Emma Swan.
That's what she chose to be… the Swans had given her back when she was three, basically because they figured she was damaged goods and besides, they had managed to conceive a child of their own, so… who needs a troubled little girl?
She was now fifteen and the oldest in the group home.
No one had wanted her. No one had wanted to want her. Why would anyone? Her own parents had left her on the roadside with nothing but a blanket covering her nude little body. The doctors had determined that she had been born a mere three hours before whoever gave her up left her there. If the woman who had carried her within her womb had had the coldness of heart to leave her, it probably meant that the Swans had been right, and she was no good.
So she kept the name. Emma Swan. So she'd never forget.
She was in the headmistress's room; she often went there whenever Mrs. Bailey was out. It was the only place where she could close the door and daydream, sit on her old quilted sofa, play with a real tea set and stand before a full-bodied mirror. Hiding had been her strategy ever since she realized that whenever she felt at odds, strange things would occur. Like the time where Mavis Jeffreys had stolen her ration of tomato soup (a favorite of hers), and she had somehow managed to knock the hot soup into her face, without even touching her. No one could blame her, really, she hadn't even touched Mavis; but when Linda Hughes called her Trailer Trash and immediately tripped over her own shoelace, hitting her head on the bathroom sink, things began to appear suspicious. Then one day she shouted at Miss Kelly for calling her stupid in front of the class and three light bulbs exploded.
Maybe that was another reason the Swans didn't want her: She was a bit of a weirdo.
But Mrs. Bailey saw her in a different light. She was kind to Emma, and never ceased to encourage her, telling her that one day she'd find a home, even if it meant she'd have to fight for it. She allowed Emma to enter the room, look into her old chest of memories and play with her clothing, alone but happy.
Happy was a word she had unfortunately associated with loneliness.
This time, she produced what looked like a white gown. She walked to the mirror and placed it over her own body; it was a gown with lots of frills and satin cuffs, reaching maybe her knees, with a band that she guessed reached the hipline, adorned with a single flower on one side.
"It was my grandmother's". Came Mrs. Bailey's voice. "It came with a tiny little veil, more like a… diadem of sorts, but… that was sort of lost in time. I think I do have in in here, somewhere…."
Emma smiled and turned back to the mirror. "It's a… wedding dress?"
"Yeah, it is. From 1928."
Emma chuckled. "It's old."
"It is, but look…" She took the dress from Emma and unbuttoned it. "It still looks great, it's in perfect shape. And if anyone ever wanted to marry in this, all we need is to have it dry-cleaned and voila!"
Emma sat next to Mrs. Bailey. "Why didn't you ever get married?"
"Who says I didn't?" she shrugged. "I just… never was able to have babies."
Emma blinked a couple of times before looking to the floor. "Is that why you work here?"
"It is, Emma." She mussed the girl's lovely blond lock behind her ear. "Peter and I always wanted a little girl, but… never could. He died about a month before I came to work here."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, don't be. Things always happen for a reason. Had we had babies, had he not passed when he did, I wouldn't be here with you right now."
Emma looked at Mrs. Bailey with a smile. "So, you're different."
"How so, Emma?"
She shrugged. "Well, the teachers, they're all former… pupils." She sighed, trying hard to avoid the infamous "O" word. "You're not like them…. Like any of us."
"We are all the same, sweetheart." She smiled kindly. "We all come to this world under different circumstances and…"
"Get dumped in the highway, some of us."
"Emma, listen:" She took the young girl by the shoulders. "I will not justify what your mother did. Leaving such a little baby to her luck was just… wrong. But you reach an age where you sort of… realize that, whoever she was, she must have felt truly desperate and scared to do such a thing. I know, this doesn't work for you, but as you grow older, you will find yourself making a lot of desperate decisions." She caressed Emma's hair. "Whatever pain you are in, your mother's must have been double, to have to leave her baby like that. Pain, fear, and anguish… you don't know. Maybe she was really young, maybe she was forced to leave you, or maybe…"
"Maybe I freaked her out." She turned to Mrs. Bailey, standing up. "I freak people out. Strange things happen when I'm around."
"Emma those are just odd coincidences."
"What if… I'm a witch? What if I'm one of those babies that came out from a satanic ritual or something?"
Mrs. Bailey laughed. "You're a smart girl, I know you really don't believe that! Look…" She stood and grabbed Emma's hands, walking with her to the mirror. "You're a beauty, you're intelligent, you have good grades… And if you have a little quirk that makes things happen, like you say, well, I say that that just makes you a hell of a lot more interesting, that's all."
Emma somehow managed to feel herself smile a little.
"Tell you what… try the dress on."
"Y… your grandma's wedding dress?"
"Yeah, go on, put it on!"
Emma laughed as she went behind the Chinese decorated screen to change; the dress still hung a little, but Emma loved the feel and old smell of the garment. She came back out and Mrs. Bailey smiled. "My, my… Emma!" She clasped her hands together. "You're starting to shape up to be one hell of a beautiful woman." She sighed. "One day you'll be a lot fuller at the top and your hips and you'll look splendid in this!"
Emma grinned back. "Oh, I don't think I'll ever get married…"
"Why?"
Emma's face fell. "Who would ever want to marry me?"
"Oh, Emma…" She stood up and hugged the girl. "There will be a man who will see your inner beauty before he even realizes how amazingly beautiful you are on the outside. There is always one. Not everyone finds him because sometimes, we're so enthralled with our own lives, our obligations… we sort of let it pass, but I'm sure you won't. And I know you'll be one of the lucky few who will know him the minute your eyes meet." Emma grinned at the woman, trying not to let tears well up in her eyes. "Oh, I think I remember where the diadem is! Hold on!" She went through three boxes when she finally produced a little cap that was short veiled and incrusted with some old, squashed feathers. "It could also use a little maintenance, but hey, let's put it on…" She placed it on Emma's head and the girl smiled as she looked into the mirror. "Remember this, Emma Swan: This, will be you in a few years… and you will be beautiful, fortunate and very, very loved. Don't you forget it. Every little girl is a princess."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
She looked at him, still sleeping.
The whole fight had taken quite a toll on everyone, but he still looked peaceful and beautiful as he slept by her side. The sun hadn't quite come up yet but a mild yellow glow was visible in the horizon. She had somehow gotten used to sleeping in that crammed little bed of his, but she knew by now that she would never be able to sleep decently anywhere without the feel of his body next to hers, no matter how cramped. Even Lilly fit in the bed.
Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little squishing. Squishing was nice when one was in love.
She was out of bed early to feed her. She had risen as if nothing had happened the day before, looking fresh and happy and smiling her usual baby smiles. If anything, she had gained a little bit of weight since they had arrived in Storybrooke, and she had certainly grown at least a couple of inches.
As she held her to her breast, Emma continued to stare at Killian, who seemed immobile and only breathed deeply and calmly, sighing occasionally and stirring slightly whenever he did.
"OWW!" Emma suddenly wailed and involuntarily pulled away from Lilly, who looked startled at having her lunch so abruptly interrupted. Emma looked at her and saw two little incisive teeth peeking on her upper gum. "When did those start to pop out, baby?" She grinned at her daughter who had started to whine. She then looked at her own breast. "You guys, we're in for a rough ride from now until. Ugh…." The then allowed Lilly to continue feeding.
"Rum…" Killian moaned.
Emma turned to find him, face pressed to the pillow, one eye partially open and looking at his daughter as she suckled. Emma winced again. "Jesus!" She turned to Killian. "How long have you been awake?"
"Your OW just woke me…"
"Sorry."
"It's ok, Swan." He grinned. "Rum."
"Don't you think it's a little too early for that?"
Killian huffed and propped himself up on the pillow, and Emma had to smile at how beautifully terrible and sexy he looked, a pillow mark on his right cheek and his hair standing all over the place like some funny cactus plant. "Not for me, love… for Lilly."
"Rum?" She raised both eyebrows. "What are you…?"
"Even Zelena knew of that secret." He yawned. "You take some rum, dip your finger in it and rub it into her gums. Should ease the pain of the process…"
"And who is going to ease MY pain, I ask you?" She giggled. "I mean, I'm supposed to feed her for the next couple of months still and, Oh OWWW, LILLY!"
He laughed and sat up, kissing Emma on the shoulder before looking down at his daughter. "Go easy on your mum, darling. Those are not just yours to nibble on, don't want them damaged too badly..."
Emma rolled her eyes over to him with a smirk. "SO glad she doesn't understand what the heck you just said, Killian; I'd have to have her psychoanalyzed for years for this."
"Psycho-what?" He sneered.
Emma smiled at him. "Ok. You're an avid reader, I'm sure you'll totally love the work of Sigmund Freud and Melanie Klein. Remind me to ask Hopper for a copy of his full work for you to understand, just… don't believe everything."
He smiled at Emma and sighed. "I suppose that, now with the witch gone, I might actually have some time to indulge in a proper reading." He kissed her cheek and stood up. "Best start the day."
"Aw come on!" Emma whined. "The sun's not even out yet, Hook!"
"Have you ever heard the metaphor, "the early bird gets the best worm", love?" He grinned as he slipped into his leather pants.
"Yeah. And that's really cool. If you're a bird."
He laughed.
"Killian, come on, stay in bed with me… Just a couple hours more?"
The captain stood straight and huffed. And Lilly notoriously pulled hard. "OWWW!"
He winced. "That hurts even to look at." He turned to Emma. "Will you make it worth my while?"
"When do I not?"
He nodded. "You make a fine point, savior. Very well…" he removed his pants again and skipped into bed just as Emma pulled Lilly away. The baby looked pleased with herself and easily drifted back into sleep when she was placed in her bassinette. Emma sighed and returned to bed, cuddling up to Killian. Who lifted the blanket up for her. "That really hurts…"
He chuckled as he embraced her. "I'm sure it does."
"Are those tender?"
"You can't even begin to imagine…"
"I can, sweetheart." He shrugged. "Fellows also have rather sensitive nipples as well. I rather admire you, for doing this…"
She looked up at him. "Really, why do men have nipples? Seriously, you don't need them, you don't feed babies, you just… have them there."
"Swan, for the love of…" He laughed. "Why on earth are you asking me such a daft question? I honestly don't know."
She looked at him. "I swear, mine are devastated."
"Alas…" He sighed.
"And yours…" She gently touched his little bud amidst the hair of his chest. "Look at them, in perfect shape and they don't even have a proper use… It's not fair." She played with it with her finger and Killian gulped.
"Are, erhm…. You quite sure of that, my love? That they have no… proper use?"
"Really… what are they there for?" She looked up into his eyes, lustfully, before kissing her way down, and gently teasing it with a single lick before giving it a moderately decent little suckle. Killian swallowed hard and leaned his head back into the pillow with a grin, inhaling deeply and licking the inside of his upper teeth. Emma stopped and looked at him. "There. Nothing. Not even perking up."
He laughed. "Well, those might not perk up, darling, but…. Something else is."
"Oh… so they're like… a switch?" she crawled up his chest to his lips.
"You could say that."
"And… am I flipping that… switch, captain?" She whispered.
"Like an expert."
"So… they DO serve a purpose."
"I suppose so…" He leaned up to touch her lips with his.
Emma fell on him completely, her hair hanging on either side, as Killian's handless limb wrapped around her waist, pulling her to his body, his other hand gently caressing the rounded side of her breasts, hoping not to touch her sensitive parts, even if he desperately wanted to. She grinned when she indeed felt the parts that had cleverly "perked up" press against her thigh and smiled. "Ahoy there, skipper…" She smiled.
"Aye aye, Captain…" he replied.
She frowned. "Aren't YOU the Captain?"
"Not with you, love. You're captaining my life."
She smiled and caressed his hair, looking into his deep, blue eyes. "And I tied you up in that beanstalk."
"Aye… and I locked you up in a cage. We're even."
"You want to know a secret?"
Killian caressed her face. "Of course…"
She sighed and rolled off of him, leaning into his side. "There was a reason I chained you up there…"
"You didn't trust me."
"That's not it. I trusted you." She bit her lip. "And… that's why I chained you."
Killian frowned. "I'm afraid I don't quite follow…"
Emma sighed. "From the moment I met you, there was something about you that just felt right. You said some things as we climbed up that beanstalk, and you cured my hand with the rum and then I saw how you defied the giant, and I just thought, 'wow, he's got guts!'… I was impressed… Then later you were about to trip on that booby trap so I pulled you, and you held me and I… God, I hate to admit it but it felt so good and I just… really liked you." She chuckled. "And that was scary, because… all my life, every time something good comes my way, and I feel happy… I somehow wind up getting hurt. So, from a very young age, I convinced myself that happiness is being alone, staying away from love… because it will eventually hurt you. Then when that thing happened with Neal, and I was in jail…. I thought it was life showing me that I was right. That alone is better than 'in love'…" She looked up into his eyes. "I never forgot the look in your eyes, how hopeful and pleased you looked when I helped you out from underneath the rubble, and you held your hand out to me… and the look on your face when I… put that shackle on you. I thought about that for months. So deep down, when I heard you were in town… I just had to see. That's when I found you on the side of the road with three broken ribs and with Gold trying to strangle you with his cane, so … I had to protect you." She laughed. "So I shackled you again!" She caressed his cheek. "I chained you at the beanstalk because… if you had followed me… I would have fallen for you much sooner than what I did, Killian. And I was terrified." Killian sighed deep and Emma touched his face. "But I'm not now. Not anymore. I'm sorry."
He looked legitimately touched. "Oh, Swan…" He whispered. "I rather figured that out a while ago, but hearing you say it… well…" He leaned down and kissed her neck. "I am blessed to have won your heart. I truly am."
She smiled, welcoming the feeling of his lips on her skin. "I love you..." She whispered.
He propped up on his elbows and smiled. "And I love you… matter of fact… let me show you just how much…"
She was finally loved and wanted. Magic and all. After all, she was sleeping with Captain Hook AND raising a child with him, her parents were Snow White and Prince Charming and she had just defeated the Wicked Witch of the West. She was completely surrounded by weirdoes and it no longer felt strange to be one. This was definitely closer to home than anything, and she slowly understood why she had never found her true home. Maybe she wouldn't HAVE to run back to New York… still…
Making love as the sun rose had never felt so damn good… until Killian Jones.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"And what is the proper form of behavior for a Gentleman and a Sailor, when a lady is on board?" The professor approached the young sailor, still clad in dark navy clothes. "Sailor Williams?"
The young sailor's eyes shot straight ahead, looking at a blank point in the distance before he replied. "Sir! You remove your headwear and bow, before you approach the lady and offer your own accommodations and meals, should the journey be too long…"
"And your company in the bunks to keep her warm at nights…" Came another voice.
Grunts of laughter were heard as Professor Commodore Carrigan paced to the very obvious source of the joke. "The younger Jones boy… why am I not surprised?" He scolded. "Step forward, sailor!"
Killian took two steps forward. "Aye sir…"
The Commodore approached his face. "And I gather you feel that that was amusing, Jones…" He hissed.
"It rather was, sir, yes, I do feel so." He replied with a grin.
More amused grunts. Liam, lined up on the row behind his brother, bit his lower lip. That brother of his…
"You, master Killian, are unruly, undisciplined and rogue. You have no regard for etiquette, you can't hoist a sail to save your life and were it not for your uncanny mathematical abilities and your skill for mapping the stars, I'd have seen to your displacement from this academy a long time ago, but I fear that being ostracized might only make a pirate out of you, and heavens know we need no more of those in this realm."
"Runs in my family, I fear, sir." Killian nodded.
Liam sighed and grinned as he shook his head. Indeed, that little brother of his…
Commodore Carrigan huffed. "Jones, you will get three lashes and a day without meals for a whole day, for your cheek." He stepped loser to his face. "Hopefully that will teach you to keep that big gob of yours shut when it comes to replicating a superior officer, which you fail to recall, have all authority over your pathetic little arse… Your future as a naval officer is uncertain, should you not mind your mouth you'll end up a boozing buccaneer with no future, drinking rum and…"
"Well, at least he won't be cold nights, sir!"
More laughing grunts as the Commodore turned to Liam. "I should have thought the other Jones would jump in to save his little brother. Tell me, sailor Jones…" He walked to Liam. "What does it feel like, being the sons of an infamous pirate, the most infamous of all? Hmm? Shame? Anger?" Both Liam and Killian lost their smiles at that, but not their military stance. "Indeed, it does run in your family, I fear. Alas… It is my duty not to encourage this insubordinate attitude, but to mend it, so as to prevent either from you from becoming that shameful figure of a father you were unfortunately raised by." He paced away. "Three lashes for you as well, Liam Jones! And nonetheless, you WILL attend the academy ball and you will NOT shame it by philandering with the courtiers that will do your scrawny arses the favor of dancing with you."
Three (or six) lashes later, the two brothers returned to their quarters at the naval academy. Both Liam and Killian Jones were well loved by their class mates for their wit, their humor and their disregard for most strict rules; they were, however, the most apt at sailing practices: Liam was strong, tall, and commanded respect, had all the traits of a leader and was certainly looked up to by most other classmates, while Killian was intelligent beyond his years, resourceful, strong willed and an excellent navigator.
They'd make a hell of a team; the problem was stirring them both away from the path his father, the famous Davy Jones, had taken.
"Do you believe that was worth it, brother?" Killian whined as he lay down on his cot.
"Well…" Liam grunted, in equal pain. "The lads still think highly of us, so I'd say aye to that query." He turned his head to his brother. "I must say, we do need to shape up, Killy. The ball is tomorrow and we're both ached by the whip."
"What is there to ladies that we don't already know, Liam love?" Killian smiled. "We've been out enough…"
"Bar wenches and street Phillies are certainly NOT the same thing as proper ladies, brother."
"Certainly, but how hard can wooing one be?"
"Whoever said a word about wooing, Killian?" he chuckled. "These are just courtiers asked to escort us all for the duration of the ball, we're not courting for marriage."
Killian turned with a wince, facing his brother. "Do you ever plan to wed, Liam?"
Liam sighed. "Should the occasion arise, why, yes."
"Who?"
Liam frowned. "How should I know, Killian?"
The younger Jones sat up and hissed in pain before looking at his brother. "I plan to wed…"
"You can't even tie your shoelaces…" Liam joked.
"What garbage. I can woo."
"Shagging is one thing, Killian, courting a lady is quite another." Liam laughed.
Liam laughed back. "And you're just jealous because your younger brother had carnal love before you did."
"Alas, I am far better looking than you, Killian."
"That's debatable!"
Killian suddenly forgot his pain and he scuffled with his older brother for a few minutes before they both remembered they had bloody backs. As they settled down, they continued conversing.
"So, you little arse…" Liam sighed as he swabbed his younger brother's back with a dash of stolen rum. "Who and how do you intend to wed?"
Killian winced at the pain of the alcohol entering through his gashes. "I do have a mental image…"
"Pray tell."
"For starters, she won't be a dull, embroidering lass." He smiled. "She will be tough."
"She'll have to be, to put up with you."
"She will have the face of an angel and the heart of a lion… she will best me in everything I do. She will be hard to win over, and I will have to fight all sorts of oddities to be at her side." He closed his eyes and continued to describe her, the woman of his dreams. "She will make me weep and rejoice… She will however, be kind when she has to: A proper daughter, a diligent mother, and she will know her ways in bed, much as I will know my own. And she will love me…" He sighed. "…even if she will never do so more than I ever will."
Liam laughed hard. "And, she will have hair golden like the sun and eyes greener than the fields of our lands, lips red, skin creamy and a bosom like a goddess of the sea, am I correct?" Liam chuckled. "I know your type, little brother…"
"YOUNGER brother." He turned to Liam. "And yes. That would be her."
Liam laughed. "You're practically asking for an angel, Killian."
"Aye, I know of it. I know I'm not the most deserving, but I know I shall find her…"
"You're a sentimental, romantic bastard."
"Aye, what of it?"
"It will never happen, love. You'll find a woman who is decent enough and wed her, you'll see…"
Killian turned and pulled his shirt down with a mocking grin. "I'll be a captain of my own vessel as well."
Liam laughed aloud. "Sure you will…"
A week later, the ball took place without incident… except for the incident of the two Jones brothers getting caught humping their willing dates behind the armory and getting locked up in the academy brig for a week.
With another lashing.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"So…"
"So…"
"Here we are…"
"Indeed…"
David and Snow sat on the table across from Killian. "How are you this morning?"
Killian sighed. "Well, considering the struggle we all went through yesterday and the fact that for a few brief moments I felt the overwhelming anguish and ache of believing my daughter was dead, I am doing surprisingly well." He sighed. "Thank all gods for Emma."
Snow cleared her throat and David turned to her to see her scratch the edge of her hair. "What, have I missed something?"
"Not something you'd want to know about in detail, David, love…" Killian choked a giggle… and was stunned to find Snow was stifling one herself.
"You didn't…" David straightened up.
"Do you really think Lilly was brought to Emma by the stork, David?" Snow looked at her husband. "We all know that's not how this works…"
The prince swallowed a large gulp of saliva and averted his gaze to the table while Killian and Snow fought to keep their laughter inside their lips. "Fine. Ok. Don't wanna know. Why the hell are you here?"
Killian finally nodded with a smile and reached into his pocket. "While Emma is out with Lilly doing some grocery shopping, I came to show you this… for your approval of it…" He placed a beautiful silver ring with a huge blue stone in the middle. When David's jaw fell open and he looked at Killian, the pirate's smile had disappeared. "…And your blessing."
Snow was also aghast. "I… was joking when I said, bring the ring…"
Killian huffed and grinned. "Alas, your highness, I was not."
David picked the little gem up and studied it. "This is gorgeous. Where did you…?"
"Oh, my god, you didn't steal it, did you?" Snow gasped.
Killian rolled his eyes to snow. "Aye, together with your father's crown and six horses! Of course I didn't!"
"Chill there, pal." David raised his hand. "It was a logical question."
The pirate shook his head. "Because once a pirate, always a pirate, I gather…"
Both Snow and David stared at Killian and instantly, Snow felt herself blush. "You're right. That's why I asked, and I shouldn't have. You've shown what you're made of. I'm sorry, that question was totally out of line."
David nodded in agreement. "I second that."
Killian sighed and nodded. "Very well… I'll answer anyway." He grinned and licked his lips. "It was my mother's. I kept it for the longest of times until the Jolly Roger got looted once and I lost all the treasure that was on it. Loads of gold disappeared that day, but no lost treasure ached more than the loss of this ring. So I was rather… glad to see it back here. To be honest, I have had it since the day before Pan's curse took such a nasty turn. I'd had a long chat with Neal about Emma, I told him that I was in this for the long haul and that I'd be a worthy rival for Emma's affections. And so I went to the crocodile's shop, saw it and… made an offer. He refused… until now."
David leaned forward on the table. "Knowing the feud between you and Gold, I'm surprised he let you have it for any monetary price at all."
"We've no feud anymore, mate, we shook hands, remember?" Killian grinned. "He accepted the trade."
"You must have offered something pretty priceless, if he traded with you so easily. What did you give him in return?" Snow asked with a frown.
Killian grinned a sad grin. "When Bae was in my vessel, all those years ago, he had with him a drawing, one made by his mother. It depicted his likeness, when he was a child, rather a parting gift of Milah's for her boy. When he got mad at me and decided to leave the Jolly Roger, he left it behind. So I kept it as my own, the only souvenir of young Bae's likeness I had…" He swallowed. "You'd think the Dark One had no heart? He accepted without hesitation when I offered it for my mother's ring earlier today." He shrugged. "As a father of the late Neal, I do suppose he'd value it much as I value my mother's ring."
Snow swallowed and bit her lip. "That was the only memento you had of Neal…"
The pirate nodded. "Aye."
David sighed. "Hook, Emma told us you… traded the entire Jolly Roger for a magic bean, to find her." He held Killian's stare. "Is this true?"
Killian sighed and tapped his finger on the table. "Aye." He then raised his eyes to them. "Look, I know… I am merely a pirate, and that I have not led an exemplary life. I am also well aware that I've made a lot of mistakes in my lifetime." he looked down. "I come from a line of piracy I've long fought to forget. My father is... or was, Davy Jones. And I sadly failed in my attempt at leading a life of honor; I turned to piracy the moment my brother died." He swallowed. " But I'll have you know this: All my life, I've waited for Emma. I'd have dreams of a woman like her, way before I even boarded my very first vessel. She was in my mind, years before my brother died and I became a pirate and even while I was with Milah, I had thoughts which I attributed to the idealization of a platonic desire, but they were not. Every single event that has taken place in my life, I now know, has been a path that led me to your daughter, and as a result of that, to becoming a father at her side, which, I have to say, was both a huge surprise and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love them both, more than words could ever convey, and while I live, I vow to you that neither Emma nor Henry nor my little Lilly will want for shelter or my affection."
David sat back, staring at the man before him in complete awe. Snow smiled and reached out for Killian's hand. The Captain flinched slightly and looked at Snow with mild surprise, meeting her kind smile. "Killian…" She grinned. "In my opinion, you are a true hero. You saved us all, gave us our memories back, broke the curse, saved Lilly, came back for Emma… and all these… sacrifices, I think, make you above all things, a good man." She shrugged. "Even if you are a bit of a pirate…"
"Thank you milady." He bowed his head slightly.
David side grinned and placed the ring back on the table. "Killian… There's no other person in the world I'd rather have my daughter's hand." He smiled fully. "You're an honorable guy. So, yeah. You have our blessing, now make us all proud."
Killian nodded at both. "I understand she's a princess… Is there any… odd protocol I should know of? I mean, we already did skip the preliminaries quite a bit and gone straight to…"
"Okay, don't push it!" David raised a hand. "Yes, there is protocol. We have to do an engagement party…"
"But since this is Storybrooke, we can just make it a nice gathering at Granny's, no pomp or grandeur." Snow smiled.
Killian sighed. "I can do that."
"Perfect! We'll do it this Saturday!" Snow smiled. "Now… breakfast? I made waffles…"
"Milady Snow, it's nearly noon." Killian smiled.
"So? Have you eaten?"
"No, but…"
"There. We call these family breakfasts. Charming, did you text Emma?"
"Yeah, she'll be over in an hour with Lilly. Regina will bring Henry in about twenty minutes." He looked at Hook. "Listen, get used to it. You're part of the family now, pirate, and we do this a lot, so…"
"I'm not complaining, mate."
"Good." David chuckled. "Just some advice…"
"Aye?"
"Ever thought of… I don't know… Wearing something less… pirate?"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The day rolled on like any day in Storybrooke.
The old abandoned barn bore the scar of Zelena's curse. And as the last remains of a green mist seeped through the soil of the eerie round markings, the four colors of energy that had lit it up the previous night suddenly came to be again. A portal was being reopened.
Emma was humming around as she folded some of Lilly's clean laundry, when the little one started crying. She walked over to her and found her to be slightly… annoyed.
It took both Killian and Emma three hours to get her to sleep.
This was still far from over.