Chapter Three

Killian and Robin entered the Jones' townhouse. It was past midnight. Robin helped him with his jacket, as it was more difficult due to Killian's injured hand. Killian was in a haze, not really knowing what he should do. "I need to walk Smee." He said.

"I stopped by a few hours ago and took him for a walk." Robin told him.

"Oh, thanks mate." Killian said, being grateful for his friends help. He walked over to see the note that Milah had left him. Honey, don't forget to pick up my dress from the cleaners. I love you! His right thumb caressed the paper.

"I'll pick your parents up from the airport in the morning." Robin said, bringing him back to reality.

"Thanks, mate." He replied.

Robin gave his friend a worried look. He didn't know if he was going to make it through the night alone. "I'm going to stay." He told Killian.

"No," Killian said. "No, I'll be okay. You go on home. I'll see you tomorrow." Robin hugged him while beginning to quietly sob. He tried to be strong for Killian but he was beginning to fail at it. Milah was his friend too.

Robin let go of him. "If you need anything, just call and I'll be over in here in two seconds."

"Thanks, mate." Killian replied.

"I'll see you later." Robin said, as he walked out the door.

"Bye." That was all Killian could muster. He looked around beginning to realize that Milah would never be here with him again. He would not spend the rest of his life with her in this house. He had never felt so alone.

Killian looked over to see that their beloved dog was standing by the door waiting for Milah to come, just as he had done every other day. He walked over to his trusted companion to break the bad news to him. He sat down next to Smee, taking his face into his hands and looked him straight in the eye. "She's not coming home, boy." It was the first time he admitted that his beloved Milah was gone. For the past fifteen years she had been his world and now she was gone. He could not hold it in any longer. He began to loudly cry tears for his wife.

In the waiting room of the hospital Elsa was frantically running around. Liam was there and he had brought the kids. She notices that one of her sons, Adam, is drinking something, something that she did not give to him. "Adam Martin Jones, what are you drinking?" She asked.

The boy not sure what to say came up with "I think it's juice." Elsa took the cup, sniffed it, and realized what it was. "Adam, who gave you wine?" She asked. He pointed Robert Gold. He has been a long time family friend and he is also David's godfather. He is also close friends with her father-in-law Brennan.

Elsa rolled her eyes. "Robert, why would you give my kid wine?" She asked.

Robert laughed. "So sue me. Now he's drunk and disorderly." She could hear Brennan laugh in the background.

"Oh, you think that's funny, Dad?" She asked, which seemed to stifle his laughter. Deep down, she knew he was right. Her kids were very hyper and it did not help that Liam was not the strictest disciplinarian.

She walks over to her husband, who was sleeping in one of the chairs. "Liam wake up." She said.

He began to regain consciousness after just finishing a long shift. He worked for the Chicago Police Department. "What?"

Elsa let out a groan. "Help me get the kids together, and take them to your sister's. It's one in the morning for god's sakes." He quickly sprung into action, knowing now was not one of those times to make his wife made. Not in her condition and especially not when her best friend was on the operating table. He quickly rounded up his children and headed for the door.

"No stopping anywhere, Liam." She instructed. "You drop them off and then you come straight back here."

"I think I'll stop off for a lap dance before I come back." He joked.

Elsa rolled her eyes. "Oh, that's sooo funny." She said to him as he left.

Mary-Margaret, who had been sitting there the whole time, put down her knitting and looked around. "Has anyone seen David?" She asked. It seemed she has lost track of her husband.

"I don't know, Momma," Elsa said. "Dad, where's Papa?" Ever since her parents died, it was David and Mary-Margaret who had raised her. She has always affectionately referred to them as Momma and Papa.

Brennan knew of David's whereabouts. "He's in the chapel, honey." He told her.

As David knelt down in one of the pews, a nurse was lighting a candle and then left. David has always considered himself to be a devout man. He and Mary-Margaret were both raised Catholic and their faith has always been extremely important to them. They instilled that in both Emma and Elsa, showing them how important it was to have faith and to pray.

He began to pray to St. Michael, the angel, for intercession. "Help us Michael. I know my wife doesn't think much of you, but you have always been my favorite saint, because you're a fighter. Fight for us now Michael, fight for us. Fight for Emma. She needs you now." He prayed. He then continued his prayer in silence.

The surgery was a long one, but it was going very well. Emma responded well to anesthesia and the incision they made was great. They had to remove her bad heart. All went well with that part of the procedure and they moved on to prepare to put in the donor heart.

One of the doctors came out periodically to update the family on Emma's progress. Several hours later, no one could keep their eyes open. All of them were fast asleep. Emma was curled up on the couch with Liam while the others were sleeping the plush arm chairs scattered around the room. They knew if there were any updates that the doctor or one of the nurses would wake them.

Mary-Margaret knew she would not be able to sleep, knowing that her daughter was under the knife. She was in the chapel praying with her husband. They recited the rosary and said several novenas. St. Augustine had once said pray without ceasing, and that's exactly what they were doing.

It was time for the donor heart to be put in. Everything was going well. They connected all of the arteries and valves. Once that was done, the heart was ready to work. It began to beat very loudly from inside of Emma's chest. The doctor smiled as he knew that the surgery had now been a success.

Killian had fallen asleep with Smee right next to the front door. He was exhausted from everything, especially the crying. However, he had a strange feeling in his heart. It was like it skipped a beat. He did not understand what that meant, but for some reason it gave him hope.

A/N: Can you see where this is going yet? As a note, I wanted to clarify a few things. I did not include Anna in this story as I did not see any character she would fit into well. Also, I know that some of you may not be religious but the characters in this film are Catholic and this prayer scene is too good to leave out. If you are wondering what novenas are and about saying the rosary, those are formal prayers that are recited by Catholics, as well as some other Christian denominations. St. Augustine was one of the more prominent church fathers of early Christianity. I felt his quote would be useful here. I apologize for the vagueness of explaining Emma's heart transplant. I'm a theologian by profession.

Hope you are still enjoying the story!