Title: Our Future is Now
Author: Steph aka CaptainSwanLuver
Rating: G
Pairing: Killian/Emma
Characters: Killian, Emma, their children
Category: Romance/Humor
Disclaimer: I do this out of a love for this couple. No infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Nope.
Summary: Killian proposes to Emma, but before she can answer, they are sucked into a portal and transported ten years into the future where they encounter their children and future selves.
Note: I know OUAT is not supposed to be taking place in 2016, but let's pretend it is for this story. This was intended as a one-shot but it got too long, so I made it into two parts. Hope you enjoy it! ~Steph
...Our Future is Now: Part 1/2...
Outside of Granny's, Emma stared down at the man she loved, her mouth wide with shock. Killian was on bended knee, his hand holding an open velvet box with a beautiful diamond ring.
"Emma, my life changed for the better the moment you walked into it. I can't imagine my life without you. You make me so happy. I want to spend everyday making you as happy as you make me. I love you so much. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Tears streamed down Emma's face, as she nodded enthusiastically. She opened her mouth to say yes, but just as she did, the earth beneath them trembled. A moment later, a portal opened up right below them. Killian and Emma fell through the portal. The ground closed up behind them as if nothing had happened.
Killian and Emma fell through the sky and landed on the ground with a thud. They were stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered. Killian reached out to touch Emma's shoulder.
"Are you okay, love?" he asked.
"Yeah, fine. Are you?"
He nodded with a lopsided grin. "I've had worse landings."
Emma managed a weak smile, as they both slowly stood up and dusted themselves off. It was then that they noticed where they were. They were standing in the middle of Main Street in Storybrooke, not far from where they had been standing a few moments ago.
"What in bloody hell?"
"Did we just go through a portal and end up in the same place we just were?"
Killian shook his head. "Something is amiss. Perhaps it's the same place, but a different time."
"Like when we ended up in the past in the Enchanted Forest."
"Precisely."
Emma sighed as she glanced around at the shops. "Only one way to find out."
She walked to the sidewalk, Killian following closely behind. She continued a few feet, stopping at a newspaper dispenser. She tapped the glass, her eyes widening.
"Oh my God. Look at the date."
Killian bent forward and peered through the glass. "Bloody hell."
The date read: May 12, 2026. Ten years in the future.
They turned to each other and said in unison: "We've been sent to the future."
Emma shook her head in disbelief. "I don't understand. How did this happen? Why?"
"Well, love, someone must have opened a portal and sent us here for some reason."
"But ten years in the future? I didn't even think that was possible."
Killian waved his hook. "Well, what about that movie you made me watch on Netflix? The one with the wizard and the mad scientist."
Emma rolled her eyes. "I told you. Marty McFly is not a wizard."
"Aye, but he does travel to the future."
"Yes, to help his future-..."
Just then, Emma was cut off by two children rounding the corner of the building and slamming directly into both of them. The dark haired boy and blonde girl tumbled backwards onto the ground.
Emma and Killian exchanged a look as she finished her sentence, "...children."
The little boy, who was about eight, and his sister, who was about six, stared up at Emma and Killian, their brows furrowed in confusion.
"Mom?" the boy said.
"Dad?" the girl asked.
Killian and Emma looked at each other.
"You don't think they're-..." he said softly.
"Our future children?" she whispered.
"That's impossible, right?" Killian said under his breath, as he eyed the two of them.
Emma did the same. It was hard to deny the resemblance they bore to Emma and Killian. It was like looking at mini versions of themselves. The boy had sparkling blue eyes like Killian and the girl had a smile just like Emma's.
The children stood up and looked at them.
"Mom, why are you wearing your old, red leather jacket?" the girl asked.
"Dad, what happened to your hair? Didn't you just get it cut yesterday?"
Killian turned to Emma with a grin. "On the bright side, we must not have aged much in ten years. Our children seem to think we look pretty much the same."
Emma chuckled. "What were you worried about? You haven't aged a day in 300 years."
Killian laughed. "True." His laugh faded as he glanced back at their future children and then looked at Emma, a slow smile creeping onto his lips. "These are our children, Emma. A little lass and lad just like you and me."
Emma smiled. "Yeah, pretty amazing."
"Uh, excuse me?" they heard the boy say.
"Yes?" Emma replied.
"Why are you acting like you've never met us before?" he asked.
"Yeah, you're our parents," the little girl added.
Killian licked at his lips. "Well, that is apparently true. But you see we're not from this time period."
"That's right," Emma added. "Believe it or not, we're from the past."
"Ten years ago to be precise."
The children exchanged shocked looks.
"Liam," the girl said. "They're from before mom and dad got married."
Killian smiled to himself. They had named their son after his late brother.
"Before they had us, Ella," he said.
"Awesome!" they finally said in unison.
Killian and Emma traded another look.
Emma addressed them. "Do you two have any idea who could have opened the portal that sent us here?"
Liam and Ella shared a look that did not go unnoticed by Emma and Killian.
"Listen, children, if you know something then you must tell us," Killian said.
Emma nodded. "Yes, we have to figure out why we were sent here if we have any hope of returning to the past."
"Why do you have to go back?" Liam asked.
"Yeah, stay here with us. We'll have double the parents."
"And double the rules," Liam groaned.
Killian shook his head. "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that. We can't stay in the future."
Emma bobbed her head. "If we stay here in the future too long, then we'll eventually change it. We need to go back or you two will cease to exist."
Liam nodded. "That makes sense. You're not married yet so if you stay here, you'll never have us."
Emma looked at Killian, remembering his proposal that had been so rudely interrupted. She smiled and linked her hand with his.
"That's right. We're not married...yet."
He grinned and squeezed her hand.
Emma tore her eyes away from Killian. "Okay, kids, you need to think. Why might we have been sent here?"
"Perhaps someone needs our help?"
Liam rubbed his stomach. "I can't think on an empty stomach."
"Me neither," Ella said. Her eyes brightened. "How about some ice cream?"
Killian and Emma laughed. Emma's laughed quickly subsided. "Wait a minute. The newspaper said it was Thursday. Why aren't you two in school?"
"Would you believe day off for a teacher meeting?" Liam asked.
"No," Killian said.
"Villain attack day off?" Ella said.
"Try again," Emma responded as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Liam sighed. "Okay, we skipped school. Please don't tell our mom and dad."
"You mean future us," Emma said.
"Why did you skip school?" Killian asked.
"Because it's boring," Ella said.
Emma shrugged. "You've just described every kid's feeling about school, but you still have to go."
"But they don't teach us anything important," Liam said. "We can learn so much more out in the world."
"The lad's right," Killian said. "I never attended school and I'm quite clever."
Emma rolled her eyes and said under her breath, "You're not helping."
Killian cleared his throat. "Uh, but I am sure I could have benefited from schooling."
Ella sighed. "It wouldn't be so bad if mom and dad let us practice our magic after school. But mom said no magic ever."
Emma's eyes grew large. "You both have magic?"
Liam nodded. "Yup, just like you."
"We are the product of true love, after all," Ella said.
Emma and Killian looked at each other and smiled.
Killian nodded. "Aye, that is true."
"Why did your mom...future me...say you could never use magic?"
Liam sighed heavily. "She's trying to protect us. She said magic makes us targets for villains."
"But dad said we should learn to use our magic to protect ourselves. Villains are always showing up around here."
Killian grinned. "Appears I am still the voice of reason in the future."
Emma sighed and then shook her head. "I am sure future me has thought this through. Having magic is a huge responsibility."
"Mom says she doesn't want us to carry the same burden she does," Ella said.
"Burden?" Killian said, as he looked at Emma.
Emma dropped her eyes. "Well, she's been the savior for ten more years than I have. Imagine the things that have happened in that time. People depend on me and it can be a burden. I'm afraid to let people down. And I am constantly being pulled in a thousand directions." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I think you're mother...I...am trying to protect you from that. To just let you enjoy being kids while you can."
Killian wrapped his arm around Emma and placed a kiss to her temple. "I suppose I never really looked at it from your point of view before."
Ella shook her head. "But we need to protect ourselves from villains too. You can't always be there to protect us. Just last week, Zelena's flying monkeys showed up at recess and grabbed some of our friends."
Liam nodded. "We heard the villain alarm ring and we tried to get inside but it was too late."
"We tried to use our magic to stop them, but we couldn't. We're not good enough yet."
"And we never will be if future you doesn't let us practice."
Emma sighed. "I understand your frustration, but I am sure your parents...we...only have your best interests at heart."
"But dad doesn't agree with mom," Liam said.
Ella nodded sadly, "Yeah and that's why they've been fighting so much lately."
Killian and Emma exchanged worried looks.
"They've...we've been arguing?" Killian asked.
Liam nodded. "They never used to argue. Now they're fighting over us."
"And dad has been sleeping on his ship for the last week."
Killian dropped his eyes, as Emma's gaze swept across his face.
"I'm afraid they might get a divorce," Liam said softly.
"And it will be all our fault," Ella added, tears filling her eyes.
Killian squeezed Emma's hand in his, as he looked down at their future children.
"Don't worry, loves, your parents...future us... won't get divorced."
"How do you know?" Ella asked.
Killian smiled at Emma. "Because your mother and I are meant to be. You said it yourself. We're true love and true love never dies."
Emma nodded, a smile slowly forming on her lips. "Your father is right." She paused, her eyes brightening, as she turned to Killian. "This must be why we were sent here. To help future us. To help save our marriage."
Killian nodded. "Aye, love. I agree."
Liam chewed on his lower lip. "Yeah, about why you were sent here."
"Or actually how you were sent here," Ella said.
Emma's brow furrowed. "What?"
"We opened the portal," they said in unison.
Killian and Emma's mouths dropped open.
"You brought us here?" Killian asked.
"How?" Emma said.
Ella shrugged matter-of-factly. "We traded for two magic beans with some old witch we met in the woods."
"Then we stole Regina's book of spells and figured out how to bring someone from the past. We didn't actually think it would work."
"We really were pretty surprised when we saw you," Ella said.
Emma sighed. "Why not just come clean right away?"
Ella shrugged. "We were afraid you wouldn't want to help us."
Liam nodded. "But we realize now you kind of have to if you want to get back to the past."
Ella smiled brightly. "We figured that you two could help remind future you why you fell in love in the first place."
Killian smiled. "I think we can do that."
Liam's own smile appeared. "Get them to work together. Things are always better when they work together."
Emma bobbed her head with a glance at Killian. "We do make a great team."
"Aye, that we do. Always have."
Emma rubbed her hands together. "Okay, so where do you think future us would be right now?"
"At Granny's eating lunch," Ella said.
Liam nodded his agreement. "Yeah, mom said she's been craving grilled cheese all week."
Killian chuckled. "Some things never change."
Emma smiled and then looked down at their future children. "Okay, we'll find them, but you have to promise to go back to school."
Liam and Ella adopted pouts. Liam shook his head, "It's after 1. There's no point now. School's almost over."
Ella nodded. "Yeah, plus we called out pretending to be you, so we'll get in trouble if we just show up now."
Killian and Emma sighed.
"Fine," Emma said. "But tomorrow you go to school."
Killian looked at Emma. "What are we supposed to do with the lad and lass? I'm quite sure future us would not want our children wandering around alone."
Emma shook her head. "Guess we'll have to take them with us."
Liam and Ella high fived. "Yeah!"
"But you will have to stay out of sight or you will get in trouble with future us," Emma added firmly.
Killian and Emma turned around and started to walk toward Granny's when Ella's voice stopped them.
"You're going looking like that?"
Killian and Emma spun around and looked down at their clothes.
"What in bloody hell is wrong with the way we look?" Killian asked defensively.
Liam pointed at their faces. "You can't walk around town looking like you. People will wonder why there are two of you. And you can't talk to future you looking like that either. You need disguises. Haven't you ever seen a movie?"
Killian nodded. "The lad has a point. Perhaps a glamour spell like Rumple used when we visited the Enchanted Forest in the past is in order."
"Okay, I think I can do that," Emma said, as she held her hands up.
Killian brought his hook up to halt her. "But this time, love, I would like you to make me as devilishly handsome as I already am. I know that's a tall order. It's hard to compete with this," he said, gesturing to his face.
Liam and Ella giggled. "Dad doesn't change much in ten years," she said.
Emma smiled and then met his eyes. "I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you."
Emma waved her hand and then they glanced in the window of the store. She was still blond and looked similar to when she was in the Enchanted Forest. Killian's hair was dark, but his eyes were green and his jaw not as chiseled.
"Not bad," he said with a shrug.
Emma brought her hand up and caressed his cheek. "I don't know. I think the new you may be even more handsome than the old you."
Killian's eyes widened. "Bite your tongue. This jaw is as weak as cheap rum. This face isn't smoldering. And look at these eyes. They aren't piercing."
Emma laughed along with their children. "Humble as always. Relax, I'm kidding."
Killian dropped his eyes in embarrassment. "I knew that."
"Do us! Do us!" Liam and Ella chanted as they jumped up and down.
Killian and Emma's brow furrowed. "Why?" Emma asked.
"So we don't have to stay out of sight," Liam said.
Ella nodded. "Yeah, we can help you. We can be your kids."
Killian looked at Emma. "What do you think?"
"I guess we could pretend to be a family in need. That would definitely get future us to help."
Killian nodded. "And perhaps future us would see the error of our ways and realize our family and marriage is worth saving."
Emma smiled. "It might be kind of nice to get a taste of being a family."
Killian mirrored her smile. "Aye, that it would be. A little glimpse of our future."
They looked down at their children who had adopted puppy dog pouts and prayer hands.
"Pleeeeeeaase!" they pleaded.
"Ah, so I guess this is what our future holds, huh? Whining and begging," Killian said.
Emma laughed and patted his back. "Welcome to parenthood. We're going to have our hands full it seems." She sighed as she looked down at the kids. "Okay."
"Yay!" they cheered.
Emma waved her hand and their appearances changed. Liam now had red hair and Ella had dark hair. They both had light eyes. They admired themselves in the window.
"I am just as devilishly handsome," Liam said, adopting a British accent.
Liam, Ella, and Emma erupted into a fit of giggles.
Killian frowned. "I sound like nothing of the sort."
Emma stifled her laugh. "That was a pretty spot on impression."
Killian shook his head. "Nevermind that. Let's devise our plan."
"Well, future us must still know everyone in town," Emma said.
"Perhaps we should pretend to be a family living in the woods on the outskirts of town."
Emma nodded. "Sounds good. What kind of help should we pretend to need?"
Killian shrugged his shoulders. "Well, the children said there's a witch in the woods. Perhaps we could say that this witch has been terrorizing them."
"That should work."
"What should our names be?" Ella asked.
Emma smiled. "We could be the Bradys."
Killian bobbed his head. "We'll be the Brady bunch. I love it."
Emma laughed. "And I love that you have no clue that's the name of a classic TV show."
"Not an inkling," he said with a shrug.
"What about our first names?" Liam asked.
"We should just use the names from the television show. Keep things simple," Killian said.
Emma rolled her eyes. "Future me will definitely get suspicious if we introduce ourselves as Mike, Carol, Greg, and Marcia Brady."
"Fine. How about I'll be Tom Brady then? That's a perfectly normal name," he said.
Emma hid her smile. "Sure is. I'll be Lila. Kids, you can be Joe and Sue."
"Those are boring names!" Liam said.
"Don't speak to your mother that way," Killian said.
As soon as the words came out, Killian snapped his mouth shut and looked at Emma.
She laughed. "Wow, that came out pretty naturally."
"I suppose it did," he said.
He had always wondered if he would be fit to be a father. After all, he didn't have the best role model. He figured he was about to find out.
Emma turned to the kids. "Those are your names. Now, let us do the talking. We don't want future us to get suspicious."
...
Emma, Killian, and the kids stopped right outside Granny's. On the way, they had discussed the story they would tell.
"Okay, so we're going to sit down in the booth right behind them. We'll pretend to overhear them talking and then ask them for help," Emma said.
"Can we order ice cream?" Ella asked.
Killian shook his head. "No, we're not here to eat."
Ella frowned. "You're so mean!"
Emma and Killian shrugged and exchanged a look.
Emma tilted her head. "Something else to look forward to."
"Parenthood is sounding quite appealing," Killian said with a groan.
"But we're starving," Liam said. "We didn't have lunch."
"Perhaps you two should have considered that before you skipped school, where I am quite certain lunch is served," Killian said.
Emma laughed and rubbed at Killian's back. "Very fatherly. I like it."
He gave her a wink. "Thank you, love."
"Is everyone ready?" Emma asked.
Liam and Ella were staring at the ground dejectedly, looking as if their dog had just died. They didn't answer.
Killian gestured with his hook to the door. "I believe their silence to be an affirmative response. Let's go."
All four walked up the steps and into Granny's. Emma and Killian looked around the diner, shocked that nothing had changed in 10 years.
They spotted future them sitting in a booth and tried to casually walk by. Emma's gaze moved to her face, trying to gauge if she had aged in 10 years. She noticed a few smiling lines around her eyes, but she figured that meant she had experienced many happy moments in the last decade, which could only be a good thing. Now she was tasked with assuring that those happy moments with her future husband and children continued.
They sat down in the booth behind them. All four picked up their menus and pretended to read them as they listened to future Emma and Killian.
"Love, I do believe you're being unreasonable. Our children have a gift, just like you do. I only wish I had been so blessed," he said.
"Killian, magic is a blessing and a curse. I want our children to have normal childhoods, like neither one of us had."
"But you also want them to be safe. I see no harm in teaching them how to use their magic to protect themselves."
"Because it won't end there. They will want to use it to protect others. They will try to interject themselves into every dangerous situation we encounter. How is that keeping them safe?"
Future Killian sighed heavily and looked down at his plate.
Behind them, Emma and Killian exchanged a worried look. It appeared that their children were right. They were arguing about their use of magic.
Just then, Granny arrived at their table, with a few more wrinkles than they recalled. She eyed them suspiciously. "Don't believe I've seen you around town before."
Killian smiled. "We live in the woods on the outskirts of town. We rarely venture into town."
Granny shrugged and tapped her pen against her pad, seemingly pleased with that answer.
"Okay, what can I get you?"
Emma waved her hand. "We actually need a few more minutes to-"
"Ice cream!" Liam and Ella screamed.
Emma and Killian threw their future children glares.
"Looks like the kids are ready," Granny said. "Chocolate with rainbow sprinkles sound good?"
They nodded their heads so hard Emma and Killian were sure they would fall off.
"Okay," Granny said. "I'll go put that in while your parents decide."
Emma leaned forward and whispered harshly. "Nice try, but we'll be gone before it arrives."
She and Killian moved out of the booth, while Liam and Ella, who had once again adopted pouts, slid out too.
They approached the table where future them sat.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help overhearing. Are you Emma Swan?" Past Emma asked.
Future Emma and Killian's gazes swept over them and then their children. Emma swore she saw a flicker of recognition in their eyes despite the glamour spells.
Future Emma nodded. "Yes, I am. This is my husband, Killian. And you are?"
Past Emma smiled. "We are the Bradys. I am Lila and this is my husband, Tom."
"Tom Brady?" Future Emma said.
Past Emma continued. "These are our children, Joe and Sue."
"Nice to meet you," Future Emma said. "Can I help you in some way?"
Past Killian nodded. "We hope so. We live in a cabin in the woods on the outskirts of town. You see, we are being terrorized by a witch who also lives in the woods."
Future Emma bobbed her head. "Okay, tell me what's been happening and we'll see if we can help."
Liam and Ella smiled at their use of the word "we".
Past Emma sighed. "It's been awful. We have a cow and three chickens that we use for survival. Well, one day the witch encountered our children and kidnapped them. She held them in her cabin. We were frantic with worry. We looked everywhere. When we found them being held captive by the witch we begged for their release."
Emma smiled to herself. It had been a long time since she had run a con and pretended to be someone else. She had slipped back into it pretty easily.
Killian continued for her. "She said she would release them on one condition. We had to give her all three of our chickens."
"She wanted your chickens?" Future Killian asked with an arched eyebrow.
Past Emma nodded. "Yes, we thought it was strange too. But we would do anything for our children, so we agreed. We gave her the chickens and she released our children."
"But I assume it didn't end there," Future Emma said.
Past Killian shook his head. "I'm afraid it did not. We survived on the chickens' eggs. We were starving without them. One day, I was walking in the woods when I spotted the witch's cabin. I noticed the chickens were not outside and I found that to be strange. So I peered inside and saw that they were in cages in the cabin. I then noticed something incredible. They were laying golden eggs."
Future Killian laughed. "Well, better than a golden goose, I suppose."
Past Emma went on. "We realized she must have enchanted them to lay golden eggs. We knew we would not survive if we didn't do something. So we decided to steal one of the chickens back. We would keep it long enough to lay some eggs that we could use to purchase new chickens and then return it to her."
"I'm guessing things didn't go as planned," Future Emma said.
Past Killian shook his head. "They did not. The witch discovered our theft and as our punishment-..."
Liam cut Killian off. "She placed a curse on us!"
Past Emma and Killian glared down at their future son. That was not how the story was supposed to go.
Ella nodded. "Yeah, tell them, Mom. Tell them what that mean, old witch did to us."
Past Emma's mouth hung open. She was usually a good improviser, but they had caught her off-guard. And things had been going so well.
She swallowed hard and turned to Killian. "Uh, why don't you tell them, honey?"
Killian's eyes widened. "Uh...I...You tell it better, sweetheart."
"I'll tell it," Liam chimed in.
Past Emma and Killian exchanged a nervous look, but didn't say anything.
"According to the curse, at midnight on the 13th of every month, we will all turn into chickens. And we will stay like that for a whole week."
Future Emma and Killian's eyes widened in surprise.
"That's quite a curse," Future Emma said.
Future Killian nodded. "Aye, that it is. And the 13th is tomorrow, so I suppose we should get started unless you all want to be clucking for the next week."
Past Emma and Killian smiled. "Thank you so much."
Future Emma looked at her watch. "We have to pick our kids up from school soon and drop them off at their grandparents. How about we meet you outside in an hour and a half?"
Emma didn't react right away. She couldn't have them picking up the kids when they weren't at school.
She shook her head. "Actually, time is of the essence. I was hoping we could go right now."
Future Emma nodded. "Okay. I'll just call my parents and have them pick up the kids from school."
Damn, Emma thought. Problem not solved. Her parents would be frantic when their grandchildren didn't emerge from school. They would call future her and panic would ensue.
Past Emma shook her head. "On second thought, we have a few things to pick up here in town. We'll meet you outside in an hour and a half."
Future Emma and Killian nodded their agreement. They paid the bill and left. Emma, Killian, Liam, and Ella sat back down in the booth.
"What were you thinking? A curse?" Emma said to Liam.
Liam shrugged his shoulders. "Thought it sounded cool."
"But turning into chickens?" Killian said.
"You two didn't seem like you were coming up with anything so I figured I'd help."
"What's going to happen tomorrow when we don't turn into chickens?" Killian asked.
Liam smiled. "Curse broken?"
"Funny. We may not have fixed the marriage of future us by then and then they're going to get suspicious," Emma said.
Killian linked his fingers with Emma. "Don't worry, love. We'll figure it out together."
Emma sighed. "Right now, I need to change you two back and get you back to school. You can just hide around the corner until your grandparents come and then pretend like you've been in school all day."
"What?" Ella said. "We don't get to go with you?"
Killian shook his head. "No, you two are staying with your grandparents where you will be safe and stay out of trouble."
They both crossed their arms over their chests, frowns upon their lips.
"We never get to have any fun," Liam muttered.
Those frowns, however, turned upside down the second their ice cream arrived in front of them. They grabbed their spoons and were about to dig in when Emma waved her hand and made the bowls vanish.
Their mouths hung open in disbelief. She was positive they would start crying.
"Why did you do that?!" Liam screamed.
"That was so mean!"
Killian leaned toward her. "That was rather harsh, love."
Emma waved her hand and two plates appeared before them. They held skinless chicken breasts, broccoli, and apple slices.
Their noses turned down in disgust. They shoved the plates away.
"Yuck! I'm not eating that!" Liam said.
"Gross!" Ella added.
Emma shrugged. "You two need to eat a nutritious meal, not ice cream."
Killian chuckled, as he wrapped his arm around Emma and kissed her temple. "I think parenting with you is going to be very fun."
Emma smiled and nodded. "I couldn't agree more."
Killian pushed the plates toward them. "Eat up. School will be out soon."
They both reluctantly picked up their forks.
...
End of Part 1
Thanks for reading! I'd appreciate any feedback you'd like to give! ~Steph
