AN: I randomly thought of this while basically sobbing, so, sorry if it sucks.
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything but Felicity Thatch and Caitlin Forsman.
..............
Nassau — 1696
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Ed Thatch, a well known and feared pirate across the West Indies sea, was sitting at a tavern, gulping down a tankard of red liquid. His dark gaze traveled throughout the place. The sun was scorching hot that day, making it so he had not been doing much but drinking.
So far, Ed had three tankards full of rum, about to go onto his fourth. That is, until he saw a young child run up the steps of the tavern, looking with big eyes, a woman close behind.
"Get me another tankard full of rum, aye," Ed grumbled, with a gravely voice, to a barmaid. She nodded and went to go fill up the tankard.
"Edward Thatch," the woman that came in with the child greeted flatly. "Caitlin Forsman," he replied with the same tone. "Who's this?" Ed signaled to the child beside Caitlin. She scoffed. "As usual – ye were too drunk to remember!" Caitlin's cold, blue eyes glared at Ed as she hissed, "This is Felicity, our daughter."
Daughter?
Ed didn't remember having a daughter—
"Lemme guess: Ye ain't a clue if she is yer kid it not? Well, by all means, take 'er and find out yerself!"
"I don't even know 'er age, Caitlin, let alone anythin' about 'er!" Ed snapped. The child beside Caitlin stayed quiet, looking at her parents with bright green eyes – much more beautiful than her own mum's.
Caitlin looked at the little girl and nudged her slightly. "Don't be shy, Felicity! He ain't gonna hurt yer sorry arse!" She snapped. Felicity, as she seemed to be used to this, began to speak. Her voice was sweet, much to the opposite of her parents. "H-Hello," she spoke softly. She was a shy one, as Ed could tell. Adorable, as well.
"She's Felicity Thatch," Caitlin began, not giving Ed a chance to speak himself, "she's four years old. She ain't able to be kept 'ere with me, 'cause I'm goin' to bloody Havana. So either ye take 'er and get to know 'er yerself, or she'll be dead by time ye think it through."
Ed regretted having a child – with the cold hearted witch, Caitlin, at least. He sighed, forgetting about the tankard of rum in front of his form (in which he forgot about himself ordering another). He looked down at Felicity, smiling as soft as he could. "So, Felicity, how do ye feel 'bout goin' on yer ol' man's ship? Becomin' a pirate?"
The four year olds eyes twinkled with delight as she spoke. "You mean I can really go on a pirate ship?!" She almost began to jump up and down from excitement. Ed nodded and picked up the little girl. Caitlin, now being a third wheel, spoke: "Take care of 'er or ye'll wish yer arse that ye 'ave!" With that, she stomped off, drawing attention from everyone.
Felicity looked at Ed, curiosity peeking at her eyes. He stared back at her before peeling his eyes towards the docks. He huffed then looked back towards his daughter. "How 'bout we climb onto my ship, aye?"
Felicity grinned and nodded vigorously, a chuckle resulting from Ed. He set her on the ground and got up, then began to walk to the place where his ship was, Felicity following – her small hand in his much larger ones, so she didn't get lost.
♦———————♦
Felicity looked up at the ship with wide eyes, resulting a hearty chuckle from her father. "I take it that ye' like the ship, aye, lil' one?" Ed asked, adding a rusty laugh to the end of his sentence. Felicity looked up to the man with eager eyes. "Can we go on the ship? Please?" She applied emphasis on 'please' as she tugged on his arm slightly.
Ed nodded his head as he picked her up and began to walk to the ship. Felicity was sure to jump out of his arms and look around, but Ed kept his arms around the little girl so she didn't have the urge.
Ed knew that he would love the girl to death – that the two of them would grow close as she grew older.
"Ooh," Felicity murmured, her curious gaze flickering from the ships mast, to the crew, and to the wheel at the helm. Edward noticed this, putting her on the wooden deck. "Don't go runnin' off the ship, now, Felicity. I don't need ya dead," he muttered. The green eyed girl took it as she could go to the helm and play with the wheel.
Felicity ran up the wooden stairs of the Queen Anne's Revenge, stopping at the wheel. To her, the wheel looked magic – but, she was only a kid to not know anything better. Giggling, her little hands reached up to grip onto the wheel. Ed noticed, and he hurried over.
"What do ya think yer doin', lass," He laughed, whole heartily. Felicity squeaked as she noticed her fathers presence, letting go of the wheel. Her face reddened. "I... uh... I—"
"Do ya wanna go f'r a ride, Felicity?" Ed's voice rang in the girls ears before she quickly nodded. "Yeah! Yeah!" She jumped up and down in place, her black hair bouncing.
Ed smiled then shouted to the crew: "Bring 'er to half sail! We're headin' to sea!"
Felicity squealed in excitement, for her adventure had just begun.
