Note: Thanks for the responses to the first part. This story will now be 8 parts. I decided to split one of the parts into two for flow purposes and because it got a little too long. The first part of this story was long and really should have been split into two parts too, but I had a lot I wanted to set-up before continuing on. Hope you enjoy this part! ~Steph

...True Love Waits: Part 2/8…

~Emma's POV~

I lie awake in bed, staring straight up at the ceiling. I keep seeing him standing in the doorway, smiling at me. It was like a dream. I felt like at any moment I might wake up and he'd be ripped away from me again.

But it wasn't a dream. It was real. He was real. When I put my arms around him, I never wanted to let go.

God, how can this be happening? I am filled with this incredible sense of happiness to know he's alive, to be able to see him again. But I have a life. I have a husband I am committed to...a husband who loves me and my daughter very much.

I squeeze my eyes shut. This shouldn't be about me. This should be about what's best for Lia. Killian is a wonderful man and she deserves to know him. I've always known he would be an amazing father.

I know I must try to control my feelings for him. I made a commitment to August and our life together. I have to honor that.

But how can I stand seeing him, watching him with our daughter, and not think about what could have been? What could still be if I were willing to make that choice.

How could I do that to August? He's been nothing but wonderful to me and Lia. I can't just throw away what we have built together because Killian is back. It wouldn't be fair to him or Lia.

I'm thrown from my thoughts by his voice. "Are you awake?"

I turn my head to find August staring at me. "Yeah."

"Can't say I'm surprised. It's been a pretty eventful day."

"That's putting it mildly."

He pauses, seemingly reluctant to speak. "How did it feel seeing him again?"

I move my eyes back to the ceiling. "I was shocked, to say the least."

"And after the shock wore off?"

"I was happy. Relieved," I say, choosing my words carefully.

"What did you two talk about? I mean, after he told you what happened to him."

I lick my dry lips. "We talked about you, our family. What kind of role he wants to play in Lia's life."

"He's still in love with you, isn't he?" August asks softly.

I close my eyes. "August."

"No, no, it's okay, Emma. Why wouldn't he be? He's been lying in that case for six years. I'm sure he was hoping that one day he would get the chance to return to you and Lia. I can't blame him for that."

I take a deep breath. "He said he doesn't intend to interfere in our marriage. He just wants to get to know his daughter."

August's hand brushes against my cheek and I turn to look at him. He smiles sadly. "Emma, we all know about intentions. They don't mean a thing if they don't agree with how you feel."

I force the words I know are necessary out of my mouth. "I can't speak for him, August. I can only tell you what he told me. I can only speak for myself. I'm committed to you. You're my husband."

He leans over and kisses my forehead, but neither one of us can meet the other's gaze.

…

~Killian's POV~

I take a deep breath as I knock on the mayor's mansion door. Regina opens the door a moment later, her mouth dropping open in shock.

"Hook?"

I offer her a grin. "In the flesh. Did you miss me?"

I walk past her, as she stands frozen in the doorway. She finally closes the door and comes to stand before me.

"How is this possible? You're supposed to be dead."

I shrug. "Sorry to disappoint, but it seems the rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated."

"I don't understand."

"I didn't perish. The Evil Queen placed a sleeping curse on me that mimicked death. I've been lying in that bloody case for six years. I could hear everything said to me."

Regina licks at her lips slowly, as she recovers from her disbelief. "Then I assume you heard me apologize for the actions of my other, worse half?"

"That I did."

"Well, let me take the opportunity to do it face to face now. I'm sorry, Hook. None of this would have ever happened if I hadn't chosen to split myself in the first place."

I shrug. "Perhaps not. Or perhaps I would have angered you enough at some point and the result would have been the same."

She laughs lightly. "Perhaps. You always have had an uncanny ability to work my last nerve."

We lapse into silence for a moment, as my expression grows serious. "I actually came here today to tell you I don't blame you, Regina."

She smiles at me. "Thank you. That is very generous."

"And I also came to thank you."

She arches an eyebrow. "Thank me? What for?"

"You defeated the Evil Queen once and for all. If you hadn't, I'd still be trapped in that case."

She swallows roughly. "I had to right the wrong I created. I'm just sorry it took me so long." She pauses for a moment, eyeing me. "Have you seen Emma yet?"

"Yesterday."

"How did it go?"

I smile. "It was wonderful to see her again. And I got to meet my daughter."

Regina nods. "She's a great little girl. Emma and August have done a wonderful job with her."

I move my eyes to the floor, which does not go unnoticed by Regina.

"Were you aware she married August before you went there?"

"Aye, I was aware."

"I suppose it didn't make it any easier though, did it?"

I shake my head. "It did not indeed."

Regina sighs heavily. "I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but they're good together, Hook. They're a real family. And August adores that little girl."

"You're quite right, I don't want to hear that. But I can't say I'm surprised. I could tell they're happy."

But not happy the way they could be with me. I know that in my heart.

Regina shakes her head. "Emma was devastated when she lost you. She missed you so much. And for reasons I'm sure you understand, she was scared to have to raise that baby alone. But you are well aware of how strong she is. She made it through. We all helped her. We wanted her to know she wasn't alone like when she had Henry. For Lia's sake, she found a way to move on. She eventually built a family with August. That's what she wanted for Lia."

I swallow roughly. Perhaps I shouldn't ask this question, but I know Regina will be honest with me. She's nothing if not forthright. And I need to hear the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.

"Did they fall in love? Emma didn't make it sound as if they had. She made it sound as if she wanted a stable family for Lia and she knew August could give her that. When I asked her if she was in love with him-..."

"You asked her that?" Regina says, her eyes widening.

"I had to know," I reply quietly.

"What did she say?" Regina asks, her brow arched.

"She said he's her husband," I reply with a small smile.

She eyes me. "And why exactly are you smiling?"

"She didn't answer the question," I say. "If she had fallen in love with him, then she should have been able to answer in the affirmative."

"Perhaps she was simply trying to spare your feelings," Regina says.

I offer her a crooked grin. "That's why I'm asking you now. I'm certain you will make no attempt at sparing my feelings."

She laughs lightly. "You're correct." She pauses and shakes her head. "Emma never fell in love with August. It was a marriage of convenience, at least on her side. I do believe he fell in love with her though."

I feel my chest deflate in relief. I knew it. There's still a chance for us.

"Thank you for your honesty."

"Well, since you appreciate my honesty so much, here's a little more for you." She pauses and meets my eyes. "You have a right to know your daughter, Hook, but you do not have a right to try to break up Emma's marriage."

"It's not my intention to do that," I reply weakly.

"It doesn't have to be."

I rub at my face. "What the devil do you expect me to do, Regina? I'm still in love with Emma. The hope that we could one day be together again kept me going while inside that bloody case. We should have been a happy family. And we still can be. I know she's still in love with me too. I saw it in her eyes."

Regina shrugs her shoulders. "I don't doubt that you did. But you know Emma, Hook. She will always put others ahead of herself. She won't want to hurt August. She won't want to destroy the only family Lia has ever known. She will sacrifice her own happiness for them. And August loves them both. I don't believe he will just let them go without a fight."

"I am grateful for everything August has done for Emma and Lia. But if there's even the slightest chance that we could be the family we were meant to be, then I can't ignore that. I've endured too much to just lose my happy ending now."

Regina sighs in defeat. "It doesn't matter what I say, does it? You're not going to let this go. You're not going to give up."

"Would you?" I ask.

"No, I suppose not." She pauses and then adds, "But just listen to me for a moment. You must follow Emma's lead on this one. Give her space, give her time. And if she decides she wants to stay with August, even though she is not in love with him, then you must respect that. As difficult as it may be, you have to let her go."

I suck in a ragged breath. "If I believe that's what she truly wants, then I suppose I won't have any other choice. But I refuse to give up without a fight."

She offers me a slight smile. "I'd expect nothing less."

...

~Emma's POV~

I enter the tomb, my breath catching in my chest at the sight of the empty glass case. I needed to see it. I had woken up this morning after a fitful night's sleep and I worried it really had all been a dream. A wonderful dream. So I decided to come to the tomb where he had been for the last six years to confirm what I already knew in my heart. He really had come back to me.

I move to the glass case and run my hand across the slick surface. I suddenly hear footsteps outside.

"Emma," my mother calls.

"What's going on?" my father asks.

They both step foot inside, their eyes immediately moving to the empty glass case.

"Oh my God. Where's Hook?" my mother asks.

"What's happened?" my father says.

I feel the smile pull at my lips. "He came back to me. He came back to me again."

My parents' eyes grow wide as they exchange a worried glance.

"Emma, sweetheart, that's impossible. We all saw him die. His body's been in that case for six years."

My father cocks his head to the side. "And he already used his Get Out of The Underworld free card."

"David!" my mother says scoldingly, as she swats his arm.

I shake my head. "Killian was never really dead. It was a sleeping curse that mimicked death."

The news slowly sinks in and their faces fill with relief and happiness. They move to embrace me.

"That's wonderful news!" my mother says.

"It's unbelievable. That guy's got more lives than a cat."

They pull back from me. My mother brushes a piece of hair behind my ear.

"Tell us what happened," she says.

"When the Evil Queen was killed, all of her curses were lifted. He woke up and came to my house yesterday."

My father's brow furrows. "The Queen was killed a week ago. Where has he been since?"

I drop my eyes. "After he learned I was married to August, he considered not telling me he was alive. He didn't want to disrupt our lives."

My father bobs his head. "I can understand that. Hook always did put your well being first, Emma."

I nod. "I know. But once he saw us again, saw Lia, he knew he couldn't just walk away. He wants to know his daughter."

My mother smiles. "Did he meet her yet?"

I feel my lips move into a wide grin. "Yesterday. They were beautiful together. Just how I imagined they would be."

"This must be confusing for her though. She thinks of August as her father," my father says.

"Killian was very good about it. He said they can just take it slow and get to know each other."

My mother sucks in a breath. "How is August? It can't be easy watching his wife's true love walk back into her life."

I lower my eyes again. "He's okay. I think he's still processing."

"And you?" my father asks. "How are you handling it?"

I swallow hard as I meet my parents' eyes. "I was so happy when I saw him again. I never wanted to let him go. All of the feelings I had for him came rushing back. To be honest, I don't think they ever left. I missed him everyday. I came to visit him here every week. I couldn't touch him or see him smile or look at me, but it was my way of holding onto him."

"But now you're married to another man," my father says. "A man who loves you and Lia."

I nod. "August has been so good to us. The last thing I want to do is hurt him."

"But you're still in love with Killian. It's written all over your face and your husband will be able to see that," my mother says. "You've never been in love with August."

I bob my head. "Killian and I would be married right now. We would be raising our daughter together if circumstances hadn't torn us apart again. We would be happy. I know it."

My father sighs. "You have created a happy life with August."

I wipe at a tear on my cheek. I don't even know when I started crying. "We have. It's a safe and stable life. It's what I didn't have as a child and it's what I wanted for Lia. But it's nothing compared to the happiness I experienced with Killian. It's nothing compared to the happiness I know we could have as a family. Don't we deserve that chance? After everything we went through to have a future together, don't we deserve the chance to try? Doesn't Lia deserve the chance to grow up with her parents?"

My father releases a breath. He has grown very fond of August over the past couple of years. "You made a commitment to August, Emma."

My mother looks at her husband. "Because she believed Killian was dead. Things have changed, David." She pauses, taking my hand in hers. "I know what it feels like to want a man you can't have. David was married to Kathryn and I fought my feelings. I tried to push him away. But it didn't work because we belong together. And, in the end, all it did was cause needless pain and waste time we could have spent together. You and Killian belong together too. Don't make the same mistake I did, Emma."

I nod, taking in a steadying breath. "I don't know what I am going to do, Mom. I'm so confused right now. But I know that I don't want to hurt my daughter and blowing up the only family she's ever known will hurt her."

My mother shakes her head. "So will watching her mother pretend in a marriage, watch her mother yearn for her true love. You won't be happy, Emma, and that will affect Lia. And it won't be fair to any of you."

I wipe at my cheeks with my hands. "You know what? It's too soon to decide anything. I just want Lia and Killian to have a chance to get to know each other first."

...

~Killian's POV~

I hear her footsteps click across the ship's deck as I lean against the railing, staring out at the water and the setting sun. She comes to stand beside me. Her eyes flit across my face, as if memorizing it, as if I might disappear at any moment. I turn my gaze over to her.

"I just spoke to Henry," she begins. "He's so happy you're alive."

I smile gently. "I've missed the lad. I recall you telling me he's at university now. How is he doing?"

She nods her head. "He's doing great. He's majoring in creative writing and loves it." She pauses for a long moment. "He said he wished he could come back and see you but he's too busy with school right now."

I purse my lips. "Perhaps I will give him a call soon."

"I'm sure he'd like that," she says.

We fall into an uncomfortable silence for a few long moments and my heart sinks. We never used to have these awkward moments. We always had plenty to say to each other and, when we did have moments of silence, they were always comfortable ones. I liked that we had developed such a familiarity and sense of ease with each other that we didn't always need to exchange words. I'd never had that before.

She reaches out and covers my hand with hers, as she speaks in a low voice, "I was scared it was all a dream when I woke up this morning. I actually went to the tomb because I needed to see for myself that you weren't still in there. That you really had come back to me."

I turn to meet her gaze. "Don't you know by now, Swan? Nothing can keep me away from you. Death couldn't, so simulated death didn't stand a chance in hell."

She laughs lightly, but it soon fades.

"I never stopped loving you," she says softly.

I feel my heart soar in my chest at her words.

"Nor I you," I reply with a smile. I pause for a long moment and then add in a whisper, my eyes focused on her face. "I know you're not in love with him."

She drops her eyes down. "Killian."

"It's alright if you can't admit it, Swan. I don't need you to."

I watch as she swallows roughly and avoids the statement. "Things are different now, Killian. I have our daughter to consider."

"Aye, I understand." I lick at my lips. "I will give you all the time and space you need, Emma. I will not push you or pressure you or interfere in your marriage. But you must know I will never stop waiting for you, even if you decide to continue in your marriage. I am nothing if not a patient man."

I told Regina I wouldn't have a choice to let Emma go if she chose to remain married to August, but I realize now I do have a choice. I can wait for her. I can wait as long as it takes.

Her eyes grow wide and her mouth drops open slightly. "That's not fair to you, Killian. You deserve to be happy. I want you to be happy."

"You and our daughter are my happiness. You are my happy ending. It took me 300 years to find you, Emma. I refuse to lose you now. I told you once I would never stop fighting for us and I meant it. Perhaps that fight means waiting until you come to terms with what we both know in our hearts. We are meant to be. We belong together. We always have and we always will."

She stares at me for a long moment, her lips parted, as if she wants to say something but can't bring herself to. I lean forward and place a kiss to her temple, needing to feel her skin against my lips. She closes her eyes and leans into my touch.

And then she slips her hand from mine and she's gone.

…

~Emma's POV~

I open the door to the house as quietly as I can. It's late and I don't want to wake Lia or August. I tiptoe to the stairs, but his voice stops me in my tracks.

"Where have you been?"

I turn around to find August sitting on the couch.

"What are you still doing up?" I ask, as I walk towards him.

"I was waiting for my wife to come home. I was worried." He shakes his head, swallowing roughly. "Why didn't you answer my calls or texts?"

I lower my eyes to the ground. "I put my phone on silent."

"Why? Where have you been?"

His tone feels accusatory and suddenly I feel guilty for no reason. "I went to see Killian on his ship and then I just walked around town. I needed some time alone to think."

His face flashes with hurt. "You went to see him? Why?"

I shrug. "I just needed to talk to him, August. He's been gone from my life for six years. We share a daughter."

The truth is, I needed to see him again. I wish I could see him everyday. I wish I could wake up next to him every morning and fall asleep in his arms every night. And if I weren't married, then I would being doing exactly that. I would be with Killian right now. But I can't tell August any of that.

He sighs heavily. "I understand things are complicated, Emma. I don't expect your feelings for him to have just disappeared. But I think I deserve your honesty. I think I've earned that much."

I nod slowly. "You're right. I'm sorry. I should have told you where I was going and I should have called to tell you I was going to be home late. I'm sorry I worried you."

He stares at me for a long moment, then bows his head.

"I'm going to bed," he says simply and then turns on his heel.

I feel my heart break a little at the pain I know I've caused him. I force myself to follow a few minutes later, stopping at Lia's door when I hear her voice.

"Mommy?"

I step inside her bedroom and come to sit beside her on the bed. "Yes, baby?"

"Did you see my real daddy again?"

I nod with a smile. "I did."

"Is he sad?" she asks, her forehead wrinkling.

I tilt my head to the side and brush her hair off her forehead. "Why do you ask that?"

She shrugs. "Because he's all alone."

I feel tears spring to my eyes. She's right. I built a life with August and Lia. I have Henry, my parents, my brother, and sister. But Killian has no one. I was all he had and our little girl was our future. He thought he was coming back to his true love and his daughter. Instead, he came back to a life that was no longer his.

And I've been so focused on not wanting to hurt Lia and August that I haven't really considered how much pain Killian must be in right now and much it would hurt him to lose us for good. I realize that no matter what happens people I love will get hurt.

I bob my head slowly. "Yeah, I think he is sad."

"I don't want him to be sad," she says softly.

"Neither do I," I reply. I force a smile. "But guess what? He is going to get to know you and that is going to make him happy."

"How do you know?"

I run the back of my fingers across her cheek. Looking into her blue eyes are like looking into Killian's.

"Because you make me happy everyday. I know you'll do the same for him."

"Okay," she says. "I'll try."

I smile, as I lean forward and place a kiss to her forehead. "Sweet dreams, Lia."

"Goodnight, Mommy."

I get up and walk out of her bedroom. I enter my bedroom, noticing the light shining from beneath the bathroom door and the water running. August is in the bathroom and for some reason I breathe a sigh of relief. I quickly change and crawl into bed.

I stare at the empty spot beside me where August usually resides. I can't help but picture Killian sleeping in his place, his eyes focused on mine, arm draped across my hip. I imagine my hand caressing his face, his scruff delightfully rough beneath my palm. I can feel his lips on mine as he kisses me goodnight. More tears fill my eyes at the thought.

A moment later, I hear the door to the bathroom creak open and I quickly turn over on my side. I feel August slide into bed behind me. I can sense his eyes on me, trying to determine if I'm asleep.

"Emma? Are you still awake?"

I don't reply and squeeze my eyes closed. I hear him sigh and then turn over on his side, his back to mine. I feel a tear slip down my cheek and hit my pillow.

…

End of Part 2

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought. Steph