A Fresh Start

In order to have more privacy to herself and her new-found lover, Emma needed her own place. She remembered that Henry was looking for apartments for them. She dug out her cellphone from her pocket and texted Henry. "Meet me after school at Granny's today. This is important," then shoved it back inside her pocket.

At Granny's, Emma picked the booth they usually occupied. She ordered a black coffee for herself and a cocoa with cinnamon for Henry.

Staring at the entrance of the diner, Emma couldn't help but picture what the future for them would be like. Would Henry, Hook and her make a great family? She'd seen what he was like hanging out with Henry. She knew he'd be good around children. But would he make a good family member? She had her doubts.

Just as Emma was immersed in her little thoughts of Hook joining their close-knit family, a resounding voice of a young man filled the diner with vitality. "Mom!" That pulled Emma back to reality.

"Hey kid, how's school today?" She pretended to be interested in his school life so she could take her mind off this whole "being with Hook" thing for a while.

"Nothing special. You know, school is dull and boring. Ask any child in the world and they'd say the same."

"But that's where you need to go, to learn new things."

"Right. Do you have something to tell me? You sounded like this is really urgent."

"Remember you said you found us a place? Can I take a look at the listing?"

"Yes, of course." Henry took out a piece of newspaper from his school bag. "You decided to stay in Storybrooke and we're not going back to New York?"

"We're gonna stay here,kid. Storybrooke is my home. Our home."

Henry grinned gleefully. He looked genuinely happy with her decision.

Emma was reluctant to stay in Storybrooke before. She wanted to go back to New York so badly. She thought New York was her home because she missed it so much after going back to Storybrooke to "break the curse". But she was wrong. Storybrooke was her real home. It's where her family and friends were. She wanted to stay, now that she had someone. Someone she had to stay for, and that was Killian Jones.


During her morning exercise to the docks the next day, she found Hook standing there staring at some random boats. The way he was looking at them, he seemed sad. It was like he was mourning the loss of his beloved Jolly Roger. As she was approaching him, she extended her arm to reach for his shoulder. He was totally startled.

"Did I scare you? Sorry 'bout that." Noticing something was wrong, she asked. "What is it, Killian? You seemed…distracted. Is something up?"

"No, love. Just doing some thinking." He answered with his flat and worrying tone.

"Something is wrong. Talk to me, Killian!" She started to get anxious. She hadn't seen him like this before. He's so…distant. He's standing right in front of her but it felt like he's miles away.

"I take it as something about your ship? Do you miss it?"

"Aye. That I do." That was a barely audible answer.

Emma started to think that he might not be thinking straight when he decided to trade the Jolly Roger for a magic bean. "Do you think it's worth it? I mean trading your ship for me. I know how much you loved it. But trading it for me…"

"Stop the nonsense, love." He interrupted her. "Of course it is worth it! Don't you dare question the sincerity of my desire for you!" His anger began to rise from nowhere. Emma knew she had to stop pushing him. Otherwise it might be the opposite of what she hoped for.

She wished there was another way for him to cross realms without losing his Jolly Roger. She knew the Jolly Roger was more than a ship to him. It was his companion, his friend, and his love.

She shouldn't have said that. Not when all he did was finding a way to see her again. She felt so stupid for asking. Deep down in her heart, she knew the answer. She knew it all along.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that…"

"I know, love. Don't worry about that," He pulled her into his arms and gently caressed her blonde, silky hair.


Later that night, Emma and Henry went on discussing about the apartment he found.

The apartment that he chose was really nice. It had everything she wanted. It would be great, she thought.

"This one has three rooms, a big family room, is already furnished, and surrounded by secluded environment, the price is reasonable too. We would love it!" Henry exclaimed with excitement. "Can we go check it out tomorrow?"

"Not until you're back from school." Emma knew exactly what Henry had in mind. She cleverly put a stop to his plan.

After Emma picked Henry from school the next day, she drove them to the apartment. Henry liked it a lot. He's running around like a zoo animal on the loose.

This was the perfect place for them. She liked it. Henry liked it. That's all the reasons she needed to buy it.


After the purchase was made, they moved in immediately. As they're busy sorting through different decorations. Someone knocked on the door.

"Killian! I didn't expect to see you…here. How do you know my address?" She eyed him dubiously.

"The lad over there told me. And I brought house-warming gifts for you, my love."

"What may that be?" Emma asked, in her playful tone.

"A bottle of rum and a bottle opener?"

"You really like rum, don't you?"

He nodded, and took a step forward and requested a kiss, but Emma pushed him away.

"I haven't told him about us yet. So we're not displaying our 'affection' for each other in front of him until I tell him. Understood? She whispered, fearing that Henry might overhear their conversation.

"So when are you planning to do that, love?" He asked.

"Wait until he knows you better. Okay? Maybe you guys can hang out more often." She forced a bitter smile.

"Sure, love. Although I want to tell him right away but, hey, taking the lad out for some quality time together is a start, right?" He beamed delightedly.

"Thank you for understanding, Killian. By the way, there will a little house-warming gathering tonight. Will you stay and join us?

"Sure do, love." He agreed instantly.

"Maybe you can help Henry with the decorations? I'll take care of the food and drinks." She smiled with pleasure before moving into the kitchen. "Have fun decorating together!"