Chapter Two
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to Disney or the Greek Myths.
Holy cats! I can't believe it's only been one chapter and we're already at 18 reviews! Thank you all so much for your support here! It means the world to me to see you guys enjoying this story, even if it's just the first chapter.
AmethystDragon14: Yay! I'm so happy you're excited for it! And agreed, Claudine deserves so much more than to have Frollo as her father so yay for Mollie!
Guest: Well I mean…Sparrow's probably not on the Isle because they haven't caught him yet. But yeah, the Fates had worse in store for them.
Never Say Never: I'm not going to lie, I like this idea! Plus it takes pressure off of Persephone to be the only one bringing aid to the Isle.
Katie2001: I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Katt Kiki: Oh thank you! So glad you enjoyed the chapter!
LotusQuil: Oh I'm so glad! Agreed, there are definitely dozens of possibilities here! It'll be interesting to see where it all goes.
Hufflepuff24: Well…a lot of things could end up being different.
Hufflepuffgirl95: Oh I'm so glad! Thank you!
MarvelGirl2005: It's entirely possible, I won't lie! :D
61394: On that I think we can all agree!
SnowWhite45: Oh I'm so glad! yeah, here Hook has a bit of a heart.
MarcusEmrys: Oh thank you! Yeah, Hook having a heart is always a good look. And Bones is just a crew mate :D
Monkeymama1516: Oh thank you so much!
jedblack1997: I guess that just goes to show how grief can change a person especially when there's no tools for him to go through that grief.
Guest: Well, technically Davy Jones delivers the souls of those lost at sea. Since the pirates on the Isle haven't died at sea, they might get classified as under Hades' domain.
Gigi18: Yes, yes he is! :D
twilightgirl587: Nope, Claudine's younger than Freddy :D And yeah, Hook's being civil though I don't think Hook would be cruel enough to be mean to someone who'd just lost their captain. Hope you enjoy! :D
zarah: Oh thank you! Hope you enjoy! :D
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Hook sighed as he waited for his wife to arrive to the fish shop. He'd sent Mullins on to accompany her, just in case they were stopped along the way. It wasn't likely that would be the case but Hook would rather err on the side of caution.
Just because their home was in their territory didn't mean there weren't enemies lurking about. Besides, if Frollo was on his way to The Rose, then there was a chance he might run into Milah.
Milah's able to use a sword but with her condition, I'd rather not risk it, Hook thought as Milah came to the door. Though, much to his surprise, so did Hades.
"Captainess Hook," Hades said, holding the door for her while smirking as Mullins ran the other way upon seeing the God. Hades was probably the only being on the Isle who could get away with slight Boreadon behaviors since he was one of the most powerful beings on the Isle.
In all honesty, he was probably more powerful than the Dragon. He just didn't want to rule.
"Appreciated Lord Hades," Milah nodded, giving him a small smile as they walked into the fish shop.
Oh sure when Hades opens the door for you, it's a smile but when I do it, I get a three hour lecture about how you're still capable of doing things even though you're pregnant, Hook thought with a small internal shake of his head.
"James? What's going on?" Milah asked, pulling Hook's attention back to the task at hand. "Mullins said you needed to talk to me?"
"Yes I do," Hook nodded as he came around the counter and gently steered Milah into the back. "Actually, I'd like to talk to you both so it's rather good timing of Hades."
Hades shrugged. "I was on a walk, saw Captainess Hook making her way to your shop and curiosity struck me since I wouldn't think she'd be out this close to the end of her pregnancy. But the only thing I could think that might impact both myself and Captainess Hook would be if Poseidon got thrown on the Isle…he's not actually on the Isle is he?"
"No, no, not that I know of. And I'm sure it'd be all over the Isle if another God was here. Milah, sit down," Hook insisted, guiding his wife to the lone chair in the room.
"Then what is going on Hook? I don't have all day you know, I have an Underworld to keep running," Hades said.
"James, honestly, you're acting like I'll have the baby now if I stand for more than a minute," Milah shook her head but sat down. It wouldn't do to squabble in front of Hades after all.
Hook sighed. " A…situation has come up that could put us in a very tricky position. Mollie Smee came to see me earlier…apparently Jessica was pregnant and…well she's now died in childbirth," he said, looking at Milah and trying to be as gentle as possible.
Milah gasped as she looked at Hook. "How terrible, we'll have to provide support to the crew especially Mollie since she'll be looked to be Captain of The Rose now…wait…James, weren't you one of the last known partners of Jessica?"
"That's exactly why Mollie came to me," Hook said with a small sigh. "It's a slim chance true but…the other option for the babe's father is Frollo. And though the babe's a girl and likely not valuable to him…no one really wants to think about that maniac procreating more than he already has."
Hades shook his head. "Okay so it's clear that you should raise the kid Hook. Well, if the Captainess is on board that is. I've seen what happens when jealous spouses get involved, though I won't say Zeus didn't deserve it. But I don't exactly see what this has to do with me."
"Because I trust Frollo about as much as I trust Pan, Hades. Mollie has already said that she'll lie if Frollo comes to her ship and that she'd tell him the child was stillborn but there's always a chance that he'll push the issue. I…I have to ask…if you would be willing to house Milah, the babe, and even Mollie if Smee gives the okay. Just until I'm sure Frollo's not going to cause trouble."
"What? James, you can't honestly be treating me like an Auradon woman who can't even defend herself! I can handle a frail old man like Frollo if he dares-!"
"You might be able to but our son won't be able to defend himself yet Milah," Hook said, resting his hand on Milah's stomach. "Not to mention the babe and Mollie. You know Frollo's reputation after all. If he feels like something belongs to him, he'll burn the Isle to the ground to get it. I can take him on with my crew but I'm not putting you two, Jessica's lass, or my First Mate's family on the line."
"…you hate Smee though."
Hook sighed. "With what little he did to truly deserve the Isle, apparently the Darling brat spoke up for him when he was sentenced. Smee was given a choice between life on the Isle or living in Auradon."
"He picked the Isle?" Hades asked.
"Mollie was apparently given the same choice," Hook said. "She opted for loyalty to Jessica since the sea had not yet taken her and that's how long a First Mate serves. Until the captain dismisses you or until the sea takes you. And Smee wasn't going to be separated from his wife after all. So while Smee might annoy me…I won't lie and say that level of loyalty doesn't impress me somewhat."
Hades shook his head. "I feel we've gotten off topic here so let's steer this back on course. While I'd never actually agree to this without talking to Persephone, time's not on our side here. And I'm not judging a baby's soul if I can help it. Hook…for the sake of the innocents involved in this mess…I'll do it."
Hook sighed slightly in relief. "Appreciated Hades."
Milah sighed, resting a hand on her stomach and smiling slightly as she felt a small kick. She didn't like this, she was no damsel after all. But…for the sake of the baby…plus for Mollie and her daughter's sake…William would be devastated if anything happened to either of them.
"…did Mollie say if Jessica's burial had happened already?" Milah asked, her voice soft.
"No, she didn't," Hook shook his head. "I think she was more focused on getting the lass to safety."
Milah had to smile slightly at the look of slight surprise on her husband's face, as if he'd been expecting more of an argument from her. Truthfully had it not been for their child, she would have. But she wanted the baby to be born after all.
"Keep me updated," Hades said.
"Of course Lord Hades," Milah nodded.
"Again, this is appreciated Hades," Hook said, his voice low.
Hades shook his head. "As I said Hook, it's not purely for you, but…you're one of the few villains on the Isle I can tolerate. And the kids of the Isle have done nothing to deserve being here. As I said, I'd rather not judge another child's soul."
"Where is she? Jessica's daughter?" Milah asked.
"Mollie's got her for the night," Hook said. "She said she'd keep her until I had the chance to talk to you. I didn't want to come home and have you see me with a babe in my hook. You don't deserve that sprung on you."
Milah nodded, giving him a small smile. "We should go see her…or at least go and see Mollie. No doubt The Rose is in an upheaval that she'd have to control and keep an eye for Frollo…"
"I had Bones walk Mollie home so if you think it's best, that would be where we start," Hook nodded. "Plus then I can talk to Smee about possibly sending Mollie to the Underworld with you for her protection."
"Sounds good…let me know when you want to leave and we can head over," Milah said as she sat back down and leaned back slightly in her chair.
"I must give you credit, Captainess, you're taking this very well," Hades said softly.
"Appreciated Lord Hades," Milah said with a small sigh. "I suppose it would be different if I wasn't pregnant but right now, I can't fault James for having a partner before we got together…and it's certainly not the babe's fault. And…like James said, no one wants to think of Frollo having more kids when there's another option."
Hades nodded. "That is true. And just between you and me, Captainess, it will be nice to have some company around the Underworld that's not Pain or Panic."
"My lips are sealed," Milah chuckled.
Hades shook his head. "Well, like I said, keep me updated. I'll make sure rooms are available either way."
"We'll be sure to keep you updated Hades," Hook nodded. "Milah? Shall we go?"
"I think we shall, James."
Hook smiled as he helped her up. "You're not upset?"
"What? That you're taking responsibility as a father and not just leaving your child to wander the streets?" Milah asked as Hades left. "You've already punished one of your crew for doing that, that poor tavern wench. At least she's doing what she has to to keep her son alive and we'll be able to help her right James?"
"Of course," Hook nodded. He'd already gone to see the lass after he found out that one of his crew wasn't stepping up as a father. "She's named the lad you know. He's survived long enough that she figured it'd be necessary."
"Oh? What's his name?"
"Henry apparently. Not exactly a name that strikes fear into sailors but not a horrible name either."
Milah chuckled. "But anyway. Maybe I'd have a different reaction to your news if I wasn't pregnant but James, you and Jessica happened before we did. And even if it didn't, if you had cheated on me, the babe's got no fault in it. Besides…I can't exactly pass judgement. After all, I left my first husband for you."
She sighed and shook her head. "But no matter what, the babe should be with people who'll tell her about her mother. The truth and not whatever lies Frollo would force down the babe's throat," she continued. "And…and I think it might be a good idea if we have a name for the babe, we can't just keep calling her that. I don't know if you have a name you want to use, but if not…we could name her Jessica?"
Hook stared at her. "You. Are. Amazing," he said, looking as if he'd have kissed her if they were in the privacy of their own home.
Milah smiled and kissed Hook on the cheek. "You're the one taking in a child who might not even be yours. I think you're the amazing one," she whispered.
"Slim chance or not, there is still a chance that she is. And even if she's not my daughter, she's still a pirate's daughter and should be raised as such. You and I both know we shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking Frollo would acknowledge it."
"Of course not, and if he does it would only be because someone told him Jessica had a child," Milah nodded. "Come on, we should go. Mollie won't be able to stay at her home much longer if The Rose needs her."
"Aye," Hook nodded. "Let's be off."
They headed out, Hook barking out an order to a nearby crew member to man the counter as they left, making their way in the direction of the Smee home. Hook made sure to keep a hand on his sword just in case there was a potential ambush. It may have not even been a day yet but someone would have likely told Frollo by now.
From what Hook had heard, not all of the crew were as loyal to Jessica as Mollie was, and Frollo's cult could have been out by now, trying to determine where the child was and if she was worth getting a hold of.
Luckily, there was no ambush or even inquiry from Frollo's cult—though that might have been because of Hades walking in the same direction as them even though the Underworld was in the opposite direction of the Smee home.
He kept his distance of course, so no one would think that he was walking with them but he was close enough to ward off an ambush.
Thanks Hades, Hook thought the words he'd never say out loud. I know you're likely doing it for my son rather than for me but still, it's appreciated.
"Mollie? Smee?" Hook called as they arrived at the Smee home, quickly knocking on the front door.
"Captain?" Smee called.
"Oh good, you're here," Hook nodded.
"Can we come in? Is Mollie back yet?" Milah asked.
"Come in, come in," Smee said, stepping back from the door to let them in. "Mollie's just getting the babe down to sleep before going back to The Rose. The little gem's not been trouble at all and Sammy adores her. But what can I help you with Captain? Captainess?"
"There's something we need to discuss with you and Mollie. The lass may be a gem but she also creates some complications or rather…the other possibility for the other half of her blood does."
"You mean Frollo? I…I hope you don't mind cap'n but Mollie informed me of everything that happened. Begging your pardon for bee saying so but I don't think she's Frollo's. A child of Frollo wouldn't be as good as the gem has been."
Milah shook her head. "Don't worry about speaking your mind William. I'm not going to fly off the handle at something that happened before I even came into the picture. If she is James', she's better off."
"You're only speaking what we all want to think Smee, but the fact remains that for whatever reason Jessica did have a parley with Frollo. Which means some of his sea slug brained cult that got converted from Jessica's crew will tell him that it's possible the lass is his. After all, Mollie might have been able to hide Jessica's pregnancy but childbirth is fairly obvious even for the idiotic. Which Frollo is not unfortunately," Hook sighed.
"I got the babe out of there as fast as I could, no one else knew Jessica…that she'd gone into labor," Mollie said as she walked out into the main room. "I only told one other person I was leaving the ship just so there wasn't a mutiny."
"Wait…Mollie dear, are you saying you delivered the babe? Why not call one of the Tremaines?"
"William, dear, there wasn't time," Mollie sighed. "Jessica's birth was so quick that the babe would have arrived before they came. And do you honestly think they'd step foot on a pirate ship? The only problem was…there was too much blood…there…there was nothing I could do…"
Smee wrapped his arm around his wife, rubbing her back in comfort.
Mollie shook her head. "If protecting her daughter is the last thing I can do for her, then I'll do it. I don't know why she got into a parley with Frollo of all people but it's not up to me to question my captain. But if Frollo thinks he'll be able to twist up that sweet girl and deny her her heritage…well he's got another thing coming."
Hook nodded, his eyes glinting with slight rage at the thought of Frollo anywhere near his daughter. No matter the possibility that the lass was Frollo's, it didn't matter.
"Mollie…we want to name the babe," Milah said, her voice soft. "We want to name her Jessica. She should have a connection to her mother after all."
Mollie smiled, a tinge of sadness evident in her eyes. "I think that's a wonderful idea Captainess. Jessica would be honored to have her child share her name."
"And…in honor of the woman who's shown Jessica unwavering loyalty even in death, I think it's only right that her middle name be Mollie," Hook added.
Milah gave her husband a loving smile as Mollie gasped. "Captain…Captainess, I'm honored. You don't have to…I'd have thought that you'd choose Rose or something else connected—."
"Mollie, you were Jessica's First Mate. There is no one more connected to her than you," Milah told her. "Plus I think we can all agree that you saved that little girl's life, acting as quickly as you did. We can all agree that a life with Frollo would have been a kin to torture for her."
"Speaking of that fanatic, that's why we're here actually," Hook spoke up and sighed before looking at Smee. "Smee, I think you'll agree that Frollo will stop by The Rose if he gets word that Jessica gave birth. Mollie already told me that she'd lie and say the babe was stillborn but in case Frollo finds out it was a lie…I want to send her and Milah along with Sammy and Jessica to the Underworld with Hades. At least until Milah's given birth and has recovered."
"Captain?"
"Girl or not, we know Frollo's reputation. If he comes to the belief that Jessica's his, even for the sake of his pride, he'll burn the Isle down to get her. I want Milah, Mollie, Sammy, and little Jessica out of the firing line," Hook said firmly. "Not to mention my unborn son. Frollo won't care about him, he'll put all the babes into the line of fire to get back at us for him believing a lie."
"Cap'n…while I agree with the idea, as sad as it'd make me…have you spoken to Lord Hades about this?" Smee asked, his eyes slightly wide. "I don't imagine he's the type to let our wives and children just walk into the Underworld and pick a room."
"Of course he did Smee, Lord Hades was in the room when James told me about Jessica," Milah said. "And trust me, if I wasn't with child, I'd be fighting this a lot more but I can't put my child at risk. I won't put my child at risk. And Mollie, I know you feel the same."
Mollie nodded. "She's right William. If…if anything happened to Sammy, I'd…I'd never forgive myself."
"It won't be forever," Hook said. "And likely Hades will let us stay with them if we want or at least visit. But for the next couple of months, I'd rather our wives be safe."
"Agreed, cap'n," Smee nodded.
"What you need to be focused on right now is Jessica's funeral," Milah told them. "I'll stay here with the babes."
"Milah—."
"James, you're a captain. You can't skip a fellow captain's funeral. Mollie's lack of attendance would raise red flags especially since she'll be the next captain of The Rose and Smee would always be by his wife's side," Milah said. "I've got an excuse, no one would expect me to be on my feet this close to the end of my pregnancy and…I should get a chance to bond with my new daughter."
Hook nodded. "Alright love. But be careful alright? The lass needs her mother and I don't want you going anywhere."
"I'll be fine James. Now go," Milah said, shaking her head as Hook, Smee, and Mollie walked out of the house. "Oh wait! Is there anything I could use for feeding if she wakes up?"
"Lady Persephone brought us over some formula in case Sammy doesn't latch for her feelings," Mollie said. "Oh! I can't believe I almost for—."
"Mollie, I can watch two babies," Milah said. "Gives me good practice for when my little one arrives."
"Are you sure?"
"Mollie, it's fine. Now go."
Milah shook her head once more as she soon became the only adult in the Smee house. "Honestly, you'd think I was made of glass or something," she muttered as she went to go see the newest Hook.
She smiled as she saw the red blanketed bundle, wisps of brown hair visible.
Hello little one, Milah thought as she picked up Jessica, the little girl already awake and staring at her. You don't know it yet but you're about to have more family than you know what to do with soon. Your siblings on their way and you'll have a playmate in young Sammy. And…and hopefully the Isle doesn't make it so this siblings your only sibling.
"I…I may not be your mother Jessica but…I hope I can be your mama," Milah whispered.
Young Jessica cooed. She didn't know why but she felt safe in the arms of this woman, just like she did with the other woman who brought her here. She didn't want to leave.
Hopefully, she never would.