So, this chapter turned out to be pretty long, so I'm splitting it into 3 parts. Enjoy!
P.S. I have to give a shout out to Warriorwolf123456 and JazzHopeSwan_EmmaSis on Wattpad for helping me through some writer's block on this chapter :)
Killian and Robin both plopped down at one of the tables after the morning rush.
"You know, mate, I'm not sure I'll ever get used to how busy this place gets in the mornings. It's still a bit overwhelming," Robin commented before he taking a sip from his bottled water.
"That it is," Killian agreed. He then hopped up from his chair and spoke, "I think I'll put on some more coffee before I wipe down the counter and tables a bit."
As he turned to go, Robin rose as well and told him, "Wait, Killian. You've been running yourself absolutely ragged, giving yourself more work than necessary. You need to slow down."
Killian turned to face his friend as he pointed out, "This business isn't going to run itself, mate. We have to keep to good form."
"I dare say we are, Killian. As they always have been and usually are, everything is ship shape," Robin told him. He then took a breath and carefully perceived, "Your newfound work ethic wouldn't have anything to do with your father, now would it?"
There was deafening silence for a few moments before Killian crossed his arms and admitted, "You know bloody well it does."
He then sighed and continued, "He's stuck around, and he's left everything up to Belle and I, which I suppose shows he's changed."
"But you aren't sure whether or not you're ready to trust him," Robin supplied.
Killian sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. He then spoke, "I think my sister is a bit more open to trusting than I am. She thinks we should at least hear him out."
Robin hummed in response before he said, "I can imagine what your overprotective brother side had to say about that."
"I just don't want her to get hurt. And I'd rather not put myself through it either," the dark-haired man replied. He then sank back down in a chair and stated, "It's just bloody complicated."
Robin clapped his friend on the shoulder before he conceded, "That it is, mate. And no one is expecting you - or Belle - to just be okay with Brennan being back in your lives."
Killian nodded, grateful for his friend's understanding. But, sensing there was more, the dark-haired man supplied, "But?"
Robin sighed before he spoke, "Forgive me if I'm overstepping, but I believe your sister may have a point. I'm not saying you have to make any set decisions, but I do think you should at least see what he has to say if for no other reason than to have some clarity."
"Now you sound like Emma," Killian began as he ran his fingers through his hair. He then continued, "It's killing her to see Belle and I in such an uncertain place, and she believes things would be better if we talk to him."
"Well, mate, she is a rather good judge of character, and she trusts him," Robin pointed out. He then added, "And if you won't listen to your sister, who is, frankly, quite a bit wiser than when you were her age ten years ago, then perhaps you'll listen to the woman who knows you better than you know yourself and who you're madly in love with."
The dark-haired man shot an annoyed look toward his friend before he scolded, "You know she comes here right after the morning rush on her day off. Do you want her to bloody hear you?"
Robin couldn't help the eye roll before he pointed out, "It's painfully obvious to anyone who spends more than five minutes with the two of you that you're both clearly and utterly smitten."
He then took a breath and reasoned, "But I do completely understand why you and Emma are taking things a bit slow, so I won't pester you about the "l" word."
Killian smiled gratefully before Robin added, "Or about your father because it truly is your decision and no one else's."
"Thanks, mate," Killian offered, and Robin nodded in response. The two of them then set about cleaning up a bit.
They both then turned their heads at the sound of the door opening. Robin grinned at Killian's smile at the sight of his girlfriend before he resumed wiping down tables.
Killian closed the distance between he and Emma before he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her on the forehead before he greeted, "And how is my lovely Swan today?"
Emma smiled as she responded, "I'm great, Killian." She then asked him, "Can you get away to have breakfast with me?"
With a tilt of his head, Killian asked her, "You didn't eat right before you came here?"
"I really want an omelet, but I was too lazy to make it myself," Emma explained with a shrug.
Killian grinned and shook his head in response. He then turned to his manager and asked, "Can you handle things here for a little bit, mate?"
"I think I can manage," Robin responded with a grin. Killian only rolled his eyes before he and Emma headed out the door.
The blonde entwined their fingers together before they began making their way to Granny's.
When they arrived, Killian opened the door for Emma. Just as she went inside, he caught sight of Belle and August several blocks away.
He furrowed his brows and became a bit worried when he realized that August appeared to be comforting Belle in some way.
His attention was pulled away when he heard the voice of Granny: "Killian, don't stand there with the door open. You'll let bugs in."
He quickly came inside and apologized to the older woman: "Sorry, Granny. I was a bit distracted."
She peered at him over her glasses before she simply nodded at him. She then led he and Emma to a table.
A waitress then came and took their orders before going to the check on another table.
Emma then asked her boyfriend, "What was with you a few minutes ago? Is everything okay?"
Killian sighed before he answered, "I saw Belle and August some blocks away. I could see that she seemed to be distressed about something," running his fingers through his hair.
He then felt Emma grab his hand before she assured him, "Hey, she'll be alright - I promise." Killian took a breath as he thought over her words. He then conceded, "I know she will be, love."
Emma smiled at him before he scratched behind his ear and continued, "I still tend to be on the overprotective side when it comes to her."
"Oh, believe me, I know you are," the blonde agreed with a grin. Her expression softened as she continued, "But it's one of the things I really l...ike about you."
Killian tilted his head as he considered her words. He knew what she wasn't saying, but he wouldn't push her.
So, he grinned and told her, "There's quite a lot of things I like about you, darling. One being your incredible stubbornness."
Emma rolled her eyes at him, but she couldn't help but smile a moment later.
The waitress then brought by their drinks and food. They thanked her before she headed back to the kitchen.
Emma instantly took a sip of her hot chocolate. Just as she had sat it down, her boyfriend was looking at her with a curious expression.
"What is it?" Emma asked with a curious expression of her own.
"Don't you have for it to cool a little bit, love?" Killian countered.
She only shrugged as she told him, "I guess that I'm so used to drinking it."
"That I can very much attest to, Swan," Killian teased her with a grin.
Emma lightly kicked his leg under the table; as a response, he kicked her back. They then both started laughing, covering their mouths as they did so as to not draw attention to themselves.
"We are so ridiculous," the blonde commented before grabbing the ketchup bottle. As she squirted the ketchup on her plate, Killian agreed, "Very much so, darling," as he grinned at her.
Emma shook her head before she cut off a piece of omelet. She then dipped it in the ketchup before taking a bite.
Unfortunately, it didn't all quite make it in her mouth.
"Damn it!" Emma cursed before she grabbed a napkin and began wiping at the stain. Seeing she was unsuccessful, she sarcastically complained, "I picked a hell of a day to wear my white sweater."
Killian was trying his best not to laugh before he offered, "I have an extra button-up shirt at the shop, love. You can borrow it."
"Thanks, Killian," Emma responded with a smile. She then chuckled lightly and told him, "I think I still have a couple of your t-shirts at my place that I've had for a while. It's your one with all the guitars on it and then your Yankees shirt."
Killian shook his head at her before he commented, "I was wondering where those went to - I didn't realize you had them."
He then teased, "I can't say I'm surprised, love - you do tend to steal my clothes. Even before we were dating."
The blonde narrowed her eyes as she pointed out, "You let me borrow the pajamas and the sweatshirt, along with the baseball cap."
"No need to get flustered, Swan. I was only just teasing," Killian told her before moving a strand of her hair behind her shoulder.
She only rolled her eyes before she replied, "You are absolutely incorrigible."
"Perhaps, but you said yes when I asked you out on an official date," Killian pointed out with a grin.
Emma initially rolled her eyes once more in response, but she couldn't help the genuine smile that appeared a few moments later.
She then told him, "I was very much looking forward to going out with you, Killian. I was so happy about being your girlfriend - I'm only happier now."
He smiled brightly as he replied, "I was quite happy about it, too, Emma." He then leaned over the table, and she met him halfway for a sweet kiss.
They were smiling as they pulled away. Emma pecked his cheek before they both leaned back in the booth.