Killian recognized the distinctive knock on the door, glancing over that way. He was early, he realized as he hefted his satchel down on the couch in front of him.

"It's open," he called out, loud enough to be heard beyond the door.

It made him smile to see Henry walking into the apartment, all smiles himself.

"Hey, Killian." Henry sounded just as excited as he looked. It was going to be cold outside. Even colder as they made their way up to the observatory. At least he was bundled up in preparation for it.

"Hey, Henry." Killian's smile grew. "Are you all ready to go?"

"I'm all ready." He said it with a shrug and bright eyes. "I wanted to say thanks, too, Killian, for letting my friend come along."

"All in more fun, yes?" Henry had wanted to bring a friend, and it had seemed like a good sign. He took it as meaning that their friendship was a cool one. One that didn't have to be hidden or glanced over to his peers. A good sign.

Henry nodded at that. "It's going to be great. The whole day is going to be great. I've been to the observatory before, of course. But never to be able to takes pictures. Well, not with a real camera or anything."

"Ah, the camera." Killian grabbed at his coat that was lying on the couch beside the bag.

"What?" There was an instant curiosity about Henry at that moment, his head quirking as he watched him. "You were able to get it, weren't you?"

Killian watched him as he slipped into his coat, keeping the smile down to a minimum. There was something to be said about seeing a joy in Henry and being able to share in that something. The fact that it was something that Killian had had a hand in only made it a greater achievement. Their friendship hadn't been about Emma. No, not at all. It was about them. So to have both entities, to have Henry as a friend who looked up at him in a mentoring way and to have him be the son of the woman he… Well, it was a uniqueness that he was quite fond of.

"I have the camera," he assured him.

The curiosity was replaced by a look of excitement on the boy's face. An excitement at the prospect of an afternoon filled with gazing out and capturing their beautiful city.

"In fact," Killian continued, "it's back there in my bedroom on the dresser. Why don't you run back there and get it while I finish getting ready."

"On your dresser?" He was moving already. "Okay. I'll be right back."

Killian smiled to himself again as he watched Henry move across the room. It wasn't only about the idea of them getting along. It wasn't only about being able to connect with the boy on some level. There was also a bit of pride about the situation. Pride in Henry and the young lad that he was. Pride in the strength and character of Emma's son.

He didn't have the family dynamics that his brother had. But, for some reason, there was a growing dynamic in the relationships he had with Henry and Emma that sort of filled that void. A strange occurrence, if he let himself think on it too long. A nice occurrence though, as he thought on what they'd both brought to him.

His mind conjured up thoughts of her. An improper thought, at first. A memory of a night that rivaled any previous dream… He only let the thought stay for a second, being bombarded of other things about her that he had deemed so intriguing. The way she had opened up to him. The way she touched him softly and looked at him with eyes that were open to… so much.

What had happened to the closed-off neighbor of long ago? How had he did the impossible? Or maybe it was she who had done the impossible, in him.

The ringing phone from off was what took him from his musings.

Killian finished adjusted the coat, buttoning himself into it, before he scooped the ringing phone into his hand.

The intake of breath was sudden, his mind turning in all directions by the name presented to him.

It had been… It had been a long time. It had definitely been before Emma. And before Emma seemed like so long ago…

Ignoring the call would be one thing. But it wouldn't put a stop to it. Maybe… It was Emma's eyes that came to mind. Maybe putting a stop to it- putting a stop to them- was exactly the right thing to do. So… answer the phone.

"Hello."

"Hello to you, too." Her voice was a soft whisper. It was inviting and definitely friendly.

"Jessica. How are you, darling?"

He had liked her. She had always been easy to get along with. Alluring and lovely. Yet… there was no comparison.

"I've been okay," Jessica assured him. "I just haven't been in touch with you in a while."

Well, she hadn't called him and he hadn't called her…

"It's been quite some time," Killian murmured in agreement.

And then it began. He listened to each word with caution, hearing and knowing what exactly was coming. The question came as to where did he stop her. When did he make her pause about how work has been going, how nights have been a little lonelier the past few week or so, or how there was only one solution to that problem?

Killian offered a small laugh into the phone.

"Jessica, love?"

"When are you going to make time for me, Killian?" Ah, and there it was!

Killian heard the steps falling from the hallway. Of course it didn't take long for Henry to grab the camera bag and bound back out of the room. Especially when it was the start of their day together.

"Jessica, that's going to be a problem, love," Killian said quietly into the phone.

He saw Henry then. He saw how the bag was hugged against his chest, holding it close to him.

"What is the problem?"

Jessica's confused question, and the expectant look on Henry's face, made him feel trapped in a situation that he was not ready for.

"Are you ready to go now, Killian?"

"Killian?"

"One minute, okay?" he said into the phone. "Henry?" He pointed a finger at the boy. "I only have to finish this call. And then we can be on our way."

Henry was slow to nod, possibly wondering why there had been a change in him.

"Okay, Killian."

"Why don't you go and take your bag and the camera out to the car?" he told him, moving then towards the door. "I'll be right out."

Henry didn't move as fast as Killian had. His steps were slow as he looked up at him.

"Right out," Killian assured him with a smile.

"I'll be outside waiting then." Henry offered him a shrug on his way out of the door. He didn't look at him this time, making the trip down the hall.

Killian eyed him the entire time. He waited until the door opened and Henry made in onto the porch before he brought the phone back to his ear.

"Jessica." It came out as a sigh.

"You seem busy," she said lightly. Not miffed, but there seemed to be a twinge of something in her voice.

"I'm sorry about not giving you my attention, love." He said it sincerely. He meant it just as sincerely. He didn't know how she would take the news.

"It's okay," Jessica assured him. He heard the smile in her voice. He heard the demure coming back. "I'm not surprised that you're busy. I figured that it must be part of the reason I haven't heard from you. I do believe that this is the longest I've gone without talking to you."

The smile crept onto his face. She had been one of his favorites.

"There's something that I must be honest with you about, Jessica," he told her slowly. Coming right out seemed like the best idea.

"What is it?"

She didn't expect anything. Didn't expect that their last time was going to be… their last time.

"Ah… Jessica?"

"What is wrong with you, Killian?" Spit it out, was what she was saying.

"Okay." He paused again. When was the last time he'd had to confess about a relationship to one of his women friends?

"Jessica, I'm not going to be able to see you," he told her. It had been sincere and apologetic. "Not anymore."

"What are you-"

"I've met someone," he cut in, not giving her a chance to ask the question.

Where he'd thought her questions would have run all together, there was instead a pause.

"You've met someone?" Jessica asked slowly. "Are you telling me that the great Killian Jones is trying to settle down and be a one-woman kind of a man?"

A one-woman kind of a man. It made him smile again. Emma Swan as that one woman.

"You could say that, love," he whispered into the phone.

It was the entire package. It was the fact that she felt the need to keep so much in for only herself. It was the fact that she had let him in, so gradually. But she'd done it. It was the bits of humor she allowed herself to share. It was the way she gave herself. And she was beginning to give so much of herself.

"Killian?" It was full of skepticism, the way she said his name.

It had drew him back into her though. Jessica. Beautiful. Vivacious. But… no comparison could be drawn.

"Yes?"

She sighed. "I didn't see this coming."

Who had?

"I'm going to miss you. And our nights together. Are you…" She sighed again. "Are you really sure about this?"

She'd asked if he was sure? It was the way she asked.

"I'm sure." It came out as a laugh. There was no doubt.

"So I won't get any late night calls a month or so down the line telling me that you've changed you mind?"

It made him squint, the idea of that possibly happening.

"No." Killian shook his head to himself. "I don't think so."

"Well, damn it." The curse was soft as well. "I guess we will see. And I guess I should let you go now."

Yes, that would be the way Jessica would have responded.

"I do have some things I'm in the middle of."

"This is it then, Killian. Goodbye."

She had been a staple in his life and in his bed, however frequently or infrequently, for the longest time. And now it was over.

"Goodbye, Jessica."

Killian heard the click of the phone in his ear, signifying more than just the end of the phone call. It was ending more that the singular relationship. What is was was the beginning of something. And part of that something was waiting for him outside.

He dropped the phone into his coat pocket, forgetting it for now. The satchel was still on the couch. It was a quick stop back at the couch, a quick grab of his bag.

Henry was waiting. And the day was just beginning.

"He's sleeping, Killian."

And in his arms. It was an amazing thing to see. How could he not think of what the future held for not only this tiny one, but also what the future held for his entire family? A family that was on the rise.

He looked over at Ruby, who was curled up into a ball on the couch. Connor might have been asleep, but the heaviness of her eyes told the tale of who was beyond tired.

"Aye, he's asleep." Killian's arms tightened around the quiet bundle, holding him closer to him.

"That means that you don't need to be holding him," Ruby said quietly. Her sudden and wide yawn stretched over her mouth being, covered belatedly with a hand.

"If I don't hold him when he's sleeping, then I'd never hold him," he remarked, shaking his head.

It earned him a laugh. A hysterical little laugh that had her head falling to the armrest.

Killian drew his eyes over to Liam, who came to stand behind her. There wasn't a smile there on his face. Instead, a sympathetic gaze down at his wife.

"May I guess?"

"His sleeping schedule… hasn't come quite together yet," Liam admitted. His hand came down over the top of Ruby's head. "He's up more often during the night than he is during the day."

"Is that so?" Killian's gaze fell back down over the baby in his arms. "Are you being a challenge already to your mom and dad? Well, that sounds about right, yes?"

Tiny. Connor was a tiny bundle. That was amazing. It was amazing that life started out like this right here: a tiny little thing that was dependent on those around him, to be taken care of for every single detail. To give life to the Jones' name, it meant this right here. And one day… maybe it would be his duty and privilege to add a branch to their tree. One day.

Killian looked back up at the new parents. Ruby, with her face buried into the arm of the couch, and Liam, leaning slightly over the back of it, both looked wary. The newness of the experience telling its tale.

"Don't you know that you are supposed to sleep when the baby sleeps?" he asked, offering an amused smile to the both of them. "Even I know that."

"You're very smart, Killian." The tone spoke of something loathsome.

The teasing was warranted, he thought. But seeing the dead exhaustion of his sister-in-law left a soft spot in his heart.

"Liam, why don't you tell your wife to take her butt to bed?" Killian asked with a grin. "You're about to pass out. Go do it somewhere comfortable."

"Ruby?" Liam leaned over the couch, his hand smoothing down from the top of her head to cup her cheek. "Killian is right. Why don't you go lie down in bed? I'll take care of Connor."

"Who will probably sleep during my entire visit anyway," Killian chimed in.

Her face turned up towards her husband. It was as if the suggestion had been so tempting and lucrative that she let the tiredness bleed out.

"Are you sure?"

It put a smile on Liam's face. His hand smoothed down her cheek again before he leaned down to kiss her.

"No need to worry. I'll take care of him."

"And he has me here for backup," Killian chimed in, offering a smile himself.

Ruby looked between the two and sighed heavily.

"Okay. I'll go take a nap." Her fingers gave a rough and quick massage to her scalp. It was with one more look up at Liam, and then she stood up.

She looked good. The weeks were falling away quickly, and so were the signs of the pregnancy. Not the signs of being a new mom, which were etched in every part of her. But she looked good.

Liam came around to the front of the couch, meeting Ruby with another quick and firm kiss.

"If you need anything- if Connor needs anything…"

"If there's anything I have the slightest doubt or question to, I will come to you," Liam assured her.

Ruby nodded, a nod that spoke of trust in his words.

"Okay. Okay." There was another sigh that left her lips as she turned to leave in Killian's direction. Or rather baby Connor.

"Do I get a kiss goodnight as well, love?" Killian murmured with a twitch of his lips.

She spared him a roll of her eyes as her hands came to caress at the small hands peeking out from underneath the blanket.

"I came to say bye to my son," she said softly. And there was a bit of softening that happened in her face as she looked at him. Some of the tiredness seemed to wash away.

Was that what it was like to be a parent? To just have one look at the face that you'd had a hand in creating would lead to everything in the world seeming fine again?

Ah! Family!

"Don't hold him the entire time, Killian," Ruby said, looking up at him.

"I promise."

She watched him for just a moment, those tired eyes turning on him. And then she moved closer and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Goodbye." It was a tired murmur as she slipped away from him.

Killian watched her go until she disappeared out of the room and out of sight, heading for the one place she deserved to be more than anywhere else: her bedroom.

"Am I to be led into believing that parenthood isn't what I've been romanticizing it to be for quite some time now?" he asked ruefully, turning back around to his brother.

Liam smiled. "Of course not." His eyes fell over the bundle in Killian's arms. "It's amazing. Connor's amazing." He moved to stand in front of the couch and fell down onto it. "Look at him."

And Killian did. Yeah, there were bits of Ruby, but he was a Jones. All Jones.

"How can you not think about the future?" Liam asked, sounding in awe. "I have a son. Someone to teach and mold. Someone who will look for me to be the guiding light in his life. That's amazing."

"Aye, that it is," Killian agreed.

It wasn't only about securing future generations of their family line. It was about what Liam had just shared. It was about having someone who looked as one of the most influential people in their lives. It was about being that positive influence and seeing the growth that would come from it over a lifetime.

"One day, brother."

Killian smiled at that, the thought bringing with it other memories.

"Liam?" He found the tone to be solemn, even to himself.

"What is it?"

He looked at him sitting there and tried to decide how he wanted to go forward in the change in topics. His eyes fell back on Connor in his arms. His firstborn nephew. There would be more, he was sure. But Connor would always be first.

The bassinet was on the opposite side of the couch of where Liam sat.

"I'm going to lie him down now."

Liam was quick to stand up, meeting Killian at the bassinet as he walked over.

"Let me do it."

Was there some special way that babies must be laid into their bed? But, as he watched his brother with his son, maybe there was. There was a pride in seeing Liam care for Connor. And there was a pride in seeing his brother be a father.

There hadn't been a great role model in their own father. Not in the least. And yet here he was, being the role model for Connor.

"Look at you."

If there was awe in his voice, then maybe that was what Liam had picked up on. He looked at him, offering a smile.

"I'm proud of you, Liam," Killian told him. There was nothing but sincerity and brotherly love in his words.

"The pride goes both ways," he assured him.

"Yeah, well." Killian took another look into the bassinet, looking down at his nephew.

"Connor has you thinking."

Killian turned his head swiftly around to his brother.

Liam had already been watching him when he turned. An up and down look that was equivalent to a mental checklist.

"You have plenty of time," he told him. "It'll happen. Bachelorhood isn't in the cards forever, Killian, because that isn't what you want."

It might have been a thought that had ran through his mind. It might have crept up because he was seeing the beginnings of a new generation. It might have even been because bachelorhood was already creeping out of the scenario of his life.

"I… did something, Liam." It was slow and with thought. His eyes found his brother's. "So tell me if I'm foolish for it."

For a moment, he just watched him. Maybe anticipating his younger brother's next words. Liam crossed his arms over his chest, giving an encouraging nod.

"What did you do?"

It wasn't as if there had been an automatic negative reaction to that question. But, for whatever reason, Killian felt a nervousness wash over him.

"Does this have something to do with Emma?" The question came with a cock of his head.

"I like Emma." Killian nodded, the admission made easily.

"You've been looking pretty happy lately," Liam said in way of observation.

Killian watched him closely. He hadn't told him about that specific detail that had moved their relationship forward. He hadn't shared about the night that had brought her to his apartment. Or how she had been different than what he'd expected or what his dreams had concluded.

Timidity? Not so much…

"I would equate that to Emma."

Killian didn't mind that Liam's words had taken him away from thinking of the way she had been open to him…

He only smiled at the deduction.

"What did you do?"

His hand came up to stroke his chin. He wasn't nervous about sharing with Liam. The whole point in bringing up the conversation was to get his opinion. But… If anyone knew him, it was Liam. So… his opinion mattered.

"Do you remember Jessica?" Because it was a fair place to begin.

Liam blinked at him, the smile lifting one corner of his mouth.

"One of the others," he said softly. "I didn't know you were still seeing her." His frown was instant, the disappointment evident.

"Well, I'm not." Killian shook his head. "I haven't seen her in a really long time."

"Then?" He left it open.

"She called me," Killian explained.

The smile returned, but with a shake of his head. "And what does that mean, little brother? That you're going to start seeing Jessica again?"

It was his tone. As if it was the last thing he wanted him to do.

Killian took a step closer to Liam, a frown on his own face.

"Emma and I never spoke of being exclusive to one another. But… that's not the point."

"Then what's the point, Killian?" There was doubt in his question. If he had wanted to hide the disappointment from him, it wasn't working.

"The point that I was going to get to was that…" He shook his head again, looking right at Liam. "I told her about Emma. She called me, and I told her that I was seeing someone seriously."

The surprise on Liam's face was subtle. He stood up straighter, his eyes never leaving Killian.

"You just told me that you and Emma never spoke about being exclusive."

"And we haven't," Killian confirmed. "That doesn't change the fact that she was with no one before me, or that I haven't been with anyone else since this thing has started."

"I'm confused," Liam said slowly. "It's that what you wanted me to let you know if it was foolish or not? That you told one of your flings that you were seeing someone seriously?"

He said it as if that wasn't a huge step within either one of them. When Emma hadn't been with anyone in years. When he, himself, had never been concerned with the idea of commitment before.

"No, that's not it," Killian told him.
"No?"

No, that wasn't it…

"It was after the fact," Killian said slowly, watching his brother. "Jessica was the catalyst is all." He took in a deep breath. He knew that Liam like the idea of Emma because it meant the ideas and dreams he'd had for him coming into fruition. But he knew that he liked the woman as well. There was a reason why they referred to her as the one.

"It was a lot of women," he said in way of defense. "There were a few. I was mainly consistent. But…" He licked at his lips, pausing. "I went through my phone and got rid of everybody else." His eyes slammed on Liam's. "That was dumb, right? Like I said, we haven't talked about anything like that. It's way too soon. Too soon for Emma. The fact that we've come so far is a success unto itself. So I shouldn't have deleted the numbers. And the text messages. The pictures." He smiled at that. "I had a nice collection of beautiful pictures. And… I… got rid of… everything. That was dumb, right?"

Killian only noticed then how much he had said and how quiet Liam had been.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" he asked him warily.

He stayed quiet. But there was something about this type of quiet.

A hand came out to lie on his shoulder, and Liam finally smiled.

"You remember how I told you that I was proud of you, too, Killian?" he asked quietly. There was a twinkle of something in his eye as he watched him.

It made Killian smile.

"Of course I remember."

"Well, this is one of those things that make me really proud of you."

"That makes you proud?" He felt a bit dubious in Liam's response. He hadn't known what the response was going to be, but proud hadn't crossed his mind. "I was thinking that by doing it on impulse like that, that eventually I'd regret it."

"Why? Why would you regret it?" Liam shook his head. "It's different with Emma." He'd said it so matter-of-factly that there seemed to be no room for doubt in his mind.

And it was different with Emma.

"What? Do you think that will change? Was it a conscious thought to not call any of the others during your quest to get Emma to open up to you? Or did you realize that your focus had been solely her after the fact?"

It had been after the fact. He'd wanted no one but Emma since she'd opened that door and let him in.

"I don't think that it'll change. She's…"

Explaining Emma. How did he do that?

"She's everything that I thought I wanted for my future, and everything that I didn't think I'd have."

It was a confession not only to Liam, but to himself as well. Emma had become…

"Then you have your answer: you did the right thing." He shook his head. "I had my doubts about you, little brother."

Liam's words surprised him, pulling him once again from budding thoughts of her. A frown laced his face.

"You had doubts? About me?"

"And now…" He smiled. "Now I don't."

Liam didn't elaborate. But Killian didn't need him to. He understood. He understood that Liam had wants and expectations for him. Even ones that Killian hadn't put much effort into living out himself.

"Well that's good to know," he muttered quietly.

"Saying it feels even better. So… a bit of advice to you, Killian? Hm?" His eyebrows went up, he tone a bit stern.

"Advice from my brother?" Killian shrugged lightly, already curious about what was about to fall from his mouth. "I'm always up for it."

"Whatever you do," he said gravely. And then, "Don't blow it."

Sound advice, he thought with a smile.

"I'm going to try my best to follow through with that advice," he assured him. "Thanks."

Friday 10:11p.m.

What are you doing?

Cleaning up the kitchen before I go to bed.

Where's Henry? Asleep already?

Yeah, Henry's asleep.

It looks like I'll be right after him.

I have an early Saturday morning meeting followed by an interview that I have to prepare myself.

Busy Saturday. Which I can understand. I'll be spending a couple of hours at the store myself.

Damn! Do you see how professions our trying to keep us apart? I think we need to show them that it's not that easy.

Lol How do we do that?

Simple. Although I would MUCH rather have the opportunity of snuggling up together for a few hours, what I'm going to do is come give you a kiss goodnight.

Oh, yeah? OK. Come show them then.

I'm on my way, love.

.

Staring at their past conversation on the phone, it brought a smile to Killian's face. Sometimes it could be easy to question if he was in this thing alone. She had lowered some major walls in order to get to where they were now at.

Sometimes it was easy to see that she was in it just as much as he was, no matter what it had taken to get there.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. She wasn't supposed to be the one to get into his heart like no one had ever done before. But the truth was the truth. And…

Killian pulled the apartment door open, being greeting by the opposite door being already ajar.

He wouldn't have wanted it any other way.