A Different Happy Ending:

A New Beginning – Part Three

A few tables over, Killian's eyes flitted over to the young couple, his gaze lingering on the soothing gesture.

Emma noticed his stare and squeezed his arm. He jumped slightly before he turned to look back at her.

"Need something, love?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Emma began. She then nodded toward their daughter and continued, "I'm not sure you can just will them apart by just staring at them."

Killian chuckled before he assured her, "I was doing nothing of the sort, Swan." He then glanced back at Alena and surmised, "She's really in love, isn't she."

Emma only smiled at him. She then placed her hand over his and said, "I'm not gonna say 'I told you so' because I know how hard this has been for you," pausing to take a breath, "But I am really glad you're coming around."

"I dare say it may take a little while for me to come fully around, but I'm starting to see that they do belong together," Killian surmised as he took her hand in his. He then brought their joined hands to his mouth and placed a sweet kiss on the back of hers.

"Are you two done yet?" Regina then quipped as she glared at them from across the table.

She then crossed her arms, and Killian chided, "I'm rather disappointed Robin needed a refill and that he's no longer distracting you."

She only raised an eyebrow before Emma interjected, "Play nice, you two. I'm not in the mood to play referee."

"Play referee for what exactly?" Robin questioned when he returned to the table.

"These two's sass battle," Emma began as she gestured between her husband and friend, "I really don't think we need, I don't know, a loose fireball or something in here."

"I wouldn't use a fireball on him," Regina argued as she rested her hands flat on the table.

"But you would feed me to a mummified dragon," Killian quipped, cocking an eyebrow at the queen.

He received a glare - as well as an arm slap from his wife - before he apologized, "Sorry, love, I uh, got a bit too caught up I suppose," scratching behind his ear.

Regina simply offered him a nod in response. After receiving an imploring look from Robin, she then added, "And I'm sorry for complaining about you and Emma. I'm happy for you two - truly, I am. I haven't really said it before."

Killian and Emma smiled at her before the brunette continued, "And I'm happy that you're finally giving Alena and Gideon a chance. They both deserve it after everything they've been through."

"I couldn't agree more," Emma spoke as she smiled once more. She then took a sip of her drink.

"As do I," Robin said as he gestured toward her with his glass. Once he took a sip, he added, "And I do have to say, Hook, mate, that I'm rather glad those, uh, disparaging comments about your daughter's boyfriend will stop."

Killian scratched behind his ear and looked down at his plate. Regina scoffed as she quipped, "That makes two of us."

The pirate then looked back up and told her, "Just wait until it's Henry's turn. I dare say you'll be just as overprotective as I am - probably even more so."

He smirked as he nodded toward the teenage boy and surmised, "In fact, he could very well be telling his sister all about her at this very moment."

Despite knowing better, Regina's momma bear instincts took over, and she turned to look back at her son, who laughed along with Alena and Gideon.

Back at their table, Henry then noticed his mom's stare and complained, "Oh, geez, Mom's staring at me - and she has that Evil Queen look."

Gideon and Alena glanced back before the blonde surmised, "Based on the fact that Mom just slapped Dad's arm, he probably said something to rile up Regina."

Henry shook his head while Gideon let out a chuckle. The latter then said, "Those two rather fight like brother and sister, don't they?"

Alena couldn't help but chuckle as she conceded, "They do butt heads a lot. I think they've always been that way - it is pretty funny actually."

"Although probably not for your mother and Robin," Gideon surmised before he ate a few bites of his meal.

The blonde tilted her head in thought for a few moments. She then looked back and forth between her boyfriend and brother before she told them, "You guys know that I love Dad and Regina, but you two better not do that to me."

Despite themselves, the pair chuckled. Henry then offered, "I don't think you gotta worry about that."

"Good," Alena replied with a smile. She then rested her chin in her hand and ate with her free one.

She soon placed her fork aside and reached for her glass. She turned it up as she drank down the last of her tea.

She pushed her chair back and spoke, "Be right back, guys. Getting a refill."

They nodded before she squeezed past her boyfriend, brushing her hand along his back as she did so.

Gideon's eyes lingered on his girlfriend as she walked over to the counter. He then went back to eating.

Henry then said, "You know what we should do?" With a tilt of his head, Gideon asked, "What is that?"

"Hang out. Just the two of us," the teenager answered with a smile. He took a sip of his drink before he added, "And maybe Hook, too, so he'll actually start liking you."

Gideon shook his head as he told him, "You are far too perceptive for your own good." He only shrugged in reply.

He then offered, "Hook was only being overprotective because of Grandpa, but things are good now."

With a nod, Gideon agreed, "I believe you're right about that." He then asked, "What did you have in mind for us to do?"

"I'm still figuring that part out," Henry told him. He then tilted his head and asked, "How do you like video games?"

Gideon couldn't help but chuckle. He then said, "I've never played, but I have a feeling you'd have fun teaching me."

Henry nodded enthusiastically. He then sighed and spoke, "But could you actually learn the name of it? Hook still calls it a 'video box game thing'."

"I think I can manage that," Gideon assured him as he chuckled once more.

"Cool," Henry responded with a smile. He then turned his attention back to his meal.

After taking a few bites and drinking a few sips, he then surmised, "You're good at making things, aren't you."

With a nod, Gideon confirmed, "Working with my father has shown me that I'm rather good at working with my hands."

"Thought so," Henry began as he smiled. He then continued, "I wanted to know if you could help me with something for my moms. Just because."

"I think Emma and Regina would like that," Gideon told him as he smiled back. He then asked him, "Any ideas on what you want?"

"No - that's why I need your help," Henry answered as though it were already obvious.

Gideon bit his lip to keep from laughing. He then spoke, "I get it. Between the two of us, I think we can come up with something."

"Yeah, I think we can," Henry agreed with another smile. He then told him, "I'll come by Grandpa's shop tomorrow after school, and we can come up with some stuff."

Gideon nodded before Alena walked back over - with Ruby trailing along beside her.

"Come on, Alena, if I can learn to enjoy cooking under Granny's hovering, I think you can manage it."

With a giggle, the blonde told her, "I've gotten pretty good when I'm helping Mom, but I'm still not always so great with modern technology. I might accidentally set something on fire."

"And she probably would, too. I think she's even worse than Hook," Henry chimed in with a grin.

Alena rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "I don't think I'm quite as bad as all that. I mean, I can drive - which is probably the most challenging thing of all."

"Seriously, though, riding horseback is so much easier," Ruby commented with her hand on her hip. She then tilted her head and added, "Although I spent more time running - and hiding."

She then ran a hand through her hair and offered, "I really do think you'd enjoy cooking, Alena, so just let me know if you want to give it a shot."

Alena nodded before Ruby turned on her heel and waltzed back toward the counter.

With a grin, Henry then teased, "Cooking, huh? Think you'll be any good?"

She couldn't help but shake her head at her brother. She then offered, "I'd like to learn to be a better cook, and I think it'd be lots of fun."

"Just make sure you don't get too frustrated. You said yourself you still have a few problems with modern technology - I'd hate for Granny's to become collateral damage."

"I think I can manage," Alena assured her boyfriend with a smile. She pecked his cheek before she suggested, "You could come with me if you want."

"I'll think about it," Gideon told her with a smile. She smiled back at him.

"I still think you're gonna set something on fire," Henry chimed in as he scooped up a forkful of lasagna.

Alena rolled her eyes as she refuted, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, bro." He only shrugged while Gideon let out a chuckle.

"Aren't you supposed to be on my side?" the blonde chided her boyfriend, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I am on your side," Gideon reassured her before he kissed the side of her head. "But?" she then knowingly supplied.

"You do sometimes lose your temper, and the consequences can be catastrophic."

Alena sighed as she considered his words. She then conceded, "I guess you do have a point. But I'll be patient and watch what I'm doing."

Gideon kissed her temple before they resumed eating. Snow then idled over and greeted, "Hi, everyone. Enjoying the celebration so far?"

"The food is great, like it always is," Henry told her before stuffing his face some more. Alena couldn't help but giggle before she added, "And it's always nice to talk about the hope and peace we all share."

Gideon reached over and squeezed her hand before he agreed, "Indeed, it is."

Snow smiled at the couple - as well as her grandson - before she asked them, "You kids heading to the carnival afterwards?"

"Carnival?" Alena asked, her features etched in confusion.

With a tilt of his head, Gideon questioned, "I didn't mention it yesterday?" When she shook her head, he surmised, "I guess it must have slipped my mind."

"And my parents' apparently," Alena stated as she rested her chin in her hand. She then questioned, "So what's up with this carnival?"

"It was my idea," Snow began. She paused before she continued, "I just thought that games, a few rides, and a dance would be a fun way to spend the rest of the day."

"How'd you manage all of that?" Alena then curiously asked.

"My mom's the mayor," Henry matter-of-factly interjected as he shrugged and took a sip of his drink.

Alena, Gideon, and Snow chuckled at the explanation. The latter then offered, "Regina did help me set up, and I think she's actually looking forward to it."

"I know that Roland is - it's all he's been talking about," Henry spoke - an annoyed look passing over his features.

"Cut him some slack, Henry. I think he just enjoys talking to his big brother," Gideon offered with a good-natured smile in his direction.

He couldn't help but smile back as he nodded. Snow then chimed in, "I do think it'll live up to the expectations. I hope to see all of you there."

"We wouldn't miss it," Gideon began. He then smiled at his girlfriend and continued, "And I wouldn't mind beating Alena at a couple rounds of outdoor bowling."

With a raised eyebrow, she challenged, "Good luck with that. I can get pretty competitive."

"She totally can," Henry agreed. He then grinned and added, "But she still hasn't managed to beat me."

Alena only shook her head while Gideon and Snow - as well as her mischievous brother - let out a chuckle.

From a few tables away, they then heard "Mommy!" Snow quickly bid them goodbye before she rejoined her son.

With a tilt of her head, Alena then pondered, "I wonder if they'll have that game - the one where you throw the round things," making a circle with her hands.

Henry shook his head and rolled his eyes while Gideon let out a chuckle. The former then offered, "I think you mean ring toss, Alena."

She only furrowed her eyebrows as she considered her brother's words. She then surmised, "I think that is the name of it."

She then waved her hand dismissively and continued, "Anyway, that one is my favorite, and I can't wait to play it."

"It does sound pretty fun," Gideon agreed. He then smiled at his girlfriend and added, "And when we're not busy competing, I may even win you a prize or two."

She smiled back at him as she told him, "I expect nothing less." She then took a bite of her food before she added, "But don't think I'm gonna let you do that for all the games."

Gideon only smiled and shook his head as Henry rolled his eyes once more. The teenager then said, "You guys are dorks."

The couple couldn't help but chuckle. Alena then told her brother: "So you've said about 100 times."

"Because it's true," he replied with a shrug. She blushed slightly before she deflected, "Yeah, yeah," running her fingers through her hair.

Henry shot his sister a grin while Gideon reached back over and squeezed her waist. The three of them then continued talking and laughing through the rest of their meal.