Happy Tuesday! Here is chapter 3. I forgot to mention that I am adding only a few chapters to this story, so as to offer only glimpses into the development of Emma and Killian's relationship. Only 2 more chapters after this one.

Please note that this chapter has not been pre-read or beta-ed, so all mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT, Disney and all that jazz.


The Cab – Chapter 3 – The In-Laws

It is Saturday night, about a month after their first kiss.

Emma is still floating on a cloud of happiness. The last several weeks have been nothing but almost perfection – because, you know, nothing is ever perfectly perfect. But still, things have been nothing but amazing.

She has enough of trying to control her nerves, as tonight, she is meeting Killian's brother, Liam, and his family for the first time. Killian told her she has nothing to worry about: they already know about her and are excited to meet her. But she can't help it, she is nervous.

"Emma?" she hears Killian call from her front door.

She jumps slightly in surprise and grumbles a little: it's not like she hadn't been expecting him...

"Bedroom!" she directs.

A few seconds later, he appears at the door.

"Are you ready?" he asks after dropping a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Yeah," she nods.

He nods back. "Shall we?" he asks as he gestures towards the door.

A few minutes later, they are on the road.

It is silent except for some music playing in the background. However, Emma is unable to identify what's playing, as she is too absorbed by the many scenarios running around in her head.

"Everything alright, love?" Killian's voice pierces through her thoughts. "You are unusually quiet."

"I'm nervous," she admits after a few seconds of silence.

He smiles softly. "I know, love. But, like I told you, they are delighted to meet you. You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"I can't help it, Killian," she frowns.

"I understand that, Emma. I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm only trying to ease your discomfort."

These last words somehow manage to calm her a bit. She shoots him a small, thankful smile.

"Thanks."

He smiles again. "Anytime, love."

Silence falls again between them, but it is lighter. Killian's reassuring words also had the effect to transform most of her anxiety into excitement, so, as they are getting closer to their destination, she feels a smile stretching her lips.

"Feeling better?" Killian asks her suddenly.

"Yeah," she answers succinctly, but with enthusiasm.

He laughs. "We're almost there," he confirms.

She nods.

A few minutes later, Killian stirs the car into a driveway.

"Elsa may appear standoffish to you at first," Killian mentions as they walk to the front door, "but she is in fact of a reserved nature."

"Okay," Emma nods.

"She usually quickly comes out of her shell once she gets to know a new person, so don't worry."

"Alright, thanks," Emma offers him a small smile.

He nods and knocks on the door. Barely a second later, the door opens and Emma finds herself rooted to the ground. She looks down and finds a mass of white-blond hair resting against her stomach.

"Well, hello there," she laughs, trying to push away the child a little. "You must be Cassie."

The child finally lets go of her legs, so she lowers herself down to be eye-level with her. A bright smile greets her.

"Hi Emma!" the girl greets her. "I'm so happy to finally meet you!" She grabs Emma's hand and pulls her inside.

"Woah, okay!" Emma laughs.

A second later, Killian is pulled inside by a boy she assumes is Byron.

"Cassie, Byron, give Emma and Killian some space," a light, feminine voice calls in a laugh.

A woman she assumes is Elsa – her white-blond hair and striking resemblance to Cassie make it quite obvious – arrives, followed by a tall man sporting curly brown hair and a resemblance to Killian.

"You must be Emma," Liam offers her his hand to shake. "I'm Liam. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Emma shakes his hand. "Likewise," she answers with a nod and a smile.

"I'm Elsa," the other woman introduces herself with a wave. "It's nice to be able to finally put a face on a name. Killian's told us so much about you."

"Thanks," Emma smiles.

"Let me grab your coats and make yourselves at home," Elsa adds with a wide smile.

Killian and Emma quickly discard their coats and boots and Killian pulls Emma in the living room. They sit on the couch. Cassie quickly occupies the remaining space beside Emma, who can't help but laugh at the child's enthusiasm.

"Can I sit beside you for dinner?" the girl asks hopefully.

Emma is a bit taken at the question. "Sure, if that's okay with your parents," she answers, rising a questioning glance at Liam, who nods.

Elsa soon joins them and they chat for a while before transitioning to the dining room. In between bites and questions from Cassie, Emma finds that she is getting along quite well with Liam and Elsa, but especially the latter. The woman was indeed a bit shy, but didn't act as Killian had described. It's like they had bonded immediately. Emma feels grateful for the immediate comfort she felt at their contact.

"How did you and uncle Killian meet? What did you do for your first date?" Cassie asks her in between bites of cookies.

"Your uncle and I actually met in a taxi," Emma starts with a giggle. She then laughs at the girl's confused face. "I was trying to hail a taxi after work one day. When one finally stopped in front of me, I didn't take the time to check if it was occupied, so I opened the door and sat. And there was your uncle. He offered to cover the fare in exchange for a date. I accepted, but on the condition that he meets my friends first. You see, Cassie, my friends act a bit as my parents when it comes to dating. They meet the man I am interested in before I start dating him. Obviously, Killian passed the test," she finishes with a wink.

But the girl doesn't laugh. Instead, her eyes are watery, her chin trembling.

"You don't have parents?" Cassie says in a small, heartbroken voice.

Emma smiles sadly and shakes her head no. Cassie hugs her.

"Well you don't have to worry anymore," the girl adds. "You have a family now."

Emma, slightly overwhelmed, looks over at Killian, who offers her a smile and a wink.

Not long after dinner, Elsa announces that it is time for the kids to go to bed.

"I want auntie Emma and uncle Killy to put me to bed," Cassie demands.

Emma is slightly surprised at the title, but feels oddly comfortable with it. She already adores the little girl.

"Byron would like to talk to you," Elsa informs them when they exit Cassie's room.

The boy had been quiet throughout the evening, as opposed as to what Killian had told her about him. They find him sitting with his legs crossed on his bed, looking down at his hands. She and Killian sit on either side of the bed.

"I'm sorry," Byron's quiet voice sounds a moment later.

"What for, lad?" Killian asks softly.

"For being silent. I was scared Emma would steal you away, uncle Killian, and that I wouldn't get to spend time with you anymore."

"Oh, honey, no," Emma quickly steps in. "I know that Killian's family is very important in his life and I have no intention to steal him away. I rather hope that his family will accept me within its circle."

Byron nods. "I accept you."

Emma smiles. "Thank you."

The boy nods again before getting under his sheets.

"Good night, lad," Killian wishes before he and Emma exit the room and he closes the door.

"Is everything alright?" Elsa whispers.

Apparently, she had been waiting in the hallway for them to come out.

"Yes," Emma confirms with a smile.

"Good," Elsa replies with her own smile.

With that, they go back to the living room.

Emma and Killian leave some time later. Emma's heart is light: after years of looking for... something, she feels like she's finally found it. There was a missing piece to the puzzle that is her life, and Killian and his family appear to be that missing piece.

"You have a wonderful family, Killian," Emma comments quietly as Killian is guiding the car out of the driveway.

"Thank you, love. Although, I must say it is now yours too. You got the stamp of approval from everyone."

Emma smiles. "But isn't strange?"

"No, why?"

"I don't know, I just... I'm not used to this."

"There's nothing wrong with that."

"Okay," is all Emma responds. She smiles again.


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