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"I can't believe I kept that," Emma frowned a bit as she watched Killian attach his fake hand.
"I'm glad you did," Killian replied as he gave her a Cheshire grin, "It does come in handy in certain situations."
Emma blushed a bit as she finished pulling on her sweater.
"That's an interesting color to your cheeks there, Love," Killian snickered as he nipped at each cheek, "Care to explain?"
"Just warm," Emma said quietly.
"Bet you'll be cooling down soon," he kissed her cheeks a second time before pulling her into the living room where Brooklyn was talking animatedly with her grandmother about their day's activity. She had been so excited. It seemed like it had been forever for the young girl since she'd gone ice skating.
"Are you sure you and David don't want to come with us?" Emma asked of her mother.
"Oh, no," Mary Margaret shook her head quickly, "David and I are going to enjoy the quietness of the afternoon." She didn't want to admit that she had no talent for ice skating in front of her granddaughter.
"Sure you are," Emma gave her a knowing glance.
"Stop it," Mary Margaret frowned. "Not in front of the kids."
"Let's go, Mommy," Brooklyn pulled on her hand.
"Wait, Cookie, where are your brothers?"
"I don't know," Brooklyn shrugged as she pulled again, "Let's go."
"Hold on, Princess," Killian scooped Brooklyn up. "First off, you're not wearing a coat."
"Awe," she moaned.
"Coat on," Emma instructed her, "And we're not leaving without your brothers."
"Austin? Henry?" Mary Margaret called out.
There was no answer and the adults looked around at each other.
"Roof?" Emma posed.
"I'll check," Killian nodded.
"What is with those boys and that roof?" Emma sighed as she did her best to reign in her daughter's anxious energy.
"They say it's like having a clubhouse," Mary Margaret smiled.
"On the roof in the cold," Emma sighed.
"They're boys," Mary Margaret added.
"Good point," Emma nodded. "And once upon a time I was worried about raising a boy alone."
"Worry no more," Mary Margaret replied, "There is more than enough testosterone around here."
"Yeah, now I get to worry about raising a girl in a house of men."
"Brookie is princess enough to overcome it," Mary Margaret winked at the girl.
Brooklyn preened happily.
It took a few minutes for Killian to reappear with the boys.
"You two need to stop disappearing to the roof all the time, especially without your coats," Emma told her sons.
"They had a good reason," Killian held up a telescope.
"If that was pointed towards Granny's you are in so much trouble," Emma raised a brow at her oldest.
"We were just looking at the police station," Austin informed his mother, "We wanted to see if we could see Grandpa."
"Could you see him?" Mary Margaret asked curiously.
"No, the blinds were closed," Henry said.
"He must be on his way home," Emma concluded.
"Coats on, Guys," Killian broke in. "Your grandparents have plans and so do we."
"Ice skating," Brooklyn cheered happily.
"Yep," Emma agreed.
"I'm still unclear about this," Killian told her as the boys quickly slipped into their coats and were out the door after waving goodbye to Mary Margaret.
"Well, we bought you skates," Emma held them up. "So, you'll get a vague idea of things."
"And this is supposed to be a fun activity?" he eyed the blades at the bottoms of the boots nervously.
"It will be for me," Emma smiled brightly.
"You're looking forward to me making a fool of myself, aren't you?"
"Little bit, yeah," Emma nodded.
"Aren't you worried I could get hurt?" he asked.
"We have a good hospital."
"How reassuring," he mumbled.
"It's easy, Daddy," Brooklyn told him.
"Thank you, Sweetie."
The relatively warm winter day brought nearly the entire town to the ice rink.
"Hi guys," Ashley greeted them.
"Hi, Ashley. Hi, Alexandra," Emma smiled as the young girl waved at her, "Is Daddy here with you?"
"Over there," Ashley pointed to where Sean was steadily making his way. "I've never been good at skating."
"It's Killian's first time on skates. He's a bit nervous."
"Understandable," Ashley nodded. "What about you guys?"
"We went skating at the park when we were really little," Brooklyn told the nice lady.
"You're still little, Cookie," Emma snickered.
Ashley smiled, "I hear a couple of little people have a birthday coming up."
"Yep, next week," Brooklyn responded happily, "And we're having a party. Are you coming?"
"I wouldn't miss it," Ashley assured them.
"Let's get your skates on," Emma suggested to her daughter, "We'll see you out there, right Ashley?"
"No, Alexandra and I are staying on the sidelines."
"Well, if you want to go for a spin, I can watch her for a bit," Emma offered.
"No, I'm fine. I have no balance for this stuff."
Ashley went back to watching the various townspeople mostly make fools of themselves on the ice as Emma helped the children get their skates secured on their feet.
"Take it slow at first," Emma cautioned her children.
"Yes Mommy," Brooklyn nodded as she waddled carefully towards the ice before she took off, leaving her brothers in the dust.
"Boys?"
"We will," Henry promised.
"Need some help with those laces, Captain?" Emma inquired.
Killian frowned at Emma as she knelt before him, "This is a good position for other things, Love."
"Mind out of the gutter please," Emma scolded him, "Or I'll tie these laces together, and you'll be in a world of trouble."
"How about tying us together?"
"Your mind appears to be on only one thing today," Emma rolled her eyes in amusement, "I'd be more worried about that ice rink if I were you."
"How hard can it be?" Killian asked.
"It's harder than it looks," Emma snickered, "But if you think it's so simple, head on out there. I'll join you in a few minutes."
Killian nodded and inched himself out on the ice. He pushed himself away from the side and immediately lost his balance.
Emma looked over the rail to see Killian smack on his butt. "How's that working out for you, Captain?"
"Bloody hell," he groaned as he immediately felt the ache in his backside at the hard landing, "And this is considered recreational fun?"
"You need a hand?" Sean skated up.
"Oh, no he doesn't," Emma waved him off, "Skating is a simple task according to our dear pirate."
"Ignore her," Killian gave his good hand to the other man. "And thank you."
"Good luck," Sean pushed off, leaving Killian frozen in place.
"Killian? Do you want some help?" Emma smiled.
"That depends. Are you going to make me beg?" he inquired.
"No," Emma shook her head, "But I am going to make you admit you were wrong."
"Alright, this isn't as easy as I thought it would be," Killian said. "You were right. I need help."
"Was that so hard?" Emma snickered as she stepped onto the ice and came alongside him.
"Not as hard as this activity appears to be," Killian responded as he watched his daughter whip past him, waving as she went.
"Brooklyn, slow down," Emma called.
Reluctantly Brooklyn did as asked.
"Now, let's start slowly," Emma spun so she was facing Killian. "Hang onto my hands and just feel the motions of gliding across the ice. I'll do all the work. You just concentrate on keeping yourself upright."
"I think you've used that line on me before, Love," Killian smirked.
"Mind out of gutter, or I'm just going to leave you here to fend for yourself," she scolded him.
"Sorry, Darling," Killian bowed his head in apology.
"Now, just relax and follow my lead," Emma pushed off as she skated backwards with her hands wrapped around Killian's wrists to guide him around.
Killian just watched her as they skated, her hair flying around her face as she smiled.
"You're staring," Emma commented.
"You're lovely."
"You're too smooth for your own good," she felt herself blushing.
"Stop for a moment," he requested.
Emma slid to a stop, "Okay."
He kissed her.
Emma whimpered as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"You two are going to melt the ice," Ruby teased from the sidelines.
Emma blushed further as she pulled away.
"Are you chilled, Love?"
"Not anymore," Emma shook her head.
"Come on, Daddy, let's go," Brooklyn took hold of Killian's good hand and pulled. She wanted to skate with her father.
"Dad isn't ready for that yet," Emma told her daughter gently, "He has to first figure out how not to skate on his backside."
"You can't skate on your backside," Brooklyn frowned.
"That's Mommy's point," Emma smiled.
"Okay," Brooklyn responded as she took off a second time.
"Does it bother you that your children are skating laps around you?" Emma snickered.
"Not really," Killian shook his head.
"Secure in your masculinity," she snickered, "That's quite the turn on."
"Oh really?" Killian raised an eyebrow.
"You'll find out how much later," Emma promised.
"I look forward to that."
=d=d=d=
Emma finished drying her hair as she walked across the loft to her bedroom.
Killian was groaning with each step he took, having spent much of the afternoon on his butt.
"You want a back rub?" Emma said as she sat on the bed.
"I want a bum rub," Killian responded as he laid down face first.
"While it's very cute and squeezable, I am not rubbing your bum."
"Bugger," he groaned, "We're doing this again for their birthday?"
"We'll keep you on land," Emma snickered, "It's safer for all."
"Bless you, Love," Killian smiled over his shoulder at her.
Emma lay beside him on her back, "Thank you for today."
"It was fun," Killian agreed.
"We needed the distraction," Emma agreed.
"I've got a better distraction," Killian put his arm around her waist and tugged her closer.
"You sure your bum is up for that," she chuckled.
"Only if I'm on top," he smiled.
"That can be arranged," Emma laughed.
"Good answer," he said before he kissed her.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," Brooklyn called out from the living area.
Emma's head tipped back as she groaned her disappointment, "Of course."
"The thought will keep," he vowed.
"I have no doubts about that," Emma smiled as she rolled away and got out of bed. "Okay, Cookie. What do you want?"
"Cookies," Brooklyn responded.
"Okay, just a couple though," Emma handed Brooklyn some cookies from the cookie jar on the counter.
"And peanut butter and jelly," Brooklyn added.
Emma turned around, "Do you want dinner?"
"Yes," Brooklyn nodded, "And macaroni and cheese and pizza and chicken nuggets."
"Brooklyn, we did feed you today, right?"
"Yep," Brooklyn's head bobbed, "That that was a long time ago."
"How about we choose just one of those," Emma offered, "What do you want most? Macaroni and cheese? Pizza? Or Chicken Nuggets?"
"Mac and cheese," Brooklyn said
"Alright, it's going to take a few minutes. Can you wait or do you want a banana to tide you over?" Emma told her as she tapped Brooklyn's nose.
"Yes, please," Brooklyn nodded.
"Here you go," Emma handed her daughter a banana, "Go keep Daddy company while I cook."
"Okay," Brooklyn went and sat beside Killian who was still lying down on his stomach. "Hi Daddy."
"Hello, my little princess," Killian smiled at her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore," Killian responded, "But I'll be much better if I can have a kiss right here." He tapped at his cheek. Brooklyn was quick to oblige.
"Better?" Brooklyn asked.
"Much. Thank you, Darling."
"Mommy is making mac and cheese," Brooklyn stated.
"A special treat for a little person?" Killian teased.
Brooklyn's head bobbed as she laid down on her stomach to mimic her father.
"I had fun today, Daddy."
"Good," Killian replied.
"Did you have fun?" the curious girl asked.
"When I was standing upright," Killian nodded.
"Why did you keep falling?" Brooklyn asked.
"Because I've never ice skated before," Killian explained.
"How come?" she asked.
"Because they didn't have ice skates where I was from," Killian replied.
"How come?" Brooklyn repeated.
"Because there wasn't any ice," Killian stated.
"How come?" Brooklyn asked again.
"Sounds like we have a broken record," Emma called out from the kitchen, "Brooklyn stop asking Daddy so many questions."
"How come?" Brooklyn asked again.
"Oy," Emma sighed. "Come out here and set the table, Brooklyn."
"I can't reach the dishes," Brooklyn told her.
"I'll get them down for you," Emma replied.
"Okay," Brooklyn slid off the bed and went out to the kitchen.
Killian forced himself off the bed and gingerly followed Brooklyn into the living area.
"Moving a little slow there, Captain," Emma snickered.
"Everything hurts," he groaned.
"Not everything, I hope," Emma smiled.
Killian chuckled as he slowly sat in the chair he used for meals, wincing as his rear hit the chair.
"Boys, dinner," Emma called out to Austin and Henry who came running.
"Good, I'm starving," Henry stated as everyone sat down at the table.
"Brooklyn requested mac and cheese," Emma replied as she dished out helpings for everyone.
"Smells good," Killian commented.
"Food proof recipe," Emma smiled, "Open the box, pour noodles into the boiling water. Let them cook, drain the water, add milk, butter and the cheese powder and voila, mac and cheese. Mary Margaret's is much more complicated."
"I like yours, Mommy," Austin smiled.
"Thank you, Sweetheart."
"How about we all watch a movie after we eat?" Emma suggested, "What do you all want to watch?"
"Pirates of the Caribbean," Austin piped up.
"Which one?" Emma asked.
"Four," Brooklyn held up four fingers quickly.
"Sounds like a plan," Emma nodded.
"Did you know Captain Jack, Daddy?" Brooklyn asked.
"Sorry, Darling. I never came across Captain Jack."
"Captain Jack isn't real, silly," Austin told his sister.
"Is to," Brooklyn challenged him.
"We don't know if he's real or not," Emma headed off the argument.
"Can we have popcorn?" Brooklyn asked her mother.
"If you're still hungry," Emma replied, knowing full well that Brooklyn's tummy would be full of mac and cheese and it would hold no interest to her.
Brooklyn smiled happily as she munched on her noodles.
Henry and Austin cleaned up as Brooklyn flipped through their movie library until she found the evening's entertainment. She handed it to her mother and then climbed onto the sofa and sat herself directly next to her father, curling up against him and wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
Emma turned to take in the adorable scene. A gigantic smile found her lips. It seemed unfathomable to her now that she had denied Killian and her children this moment only a month earlier.
"Mom?"
"Make some popcorn, will you?" Emma asked her oldest. "If we don't start the movie now, none of you are going to get up in time for school tomorrow."
"Okay," Henry nodded as Emma found a seat at the other end of the sofa. Austin didn't waste a moment as he curled into her in nearly the identical way Brooklyn had Killian.
Henry plopped down in the middle of everyone with the popcorn and that was the way Mary Margaret and David found them later on.
Four of the five movie watchers were sound asleep.
"Shhh," Killian pressed his finger to his lips.
"How long have they been sleeping?" Mary Margaret whispered as she removed her coat and snow boots.
"About half way in," Killian replied as David lifted Henry into his arms as Mary Margaret grabbed Brooklyn. Killian did the same with Austin as they crossed the loft into the children's bedroom.
Once everyone was settled in, Killian went back to the living room to retrieve Emma.
"Em? Love? Time to wake up," he whispered.
"Is the movie over?" she mumbled as she rubbed at her tired eyes.
"Yes, in every way that counts," he chuckled.
"Where are the children?" she looked around in confusion as she tried to get her bearings.
"In bed," he replied, "How about we follow their lead and do the same?"
She nodded with a sleepy smile and let him pull her up.
"Good night, Emma," Mary Margaret spoke softly as she and David started up the step.
Emma managed a slight wave as Killian pulled her into their room and helped her into her pajamas.
"Thank you," she mumbled. "You're very good to me."
"You deserve it," he replied as he urged her into bed.
"I love you," Emma muttered as she snuggled under the covers.
"And I, you," he smiled.
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