When she pulled the door open, she smiled and greeted, "Hey, Ariel and Eric. I'm glad you guys could make it."
"We are, too," Ariel told her with a bright smile as she pushed her red hair off her shoulder. From behind her, Eric wore a confused expression.
"Belle's already opening presents?"
Ariel placed a hand on his arm as she explained, "I told you that she likes to open them so that she's able to properly thank everyone."
"Oh, that's right," Eric recalled. He then kissed his fiancée's head.
Emma then ushered them inside as she added, "And it somehow makes it even more enjoyable - which Belle probably does on purpose."
"You know I can hear you," the brunette chimed in with crossed arms and feigned annoyance.
Emma only shook her head - she then spied the present in her friend's lap. She gestured toward it and surmised, "I told you that you could open that."
"I wanted to wait for you," Belle told her. The blonde couldn't help but smile before the brunette turned to Ariel.
"And I'm so glad you and Eric could come." She then rose from the couch and wrapped her in a hug.
"Of course! We wouldn't have missed it," Ariel told her while still embraced. When they pulled back, the red-head spoke, "And happy birthday."
"Thank you," Belle began with a smile. Eric then chimed in: "Happy birthday, Belle."
He then handed her a present and spoke, "This is from both of us."
Belle smiled once more before she took the present and placed it among the others.
As Eric and Ariel sat in the nearby armchair, Killian mentioned, "Sis, you may want to open Swan's present before she combusts."
Emma elbowed him while their family and friends grinned and chuckled. Belle only smiled and shook her head before she grabbed her best friend's present once more.
She tore open the paper - as well as the small cardboard box. She gasped as she pulled out the rose teapot.
"Oh, Emma, it's exquisite. I absolutely love it," Belle admired as she ran her fingers along the roses. She then tilted her head and observed, "This matches my mother's teacups."
"Yeah, it does. That's why I got it," Emma spoke with a smile.
Belle continued to admire the teapot for a few moments before she gingerly placed it back inside the box.
She then turned to Emma and wrapped her in a hug. When they pulled away, Brennan commented, "Colette had a fondness for tea - it seemed as though she passed it on to you."
He then offered his daughter a smile, and she returned it. Ariel tilted her head and spoke, "Oh! You must be Belle's father."
As an afterthought, the red-head then added, "And, uh, Killian's, of course. Because he's her brother, uh, that is half-brother."
Killian and Belle couldn't help but grin while their father looked on curiously. The former then offered, "We may only share a father, but we don't necessarily see it like that."
With a nod, Belle supplied, "We're just brother and sister. Despite only knowing each other a year, it's almost as if we did grow up together."
"Of course," Ariel began with a wave of her hand. She then rested her chin in her hand and continued, "It's just that I've known Belle for a while now, and it's still a bit odd to think about her having a brother - and a father."
"That last bit is still a bit odd for us, too," Killian admitted as he scratched behind his ear.
Brennan raked his fingers through his dark hair as he conceded, "It's a bit of a learning curve for all of us," shooting his son and daughter a meaningful look.
They both nodded. Belle then took a deep breath and looked back at the presents.
She tilted her head and tapped her finger against her chin as she considered which present to open next.
A smile appeared across her features when she grabbed Brennan's. He offered a nod and an appreciative look in reply.
She then opened the small purple gift bag and pulled out the colorful tin. She smiled once more.
"Oh, I do love this kind," she began as she opened the lid and breathed in the scent.
When she refastened it, she looked to her father and questioned, "Did you know it was one of my favorites?"
Brennan leaned forward as she explained, "I admit that I didn't until Emma told me earlier," gesturing to the blonde, "But I knew you enjoyed hot tea, and English Breakfast is actually one of my favorites as well."
"Really?" Belle then asked, her expression one of surprise and curiosity. He nodded, and she couldn't help but smile.
She then said, "Thank you for the gift, Brennan. I really appreciate it."
"Of course, lass. You are very welcome," he replied, giving her a smile of his own.
The brunette then placed the tea with the other opened gifts before she turned her attention toward the remaining two.
Ariel then clasped her hands together and spoke, "Oh, will you open mine? I'm just excited for you to see it."
Eric smiled and shook his head while Belle and everyone else let out a chuckle. Ariel then ran her fingers through her red hair.
With a sigh, she then commented, "I hope you guys don't mind my excitement - I know it can be a little overwhelming, even a bit childish."
"Oh, don't say that," Belle offered. With a reassuring smile, she then told her, "Your excitement is infectious, and it's the best part of what makes you you."
Ariel couldn't help but smile as Eric kissed her shoulder. He then said, "And it's one of the reasons I fell in love with you."
She rested her arm on his shoulder as she turned her eyes toward him. She then stated, "I don't doubt it, Eric, but you are biased."
He couldn't help but chuckle before he leaned up slightly to kiss her cheek. Ariel then turned her attention back to Belle.
"Will you open my present?" a slight apprehensiveness in her voice.
Belle smiled as she answered, "Of course! I can't wait to see what you picked out for me."
She then grabbed the green sparkly gift bag and opened it. With a curious look, she pulled out the intricately decorated book. A small smile bloomed across her face when she read the title.
She then began flipping through the pages, marveling at the illustrations. She then commented, "I had no idea so many different variations existed of what we think of as mermaids."
"I didn't either," Ariel began as she rested her chin in her hand. She then beamed and continued, "Which makes it so incredibly interesting! I know you have a love for myths and legends, so I thought you'd appreciate it."
"And I do," Belle confirmed with a bright smile. She then ran her fingers over the cover before she said, "Thank you, Ariel. I really do love it."
She nodded as she returned the brunette's smile. Belle placed the novel under the Charles Dicken collection before she reached for the last gift.
With a smile, she turned to August and told him, "I can't wait to see what you got me." He smiled back at her before he kissed her head.
Just as Belle opened the bag, more guests knocked on the door. Emma made a move to get up when Killian placed a hand on her leg.
He then whispered, "I already know what it is, so I'll get it."
She nodded before he rose to his feet and walked toward the door. When he opened it, two small arms wrapped around him.
"Hey, Uncle Killian!" Roland exclaimed as he looked up at him.
"Hello, lad," Killian greeted as he ruffled his brown curly locks, just as Robin closed the door.
The seven-year-old then turned his attention to his father and asked, "Can I give Belle my present now?"
"Sure, lad," Robin began with a smile. As he handed the small gift box to his son, he continued, "I think I'll join you."
Roland nodded excitedly before he rushed over and plopped down in front of the coffee table.
Killian's blue eyes lingered on the scene as he watched his sister gush over the locket. She wore a bright smile as she gazed at the pictures inside.
She then placed the locket around her neck and asked August to fasten it. When he finished, she pulled him in for a sweet hug and kiss.
When they pulled apart, Roland thrust his present into her hands and shouted, "Open mine! I picked it out all by myself."
"And so he did," Robin confirmed with a smile, adjusting his position on the storage bench.
"Well, in that case, I can't wait to see what it is," Belle said as she smiled at the little boy. He beamed.
Killian's attention tore away when Regina questioned, "Is that you and Belle's father?" nodding toward the man in question.
"Aye, it is," he confirmed. He then took a breath and surmised, "It was my idea to invite him."
Regina's eyebrows shot to her hairline. She then looked back and forth between him and his father.
With a deep breath of her own, she told him, "Good for you - Killian."
He cocked an eyebrow. With crossed arms, he posed, "You're calling me by name? None of that - what is it you call me?" tilting his head, "Ah, Captain Impulsive."
Regina rolled her eyes. "I'm trying to be empathetic."
She then took a breath and told him, "I think you and Belle have a lot of courage in trying to let Brennan into your life."
Killian scratched behind his ear as he spoke, "Oh, ah, thank you." He raked his fingers through his black hair before he surmised, "It's not…easy, but we're figuring it out."
Regina nodded. She considered her words before she said, "I can tell you from my own experience with my half-sister and our mother - both of whom I'm still learning to, well, truly love - that it won't be easy for you - as I'm sure you know."
"But?" he then supplied.
"Since you're already so close with Belle, I think you'll find connecting - or reconnecting - with family is something wonderful," she finished with a smile.
He returned her smile. With another scratch behind his ear, he then granted, "I confess that I didn't quite expect you to be so…understanding."
"Well, I'm still not entirely sure how Emma puts up with you…" Regina began - only to be interrupted.
"Ah, there she is. I knew you couldn't resist a quip."
The brunette rolled her eyes. Without another word, she then marched over to her boyfriend and his son.
Killian grinned before he sauntered back over to the couch. He sat beside Emma and wrapped his arm around her waist.
She turned to him with narrowed eyes and questioned, "What did you say to Regina?"
"Nothing, love. Why ever would you ask?" he relayed, feigning innocence as he adopted a puppy dog gaze.
Emma only shook her head and rolled her eyes. She then focused her attention on her best friend - who continued to admire the mug from Roland.
She then placed the pink mug, which featured various book and reading designs, back in the box.
"Thank you for my mug. It's lovely," Belle told the three of them with a smile. They returned her smiles - with Roland hopping up and wrapping her in a hug.
When they pulled away, Roland asked, "Can we have cake now?"
Everyone let out a chuckle. Robin then told his son: "In just a few minutes. The rest of Belle's friends have to get here."
The young boy deflated, but he nodded nonetheless. As if on cue, a knock then sounded throughout the apartment.
Roland's brown eyes lit up as Emma walked over and answered the door. She smiled at the sight of Aurora, as well as David, Mary Margaret, and Leo.
"Eee!" Leo shouted as he reached for Emma. His parents, as well as Aurora, chuckled before the blonde took him in her arms.
"Hey, kid," Emma greeted before she tickled the little boy's stomach. He squealed before he let out a giggle.
She then turned her attention back to her friends. "I'm so glad you guys could make it."
"So are we," Mary Margaret began with a smile. She then held up a rectangular gift box and questioned, "Have we missed Belle opening the presents?"
"You know Belle - she's opened everyone else's," Emma stated. She then smiled and added, "But I know she'll be ecstatic to open yours."
Mary Margaret beamed. From beside her, David then reached for their son - only for him to grunt and snuggle deeper into Emma's arms.
The blonde ruffled Leo's hair before she told David, "I can just hold him if you and Mary Margaret don't mind."
"Not at all," he replied with a smile. He then surmised, "He does love his Aunt Emma."
"Eee!" Leo then shouted before he took to playing with her necklace. David and Mary Margaret chuckled before they continued into the apartment.
As they began greeting their friends, Aurora commented, "He really is such a cute little guy."
"Mm-hmm," Emma agreed with a smile as she shut the door. She then spoke, "And you and Phillip will have one of your own soon."
Aurora smiled as she placed her hand on her small, yet rounded bump. She then said, "We're so incredibly excited."
Emma offered her a smile in return. She then asked, "Where is he anyway? I thought he would have come with you."
"He had to work a late shift," Aurora explained, her hand still resting on her belly.
With a nod, Emma then gestured toward the party and said, "Come on, I'm sure Belle will be excited to see you."
She nodded before the two of them headed into the living room. Belle immediately greeted her friend with a hug.
When they pulled away, the brunette asked, "Is Phillip working late?"
Aurora confirmed with a nod. She then presented her with a gift bag and said, "But he sends his birthday wishes."
Belle smiled as she took the present. She then resumed her position on the couch while Aurora settled on a smaller storage seat.
Before Belle could open her last two presents, Ariel piped up: "Hey, Aurora, would you be more comfortable over here?"
With a wave of her hand, she assured her, "Thank you, but I'm perfectly comfortable." Ariel nodded.
The red-head then turned her attention to her celebrated friend. "Sorry! You can finish opening your gifts."
Belle offered her a smile and a nod. She then pulled the last two presents in her lap.
With a tilt of her head, she soon placed the gift bag by her leg. She then began tearing open the box.
A bright smile bloomed across her features as she lifted one of the silver picture frames.
Mary Margaret gestured toward the frames and spoke, "I'm sure you already have quite a few pictures on display, but I couldn't resist these beautiful frames - I thought you could have photos of the three people most important to you."
Belle beamed as she locked gazes with those people - first with her boyfriend, then her best friend, and finally her brother. When she turned her attention back to the frame, she ran her fingers along the elegant, decorative edges.
She then looked back at Mary Margaret and David, her smile remaining. "Thank you both so much. I will treasure these always."
"You're very welcome," David replied with a smile as he squeezed his wife's hand. She offered a bright smile of her own.
Belle then reached for the present beside her. She straightaway opened it and pulled out a silver watch.
She ran her fingers along the jeweled face and the ribboned band. With a smile, she placed it on her wrist and set the time.
She then turned to friend, her smile growing. "Thank you! The watch is absolutely lovely."
Aurora returned her smile as she replied, "You mentioned that you needed another one, and I knew you would adore this one."
"It does look like her," August commented. Belle hummed before she playfully quipped, "I couldn't have picked it out better myself."
Aurora - as well as everyone else - let out hearty chuckles. Once they sobered, Belle continued, "I really do love the watch, so thank you. Be sure to thank Phillip as well."
"Of course - he'll be glad you like it, just like I am," she replied, a bright smile gracing her features.
Her hand then gripped her stomach as a wave of both excitement and surprise engulfed her features.
"Are you alright, lass?" Brennan questioned as he leaned forward in his chair. He glanced at his daughter before his gaze shifted back over to her friend.
"Of course, I'm fine," Aurora began. With a deep breath, she then elaborated, "The baby just started kicking, so I'm still getting used to it."
She received nods, relieved sighs, and "ah, okay's." The expectant mother then spoke, "But I am a little hungrier these days. Think we can eat now?"