Blue met brown as they locked eyes. Instantly, a look of sheer determination was replaced with shock as the man stumbled back. He stared at her with wide eyes as his sword clattered to the deck. "Ulma?"

"Hi Grandpa." She said, smiling sheepishly while sheathing her sword.

A wide grin spread on Captain Hook's face as he rushed forward, swooping her into a tight hug. "I can't believe it! Yer here, on the Isle!" He stepped back to look her over, the smile never leaving his face. "Look how much ye've grown! Yer a grown up lass now!

Ulma beamed at her Grandfather's praise. "Thank you and I can't believe it either. I've always wanted to meet you in person."

Her words fell on deaf ears as Captain Hook looked excitedly around the deck. "Where's the rest of yer family? Harry? Uma? Boys? If yer hid'n ye can come out now!"

The deck remained empty as the echo of his voice faded out. Captain Hook slowly turned to his granddaughter who was now fidgiting nervously with the hilt of her sword. "Ulma, where is everyone?"

She slowly turned away, looking back towards the mainland. "They're at home."

Captain Hook's eyes widened as he turned Ulma to face him. "Lass, look at me."

She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. "Are you mad at me?"

"No lass, I'm not angry with ye." He said, shaking his head. "I just don't understand. Why would ye run away from home? Why would ye come here alone? Didn't yer parents warn you how dangerous the Isle is?"

Ulma clenched her fists as her body shook. "I understand the risks I took coming here, but I'm tired of only knowing half of who I am." Tears pricked in her eyes as she met his gaze. "I know all about your side of the family but mom won't tell me anything about hers! I need answers. I need to talk to Grandma Ursula."

Captain Hook sighed as he punched the bridge of his nose. "Ulma, It's not safe for ye here. As much as I want ye to stay, we need to call yer parents and get ye home. The Isle is no place for a child."

Her eyes widened as she grabbed his hook, stopping him from leaving. "Grandpa please! Just let me stay tonight!"

"If yer parents find out not only will ye be in trouble but so will I! I only see all of ye once a month on the telly! Ulma,..." He took a deep breath, placing his hand over hers as they held tight to his hook. "our contact is limited as it is. I can't risk losing ye completely. Don't make this any harder than it already is lass."

Ulma let go of the hook and wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him tightly. "Mom thinks I'm sleeping at a friends house. She won't know I'm gone unless I don't come home tomorrow night. I don't want to get you in trouble but please, let me stay one night. You can take me to see Grandma Ursula, and then I'll go home. I promise. Please?"

Captain Hook sighed. "I don't know lass. Are ye sure she won't notice? What about yer dad?"

She slowly stepped back, her gaze focused on the deck. "He's on a six month training deployment for the navy. They won't be coming back to port for another month."

"He's going to miss yer birthday." He realised, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Third year in a row." Ulma laughed bitterly.

Captain Hook's face fell at her words. "I'm sorry lass."

She shrugged, walking over to lean against the side of the ship. "It doesn't matter grandpa, I'm used to it."

He shook his head as he walked over and draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "It does matter. Yer turning sixteen! I'd give anything to go back and make up for all those birthdays I missed with yer dad and aunts."

Captain Hook's words were met with silence as he stared down at his grandaughter. A dull ache pulled at his heart strings seeing her so sad. He had missed so many birthdays himself already, it wasn't fair.

Birthdays.... Suddenly, a smile spread across his face as an idea formed in his head. "Ulma," he began, "come with me. I want to show you something."

"What is it?" She asked, following him below deck. The walls were yellow with age but the designs carved in the wood were as beautiful as ever.

Captain Hook chuckled as he opened the door to a nearby room. "Ye'll see. Come on in."

Ulma followed him into the small room. Inside, a long work bench stood next to a pile of wood. On the wall hung a set of tools that appeared to attach to her grandpa's hook. "What is all this?"

"My workshop. After I quit drinking I needed something to distract myself, so I started whittling an old piece of drift wood." Captain Hook smiled. "Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with wood working. It not only distracted me from drinking, but gave me an outlet for my anger as well."

"That's wonderful grandpa, but what does that have to do with me?" Ulma asked.

He chuckled, pointing to the closet door behind her. "Look in there and you'll see."

Hesitantly, she walked over and opened the door. Inside, the closet was lined with shelves. Wooden figures of pirates, ships, fairies, mermaids, Indians, and little boys in what appeared to be animal costumes lined the shelves.

On the top shelf however, small boxes sat crudely wrapped in old, colorful, paper. "I don't understand, what does any of this have to do with me?" She asked.

Captain Hook reached up a plucked a box wrapped in red paper off the shelf. He smiled as he placed it in her hands. "It's a week early, but Happy Birthday Ulma."

She gasped, looking back at the shelf full of gifts. "So all those boxes....?"

"Are gifts for ye and yer brothers." He confirmed. "After we spoke to you for the first time, I found out yer birthdays from Jessica. I started making gifts for all of ye, Christmas and birthdays. There's more in CJ's old room too."

Ulma stared in awe as she looked between her grandpa and the gift in her hands. This man who they only knew threw a TV screen, who lived on an island prison for villians, and who knew he would never get to attend a family or holiday gathering, had gone through the trouble of making gifts for them anyway. "Grandpa why....I don't understand...." she stuttered.

"Ulma," Captain Hook spoke softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I may be an old villian, but I've always had a heart. I lost my way long ago, but seeing my wife and children happy, seeing my grandchildren grow up, it gave me a reason to let love back into my heart. It also gave me hope that one day, I would get to hold my grandchildren in my arms. I love you Ulma, very much."

She smiled pulling him into a  hug. "I love you too, Grandpa."

He gently pulled away from the hug and tapped the box in her hands. "Open it."

Ulma pulled off the paper and opened the small white box. Gingerly, she pulled out a small, wooden jewelry box, painted teal and decorated with pieces of sea glass and swirls that reminded her of fish hooks and tentacles.

Captain Hook watched as she examined the jewelry box carefully. "I know teal is more yer mum's color, but paint is hard to come by on the Isle and----"

She cut him off by pulling him into another hug. "It's beautiful grandpa, thank you. I love it."

"I'm glad." He replied, holding her close. "And maybe, ye can stay for just one night."

Ulma looked up and squealed in excitement. "Really!? Do you mean it!?"

"Yes lass," he chuckled softly. "I mean it. And in the morning, we'll go find Ursula. She's been desperate to see you kids."

"And I've been desperate to meet her. I guess we'll both be getting what we want." She giggled excitedly.

"Aye." Captain Hook nodded, leading her out of the workshop. "It's awful late now. Why don't ye take yer da's old room for tonight?"

He opened the door across the hall and flicked on the light. Inside, the room was bare except a small bed and a dresser. Clothes littered the floor as if a tornado had hit.

Captain Hook sighed. "Yer da' was never one for cleanliness or organization I'm afraid. Maybe you should take CJ or Harriet's room instead."

"No, that's okay." She replied, shaking her head. "I can handle it. Besides, now I know where the boys got it from."

"Alright, if ye insist." He relented, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Good night lass, evi-- er --sweet dreams."

Ulma shut the door behind him before taking in the mess around her. "Nothing like picking up sixteen year old dirty laundry before bed." She sighed, getting to work.

Finding an empty box in the closet, she filled in with the dirty clothes and put it in the corner before walking over to the dresser. On it was a collection of coins and seashells covered in a thick layer of dust.

But what caught her attention was the photos sticking out of the mirror. Brushing away the dust she saw one was a picture of her mom, dad, and Uncle Gil while the other was just of her mom and dad. In both pictures, they looked so happy just being together. They were just kids, surviving in a prison they didn't deserve to be locked in.

Ulma traced a finger over her father's image as a dull ache pulled at her heart. She missed him so much.
Turning away from the photos, she kicked off her boots and climbed into bed.

Ulma turned out the lights and settled in as the Jolly Rojer rocked gently beneath her, lulling her to sleep.

Author's Note

Another update! Yay! Also, who is excited for this Friday!? I'm so excited to hear this song! I have also heard the movie will premiere August 2nd! So close yet so far! Ugh!

                     -Meloetta246