A Different Happy Ending:

A New Beginning – Part Five

The blonde set her stuffed animals on a nearby table before she and her mom settled beside one of the platforms.

As Killian and Gideon settled beside the other one, the pirate asked, "You think you'll be any good at this, lad?"

"Well, Alena may have beaten me earlier," Gideon began as he nodded toward his girlfriend, "But I am also a fast learner, and I rarely give up without a fight."

The corner of Killian's mouth quirked upwards, and he replied, "Glad to hear it. I should think we'll need all the skill we can muster."

With a nod, Gideon confirmed, "Alena is quite stubborn, and she's rather determined when she wants to be. It often works out in her favor, though she doesn't always readily take credit for it."

He then chuckled and added, "She's rather a paradox, isn't she," looking over at his girlfriend, who laughed at something her mother had said.

"Aye… that she is," Killian slowly agreed as his gaze shifted between Gideon and Alena - seeing the two of them in a different light.

When Gideon turned his attention back to Killian, he asked him, "Do you think we could actually get any good at this?"

"Hmm?" Killian then asked, jerking his head toward the young man. He then shook his head and replied, "Oh, uh, I'd wager that you're already better than I am, and I'm not quite sure that children's games will ever be my forte."

A moment later, he scratched behind his ear and apologized, "Sorry, lad, I know you're rather enjoying yourself."

Gideon only stared at him for a few moments. At Killian's raised eyebrow, he spoke, "Sorry. It's just…just that I'm not quite used to apologies from you. Or anything nice, really," glancing down on that last part.

With a deep breath, Killian then spoke, "Believe me, it's taking me some getting used to as well. And it's quite long overdue."

Gideon took a deep breath before he simply responded, "I love her, too."

Killian nodded as he offered him a small smile. He smiled back - the two of them then looked over as Emma called out, "You guys ready?"

"Aye, Swan," Killian answered. He then asked her, "Who will be going first?"

The four of them exchanged looks before Alena suggested, "How about me and Mom? You know, ladies first?"

She couldn't help but grin as she spoke, earning head shakes from her father and boyfriend.

Emma found herself chuckling at the exchange. She then said, "Unless you two have a better idea, I think we should settle with ladies first."

"I wouldn't dare argue with my wife. Or my daughter for that matter," Killian spoke, smirking at the two women.

They both rolled their eyes and shook their heads. Emma then let out a breath before she picked up a bean bag.

She knitted her eyebrows together as she tossed the bean bag - letting out a grunt when it landed a couple inches from the hole.

With crossed arms, she then faced Alena and surmised, "Maybe you'll have better luck, kid."

With a nod, Alena picked up one of the three remaining bean bags. She furrowed her eyebrows in concentration as she turned her attention to the platform.

She then threw the blue bean bag - her eyes glued to it as it sailed across the air, her hands clasped in anticipation.

"Thunk" the bean bag sounded as it landed against the board before it slid in the hole.

"Yes!" she cheered triumphantly as she smiled widely. She then turned her attention to her father and boyfriend and teased them, "I'd like to see you guys beat that."

Killian cocked an eyebrow as he pointed out, "You do realize you and your mother have two more of those bean bags to throw?"

Alena tilted her head for a moment. She then grinned and offered, "Maybe this first hit was a sign, hmm?"

He only shook his head while Gideon and Emma let out a chuckle. Alena then picked up another bean bag.

She carefully aimed it toward the platform and tossed it. It straightaway sailed into the hole with another "thunk."

"Great job, kid," Emma complimented as she picked up the last bean bag. Alena smiled at her.

She - as well as Killian and Gideon - then looked on with anticipation as Emma threw the last bean bag.

When it landed in the hole, a bright smile broke across her face. She and Alena shared a high five before she spoke, "Three out of four isn't that bad. I hope you guys are up for it."

"We shall see, Swan," Killian began. He paused before he added, "I believe I have that…oh, blast, what's it called? Some kind of beginning nonsense."

He tilted his head in thought before Gideon interjected, "I think what he means is 'beginner's luck'," tossing one of the bean bags between his hands.

"Exactly, m'boy," Killian began with a bright smile - though he met with slightly confused expressions. He cleared his throat before he added, "I just meant that Gideon made a fair point," his blue eyes avoiding eye contact as he resisted the urge to scratch behind his ear.

Much like her father, Alena diffused the situation with a bit of humor: "Well, I think you guys are gonna need all the luck you can get."

"Very funny, Alena," Killian deadpanned, earning a chuckle from his daughter. He then bent down and picked up a red bean bag.

He turned it over in his hand a few times before he asked, "Any suggestions on making this thing land inside the hole, lad?"

With a tilt of his head, Gideon thought for a few moments. He then surmised, "I suppose it's a bit like sailing."

"Pardon?"

"Well, I'd guess that it's similar to sailing," Gideon began, receiving a raised eyebrow. He stifled a chuckle before he clarified, "You have to aim the bean bag like you steer a ship."

The pirate looked thoughtful for a few moments. A smile then broke across his features as he supplied, "So you always stay on course."

Gideon offered him a smile in return before Alena called out, "Come on, Dad, throw it already."

Though he initially rolled his eyes, he soon obliged and focused on the platform. With an underhanded throw, he tossed the bean bag.

"Bloody hell," he then cursed when it slid off the board and into the green grass. He then ran his hand over his face and lamented, "Your advice was good, lad, but these games just aren't my forte."

With a nod, Gideon then smiled and told him, "Lucky for us, I'm pretty good at it." He then gathered the remaining bean bags.

One by one, he tossed them toward the board. He and Killian both smiled as each one landed in the hole.

He then looked over at his girlfriend and said, "See? We are just as good as you."

Alena only smiled and shook her head. She then nodded toward her father and teased, "I'm not entirely sure it's fair to leave it all on Gideon's shoulders."

Emma couldn't help but chuckle while Killian rolled his eyes. He then spoke, "I assure you that I'll get the hang of it, love," cocking his eyebrow at both his wife and daughter.

Alena smiled once more as she told him, "I don't doubt it." He tilted his head for a moment before he offered her a smile in return.

He then surmised, "I suppose we now go retrieve the bean bags and continue playing."

"You got it," Emma told him as she made her way over. He nodded before he began crossing the grass. Gideon followed along behind him.

He couldn't help but smile at Alena as she passed him, and he then spun in front of her. She blinked in surprise before she took a reflexive step back - she then playfully swatted his chest.

"Hey, we're supposed to be getting ready for the next round."

Gideon pushed her hair behind her ear before he told her, "I know. But I wanted to wish my beautiful girlfriend good luck." He then let out a chuckle and added, "Before we get too wrapped up in competition."

Alena giggled before she teased, "Afraid that it'll get a little too intense?"

He shook his head at her. He then offered, "I have to say that I'm a bit surprised that you're being so incredibly competitive."

With a shrug, she replied, "Like you said, I just like to make an adventure out of everything."

"That you do," Gideon conceded with another chuckle. He then encircled her waist and said, "And it's one of the reasons why I love you."

Alena smiled sweetly before she kissed his cheek. "I love you, too," running her hands along his chest.

He pulled her closer and brought her lips to his. She smiled into the kiss before she threaded her fingers through his hair.

When they pulled away, Alena giggled and blushed slightly. She then spoke, "So much for the game - I don't know how I'm supposed to concentrate after that."

"That makes two of us," Gideon agreed as he ran his fingers through her hair. He then kissed her cheek and suggested, "I think we should probably get back to the game."

"I believe that's a wise choice," Killian interjected as he sidled up beside them. He wore a teasing grin as they turned to face him.

The couple couldn't quite hide their surprise, so he continued, "Don't look at me like that - I told you I'd come around," his grin changing to a smile.

They couldn't help but smile back. They then untangled themselves and resumed their positions on opposite sides of the field.

Killian dropped the bean bags on the ground save for one. He tossed it into the air for a few moments - his blue eyes trained on the movement.

He let out a breath before he surmised, "You're the only one she does that with."

Gideon knitted his eyebrows in confusion as he questioned, "Does what exactly?"

Killian took another breath before he explained, "Alena laughs and chuckles when she finds something amusing - but you're the only one who makes her giggle like that."

His blue eyes shown with sincerity, and Gideon offered a small smile. He then said, "We just…fit together," casting his brown eyes toward his girlfriend.

She caught his stare, and she smiled at him - he smiled back at her as he rubbed the back of his head.

Killian found himself watching them, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It remained as he spoke, "Alright, lad, we really must continue the game."

Gideon jumped slightly at his voice, and Killian couldn't help but chuckle. He then assured him, "It's quite alright, lad. Emma is still quite a distraction for me."

Though he tried to play it off, Gideon breathed a sigh of relief. He ran his hand through his hair as he spoke, "It's safe to say that we're both incredibly lucky."

"I dare say that luck had nothing to do with it," Killian spoke as his gaze lingered on Emma, who currently laughed with their daughter.

He then called out, "Say, Swan, I'd say it's time for another round, and Gideon and I will go first this time."

"Sounds good to me," Emma called back with a nod. He offered her a nod in return.

He then glanced down at the bean bag still in his hand before he looked over at the platform. He then narrowed his eyes in concentration as he thought about his throw.

With a breath, Killian then threw the bean bag. He watched with nervous anticipation as it sailed toward the platform. A smile broke across his features as it slid into the hole.

He then smirked at Emma and Alena as he told them, "I told you two I'd get the hang of it."

Emma only raised an eyebrow while Alena smiled and shook her head. She then nodded toward her boyfriend and spoke, "And you wonder why I'm so competitive."

He couldn't help but chuckle, and Emma soon joined him - while Killian rolled his eyes. He then told them, "You all have your fun, but you know I'm getting better."

"Mm-hmm," Emma hummed as she grinned at him. She then teased, "Think you can manage it twice?"

Instead of answering, Killian picked up another bean bag and focused on the platform. With narrowed eyes, he tossed it into the air. It landed on the wood with a "thunk" before it gingerly slid into the hole.

He then turned toward Emma and Alena with a mischievous grin and posed, "You two were saying?" They both shook their heads at him.

Gideon couldn't help but chuckle before he said, "Let's see if I can keep the streak going, shall we?" picking up the remaining bean bags.

He gripped one of the bean bags in his hand before he threw it as hard as he could - unfortunately, it proved to be a little too hard, and it flew over the platform.

Alena laughed out loud at the fumble while Gideon hung his head and shook it. He then rubbed at his temple and said, "I'm truthfully not sure how I managed that."

Emma and Killian chuckled before she offered, "I'm not sure either, kid. But maybe you'll have better luck with the second one."

"Let's hope so," Gideon told her before he switched the remaining bean bag from his right hand to his left.

As he poised himself to throw it, Alena cupped her hands around her mouth and called out, "Good luck!"

He smiled at her before he threw the red bean bag - his smile grew as it landed in the hole. He then drew his attention to his girlfriend and spoke, "Seems like I needed you to be my good luck charm."

"It seems that way," Alena agreed as she offered him a smile. The two of them then locked gazes and soon became lost.

Killian couldn't help but smile as his wife did the same. She then intervened, "We still have a game to play, you two."

"Sorry, Emma," Gideon apologized as he ran his hand through his hair. She offered him a nod and a small smile.

She then turned to Alena and spoke, "Alright, kid, it's your turn." "Got it, Mom," she replied before she picked up a couple bean bags.

Emma couldn't help but chuckle as she asked her daughter, "Are you two always so distracted?" pointing between her and Gideon.

Alena twirled her hair around her finger as she answered, "Well, we're alone most of the time, so there really isn't anything for us to be distracted from," shrugging as she finished.

Emma hummed in response, a small smile making its way across her features. She then considered her daughter's words once more, and she let out a sigh.

Alena tilted her head as she asked, "Everything okay, Mom?"

"Yeah, kid," Emma began as she ran her fingers through her hair. She then took a breath and continued, "I feel badly about your dad and Gideon. I know it didn't make things easy for the two of you, and it made it hard for you to bring him around."

"Oh, Mom, I've made my peace with that. And you did everything you could to accept Gideon - you're almost like a second mom," Alena told her with a reassuring smile. She then glanced over at Killian before she continued, "And Dad is trying to stop being so crazily overprotective. I mean, look at them."

She then gestured toward her father and boyfriend - who laughed like old friends. Or family.

"If I wasn't seeing this, I wouldn't believe it," Alena commented with crossed arms.

"Me either," Emma agreed with a tilt of her head. Killian then called out, "Alright, Swan, it's time for you to throw your bean bag things. I rather like talking to Gideon, but there's only so much of it we can do."

Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head while Alena let out a chuckle - and a proud smile. She then noticed the corners of her mom's mouth quirk up before she picked up the remaining bean bags.

Alena turned the bean bags over in her hands before she tightly gripped the one in her right. She focused on the wooden platform before she threw the bean bag - smiling as it landed in the hole. Her smile only grew as her second throw bounced in as well.

With a bright smile, she then spoke, "Looks like this is shaping up to be a good game," her hands planted on her hips.

"Don't count your victory just yet, love. We still have…" Killian trailed off and furrowed his eyebrows.

"How many rounds of this game do we play?" he questioned as he looked between the three gathered.

Gideon scratched the back of his head as he answered, "I believe we play until we reach 20 points. Or is it 21?"

"21," Emma confirmed before she further explained, "Each bean bag that lands in the hole counts as a point."

With a grin, Killian then added, "So that would mean that we're winning."

She rolled her eyes as she pointed out, "Only because we haven't finished our turn," crossing her arms over her chest. He only shrugged before she picked up the bean bags.

With green eyes narrowed, Emma tossed one bean bag after another. She smiled as they both fell through the hole.

She then turned toward her husband and Gideon with a grin. "And that puts us in the lead."

Killian tilted his head as he did the math on his fingers. He then smirked and pointed out, "Only by one point, darling. Gideon and I have plenty of time to catch up."

"Mm-hmm," Emma hummed with a grin. Alena couldn't help but chuckle before the two of them walked to gather the bean bags.

Killian and Gideon soon did the same. As they walked, the latter rubbed the back of his head and questioned, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

The dark-haired man raised an eyebrow as he looked at him. He then slowly answered, "Aye…you can. What is it?"

"It's about Alena, naturally," Gideon began, gesturing with his hands, "I just thought that the two of us could go sailing. She really does love it, and I enjoy it, too - I thought it'd be really fun for us to just spend a day on the water."

He then smiled and added, "And given that Alena picked up her sailing skills from you, I think we'll be more than okay."

Killian couldn't help but smile at him. He then regarded his daughter's boyfriend as he thought over his words.

He twisted the rings on his fingers with his thumb for a few moments. He then answered, "I think it's a lovely idea. You two are welcome to take the Jolly out any time - just let me know when you do."

A bright smile broke out across Gideon's face as he told him, "Of course. And thank you - Alena will be thrilled."

"I'm sure she will be," Killian began. He smiled as he added, "No doubt thanks to you." Gideon smiled back in response.

The two of them then picked up their bean bags and began making their way back across the makeshift field.

"Ow!" Alena then cried out. Before Killian could even think, Gideon rushed over to her side.

"Hey, what happened?" he fretted as he took her face in his hands.

"Bee sting," she told him through gritted teeth as she held her hand over the red blotch on her arm.

Gideon ran a soothing hand up and down her back as he said, "Let's just get to Granny's and find a first-aid kit."

She nodded before he assured her, "We'll get you some Tylenol and Neosporin, and you'll be good as new," kissing her forehead.

She offered him a grateful smile as her parents filed over. Emma then spoke, "You okay, kid? I heard you cry out, and by the time I turned around, Gideon was checking on you."

"I'll be fine - it's just a bee sting," Alena told her. She winced slightly and said, "But it still stings, so we should probably head over to Granny's."

Emma and Killian both nodded before he offered, "We'll be waiting right here, love." He then grinned and added, "But I can't promise that you and your mother will still be ahead when you get back."

Alena shook her head and rolled her eyes while Gideon let out a chuckle. The pair then entwined their fingers before they headed toward the diner.

Killian then encircled Emma's waist before he planted a kiss on her forehead. He then surmised, "He's a good lad - he never hesitated to ensure she was alright. And he immediately knew that she wasn't."

"You'd do the same for me - you were always running into danger with no thought for yourself," Emma reminded him with a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He smiled at her as he simply spoke, "Aye, Swan." He then looked over in the direction Alena and Gideon walked and got a far-off look in his eyes.

"I just don't know how I didn't bloody see it before."

Emma ran her hand through the hair at the nape of his neck as she told him, "You couldn't see through those overprotective goggles you had on."

She then smiled and added, "And now you see things like I do - and how our daughter does."

"Aye, Swan. It only took two years," Killian deadpanned before he sighed. He then took a breath and said, "I just wish I would have given him a fair shot."

"You are now, and that's what matters - and I know that Alena - and Gideon - appreciate it," Emma assured him as she smiled once more.

Killian hummed his reply as he offered a small smile. He then softly spoke, "And they truly are perfect for one another. I can see it in their laughs, their smiles, how they look at one another, and in every interaction they have."

"Which you no doubt gleaned from your not-so-subtle staring," Emma teased, earning a head shake from her husband. She then took a deep breath and seriously continued, "I could see just how ecstatic she was at seeing you two get along - you know, once she got past the shock - it means so much to her - and to me - that you realize Gideon is such an important part of her life."

"Aye, love, I really do," he confirmed. He then scratched behind his ear and admitted, "But I must confess it feels a little unfamiliar."

"I know," Emma sympathized as she ran one of her hands along his stubbled jaw. She then reassured him, "But I'll be right here, Killian."

He smiled at her before he pressed his lips to hers. She smiled into the kiss before she tilted her head to deepen it.

When they pulled away - both a little breathless - they rested their foreheads against each other. He then told her, "I truly don't know what I'd do without you, Swan." She squeezed his hand as she said, "That makes two of us."

They then pulled away at the sound of footsteps approaching. They both raised their eyebrows at the sight of Alena and Gideon.

"Unless I've gotten absolutely horrid at sensing time pass, you two have barely had time to even get to Granny's," Killian then commented as he looked at them curiously.

With a grin toward his girlfriend, Gideon teased, "That's because someone was incredibly anxious to get back."

Alena rolled her eyes as she nudged his shoulder with hers. She then pointed out, "You were looking forward to finishing the game, too, you know."

"Of course I was, but I still wanted to make sure you were alright," Gideon said as he ran his hand up and down her back.

With a sigh, she then told him, "I can't really argue when you say things like that."

Gideon kissed the side of her head before he surmised, "Indeed I do - that's why I said it," offering her a smile.

She rolled her eyes once more - but a smile broke across her face a moment later. She then said, "And on that note, let's get back to bean bag toss."

"I quite agree, love," Killian began. He then nodded at her arm and continued, "That is, if you're sure you're alright."

"Yeah, Dad, I'm fine. Really," Alena began with a wave of her hand. She then squeezed Gideon's shoulder and continued, "And this one was just as protective as you are. Maybe even more so."

He smiled and shook his head before Killian chimed in: "And that, love, is music to your father's ears."

Alena wanted to be annoyed, but she couldn't help but smile. She really did have the best guys in the world looking out for her.

"I guess I am pretty lucky," she conceded, her smile growing. She then planted her hands on her hips and told them, "But just because I love you guys doesn't mean I'm going easy on you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from my headstrong daughter," Killian surmised with a playful grin. She shook her head while Gideon and Emma let out a chuckle.

The four of them then returned to their spots to play the next round.