him. Suddenly his throat felt tight and his eyes prickled. He chewed his lip and swallowed heavily. "Uh, could you… could you give me a moment? Please?"

Mary's eyes flicked up to his wet ones with surprise, "Oh, uh, of course…" She backed towards the door, "Take as long as you need." She pulled the door to behind her.

Ed sniffed as a tear threatened to breach his eye. He looked up to the ceiling willing it away. Against his chest Hallie began to stir. His arms immediately moved to wrap around her and he lowered himself into the rocking chair. Leaning his head down and pressing a kiss to her head he rocked them back and forth with his foot. Hallie instantly settled and for a moment she appeared to smile. Ed rested his head back and closed his eyes, continuing to rock them and patting her back, humming softly.

"Beautiful," came Stede's soft voice from the doorway.

Ed didn't open his eyes, he just smiled and held out a hand to where he knew his husband stood.

Stede moved towards him and taking the outstretched hand in his own, brought it to his lips to kiss it gently. "Darling? Are you alright? Mary said she thought you were upset."

"Not upset, maybe a little overwhelmed," Ed finally opened his eyes and looked up into Stede's face. "Wasn't expecting to bond with my husband's ex over… what did she call it? Babywearing," he indicated down to where Hallie was drooling against his chest.

Stede smiled, "I forgot we used to do this with Lou. He was a clingy baby."

Ed sighed happily, "I'm never unwrapping her Stede."

"Well I'm afraid you'll have to my love," Stede chuckled, "For many reasons, not the least of which is that we've just made her an appointment with Dr Elliot tomorrow at midday."

Ed's face fell. "I am not over the fucking moon about being away from her, or you for that long."

"I know darling, but it's the only way," Stede leaned down and kissed Ed in the middle of his forehead.

"But I guess I now have some important stuff to do."

"Mmm? What have you got planned?"

"Well firstly, I'm going to buy a fucking rocking chair."

AN
Babywearing Ed is inspired by this gorgeous art on Twitter by JiskeChristine
/JiskeChristine/status/1626248188528058370/photo/1