Disclaimer: I own nothing. None of these characters are mine.
More Than a Breakfast
It was a clattering sound coming from the kitchen that woke her up earlier than she would have liked this Sunday morning. The alarm clock on her bedside table said it was barely 07:00, so she stole a quick glance at the man asleep at her side, face buried in the pillow and snoring softly, before rolling out of bed to go investigate.
The last thing she expected was her 13-year old son not only awake before noon, but also standing at the stove with numerous pots and pans and covered in flour.
"Henry?! What are you doing up so early…. and cooking?" Emma asked while scanning the area for burning food or other potential hazards.
"Sorry, mom. I just wanted to get a head start. I had to throw the first batch of pancakes out..." he admitted with a sheepish grin.
"Ok, that's fine…but why?" she gestured to the egg and flour-covered mess.
"Mom. Did you forget what today was? I'm making breakfast for Killian," Henry rolled his eyes in the way only a 13-year old boy (and maybe a 300-year old pirate) could master. Sometimes she couldn't tell who picked up more habits from whom.
"Uh…oh…. OH!" understanding dawning on Emma's still half-awake face.
"What's this about a breakfast, now?" a deep accented voice said while emerging from the bedroom and coming down the stairs. Grey sweatpants, white t-shirt, and sleep-mussed hair never looked so adorable on a man, and Emma couldn't hide her pleased smile as Killian placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
"I was hoping to have it ready by the time you woke up, but, uh 'Happy Father's Day'!" Henry exclaimed proudly while gesturing to the mess of dishes in front of him.
Suddenly wide-awake, Killian's eyes went as big as saucers glancing from Henry to Emma, down to Emma's flat stomach.
"Uh, Emma, love, darling, is there something you want to tell me?"
"Wait, WHAT?! …No, no…this is from Henry. It's a tradition in our realm for people to honor their father figures today by doing something special. They have a day for mother's too." Emma explained quickly to prevent any further embarrassment.
Still somewhat confused, Killian approached the teenager and quietly asked, "You did this all for me?"
"Of course! You're the coolest dad a kid could ask for."
Dad. He didn't realize Henry had come to view him that way. And had know idea a simple word was enough to cause a lump to form in the back of his throat.
Grabbing the kid in a seemingly nonchalant one-armed side hug, Killian gave him a heartfelt response, "Thank you…my boy. Truly. Now let's dig in before this gets cold."
It was dark when the boys finally got home. Apparently, Henry's treat did not end with breakfast. Meeting up with David and Robin, the men successfully commandeered a "small motorized sea vessel" in order to show off some of the more modern maritime activities in this realm. David swore Killian's laughter could be heard on the beach as he experienced the thrill of captaining a speedboat for the first time.
Emma was sitting up in bed reading a book when her True Love came walking in the door, all grins and wind-swept hair.
"Have a good time?" she asked, setting the book aside.
"Love, it was brilliant. Henry is such a great lad. I truly could not love him any more if he was my own flesh-and-blood."
"Good to hear… Just promise you will love this next one just as much," Emma said, somewhat shyly.
Stopping mid-way through putting on his sleep pants, Killian turned sharply towards his wife. "What? Next one?!"
"I actually did, kind of, have something to tell you this morning…. Congratulations, Dad."
Sweeping her into his arms, Killian didn't care if the whole TOWN could hear his joyful laughter.