This is the second part of Crushed :] as requested by a few readers...

"Swan, move over-"

"No," she hissed. "You move…."

"Seriously, love - scoot…."

"I'm not moving. I barely have any room, Killian-"

"Bloody hell, Emma," he groaned, bracing his hands on the counter as he leaned to the side for a better line of vision. "I can't even see what's going on. Just shove over a bit-"

"Not a chance."

They'd been elbowing one another for the better part of their undercover task, each battling for the best view as they stood side by side at the window over the kitchen sink. The glass pane provided them with a stealthy spot where it was easy to observe the backyard and set up shop for what Killian was affectionately calling 'Operation Mermaid'. Emma hadn't fought him on it - naming their schemes was always a necessity and this one was very fitting given just who they were spying on.

Killian checked the clock on the stove - dammit. It had only been two hours. There was no way they'd survive this - and that wasn't just in terms of this particular playdate.

It had all started after Liam shared some rather enlightening news with his newly coined Grandpa Jones on the walk home from school a few days earlier. Killian's head had filled with confusion and a few shreds of denial as his father narrated the boy's admission with caution. His little Liam had a crush, one he apparently had no problem discussing with his chaperone on their little jaunt. Killian had been disbelieving at first - the boy wasn't old enough for such interests. Hell, Killian wasn't old enough to be the father of a little heartbreaker - because yes, that is exactly what Liam would end up being. He was a Jones boy after all.

He was trying not to be too vexed over the whole ordeal, but the knowledge presented that little fact that he'd been trying to dodge for a couple of months now. Liam was getting older - and Killian didn't like it one bit.

"You know, Jones," Emma offered, eating a piece of the bagel she'd somehow prepared while Killian had been silently analyzing. "They're actually very cute together."

He gave her a side eyed pout that he was hoping might pass as an annoyed glare. Emma kept her stare fixed on the sight outside as Killian tried to avoid the idea of his roguishly handsome son being referenced as 'cute'. No, that was not happening - especially when there was a girl sitting next to him.

"I'll show you cute," he taunted, turning toward her and biting into the bagel she was holding. "I'm going to find a better crow's nest."

"You stupid pirate," she growled, shaking her head with a smirk. "There isn't a better place - and I was eating that."

"Yeah and now I am," he winked, moving quickly toward the door. "I also happen to know of a decent sized crack in the fence over on the side of the yard."

"The side where the shed is or the side next to the flower bed? We just fixed that like two months ago! There better not be a crack."

Killian glanced up at the ceiling innocently, trying to conjure up a remotely believable alibi. It wasn't his fault that their little Liam had a fondness for treasure and couldn't quite use the too tall shovel properly yet. The fence had only suffered a minor casualty when he flung a bit of dirt too hard, something Killian had tried not to laugh at. Okay, maybe it was his fault.

"Well, we can sit here and argue about repairs-" he finally said, scratching nervously behind his ear. "-or you can follow me and see for yourself."

"Fine," she replied, a playful glare taking over her expression. "Lead the way, Captain."

Killian rolled his eyes, trying to feign annoyance at her little nickname for him. It was obviously a ruse - Emma knew how much he loved that endearment. They didn't have time for where that surefire banter might lead. Right now, they were on a mission.

They both tried to keep their footsteps fast as Killian went ahead, slipping around the corner gate before he waved Emma in a similar direction. He gritted his teeth with wide eyes when her boots click clacked on the concrete, a response that reminded her to walk with a quieter purpose. She moved to tip toe as they slunk around the corner toward the small opening between the wood planks Killian had used to reinforce the fence recently. They knelt simultaneously, moving close together as they peered between the boards.

"Good call, sailor," she whispered, her eyes studious and squinting. "Look at them, Killian. You can't tell me they aren't adorable."

Killian sighed heavily. Emma wasn't totally wrong - his son was such a little charmer and Melody seemed to have her mother's spunk and interesting tact, a fact that hopefully wouldn't get his son slapped one day. She had long dark hair and a set of big blue eyes that she certainly used to her advantage. She owned a sense of adventure and the I'm-a-princess-but-don't-you-dare-call-me-one attitude. Killian knew the appeal of such a gal all too well. He'd married one much like that.

"Well, she's totally got him wrapped around her finger," Emma observed, a half smile on her lips as she glanced sideways at her husband. "Your son's turned into a total puppy dog, papa."

Killian scoffed at the way she continued to tease him about the picture playing out in the backyard. Something had led to the two kids chasing one another across the grass, each of them giggling and Liam's dimples deep in the most heartstopping way. They dashed to the opposite end of the yard and Killian felt the tension thicken as Emma gasped, watching the pair halt at the edge of the flower bed. He cringed, waiting for his little lad to trample the pink blossoms that he knew his wife adored - but he didn't. Instead, in a move even Killian had to be proud of, Liam bent down to pick one. He held the stem out to Melody, beaming as she took it with a slight blush.

Killian had seen that look before in a much larger field of the same flowers. Well done, my boy, he thought with a smirk.

Emma snickered softly as she elbowed him gently, the hint of a tear in her eye. Killian allowed himself a genuine smile before leaning sideways to kiss her.

"Who knew that your gardening skills would benefit your son so much," Emma teased, reaching up to brush his hair off his forehead. "Nice job with the green thumb there, Jones."

"Well, the Middlemist don't grow just anywhere," Killian grinned. "But for some reason, they sure flourished here."

Emma rolled her eyes at him and he opted not to follow with what would surely be a cheesy line about 'true love'. He didn't really even need to say it anymore. She knew. She'd always known.

"Emma? Killian? What's going….what are you guys doing?"

The voice startled them as Emma jerked around to face the sound and Killian sprung to his feet, smacking his head on the fence on his way up. He rubbed the sore spot with a guilty face as he cleared his throat and Emma's mouth dropped open. Oh, bloody hell.

"Hey….Ariel," he stuttered, trying to appear casual. "You're early?"

"Just a few minutes," she replied, tilting her head so her brilliant red hair fell off her shoulder. "What are you guys doing out here?"

"Oh, uh," Killian stammered, his eyes unable to meet hers. "We just, uh….I-we….Emma?"

"We just-" Emma tried, biting her lip as she glared at her husband. "-wanted to see what the kids were up to."

"Oh," Ariel said conspicuously. "Wait - are you guys….spying?"

Dammit, Killian thought with a sigh. He rocked back and forth on his heels as Emma's vision darted back and forth between Ariel and the fence. It didn't take long for the silence to answer Ariel's question - yes, they were being quite snoopy.

"Uh, yeah," Killian finally admitted. "Emma thinks….they like each other."

"Wait - like they 'like' each other?"

Ariel's mouth opened in surprise and it was easy for Killian to see that conflict in her eyes. It was the same parental concern he'd been fighting for days. He raised his eyebrow in reply and tried to fight his amusement at the way she took on that look of total disbelief.

"Okay then," Ariel decided, her voice getting a little quieter as she moved to stand between them. "Slide over, you two. I better have a look."