Chapter Twenty-One

LATER THAT NIGHT

Killian was tossing and turning finding it impossible to sleep. His predicament was becoming too much for him to handle. He kept thinking about what Robin said but he was still struggling to know what was right.

He turned towards his nightstand and saw a picture of Milah. He picked it up and pulled it towards him. "Milah, my love, I'm so confused." He said to the portrait. "Just when I thought I was able to move forward it seems like I will never be able to." He felt defeated.

Then Killian heard a voice he thought he would never hear again. "If you keep acting like a prat you won't." The voice said. He turned around to see Milah sitting on the bed.

Killian jumped. "Oh my God!" He exclaimed. "Are you really here…or am I dreaming?"

Milah smiled. "However you choose to interpret this is up to you. I had to come. I know you've been troubled lately." She said. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Killian sighed. "I don't even know where to start." He said. Then he told her the complete story, unsure of what the entity actually knew, if anything. Milah just listened quietly and let him finish. "And then to find out that she has your heart, it's just too much." He admitted.

Milah sat silent for a moment. "Interesting. Actually I have a confession to make. I already knew your story. I've been watching you for a long time now. I just wanted to hear you tell the story." She said, smiling.

Killian rolled his eyes. "Love, now is not the time for practical jokes."

Milah chuckled. "I'm dead. I can do whatever I want." She teased. "In all seriousness, I can see how upset you are about this and it proves to me how much you love her. And it's okay that you do. I don't expect you to be alone for the rest of your life."

"But that's where I am lost." He said. "Is the love I feel for her or for you?"

Milah smiled. "It's both." She told him. "My heart has always belonged to you, no matter who possesses it. Do you remember when we first met? Somehow we always felt connected. It brought us together but it didn't make you stay. It was a while before you asked me out and that led us to live the life we had together. But with Emma it's different. Yes, that connection was there but you could've just shrugged it off and went on with your life but you didn't. You didn't wait. You wanted to get to know her, not why you felt so connected. That brought you together but it didn't keep you together. You did that entirely on your own."

Killian could not believe what he was hearing. His late wife approved of his relationship with Emma. "So you think this is real?" He asked. "I'm sorry love but I'm finding it hard to understand that you approve."

Milah smiled at him. "Well, I had to do some checking. My heart is a vital organ and I wanted to make sure that it went to the right person. And I could not ask for a better person to have it. Emma is truly wonderful. She's kind, generous, compassionate, understanding, loving, and so many more things. I love her for that. But what I love most is that she brought out these qualities in you. That was something even I couldn't do. We were both so focused on our careers that we did not spend enough time on our own relationship. Our life together was good but it could've been better. I must admit that there were certain things that I wanted to change about you, I'm sure there are certain things you wanted to change about me, but with Emma you transformed on your own and she did the same for you. You came out of your shell and Emma was able to let her guard down with you. You will do anything for her and she for you. I mean look where she is right now. She went to another continent so she could give you the space you needed. She did not want to cause you anymore pain and she was willing to do that even if that meant letting you go. That's true love Killian. And I know you are willing to do the same for her."

Killian sat in silence for a few moments. Then he looked at Milah. "You're right, love. I do love her. I'm sorry. It just feels weird to talk to you about loving someone else." He admitted.

"It's okay to love her, Killian." Milah assured him. "I see how happy you are with her and I will forever be grateful for that."

"I miss you." He said.

Milah smiled. "I miss you too, but you still have a life to live. So go live it." She said. "So, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to find Emma." He told her.

"Good." Milah replied. "Now I won't have to worry about you anymore. You will be in good hands." And with that Milah vanished.

At first, Killian thought he would feel empty again but that was not the case. He feels hopeful and he knows what he is going to do. He laid down knowing he had to get some sleep. Tomorrow, he would begin his mission.

He's going to find his princess.

/

THE NEXT EVENING

David, Mary-Margaret, and the rest of the gang were sitting in the restaurant in silence. They had gotten together to play cards but nobody was in the mood. They tried to make conversation but that did not work either. Emma's absence left a vacancy in each of their hearts. What made it worse is that they know the heartbreak she is currently facing but they knew that Emma would have to work this out on her own.

Belle brought another pitcher of beer to the table, hoping it would provide as a distraction from their thoughts. Then she grabbed her sweater and put it on. "Alright gentleman, who's taking me home?" She asked. David started to get up but then Robert stopped him. "I'll do it." He told David.

David was aware of their new relationship and he was happy for them, but he was hoping to use this as an excuse to get away for a few minutes. Instead, he nodded and decided to pour himself a glass of beer.

Robert walked hand-in-hand to the door with Belle. They had only been out on one date so far but it went very well and he was hopeful for more outings together. They heard Brennan start make ready to leave, telling them that he was going to see Stella. The pair waved to the group before they walked out the door.

As soon as Belle and Robert stepped outside, they saw a familiar truck pull up. Belle gasped and she grabbed Robert. "It's Killian." She said. They immediately went back inside.

They hurried back to the table, confusing the others as to why they returned. Robert sat down and immediately dealt the cards. The others were asking what he was doing and it caused a commotion but that was laid to rest when they saw Killian walk through the door. The room fell silent as he walked towards the table.

"Hi everyone." He said, quietly. "I'm sorry I dropped by so late."

Mary-Margaret was beaming. She knew that he would come for Emma. "Are you hungry? I can fix you a plate of pasta." She offered.

Killian shook his head. "No thank you." He said. "I actually came about Emma. I know she's left and I apologize to all of you for what this must have put you through. I never meant to hurt anyone but I had to sort some things out. I hope you understand that I did not mean to intentionally hurt Emma. I was confused and I wanted to make sure what I feel for Emma is true. When Milah died, I thought this part of my life was over. But then I met Emma and she has made my life so wonderful. I felt like I have been given a second chance. And then when I found out that she had Milah's heart I panicked. I was afraid that I was only meant to love my wife. But now I know that's not true. I love Emma…I love her so much I can't see straight. I want her, I want every part of her. She makes me so happy and I promise I will spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy."

The group took in the speech Killian gave. Mary-Margaret, Belle, and Regina were moved to tears. The men remained silent, except David. He got up from the table. "Killian, follow me." He said. "I would like to talk to you privately." Killian nodded but he looked very pensive. The two men went out into Emma's garden while the others crowded around the window.

David and Killian sat down on the bench. David admired the flowers. "Only Emma could tell you the name of every flower in this garden." He said. "I only know one or two of them myself." He was trying to ease Killian into the conversation they were about to have. "I wanted to talk to you privately because I felt that this conversation needs to only involved me and the man who loves my daughter. I want you to know that I am not upset with you in any way. I feel bad for what the two of you are going through. This situation is one that is not experienced by many. And I know that you've had a lot to sort through. I respect you for what you did. You wanted to take the time to determine that your feelings for my daughter are genuine. That takes a lot of courage. And I'm happy that you did."

Killian smiled. "Thanks, mate." He replied.

David continued. "I also wanted you to understand something else. I know I am an over-protective father and I have good reasons for that. With Emma's health problems she has always been fragile. She was very limited by her weak heart. She wanted to do so many things but she couldn't. For a long time, I prayed that she would be given a second chance at life. And I knew the heart that she would get would have to come from…a very special person…if it were to be at home in Emma.

"When she got that heart it gave her a new lease on life. She was able to do so many things that she couldn't before. But that did not stop me from worrying about her. I had a really hard time seeing Emma as the amazing woman she became instead of the fragile little girl she used to be. That started to change when she met you. She found a new strength, a strength to take chances, to make risks and she did that with you."

Killian looked confused. "I don't understand." He admitted.

David changed positions on the bench. "You're not the first guy Emma has ever dated. She had a few boyfriends in high school but they never lasted very long. The reason for that is she didn't want to let her walls down because she was afraid that she would get her heart broken. When you have a weak heart, that's a big emotional risk. I hoped things would change after the surgery, that she would be more willing to get out there and meet someone. She was set up on a couple dates but she said she felt nothing. That changed when she met you. I believe that when she met you, her heart truly beat for the first time. And I also believe that it was meant to be with you always."

Killian was intrigued by his comment. "I had no idea you cared." He said.

David sighed. "Let's just say you've kind of grown on me a bit." He admitted.

"Well I tend to have that effect on people." Killian smirked.

"Don't push it." David replied with a chuckle.

Killian smiled. "Seriously, thank you for sharing that with me. I promise that I will take good care of Emma. I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

David nudged Killian's arm. "So…is there another question that you want to ask me?" David asked.

Killian grinned. "Well, since I've got your attention I guess I should ask." He turned to directly face David. "I don't know when I'm going to do it but here it goes. I would like to ask your permission for your daughter's hand."

David pretended to contemplate the request. Then he slapped Killian's arm. "I think you already know the answer but I'll say it anyways. Yes, you have my permission. But remember, if you hurt her I hurt you."

Killian nodded. "I understand that, sir. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"So, now that the dad speech is out of the way I guess there is one more thing you need." David said as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Killian. "This. It's her address."

Killian took the paper. "Thanks." He said.

"I'll call our relatives and let them know that you're coming. They can pick you up at the airport." David told him. "So we're you planning on leaving tomorrow? Do you still need to pack a bag?"

Killian shook his head. "Actually, I've got one in the truck. I'm planning on taking the red eye." He told David.

David smiled. "Then what are you still sitting here for? Go get my daughter."

Killian smiled at David before he got up and ran towards the gate. Since his truck was parked on the other side he would have to run around the block, but he did not care. He waved once he was outside of the gate.

David shook his head as he walked back inside. Mary-Margaret was waiting for him at the doorway on the inside. She looked worried. "What did you say to him? Where's he going?" She asked.

David smiled. "He's going to bring our daughter home." He told her.

/

A/N: So, kudos to those of you who knew the right answer. It was The Golden Girls. In the show Sophia and Angelo were actually siblings from Sicily. I thought it would fit quite nicely. Thank you for all of your continued support and reviews. I love reading them.

I actually got the idea for Milah coming to talk to Killian from another television show from the 90's. If you know which one, you are awesome. I tried to keep it similar to the film canon but I also wanted to expand on it too. I was even able to use at least one Captain Charming moment. I hope you all enjoyed it.

Up next, Killian is on his way to find Emma. Meanwhile, Emma has been painting in Rome. Her landscapes are beautiful but she can't get Killian out of her mind because she has painted him into every picture.