Hey Oncers! Once more into our world as we know it –
-d-d-d-d-
"This is it," Emma announced as she stood in front of the mirrors in the dress shop.
"It's a beautiful dress, Emma, but are you sure about getting married in a black and white dress?" Mary Margaret studied her daughter's reflection. "We could keep looking."
"No, this dress is perfect," Emma smiled. "I want everything ready to go a few days after Killian and David get home."
"If you're sure," Mary Margaret nodded and made a note on the pad of paper in front of her.
"I am. This is perfect, and I want to do this sooner rather than later."
Mary Margaret looked at her daughter, "Emma, is there something you need to tell me?"
Emma closed her eyes and cursed her mother's intuitive nature before she turned around, "You can't tell David."
"Emma Swan," her mother gasped as her eyes closed in on her daughter's stomach.
"I think we both know I'm seriously fertile," Emma reminded her mother.
"Yes, I have three beautiful grandchildren to show for it," her mother replied, "Didn't you learn your lesson yet?"
"I love Killian. I loved Neal. I can't be sorry," Emma shrugged. "I hope you're not expecting me to be."
"Does Killian know?"
"Yes, he knows," Emma nodded. "He's happy."
"Good," Mary Margaret replied, "Gives your father less of a reason to challenge him to a duel."
"We're not telling David until after the honeymoon," Emma shook her head.
"And then hope he doesn't do the math?" Mary Margaret asked.
"And hope the fact Killian didn't sail away never to return when I told him I was pregnant, but instead married me, calms David down just the tiniest bit. If that doesn't work, we're locking him in a cell until I go into labor."
"I'm not going to the jail for conjugal visits," Mary Margaret glared at her daughter.
"Have you two discussed more children?" Emma turned to look at herself in the mirror again.
"We haven't really found the time," Mary Margaret replied, "Truthfully, I don't even know if we're legally married in this realm."
"I hadn't thought of that," Emma frowned as she considered her feet. "Do you have that note pad where you keep writing wedding ideas down handy?"
"Yes," Mary Margaret pulled it out quickly, ready to take notes.
"Put down rug for the deck of the Jolly Roger. I think I'm gonna go barefoot for the ceremony, and I don't want splinters."
"That's really playing up the barefoot and pregnant thing, don't you think?" her mother snickered.
"Why not? Killian's old fashioned," Emma giggled.
"You mean old," her mother laughed, "He's over three hundred years old."
"I know he's the farthest thing from what you probably had in mind for me-"
"He loves you," Mary Margaret smiled. "That's all that matters."
"You know I never even asked Henry what he thinks about all this," Emma realized.
"Are you kidding? He adores Killian and vice versa," Mary Margaret smiled.
"I know, but I still should have asked," Emma stated, "That's the responsible thing to do."
"I'm sure if he didn't like the idea he would've said something by now," her mother assured her.
-d-d-d-
"I think it's great," Henry told Killian after being sat down to have the stepfather-stepson talk, "You make my mom happy."
"You can be honest," Killian prodded him.
"I am," Henry assured him. "My mom was sad for a long time after we met. You make her smile even when you make her mad."
"I will do everything in my power to keep her happy," Killian replied, "I will do what is right by you and Austin and Brookie."
"I know," Henry smiled.
"I know I'm not your father, Henry, and you're not lacking for male role models," Killian started. "I want you to know you can always come to me with anything."
"I had this conversation with Grandpa already," Henry stated.
"Your grandfather's a good man," Killian smiled. "Your mum's a lot like him."
"That's a good thing," Henry laughed.
"Captain Jones," David called down from the helm. "I believe the saying is 'land ho!'."
Killian turned around to see they were approaching the beach which led to the Enchanted Forest, "Let the adventure begin."
Henry pulled out the sword he was given earlier in their journey as he prepared himself for a fight he'd anticipated when he first stepped foot on land.
"You won't need that, Lad," Killian chuckled.
"Really?" Henry looked disappointed.
"We should probably wait till morning before we start out," David looked at the sky. "It looks like a storm's rolling in."
"Will we be okay on the ship?" Henry asked nervously.
"We'll get close to shore and drop anchor. We should be alright," Killian nodded.
"Henry, why don't you make your way into the cabin?" David suggested, "Killian and I will be down soon."
"Okay, but Mom would want me to remind you two that you promised to behave," Henry said before he started down the stairs.
"Go below," Killian smirked.
With Henry out of earshot, David asked Killian, "Is this ship really going to be able to weather the storm? It looks dangerous. Perhaps we should consider trying to outrun it."
"We'll only get some rain and wind," Killian looked at the sky. "The nastiest of it won't touch down until it's further out to sea."
"You sure about that?" David pressed.
"I've weathered many a storm in my time. We'll be okay," Killian nodded. "I'm more worried about the phase of the moon. Call me crazy, but it looks like it'll be full tomorrow night."
"Werewolves can't swim, can they?"
"No, but we'll be on land tomorrow."
"Maybe we should spend an extra night aboard the ship," David suggested.
"Good idea," Killian nodded. "Fond as I am of Ruby and her grandmother, I don't fancy Emma locking me up once a month."
"Agreed," David nodded.
"Your Highness," Killian began.
"David," the other man corrected. "You are the father of two of my grandchildren and about to become my son-in-law. I don't think calling me 'Dad' would be comfortable for either of us, so David."
"David," Killian corrected himself.
"Better," David smiled.
"I had this talk with Henry, and now I want to have it with you. I'm probably not what you wanted for Emma."
"Are you in love with my daughter?"
"With every fiber of my being," Killian confirmed.
"Do you promise to be a good father to all three of her children?"
"Yes," he nodded.
"You've got the respecting her parents thing down, so I'll skip that question," David smiled. "You're right. You're not what I imagined for Emma, but on the other hand, you're exactly what I wanted for her."
"How's that?" Killian replied in confusion.
"Snow and I didn't exactly have a traditional courtship," David smiled in memory. "I never got to meet her parents, and she only got to know my mother for a short amount of time. I know my mother loved Snow. I'd like to think Snow's father would've approved of her marrying the man she loved even though I was only a shepherd. You are a three hundred year old pirate who came to Storybrooke with the express purpose of ending Rumplestiltskin. I often had that urge in my life, so I don't blame you for it, but the minute there was a hint of danger for Emma and her children, you didn't hesitate to be there. You fight for my daughter. You fight with my daughter. You make her happy, and you piss her the hell off. When all is said and done, you love her. That is what I've always wanted for her."
"Is that the long way of saying I have your permission to marry your daughter?"
"You and Emma are way past needing my permission, but if you want it, then yes, you have it."
"Thank you," Killian replied.
David offered his hand, "You're welcome."
Killian shook it before he navigated them close to the shore and then instructed David to drop the anchor before they made their way below to join Henry.
The boy was already sound asleep on Killian's bed.
"I'll carry him to the crew quarters," David said.
"Nah, let the lad sleep. We can put up with each other as roommates for a night," Killian smiled.
"You'd better not snore, Hook," David warned him.
"I think we're both aware that the other snores."
"That's Snow that you hear at night," David replied.
"Yes, I'm sure it's Snow who nearly makes the plates on the shelves rattle," Killian snickered.
"She has a sinus infection," David tried to cover.
Killian laughed as they walked down the hall, "By the way, since I'm going to be your son-in-law and you'd like me to call you 'David', maybe you could start calling me 'Killian'."
"We'll see about that," David patted his back before they tried their best to get comfortable in two of the bunk beds available to them.
-d-d-d-d-
"They asleep?" Emma asked as her mother emerged from children's bedroom.
"Out like lights," Mary Margaret confirmed.
"They like it when you read Snow White to them," Emma smiled as Mary Margaret settled down on the couch beside her.
"It's a bit weird to read a fictionalized version of your life to your grandchildren," Mary Margaret stated, "They skipped over so much."
"Maybe one day you can write it all down and have it bound for them and future generations," Emma smiled.
"That's a good idea," she stated.
"I miss Henry and Killian," Emma sighed.
"I miss David," Mary Margaret agreed.
"They'll all come back in one piece, right? I'm not worried so much about Henry as I am about David and Killian."
"They'll be fine," Mary Margaret assured her, "Most of the danger we encountered is now neutralized. David is their kingdom's king. That offers a lot of protection."
"Where do we keep the movies that aren't cartoons?" Emma looked around them.
"In the cabinet under the television. Why do you ask?"
"Because it's eight-thirty. I don't want to plan anymore of the wedding right now. If we go to sleep, we might as well just become Amish," Emma got up and dug around the cabinet. "'Frequency' okay with you? I've always liked it."
"Pick out whatever you'd like. I'll make us some popcorn," Mary Margaret stated.
"Grab me a soda," Emma said as she set up the movie. "Don't feel bad if you want wine."
"Nah, I'll save the wine for when David returns," Mary Margaret stated.
"Okay," Emma smiled and settled back down on the couch, taking a soda when her mother brought them over. "Thanks."
-d-d-d-
Killian stepped out onto the deck just as the sun was coming up. He breathed in and smiled. The seas were calm once again.
"Coffee?" David joined him on the deck and offered him a cup.
"Thanks. You're up early."
"Your son's influence," David smiled.
"Austin is a bit of an early riser," Killian chuckled.
"The whole time Emma and Snow were gone, Austin would run into my room every morning because I locked the windows before I went to sleep. A little silly thinking a locked window would keep Regina or a wraith away, but it made me feel better."
"I missed so much time with him and Brookie," Killian sighed, "I hate that."
"I think in a year they won't remember a time when you weren't there. Focus on that. You didn't choose to leave. You were taken away."
"Doesn't make the years I missed any more bearable," Killian replied.
"Try missing twenty-eight years," David said quietly.
"I guess I didn't think about that," Killian stated, "How about that? We have something in common."
David looked over his shoulder to make sure they were still alone and then guided Killian to the front of the boat, "Emma told her mother and me the real story about Neal. I know she told you, too."
"She did," Killian nodded. "We're going to try tracking him down after the wedding."
"For what purpose?" David asked.
"Emma's peace of mind. She wants to know if we take a trip somewhere she's not going to turn a corner and walk into him."
"What if he wants to be a part of Henry's life?" David offered, "Are you prepared for that?"
"Emma's not planning on seeing him. She wants to know where he is, so she can avoid him."
"Okay," David stated, "Worst case scenario, what if he wants to be in Henry's life?"
"It's up to Emma and Henry," Killian said. "I may want to knock the man on his ass, but I won't do so unless asked."
"If he wants Emma back?" David asked.
"I will never let that happen," Killian hissed.
"Good answer," David smiled.
"That was a test, wasn't it?" Killian realized.
"And you passed," David told him.
"I cannot imagine ever waking up again without knowing Emma is mine, but not in that possessive way like I consider her property," Killian stated, "I've only ever been really happy when she was in my life."
"And Milah?"
"Milah," Killian shook his head. "I loved her. I won't lie about that. What I feel for Emma is different. It's stronger and not just because of Brooklyn and Austin. With Emma, I saw a future beyond where the boat would take us that day."
"You didn't see that with Milah?" David asked.
"She never wanted that kind of future," Killian replied.
"Because she'd had that kind of life once," David nodded.
"And because part of me was constantly waiting for the day when she'd turn to me and say, 'I need to go home to my son'," Killian told him.
"That's a hard way to live," David nodded.
"You have no idea," Killian said quietly.
"When are we leaving?" Henry came out.
"We're staying on the ship one more day, Lad. Full moon tonight," Killian smiled.
Henry frowned in reply.
"Trust me, you'd rather not sleep up a tree," Killian chuckled.
"Werewolves aren't all bad. Ruby and Granny are great," Henry reminded them.
"Yes, but not all werewolves try to control themselves like Ruby and Granny," David stated.
"Okay," Henry agreed. "Can I at least go swimming?"
"I don't see why not. There are no mermaids in your waters, Your Highness, are there?"
"No," David confirmed, "Go to it, Kid."
Henry grinned and ran back to find his pack while David turned to Killian who had an amused smile on his face while looking at the water.
"What's so funny?" David asked the other man.
"Nothing. I'm just thinking of the day when I can convince Emma to bring Brookie and Austin here. I'm sure Snow would like to show her grandchildren where their mother was born."
"There's also the castle Snow grew up in," David nodded. "I think she'd like to show them that too."
"What about the farm where you were raised?" Killian asked.
"I'm sure that's long gone. I'd like to visit my mother's grave one day though. I haven't been in a long time."
"Where is she buried?"
"By what used to be Lake Nostos," David said.
"Interesting spot," Killian nodded.
"It's where she died," David admitted.
"I'm sorry," Killian said.
"Thank you," David accepted the words.
There was silence between the men before Henry broke the tension hanging in the air by running towards the gangplank, dressed in his swim trunks, letting out whoop of excitement before he cannon balled into the water with a splash.