Title: True Love Waits
Summary: The Evil Queen interrupts Emma and Killian's wedding and casts a sleeping curse on Killian that mimics death. Six years later, the curse is broken and Killian returns to reclaim his life, only to find that Emma is married to August and together they are raising the daughter he never got to meet.
Rating: PG
Pairing: Killian/Emma
Characters: Killian, Emma, August, Lia Swan-Jones, Mary Margaret, David
Category: Romance/Drama
Note: I wrote this AU because I wanted to explore what would happen if Emma and Killian were separated for much longer than when he returned from Hades, if a child was involved, and if another man stood in the way of their reunion. This alternates between Killian's and Emma's POVs. Hope you enjoy it! ~Steph
...True Love Waits: Part 1/7…
~Killian's POV~
I stand on my ship and watch through my spyglass as she chases a butterfly on the dock, her soft blonde curls flowing behind her. She smiles as she catches it in her tiny hands and the runs over to her mother to share her prize. Emma smiles, one that reaches her eyes, and pulls our daughter into her arms.
God, they're beautiful together. More beautiful than I ever imagined they could be. And I've had a lot of time to imagine.
Emma strokes our daughter's hair, as she rocks her back and forth. Lia peeks at the treasure in her hands and then opens them, allowing the creature freedom.
They aren't aware I'm here. They aren't even aware I'm alive. Six years earlier, Emma and I were set to wed. It was our wedding day. We were about to say our vows right here on this ship when the Evil Queen appeared before us. There was nothing Emma could do to stop her. There was nothing anyone could do. She was hell bent on history repeating itself, but this time she wished Snow White's daughter to suffer. So she cast a sleeping curse upon me. But it wasn't like other sleeping curses. This one mimicked death.
I remember slumping to the deck of my ship, as Emma cradled me in her arms, her tears hitting my cheeks. She had been forced to watch me die again. Or so she thought. They brought me to a tomb in the cemetery and, at Emma's request, placed me in a glass case that she believed would preserve my body. I couldn't move my body or open my eyes, but I could hear everything that was said.
One month before we were set to wed, Emma discovered she was with child. We were terrified and joyful at the same time. It was happening far too soon and we both harbored fears about parenthood due to our pasts, but we were more excited than ever for our future together. We looked forward to building a life with our child.
And then it was all stolen away from us. On the day that our future should have begun, it ended abruptly instead.
But our story did not end there. Emma had me placed in that glass case so she could visit me. And she did every week for the past six years. She told me about her doctor's appointments and how the baby was progressing. I wished I could see how her belly was growing with our child inside her. I wished I could place my hand on her stomach and feel our child move. I yearned to be there for it all. I yearned to experience all of those priceless moments with Emma.
Once Lia was born, Emma brought her to see me every week. She told her all about me. She regaled her with tales of my pirating adventures and the journeys we went on together.
When Lia was able to speak, she would tell me about her day, the things she liked, what had happened at school. A few times she even called me daddy. I felt the word bring a smile to my lips, but I knew it was only my imagination. I knew my lips remained frozen in place.
One week ago, everything changed. Regina killed the Evil Queen and all of the curses she had cast were lifted. I woke from the sleeping curse and made my way out of the tomb. I found my way to the Jolly Roger, which was floating in the harbor right where I had left it.
For the past week, I carefully moved about Storybrooke unnoticed, attempting to learn of the events that had occurred in the six years during my absence. Belle and Rumple had split for good. Mary Margaret and David had a daughter. Henry had gone away to college. And Granny had passed. Ruby was now running the diner. Emma had told me about most of these events when they occurred.
But she had neglected to inform me of one very important event. Two years earlier, she had married August Booth. He was the stepfather to our now five year old daughter. I learned that when I overheard a conversation between Mary Margaret and David outside of Granny's. Apparently, they had just recently celebrated their anniversary. I felt my heart break into a million pieces as I realized Emma was no longer mine.
Before I knew of her marriage to August, I had every intention of picking up where Emma and I had left off. I had returned once, albeit after having been gone for a much shorter period of time. I would never forget the look of pure joy that appeared on Emma's face when she saw me again for the first time. I would always remember the way she kissed me and the way it felt to hold her in my arms again.
I imagined a similar scenario this time, but that was before I learned of her marriage to August. She wasn't mine anymore and our daughter thought of him as her father, the only father she had ever truly known.
All I've ever wanted is for Emma and Lia to be safe and happy. From all accounts, they seem content. I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps they are better off without me. I have no right to interrupt their lives after all this time. But as I stand on the deck of my ship, watching my true love and our daughter, I know I can't just walk away from them.
I am well aware it's selfish. Emma's moved on. She's made a life for herself and our daughter. I should be happy and relieved that she didn't build walls around her heart again after losing me.
But I wish to know my daughter. I've spent six years dreaming about her. I only know the sound of her voice. I tried to imagine what she looked like. In my mind's eye, she had Emma's blonde hair and beautiful smile and my blue eyes. The little girl I'm looking at now looks as if she was lifted from my dreams.
A part of me feels as if I know her from her visits, but I realize now I only know what she and Emma have told me. I don't truly know my little girl and I yearn to.
But I wonder if I have the strength and courage to just blow apart their lives. Is it even fair to them? Lia has a right to know her real father. I have a right to know my daughter. I know my resurrection would bring them joy, but I also know it would cause them pain. I never want to hurt them.
Emma married August. The mere thought makes my insides burn. It should have been me. We were so close to our happy ending and then it was ripped away. I should have been raising our daughter with Emma.
I wonder if she fell in love with August or if she simply wanted a nice, stable life for her and our daughter with someone she trusted and cared about. I know she never felt that way about August. They were just friends. Could that have changed? As much as it pains me to admit, I suppose it is possible.
I suppose it doesn't truly matter. As difficult as it is to accept, they are married and I must respect that. But Lia's my daughter and I can't ignore that. I refuse to walk away from her, no matter how hard this may prove to be.
…
~Emma's POV~
"Lia!" I yell through the bathroom door. "Honey, hurry up. We're going to be late."
"I'm making myself beautiful," she replies.
I raise an eyebrow at August. "Is it possible she's already a teenager?"
August smiles. "I've heard five is the new fifteen." He then raises his hand to knock on the door. "Come on, sweetheart. You're going to be late for school."
The door opens to reveal Lia dressed in a pink sparkly tutu skirt and a flowered top.
She rolls her eyes. "Who cares? Kindergarten is so boring. They make us sing all of these stupid alphabet songs."
I sigh. What a character. Smart as a whip, wise beyond her years, and stubborn as a goat. She reminds me of her father in so many ways.
"Sweetie, we've been through this. You just have to give it a chance."
"It's been a month, Mommy, and we're still on the letter 'A'."
I shake my head and take her hand in mine. "Come on, let's go."
"No, I want to go to work with you."
August sighs. "Lia, you can't go to work with Mommy. She needs to take care of the town."
"That's right. I need to keep people safe. You know I can't do that if I'm worrying about you," I reply.
"I know," she says grudgingly.
"Go get your lunch and backpack and meet me at the front door."
Lia runs off and I turn to August. "If this is five, then what exactly can we expect from her teenage years?"
"This but a whole lot worse," he replies.
I smile. "Great." I then give him a quick kiss on the lips. "See you tonight."
I walk downstairs to the kitchen in search of my keys. Just then, the doorbell rings. "Lia, answer that for me please."
"Okay," she says.
I hear the door creak open. Lia appears in the kitchen doorway a moment later.
"Mommy, there's a man at the door. He says he's an old friend of yours. He looks just like my real daddy."
I freeze. My brow raises in confusion and I shake my head. She's five. She always sees people and thinks they look like Killian.
I finally locate my keys. I take Lia's hand in mine and head towards the foyer. I don't make it more than a few feet before the sight of him stops me in my tracks.
"Killian," I breathe.
"Hello, Emma," he says, his lips forming into the smile I thought was lost forever.
"Hey, Emma, who was at the-..." August stops halfway down the stairs, looking up from his task of buttoning his shirt, his eyes landing on Killian.
"Oh my God," he says.
I stand frozen to my spot. Is it possible? Can this actually be him standing in front of me? Could he have returned to me a second time? I can't breathe. It feels like the first time he came back to me in the cemetery.
I drop my keys and rush towards the door. I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze my eyes shut, praying he isn't a figment of my imagination. I feel his strong arms wrap around me and it's as if they never let go.
"I can't believe it's really you," I whisper, as I bury my face into his neck and inhale his scent.
God, I've missed him. How is this even possible?
I want to kiss him. I want to kiss him all over like I did when he came back to me in the cemetery. It takes all of my strength to resist. The glistening of my wedding ring as my hand caresses the hair at the nape of his neck brings me back to reality.
Things aren't the same as when he came back to me the first time. I can't pretend that they are. I am married. I slowly release my hold on him as I feel a tug at my shirt.
"Mommy, I'm going to be late for school."
I look down at my...our...daughter and wipe a tear from my cheek. "Honey, you're not going to school today."
Her face lights up. "Yes!"
…
~Killian's POV~
God, I can't believe I got to hold her in my arms again. Nothing has ever felt so amazing. And I got to come face-to-face with my little girl.
Emma backs up and shakes her head. "I'm...I'm...uh...sorry. Please, come in."
I enter the house, taking in my surroundings as I do so. It's a simple home, decorated in warm earth tones and comfortable furniture. There are family pictures on the walls. It feels like a happy home.
Shortly after Lia's birth, Emma sold the house we shared together, the one we were going to raise our daughter in. I can recall when she came to the tomb and told me. She said she couldn't stand being there without me, raising our daughter there all alone. The memories we had created and the dreams we had were too much for her to bear. So she sold our home and bought this one.
August makes his way completely down the stairs and stretches his hand out to me. "Hook...I can't believe it."
I nod awkwardly as I shake the hand of the man who has replaced me. A part of me feels guilty for how I feel towards August now. I didn't know him well, but he seemed like a good man. But now here he is living the life that should have been mine. I know I should be grateful to him for taking care of my daughter, for helping Emma move on. But I can't seem to muster it within me. I can't help but resent him, no matter how unfair that may be.
Emma touches my arm to gain my attention. "Let's go talk in the living room. Lia, please go to your room and play."
"But I want to know who he is. He looks so much like my real daddy."
"We'll talk later, sweetie," Emma says.
"I want to know now!"
I smile as I realize our daughter inherited Emma's stubborn streak as well.
"Lia," Emma says warningly.
"Fine," she relents begrudgingly and runs up the stairs.
August shifts his feet uncomfortably and hooks his thumb in the direction Lia went in. "You know, you guys deserve your privacy. I'm going to go play with Lia."
I shake my head. I want nothing more than to be alone with Emma, but I force the words out of my mouth. "August, there's no need for that. This concerns you as well."
August looks down at his feet. "No, you guys need to be alone," he replies.
He then looks up at me and smiles. He somehow manages to make it seem genuine.
"I'm really glad you're back," he says, then walks off.
...
~Emma's POV~
I can't stop staring at him. I can't take my eyes off of him. I've missed everything about him. His knee-weakening smile, his piercing blue eyes. I had long ago resigned myself to the fact that I would only see that smile and those eyes in my dreams and photographs. It wasn't enough getting to see him through the glass that separated us for the last six years. I couldn't touch him and I knew I would never see him smile at me again. I knew he would never again look at me the way he did with those sparkling blue eyes that made my heart race.
I slip my hand into his, marveling at how well it still fits. He meets my eyes, apparently surprised by the gesture. I lead him into the living room and we sit down on the couch. I keep my hand entwined with his, unwilling to let go.
I look up into his eyes. "How is this possible, Killian?"
He swallows hard and lowers his eyes. "I didn't perish on our wedding day, Emma. The Evil Queen placed a sleeping curse on me that mimicked death. Once she was killed, her curses were lifted."
I shake my head in disbelief. "I had no idea. I am so sorry." I suck in a breath. "So were you able to hear Lia and I when we came to visit you?"
Killian smiles at me. "Every word. It wasn't near enough, but it was all I had."
I squeeze his hand in mine, as I blink back tears. I place my other hand on his cheek and caress it, reveling in the feel of his scruff against my skin. "I have missed you so much, Killian. Getting to see you every week helped me feel closer to you, but I wanted so much to touch you, to feel your arms around me again. This doesn't feel real."
His smile widens, as he removes his hand from mine to brush away a tear from my cheek with his knuckle.
"It's real, love," he says.
"I used to dream of this," I say softly.
He arches his brow. "You did?"
I bob my head. "Yes, but I never thought it was possible. I thought you were really gone this time." I feel my chest tighten with the memories of that terrible day. "I was devastated, Killian. I woke up that morning so excited to become your wife and then I laid awake that entire night knowing all of our hopes and dreams for the future were gone. Knowing that our child would never get to know her father. It was almost too much to stand. I didn't leave the house for months except to see you and go to the doctor."
"I am so sorry you had to go through that, Swan," he says.
"It took a long time before I pulled myself together. I knew I had to for Lia's sake. I knew it was what you would have wanted for us."
…
~Killian's POV~
I swallow around the lump in my throat. "I missed you so much, Emma. The only thing that got me through those six years trapped in that bloody glass case was thinking of you and our daughter. I looked so forward to your visits. I can't believe I've missed out on so much of her life. I was so excited about going through each stage of pregnancy with you, watching our daughter grow inside of you. I've missed so much. Her birth, her first word, her first step, her first day of school."
"I wish you could have been with us," she says softly.
I blink back tears and look at Emma, "Is she happy? That's all I've ever wanted for you two."
Emma slowly nods, unable to meet my gaze. "She is. We both are."
My heart drops and I loathe myself for it. I told myself that it was enough to know they were happy. But knowing they're happy with August instead of me feels like a dagger slicing right through my heart.
I take a deep breath. "Good, I'm glad. I'm glad August helped you move on."
"He returned to town a few years ago. He's been great. He adores Lia and she adores him," she says, her eyes still unable to meet mine and see them flood with pain.
She pauses and swallows roughly. "I'm sorry I never told you we got married. I...I didn't know how."
I bob my head, as her eyes are still focused on her lap. "It's alright, Swan. I understand."
I clear my throat and touch her face so she'll look at me. "Emma, I want you to know that I didn't return to interrupt your life. I can see you and Lia are happy. In fact, once I learned of your marriage to August, I briefly considered not alerting you I was alive at all. But when I saw you again and I saw our daughter for the first time, I knew I couldn't walk away."
Emma's eyes darken and her jaw tightens. "How could you even consider not letting us know you're alive! Killian, after all we've been through! Yes, we've moved on, I've moved on. But it's not like I had a choice. I had a daughter to think about. But that doesn't mean I haven't missed you everyday for the last six years."
I swallow sharply. "I was only thinking of you and Lia. About what was best for you."
"And how could you think for one moment that believing you were dead was best for us?"
"You're married, Emma. I knew you would be overjoyed to have me back, but you're a family with August now. I didn't want to cause you and our daughter anymore pain."
She sucks in a breath and shakes her head, unable to understand. "Nothing could ever compare to the pain of living without you, Killian."
I can see that pain in her eyes. There's a darkness in them that was never there before.
"I realized it wasn't my place to decide what was best for you and Lia." I pause and meet her gaze. "I wish to know my daughter. I realize August is the only father she's ever known and I respect that. I'm grateful to him for what he's done for her, for both of you. But I wish to spend time with her, get to know her. You don't have to tell her I'm her father. You can say I'm a family friend or relative. I want to disrupt her life as little as possible."
Emma shakes her head. "August isn't the only father she's ever known, Killian. You know she's gone to see you every week since she was born. And I've told her stories about you and shown her pictures."
I smile. "Thank you."
"You're her father, Killian, and she deserves to know you as that."
I slowly nod my head.
…
~Emma's POV~
I watch as he clears his throat and looks down at his hook. "So, you and August. You've been married two years, right?"
I bob my head hesitantly. "Our anniversary was last week."
He nods uncomfortably. "Not that it's any of my business, but how exactly did that come about?"
I pause. I don't want to hurt him. And seeing him again has made everything I felt for him come rushing back. But I am married.
"After August returned to Storybrooke, we resumed our friendship. He was very supportive. I wanted Lia to have the stable family life I never had. I wanted her to have a loving home with a father and a mother. I've always trusted August, so we decided to get married."
His gaze focuses on mine and he asks softly, "Are you in love with him?"
I lower my eyes, words failing me. I love August as a friend. I've never been good at making and keeping friends, but things were different with August. But I've never been in love with him. I've never felt for him what I felt for Killian. After Killian died, I resigned myself to the fact that I'd never find that kind of love again. It only happens once in a lifetime. He was my soulmate, my true love, and I thought I'd lost him forever. There was no point in searching for something that could never hope to compare.
So, I decided it was best to focus on what was best for our daughter. I suspected that August had developed deeper feelings for me and one day he confessed that he had fallen in love with me. August knew I wasn't in love with him, but I think he thought that in time I might fall in love with him, so he proposed. I felt guilty because I knew in my heart that I would never be in love with him. I felt like I was taking advantage of his feelings for me. I felt like I was using him. But I agreed to marry him to give Lia the life she deserved. And we have. We have built a happy life together, a life filled with love. It's not the kind of love I had with Killian and it's not the kind of love August deserves, but it's love all the same.
"He's my husband," I finally reply.
His lips curl into the tiniest of smiles and I notice his chest deflate, as if in relief.
…
~Killian's POV~
I suppose I have my answer. She's not in love with him. I should have known the moment I looked into her eyes again. Her heart still belongs to me. And that fills me with hope.
Perhaps that's wrong, but I can't help it. I can't pretend as if my feelings for Emma have vanished and I know hers for me haven't either. We were moments away from being married. We were going to have a baby together. We would be a family right now if circumstances beyond our control hadn't changed all of that. How can I not hope when hope's the only thing that saw me through this?
"Killian," she says softly, pulling me from my thoughts.
I shake my head to clear it. "What?"
She smiles. "Do you want to meet your daughter?"
My eyes widen. I don't wish to confuse her. "Are you sure this is what's best for her?"
"You're her father. I think you've both lost enough time, don't you?"
I nod and swallow hard. I've waited so long for this and now I'm nervous. What if she doesn't fancy me? What if she can't accept the fact that I'm her father?
Emma stands up and walks to the stairs. "August, can you please bring Lia down?"
A few moments later, I hear them walking down the stairs.
"Is he an old friend of yours, too, Daddy?" I hear her ask August.
My heart sinks. I'm not surprised she calls him that, but hearing it just about strikes me dead. I force myself to smile and wipe my sweaty palm on my pants.
August and Lia appear in the doorway. Emma takes her hand and leads her to the couch. Lia sits down next to me and Emma sits on her other side.
Emma begins slowly. "Lia, you know how Mommy always tells you about your real daddy and we go visit him?"
"Yes."
"I also told you stories about him and showed you pictures."
"You said he liked to sail on the Jolly Roger."
I smile at that.
"That's right."
Emma picks up a photo album from the coffee table and turns to a picture of me. I'm standing on the deck of my ship, looking out at the water. I remember that day. It was the last time Emma and I sailed together.
"Yup, that's him," Lia says.
Her brow then wrinkles and she puts her little face closer to the picture. She then looks up at me. Her eyes grow wide.
"You really do look exactly like my real daddy. What are you? Like his twin or something. My grandpa had a twin. He was evil though. Are you evil?"
August, Emma, and I can't help but laugh at that one. Leave it to a child to somehow manage to lighten a tense moment.
I shake my head. "No, love, I'm not evil."
Emma shakes her head. "Sweetie, he's not your daddy's twin. He's really your daddy."
Her nose wrinkles in confusion. She shakes her blonde curls back and forth. "I don't get it. You can't just come back from the dead. It's not like vacation. You were in that glass box. I saw you."
Emma nods. "You're right. You see, we all thought your daddy was dead, but it was all just a big mistake."
Lia snorts. "A mistake? Come on, Mommy, I know all about mistakes. That's why pencils have erasers. How can thinking daddy's dead be a mistake?"
I smile. She's quite a character. So smart, just like her mother.
I clear my throat and look at Emma. "Let me try."
Emma nods, as Lia looks up at me with her big, blue eyes.
"You know the Evil Queen?" I ask.
"Yes, she's dead now."
"Aye, that she is. But years ago, she placed a sleeping curse on me that made it seem like I was dead. When she perished, the curse was lifted. And now here I am."
Lia stares at me for a few moments. "So you've just been stuck in that glass this whole time? You couldn't move or talk?"
"That's right. But I could hear you and your mommy."
"You could?"
"Aye. And I missed you everyday," I say softly.
Her brow crinkles. "How could you miss me? You never met me."
A smile pulls at my lips. "I didn't have to. You're my daughter. I loved you the moment I learned of you."
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice August move his gaze to the floor.
I swallow hard. "I know you already have a really good daddy. So I was thinking perhaps we could try being friends, getting to know each other."
Lia looks at Emma, then August, as if to make sure this is okay. They both offer her smiles. She shrugs her shoulders. "Okay."
I smile. "Good. If it's all right with your mother, perhaps we could spend some time together this weekend. Perhaps Saturday."
We both look at Emma. She nods, a small smile upon her lips. "Sure. How does 1 o'clock sound?"
I bob my head. "That sounds great."
We all fall into an uncomfortable silence then, unsure of what to say or do next. Lia breaks it. "Well, nice to meet you. I'm going to go get a snack."
She then walks out of the room. I look at Emma. "She's quite a resilient lass, isn't she? Like her mother."
Emma smiles and nods. "Nothing really phases her."
I stand up then, feeling as if it's time to go. I catch August's eyes and feel the need to say something to him.
"August, I just wanted to thank you for taking such good care of my daughter. I can see how happy she is."
"You don't need to thank me, Hook. It's been a pleasure. That little girl's brought nothing but joy to my life." He pauses and then adds softly, as he turns to look at Emma, "So has her mother."
Emma removes her eyes from his and I have to swallow around the lump in my throat, as I reply, "You're the only father Lia's ever truly known and I respect that. I just wish to get to know her."
August nods. "She deserves that. You both do."
I clear my throat and then move towards the door. "Well, I best be on my way. I'm certain you both have things to do." I look at Emma, "So, uh, I suppose I'll see you Saturday then...when I come to pick up Lia."
Emma follows me to the door. "Saturday."
I don't want to leave her. The last thing I want to do is walk away from her, but I force myself out the door and down the steps.
Her voice stops me in my tracks before I can reach the end of the walk.
"Killian?"
I spin around to see her standing on the porch.
"I'm really glad you're back," she says softly.
I feel a smile spread across my lips.
"As am I," I reply, before turning back around and continuing down the walk.
I can feel her eyes on me until I disappear from view.
…
End of Part 1
Thanks for reading! I'd appreciate any feedback you'd like to give! ~Steph
