Captain Swan - Feels Like Home

Chapter 1

“Papa, did you hear the news about Henry?” Killian’s eleven-year-old daughter climbs up onto the kitchen stool, her long, dark hair falling around her shoulders. 

As he grabs the frying pan from the stove and transfers the scrambled eggs to a plate of buttered toast and sausage, he eyes her curiously. Whatever the news is, it can’t be too bad, considering there isn’t a hint of sadness or worry on her face. In fact, the way she looks at him with those big, sparkling blue eyes and an eagerness to keep his attention, reminds him so much of her mother, it makes his heart swell. And it doesn’t help that she wears her mother’s ruby red class ring around her finger.

Milah died of postpartum cardiomyopathy days after giving birth to Beatrice. Her condition had been misdiagnosed as a typical pregnancy in her third trimester. Symptoms such as frequent night-time urination, fatigue, shortness of breath even when lying down, low blood pressure, heart palpitations and swollen ankles had all been written off by her doctor. 

Killian was so angry and upset after he lost Milah, he threatened to sue the hospital and called her doctor a quack to his face. Luckily, his brother was there to talk some sense into him. Liam may be a stubborn arse at times, but he’s always been there for Killian. He’d been there to help Killian change his daughter’s diapers when he had no clue what he was doing; he was there to help him plan his wife’s funeral. He’d been there for Beatrice’s first steps and her first words and every other milestone she’s experienced. Of course, it helps that Liam lives here with them and is typically always available when needed. Still, Liam has never once turned his back on his brother or niece, and for that, Killian will be forever grateful.

“What news, Birdie?” he asks, placing the plate in front of her and planting a kiss on the top of her head as he runs a hand through her hair.

Beatrice grabs her fork and takes a bite of scrambled egg, mumbling her answer. “Henry found his mum.”

“How many times have I told you not to eat with your mouth full?” Killian grabs a small glass from the cupboard and fills it with orange juice, cocking a brow at her. “I wasn’t aware the mayor was missing.” 

She shakes her head as he sets the cup next to her plate. “No, his real mum.”

Normally, Killian would argue and say an adoptive mother is a real mum in just about every sense of the word, but they’re talking about Regina, who’s not exactly what he would consider mother of the year. Henry spends most of his time here at a funeral home—where there’s almost always a dead person in one room or the other—rather than at his own home, which says a lot. Killian fills his mug with fresh coffee. “Is that so?”

She cocks her head to the side and gives him a deadpan look. “Papa, would I lie to you?”

“Lie about what?” Liam’s deep voice booms through the kitchen as he enters with the newspaper under his arm and a mug in the other hand. “Morning, little love.” He drops a kiss to the crown of her head and nods at Killian. “Little brother.”