"Love, I don't understand why we're eating here," Killian complained as he held open his truck door for Emma.

"Because," she began as she slid out, "Granny's doesn't have barbeque wings, and I want some."

Killian couldn't help the eye roll before he sarcastically offered, "Because no other place in New York City has barbeque."

Emma sighed in response, but it wasn't out of annoyance; it was more sympathetic. She then spoke, "Look, Killian, if you would have told me that coming to the Nautilus would have bothered you this much when I first suggested it, we wouldn't have come."

Killian ran his fingers through his hair before he told her, "It's truly alright, love. I thought I could handle it."

He then ran his hands up and down her arms before he assured her, "And I can. Aside from the fact that the food is rather good here, I do need to get used to seeing my father. He seems rather keen about sticking around."

Emma nodded before she offered, "I know him being here isn't easy for you, and if you want, we don't even have to look his way. I know he'd understand, and we can focus on us," with a smile.

He smiled back as he thought, "I am so in love with this woman." He then kissed her forehead and spoke, "Thank you, love. You always seem to know what to say."

"I could say the same about you," Emma offered with a slight smile as she ran her hands along the collar of his leather jacket.

He smiled once more as she let go of his jacket. She then entwined their fingers before they walked into the restaurant.

When they were seated, Emma then asked him, "Hey, when did you guys start making hot tea at the shop?"

Killian shook his head before he told her, "We've always offered that option, Swan."

Emma narrowed her eyes before she playfully accused, "Very funny, Killian. I've been coming to the Cove for nearly two years - I think I would know if you had hot tea."

With a grin, Killian pointed out, "Aside from the fact that you only order hot chocolate, you felt rather annoyed with me for nearly half of that time, and I'd now say that you feel rather affectionate toward me. Both of which are very distracting, my love."

Emma rolled her eyes before she argued, "That's ridiculous, Killian. You are not so much of a distraction that I just can't even see what's right in front of me."

Killian bit back his initial response. She couldn't see that she was falling in love with him, if she hadn't already.

But, she was more than worth every bit of patience that he had.

He then smiled at her as he teased, "Is that right, love? You mean like the time that you completely missed your mouth and dropped an onion ring in your lap?"

Emma rolled her eyes before she told him, "That was your fault. You were playing with my hair."

A satisfied smile overtook Killian's features as he told her, "So, you admit that you get distracted by me."

Emma crossed her arms and huffed in reply. A moment later, she sighed and admitted, "I walked right into that, didn't I?"

"Afraid so, darling," Killian spoke, resting his chin in his hand. The blonde shook her head at herself before she began laughing.

Her boyfriend soon joined her, and they continued until they saw their waiter walking toward them.

When they had relayed their order, Emma couldn't help but giggle as she told him, "You know, I don't remember being able to laugh at myself with anyone besides my family."

Killian then ran his fingers through her long blonde locks before he told her, "As I've told you many times before, those blokes didn't know what they had in you."

Emma couldn't help but blush as Killian reached over to squeeze her hand. He then teasingly continued, "Besides, I rather enjoy teasing you. It's rather fun seeing your reactions."

The blonde shook her head in response. She then threw back, "You mean how you become frustrated when I tell you sing too much?"

Killian rolled his eyes at her. He then spoke, "You knew that about me when we met. It's rather ridiculous for you to keep bringing it up."

Emma only raised a knowing eyebrow at him in reply. He then scratched behind his ear as he admitted, "I suppose we both can be a little too sensitive at times, eh, Swan?"

"I guess so," Emma conceded with a small smile just before the waiter dropped off their drinks. The couple thanked him before he headed over to another table.

The blonde took a sip of her lemonade before she continued, "At least you don't hold everything in like I still tend to do with you," her demeanor instantly shifting.

A look of concern crossed over Killian's features as he asked, "Hey, love, what's this? Is everything alright?"

She sighed before she admitted, "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that I know how to support Belle through this whole situation with Brennan, and I would know how to support David or Mary Margaret if they were going through something similar. But I don't really know how to be the supportive girlfriend."

Killian reached over to squeeze her hand as he asked her, "And what makes you think you haven't been? Who was it that helped me when I'm being a little too overprotective over Belle? Or when I get worried over making a profit for the month? Or when I came down with pneumonia a couple months back?"

Emma offered a tentative smile before he continued, "And you've been phenomenal, Swan, in dealing with my rather extreme emotions since I found out my father was in town. There's no one I'd rather have by my side than you - and there's no one I'd rather have as my girlfriend than you."

Emma's smile grew as she told him, "And there's no one I'd rather have as my boyfriend than you."

Killian hummed in response as he smiled back. He then leaned over and placed a sweet kiss on her forehead.

When he pulled back, Emma couldn't help but tease, "Only a forehead kiss, Killian?"

With a grin, he replied, "I'm not inclined to make a scene, love, and if I kissed you now, it would take me quite some time to stop."

"Always the charming ladies' man," Emma replied with a smirk, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Only to you, love. It's been that way practically since I met you," Killian told her, as he ran his fingers over her knuckles.

Emma hummed in response before she smiled and joked, "I should have noticed sooner. You weren't exactly subtle."

With a tilt of his head, Killian took on a thoughtful expression for a few moments. He then admitted, "Well, Swan, you weren't entirely wrong in your playboy assessment. I didn't think I could fall in love again after Milah, so I played the charming ladies' man persona to a t. You just weren't impressed by it."

Emma couldn't help but grin as she teased, "It takes more than a gorgeous British accent and mesmerizing blue eyes to get my attention."

Killian chuckled at that before he teased, "Gorgeous and mesmerizing? I feel quite lucky to have your approval, Swan."

The blonde had a comeback on the tip of her tongue, but she started laughing. She then told him, "You can be so ridiculous, Killian."

"Perhaps, but you're still rather fond of me," he told her before he moved a piece of hair behind her shoulder.

Emma smiled at him as she told him, "Yeah, I am. I really do care about you." "And I you, love," he replied as he smiled back.

A comfortable silence then ensued as the waiter brought by their food. They both took a few bites before Emma commented, "Who would have thought that a simple truce would have led to, well, us?"

"Perhaps my sister. She's always rather keen about these sort of things," Killian observed before eating a few French fries.

Emma smiled and hummed at his words. She then spoke, "Speaking of Belle, we need to talk about her birthday. It's next weekend, and I believe she'd like to have a party."

With a grin, Killian teasingly pointed out, "You don't strike me as a party planner, love. What with settling on a theme and finding decorations."

Emma rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "She's not turning 12, Killian."

"I was only kidding, Swan," he told her, still wearing a grin. She shook her head before her boyfriend continued, "What did you have in mind?"

"Something small. It'll just be us, August, Mary Margaret, David & Leo, Robin & Regina, and then a couple of Belle's friends from the library - Ariel & Aurora," Emma explained.

She then discreetly cast her look over to bar but didn't say anything.

He then nodded before he surmised, "And I take it we'll be having it at your place."

"Yep," Emma answered. She took a sip of her drink before she continued, "Along with the obvious of cake, I thought we'd just have a few finger foods. It'll be pretty laid back and casual, which is what Belle would want."

"Aye, love. Just a gathering of her closest friends and family on her birthday - I don't think she could have planned it better herself," Killian acknowledged with a smile. Emma smiled back at him.

She then told him, "I'll just need you to help set everything up. I'll take care of everything."

"You know I'd be glad to help, Swan. You don't have to do it all on your own," Killian told her.

Emma smiled at him as she began, "I know, but she's my best friend." She then anticipated Killian's next comment and told him, "And I know that she's your sister, but even when I didn't want to celebrate my birthday - or anything else - she was always there for me. And I've always tried to do the same for her."

Killian squeezed her hand as he told her, "I understand, Swan. I'll just be here to offer help should you need it."

"Thanks, Killian," she replied with another smile. He smiled back before the two of them continued eating.

Over at the bar, Brennan couldn't help but smile at the sight of his son and his girlfriend. Being able to just see Killian so happy and in love was more than he dared to ever hope for - he would be forever grateful for this chance.

He looked at the pair for a few moments longer before he resumed wiping down glasses.

A few hours later, Killian and Robin were closing up the coffee shop for the day. The latter was currently teasing his friend.

"You know, I've been listening to you learn "Faithfully" for about a month now. I'd say you sound rather good - when are you going to play it for Emma?"

With an eye roll, Killian then defended, "I still have a couple chords to perfect for the ending and then I'll be ready."

"If you say so mate," Robin told him. He then grinned and joked, "I believe you're stalling because you're nervous."

"I'm not nervous, mate. I just need the song to be perfect because Emma is perfect to me," Killian pointed out - a bit exasperated. He then ran his fingers through his hair.

Robin sighed before he reassured his friend, "I think you're overthinking things just a bit. Emma knows how much you care about her, and she will love the fact that you decided to learn this song for her."

Killian pondered Robin's words before he exhaled a deep breath. He then spoke, "I know you're right, mate. I think perhaps I'm just worried about scaring her off."

"She may be a little overwhelmed," Robin conceded. He then assured, "But you've never been subtle. If she was going to run, she would have by now."

The dark-haired man couldn't help but smile as he conceded, "I suppose you have a point." He then said, "But I really am having trouble with some of the ending chords. Think you could help me?"

Robin nodded before he told him, "It's been a rather long while since I played "Faithfully." Remind me of the main chords again?"

"C, A minor, G, and F," Killian answered before he explained, "I was never much good with remembering all those minor fingerings."

"Lucky for you, I'm rather adept at it," Robin told him. He then inclined his head toward Killian's office and asked, "Shall we?"

The dark-haired man nodded, and the two of them walked toward the back and through the office door. Killian then handed Robin the guitar.

He strummed a few basic chords to warm up before he asked after the music. With a nod, Killian then reached for a rather worn-out looking notebook.

He then commented, "I know it looks a little rough, mate, but that's because I've had it since I first started playing. But I'd wager that it's legible."

Robin chuckled at that before he began flipping through the lined pages filled with black and blue ink. He then joked, "Because you couldn't possibly print out the lyrics like every other person who lives in this century."

Killian rolled his eyes and shook his head in response while Robin chuckled once more. He then continued studying the notebook.

When he was finished, he grabbed the guitar once more and began playing the song. He then explained, "The easiest way to remember the fingerings for A minor is that it's relatively similar to an A chord except that you just move one of your fingers."

He then demonstrated the two notes back to back. With a tilt of his head, Killian then commented, "That's fairly simple - I don't know why I couldn't figure it out myself."

"Don't feel bad, mate - I didn't exactly figure out either. John told me," Robin explained as he placed the guitar and the notebook back.

Killian couldn't help but grin before he spoke, "Well, thanks for help, mate. Finishing the song should be rather easy now."

"You're welcome," Robin began. He then paused and continued, "Since we're mostly finished cleaning up, I was thinking that I'd head out - Roland has a soccer game. I'm picking he and Regina up at her house."

"Of course, mate. Tell the lad that Uncle Killian wishes him good luck," Killian told him with a smile.

Robin smiled back before he nodded. The two men then headed back out front, and Killian finished up with the last couple of tables.

Just as Robin had grabbed his keys and his phone, he caught sight of someone walking up to the door. He titled his head in confusion until recognition flashed across his features.

He then spoke, "I believe you have some company, Killian."

Killian then looked up and saw his father patiently waiting to be let in, as the shop had already been locked up for the day.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He then felt Robin place his hand on his shoulder and offered, "Since I think this is something you and Brennan need to handle, I'm gonna head out through the back. Good luck, mate."

"Thank you. I'll see you in the morning," Killian replied, though he didn't bring his eyes from the door.

With a nod, Robin then headed out of the shop and to his car.

Killian took a deep - and calming - breath before he walked over to the glass door. He unlocked it and slowly opened it.

As soon as he locked eyes with Brennan, Killian commented, "I'm rather surprised to see you here."

"I hope it isn't a problem," Brennan replied, a nervousness making its way into his voice.

Killian tried his best not to let his temper flare as he pointed out, "I just find it rather odd that even though you promised that you wouldn't push my sister and I, you show up at my coffee shop."

Brennan took a breath of his own as he began, "Listen, that isn't what's going on here…" only to be interrupted by his son: "That's sure as hell what it looks like."

As a response, Brennan held up a photograph to Killian and spoke, "This is why I'm here. I noticed that this picture fell out of your wallet when you and Emma stopped by for lunch today. I knew you would want it back."

As Killian took the picture, he saw that it was the one he had taken of Emma during a day of sailing. She complained about her wind-swept blonde locks, but Killian thought she looked rather beautiful and wanted to capture the moment.

"Oh, uh, thank you. I do rather appreciate having it back," Killian spoke before he grabbed his wallet from his back pocket and replaced the photo.

"Of course," Brennan told him with a small smile. He then said, "I should get back to the restaurant - the dinner rush is about to start."

As he then began walking away, Killian realized that his father seemed to be keeping his word after all.

Killian took a breath before he made his way onto the sidewalk and called after Brennan: "Wait." When Brennan turned around, he couldn't help the surprised look that had overtaken his features.

"Bringing me this photo really is the only reason you came by?" Killian questioned, his tone somewhere between surprised and accusatory.

"It is - I knew it had to be rather important to you," Brennan replied with utmost sincerity. As much as he perhaps wanted to, Killian couldn't detect a lie.

With a sigh, he then admitted, "I actually believe you," rubbing the back of his neck.

"I can't blame you for being uncertain," Brennan conceded. He then spoke, "But all I ask is to see you happy, and I have that. The rest is up to you - the same goes for Belle."

Killian only stared as his father for a few moments. He then asked, "Has she been by to see you? I know she was thinking about it."

"Not yet - it is a rather huge decision to make," Brennan told him.

"Least we agree on that front," Killian deadpanned, crossing his arms over his chest. He then ran his fingers through his hair and admitted, "I don't really know what I'm supposed to do - or how I'm supposed to feel. I want to be angry with you - and a large part of me still is - but you're actually keeping your promises this time. You've stayed in town, and you've kept your distance while Belle and I figure all of this out."

Brennan only nodded as he took a few minutes to consider his words. He then said, "I'm glad you can see that I'm trying. I know there's not much - if anything - I can actually do to make up for my mistakes. I've accepted that. But, what I can do is show you and your sister that I'm now a man of my word."

Killian's arms were still crossed as he responded, "I suppose I can't rightly argue with that, even though part of me wants to."

With a small smile, Brennan then told him, "Your mother always tended to be on the argumentative side as well - she also had a rather fierce temper. You remind me a lot of her."

Killian shifted on his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets, all the while focusing his baby blues on the city around him.

Brennan noticed that his son was uncomfortable, so he offered, "I really should get back to the restaurant - and you should finish closing up your shop. Have a good rest of your evening, Killian."

As he began walking away this time, he was even more surprised when he heard these words come from his son: "I think I should at least learn to have a conversation with you."

The hope quickly bubbled up inside Brennan, but he schooled his features before he turned around and asked, "What did you have in mind?"

"Dinner, perhaps?" Killian suggested before he added, "Belle should be there as well - my sister needs this just as much as I do."

With a nod, Brennan then told him, "I'll let you make those arrangements - just drop by the restaurant when you've decided."

Killian nodded as one more thing crossed his mind. He then said, "And Emma. Aside from the fact that she's the one who reached out to you in the first place, she's family to me and Belle."

"Then I hope I'll be seeing the three of you soon," Brennan replied, and Killian could tell that he was holding back a rather large smile.

The two men then headed their separate ways. When Killian was back inside the shop, he collapsed in a chair and ran his hand over his face and through his hair.

He wasn't entirely sure what he was feeling at the moment, and he wasn't sure he would have it figured it by the time he had settled on a time to talk with his father. His life was fairly uncomplicated until Brennan Jones stepped back into his life.

Despite his misgivings, there was a part of him - a small part that could likely be deemed as inconsequential by most standards - but a part nonetheless, that felt as though he was taking the right step.

A/N: Hey, guys! For this particular chapter, I planned for it to be longer and to have more scenes, but I decided that this ending works rather well - and it gives y'all something to look forward to! :)

My other reasoning is that I'm sure y'all have gathered that I have a pretty packed schedule, and I'm pretty slow with updating. I didn't want y'all to wait any longer than y'all already do. Until next time, my lovelies! :)