A/N: Hello, hello! I'm baaack and a day early with this update as I had a little time on my hands to get it written up! Wow - you guys are amazing as we have hit, and gone past, 3000 views now! THANK YOU to everyone who has read this series, followed it and pressed that favourite button!
Can I just say... this week's episode of Once... MY POOR SHIPPER HEART. Emma noooooooooo! But, we are going to get a second proposal so it's all good. Also, can we please appreciate Lana's acting for both Regina and the Evil Queen - I thought those moments were absolutely beautiful. My heart melted into a puddle...
Anyway, enjoy this one-shot guys.
Keep Smiling!
"Are you sure that you packed everything?" Emma asks, fussing over her. She ensures that her red coat is zipped up tight, that her rucksack contains everything she may need, that her soft wavy hair is brushed, that her uniform is on properly. "This is where your brother would come in handy because he always has everything."
Cassiopeia giggles at her mother who kneels down in front of her. Her small right hand covers her mouth, hoping to temper the giggles slightly when Emma drops her arms to look her over for the fifth time in a row.
She turns her head to the left to see Killian leaning against the back of the sofa, an amused smile on his face.
"How do I look, Daddy?" she asks, twirling slightly on the spot so the skirt of her dress swishes about her legs.
Killian quickly moves forwards and kneels beside his wife.
"Absolutely beautiful, Sweetling." he says honestly, hand tugging playfully on the hem of her dress.
Cassie giggles again, reaching out to grab her father's hook.
"I want to go to school now, Daddy. Can we go?"
Emma and Killian turn their heads towards each other, smiles on their faces; Emma's slightly watery.
"Mummy just wants to take some pictures of you and us together before we do go. But, we're ready if you are, sweetheart." Emma says, looking back at their daughter.
Cassiopeia smiles brightly which prompts her parents to lean in and loudly press kisses to her cheeks at the same time.
...
Emma drives them to the school, Killian's hook resting on the middle of her thigh. She keeps looking in the rear view mirror as Cassiopeia becomes completely silent, which concerns her, and Killian, as Cassie had been so talkative mere minutes before.
"We can go to Granny's for dinner if you want, to celebrate your fist day." she says, knowing all too well that her daughter shares the same love for Granny's famous grilled cheese.
"Okay." Cassie says, her voice lacking its usual light.
"You could have some of the brownie that Granny makes specially too." Emma says, hoping that this will excite her. "I know how much you like it."
Cassie doesn't reply, instead turning her head to look out of the window. Emma glances at Killian who has turned in his seat so he can look at Cassiopeia in concern.
She continues driving to the school, stopping and parking the car down the street.
Emma gets out onto the pavement and pulls her chair down so she can lean in and help Cassie climb out. She picks her rucksack out and crouches in front of her, helping her shoulder it properly and comfortably. Killian walks around the back of the Bug, standing beside his family.
"Come on then, Sweetling." Killian says, offering Cassie his hand as Emma stands.
Cassie grips both of her parent's hands in vice-like grips and they begin walking to the school gates. Their daughter's grip increases as they move closer and closer.
They stop suddenly outside the gates when Cassie stops walking, refusing to move any more. Emma swiftly crouches down in front of her, Killian following.
"What is it, baby?" she questions.
Cassie's eyes become watery, her bottom lip trembling. "I don't want to go in. I want to stay with you and Daddy."
Emma moves onto her knees, shuffling closer. Her free hand rises to push a lock of hair behind her small ear.
"You can't, sweetheart." she says softly. "You've been looking forwards to starting school. What happened?"
Cassie firmly shakes her head before moving right into Killian's arms, sobbing into his chest. He holds her, arms moving around her body before he begins to gently rock as if they are on deck of the Jolly; just like she does when she runs into their room after a nightmare.
"Hush now, Sweetling." he soothes, pressing a kiss against her dirty-blonde hair; a combination of both of her parents. "You are going to have so much fun and make some new friends. Then, Mummy and I are going to be here to pick you up at the end of the day."
Killian draws back, wiping the tears from his little girl's face with his knuckles.
"Now, you know that Grammy and your uncle are here and they will look after you." he continues, glancing at Emma. "You have nothing to be afraid of, Cassie."
"No, Daddy." Cassie says, turning to look at Emma again. "I don't want to."
Emma presses a kiss to Cassiopeia's forehead. "Daddy is right, you know. We are going to be right here waiting at the end of the day and you are going to have lots of fun; I promise. And when Mummy makes a promise she..."
"Keeps it." Cassie says quietly, eyes darting between her parents. "I'm scared."
"We know, Cassie, but you have no need to be. Not my pirate princess." Killian assures.
He exchanges a look with Emma and they both stand up again, hands linking once more. They continue walking onto the school grounds.
Emma notices her mother waiting by the entrance and she smiles. With her free hand, she waves.
"Cassie!" Snow exclaims when they get closer. "Hello, beautiful."
Cassie quickly drops Emma and Killian's hands and hides behind Emma's legs, hugging them tightly so her mother has to regain her balance.
"Sorry, Mum." Emma says, hand reaching down to run along one of Cassie's arms. "We've had a few tears and despite jumping on us in excitement this morning to wake us up, we had to convince her to get past the school gates."
"Neal was similar on his first day, Emma. It is quite natural because it is so different for them." Snow says and crouches down. "Cassie, sweetheart, it is only me."
Cassie pokes her head around Emma's hip but does not release her hold.
"Say hello to Grammy, Cassie." Emma says and Cassie mumbles her greeting very quietly into Emma's jean clad leg.
"You don't have to be scared of school, Cassie." Snow says with a reassuring smile. "I'm going to be with you all day as I am teaching your class for a little while until your proper teacher comes back. Neal is here too and you can see him later on."
Cassie releases her hold on Emma but remains behind her as Snow extends her hand. Emma kneels down, making eye contact.
"How about this, sweetheart? If you really, really, don't like school later on, Grammy will call me and I will come and pick you up as we are at the Station."
Cassie looks up at Killian. "Will you come too, Daddy?"
Killian smiles. "I promise I will."
Cassie ponders for a moment before meekly nodding. "Okay, Mummy."
Emma draws Cassie in, hugging her tightly and repeatedly kissing the side of her head. She then releases her hold so Killian can do the same.
"We love you, Cygnet." Killian mumbles as he withdraws.
"We will be right here waiting for you later on, sweetheart." Emma says, smoothing her daughter's hair back.
Cassie nods and then reaches out for Snow's hand. She grips it tightly as Emma and Killian stand.
"I'll see you later, Emma. Killian, make sure that David does some work instead o handing most of it to you." Snow says.
"Aye, I will."
Snow smiles at her daughter and son-in-law before looking down at her granddaughter. She guides her into the building, going slow as Cassie keeps checking behind her to see if her parents are still there.
When Cassie disappears into the building, Emma releases a breath. Killian wraps his hooked arm around his wife's shoulders. They turn and walk back down towards the gates and Emma stops; just as they exit the grounds. She turns to look at the school building.
"Are you alright, Swan?" Killian asks, arm moving from her shoulder.
"That was so hard." Emma says, looking up at Killian. Her eyes are slightly glassy. "There was a moment where I wished that I could just take her home, cuddle on the couch and just not let go of her."
Killian laughs slightly, kissing Emma's forehead. "I'm glad that I wasn't the only one." he mumbles.
"She's going to be alright, isn't she?" Emma questions.
Killian quickly brings Emma into his chest, her face falling into the crook of his shoulder. She breathes in the scent of rum, leather and Killian; the scent of home.
"Our little girl is going to be bloody fantastic."
...
They stand by the entrance of the school and have done for the past five minutes, waiting for their daughter. Emma had refused to let her phone out of her sight all day, just in case her mother called as Cassie needed her. She also kept moving into her gallery, swiping between the few pictures of her that she had taken that morning; her favourite being one where Cassie is sandwiched between her parents, grins on each of their faces. It is safe to say that the picture has now been set as her new lock screen - her home screen reserved for her, Killian and Henry on their wedding day.
Killian had remained by her side, in a similarly anxious state and eager for the end of the school day to arrive so he could see his little girl, hopefully with a smile on her face.
Killian has his hooked arm around Emma's shoulders, her body tucked tightly into his side. Children begin to file out of the building and Emma's arms gradually tighten as they wait longer for Cassie to appear.
"Emma. love, it is getting harder to breathe." Killian says, voice quiet and strained.
"Oh, sorry." Emma says, dramatically loosening her grip. She looks up at Killian and notices that he is just as anxious to see their daughter as she is. "She's alright, Killian."
Killian nods. "I know."
In that moment, Cassiopeia walks out of the school building, hand in Snow's. As soon as she spots her parents, Cassie drops her grandmother's hand and runs in their direction.
"Mummy!"
Emma immediately bends down and picks her up, arms going tight around her small body.
"Oh, my baby girl." Emma says as Cassie's face presses into her neck. She plants a kiss to her hair, slightly static from the day's events. "I love you so much."
"I love you, Mummy." Cassie replies, drawing back. She turns her head towards Killian. "And I love you, Daddy."
Killian smiles brightly and quickly takes Cassie into his arms when she leans towards him.
"I love you too, Sweetling." he says, smile widening when she presses a kiss to his cheek.
Emma looks at her mother who is smiling too.
"How was she?" Emma asks her and Snow draws her gaze from her granddaughter.
"She was great. Quite shy at first but by lunch she had made friends with the entire class." Snow says, a slight laugh escaping. Emma laughs too, her gaze falling on Cassie and Killian as they animatedly interact.
"That doesn't surprise me with her personality and Killian's confidence." Emma says, crossing her arms over her chest. She then turns to face Snow again. "We were going to go to Granny's for dinner. Did you, Dad and Neal want to join us?"
Snow considers for a moment before nodding. "We would love to, sweetheart. What time shall we meet you there? Your father finishes work just before six."
"Well, we can be there for six and grab a booth so we have somewhere to sit when you arrive." Emma suggests.
"Sounds good, Emma. I'll make sure that either your father or I shoot you a text when we are on our way." Snow says, moving forwards and embracing her daughter.
"Alright, Mum. We shall see you later then. I love you."
Snow kisses Emma's cheek and draws back to see Cassie and Killian giggling at each other, Cassie still in Killian's arms and her arms around his neck to hold on.
"I love you too, baby. Tell Cassie I will see her later." Snow says before smiling at Emma and then walking back into the school building.
Emma turns back to her husband and daughter, smiles blooming on all their faces. She places her hand on Cassie's back which draws their attention to her.
"Come on, you two." she says with an affectionate tone.
They begin walking out of the school grounds and towards the Bug, parked in the same place as earlier on that morning.
"How was your day, sweetheart?" Emma asks, smiling up at her daughter as she remains in Killian's arms. "What did you get up to?"
An even bigger smile appears on Cassie's face. "It was really fun, Mummy! We made lots of pictures. Grammy said we had to think of something happy and colour it."
"That sounds like lots of fun!" Emma says, digging into the back pocket of her jeans for the car keys.
"Yeah! We also played games and I saw Uncle Neal and he showed me the swings and said I could play and I did!" Cassie exclaims.
Emma and Killian laugh at her enthusiasm.
"Sounds like you've been very busy today." Killian says, placing Cassie back down onto her feet as they reach the door.
Emma helps Cassie climb into her seat and fastens her in securely. Cassie is silent until Emma and Killian have both clicked their belts into place.
"Daddy?"
Killian immediately turns around in his seat to look at his daughter, her slightly hesitant tone concerning him as she has been so happy.
"Yes, Sweetling?" he asks her.
A crumpled piece of paper is thrust his way, a big smile on Cassie's face; one that seems to be plastered onto her face.
"I drawed this for you and Mummy and Henry."
Killian takes it eagerly, bringing it into his lap. Another large smile forms on his lips and his heart skips a beat as tears prick the corner of his eyes. The piece of paper is covered in lots of bright colours and whilst some of it is hard to distinguish at first, once he realises what it all is, his heart melts.
Cassie had drawn their house, making it resemble a castle as a big block of blue, with bits of white. A big brown blog with orange blocks, probably sails, represent the Jolly Roger – one of Cassie's favourite places. What gets him most is the figures that she had drawn. There are four in total. One is a small figure in a bright pink dress and lines of yellow hair, placed next to a boy slightly taller with a brown square by the hand; which Killian can assume is Henry's storybook.
Two taller figures stand side by side beside them. One is red and blue in the clothes and the other is black and blue. What distinguishes them is the bright yellow lines coming from the head of the red and blue character and the swirly line coming from the hand of the other.
"You like it, Daddy?" Cassie asks and Killian passes the picture to a curious Emma as he turns around again.
"My dear Cygnet, it is absolutely beautiful! What made you draw it?"
Cassie giggles sweetly. "I told you, Daddy." she says as if his words are the silliest she has ever heard. "Grammy made us drawed happy."
"And what makes you happy, Sweetling?" Killian asks, wanting to hear his daughter's words.
"You and Mummy and Henry." she says. "And the water and Jolly and Grammy and Grampy and Neal and Reg-"
"So lots of things?" Emma asks with a watery laugh, cutting off her daughter's rambling; knowing full well she will not stop otherwise. She hands the picture back over to Killian. "Do you want to put it on the fridge when we get home – before we go to Granny's?"
"Yeah!" Cassie exclaims, sitting back in her seat.
Killian shares a look with Emma, one that breathes relief and happiness at the outcome of their daughter's first day at school. His hook rests against her thigh and she grips it, leaning forwards and kissing Killian; chastely on the lips as their daughter is only just behind them.
When they draw back, Emma smiles at her husband softly. A smile that he easily returns. Emma then starts the Bug up and shares a glance with Killian before she begins to drive.
Yes, their daughter had a new beginning… and she was just fine.
End note: Please review! :)