Disclaimer: As always OUAT is not mine, but the work of the great Adam and Eddy.

By the way, I'm so so sorry this is so late. I was sick the first week after the last update and between the medication I was on and school, it was all homework and sleep for me. Then this past week writer's block kicked in, I had family visiting, and I had a bunch of job applications to fill out, which were all online and took forever to do.

So I'm sorry this is late. I know, I'm horrible for making all of you wait.

WARNING: There is a long response at the bottom in response to a review that was negative. Ever since I've started this story there have been a lot of anon reviews that have been very harsh. Not constructively critical (though some have been I'm not denying that) but out right harsh and rude and hating on certain things that I have done in this story. I'm sorry that not everyone likes it, but I can't please everyone, especially when it is MY story and I am trying to keep it close to my original idea. So to those of you who don't have any problems whatsoever with my story, go ahead and skip the response. I was not happy to have to write it, and it's not worth your time reading when there is a chapter waiting for you. To anyone who has reviewed negatively to my story or has a problem with anything that I have done in the story, please read the response so you can understand why it hurts when I get reviews that tell me I'm not doing something right or that I shouldn't do this and that. And learn that you need to stop telling me what to do with my story.

AnadoraBlack asked: "I have one question for you: are you going to plant a "new" villain in the story sometime to...I don't know...buy some time before Neverland? I just love to see other Disney characters enter the fics and I wondered if you'd do that. :D"

Actually the villains will be canon for this story. It's the sequels that will have other villains. I may bring in more Disney villains as well as villains from other tales. We'll just have to see, because BSMH has officially become a saga with two sequels that are for certain and ideas for other sequels too. It's turning into an epic monstrosity XD

Kristina'sMyName asked: "I need to ask you, will there be a Will and Killian scene where Will talks about the baby and stuff?"

Maybe, we'll see. I do have a Will and Killian scene planned in the next chapter, but I'm not sure what all they're going to talk about just yet.

Chocolateninjapanda asked: "So August will be an adult then?"

Well readers voted for him to stay August, so yep, he'll be an adult.

"Will he remain wooden or will you do what they did in the show and show him saving them so he's not wooden again?"

Stayed tuned for the "August" chapter to see. :)

"Also will you be bringing in the woman who hates fairy tales (forget her name) and uses a tazer to kill them and the boy who was separated from his father?"

Tamara? Yep. Currently she and Neal are engaged and living in NY. But yeah, she'll still be coming around.

Guest asked: "Aré you also going to include the Any Given Sunday?"

Maybe. The reason I did the Fish & Chips place was indeed because of the spoiler pics, but also because a.) I've been writing this for 50 chapters and I've only been using Granny's and I'm certain people are sick of Granny's, lol, and b.) it's the closest restaurant/food place to Killian's house. I probably should look on the OUAT wiki for more places, I've just never really thought about it. But yeah, they needed a change of venue.

"And will Gold give Killians hand back ... Now that I think about it do you have a crystal ball or something? Because they have said that Will is related to someone in SB and that he has a bad relation with Killian."

No, I'm pretty content with Killian keeping his hook. It's very effective and very much him.

As for having a crystal ball. Nope. I just really loved the idea of Scarlet Hook brotp since I started watching OUATiW. I love Will and think that he and Killian together is amazing. (SPOILERS for actual show here so don't read if you don't want to know) But yeah the spoiler did say Killian and Will's relationship will be "testy". But I never saw a spoiler that said Will was related to someone in SB. I know that the Snow Queen has connections to someone in SB though. Anyone have a link for the spoiler about Will?

stelladelnordxd asked: "I'm assuming that the compass Killian has is in fact the compass that Sparrow had once upon a time?"

The compass was partly inspired by it yes. But we'll learn more about the compass when we get more into Killian's past.

Comeswithaprice97 asked: "This story is amazing and I love it, but I can't help but wonder if Pan's evil curse will be incorporated into it?"

Spoilers. ;)

Starlight000 asked: "Will August die, or are you planning to keep him in the storyline?"

Keeping him.

KELS B asked: "This question has probably already been asked, but is the ending to this story going to be the wicked witch arc or are you going to go through frozen before you start the sequel to this story?"

The story is ending in the Wicked Witch arc. I always planned for it too since before the end of season 3b. I actually started incorporating Frozen into the ideas for the sequels before the finale, so I guess I do have a crystal ball….but anyway, Frozen will be in the later sequel.

daniik2393 asked: "I was wondering how long will take To Will be part of the Charming family? I think he'll be a great cousin for Henry and the baby."

It will be a slow process. Will's not use to family, and he won't be sure of his place. But I don't see the Charmings as anything other than accepting of him when the time comes around.

DarkAngelmi818 asked: "Is jack sparrow Killians dad that would be a true once upon a time twist"

As cool as that is, I'm not that original. But would you guys like to see Jack Sparrow in the sequels? I could work something in. Do we want to take a vote?

lizzytish-lover of everything8 asked: "I feel like you have been talking about Neal forever but he still hasn't come, when is he going to make an appearance?" and Clypso's Dream asked: "When is Neal going to come into the picture"

You probably feel that way because I have been talking about him, because he is the reason for a lot of Emma's issues. So in order to have a story about Emma, Captain Swan, and Emma opening up to love and family, I needed to address her issues and inner turmoil. So yes, I've talked a lot about Neal, but he will be in soon.

Like I said, there are a few more filler chapters (three, including this one, to be exact), but after that Neal will be brought in.

Tempest in Blue reviewed: "Ok. I have to be super honest. I love this story-I do. I would have stopped reading hundreds of thousands of words ago if I didn't. But, that said, I feel like you're treading dangerously close to Mary Sue territory with Captain Baby Swan. Not with the naming choice-the name is neither here nor there, though truth be told I'm not overly fond of it but whatever-but with the baby itself. I totally get that a child of true love born to a mother who was herself a child of true love would be really magically powerful. I totally buy that. It makes perfect sense. What doesn't make sense is a baby who has not yet even developed enough to be a bump acting independently. Babies, even after they're born, just aren't that aware (at least not for a while). I just don't find the baby believable AS a baby. So I'm really sorry to say this and I hope it doesn't sound flat out mean because it's the only way I can think to say it: there are times when Captain Baby Swan reminds me of Renesmee Cullen, and that's not a good thing."

I am glad you like my story, but I have problems with your review.

First, I despise Twilight. Hate it with a passion. Only read the first book, and I was forced to watch the first two movies because of my family. So I have no idea what went on with all of that Renesmee stuff. So I am very much insulted that you compared my stuff to Twilight, however I know that you were perhaps unaware of my hatred.

Second, CS baby is more based off of Baby Wyatt from Charmed. In that show, baby Wyatt had powers from the womb since before Piper was showing and he was descended from a long line of witches and he was a prophesized child. So that's where I got my inspiration.

Third, babies are aware in the womb, even early on. I've tried to do a lot of research, and yes, maybe I am off a bit and things may be inaccurate. But I have said before, I've never been pregnant, so I'm not 100% sure on things. However, babies are developing rapidly in the first trimester from what I've read, so there may be inaccuracies, but I'm trying to do as much as I can. I'm sorry that it's not believable to you, truly I am, but in the long run, it is fiction.

Now, that response was specifically for that reviewer.

This response is for the general readership and as I said I was not happy to right this, but I'm tired of hate on tumblr and I really don't like seeing hate in my reviews either. Also, I apologize if this sounds harsh, but I just wanted to get my point across:

I have something to say to everyone else. I have been getting a lot of negative reviews from people over nit picky things in my story, or an over all plot point. They've been anonymous mostly, so I haven't moderated them, because I felt that they would only get people down the way they got me down.

One particular person reviews almost every single chapter complaining about how there is too much Hook and that there needs to be more Snowing.

First of all, this is a Captain Swan story. Not a Snowing one. Second of all, Snow and Charming aren't even the characters listed on the story. While I love and adore Snowing, they are only supposed to be supporting characters here, just like Jefferson, Ruby, Marco, and anyone else, but I try to show them as much as possible because they are all important. However as an author, I have decisions to make on what to write or else the chapters would be too convoluted and maybe even too boring or tedious to read.

Other more recent reviewers were not happy with the naming choices for the Captain Swan baby. Specifically Hope. I agree that it is not very Captain Swan. That is why I wrote an explanation for why they chose that name in the chapter. I gave an entire explanation, solely to avoid reviews like all of yours. Please go read the chapter again, and maybe you can understand my naming choices.

My next point. This story is loved by a lot of people, and I do get more positive reviews than negative ones. However, those who are negatively reviewing aren't looking at the story as a whole, and are just picking out things that they don't like.

My words to all of you, it's my story in the long run, and it's my idea. I have poured everything into this story, even putting it above more important things that are going on in my actual life, just so I can update in time for all of you.

Writing is hard. It's hard because there is so much I want to do, but I cannot please everyone. At the end of the day, I just have to be happy with what I'm writing. And people seem to love that, and that makes me really happy. Getting positive reviews lifts up my self esteem more than any of you can imagine. I adore each and every review from the long to the short to all of the questions asked to simple ones asking me to please update or even just telling me that they love my story.

But when I get a negative review, my heart drops. Because it means that I haven't pleased everyone. It means that there are people out there that I am disappointing. Every time I get a review, I get so excited and happy, but when I see that it's anon telling me how they don't like what I'm doing with my story, I feel like a failure.

And to those negative Nancy's, I just have to ask, do you have any idea how hard it is to write a story? Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep these characters as canon as I can? It takes forever to write one scene let alone a whole chapter. I put everything into it. I put off homework or chores or whatever in order to get the next chapter done because I know how much people love this story, and I know what it's like to wait for an update and never get one or get one after way too long. And I still doubt myself. Reviews like yours make me want to stop writing. It makes me think that I've failed. But you know what helps? The fact that there are more people out there who actually like what I'm doing with this story.

So while I really try not to let the negativity get to me, I felt that enough is enough and that I should write a response to all of you out there in order to understand where I'm coming from.

Honestly, I'm really not trying to attack anyone. I don't want people to feel attacked, because that's the way I feel when I get hate or negativity.

So please, don't take any offense.

Just please try to understand my position. Again, it is my story, and I'm the one who has to be happy with it after everything, and I want to stay true to my vision. I know that some people may not agree with it, and I am sorry that I cannot please everyone.

A bit of advice though, if you truly do love the story, please only focus on the good things. However, if you can't, then perhaps you should stop reading. I've done that. There have been stories that I loved from the very beginning, but the author does something, and I decide that I don't like it. So I quit reading. I don't point out everything that I don't like to that author, because I know how great it is to get reviews, only to be disappointed by negativity. I also know how it feels to have your self esteem blown away by one wrong word.

Because honestly, I love getting reviews. It makes me happy that people are happy to have this story. But now when I see that I have a review, I'm apprehensive. I get a prickle of anxiety before I read one, because I'm afraid that it's another bad review essentially telling me that my story is not good enough. It's not supposed to be good enough, it's just supposed to be fanfiction that I put out here for people to enjoy because I want to make people happy. And I do this for free. I don't have to do it. I want to do it. But like I said, negative reviews only make me want to stop.

I'm sorry that I had to put this in here, I really didn't want to address this issue. I was happy to try and ignore it, but after 50 chapters and so much anonymous negativity (I've gotten more and more the longer this story has been going on), I couldn't just keep letting this slide and let those reviewers think that it was all right to complain about the story, or in some cases bully me into changing one little thing (I already did that once in this story, I won't do it again).

I do hope that I don't lose readers for this, but I also hope that I don't get more complaints because I'm calling them out. Like I said, I don't want to attack anyone, but I'm tired of being attacked myself.

Thank you all for reading and putting up with my rant.

Please, go ahead and enjoy the chapter. And I'm sorry to all of the readers out there who have always been very positive and supportive, that I had to bring any of you down with this message. You guys don't deserve to have to deal with my issues.

For all of you readers on tumblr, I've created two new side blogs, procaptainswan and prokillianjones. I was inspired to do so because I follow proemmaswan and procharmingfamily, but surprisingly no one has done a similar thing with CS or Killian.

So I want these new blogs to be like that where people can send in questions or their opinions on CS or Killian and we can talk about it all in a hopefully hate free space, though most recently I have had to deal with anti-CS hijackers. But I'm trying to avoid getting sucked into that.

Though even so, with tumblr hate will always pop up and hijack posts, and I will more than likely reblog some in order to defend myself and refute their arguments, but I just really wanted a safe space for CSers and Hookers to have on tumblr. And I do want to make these blogs as positive as possible.

So check it out, and I hope you guys like what I'm doing and have questions about it. Any questions you have though, message those blogs so I can answer them there. Thank you.

And even if you don't have a tumblr, still come check it out, and leave anon asks if you'd like to talk about CS or Killian.

As always, enjoy the chapter! :)


Chapter 51: Friendships and A Bit of Family Bonding

Alice walked over to her door wondering who could possibly be stopping by. She had friends during the curse, and they still kept contact over the months since the curse had broken, but more often than not they would've called or texted if they wanted to stop by.

Opening the door, her heart skipped at the sight of Will standing in front of her, holding a bouquet of Lily of the Valley (her favorite flower).

"Will."

"Alice." He nodded. He looked absolutely nervous.

An awkward silence followed, as Alice had no idea what to say and Will, well he knew what he wanted to say, but he wasn't exactly sure how to say it. He never had been good with words.

"Do you want to come in?" Alice asked.

Will nodded again, and moved past her.

Heart thumping wildly, Alice took a steadying breath as she shut the door. Will was here, and with flowers. That meant something. She turned around to face him. "Are, um, are those for me?"

Will looked confused for a moment before remembering the flowers. "Oh yeah." He handed them to her. "Those are for ya, yeah."

Alice bit her lip to keep from smiling at his nervousness. She'd never known Will to really ever be nervous, and now, it was kind of endearing. As she focused on the task of getting a vase for the flowers, she asked him, "What brings you by?"

"Well, erm, I wanted to, ya know...talk." Will said. "It was recently pointed out to me that, erm, well, ya know I don't trust easily, and well, I don't like puttin' me heart on the line here..." He trailed off looking uncertain of himself.

"What are you trying to say?" Alice stepped closer to him, abandoning the flowers for now.

"I'm tryin' to say that, I want to try to work on us." Will shrugged. "I know ya needed time to clear your head and stuff, but I, ugh, bloody hell Alice, I missed ya. I can't stop thinkin' about ya and us, and even if ya still love Cyrus and want to be with him, that's okay. I just want your happiness, and, well, if ya want, I still want to be friends."

Alice was stunned. She knew that Will had a big heart, even wore it on his sleeve more than he should, but to put her happiness before his own, even if that meant getting his heart broken again. It meant a lot to Alice.

"Cyrus was my first love." Alice began. "I think part of me will always love him."

Will's face crumpled.

Alice continued, "These past weeks, I've been thinking about Cyrus and you, and I don't think I love Cyrus the way I used to. I think that I love you more."

"But?" Will asked, hopeful yet wary, because he knew Alice well enough to know she was holding something back.

"But, I don't want to hurt you." Alice told him. "If we ever do find our way to Wonderland again, and I find out that Cyrus is the one I'm meant to be with, I don't want to break your heart. You mean too much to me, Will. But I have missed you too, and you're right, we need to work on us."

"So, friends again?" Will suggested.

"I think that's best for now." Alice agreed. "I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear."

"No, I, I wasn't sure me self if I wanted us back together." He told her. "I just wanted to see ya again, talk to ya."

Alice hugged him tightly. "Me too."

Will held her close. He still loved her, and his heart hurt to hear her indecision on the matter, but he was grateful that she was trying to save them both more pain. Besides, maybe, just maybe, with time, she might choose him over Cyrus. But first, they needed to get their friendship back before even considering getting back together. It was baby steps from here on out.


Grace put her pencil down to glare at her father. She couldn't do her math homework with Jefferson constantly glancing up like he wanted to say something, but deciding not to, only to change his mind, and so on.

It was annoying.

"Papa, spit it out."

Jefferson started, looking up from the book that he was "reading". "What?"

"You have something you want to tell me?" Grace huffed.

He closed his book, setting it down on the table. How was he going to even begin? This was a big thing that he was going to ask, and he wasn't entirely sure how Grace might take it. Taking a deep breath, he hoped for the best. "There's something I want to ask you."

"From that tone, I don't think I'm going to like this."

Jefferson's mouth twitched upward. "Well, I just wanted to know how you would feel about me asking Ruby to move in with us."

Grace smiled. "You want Ruby to move in with us?"

"I do." Jefferson nodded. "But if you don't want her to...I mean, we've only been dating for a few months, and you haven't even known her that long, but I love her, and I hope that you love her..."

"Papa, you're rambling." Grace interrupted. "Yes, I would love it if Ruby came to live with us."

Jefferson relaxed. "So, you're good with this?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Jefferson smiled. "That's a relief."

"Have you asked her yet?"

"No, not yet." Jefferson said. "But I will. I just have to wait for the right time."

"Or you could just ask." Grace told him. "It's not that hard."

"You'd be surprised."

Grace rolled her eyes, returning to her homework. "Whatever, Papa. Just don't take forever to ask."

"I won't." Jefferson protested.

Grace gave him a disbelieving look.

"I won't." He repeated. "Just finish your homework." He stood up. "I'm going to start dinner. It's pasta tonight, is that okay?"

"Yep." Grace nodded.

Jefferson left her alone, walking into the kitchen, his mind already turning to thinking up scenarios for when he'd ask Ruby. But he couldn't help but feel doubt in the pit of his stomach. What if she wasn't ready? Was it too soon for him to ask?

What if she said no?


Belle looked up to see who had come to the library today, expecting it to be Henry or Rumple, because they were here the most, though sometimes a few other citizens found themselves here, looking through the books out of curiosity or nostalgia.

Regina Mills was not who she expected.

"Madame Mayor, how can I help you?" Belle asked, trying her best to be polite.

Regina sighed, looking less than enthused to be here. "I came here to speak with you."

"Oh?"

"Is that really so surprising?" Regina huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Actually, yes." Belle said. "Considering we haven't really spoken much since the curse broke, and well, we aren't exactly on good terms."

"That's actually why I'm here." Regina said. "I...well, I've been seeing Archie. In therapy, I mean, and he's been helping me with my..."

"Evil Queen issues?" Belle suggested.

Regina glared. "You could say that."

"And what does that have to do with me?" Belle asked. "Or are you here to check out some self help books?"

"You know what, this was a bad idea." Regina turned to leave.

"Regina wait." Belle sighed. "Look, I'm...sorry, it's just, how do you expect me to act around you? You kept me looked up for thirty years. You cursed me without my memories, and then when you needed something against Rumple, you used me. How would you feel about that?"

"I guess I would be pretty bitter." Regina stated.

"I am." Belle agreed. "But you're here, so I supposed I should give you a chance and hear you out."

Regina swallowed. "As I was saying, Archie's been helping me, and he thinks that one of the steps I need to take towards bettering myself is to..." She trailed off uncomfortably.

"What?"

"Apologize." Regina spoke through gritted teeth.

Belle arched a brow. "You're here to apologize to me?"

"Yes." Regina scowled. "I'm here to apologize for locking you up and...everything else I've done to you."

"You don't exactly seem to mean it."

"Apologizing isn't my forte." Regina growled.

"Obviously." Belle said. "So, apologizing is a part of your therapy?"

"Yes." Regina nodded. "Archie seems to think that if I'm sorry and I can earn forgiveness for my wrongdoings from those I wronged, that it would help me feel better about myself as a person. It would help me become a better person."

"Well being sorry for what you've done is a part of getting a second chance." Belle told her. "But you also have to mean it. That's what worked for Rumple with me, and for Killian with everyone else. So are you really sorry for what you've done?"

Regina sighed. "I honestly don't know. I'm not even sure if I regret what I've done."

"Then that doesn't exactly help you." Belle said. "You need to be regretful, Regina."

"How?"

"You just have to feel it."

"What if I can't?" For a brief moment Regina looked so lost, Belle was stunned. However, it was quickly replaced by her perpetual scowl.

"I don't know." Belle admitted. "Regina, if you want to change, then you have to start to change yourself for the better. You need to feel sorry for what you've done, you need to become a better person for yourself, and you need to want to change. It's a commitment that you have to be fully invested in."

Regina considered her words, words that sounded a lot like Archie's own. They were both right. Regina knew that, but it was hard for her to feel much of anything outside of being sorry for herself. And she was only that because she didn't have Henry, because she was alone.

"Maybe some self help books aren't a bad idea." Belle suggested. "Not that you necessarily need them, but perhaps reading them could help you better understand yourself and help you figure out how to change."

"Self help isn't exactly for the Evil Queen." Regina scoffed.

"I thought you didn't want to be the Evil Queen anymore?"

"Please, everyone will always see me that way."

"Well, there's part of your problem." Belle said. "If you don't think people will see you any differently, then why should you change for them? Maybe if you believed in yourself, it would be easier for you to move forward and change for the better. If you keep identifying yourself with the Evil Queen, you may never be able to change."

"I still don't think self help books are what I need." Regina glared.

"Maybe not, but if you change your mind, they'll still be here."

Regina nodded stiffly, before leaving.

Belle blinked. That was quite an interesting encounter to say the least. It brought Belle back to her conversation with Henry. It seemed that despite her attitude, Regina really did seem like she wanted to change.

Belle just hoped that Regina would be able to. As someone who believed that everyone should get a second chance, Belle supposed that even the Evil Queen herself deserved one.

After all, the Dark One was trying to change, so why couldn't Regina?


"Okay, we're leaving." Emma said as she and Mary Margaret pulled on their jackets.

"Don't burn the apartment down while we're gone." Mary Margaret teased.

"We won't." Henry and David replied, while Killian just rolled his eyes, smirk on his lips.

"And don't keep Henry up too late." Emma said. "It may be the weekend, but that's no reason to throw his sleep schedule off."

"Yes, mum." Killian chuckled.

"Have fun girls." David called as they went out the door.

"You too." Was their reply.

When the door shut, Henry turned to his father and grandfather. "So what's the plan for tonight?"

"We figured you had something in mind, lad." Killian said.

"Movie marathon?" Henry suggested with a grin.

"Which movies?" David asked.

"I don't know, maybe, a movie with pirates." He said with a too innocent tone.

Killian laughed gleefully, while David groaned.

"Stop turning my grandson into a pirate." He grumbled at Killian. "He's a prince."

"Please, piracy runs in his blood." Killian chuckled.

Henry nodded. "He's right, grandma was a bandit."

David was about to give in and agree, wanting to add that Emma had been a thief too, but he stopped himself, remembering that Henry still didn't know all of Emma's past, especially the truth about his father and how Emma ended up in jail. So he bit his tongue, and gave an exasperated sigh. "All right, pirate movies it is."

"Cool." Henry cheered. "I'll go get Pirates of the Caribbean." He turned and bounded up the stairs.

David shook his hand. "A family full of pirates and thieves, and I'm the only knight."

"Oh come now Dave, there is honor among thieves." Killian smirked.

David chuckled. "If you say so pirate." He tilted his head, "Hey, how did you become a pirate anyway?"

Killian stiffened, smirk falling from his face.

David tensed, obviously he'd said the wrong thing. "Sorry, I didn't mean..."

"No, it's, uh, it's fine." Killian said. "I just, I'm surprised that Mary Margaret didn't share the story."

"You told Mary Margaret?" David asked completely surprised.

"Uh, aye." Killian cleared his throat. "The morning Henry checked out of the hospital."

"What about me?" Henry asked as he came downstairs DVDs of the trilogy in hand.

"Not about you, lad." Killian reassured. "Dave just asked me about something, that's all."

"What did he ask?"

Killian hesitated. He wasn't sure about telling them the story. Tonight was supposed to be a fun guys night. He didn't want to ruin the good mood.

"Nothing important." David spoke, knowing that whatever the story was, Killian didn't seem ready to share it.

Henry didn't look like he believed David though.

"A story for another time." Killian agreed. "Why don't you start the movie, Henry? Dave and I will get the snacks."

"Okay." Henry decided to let it drop, heading over to the television.

David went through the cabinets and pulled out popcorn, chips, and cookies. "I don't think the girls will be happy about overstuffing the kid with junk food after he's had dinner."

"You can't have a movie marathon without junk food!" Henry called back.

Killian chuckled.

"You're just saying that because you're reaping the benefits." David said.

"So?"

David shook his head, very much amused by his grandson, as he placed the popcorn in the microwave. "Killian, you need to teach your son not to be so smart with his elders?"

"Yes, lad." Killian laughed, pouring the chips into a bowl. "Give the old man a break."

"Who are you calling old?" David smirked.

"He has a point." Henry agreed.

"Oi, watch it!" Killian playfully scolded. "I can ground you."

"You can, but you won't." Henry said.

David made a noise of agreement.

"I was captain of a ship for centuries." Killian told them. "I can be a disciplinarian."

"Please." David scoffed. "You're a big softy, who can't say no."

Killian scowled. "I can to."

"Not when it's Emma and Henry." David chuckled.

"It's true, dad." Henry nodded. "We're your weakness."

His face softened. "Aye, you are."

David and Killian moved the snacks, sodas included, over to the coffee table, taking their seats on the couch as Henry pressed play.

Sometime way into the movie, Henry spoke. "You know dad, you're kind of like Will."

"How so?" Killian asked with a humoring smile.

"Well, he's a pirate and a man of honor." Henry told him. "He also starts out alone, and kind of picks up a family along the way."

"I don't know." David said. "Killian feels more like a Jack Sparrow type."

Killian glared, eliciting a laugh from David.

"I am not Jack Sparrow." Killian huffed. "Besides, last I heard Jack was content to remain in Tortuga for awhile. Still avoiding the royal navies."

David and Henry both turned to him, identical looks of surprise on their faces.

"You knew Jack Sparrow?" Henry asked.

"Aye." Killian nodded. "Of course, that was before I went to Neverland. Though this land tends to muck up our stories, they certainly got Jack's character down pat."

"Were Will and Elizabeth real too?"

"If they were, I never knew them." Killian shrugged. "Jack did mention an Elizabeth Roberts and a Davy Jones from time to time. Though, I doubt that Davy Jones was the Davy Jones. Even in our realm, stories are just stories."

"I don't know about that." David argued. "You were a legend, but you seem pretty real to me."

Killian chuckled. "You have a point, mate."

"So what did Jack say about Elizabeth and Davy?" Henry asked.

Killian shrugged. "Not much. He was very...secretive about them I guess. Always looked at me funny when he'd talk about them."

"Huh." Henry turned back to the screen during the scene where Elizabeth promised to marry Norrington. Henry cocked his head, "Are you going to propose to mom?"

Killian choked on his soda.

David reached around Henry to pat the man's back. "Oh don't be so surprised. You had to know Henry would ask someday."

"Aye." Killian cleared his throat.

"Well, are you?" Henry pressed.

David too looked at him questioningly.

"I plan on it." Killian said. "I just don't know when, or where. But yes, I will ask your mother to marry me someday."

"Awesome." Henry cheered. "Can I be the best man?"

"Hey!" David smirked. "I'm the best friend, that's my job."

"You'll be walking mom down the aisle." Henry stated.

"I can pull double duty!" David pouted.

"But I'm their son, I'm more important."

"That's hardly fair."

Killian rolled his eyes at the two of them. "If you both don't stop arguing, I'll pick Jefferson."

That shut them up, both pouting at him.

"Besides, that's still off in the future." Killian continued. "I haven't even asked yet, and it's not like Emma will say yes."

"Of course she'll say yes." Both Henry and David scoffed.

"She loves you." Henry said. "She can't say no."

"She can if she doesn't feel ready for marriage." Killian disagreed. "You can love someone, be their True Love, and still not be ready to go all in."

"You have kids already." Henry huffed. "How is that not all in?"

"He has a point." David agreed. "Besides, Emma might surprise you."

"Perhaps."

"Well, when you guys get married." Henry said. "You guys should get married on the Jolly. Ooh, like Elizabeth and Will!"

"Elizabeth and Will were fighting in a battle against a sea goddess." Killian stated. "I doubt your mum, or your grandmother for that matter, would be too keen on having a wedding while fighting a battle."

"Agreed." David nodded. "Snow will want Emma to have the full royal wedding treatment."

Henry huffed. "Fine."

They finally settled down to watch the end of the movie.

Killian hoped that the subject would be dropped. He'd been thinking about proposing to Emma more and more since Cora's defeat, but he truly was terrified that she might say no. That he could still scare her off. He knew that she loved him, and they had a family, but he still had his doubts.

Then again, perhaps David was right. Emma might just surprise him.

Perhaps, planning a proposal now wasn't a bad idea after all.


Mary Margaret and Emma were the last of their group to arrive at The Rabbit Hole.

Ruby waved them over to a table currently occupied by her, Belle, Ashley, and Alice.

"About time you guys got here." Ruby smiled as they sat down. "I already ordered for you guys, ginger ale and a martini."

Emma sighed. "One of the downsides of pregnancy."

"Well, someone needs to keep the rest of us in line anyway." Ruby teased.

Emma rolled his eyes. "I thought keeping you in line was Jefferson's job."

For once, the mention of her beloved boyfriend had the smile falling from Ruby's face.

"Uh oh." Ashley sighed. "Something going on?"

"No." Ruby said. "Well, I don't know. He's just been...nervous the past couple of days."

"Did he say anything about it?" Belle asked.

"No, it's like he wants to tell me something, but then he changes his mind." Ruby shrugged. "I have no idea what it could be either, and I haven't had the chance to ask Grace yet. But I just don't get it. We tell each other everything. He knows that he can talk to me. I've tried to ask him about it, but before I can he changes the subject or runs off with some excuse."

"Maybe he thinks that whatever it is may scare you off." Alice suggested.

"She has a point." Emma agreed. "I mean you guys have been dating a few moths but you're still the first relationship he's had since his wife."

Mary Margaret nodded. "He may not be sure of himself."

"So what do you guys suggest?" Ruby asked.

"Tie him to a chair so he doesn't escape and then ask him." Emma shrugged.

The others stared at her with raised eyebrows, though Ruby was decidedly more amused than the others.

"Not a bad idea." Ruby chuckled.

After that they all fell into easy conversation with topics ranging from Ashley's home life, Emma's pregnancy, Mary Margaret considering not returning to her job as a schoolteacher because it wasn't the same with the curse broken, and life.

The newest topic of conversation was Henry and Grace.

"Oh come on, they look so cute together!" Ruby laughed.

"He's eleven, Ruby." Emma huffed, lips twitching. "I don't care how cute they are together. He's not dating until his thirties."

"I don't know." Ashley shrugged. "They always seem to be together whenever I see them."

"And they're constantly together during school and the summer." Ruby nodded. "You might want to prepare yourself, Emma. He might be ready to date sooner than you think."

"I've only had Henry in my custody for six months, it's bad enough that I might still have to share him with Regina, I don't think I'm ready to share him with yet another girl."

"Regina still has legal custody though, doesn't she?" Ashley asked.

Emma sighed. "She does, but with everything going on, she hasn't legally fought me for him. Actually, I don't think I've actually spoken with her since Cora died."

"She's still mayor." Ruby said. "Though she probably shouldn't be."

Belle hesitated. She wanted to tell them about Regina's visit, and that she seemed to be changing, but was it really her place to tell them Regina's business.

Mary Margaret, however, saw her hesitation. "Belle, is something wrong?"

The others turned to her with curious expressions.

Belle sighed. "I don't think I should really say."

"Come on Belle," Ruby urged. "We're all friends here."

"All right, well, Regina came by the library today." Belle began. "She came to...apologize."

Curiosity was replaced with astonishment.

"She apologized to you?" Mary Margaret asked.

"She attempted to." Belle continued. "She told me that she's been in therapy with Archie. That he suggested that she should apologize to those that she has wronged, and that earning forgiveness will help her become a better person."

"She actually apologized?" Emma blinked, still unable to believe it.

"Her apology fell short." Belle replied. "She didn't really mean it. Not yet, anyway. She seems very uncertain, and she still sees herself as the Evil Queen. I told her that she needs to learn to truly be sorry for what she's done, that she needs to commit herself to being a better person."

"So do you think she's changed?" Alice questioned.

"I don't think she has just yet." Belle said. "But I do think that she wants to. She's trying."

Mary Margaret listened to Belle's words, memories of her father's death, of being chased down, of living in the forest, fighting a war, fighting Regina. The majority of her life was lived in survival and fight mode waiting for Regina's next attack.

And here Belle was telling her that Regina wanted to change. That she no longer wanted to be the Evil Queen that had reigned with terror.

The battered down fighter in Mary Margaret doubted the truth of it; was unwilling to let her guard down least this be a trick of Regina's. But then there was the little orphan girl in her, the one that only ever wanted Regina to be her mother, her family, who knew that Regina hadn't been all bad. That little girl wanted so desperately to believe that Regina was changing. That she was becoming good once again.

"Huh." Emma sighed. "Well, I guess that's good for all of us then." Though she didn't sound very happy about it. It made sense though. If Regina was indeed changing for the better, then Emma would be back to sharing Henry with her. And while Emma would do anything for Henry's happiness, there was still that little irrationally jealous part of her that hated it. Emma had given Henry up for his best chance, but Regina had raised him and Emma knew that no matter how hard she tried or how much she made it up to Henry or however many times that he called her mom, Regina would always be Henry's mother.

"Let's hope so." Ruby agreed just as some dancing music started to play. In an effort to put the night's mood back on track, Ruby dragged the girls to the dance floor.

A couple of songs later, an exhausted Emma headed back to the table were Alice was sitting, her phone out as she texted someone.

"Is that Will?" Emma asked.

Startled, Alice jumped slightly. "Oh, um, yes. It is."

An awkward silence came upon them. Emma didn't know Alice very well at all, her being her more than likely due to her friendships with Ruby and Ashley. During the curse, Emma's circle of friends pretty much included Killian, Henry, her parents, and Jefferson. Any other people she became somewhat friendly with were mostly Killian's drinking buddies. Which had included Will. That was why Emma hadn't had trouble just going over and talking to him about Killian. That and because he was Killian's nephew, so by extension, he was her family too, whether he saw it that way or not.

Alice, though, wasn't someone Emma ever really spoke to outside of being Alice's customer here at the Rabbit Hole, or a polite smile when passing each other on the street.

But Emma did know that she and Will were a thing during the curse, and she had heard Ruby mention something about their relationship being complicated since the curse broke.

Then again, who's relationship wasn't complicated after the curse?

Emma decided that she might as well kill two birds with one stone: start getting to know Alice and inquire about Will. "How is he?"

"He's good." Alice said.

"Are you two still a thing?" Emma asked.

Alice grimaced. "Not really. It's..."

"Complicated?"

"And confusing." Alice nodded. "We're trying to be friends."

"How's that working out for you?"

"Hard." Alice sighed. "I mean, we love each other, but it's just..." She shook her head. "Things were so different before."

"Before the curse, or before it was broken?"

"Both." Alice said. "Before the curse, I met Will in Wonderland. He was trying to kill me, on Cora's orders. She had his heart, you see. He let her have it, because he'd been burned by love before. But then I saved his heart, and he saved me. He's always saving me. Then I met Cyrus, a genie, and I fell in love with him. Cyrus was my first love. Then he was taken from me and just when Will and I planned on going after him the curse came. With the curse, well, I fell in love with Will. Now, I'm afraid. If we get together and I ever meet Cyrus again, I don't want to hurt Will. I don't want to cause either of us more pain than necessary."

Emma sympathized with Alice's situation. In fact, it was similar to how her situation was with Killian before the curse broke. Emma had felt the same about entering a relationship with Killian; hesitant to love again after Neal, after being abandoned again, fear holding her back from finding happiness.

Alice may be trying to save her and Will a lot of pain, something Emma definitely understood, but Emma wondered if it would be worth it. "You know, before the curse broke, I didn't want to start a relationship with Killian. There was this guy a long time ago, who broke my heart. I didn't want to fall in love again and have Killian break me. But I gave in, and Killian has proved to me that he isn't like the other guys I've been with. If I hadn't taken that chance to be with him, the curse might not be broken. I wouldn't be as happy as I am now, and I wouldn't have my kids." She patted her stomach affectionately. "You may be right in trying to save you and Will a lot of hurt, but I think that you should trust your instincts, your heart, more than your head. So, what does it tell you?"

"It's telling me to take a chance." Alice said. "To choose Will."

"Then that's what you should do." Emma nodded. "It's a lot better than wondering all of the what ifs and what could've beens. Believe me."

Alice smiled. "You're right. Thank you, Emma."

"No problem." Emma grinned. "Everyone deserves some happiness."

That was certainly something Alice could agree with. Will deserved happiness, and Alice wondered if maybe, whether he wanted to or not, mending things with Killian would also make Will happy.

"Can I ask, um, does Killian want to make amends with Will?"

Emma was momentarily surprised at the change in topic. "Yes. He really does, and I think Will does too."

"Do you?" Alice asked.

Emma nodded. "I talked to him about Killian last week, and I asked him if he could ever forgive Killian. I think that he can, that he wants to."

"I agree." Alice said. "The times I've mentioned Killian to him, he's been angry or moody, but he also seemed sad."

"Do you think you could talk to him?" Emma asked. "Maybe convince him to talk with Killian? I think that it'll be good for both of them."

"It will." Alice agreed. "I'll talk to him. I can't guarantee anything, but I'll do what I can."

"Thank you."

"What are you guys doing?" Ruby asked, bouncing over. "Come on, come dance."

"Ruby." Emma whined. "I'm pregnant, exhausted, and my feet hurt."

"Excuses." Ruby huffed.

Emma rolled her eyes.

Alice laughed.

Ruby pouted.

Mary Margaret and Belle appeared behind her. "Ashley had to leave. Alexandra got sick, and Sean wasn't sure what to do."

"I hope she's all right." Alice spoke.

"I think she will be." Mary Margaret told her. "But it is getting late." She turned to Emma. "We need to get home ourselves before the boys trash the place."

Emma chuckled. "I'm sure they're fine. David's there."

"Right, the David that Henry and Killian can convince to do anything." Mary Margaret huffed with a small smile.

"All right, you guys go on home." Ruby stated. "But we are definitely having more girls nights. Especially before and after that kid of yours is born."

"Whatever you say, Ruby." Emma said as she and Mary Margaret gathered their things.

"I mean it." Ruby smirked. "I won't have you ladies spending all your free time with your men and children."

"You have a man and a kid." Emma scoffed.

Ruby's eyes softened. "Yeah I do, but we aren't getting any younger, so we're having as much fun as we can. Got it."

"Sounds good to me." Emma agreed. She and Mary Margaret hugged everyone goodbye, Alice reassuring her again that she'd talk with Will, Ruby wrangling another girls night out of them next week whether the guys liked it or not, Belle telling them to say hi to the guys for her.

Emma had never had many friends in her life, least of all any true friends, but now she had those girls, her parents, Jefferson, and Killian and honestly, she couldn't ever ask for a better group.

More and more every day, Storybrooke was becoming the home she always wanted.


Henry hadn't been to the spot where his castle had once been in a long time. He really did miss it. Even so, he still liked to be near the ocean when he wanted to think or be alone.

As he walked away from the spot, legs taking him along the beach, eyes to the ocean, thoughts filled his head.

For once though, his thoughts weren't about how to break a curse or doubting his parents love or anything bad really. He was simply thinking about his family, what his baby brother or sister would be like, would he get more in the future, when would his dad propose to his mom, what it would be like when the baby would get here.

He was looking forward to the future.

Henry paused when he looked at the shore and saw someone sitting there.

Tilting his head, curiosity got the better of him, as usual, so he walked over and sat down next to the man.

Will turned to him, surprise on his features. "Um, can I help ya?"

Henry shrugged. "Just wondering what you're doing here."

"Thinkin'." Will said. "You're the Savior's lad, yeah?"

"Yep." Henry said. "Aren't you my dad's friend?"

Will stiffened. "Killian and I haven't been friends for a long time."

"Why not?"

"I don't think either of your parents would be happy if I told you." Will said. "I just, Hook and I just have a bad history is all."

"Oh." Henry frowned. "You know, my dad isn't a villain anymore?"

"I know." Will sighed. "It's more of a family matter really."

"Family?"

"Ya don't know?" Will quirked a brow. "Killian's me uncle."

"What?" Henry practically shouted, making Will grimace.

"Oi, lower your voice lad." Will growled.

"Sorry." Henry grinned. "So you're my cousin?"

"Erm, well, I guess so."

"That's awesome." Henry said. "But if you're dad's nephew, what happened between you two?"

Will looked out to the ocean. Emma's words from days ago still in his head. It didn't help that the past few days, Alice too had been trying to convince him to talk with Killian. "Nothing that ya need to know."

"I'm sure whatever it is, my dad's sorry." Henry told him.

"I know he is." Will sighed. "But sometimes, it's too hard to forgive and forget."

"But doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?"

"I supposed." Will shrugged. But what if Killian didn't care? Will knew what Emma had said, that he did, that he was sorry, but Will still feared Killian's rejection. After all, he had abandoned Will once before, and when he came back, everything he had done for him was out of guilt and obligation. Not because he cared. At least, that's what Will thought.

"So you'll talk to dad?"

Will shrugged again. "It looks like it." Between this kid, Alice, and the Savior, it didn't really seem like Will had much of a choice.

Still, it couldn't really hurt. He'd talk to Killian, find out for sure where things stood with them, and then go from there.

However, he dared not hope for his uncle's acceptance.

"Hey, do you know how to sail?"

Taken aback by the sudden turn in conversation, Will blinked, nodding dumbly. "Aye, erm, Killian taught me."

"He taught me too." Henry said. "He has a sailboat at his private docks. You want to come sail it with me?"

"Ya want to steal your dad's boat?"

"Borrow." Henry corrected. "Dad won't let me sail by myself, but if you're with me, I don't think he'll mind."

"Ya sure 'bout that?"

"Nope." Henry said cheerily as he stood up. "Come on."

Will stood quickly following the boy. "Bloody hell."


Marco chuckled as Sleepy and Grumpy argued over the plumbing of the house, Sleepy advocating for tearing it out completely since they were expanding the house and adding two bathrooms, while Grumpy reasoned that that was a dumb idea.

Turning away from the argument, Marco continued his main job, which was the framework of the house. They were basically leaving the original house as the living room and kitchen while adding three bedrooms and two bathrooms downstairs, as well as a second floor and third bathroom for future use.

Currently, Marco's specific focus was the framework of the room that would become the nursery for his grandchild.

His first grandchild.

The smile dropped from his face. While he loved Killian dearly and adored Emma, he never expected that his first grandchild wouldn't be Pinocchio's. He never expected to have another child after Pinocchio actually. But the curse surprised him, and he now had two sons.

The problem, though, was that one son was still missing. Marco thought that perhaps Pinocchio needed time, that he was thinking things over, or perhaps that he had even left Storybrooke.

He missed his boy. He wished that Pino...August, he was August here, would come to him. He wanted to know the man that his son had become.

Mostly, he wanted to be a family again. He wanted his boys to get along as well.

Yes, he remembered very clearly Killian and August's dislike of each other during the curse. August had been a stranger, who seemed to have intentions towards Emma and Henry, so Killian's dislike was justified at the time. And Marco could only assume that August's dislike stemmed from Killian's territorial nature and, Marco assumed, jealousy of Killian being Marco's son under the curse.

Perhaps that is why August had yet to reappear. He must have felt as though Killian had replaced him in Marco's eyes.

That wasn't the case.

He loved both of his boys.

He wished that August knew that.

A quick movement caught Marco's eye as he turned towards the warehouse across the street.

He paused.

What was that he had seen?

Craning his neck, he tried to see around the corner of the building.

A crash from the kitchen startled him.

What were those dwarves up to now?

He turned back to the warehouse, but dismissed the earlier movement. It was probably a bird, or a stray cat.

Leaving to check on the dwarves, he missed the wooden figure peeking around the corner.


Killian rifled through the cabinets of the Captain's quarters. He knew it was in here somewhere. Granted the ship had been out of his possession for twenty-eight years, he knew that it hadn't been pillaged considering that everything had been in it's place when he reclaimed the ship.

He stopped when he finally caught sight of the small wooden ring box he'd been searching for. He took it out and opened it.

The ring was still there.

It was a gemstone that he wasn't even sure what to call, but it was oval in shape and looked just like the sea when the sun shined upon it. It was a mixture of blues and green set in a yellow gold band, a scallop design surrounding the gemstone.

Perhaps it wasn't Emma's taste. He knew that it most likely wasn't, but the ring was important to him.

It was his mother's ring. Liam had given it to him before Neverland, saying that their mother had passed it on to him to give to Killian when he was of marrying age. Liam told him to only give this ring to a woman that he truly loved.

When he was with Milah, he had considered giving her the ring, but he hadn't. For a couple of reasons. One, he knew Milah wouldn't have liked it; it was too simple for her tastes. Plus, she preferred rubies and diamonds. Another reason was that Milah was still married, so there was no reason for him to propose marriage to her. It's not like the Enchanted Forest had divorce. There was no real way to marry a married woman.

But now, centuries had past. Things were different.

He had found his True Love, Emma. And he'd be damned if he wasn't going to ask her to marry him, to be his for the rest of her life just as he was her's for the rest of his. To belong to each other in every way.

He just hoped that she would say yes.

Footsteps above deck surprised him; he wasn't expecting anyone.

Killian hid the ring back in it's spot, closing the cabinet doors, before ascending the ladder that led up to the helm.

He expected Henry or Emma, hell even Jefferson, David, or any of his friends.

Regina wasn't on that list.

"Regina, this is unexpected." He said as he walked down the steps to the main deck.

"Hook." Regina nodded.

"May I ask why you're here?"

Regina swallowed. "I wanted to ask you something."

"If it's concerning Henry, I'd rather discuss it with Emma, before..."

"No, it's not." Regina cut him off. "I wanted to ask, how did you learn to feel regret, remorse, for your actions when you were a villain?"

Killian blinked, slightly taken aback. "I'm sorry?"

"Look pirate, I came to you for advice." Regina growled. "So are you going to be helpful or not?"

"Because snapping at me will encourage my charitable streak." Killian snarked.

Regina sighed. "Sorry."

Though the apology was more of an unenthusiastic grumble, Killian took what he could get. "Regina, there is no secret formula for feeling regret for villainous deeds. You just feel it. Do you not regret anything you've done since you became the Evil Queen?"

"I don't really feel it." Regina said. "At least, I think I don't. I've never been good with dealing with my emotions."

"That makes two of us." Killian told her. "So you don't regret what you did to Graham? You don't regret killing him?"

Her eyes pricked, her throat tightened, her heart felt heavy in her chest.

"There." Killian said after gauging her reaction. "That feeling right there, that's regret."

"I didn't want to kill him." Regina choked. "I just didn't want Emma to win."

"It wasn't a competition Regina." Killian growled, feeling anger at her words. "Graham wasn't a prize. He was a man, he had a life. You killed him for what? Some misplaced sense of jealousy. Do you know how pathetic that is?"

"I know!" Regina shouted. "I know. And I killed him. I killed him." Her lips quivered. "I'm sorry."

Killian was surprised that Regina was actually crying. He sighed. Regina wasn't his favorite person, but he hadn't meant to upset her. "See Regina," He said softly, "you can feel remorse."

Regina hastily wiped away her tears. She cleared her throat. "You didn't, you didn't see that."

Killian stepped closer. "Regina, if you really are trying to change, if you want to change, you need to let yourself feel your emotions."

"It's too hard."

"Maybe, but it's just you being human." Killian told her. "You're not my favorite person, in fact, I hate you just less than I hate Gold, but you will eventually return to being a part of Henry's life. So I am going to help you for the sake of our son. So tell me, do you regret your actions?"

Regina took a breath, walking over to the edge of the ship, hands resting on the flat wood. "I do. I really think that I do."

Killian moved to stand next to her. "You know, I read Henry's book."

"So?"

"So, I have to wonder, what would Daniel think of you now?" Killian asked.

She didn't answer, because, well, she didn't want to answer it. She didn't want to think about how Daniel would think of her now.

"Regina?"

"He wouldn't even know me." Regina admitted. "He would think that I'm a monster, and he'd be horrified to learn what I did. And all in his name. I completely dishonored his memory."

"Not completely." Killian said. "You gave Henry Daniel's name for his middle name. I'm sure Daniel would be honored by that."

"But look how I treated Henry." Regina swallowed. "Maleficent warned me that casting the curse would create a hole in my heart that could never be filled. I thought that adopting a child, that Henry, would heal it. I was selfish."

"You were that." Killian agreed. "You treated him like a possession, made him think that he was crazy, left him alone all the time."

"I wasn't fit to be a mother." Regina sighed. "Was I?"

"Not particularly, no." Killian said.

"I'll get better." Regina told him. "I won't try to take Henry from you and Emma, but I want to be in his life. If I get better, you'll consider letting me?"

"I'm sure that Emma would agree to it." Killian said. "If only to make Henry happy?"

"And you?"

"Prove you can change, be a better person." Killian shrugged. "Then we'll see."

Regina nodded before heading down the gangplank. She paused, looking back at him. "I'm not good at being good. I think talking to you helped."

"I'm not Archie, Regina." Killian stated. "I can't help you the way he can."

"No, you're better help." Regina argued. "You know what it's like to be a villain. You can understand me, whether you like it or not."

She did have a pointed.

He wasn't happy about it. "Why not go to Rumplestiltskin?"

"Because you and I have something in common."

"Henry." Killian guessed.

"We both love him." Regina said. "We both want to be better for him. So, Rumple can understand me, yes, but you understand my motivation."

Regina turned away when it was clear Killian wasn't going to speak anymore.

Killian sighed as he watched her walk away. He hated to admit it, but he and Regina shared certain similarities. They both became villains after losing their first loves, and they both wanted to be good for Henry's sake.

That was for certain.

Perhaps, Regina was really trying and maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as bad as she used to be.

Still, Killian couldn't help but feel wary of Regina. She could backslide at any time.

Maybe that's why she sought you out. A voice in his head said. You haven't slipped. Not really.

Was that what Regina needed? Support from a former villain that had no trouble staying on the right track?

He didn't know for sure. All he knew was that he probably should keep an eye on Regina, just in case.


Jefferson looked down at the ropes around his wrists, before looking up at his girlfriend with an arched brow. She had surprised him when he came home by forcing him into a chair and tying him up before he even realized what was happening. "Is this a part of a bedroom fun game plan that I'm unaware of?"

Ruby smirked. "Nope."

"Then why am I tied to a chair?"

"Because you have something to say." Ruby said. "But you're afraid to say it, so you keep running off. Now, what do you want to tell me?"

Jefferson winced. Grace had been trying to get him to ask Ruby all weak, but he was afraid he'd scare her off. His doubts just kept popping in his head at the wrong times, cautioning him, making him hesitate.

Apparently Ruby noticed.

Of course, she did. Ruby never not noticed anything. Especially when she practically spent all of her free time with him.

"You're right." Jefferson nodded. "I am afraid. I don't want to scare you off."

"And I thought I was worried before." Ruby tried to joke, but her eyes showed the truth of her words.

"I didn't mean to worry you." Jefferson said, feeling terrible about it, because what kind of boyfriend did that make him? "I..." Here goes nothing. "Ruby, would you like to move in? Here? With me and Grace?"

"You want me to move in with you?" Ruby asked, lips curling upwards.

"Yes." Jefferson said. "I do. And Grace does too. Hell, I think she's more excited about it than I am."

Ruby stepped forward and untied him.

"So, um, what's your answer?"

"No." She teased. "You hog the blankets, you snore, and you over fry bacon."

Jefferson rolled his eyes. "I'll get you your own set of blankets, I do not snore, and Grace and I like crispy bacon. Don't like it, you can make your own."

Ruby pouted. "But you love to cook for me."

"Only because it makes you happy." He said.

Faux pout dropping, her eyes softened. "You and Grace make me happy."

"So you'll move in?" Jefferson asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Yes."

"YES!"

The pair jumped, both turning to see Grace in the doorway, a huge smile lighting up her face.

Grace rushed over to Ruby, throwing her arms around her.

Ruby laughed. "Jefferson was right. You are the most excited about this."

"Uh yeah." Grace's tone made it seem like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I finally get to live with someone who's cool."

"Hey!" Jefferson protested, while the girls laughed. "I'm cool."

"Of course you are Jeffy." Ruby kissed his cheek.

Jefferson huffed. "I take it back, you can't move in with us."

"You can't take it back." Ruby chuckled at the same time Grace said "Papa!"

"See, you two are already ganging up on me." Jefferson said.

Grace scoffed. "We've been doing that since we met."

"And it'll only get worse." Ruby teased.

Jefferson couldn't stop the smile at his girls teaming up. He loved both of them so much, that his heart ached. And now Ruby was moving in with them.

His family felt complete, and he wouldn't have it any other way.


Yeah, I'm dragging the Knalice stuff a bit. They'll get together eventually. No worries.

I hope you guys like Regina's character development. I'm trying to do what I wish the show would still do and make Regina's redemption arc one of self-awareness and outside of Henry and Robin Hood. I want to make her a stronger, more independent character. Or at least I'm trying to.

I loved doing the Captain Cobra Charming and girls' night scenes. I really should do more of those.

Henry and Will met. I really think I'm going to like that relationship.

Killian and Will will definitely have a chat in the next chapter.

I know I'm not giving that much August, but the last filler chapter will be very August heavy.

Hooked Queen brotp anyone? I really like the idea of this relationship. I think that they both have a lot in common, and in this story, both of them are concerned about staying good for Henry's sake, but they both also understand that sometimes you have to do what is necessary in order to protect the people you love, even if it's not pretty. Like killing Cora for example.

I tried to keep them both in character in that scene but I was also trying to show how both of them are developing in the story. Especially Regina.

And then there's your dose of Mad Wolf. So that's always nice.

I know that this chapter was very Mary Margaret light. I wanted the girls night scene to focus on the beginning of Emma/Alice brotp because I think that that relationship has a lot of potential. But Mary Margaret will be in more.

I have a Regina/Mary Margaret scene planned that I really think you guys will enjoy.

Hope you guys liked it. Until next time. :)