Killian's day was faring no better than Emma's, he couldn't keep himself from hoping that Emma would reach out and ask him to get coffee. He was in his office, grading the most recent papers his students had written when there was a gentle knock on his door frame.
Dorothy gave him a small smile when he looked up at her. "Hey there, Jones.. I just wanted to see if everything was okay, you and Emma kind of left all of a sudden last night.."
Killian nodded. "Aye, Lass. Come in.." He offered her the chair across from his desk. "I'm fine, Emma and I just talked for a while.. Not a conversation we wanted to have in a bar." He shrugged.
"I understand.. I may not know everything that you and Emma have been through, not like Ruby, but.. I know that you've got one hell of a past and I'm glad you're able to start working it out together, Killian."
He sighed. "I know, I'm glad she's giving me the time of day, but.. I also know I don't deserve it. I may have left to take care of my family, but.. I left the other half of my family alone. Something I knew she was terrified of me doing."
She nodded a little. "I'm not as close to Emma as my girlfriend, but I know she was hurt by you.. And based off everything she's told us about her time with you.. I think she'll always love you. You just have to prove that you're back. For good. That you're in this for the long haul, Killian."
"Aye, I know. I'm not going anywhere, and I plan to prove that to her in any way I can. I came back to see her. And I want to at least get back to our friendship.." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm taking this at her pace, and anything she's willing to give me, I'm going to eagerly take." He admitted.
Dorothy gave him a gentle smile. "Good, you're a good man, Killian. And I'm rooting for you, for both of you together. I've distracted you enough, I should let you get back to it. Let me know if you need anything. Even if it's just someone to talk to." She got up and gave him a small nod before she left.
Killian spent the rest of his day teaching and talking to his students. He left his phone in his desk so he wouldn't be tempted to text Emma whenever he had a break in class. When he picked up his phone and extra papers at the end of the day, he was surprised to find he had a message.
Hey.. Can you get coffee with me Friday morning? -ES
Killian smiled at the message, surprised but happy to see that it was from Emma.
Aye, Love. I'd love to, I don't teach until the afternoon so that's perfect. Is 9 good?
He responded before he shoved his phone in his pocket to head home. He wanted to call Liam and talk to him about Emma. As much as he knew Liam supported his decision to go back to Boston, he knew Liam would never sugar coat his opinions and would tell him what he needed to hear not what he wanted.
Once he was home, he dialed Liam's number after reading a confirmation text from Emma. Liam picked up after only a few rings.
"Hello, Brother. It's good to hear from you." Liam answered, a smile evident in his voice.
Killian smiled. "Aye, I'm sorry I haven't called lately. There's been a lot going on here. I just wanted to talk to you about.. About Emma." He said softly.
"Ah.. You've found her recently then?" Liam asked.
"Aye, one of my new coworkers and her girlfriend set me up on a date with her. Coincidentally. It didn't go well, and then I agreed to go to their friend's house for dinner.. And it turned out to be Emma's brother and sister-in-law.."
"Did it not go well? Is everything okay?"
"It went fine.. Emma and I have had a few much needed conversations, but she's still hesitant to be around me." He sighed. "I don't want to push her too far too fast, I just want her to be happy, even if it's not with me."
Liam sighed. "Just keep it slow, Killian. If she's still talking and opening up to you, that means you're doing something right. Did you ask her to talk or was it her idea?"
"It was her idea mostly.. I knew she wouldn't want to see me, not after the way I left her.. But then.. Then she told me something else, and it made me feel like the world's biggest asshole. I don't deserve her forgiveness."
"What did she tell you?" He asked softly.
Killian took a breath, looking out the window of his bedroom. "She said.. She said she was pregnant when I left.." He could barely speak. "And that.. With the stress and pressures she felt of me leaving and not answering my phone.. That she.. She miscarried.." He said softly.
"Killian.. I'm so sorry.." He spoke gently. "I can't imagine how difficult that is for you. I know how much you used to think about having a family.."
Killian sighed softly. "It's okay, I'm upset that I wasn't here to help her through it, or.. That today there's not a little one running around with Emma's smile and nose.." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. There's nothing I can do about it now."
"I understand, Brother.. Do you know when you're going to see the lovely Miss Swan again?" Liam asked.
"She actually asked me to coffee on Friday. I'm looking forward to it.. She asked about you and Elsa and the kids.. She was glad to hear you were doing better since the accident."
"That's sweet of her. Tell her I said hello and thank you for me? And enjoy the coffee. Don't make it too big of a deal. She's probably scared, and it's a big step for her to ask you to join her. She obviously cares or she wouldn't have asked."
"Aye, I'll tell her. And I'm trying to keep it simple. It's just coffee, Liam. And it surely means a lot to me that I'm getting the chance to make my mistakes up to the person I love, and have possibly hurt beyond repair." He sighed.
"Aye, Little Brother. Take your little victories, and don't mess it up again. She might forgive you once, but if you ruin it again you'll never have her.. But, I'm proud of you, Killian. For taking the chance, even if you didn't listen to me for years, you finally are going after what you want. I know how much you've missed Emma, and I know I'm not there to tell her as much.. But I think it'll mean a lot to her in the end how you treat her now."
"Younger brother." Killian groaned. "But, I just wanted to tell you everything that's happened.. I'm sorry I haven't talked to you lately, I've been busy getting settled in at work and at home.. And then how I accidentally ran into Emma and everything that's happened with her.." He sighed.
"It's alright, Killian. Elsa and the boys say hello, and they miss you.. And your niece misses you too." Liam said, Killian could hear the sounds Cassie was making over the phone.
Killian couldn't help but smile fondly. "I miss you all too. Give the twins and Cassie a hug for me. I'll video call soon so I can see all of you. Thank you for talking to me, I know it's pretty late over there."
"Of course, Brother. I was up with Cassie anyways.. But I'd do it anytime."
They gave their goodbyes and Killian made himself some dinner. His week went by quickly and before he knew it he was getting ready to meet Emma for coffee.
