Two weeks later
Day 22
Emma left the station and decided to walk home and enjoy the weather and the peace. She spent the last few months rushing home and avoiding a certain side street where Bart's pool store was. Now things were normal and life was good. She was back to work but only part time so she could still spend lots of time with her family. Things that had become old hat were new again as she showed Killian and he learned about taking care of Kelly and also more modern conveniences.
He didn't know everything yet but he was capable of taking her on his own. He was still concerned about that though so usually her dad stopped by or he went to visit Belle and Gideon. Today was his first day truly on his own with Kelly and she knew they'd be fine. But she was curious about what she'd come home to.
And the sight in front of her when she walked in the door definitely didn't disappoint. They were in the kitchen washing some produce bought yesterday for dinner tonight. Kelly was mostly playing in the water but it was still cute to see her on the little step stool helping her dad, both of them with big smiles on their faces.
"Having fun you two?" She asked as she unclipped her badge from her belt.
"Welcome home, love. And we most certainly are." Killian replied as he moved to grab a rag and dried Kelly's hands.
"I help Daddy wash dinner." Kelly announced with excitement, making her way down from the stool and over to her.
"Is that so?" She asked as she scooped her up in a hug. The words were a little mixed up but she got the point and she couldn't help but smile at her daughter's happiness. "Well, I can't wait to eat it."
"It will still be a while yet before it's ready but it is guaranteed to be delicious." Killian stated in agreement as she set Kelly down so she could go play. Then he added only loud enough for her to hear. "I thought if she helped wash the vegetables she'd have fun and be more inclined to eat them."
"You just might be a genius." She told him and kissed his cheek.
"Might be?" He asked with mock offense and a raised eyebrow. "I suppose you're though since I can't claim all the credit. I don't have many memories of my mother but I remember cooking with her. She said even men needed the skill so they weren't helpless on their own. Even foods I didn't like so well I still ate because I was proud of myself for the work I contributed to it."
"I have the feeling I would've really liked your mother." She said as she held his hand in hers for a moment. It wasn't often he talked about his family but she was glad for the moments when he did and that he was trying to bring some things to their little family. And it made it even more fitting that she'd chosen Rosemary as Kelly's middle name for both her grandmothers, even if she'd never met the one.
Killian opened his mouth to respond but never got a chance as Henry came bursting through.
"Mom, you never gonna believe this. The Nautilus is back!" Henry announced with excitement. "Leroy thought we were under attack of course. But I recognized it before he could shout all over town. I just came to tell you and I'm gonna head back to the docks as soon as I grab some old comic books."
And with that he dashed up the stairs without waiting for a response. Knowing who had just arrived in Storybrooke she turned to see Killian's reaction. His face was white as a sheet and he stared at the place where Henry had been and she knew his mind was elsewhere.
"Killian?" She asked to bring him back as she placed her hands on his shoulders.
"The Nautilus is back? It's been here before?" He asked and clarified quietly, still staring blankly ahead.
"Yeah, Captain Nemo and Liam came through with the people from the Land of Untold Stories. Henry really hit it off with Liam, that's who the comic books are for." She told him and knew he'd need some time to process. "Come on, dinner can wait."
She nodded to the couch and rubbed his back as they made their way over.
"You can talk to me you know, whenever you're ready. But for the record, Liam doesn't want revenge anymore." She stated gently then moved to the floor to play with Kelly and give him a bit of space as Henry dashed back out, yelling 'bye' as the door slammed.
"He should." Killian whispered almost too quietly for her to hear after several minutes of silence. "Swan, back when you were at odds with your parents, do you remember what I told you about my father?"
"I know what you did and who Liam is. I figured out who he was when I heard his last name. Even if I didn't, I would've when he yelled the whole story in my face." She replied and moved back to the couch and Kelly continued to play with some blocks at their feet.
"He didn't try to harm you to get to me did he?" He asked and his face was lit with alarm.
"No, there was just a lot of anger and yelling." She shook her head then explained the full story to him. "The people from the untold stories were all lost and confused and everyone was working to help them find their companions and a place to stay. Henry met Liam and helped him find Nemo who was in the hospital. He didn't know he was your brother. I did though and invited him to stay with us since and he was family, almost.
"Things were fine for a few days until he heard your name mentioned around and demanded I tell him where you were. When I didn't answer he got angry since he thought I was protecting you. Then he yelled his side of the story and called you every name in the book."
"And he had every right to. Last time we met, I was a…well at least Kelly wasn't born yet to hear that language." He smiled sadly.
"Yeah, he described the man you used to be before you came to Storybrooke and helped in Neverland pretty accurately." She said without sugarcoating it. She accepted his past but didn't try to hide it, a reminder of how much he'd changed. "It really ticked me off though, because of the pregnancy and I was still grieving. So I used magic to take use to the cemetery and did some ranting of my own. I told him he could believe whatever he wanted but you died a hero and you were the father of my baby so he needed to keep his thoughts to himself."
"Was he smart enough not to anger you further? Or did he actually admit he was glad I was gone?" He tried to ask casually and poke a bit of fun but wasn't successful. She knew he would take the answer to heart more than he led on.
"He probably was thinking something along those lines but he said nothing and stormed off. No one saw him for several days and Henry wondered why Liam was avoiding us. They were friends from the start, Henry taught him about video games and comic books while Liam taught him about submarines and how to play shuffleboard. So I explained who Liam was and why he was angry. I thought we wouldn't see him again and he'd just leave when Nemo was recovered. But a week later I came home and he and Henry were watching the movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
"There's a movie about Liam?" Killian interjected and seeing his curiosity was a nice change from his previous expression of sadness and regret.
"No, it's just about Nemo. And like you, Liam pointed out all the inaccuracies. Apparently Liam had been staying at the hospital and it was waring on him so Henry bribed him with some leftovers of Regina's lasagna. That was enough to get him to the house and we convinced him to spend the night and he stayed for three weeks after that. He doesn't hate you anymore but didn't fully believe everything we told him about you being a hero. Some things you just have to see for yourself no matter what anyone tells you and now he can have that chance."
"Just because he doesn't hate me doesn't mean he wants me as a brother. I no longer seek revenge against the Crocodile but that doesn't mean I want to share parenting tips. We've already given our opinions and I assure you it didn't go well." He stubbornly told her.
After that there was silence again. She knew this was a struggle for him. It was never easy facing the past, especially in this situation. She wanted to say something but didn't know the right way to get it across. So they sat together, deep in thought and taking comfort in each other's presence.
Eventually she got up to take Kelly to the bathroom. When she came back Killian was hanging up the phone. He was now a pro with phones, at least basic things like calling and texting.
"Who was that?" She asked.
"Henry. He said Nemo wants to have dinner and asked if it should be here, at Granny's, or on the Nautilus." He answered and sighed. "Honestly, I don't think any of them are good ideas but privacy would be the lesser of the evils. I told him we'd head to the docks. I don't want any more bad memories in this house."
"Okay, sounds good." She nodded, understanding his reasoning. "Do you want to walk or drive?"
"Walk if you don't mind. I need to clear my head before I see Liam." He replied and she nodded again before making her way upstairs to brush Kelly's hair and clean herself up a bit.
Five minutes later she was locking the door and walking hand in hand with her fiancé as he held Kelly.
"Your brother isn't the Crocodile you know. And neither are you." She quietly told him after they had been walking for a minute.
"Aye, but that still doesn't make this any easier."
"True, but I think it'll be okay." She assured him and then paused to gather her words. It wouldn't be an easy subject but she finally knew how to make her point and it needed to be said. "Killian, when you…died, you hand a chance to set some things straight with your brother. You learned the truth and you didn't have to worry about reaching a bar anymore. You were both helped by what happened. And now you have a chance to make things right with your other brother. And I believe this will work out just like it did before with the older Liam."
"Well, I guess I can't argue with you there. Bringing and restoring happy endings is part of who you are." He said and finally a small but real smile appeared on his face.
"Yep, and you're not the only one that loves a challenge." She added and they both shared a short laugh.
"Jaw-ey!" Kelly yelled when she saw the sails of the ship and hugged Killian tighter.
"Sorry, lass, that's not where we're headed today. We're boarding a vessel of another kind. But perhaps we'll go sailing to celebrate when your brother graduates next week." He assured her and that seemed to placate her and a few minutes later they reached the Nautilus.
"My word, Henry was telling the truth." Nemo spoke in a stunned voice when they arrived. "It is very good to see you, Killian."
"Likewise, Nemo." Killian nodded and shook hands with the other captain. "I hear you found the mysterious island."
"And I hear from young Henry that you found your family." Nemo replied with an approving smile. "Congratulations to both of you, she is precious, such beautiful eyes. What is her name?"
"It's Kelly." Emma replied and glanced at Killian. She tried having her daughter say 'Hi' but she wasn't having it. She wasn't sure if it was stubbornness or normal stranger anxiety. "Now that you've met my daughter, any idea where my son is?"
"Yes, he is playing shuffleboard with Liam." Nemo answered and then hinted not so subtly at Killian. "And losing I believe. Perhaps he could use a skilled partner?"
"As I recall, you have quite the table for it, but that's nothing compared to playing on the deck of a ship. I might be of more harm than help." Killian commented and appeared casual about it. But she knew there was a deeper meaning and he wasn't talking about the game. And Nemo sensed that too.
"Be careful, my boy, guilt can be as corrosive to the soul as revenge." Nemo gently warned him. "You must learn to forgive yourself, even if Liam does not. Though I believe these circumstances will go much differently than last time. Our previous visit here helped Liam greatly and I suspect your fiancée and her son have much to do with that as they did with you."
"Aye, she did." And Killian was smiling once again and put the arm that wasn't holding Kelly around her.
"Nemo, have they arrive…" Liam began to ask as he entered but trailed off when he saw them, especially Killian.
"Brother." Killian said with a nod and she could feel him tense up immediately.
Liam nodded but didn't return the greeting or sentiment. Instead he turned the conversation to familiar territory.
"I see you've done one thing right since returning." He stated and gestured to her ring. "I'm happy for you, Emma. And the little one as well, though I can see she's not so little anymore it appears."
"Thank you, Liam." She replied and gave him a quick hug. "I hope you didn't beat my son too badly at the game."
"Just enough to make him do dishes after the meal. The first mate can't do them all the time." He answered with a smug grin and Henry shoved him in the shoulder for it.
"Yeah, so everyone eat up and lick your plates clean." Henry stated with mock seriousness as they made their way to the submarine's dining hall.
Things were still tense whenever the Jones Brothers spoke to each other. But it never turned hostile or broke out in a fight; it was more awkward than anything. For the most part though it was a pleasant evening and the conversation flowed smoothly. It was safe to say it turned out better than anyone expected.
"I know you're not certain how long you'll be in Storybrooke, brother. But next week is Henry's graduation and we'll be sailing on the Jolly Roger afterward to celebrate and you're more than welcome to join us." Killian offered, bringing his hand to scratch behind his ear as he always did, after Henry did the dishes and they were ready to head home.
"Well, I certainly won't pass up a chance to see if your ship lives up to all your boastful bragging." Liam replied with a bit of sarcasm. But there wasn't a bitter edge like there had been last time he was in Storybrooke and spoke of his brother. "I'll be there."
Both brothers nodded and shook hands. Afterward Liam mimicked the same nervous tick, probably completely unaware of it. But it was nice to see a similarity and the progress they'd made. It confirmed what she and Nemo said earlier. In time they'd both be able to move on from the hurt of the past and the distant brothers would really be family.
So last time something was up for debate. I wasn't sure if I should just skip to the wedding or bring in the side plot of Killian killing David's father. Obviously I did neither. I couldn't figure the latter out without creating a huge mess. Plus Killian is the focus of this story so I thought bringing his brother back was more fitting. There will be a wedding of sorts next chapter and a glimpse of their future as it will be the last one. My goal will be next Friday but life is getting crazy busy, I was lucky to get this one done in time. But never fear I promise to update as soon as I can. You've given me so much with your reviews (I cannot believe there's 100+ !) I can't thank you enough and wish I could do a sneak peek but nothing's written yet. But I will give you an awesome fluffy ending!