Prompt: Emma somehow finds out Killian's birthday, and throws him a party at Granny's.
Author's Note: Who doesn't love a surprise party? Super fluffy (whoops kinda angsty? It was boring otherwise).
"Okay, Henry; you have to keep him away from Granny's until I text you the all-clear. Got it?" Emma asked.
"Yeah, I got it mom. But why don't you do it? I'm sure you'd be better at keeping him occupied." Henry replied.
"I'm sure I could keep him occupied, just maybe not away from Granny's" Emma laughs, remembering another time she had to distract him and how well that went. "Besides, he wants to get on your good side so he won't be suspicious of you."
Henry nods and runs upstairs to bother Killian and get him away from the diner until the party is ready.
-/-
"No no no! The balloons go by the front door, and the banner drapes across the back of the restaurant!" A very frazzled Emma runs around Granny's, barking out orders, rushing to get the decorations ready in time. "There you go! Now let me go check on the food." Emma hurries towards the kitchen where Granny, Regina, and a variety of other helpers were making snacks for the party.
"Who's got the cake?" Emma hollers into the bustling kitchen.
"It's right here Emma." Ruby shouts back, gesturing to the massive pirate ship shaped cake resting on the counter. "Just a little more detail work and we'll be good." Ruby turns back to finish the cake, and the helpers are sorting the treats onto various platters.
"Looks good everyone." Emma calls out, leaving the kitchen. The last of the streamers are hung, and the restaurant looks perfect.
"Okay, I'm calling the boys back!" after heavy scrutinization, Emma grabs her cell phone and dials Henry's number.
"We're a go." she states after he picks up.
"Gotcha, mom" He replies and promptly hangs up.
-/-
"SURPRISE!" The whole restaurant yelled when the door opened. Killian froze in the doorway, taking in the restaurant.
"Happy birthday, Killian." Emma guided the stunned pirate (hero), into the diner where he was greeted by one and all. He walks over to an empty booth and sits down, head bowed.
"Killian, what's wrong?" Emma pushes into the booth next to him, gently rubbing his arm.
"Today is the anniversary of the day I lost my hand." He states simply, both of them understanding how much more he lost that day. "And my brother. Some truly great memories associated with today."
"Look," Emma said, turning his head so they were face to face, "I can't promise those memories will go away, but I can promise to help you make better ones." She drags him out of the booth, and they share a small smile.
"Now time for the cake!" Emma yells out, watching Ruby cart out the scale model of the Jolly Roger- cake edition. She smiles wide seeing his child-like reaction.
"Come on birthday boy, you get to cut the first piece." It's his turn to drag her over, and he cuts a generous slice for each of them.
"Thank you, Swan" He says, as the whole gang attempts to squish into one booth. The rest of the day is a blur of smiles, laughter, and pure happiness.
"To many more." Emma says, grabbing Killian's flask and holding it high in the air.
