Disclaimer: I wish they were mine. Sadly, they aren't.
"Did Baelfire get off alright?" Killian inquired when Emma and Henry appeared on the docks. He'd taken Fallon, Bradyn and Brennan to Granny's for breakfast while Emma and Henry saw Neal off. Henry looked like he could use a bit of cheering up.
"Yes, he was several hundred feet up last we spotted him," Emma nodded, "Regina even came up with a brilliant way to return the Haunted Siren."
"I was wondering where the ship went," Killian nodded towards the vacant slip.
"She shrunk it down to toy size so it would fit into Neal's satchel. She gave him a potion to undo the spell when he's able," Emma explained, "She also enchanted the bean stalk so it can't be cut down."
"Sounds like she's learned from our past mistakes," Killian slung an arm around Henry's shoulder, "How are you holding up, Lad?"
"I'm fine," Henry responded dutifully.
"It's okay if you're not," Killian assured him.
"I just hope he can do whatever he went to do quickly, so he can be home for Christmas," he replied.
"How about a sail to cheer you up?" Killian motioned towards the Jolly Roger, all ready to set sail, "I'll let you steer."
"Do you mind if I invite someone along?" Henry asked.
Emma dreaded the next words to come out of his mouth.
"Who would you like to invite?" Killian gave his wife a knowing little chuckle.
"Paige," Henry felt his cheeks blush crimson.
"You'd best retrieve the lass," Killian motioned him towards the town, "We don't want to waste the wind."
Henry took off in a sprint.
"You could have said no," Emma groaned watching Henry run off.
"He's a growing boy, Love," Killian reminded his wife.
"I think I liked it better when he was this young little thing knocking on my door in Boston talking all this nonsense about fairytale characters who came to life," Emma sighed, "What happened to him?"
"He's run off to fetch his lass," Killian chuckled.
"You just wait until it's Fallon's turn. I'll remember all these pearls of wisdom you're currently spouting," Emma elbowed him lightly in the ribs.
"I'll happily remind any suitor who comes calling of what I can do with a blade and a hook," Killian chuckled.
Emma merely shook her head and laughed. "Is everything ready for our day's sail?"
"Aye, just waiting on Henry," Killian nodded, "Fallon is running around like she owns the vessel."
"She certainly runs it," Emma snickered as they climbed on board. Just as her feet hit the wooden planks, her daughter attacked her legs, nearly throwing her mother off balance.
"Hi, Mama," Fallon gave her usual charming smile as Emma fought to keep her balance.
"Hello, Princess," Emma picked her up, "You're all full of energy this morning."
"I had affles for breakfast," Fallon stated.
"Affles?" Emma turned to her husband.
"She wanted to try something new," Killian chuckled.
"Waffles," Emma realized, "Those aren't new. They're just pancakes in a different form."
"They were yummy," Fallon proclaimed. "Where's Henry?"
"He went to invite Paige to spend the day sailing with us," Emma explained, "So when she gets here, I want you to be nice to her. No singing your song, the one that makes your brother blush. Okay?"
"Okay, Mama," Fallon bobbed her head as Emma put her down.
"Where are Bradyn and Brennan?" Emma glanced around the deck.
"In my cabin," Killian replied, "Bradyn was a bit fussy at breakfast. I think he might be coming down with a bit of something. Papa offered to take him below until you arrived."
"He did seem a bit out of sorts this morning when I dressed him," Emma frowned, "I'd best go check on him."
"We'll get underway as soon as Henry and his lass arrive," Killian called after her.
"Papa, let's go!" Fallon hollered from the wheel.
"In good time, my little love," Killian chuckled.
Fallon huffed in annoyance and spun the wheel.
"Such an impatient little thing," Killian muttered to himself, "She definitely takes after her mum."
When Henry arrived with Paige, Killian cast off the lines and raised the sails. As promised, Henry took control of the wheel and sailed them to wherever he desired. As he worked, he tried to teach Paige the basics of sailing, starting with how Killian had first taught him.
"Looks like the lad has found a lass of his own," Brennan spoke after observing the pair for a few moments at the wheel after coming topside.
"Aye, he's quite smitten…for the moment at least," Killian replied.
"Some loves last a lifetime," Brennan pulled out the picture of his wife.
"And some loves only lasts a season," Killian replied, "It's the way this realm works."
"Not for everyone," Brennan countered, "You and your lovely wife appear to be together for a lifetime."
"Aye, true love is an unbreakable bond," Killian smiled.
"You're happy," Brennan replied.
"More than I have any right to after all my years of debauchery," Killian glanced out at the horizon.
"Papa, want to see the dolphins," Fallon ran over and attached herself to his leg. She didn't even acknowledge her father's obviously turbulent thoughts.
"You always want to see dolphins," Killian heaved her up into his arms with a laugh.
"Dolphins," Fallon pointed to the bow of the ship.
"Then dolphins you shall see," Killian bounced her a bit before heading to the bow.
Fallon's joy upon seeing the dolphins seemed to spread throughout the ship. Even the fussiness of her little brother seemed to disappear as Emma emerged from his cabin with the little boy.
Upon getting to their fishing spot, lines were cast. Fallon took it upon herself to teach Paige the ropes as it was her first time casting a line. The conversation was adorable. Emma made sure to take out her phone and snap a few pictures. When they got within range of a cell tower, she would be sure to send them to Paige's parents.
When they came in after a successful voyage, the entire town had been transformed into a Christmas village. Fallon's eyes were wide with delight. She talked the entire way back to the cottage about all the toys she wanted.
"Does she ever take a breath?" Emma muttered to her husband.
"Perhaps she would if she wasn't my daughter," Killian chuckled.
"She definitely takes after her papa," Emma snickered while Fallon called out to the townspeople as she walked by, making sure to wave and extend a holiday greeting to each one. "Miss Popularity this one."
"You should have her campaign for you in four years when you're up for reelection, Mom," Henry chimed in having just returned from walking Paige home, "You'd win in a landslide, even if another siren was trying to charm this town."
"So true," Emma laughed, "She's charming enough to counteract any curse."
"Paige's parents wanted me to thank you for the pictures," Henry stated.
"I hope Paige had fun today," Emma replied.
"She did," Henry confirmed.
"Are we going to be seeing more of Ms. Jefferson?" Killian inquired.
"I hope so," Henry nodded.
Killian gave his wife an amused smile and then slung an arm around the lad's shoulders, "You and I need to have a bit of a talk one of these days."
"Oh no," Henry groaned, "Not the sex talk."
"It's more a talk about how to treat a lady you're courting," Killian corrected.
"It's dating in this realm, Killian," Henry reminded him.
"Courting, dating is all the same principles no matter the realm," Killian replied, "No matter what, a proper gentleman treats a lass with respect."
"I get it," Henry rolled his eyes.
"We're not finished," Killian stated when the family made their way into Granny's for dinner.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Henry sighed. "I'm going to the back for a few minutes to check on Neal. Order me a burger?"
"Got you covered," Emma assured him.
"Sounds like the lad is quite excited for our chat," Killian chuckled while glancing at the menu.
"It's more likely he ran out the back to the cottage to pack his things before we can catch him," Emma snickered.
"I'm a patient man," Killian smirked, "I'll track him down eventually."
"Just keep it age appropriate like we talked about," she tugged on the collar of his jacket.
Henry returned a short while later with news of his father. He'd arrived in Avalon virtually undetected and had made his way into the village. He'd said the villagers were acting rather peculiar in that they were virtually ignoring his entire existence. There were only a few which seemed to notice him, none he recognized. He'd spotted Cilla but had yet to approach her. He wanted to see what her life was like before he intruded.
"Did he say how many days he thinks he's been gone?" Emma asked.
"He says its been about four days in Avalon," Henry replied, "He's hoping to approach Cilla soon. He doesn't want to wait too long."
"I hope it goes well," Emma frowned, "If she's under the siren's curse, it could go very bad."
"He doesn't think she is," Henry stated, "Hopefully he'll know more soon."
Brennan soaked in the news of his village like a sponge. He appeared more relaxed knowing something was being done to save his kingdom.
"Neal will come through, Brennan," Emma gave him a reassuring smile, "He has a lot of incentive."
"I hope so," Brennan nodded.
"Poppy, I want to draw a picture for Santa," Fallon climbed into Brennan's lap after her order had been placed. She'd surprised everyone by asking for spaghetti rather than her usual roni and cheese. "Help me, please."
"Of course," Brennan flipped over his placemat and accepted the cup of crayons Emma was offering. "What would you like to draw for him?"
"A bicycle," Fallon stated, "It's what I want for Christmas."
"Err, uh, do they have such inventions in Avalon?" Emma noticed the perplexed look on her father-in-law's face.
"Can't say I'm familiar," Brennan shook his head.
Emma pulled out her phone and flipped through the photos until she found a picture of Killian and Henry on their bikes, most likely riding the previous summer.
Brennan stared at the picture for a few moments. "What is the purpose of this invention?"
"It's a mode of transportation," Emma explained, "In order for the bike to move, the rider, in this case Killian and Henry, need to move the pedals."
"And I want one," Fallon stated, "Don't they look fun, Poppy?"
"They are quite…interesting," Brennan told his granddaughter, smirking at the adorable little pout on her face.
"I want a pink one," Fallon held up the pink crayon.
"Then we'll draw you a pink bike," Brennan chuckled and motioned towards the phone, "Might I borrow this, Emma? I'll need the picture for a bit of reference."
"Sure," Emma nodded, "Have at it. I don't need it for anything else tonight. Dad's on night duty."
Brennan nodded his thanks and began helping Fallon draw her picture.
"Are you nervous to start your classes tomorrow?" Emma watched the pair work.
"I thought I would be," Brennan shook his head, "I'm not yet. Perhaps tomorrow when I start my first official lesson I will be. I think sitting in with your mother the previous week has helped prepare me. For right now, I'm mostly excited."
"I bet the kids are too," Emma smiled.
After several minutes, Fallon had the prettiest picture of a pink bike just like she wanted. She promptly asked Ruby for an envelope so she could mail it to Santa on their way home.
"Are we going to indulge her with a bike?" Killian whispered in Emma's ear when Fallon's attentions were elsewhere.
"I was thinking a tricycle," Emma whispered back, "Three wheels, easier to balance, less chance of injury. We'll make sure it's pink like she wants. It's not exactly what she wants, but she'll have fun with it nonetheless."
"I'm sure she will," Killian pecked at his wife's cheek, "Are we still not exchanging gifts this year?"
"Maybe some small ones," Emma flipped on her answer from their previous discussion, "Nothing extravagant. I have everything I want, but it's nice to be able to open at least a gift on Christmas…it's the orphan in me."
"Presents you shall get," he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
After dinner, Fallon insisted they stop at the post office to mail her letter before venturing on to the cottage, where she played with her dog until it was bedtime.
"Wake up, Poppy," Fallon shook her grandfather awake the next morning at Emma's instruction, "It's school time."
"Good morning, Little One," Brennan reached out and tapped her nose.
Killian was at the stove making everyone a hearty breakfast, eggs and sausage for everyone else and a small batch of pancakes for Fallon.
"How'd you sleep last night?" Emma offered Brennan a cup of coffee.
"I guess I'm a bit more nervous than I thought," Brennan admitted, "It was a bit fitful."
"You'll do great," Emma assured him, "Henry's using the bathroom down here, so why don't you use ours upstairs. It seems like it takes him longer these days to get ready, and we'd hate for the teacher to be late on his first day."
"Thank you," Brennan nodded in appreciation.
"Breakfast will be in about fifteen minutes," Emma added.
Brennan climbed the stairs to their bedroom while Emma went to the kitchen to pack everyone lunches for the day.
"It's going to be weird not having Brennan here when he moves to his apartment in a few days," Emma frowned.
"But it will be less crowded," Killian added.
"I suppose we are going to need the room," Emma glanced around their cottage, "Especially if we…"
"Especially if we," Killian prompted her when she trailed off.
"Well, if I get pregnant again," Emma began, "All the rooms are currently taken. We already had to add on when Bradyn was born."
"I have been giving the idea a fair bit of thought," Killian stated, "I was thinking we might turn the playroom into another bedroom. Fallon hardly uses it anyways."
"She uses it enough," Emma replied.
"What are your thoughts, Love?" Killian turned down the heat on the stove so they could talk.
"I don't know," Emma sighed, "I'd just hate to take her tower away from her. She had enough trouble adjusting when Bradyn was born. I just don't want her to think we have to take something away from her because of another baby."
"Are you saying you don't want another child?" Killian asked.
"No!" Emma's response was immediate and a bit louder than she intended, "I just wonder if we've outgrown the cottage. It was perfect when we first moved in and it was just you, me and Henry, but now it's you, me, Henry, Fallon, Bradyn and this new baby. That's a lot of people for this little place."
"So you want to move?" Killian asked.
"Not really," Emma shook her head, "This is where we became a family. This is the first real home I've ever had."
"What other solution is there?" Killian wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her against him. Her arms immediately wrapped around his neck, careful to not spill coffee on him.
"We have time to think about it," Emma smiled, "Even if I'm already pregnant, and it would be too early to know even if I was, we have time to figure it all out. Like with Fallon and Bradyn, he or she wouldn't been sleeping in their room for the first couple of months anyways."
Killian nodded in agreement.
"Let's just put a pin in things for the moment," Emma smiled, "We don't need to decide anything right away."
"If that is your wish," Killian smiled and pecked at her lips.
"Papa, I'm hungry," Fallon tugged on his shirt, which killed her parent's amorous mood.
"It's almost ready, Little Love," Killian reassured his daughter before returning his attentions to the stove to finish breakfast.
Brennan returned to the main level after showering and dressing for the day. Henry had yet to emerge from the bathroom.
"This is a bit ridiculous," Emma stared at the closed bathroom door. "He's been in there for half an hour already."
"Love, let him be," Killian advised her, "He has a young lass to impress."
"You did talk to him last night, didn't you?" Emma asked.
"Aye," Killian nodded, "I kept it age appropriate like you requested. He had a few questions, but none too…"
"Graphic," Emma offered.
"Sure, we'll go with your answer," Killian chuckled, "He's simply a lad learning about love and life. At least he has people who love him and are willing to explain the ways of the world in delicate terms. Try learning how to woo a woman from a bunch of drunken, horny sailors."
"You must have learned a thing or two," Emma wrapped her arms around his waist from behind as he worked at the stove, pressed herself against his back and whispered in his ear, "You've acquitted yourself quite well with me."
Killian chuckled.
"Papa!" Fallon moaned from her place at the table where she was anxiously awaiting her breakfast.
"Yes, Little Love, you're hungry," Killian put the finishing touches on breakfast and then began bringing everything to the table.
Brennan joined everyone at the table after folding his bedding. Henry still hadn't emerged from the bathroom. Emma scowled at her husband and nodded towards the bathroom door.
"Aye, I'll retrieve the lad," Killian crossed the space to knock on the bathroom door, "Henry, breakfast his ready."
Henry emerged ready for the day. His hair was gelled back. He had on his best tie, and he was wearing so much cologne the family could practically taste it.
"Henry, you smell stinky," Fallon held her nose when he got closer.
"Is it too much?" Henry looked a bit panicked.
"Maybe a bit," Emma bit her lip to not laugh, "What's with the tie?"
"Paige told me yesterday how much she liked the tie I wore to Ashley and Sean's wedding," Henry replied.
"And the gelled hair?" Emma prompted him.
"It's too much," Henry glanced at his sister who was laughing at how ridiculous he looked.
"Henry, you don't need to do things to impress Paige. She already likes you for who you are," Emma replied, "It was quite clear yesterday during our sail that she was smitten."
"You sound like Killian," Henry replied.
"Well, it's true," Emma stated, "Why don't you throw those close in the wash, take a quick shower to wash out the gel and put on something you would normally wear to school."
"Yeah, okay," Henry sighed.
"We'll keep breakfast warm for you," Emma added, "Just don't take long. We need to leave a bit early today."
Henry nodded and disappeared into the bathroom a second time.
"Open a few window, Killian," Emma instructed her husband, "Or we all my die of cologne inhalation."
"That's quite pungent," Brennan coughed a few times.
"I didn't even know he had cologne," Emma waved her hand in front of her face to dissipate the smell while Killian opened several windows in his haste to air out the house.
"Henry stinky," Fallon held her nose again.
The family all did their best not to laugh when Henry returned to the breakfast table after taking a quick shower and dressing. His cheeks were a bit crimson already.
"Come on, Princess, get your coat, mittens, hat and boots on," Emma instructed her daughter while she and Killian quickly cleared the table. "We have to get Poppy and Henry to school."
"I want to go to school too," Fallon pouted as she stomped towards the entryway.
"You'll need to wait a couple more years," Emma knelt down to help her get ready while Killian dressed Bradyn for a day aboard the Jolly Roger, "I thought you like helping Papa sail. I know he likes having you. He needs his little navigator to tell him where to sail."
"I do," Fallon bobbed her head.
"That's my girl," Emma kissed her cheek and helped her with her boots.
Once everyone was appropriate dressed for the outdoors, they climbed into the truck and drove across town to the school.
Fallon insisted on walking Brennan to his classroom before she'd allow her father to take her to the docks.
"Have fun, Poppy," Fallon waved when Killian took her hand and led her out of the classroom with Bradyn in his arms.
"I will," Brennan waved and began getting his classroom ready for his first day.
"Did you need any help?" Emma glanced at her watch and realized she still had a few minutes before she needed to relieve her father from his shift.
"Aye," Brennan nodded and instructed her to set out air supplies on each of the tables.
Mary Margaret came in a few minutes later. "I wanted to see if Brennan needed my help getting everything ready, but it appears he already had his own helper this morning."
"Morning, Mom," Emma smiled.
"Are you all ready?" Mary Margaret asked Brennan.
"As ready as I can be," Brennan nodded and inhaled deeply.
"You'll do great," Mary Margaret reassured him, "You had my class completely mesmerized."
Brennan nodded and scratched behind his ear.
"I'd better get to the station," Emma glanced at her watch again. "I'm sure Dad is ready for bed."
"He said it was a quiet night when I spoke to him this morning," Mary Margaret replied.
"They all seem to be now that we have the siren business under control," Emma smiled, "Which reminds me, I need to get Regina to call a town meeting to discuss Wendy and her brothers."
"Let us know when," Mary Margaret replied, "I've already discussed things with a few of the teachers. They seem to agree with you that it will do the entire Darling family good to have a stable environment."
"I'll let you know," Emma nodded and then approached Brennan. "Good luck. I know you'll do great."
"Thank you, Emma," Brennan smiled. He was taken aback by the hug she offered but returned it all the same.
"See you at home later," Emma added as she left Mary Margaret and Brennan to discuss school things.
TBC…