Chapter Text
The morning sun filtered through the lace curtains, casting a warm glow over the cozy kitchen. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as Stede sat at the table, absently stirring his tea, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Across from him, Izzy sipped his coffee in silence, watching him with a knowing gaze. The rhythmic clinking of Stede’s spoon against the porcelain cup was the only sound between them.
“You alright, Bonnet?” Izzy finally asked, breaking the silence.
Stede sighed heavily and placed the spoon down, rubbing his temples. “Alma starts kindergarten today.”
Izzy raised an eyebrow. “That’s good, ain’t it? Kid’s excited.”
“She’s more than excited, Izzy,” Stede muttered, glancing toward the living room where Alma was currently twirling in her brand-new backpack, chatting animatedly with Lucius and Pete, who had stopped by to see her off. “She’s thrilled. And Ed’s not here.”
Izzy set his mug down with a thud. “Ed’s always traveling for work. You know that.”
“I know,” Stede admitted. “But it just feels… monumental. And I know he’d want to be here. I know I’d want him to be here.”
Izzy leaned back in his chair, arms crossing over his chest. “He said he would video call before we leave.”
Stede nodded, but the worry didn’t quite leave his face. Just then, Alma came skipping into the kitchen, her curls bouncing with each step. “Papa Izzy, Dada, look! My lunchbox has a unicorn on it!”
“It’s absolutely dazzling, my darling,” Stede said, forcing a bright smile as he reached out to ruffle her hair. “You’re going to have the best day.”
“I can’t wait!” Alma beamed. “Is Daddy gonna call before I go?”
Stede hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Of course, sweetheart. He wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Izzy shot him a side glance but said nothing. Stede ignored it, pulling Alma into a hug. He had sent Ed a reminder text last night, and if there was one thing he knew about Ed, it was that he never broke a promise to Alma.
As if on cue, the phone rang, and Stede quickly answered. “Ed?”
“Hey, love,” Ed’s voice came through, a bit muffled but warm as ever. “Put our girl on. I will switch to video.”
With a triumphant smile, Stede handed the phone to Alma, who squealed in excitement. “Daddy! Guess what? I have a unicorn lunchbox!”
“I heard, peanut,” Ed chuckled. “That’s pretty amazing. You ready for your big day?”
“Yes! But I wish you were here,” she said with the blunt honesty of a five-year-old.
“I know, sweetheart,” Ed said softly. “But you’re gonna do amazing. And when I get back, you can tell me all about it, yeah?”
“Okay!” Alma chirped. “I love you, Daddy!”
“Love you too, peanut.”
Stede took the phone back, a silent understanding passing between him and Ed. “We’ll send pictures,” he murmured.
“You better,” Ed replied. “Love you. And you, Iz!”
“Love you too.”
“Fuck off.”
Alma giggled, "Uh oh, Papa Izzy. You said the word."
Stede smirked, shaking his head. "That’s going in the cursing jar."
Izzy groaned. "That bloody jar is robbing me blind."
Alma grinned. "That’s another one, Papa Izzy!" She held out her hand expectantly.
Izzy sighed, fishing a coin from his pocket and dropping it into her tiny palm. "This is extortion."
"It’s called accountability," Stede said, thoroughly amused, placing a kiss on Izzy's forehead as he walked over to the sink to wash out his mug.
After the call, Stede felt a little lighter. Alma was still bouncing with excitement, and Izzy, though gruff as ever, had a small smirk on his face.
“See? Told you it’d be fine,” Izzy muttered.
Stede exhaled, watching as Alma skipped toward the front door, ready to take on the world. “Yes, I suppose it will be."
The walk to school was filled with Alma’s excited chatter, her tiny hands swinging as she held onto Stede and Izzy’s hands. She pointed at everything—dogs, mailboxes, and even a particularly interesting crack in the sidewalk—her enthusiasm infectious.
"Dada, do you think my teacher will like my unicorn lunchbox?" Alma asked, hopping over a puddle.
"Of course, darling," Stede assured her with a smile. "It’s impossible not to."
"We’ll see," Izzy muttered, glancing around at the other parents gathering at the school gates.
When they reached the schoolyard, parents were clustered in small groups, whispering about their own first-day nerves. Stede spotted Alma’s teacher, Mrs. Hanover, standing by the classroom door, greeting children and parents with a carefully measured smile.
"Good morning! You must be Alma," Mrs. Hanover said, her gaze flickering over to Stede and Izzy. "And you are… her uncles?"
"Her fathers," Stede corrected gently. "I’m Stede Bonnet-Teach, and this is Izzy Hands. Her other dad, Edward, is currently traveling for work."
"Oh," Mrs. Hanover said, her smile tightening. "How… unique. Well, Alma, we’ll have to make sure you settle in." She paused, her gaze shifting to Izzy for a beat too long before returning to Stede. "We do like to encourage a traditional learning environment here."
Izzy narrowed his eyes slightly. "She’s ready to settle in just fine."
Mrs. Hanover gave a thin-lipped smile before clapping her hands together. "Alright, let’s get everyone inside. Parents, you may leave now."
Stede crouched to Alma’s level, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. "You have the best day, my love."
"And if anyone gives you trouble, just stare ‘em down like Papa taught you," Izzy added with a wink.
Alma giggled, leaning in to whisper, "Like the face you gave the lady?"
Izzy smirked. "Exactly like that."
Alma gave them both a big hug before running into the classroom, her unicorn lunchbox clutched proudly in her hand.
As they turned to leave, Stede sighed, his eyes lingering on the classroom door. "She’ll be fine, right?"
Izzy shot a glare back at Mrs. Hanover, who was still watching them from the doorway, her expression unreadable. "Yeah, but that teacher? She’s gonna be a problem."