"Are you sure you have time for this, Killian?" Emma asked her boyfriend as they walked out of the Cove.
He smiled as he answered, "Aye, love. You do know it's my day off."
With a roll of her eyes, she pointed out, "I know that, but you just got a new shipment of, like, everything. And you need to restock."
"I'll be fine, darling," Killian reassured her before he kissed the side of her head.
He then entwined his fingers with hers as he asked her, "What was the name of this bakery again?"
"The Pumpkin Bakery. The owner, Ashley, is a friend of Mary Margaret's - their kids are in the same daycare," Emma explained. She then smiled and added, "And she's amazing at what she does - I swear I've never had cakes or cupcakes so delicious."
Killian offered a smile of his own. He then told her, "Well, I can't wait to try it."
He then tilted his head and asked, "What kind of birthday cake did you get for Belle?"
"Her favorite," Emma answered as her green eyes roamed the various shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
With a raise of his eyebrow, Killian then questioned, "Which is what exactly?"
She turned to him with narrowed eyes. She then asked, "You don't know your sister's favorite cake?"
He shook his head. "Swan, we may be close, but need I remind you I've only known her a little over a year. I can't possibly know everything."
"Mm-hmm," Emma teased with a grin. She then let out a giggle.
Killian shook his head once more. He then surmised, "And you say I'm incorrigible." She only giggled once again.
When she sobered, she told him, "Anyways, her favorite cake is German chocolate with a layer of French vanilla icing."
"Hmm. That sounds rather delicious," Killian began. He then smiled and commented, "And it sounds exactly like Belle."
Emma squeezed his hand in response. He then spoke, "Ah, love, I did actually want to know what present you got Belle."
"A rose teapot to match the teacups she already has," Emma told him, and she couldn't help the smile that bloomed.
Killian smiled as well. He then tilted his head and surmised, "Those were her mother's, and one of them is chipped."
"Yeah. They're her favorites," Emma confirmed. She then chuckled and added, "And she now uses the chipped one to hold her bookmarks. I'm not really sure how they all fit in there."
With a chuckle of his own, he then replied, "Well, Swan, she can be quite determined when she wants to be."
The blonde hummed before she nudged his shoulder and teased, "So can you, Jones."
He tilted his head as he pointed out, "Swan, I'm pretty positive the last name bit has become my thing."
"Whatever you say, Jones," Emma teased before she leaned up and kissed his cheek. He couldn't help but shake his head.
She then glanced back around and stated, "We're here," pulling him into the bakery.
Ashley beamed when she saw her blonde friend. She waved before she came out from behind the counter.
She wrapped Emma in a quick hug. When they pulled away, Ashley spoke, "How is my second favorite detective?"
Emma crossed her arms over her chest and playfully accused, "What? I'm not the first?"
With a chuckle, Ashley told her, "Only because I met David first." Emma couldn't help but giggle.
She then looped her arm through Killian's and said, "I don't think you've met my boyfriend."
"Ah, the famous Killian," Ashley began as she stuck out her hand. He shook it before she continued, "The charming - and incorrigible - British barista."
"So, that's your description of me, eh, Swan?" he teased with a grin as he released Ashley's hand and wrapped his arm around Emma's waist.
She rolled her eyes while Ashley giggled. She then offered, "Well, Emma, it is nice to meet the guy who makes you blush."
"I don't blush," Emma refuted with crossed arms - only for a pink tint to rise to her cheeks.
Killian only grinned and kissed the side of her head before she changed the subject: "So, Belle's cake? It's ready, right?"
Ashley bit back a grin as she nodded. She then returned to the counter and grabbed the white box that lay atop it.
She then walked back over and presented the box. Emma took it with both hands and opened the lid.
A wide smile spread across her features as she looked over the elegant decorations.
Piped red roses covered the edges of the sheet cake, with green stems and vines entwined among the flowers. "Happy Birthday Belle" was written with black icing in cursive script. The rest of the space was filled with beautiful golden paisleys.
"Oh, Ashley, it's so gorgeous. You did such a great job," Emma complimented as she continued to smile.
"Aye, love. You're quite talented," Killian added with a smile of his own.
With a bright smile, Ashley thanked them: "I always appreciate when my desserts are admired, so thank you, really."
Emma and Killian both nodded before she offered, "Let me pay for it, and you can get back to what you do best."
Ashley nodded. She then grabbed her wallet from her cross-body bag - as Killian dug out his wallet.
Emma narrowed her eyes and argued, "Killian, I told you that I wanted to take care of everything for Belle's party."
"I know, and I think it's wonderful that you're doing this for her. I'm not getting in the way of that," he began as he kissed her head, "I just wanted to do a little something of my own for my sister."
Emma tilted her head as he addressed Ashley: "Belle is rather fond of eclairs, and I noticed you had some in the display. Can you wrap up half a dozen?"
Ashley smiled and bobbed her head as they paid for their desserts. She then headed back behind the counter and opened the display case.
Emma nudged her boyfriend's arm and teased, "You don't know her favorite cake, but you know she loves eclairs."
Killian rolled his eyes. However, he soon reached up and scratched behind his ear.
"Uh, well, August may have mentioned it."
Emma threw her head back with laughter. She then ran her fingers through the hair at his neck and joked, "It's a good thing you're cute."
He shook his head at her before Ashley walked back over. She then handed Killian the box of eclairs.
With a smile, she told them, "I hope everyone enjoys the desserts, and wish Belle a happy birthday for me."
"Will do. And thanks, Ashley," Emma began. She and Killian then bid their goodbyes while Ashley waved them off.
Killian held the door open for his girlfriend and followed her once she stepped through. He then pushed her hair behind her ear and told her, "I really must be getting back to the shop, love."
"I know," she replied as she ran her fingers along the collar of his black leather jacket. She then took a breath and said, "And I should get back to my place and drop this cake off before I head back to the station."
"Ah. Crime doesn't stop, does it?" Killian surmised as he ran his hand up and down her back. He then remembered the eclairs in his free hand and posed, "Say, Swan, do think you could drop these off as well?" gesturing with the box.
"Sure thing," Emma answered with a smile as she took the box. She then placed it on top of the cake.
She then spoke, "So, I'll see you tonight," her smile only growing. He hummed in reply as he smiled back at her.
He then pulled her in for a searing kiss as he threaded his fingers through her hair. Though a bit taken aback, Emma soon curled her hand on his hip and gave it a gentle squeeze.
When they pulled away, they both breathed heavily. Emma then said, "Not that I'm complaining, but that wasn't a simple goodbye kiss."
Killian ran his fingers through her hair as he told her, "You just amaze me, Emma. When you've let someone into your heart, you go out of your way to show them you care. Like with Belle."
She couldn't help but blush as she pointed out, "It's just a small party with those who care most about her."
With a shake of her head, she then questioned, "What brought this up anyway?"
He tapped the eclair box before he told her, "I know it's a small thing, but I love the fact that you're dropping these off for me. And that you're doing all this for Belle. It just reminds me of the reasons I fell in…"
He trailed off with wide blue eyes. He scratched behind his ear as he covered, "Uh, what I meant was that…I fell all over myself trying to impress you. I'm not sure it worked quite the way I planned, but I still got your attention."
An easy grin then slid on his face. She smiled at him.
She then took a deep breath before she kissed him sweetly. She then spoke, "I know what you were gonna say, Killian. And…it's okay."
His mouth fell open. He then cleared his throat and questioned, "And you're okay?"
She bobbed her head - another smile spreading over her features. She then caressed his cheek and told him, "Just be a little patient."
She then pecked his cheek before she headed to her apartment, tossing a wave over her shoulder.
He waved back as he tried to calm his racing heart. It hammered in his chest, and he swore he forgot how to breathe.
When he lost sight of her among the New York crowd, he slowly walked back to his shop.
Through the window, he noticed Robin leaned over the counter, a smile on his face as he talked to Regina - who just slid off the stool.
They both then turned their heads at the sound of the door opening. Robin greeted his friend with a smile: "Hey, mate. How did Belle's cake turn out?"
Killian smiled back as he answered, "Well, if it tastes as good as it looks, I'd say we're all in for a rather delicious treat."
Robin - and Regina - hummed and nodded in reply. She then announced, "I have to get back to the office," pausing to turn her attention to her boyfriend, "I'll see you later."
The two of them then shared a sweet kiss. She then marched toward the door - but not before shooting Killian a curious look. "You seem more giddy than usual - I'm guessing Emma said something, let's see, heartfelt?"
He couldn't help but scratch behind his ear as he admitted, "Uh, well, she might have," looking down at his shoes.
Regina narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak when Robin interjected, "Don't you have that meeting to get to?"
"I do actually," she confirmed with a nod. With one final wave toward her boyfriend, she then walked out the door.
Robin then said, "Sorry about that, mate. You know how Regina is." He then tilted his head and surmised, "But you do seem rather flustered, which is very unlike you."
He then took a deep breath and told him, "But you don't have to say anything if you don't wish it."
Killian looked thoughtful for a few moments. A smile then spread across his features.
"Let's just say that she isn't scared of my feelings - or hers - any longer."
With a smile, Robin told him, "Well, that is amazing indeed." Killian's smile only grew.
The dark-haired man then let out a breath and said, "I think I'll write out our new specials before I head back to the stockroom. Think you can start mopping?" shrugging out of his jacket.
"Sure thing," Robin answered before he made his way toward the back.
Killian then walked behind the counter and placed his jacket on a hook. He then grabbed the specials board off the wall and erased the writing with a rag. Once finished, he took hold of the marker sitting near the register.
As he wrote, he started to sing: "And being apart ain't easy on this love affair. Two strangers learn to fall in love again. I get the joy of rediscovering you.
"Oh, girl, you stand by me. I'm forever yours. Faithfully."
He then continued to hum through the end of the song and back to the beginning. Robin recognized the song as he returned to the front, and he couldn't help but smile.
He began humming a few bars himself as he dragged the mop and bucket over to a corner and began cleaning.
Killian continued to fill out the specials board in a mix of print and cursive handwriting. The menu included specialty coffee and teas, as well as a cinnamon imbued frozen hot chocolate inspired by his lovely Swan.
When he finished, he read over the menu, his blue eyes roaming over the various drinks. Satisfied, he hung it back on the wall.
As he placed the marker back by the register, he caught sight of colorful thickened paper.
A sigh escaped his lips as he picked up the worn Joe DiMaggio baseball card. As he read the stats, his thoughts became increasingly puzzled.
That brokenhearted seven-year-old boy flashed in his memory. A pain that he didn't think would heal.
And all these years later, the broken pieces had finally healed - but he still struggled to trust the man who broke him in the first place.
Yet - somewhere in the midst of the Yankees and the Mets, they found common ground. With Facebook messages consisting of current World Series contenders to their all-time favorites.
Though those messages had been very short and rare since the dinner at Granny's, it still felt like a beginning.
And he was still deciding if he was truly ready for what that meant.
He then took a long and slow breath as he focused back on the baseball card. "You'll just have until later," he spoke before he slid the card back into his pocket.
Killian then shuffled back to the stockroom. He picked up two of the remaining boxes and set them on a corner table.
He then grabbed the box cutter and sliced open the cardboard. He then set about stacking the coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, as well as various pastry ingredients.
He resumed humming as he continued filling the shelves. Just as he finished unpacking those two boxes and started to grab another one, Robin called him.
"Killian, mate. August came to see you."
He then filed out of the stockroom, where he saw August leaned over the counter. He stood as Killian walked toward him and apologized, "Sorry to barge in. I know you guys are busy cleaning and restocking."
"It's no matter," Killian assured him with a smile. He then chuckled and added, "Besides, Emma and Regina have already paid us a visit."
August chuckled as well. He then offered, "Speaking of girlfriends, I was hoping you could hang onto Belle's present for me?"
He then placed a small black bag on the counter. Killian's blue eyes widened slightly as he read the name of a jewelry store on the bag.
"Mate, is this what I think it is?"
"What?" August questioned, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. A few moments later, it dawned on him.
"No, no," he began as he gestured with his hands, "I'm not proposing. If I were, you'd be the first to know."
He then took a breath and explained, "It's a heart-shaped locket with our picture in it. I know she's gonna love it," a smile breaking out across his face.
Killian couldn't help but smile back. He then offered, "I believe she'll love it very much."
He then scratched behind his ear and said, "And, uh, sorry if I went a little too overprotective big brother."
August smiled once more. He then told him, "I don't think you were overprotective - you were just looking out for your sister."
With a nod, Killian then offered him an appreciative look. He then surmised, "So, about this locket, you wanted me to keep it?"
"If you don't mind. I have back to back classes for the rest of the day - the last one ending right before the party."
"Ah, okay. I understand," the dark-haired man told August as he nodded. He then continued, "I'll be glad to hold onto it. I'll put it in my truck along with my gift."
"Sounds good," August replied, his arms folded over his chest. He tilted his head and asked, "What did you get her?"
Killian couldn't help but smile as he answered, "A collection of Charles Dickens novels." He paused before he elaborated, "She just finished Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities a little while ago, and she rather enjoyed them. I knew she'd love to add them to her library."
He then ran his hand across his jaw and added, "She already owns A Christmas Carol, but I don't think she'll mind two copies."
August couldn't help but chuckle before he spoke, "Well, the one she has is one she's had since she was a kid, and she reads it every year. She could probably use a new one."
Killian let out a chuckle as well. His expression then turned somber, and he relayed, "Her mum started reading it to her to her as a child - one of the many ways she tried to make sure the holidays were filled with cherished family traditions since…it was only the two of them."
He then let out a sigh. After a few quiet moments, August asked, "Are you alright with your father being here? I know it's a little easier now, but that doesn't mean you're just okay. You or Belle."
A small smile appeared over Killian's features at his concern. With a deep breath, he told him, "I'll be alright, mate. You're right in saying that we aren't just okay, but we're getting there. That's what matters."
August offered a nod. He then sincerely told him, "Well, if you ever need someone else to listen, you know I'll be here."
"Thanks, mate. I really appreciate it," Killian said. August nodded once more.
He then checked his watch and spoke, "And I have a class starting soon. I'll see you at the party - and thanks again for holding onto the present."
"No problem. I'll see you later," Killian replied as he picked up the jewelry bag from the counter.
August responded in kind before he made his way toward the door, offering Robin a wave just before he stepped out.
Killian gripped the bag before he walked out to the back parking lot. He pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked his truck. Once he had opened the door, he placed the present next to his.
When he closed the door, he leaned against it and let out a sigh. He then ran his fingers through his dark hair as his father's eyes - the same blue he and his sister shared - flashed in his mind.
He then shook his head. He couldn't focus on that when he still had work to do.
He then shoved his hands in his pockets and walked back inside, his feet almost automatically moving toward the stockroom.
As he continued stacking the goods on the shelves, he found his thoughts drifting once more.
From the moment he found out his father was in town to him trying to make amends and everything in between, he now juggled the lingering hurt and mistrust with a small amount of hope.
One of his only consolations was that he wasn't facing this alone. He and his sister were in this together - and they would keep supporting one another.
And then there was Emma - his Swan. Despite the relationship misgivings she still held, she had been amazing. She had ensured Brennan had no intention of hurting him or Belle, and she allowed him the time and space he needed.
He longed for the day when she could tell him she loved him – and he would readily say it back. While he would happily wait as long as she needed, he was ecstatic that she was nearly ready to take that next step.
He let out a deep breath as he considered the notion that perhaps one day, seeing - or even thinking about - Brennan wouldn't cause a literal mess of emotions.
A/N: Hi, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the latest installment of "Second Chance"! As you may have noticed, this chapter was split into two sections – y'all will see the second half tomorrow :) Until then! :)