A/N: Hey all! This chapter gives us a look into the adjustment back in Storybrooke. Oliver is starting school which is a big change especially for Emma, but the newfound time allows for some cuteness for CS. We'll also get our answers on what the rest of the pirates from the Jolly will be doing and a look at the new normal I'm plotting out for this HEA. Thank you guys for reading and I hope you all enjoy!
The first real trial in coming home appeared a week after the Jolly Roger pulled into the Storybrooke harbor. Emma knew the moment would arrive when less flattering realities would worm their way into their lives, but when it came she still felt a twinge of pain in her heart over it.
That wasn't to say that the adjustment up to this point was a bad one because that simply was not the case. So much of what transpired in this time was positive. For one thing the abundance of space was something Emma found herself enamored with. Not bumping into people every day was a welcome relief and knowing that her home was a place just for her family with privacy and a bit more discretion was a real luxury after months on the open water.
The ability to almost get lost in her own home was another happy occurrence for Emma. There were new things to discover every day about and she was making good headway in actualizing her personal vision for this gigantic place. Granny and Ruby with the help of Killian and his input did a magnificent job but there were details Emma always envisioned for this home, like Killian's drawings being prominently featured and certain colors that always evoked safety and comfort for her.
In the midst of that planning she stumbled upon many a game of hide and seek, tag, or something of the like taking place between Oliver, Grace, and even Killian and she'd joined a few of them herself. It made Emma think of what it would be like with more children all clamoring for the best spots in this big house and the grounds around it. There would be more laughter, and yes maybe more tears and disagreements, but Emma knew a big family was exactly what she wanted.
There was also the fact that Emma was once again surrounded by her family and friends. To have Ruby, Granny, and Mary Margaret all practically a stone's throw away was wonderful. Suddenly Emma had real outlets for all of her questions and other women to regularly speak with. She'd enjoyed her time on the Jolly, but there were so many more lines of conversation opened to her now. Emma had the chance to ask questions about her pregnancy, about designs for her home and school clothes for Oliver, and the upcoming spring and summer festivities. She had stories to tell and to hear in return, and all of that time in the confidence of people she'd missed so dearly was lovely.
But finally a grey cloud ascended on their lives a week after docking. Seven days of finding their bearings and introducing Oliver to Storybrooke in the best ways came and went and finally the time had come for their son to join the other children in town for school. This happy state couldn't last forever, and at least for a few more months until the summer, they'd have to learn a new normal where time apart was more frequent.
This was an absolute necessity for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that Oliver deserved to socialize with more children his own age. He'd already become close with Grace, but there was more for him to learn and see and experience. Emma also knew that the coming months would add more strain for her personally what with organizing the house and handling her pregnancy, but it didn't stop her from missing her son terribly already, even though he was still here in their home for a few minutes more.
"Do you have your jacket in case the winds pick up?" Oliver grinned and nodded, emphasizing the jacket in his arms. He'd picked it himself and it was a distinct color blue that looked like the ocean on a mild day here in Storybrooke.
"Yes, ma'am."
"What about the bit of homework Miss Belle gave to you?" Oliver remained almost joyous at the second question and in other circumstances Emma might have laughed at his enthusiasm for schoolwork. Most kids were not so excited at the prospect of added studies, but Oliver was.
"I've got that too."
"And you're sure you want to stay at the schoolhouse for lunch? Some kids come home for a while to eat…" Emma was grasping at straws and they all knew it, but she couldn't help it. She wanted to draw this out as long as she could because saying goodbye would be incredibly difficult.
"Grace says only the little kids do that. I'll be fine, mother, really." She knew that was true, but still Emma felt her eyes tearing up. Only when Killian stepped to her and took her hand did she relax slightly knowing that despite the ache in her heart this was in fact a good thing.
"Sounds like you're all set then, son. Are you still determined not to have your mother and father walk you?"
Oliver considered for a moment before nodding. He wasn't as tiny as when they'd found him months ago, but Emma was taken aback by how young Oliver still appeared. That he was old enough to go on his own with Grace was true, but that didn't make it any easier.
"It doesn't mean that I don't love you though." Emma laughed through the thick of her feelings at that as she extended her arms for Oliver to hug her tight.
"We know that, darling."
"Aye, lad. You're mother's just a little emotional." Oliver pulled back to give Killian a hug too and Emma's heart hammered harder at the sight of their easy affection.
"The baby again?" Oliver's stage whisper sounded clear as day through the front of the house.
"No, lad. Just your run of the mill maternal protectiveness." Oliver raised a brow at the words and Emma bit back another laugh. They might not be related by blood, but Oliver had picked up quite a few things from Killian, and with that quizzical look he appeared in many ways the miniature of his father.
"Protectiveness in Storybrooke? But it's so safe here."
Killian acquiesced that it was, and begged Oliver not to overanalyze. It would likely never make sense to a boy that young why Emma (and Killian) felt the way they did. All that mattered was he was loved and that a few hours later when the school day was done they'd be here waiting for him. Without further ado, Oliver peered out the window and saw Grace. This set him scrambling out the door and Emma and Killian followed onto the porch, watching him wander down the lane towards school.
"He's going to do brilliantly, Emma. You've guaranteed that outcome with all your time and effort."
Killian's words were an added balm as his arms came to wrap around her. She knew that he was right, and as she watched Oliver and Grace disappear from her line of sight Emma took a deep breath in an attempt to gather her resolve. She was stronger than this, even if she did have this bevy of emotions brought on by the baby and by this first milestone. She had to persevere, especially when she considered how good their lives really were. There should be no room for sadness, not with everything they had to be thankful for.
"Will it always be this hard?" Killian immediately took her meaning despite the vagueness of the question. Emma was wondering if letting go step by step with their children would always be so difficult and Killian nodded as his hand traced over her hip.
"Aye, love, I dare say it will be. But when it hurts the most you'll still have me and I you to help ease the pain." Emma smiled, reveling in the idea that even if she'd have to adjust there would always be one constant – Killian's love for her and his want to always give her everything he could.
"I like the sound of that." Killian kissed her lightly at the admission but before Emma could deepen the kiss or follow where it was leading, he took a step back and offered a genuine smile.
"What if I told you that for today at least I had an idea for how we'll handle the separation?"
Emma's first thought was that the day's distraction tactics would lead to their bed, yet the look he gave her wasn't one of hunger but of earnestness. She recognized it as the expression that always came when he had some kind of surprise in store. Killian was up to his old tricks and that brought more comfort and a smile of her own.
"I'd say lead the way, Captain."
It took them only a few minutes to get the things they needed but soon they were off, moving down the lane of their home and across the beaten tracks. Emma was delighted to find that his intention was to bring her to the overlook and that in doing so they would get to see the lighthouse finally completed. She'd played a part in its coming to pass, but they never truly felt the reward of it and they'd definitely missed the party the town threw to open the structure. Now though she could see an old dream made real and she would do it with Killian, which made it all the grander.
When they'd been out sailing the high seas these past months, Emma never doubted that she loved a life spent aboard a ship. The ever changing shades of blue on the sea depending on where they were headed, the more often than not clear skies that held sunlight and warmth, the chances to dock in a variety of ports and to see worlds she'd never before imagined: it was all perfect to Emma. She was captivated by the beauty and intrigue of everything she saw but still nothing truly felt like home.
The green of this overlook as the grass finally came alive again after months of snow was gorgeous. It was the closest natural thing Emma ever witnessed that resembled an emerald and it looked just the same as it had every time Emma was here before. Though the paths up to the lighthouse were sometimes muddy, Emma knew every means around them avoiding the muck for both her and Killian with a finesse that he openly admired. A lifetime of experience made her an expert on this place but when she caught sight of the white lighthouse before them with the light blue trim fully completed she still took pause.
This place had once belonged to her. Not actually of course (it was the town's property after all), but Emma loved it here and meeting Killian had increased that love. The first time they'd ever met alone was out in this part of the world just at the clearing of this overlook, and she recalled every last pinpoint of that moment. It filled her with hope and just a touch of trepidation, but even then she'd known that no one else would ever compare to him. In the following weeks she'd spent afternoons out here working on her lesson plans instead of in the schoolhouse when all the children had gone home in the afternoon just in case she'd catch sight of his ship.
"I was lucky enough even in our time apart from one another to have a whole host of memories of you, Emma, but seeing you here always held something different. To know that you were up here, your eyes cast toward the sea… it gave me hope, even before we'd admitted such a hope should live."
"You used to dream I was looking for you?" Killian nodded and Emma ran her hand along his chest. "Well that makes my own dreams a little more acceptable then."
"And what did these dreams look like, my love?" Emma thought back, admitting to herself that there were so many thoughts of Killian covering so many fantasies it was hard to choose just one.
"I think most often I just prayed that you'd be here, and that maybe when you came you wouldn't stop at slight touches or longing looks. A good amount of the dreams included you simply demanding I marry you and carrying me away to your ship."
"You wanted me to do that?!" The shock in his voice was evident.
"Well I certainly didn't want to wait, or did you forget all those times I tried tempting you to be less than a gentleman." Killian growled low as he pulled Emma closer.
"I remember that well, love. You know not how hard it was to break away from such moments."
"I know that I feel even more in love with you for it. Frustrated and impatient or not, I saw then that you would always put me first and that you would always keep your word. I'd already fallen for you at that point, but it set my fate firmer in stone. No one else would ever do when I could have you instead."
Killian absorbed her words and Emma watched as he again pulled himself together. All this talk of moments made them both want more, but this journey to the lighthouse was important to him, and in his mind it took precedence over finding satisfaction elsewhere. For now at least Killian would press on here.
"Fancy a look inside, my love?" Emma looked to her husband surprised at his offer. The place was clearly locked up for the daytime and it was Emma's understanding that it was only open in darker hours when the shoreline would otherwise be undetectable.
"Only if you let me pick the lock."
Killian grinned at her reply, no doubt thinking on Emma's affinity for such things when they'd been away. It was a challenge for her at first to see if she could be any good at it and soon it became very apparent that she had a natural talent for breaking into things. She wasn't entirely sure what that said about her, but Killian loved it, citing it as another undeniable skill on her part.
"Much as I might like to see that, we are home again and breaking into town property will not get us back on the best footing. Besides, I bribed the keeper for the key. No need for any overeager risk."
"Is this how it'll be now? You stifling a bit of our fun at every turn because we're back in proper society?"
Killian knew she was teasing but he stepped closer to her once they were inside the building, boxing her against the wall of the structure. The flash of awareness that came when his hands roamed over her and his lips were just a breath away was profound and rather inconvenient given where they were. They might be alone and indoors but she knew Killian would never succumb to this flare of want on both their parts here. Still the way he tantalized her with his words was sweet enough.
"I intend to give you the best of both worlds, Emma. We can have all the grand adventure you want and just a dash of respectability to go with it. Just because we're land bound doesn't mean we aren't still pirates, and just because I ought to be a gentleman doesn't mean I always will be."
Emma loved the sound of that, but the feel of his mouth on hers, demanding a searing kiss she loved still more. It was a representation of the fact that the fire and the passion of their life together was more than misconduct and learning outlaw necessities. All of this started with a simple look, a sense of recognition when they were strangers to each other, and it built from there.
Every touch, every glance, every stolen kiss, and every day spent as man and wife were granted not because she was a schoolteacher or he was a pirate, but because together they were so much more. This love made both of them limitless and the thrill of all of their possibility was better than outrunning any storm or commandeering any loot ever could be.
Too soon Killian pulled away, leaving Emma panting somewhat for breath. The intensity in his eyes and the love that shone there was undeniable. His hand that had been cupping her cheek moved to her hair, running through the tendrils that slipped out her braid and running the silky tendrils through his fingertips. His eyes traced over her lips, her features and then finally returned to her eyes once more.
"Your days of tempting me are hardly over, love. In fact I think they're just beginning. Only this time I know that at the end of it I can bring you back home where we belong," Emma swallowed harshly at the words and nodded and when he offered her his hand to lead her up the stairwell to the top of the lighthouse she took it gladly. What awaited them at the top was a view too amazing to adequately describe.
Not only did the structure boast an easy vantage point of the sea and the horizon beyond but the windows extended all the way around the circular shape of the building. Because of this, and because of the raised level of this building atop the overlooks highest point, Emma and Killian could see down below to the beauty of the land all around them. From up here, Emma had confirmation of what she'd always known – Storybrooke was a magical place and if there was any location in the world that she wanted to find forever in it was here.
"What do you think, love?" Emma looked back at Killian finding him anxiously awaiting her opinion.
"I think it's fantastic."
It really was. Though she still missed their son, Emma did feel peace up here that wasn't readily available at the house. The avenue was still bare from the long winter Storybrooke had, but the view here was perfect for this time of year. The walk to this place had been crisp and invigorating, and holding Killian's hand up here in the sight of this pretty picture truly was an amazing form of healing.
"I was hoping you'd say that, because I had a copy of the key made. We can come here anytime we like." Emma's eyes widened as Killian placed the key on its chain in the palm of her hand.
"Leroy let you make a copy of the key?"
"Absolutely not, but what the man doesn't know won't hurt him, and if anyone else asks we have a key so of course we're allowed up here."
Emma laughed at the claim, loving that even though he'd just made a big to-do about doing things the 'right way' her husband still remained just as he ever was. Change might have come for both of them, but not in a way that undermined their individuality or the people who they were before. Emma pulled him closer to her again there in the sunlight streaming through the windows she whispered one last thank you.
"I love you, Killian."
"As I love you, Emma."
….
Finding love (and subsequently a family) may have changed nearly every priority of Killian's, but even through all the transformation he still held tightly to his Captain's loyalty. He had taken an oath to protect the men in his service. The call of piracy might be different than that of naval service, but the ties remained just as strong. These men had put their faith in Killian for years and now his stepping down would affect them.
Understanding this, Killian found himself worrying about what would happen next, not because he regretted his own choices to start anew here, but because he'd subjected his men to a life vastly different than they were used to, at least for a while. But when he discovered at a convening of all the men currently stationed in Storybrooke that the vast number of them would be retiring their call to the black flag too he was shocked.
"You're all certain this is what you want?" Killian asked, confirming what he'd just heard within the Storybrooke Tavern.
It was still afternoon, and so the place was relatively dead aside from the Jolly's crew, which was probably for the best. This was something that should be hashed out amongst them and them alone. Others might be empathetic but no ordinary person could truly understand what a choice like this would mean for a sailor or a pirate. The only individual who had a claim to also be here was Emma, but she had waived it in favor of spending all the time she could with Oliver after his first day of school.
"Aye, sir. We've all had time to think on the matter. Some of the younger lads will be off with Captain Tiana come high spring, but the rest of us are interested in finding more."
Smee's words made sense to Killian and he knew that Smee had already been planning on staying ashore. He'd spoken to his second about it previously even before docking in Storybrooke but Smee hadn't given any indication that this was what the others wanted as well. He also didn't let slip where exactly they wanted to try and put down roots until the announcement just now.
"There's nothing saying that you can't all stay on here. There's land enough to be sure. Why Coventry?" One of the other men spoke up at that.
"It's starting over just as are we, sir. We can help rebuild and make it in our own image." Killian could see the merit in that plan of action. There was only one problem, and if his men had overlooked it they might be sorry later.
"Yet everyone from there moved here. Namely all the women."
At that Smee pushed a recent issue of the Portland Journal forward to an already open page. There, staring Killian in the face was an advert for Coventry specifically seeking 'headstrong, independent, unattached women.' There was some other language there too that made it all a bit more appealing, but still Killian laughed aloud. He wondered if it was a joke at first but if it were, they had truly committed.
"You put an advertisement out for available women?"
"It was Mrs. Whale's idea. One of the men made mention of the move to the good Doctor and she seized upon the opportunity. Wrote the whole thing out herself." Of course Ruby had a hand in this, he should have known. Now Killian only wondered if Emma had been aware of this too.
"We'll none of us ever have your luck, Captain, but maybe the more you found will come all the same. Even if the story to getting there is a little different."
Killian looked up from the paper to his men and saw they all were looking at him in need of approval. They were out of his charge but still they sought his opinion, and that made him proud. To have their trust and their faith still placed in him after everything meant a lot and he would not let them down in this.
"Well I'll be wishing you all the best, and you'll be close enough to make this next part still a possibility. I've spoken with my wife, and we've decided to keep the Jolly in commission one month of every summer. It'll be just enough time to get the feel of the sea without giving this up. Any of you would be welcome back on my ship then, and Smee has agreed to helm the voyage in the next few years while I will be otherwise detained."
'Detained' was an interesting way of saying gloriously busy. It was his and Emma's shared hope that their family would be growing more and more at a quicker pace and this summer Emma would be too far along to sail again. Next year whatever child they may have would still be but a babe and if all went to plan then the next few years would carry the same perfect problem. When the children were older though, Killian and Emma both felt it important to share this part of their family history with them.
All the men there agreed to the proposition and they heralded Smee as an excellent Captain in the meantime. Killian watched then as his old friend got the chance at something he never really wanted but always deserved and as his men celebrated the prospect of this new future. It all deserved a toast in his opinion, and rum for the lot of them was procured to give one final send off, at least for the time being.
"To the Jolly Roger and her men. May you all find a treasure matching that ship."
"And to you Captain, and your family. May that baby have Emma's brain and your… well maybe everything of Emma's."
Smee's jest set everyone laughing, Killian included, but the drinks were had and as the last of the rum burned at the back of his throat Killian felt this chapter of his life finally close. For all intents and purposes he'd handed over his rein as the notorious Captain Jones, and he was more than glad for that.
With the consultation on the future of his crew behind him, Killian was free to depart and he made his way home as some of the other men stayed on for a night of celebration in the tavern. While he walked, Killian's mind wandered back to his morning with Emma out there on the green as she took in the lighthouse.
He'd traced every little detail of her figure and expression out there and he knew that sometime soon when he had even a fraction of time to himself he'd have to sketch out the image she made for there. It was too captivating an image for it to ever go away, but perhaps getting it on paper would do the trick. If he could get her smile just right or the awe in her gaze as she took in the world around them, it might aid his mind in opening up to more than just that memory.
Killian was worried this morning about his wife's response to Oliver leaving. Emma was a wonderful mother, but her capability as a teacher was also slightly problematic in this instance. Unlike many other parents who could step away knowing that it was for the best interest of their children, both Emma and Killian knew there wasn't a thing Oliver would learn at that schoolhouse academically that Emma herself couldn't impart. This was instead about seeing their son grow in other ways, and since they'd only had a short amount of time with him and had missed so much of his growing up already, watching him take steps towards maturing more was hard on both of them.
His remedy worked though and Emma's response thereafter (which involved them going back home for lunch and then a few hours in the heated comfort of their bed) was the perfect way to cope with a day like this one. Killian only wished they'd find similar occupation frequently. It was a wonderful way to spend one's time and seeing his son arrive home at the end of his school day with nothing but exuberance and enthusiasm was the icing on the cake. Leaving for this meeting had been hard because of that, but now coming home he knew only good things were in store.
Walking through the front door, Killian's first observation was the aroma emanating from the kitchen. It smelled like comfort food at its finest, surely it was a meal far superior to anything scavenged on the Jolly Roger, and when he followed the scent he found his wife and Oliver there together working to provide more nourishment than the three of them would ever need.
They both had their sleeves rolled up in the midst of all their work and Emma's hair had been pulled back again though a few tendrils hung loose from the steam in the kitchen. She had a smudge of flower on her cheek and Oliver had a few more, but they both looked genuinely pleased with themselves, discussing their plan for the meal before them. Killian almost hated to break the moment with his question.
"What's all this?"
The two best people in his world looked up quickly and grinned at Killian, pulling at his heartstrings. He knew he would always be living for moments like these when he got to come back to his family. No matter how short the separation, nothing compared to being back with them again.
"We decided on a last minute change. It's been a while since I've been to a real dinner party, and Oliver's first day seems a good reason to host one of our own, don't you think?" Killian came around to Emma.
"I think that it's a marvelous thought but that it might be a little much for you to undertake, Emma. Short notice and all this work…" Emma kissed his cheek lightly and then shook her head.
"I think I have just enough help between Oliver and you to make it all right, and I give you full permission to kick everyone out the second I show any signs of fatigue." The last part of Emma's statement was meant as a joke and Oliver giggled but Killian brought his mouth to Emma's ear whispering low.
"You tease, my love, but I won't hesitate a moment to protect you in any way shape or form."
Emma kissed him lightly this time on the lips as her jade colored eyes studied him. She acknowledged that she knew he would always do right by her and that she trusted him before promptly setting him to work. People would apparently be arriving in the next two hours and though there wasn't an exceptional amount to be done, Killian wanted to get as much of it completed as quickly as he could so as to spend more time with his wife and child.
His speedier work was in turn rewarded with the chance to hear Oliver speak more about his day. His son was a bright boy to say the least, but apparently it took Miss Belle by surprise just how intelligent he was. He'd only started reading recently, but he'd taken to it like a fish to water and he was moving along at the pace of some of the oldest children in the schoolhouse. He'd also found that his drawing was exceptional compared to children his own age. After months of comparing himself to Killian, Oliver began to see where he should actually be striving to go based on his relatively little experience.
Too soon Oliver's stories were interrupted by the arrival of their guests, but even then Killian found the evening was easy and nonchalant. There was no feeling of awkwardness at all amongst this group, which was of almost the exact same making as the party Granny once threw to introduce Killian to their circle of acquaintances. It was only a matter of time before the conversation was freely flowing and the banter arrived.
"So they really put out an advertisement for single women?"
Mary Margaret posed the question with genuine bewilderment. She sat in her seat across the table holding her son and Killian watched as David placed a hand on her arm in comfort even as he himself smirked. It was funny after all even if it was a clear breach from typical social protocol.
"Oh that they did, love. They were even advised of the merit's of such an operation by someone at this very table."
"Who? Who?" Grace and Oliver asked at the same time. Killian only smiled as Ruby sighed dramatically.
"You're acting as if I didn't do them all a favor. It's a good plan and come summertime when that town is swarming with potential matches for those poor lonely pirates, they'll be thanking me."
"Or they'll be cursing your name for saddling them with a hoard of ill suited potential wives," Emma quipped in return, telling Killian that his wife hadn't known of this plan.
"Trust me it will work. Won't it Granny?"
"Don't tell me you had something to do with this too," Emma said and Granny shrugged.
"Ruby has had many a stupid idea -,"
"Hey!" Granny continued on waving Ruby's protest away.
"But this one I found practical and possible. Is it a risk? Yes - but try telling me you wouldn't have been tempted by something like that before you found your one, Emma." Emma looked back at Killian at that moment and took his hand as she smiled.
"I'm lucky I didn't have to answer a newspaper ad. But maybe if it had said pirates were involved I would have considered it."
Killian whispered to his lovely wife low enough that no one else would hear that he'd never have utilized an ad to find her. She was a treasure too rich to stumble upon that way. No, their story was far superior and always would be.
The dinner continued on and when the meal was done, they all moved to the living room, which was spacious enough for any party. Killian could just imagine all the times they'd invite people to their home like this in the coming years. This would be the first of many times, of that he was certain.
Tonight was also one of the first public outings for Mary Margaret and David's son. As such the room filled with guests was consumed with all things newborn. But after a fair bit of fawning from everyone (including Oliver) over little Neal, it was finally Killian's turn to hold the baby.
It was impossible not to imagine how close they were to a day when he could hold his own son or daughter like this, but in the meantime baby Neal was a good substitution. The sleepy little lad was of a mild disposition and his greatest offense to Killian was his tendency towards yawning. The first time it happened and the whole of Neal's little body stretched with the action, Killian worried he'd done something wrong. It took Emma's reassurance in the form of a hand to his shoulder and soothing words to calm him.
"You're doing great. Don't doubt yourself." Killian nodded at Emma as David commented from across the room.
"Oh you're doing wonderfully, especially compared to Whale. He stiffens up every time Mary Margaret tries to put him in his arms."
"But you're a doctor, mate. Surely you've dealt with babies before." Whale nodded.
"I have. Plenty of times." Killian noticed a wary glance at Mary Margaret from Whale but the man bit his tongue as Ruby supplied the reason.
"Can you blame him for being intimidated? Mary Margaret watches everyone like a hawk. One wrong move and you're hearing about it for a week."
"That's not…" Mary Margaret paused mid statement, "All right maybe that is true. But who can blame me with a boy like this to watch out for."
Mary Margaret chose that moment to take back the baby leaving Emma and Killian suddenly without a swaddled little being in hand. It felt like a loss, even if it wasn't too substantial, but immediately Emma took Killian's hand and sat beside him.
"Soon enough our time will come and you might get sick of holding a baby so often."
"Never, love."
"If he does, I won't! I love babies." Oliver's words were followed by a rendition of the silly face he'd told Killian worked on babies and his son was proven right when Neal made a happy sound and the adults around him laughed.
"Okay maybe you're right," Emma said pulling his attention back to her, "maybe I wish this little boy or girl was here right now."
"No, you were right, love. Time is already slipping by too quickly. What's a bit more patience when we have forever?"
Emma smiled at that and pressed a kiss to his cheek before turning her attention back to their guests. She was a marvelous hostess, and beloved by everyone in the room, but eventually Killian did have to put his foot down. There was more school for Oliver in the morning, and some much needed rest in store for his Emma. The others understood taking their leave with nothing but gratitude until it was just their tiny family remaining.
"Do you think tomorrow will be as good as today was?" Oliver asked when he was up in bed getting tucked in for the evening.
"I think there's a very good chance, son," Killian responded, before pressing a kiss to his son's forehead and watching Emma do the same.
Happily enough that wish was proven right. The next day and nearly all the ones thereafter were just as special and worth remembering. Their family was happy and safe and whole and though it would take a little more time, their numbers would soon grow to include a daughter that all three of them loved with all their hearts. And when it came time to name her their choice was clear, for this little girl was a symbol of all the good things that came when one had love, and faith, and hope.
Post-Note: So there is this week's little addition. My plan as of now is for two more chapters. They both contain flashes forward into the future and give a glimpse of the HEA I've been building towards. I have yet to decide on when those will be written. Part of me wants to draw it out and give myself a few more weeks to luxuriate in this AU and the other part is anxious to get it all written and get the story out there. So TBD on when we'll see the final installments, but know they are coming and that by Christmas at the latest we should have the completion of this story. Thanks so much for reading and have a great rest of your day!