Where We Belong

Just Fishin'

I'm lost in her there holdin' that pink rod and reel

She's doin' almost everything but sittin' still

Talkin' 'bout her ballet shoes, training wheels,

And her kittens

And she thinks we're just fishin'

By: Trace Adkins

As soon as they arrived at the docks, Killian started to feel Anna Elizabeth squirm on his back because she wanted to put down. Killian does so, but quickly took hold of Anna Elizabeth's hand; he knew that if he didn't, she'd take off running where she could easily get hurt. Despite the light grip on her hand, however, Anna Elizabeth was still trying to run, so Killian bent down on her level and gently told her to calm down just like he had this morning. Anna Elizabeth was easily excited – even though he knew they didn't do it purposefully, Killian swore his brother and sister-in-law marked the child by her first name being Anna.

Anna Elizabeth then looked up at him with those big blue eyes, smiled, nodded her head, and said, "Ok, Uncle Killian." Killian then got back on his feet, and they walked hand in hand toward Liam's boat.

When they got to the boat, Anna Elizabeth took her hand from Killian's and turned toward him with outstretched arms. Killian picked her up and placed her in the boat – his independent niece had learned her lesson the last time they had gone fishing a couple months ago. Killian only had his back turned for a second before he reached to grab Anna Elizabeth when she had fallen on her arm trying to climb into the boat herself. Thankfully, her arm only had small scrapes and a bruise – but it still scared Killian half to death.

The memory didn't last too long as he heard a huff – he then saw Anna Elizabeth fumbling with her green and pink life jacket. She still hadn't quite figured out how to fasten it, so he sat on one of the chairs and said, "Come here, Anna Elizabeth. Let me do that."

As Killian was fastening the life jacket, Anna Elizabeth asked, "Uncle Killian, how come you don't wear a life jacket?"

"Well, love," Killian began, "you're a little girl," but the little blonde interrupted him as she said, "I'm four. I'm a big girl now," as she held up four fingers.

"Oh, that's right. How could I forget? But you still haven't learned to swim, and I want you to be safe. Do you understand, love?" Killian told her, as he ran his fingers through her curls.

Anna Elizabeth nodded her head, so Killian said, "Alright then, shall we go catch some fish?"

Anna Elizabeth answered by skipping over to the spot beside the driver's seat. Killian maneuvered past her, took a seat, and started the boat. He could easily drive the boat with one hand, so he placed the other one around his niece as they made their way to their favorite fishing spot.

Upon arriving at their favorite spot, a section of the water surrounded by trees that had a small sandbar, Killian put the boat in park and went to fetch he and Anna Elizabeth's fishing poles. His niece's attention was fixed on him as he finally managed to untangle the fishing line from the pink, princess themed pole. He then placed the lure and bobber on the end and cast it out.

"Here you go, love," he said as he handed the pole to Anna Elizabeth. He watched as Anna Elizabeth settled in a seat and cast her gaze out toward the water – Killian was still amazed that this was the only activity where Anna Elizabeth remained still and calm. Well, she would be unless she thought she had caught a fish.

As Killian was untangling the line from his own pole, memories flooded his mind of all the things he, Belle, and Liam did with their parents as children – fishing, camping, riding bikes, and countless other activities. He also remembered how they were always laughing, and how Liam tried his best to still make those memories for them after their parents were gone. His mind then wandered to a conversation he and his brother had shortly after Elsa found out they were having a baby girl.