Killian was pulled from his thoughts when Robin strolled into the stockroom.

"Alright, mate, one side of the shop is mopped. Like usual, I'll let it dry before I tackle the other side."

The dark-haired man only hummed as he continued working. Robin sidled up beside him and grabbed one of the remaining boxes.

However, he nearly dropped it back on the floor when he saw the tea and coffee bags and canisters placed sideways and upside down, the pastry ingredients tossed haphazardly, and the extra mugs and a few other supplies teetering on the shelf's edge.

He quickly pushed the mugs and supplies back on the shelf before they could fall, placing the box back on the floor. He cast a worried look toward his friend - who continued to obliviously arrange the stock.

Robin then placed a hand on his shoulder and fretted, "Are you alright, Killian?"

Killian's head snapped up as he posed, "Of course I am. Why do you ask?"

Robin nodded toward the shelf and surmised, "The stock is in utter disarray, mate - that isn't at all like you."

With furrowed eyebrows, Killian slowly turned his blue eyes back to the shelf. He blinked several times as he took in the state of scattered goods.

"Bloody hell," he muttered as he raked his fingers through his hair and over his face. He then sighed and slid the baseball card out of his pocket.

As he ran his thumb over it, he admitted, "I'm just distracted. I can't seem to make sense of anything."

Robin only nodded as he gave his friend a sympathetic look. A companionable silence ensued - as Killian let out another sigh.

With a deep breath, Robin then surmised, "That baseball card - it's the one your father gave you, isn't it?"

"Aye," Killian confirmed. He paused before he elaborated, "I spied it on the counter after August left. We talked about how I'm dealing with everything - I'm okay, but I still don't know what that means."

He then ran his fingers back through hair and leaned against the shelf, looking down at the floor. When he looked back up, he questioned, "Does that even make any bloody sense?"

"Of course it does," Robin assured him. He then took a moment to consider his words before he told him, "Mate, you found out that the father who selfishly abandoned you - and your sister - seems to have actually changed. You're slowly letting him into your life - you're dealing with a hell of a lot. It's okay that you're still figuring this out."

With a meaningful look, he then added, "And it's okay if your opinion of Brennan is changing."

Killian sighed before he spoke, "I suppose you're right - but I can't help but feel slightly hypocritical.

Robin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. A few moments later, however, it dawned on him.

He shook his head as he pointed out, "You were only hurting yourself."

"Not always," Killian told him, a self-deprecation in his tone. He then gestured wildly and continued, "I got a second chance and I changed - I don't see why it's so damn difficult for me to offer the same. Sometimes I think it'd be easier…"

He trailed off and clenched his fists - more in frustration at himself than anyone or anything else.

Robin then supplied, "If your father had stayed away." Killian simply nodded.

He then rubbed the back of his neck and said, "I just wish I knew what to do. Part of me believes my father, but the other part is waiting for him to abandon us again."

Robin let out a deep breath as he considered his words. He then offered, "I think all you can do is take things one day at a time - and give yourself that time as well."

Killian let out a deep breath of his own as he regarded the advice. A small smile enveloped his features as he replied, "Thank you, Robin. I needed to be reminded of that."

"Of course. I'm happy I could help," he said, smiling as well. He couldn't help but grin as he added, "Perhaps now we can organize these shelves."

Killian chuckled at that - but its sound remained hollow. Robin peered at him as he perceived, "There's something else on your mind."

With a slow nod, the dark-haired man confirmed, "Aye, there is - Belle's party. I'm just wondering if he should come."

"That is a dilemma indeed," Robin conceded as he crossed his arms over his chest. He then took a breath and told him, "I guess it just depends on if you and your sister want him to help celebrate her special day."

Killian scratched behind his ear as he relayed, "Is it odd that I want him there?"

With a tilt of his head, Robin contended, "I must confess it is a little unexpected. May I ask why?"

With a shrug, he replied, "I like having someone else to talk with about baseball."

Robin couldn't help but smile before Killian continued, "But it isn't entirely up to me - or at all, I suppose - since it's Belle's party. I need to call her and see what she thinks."

With a nod, Robin then started rearranging the shelves while Killian pulled out his cell phone. He stepped out of the stockroom and readily dialed his sister's number.

She picked up on the second ring: "Hey, Killian. How are things at the shop going?"

He took a deep breath before he admitted, "Uh, they're okay. I can't quite seem to concentrate - if it was a regular work day, everyone's order would be wrong."

He then sighed, and Belle fretted, "Killian, what is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing to garner that much worry, sis," Killian reassured her. He paused before he continued, "I was just thinking about our father - about those brief baseball conversations."

Belle was silent for a few moments. She then perceived, "And you can't quite figure out what those conversations mean - or how you feel about them."

A small smile lit up his features. He then spoke, "You know me well."

With another sigh, he then expressed, "I just wish my head wasn't so bloody jumbled. I know I should give myself time, but it's easier said than done."

"Especially since Brennan seems to be a different man than the one who left us," Belle supplied.

She then took a deep breath and said, "But at least we're all trying. That has to count for something, right?"

"Leave it to you to see the bright side," Killian commented, and he couldn't help but smile.

He then thought for a moment and told her, "And you'll definitely need to see it in what I'm about to suggest."

"Oh, Killian, now you have me worried," Belle chided - though it was more out of concern than annoyance.

She then breathed slowly for a few moments before she asked him, "What is your suggestion?"

Killian took a beat before he answered, "Our father could come to your party. I just thought it could be nice."

Silence. And more silence. Killian began scolding himself under his breath and running shaky hands through his hair.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard his sister's voice: "I actually think it's a wonderful idea."

"You do?" he asked, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

"I do," she began. She paused before she elaborated, "I know we're still figuring all of this out, but I think talking to him does help us both deal with him being back."

"Aye, I believe it does," Killian conceded, a thoughtful look appearing in his blue eyes. He then shook his head, and a chuckle erupted from his lips.

He could just see his sister furrowing her brows and tilting her head as she questioned, "What's so funny?"

Once he sobered, he told her, "I was thinking about how you - as Robin pointed out to me - are so much wiser than I was. And perhaps still are."

Curious, Belle simply asked, "Why would you say that?"

Killian scratched behind his ear as he responded, "Well, love, my primary reason for wanting our father at your party is that I like talking about baseball."

Belle giggled. She then let out a breath and mused, "Well, I suppose we just have different ways of coping."

"Aye, I guess we do," Killian agreed as he kicked at the floor. He then took a breath and asked, "So, you're okay with Brennan being at your party?"

"Yeah, I am," she answered, an ever so slight hopeful tone coming through. She then added, "I think it'll be good for both of us, and it'll be nice to have him there."

He couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, a small step forward as we celebrate you, love."

Belle hummed her reply. She then told him, "And I look forward to that celebration."

"So am I, love," Killian offered, and he couldn't help but smile. He then told her, "So, uh, I'll talk to him, and we'll both see you this evening."

"Sounds good," Belle told him. Her voice then became slightly muffled as she spoke with someone in the library.

A few moments later, she returned to her brother: "It's nearly time for the children's reading time. So I'll talk to you later, Killian."

"Talk to you later, sis," he replied before they hung up the phone. He then slid it back in this pocket.

When he walked back in the stockroom, Robin asked him, "So, what did Belle say?"

With a small smile, Killian answered, "She thought it was a wonderful idea, and it'll be good for us - as well as being a good time."

He then chuckled and added, "Which isn't surprising given that we're talking about my sister."

Robin chuckled as well. He then conceded, "She is a rather optimistic sort of lass."

He then took a breath and told his friend: "But I do think it will be good for both of you. It doesn't mean you're just okay with him being in your lives - but you're open to the possibility that he's changed, if nothing else."

He then fumbled with the bag of coffee grounds in his hands before he apologized, "Sorry, mate, I know I still tend to give you unwarranted advice."

Killian waved his hand as he reassured him, "I always appreciate your advice, mate. I'm not quite sure I could do without it."

Robin smiled before he continued, "And you're right - if nothing else, Belle and I are both open to the possibility that our father's changed. And we can decide if we're moving forward from there."

"Mm-hmm," Robin hummed in response. He then spoke, "And this party is a good way to begin - now you just need to invite Brennan."

"Aye, I do," Killian spoke as he rubbed the back of his head. He then maintained, "I'll have to find time to do that sometime before the party."

"You could do it now," Robin suggested as he continued rearranging the shelves.

With a cock of his eyebrow, Killian posed, "Leaving you to clean up my mess? That is very bad form indeed."

Robin bit his lip and smiled to keep from laughing. He then pointed out, "Be that as it may, you won't be able to concentrate. And I would rather not have to keep rearranging your handiwork."

Killian scratched behind his ear. "You do have a point there, mate."

He then took a deep breath and proposed, "Why don't you finish mopping while I'm gone? And then when I'll fix this monstrosity," gesturing toward the shelves.

With a nod, Robin said, "I think I can manage that. That one half is probably nearly dry anyway."

Before he turned to head out front, he offered, "Good luck with your father." "Thanks mate," he replied before Robin continued out the door.

Killian then leaned against the shelf and let out several slow deep breaths. Though his thoughts remained jumbled, he couldn't ignore the voice telling him to take this next step.

He let out another deep breath before he walked around to the back parking lot. Though the distance to the Nautilus deemed rather short, he knew that listening to the radio would help clear his head.

He hummed along to Bryan Adams as he pulled out into the city's traffic. His blue eyes focused on the street in front of him as he headed toward the restaurant.

As he pulled into the parking lot, he looked up at the sign and let out another deep breath. These days, it seemed to be the only way to calm his racing thoughts.

He then stepped out of his truck and headed inside. His father spotted him from the bar, and he stopped wiping down the glasses, his eyes widening in surprise.

When Killian sat down at the counter, Brennan approached and asked, "Uh, what brings you by?"

With a scratch behind his ear, he answered, "I wanted to talk to you about something." He then cleared his throat and added, "It's, uh, rather important."

"Ah, of course. I'm happy to listen," Brennan began. He paused before he continued, "Can I get you something to drink to start?"

Killian nodded. He then clarified, "Just nothing alcoholic - I drove here, and I still have work to do at the shop."

"I figured as much," Brennan confirmed as he grinned slightly. He then placed a glass of soda in front of his son.

"Coke, right? It's your favorite?"

Killian tilted his head as he questioned, "How do you know that?"

With a nod toward the drink, Brennan surmised, "I noticed you ordered it at the diner. I figured you enjoyed it."

"Aye, I do. I'm surprised you noticed," Killian commented. He soon sighed and buried his face in his hands.

He then took a breath and apologized, "Sorry about that. It was, uh, unfair of me."

Brennan waved his hand as he assured him, "It's alright, Killian. I know you're still learning to deal with my being here."

He offered his father a small smile. He then told him, "I appreciate your understanding, but I'm still a little too hot-headed for my own good."

He then scratched behind his ear and added, "And I don't always think before I speak."

"Aye, I may have noticed," Brennan teased with a smirk. He paused before he surmised, "But you've still managed to build a really good life for yourself."

Killian couldn't help but smile before he took a few sips of his soda. He then sighed and spoke, "Perhaps, but that doesn't mean I still haven't landed myself in hot water. Especially after I lost Liam and then Milah."

With a nod, Brennan commented, "I know that was such a difficult time for you. I know it couldn't have been easy," as he resumed wiping down glasses.

"I think that's quite an understatement," the dark-haired man told his father. He then spoke, "It's all in the past, now, and I've changed for the better. But I'll always love my brother, and I hold fond memories of Milah and our time together."

Brennan offered another nod as Killian drank more of his soda. The older man then tilted his head when he caught sight of his son's tattoo.

"Your tattoo was inspired by Milah?"

"Hmm?" Killian questioned as he placed his drink down. He then glanced down at his wrist and acknowledged, "Aye - I got it as a tribute after she died."

He then ran his fingers over the slightly faded red and black ink. He then spoke, "In truth, I hardly notice it anymore - or at least not in the same way as when I first got it."

Brennan smiled as he spoke, "That's likely due to Emma and how much in love you two are. I could see it in how fiercely protective she was of you when I first met her."

A small smile blossomed across Killian's features. Emma wasn't nearly as subtle as she thought, with her feelings always written all over her face.

He then let out a deep breath and maintained, "But, uh, we haven't exactly used that word yet," scratching behind his ear.

"Ah," Brennan surmised. He then told him, "I won't pry, but it's easy to see you two are happy."

Killian offered a smile before his father expressed, "And I have to say that I'm happy you dropped by."

He then chuckled and added, "Even if I'm still not sure why you're here."

Killian let out a chuckle as well. Once he sobered, he spoke, "Today is Belle's birthday, and Emma put together a party for this evening."

His father waited patiently as he gathered his thoughts to continue: "And, uh, she'd like you to be there. We both would actually."

Brennan's blue eyes widened as he questioned, "Truly? You both want me there?"

He nodded. With a long and slow deep breath, he then told him, "Aye, we do. We thought it'd be good for all of us. Just as a way to help us deal with you being here."

He then smiled and added, "And we thought it'd be nice to see you and have you celebrate with us."

A bright smile enveloped Brennan's features. He then said, "I would love to come. I think it'll be rather enjoyable."

Killian offered a nod - and another smile - in reply. He then rubbed the back of his head and surmised, "I should be getting back to the shop. I still have some inventory to do."

He then drank down the last of his soda and spoke, "So, I'll see you this evening around six?"

Brennan nodded. The two of them then shared their goodbyes before Killian walked out to his truck.

He climbed in and started the vehicle. His finger hovered over the radio as his eyes flitted up to the restaurant sign.

A hint of a smile broke out across his face. Though he still needed time to make up his mind about his father, he anticipated celebrating as a family - even if just for a moment.

He then pulled out his phone and sent his sister a text confirming that their father was coming to the party. He then slipped the device in the cup holder.

Killian then shot one last look at the restaurant before he pulled out of the parking lot. And as the hope trickled up in his heart, he found himself wishing it would stay.

Hi, everyone! I hope you guys all enjoyed the latest installment of Second Chance - and I'm not quite finished :) Belle's birthday party is up next, and you guys will see it very soon! :)