Sails of Destiny

A New Beginning

The soft light of morning filtered through the small windows of the Jolly Roger, casting a warm glow across the ship. Killian stirred from sleep, careful not to wake Amira as he slipped out of bed. He had a plan for the day, one that had been weighing on his mind since they arrived in New York.

He needed to face the past.

The empty cabin had been left untouched for far too long, a relic of a life that no longer existed. It had been Milah's space once, but now it was time to clear it out, to make room for something new—something that would be filled with the future rather than the past. He wanted to transform the cabin into Liam's nursery, a place where their child would grow and feel safe.

With that thought in mind, Killian made his way to the cabin. As he entered, the air inside felt thick with memories. The room still held Milah's scent, her belongings strewn about as if she had only just left. But the time had come to pack them away. With careful hands, Killian began placing her things into a large treasure box—a fitting place for the mementos of a pirate's life.

The process was bittersweet, each item a reminder of the woman he had once loved. But as he packed Milah's things away, his heart felt lighter, as though the weight of the past was finally being lifted. This room wasn't just a space for memories anymore—it was about the future, about Liam, and about the life he and Amira were building together.

As Killian reached for the last few items, something new caught his eye.

A bag rested against the wall, one he hadn't noticed before. It looked out of place among Milah's old things, pristine and carefully tucked away. Curious, Killian walked over and gently picked it up. His eyes widened slightly as he saw the word "bridal" written on the front of the bag.

Amira's wedding dress.

A smile tugged at the corners of Killian's lips as the realization hit him. She had hidden her dress in this room, knowing full well he would never enter it. It was a clever move—Amira had always been one step ahead of him. But now, seeing the dress here, it reminded him just how close they were to their wedding day, and the life they had dreamed of together.

He ran his fingers over the fabric of the bag, a mix of admiration and amusement on his face. Amira had found her wedding dress, and she had kept it hidden away in a place that had once been filled with sorrow. But now, this room, this ship, and their lives were no longer haunted by the ghosts of the past.

It was time for new beginnings.

With a soft chuckle, Killian carefully placed the bridal bag back where he had found it, leaving it undisturbed. There would be plenty of time for surprises on their wedding day. For now, he turned his attention back to clearing the space, preparing the room for the most important addition to their lives—Liam.

Killian worked tirelessly in the cabin, clearing out the last remnants of Milah's past and making space for the future. Once he finished, he took a deep breath, stepping back to admire the room, now emptied of old memories. It was ready for Liam—ready for the new life that he and Amira were building together.

With that task done, Killian removed his prosthetic hand and replaced it with his hook. The weight of the metal felt familiar, grounding him as he stepped back into the role of Captain. There was still business to take care of, especially with Mr. Gold involved. He couldn't afford to be complacent.

After taking care of his affairs with Gold, things seemed to settle—at least for a while. But peace never lasted long.

The day the ship began moving unexpectedly, Amira was inside, resting after all the preparation for the wedding. When she felt the ship lurch, she immediately went on deck, her heart racing. There, standing with Emma, Henry, and Gold (who was clearly in pain), was a man she didn't recognize.