Second Chance, Part 11c

With a chuckle, Emma then said, "Of course - you can start with the snacks while Belle admires the cake."

"Cay?" Leo then repeated as he continued to play with his aunt's necklace.

Everyone chuckled before they began moving toward the kitchen. Roland then piped up, "Are we gonna sing 'happy birthday'?"

Chuckles ensued before Belle bent down on his level and told him, "I'd like that very much. Why don't you start?"

He nodded excitedly before he began to sing: "Happy birthday to you!" Everyone else soon joined him - as Belle wore a bright smile.

When they finished, she thanked them - her smile only growing. She then clasped her hands together and spoke, "Let's see this cake."

The brunette then turned her attention to the dessert. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

"Oh, it's absolutely beautiful. I almost don't want to eat it."

"I think you'll change your mind since it's your favorite cake," Emma said as she beamed at her best friend.

She returned her smile. She then began patting down the various pockets of her pants.

With a tilt of her head, she then placed her hand on her boyfriend's arm and asked, "August, can you grab my phone? I must have left it on the table."

He nodded before he kissed her head. He then shuffled off back to the living room.

Emma then offered, "We can take some on my phone, too." As she reached into her pocket, Leo squirmed in her arms.

David then sidled up beside her and grabbed his son. "Come on, buddy."

"Da-da!" Leo shouted as he wrapped both arms around his neck. David smiled and kissed his head before he rejoined Mary Margaret.

Emma then pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures. When August returned, Belle asked, "Will you take some of the whole table as well?"

"Of course," he answered with a nod. He then shot her a knowing smile and added, "And I'll take some of you with the cake."

She couldn't help but smile at him as she said, "You know me so well."

He hummed before he began taking pictures. At his girlfriend's request, the photos also included ones of Belle with those who meant the most to her.

When finished, Emma cut the cake, and Killian helped her serve it. Once everyone had their slice, they milled about the living room, caught up in various conversations.

As Emma and Killian grabbed their own pieces of cake, Brennan's gaze lingered on them for a moment. She giggled at something he said as he rested one hand on the small of her back.

He couldn't help but smile as they made their way into the living room. He then turned his attention to his daughter, who talked with Ariel and Aurora.

When Belle excused herself to fetch some snacks, he placed his plate aside before he made his way over to her.

"Hello, lass. I hope you're enjoying your party," he greeted her with a smile.

She smiled back as she replied, "I am. It's wonderful." Her smile changed to a grin as she joked, "This delicious cake certainly helps things along."

Brennan chuckled, and Belle soon joined him. When they sobered, he cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair.

With a tilt of her head, Belle questioned, "Are you okay? Are you nervous about something?"

He regarded her for a few moments before he posed a question of his own: "How did you know I was nervous?"

"Well," she began as a thoughtful expression appeared, "Aside from the fact that you cleared your throat, you ran your fingers through your hair - Killian sometimes does the same thing."

As an afterthought, she then added, "He also scratches behind his ear. So, I suppose he has two nervous habits."

Brennan chuckled lightly. He regarded her for a few more moments before he surmised, "What you said earlier - you two really are close despite only being half-siblings. It speaks to why you know each other so well."

Belle smiled as she told him, "In some ways, we're still getting to know each other, but we've become friends as well - so I suppose that makes up for the "half" part."

He smiled at that, He then ran his fingers back through his hair and said, "Speaking of, uh, well, you two, I hoped you could send me a copy of the picture you took together?"

"Oh, of course!" Belle began as she reached for her phone. As soon as she did, her face paled.

She looked back up at her father and lamented, "Oh no, we - we didn't take a picture, did we?"

"Oh, lass, don't fret over that," Brennan reassured her. He then took a deep breath and told her, "I know our relationship isn't a typical one, but I'd still like a photo to remember this day."

With a smile, Belle conceded, "It is a wonderful idea." She then returned her attention to her phone and sent him the picture.

Brennan's phone beeped in his pocket. He grabbed it, a smile making its way across his features.

"Thank you, Belle. I really do love it." She smiled and nodded before he offered, "Alright, you should get back to your party, lass."

She nodded once more before she continued on into the kitchen to grab her snacks.

Brennan then walked back into the living room, placing his phone back in his pocket. He retrieved his plate before he ate a few bites of cake and sipped on the lemonade punch.

Just as he placed his drink back on the nearby table, he saw Killian wave him over. He tilted his head for a few moments before he reached for his drink once more and strolled over.

With a thoughtful expression, Brennan questioned, "You seem like you're in the middle of something - can I help?"

"Yes, actually," Killian began as he gestured with his drink, "Robin has the misguided notion that Nolan Ryan played for three baseball teams throughout his career."

Brennan grinned as he pointed out, "I'm not sure which team you're missing, but he played for the Mets, the Angels, the Astros, and the Rangers."

Robin couldn't help but roll his eyes as he maintained, "Killian failed to mention that I said I thought he played for three, and it could have been four," holding up his fingers.

Killian only shrugged while Brennan and Robin shook their heads. From beside her boyfriend, Regina rolled her eyes and stated, "As usual, Captain Impulsive exaggerated."

He rolled his eyes as Emma walked up to them. She then rested her hand on Killian's shoulder and surmised, "I heard something about exaggerating. What'd you say now?"

"You wound me, Swan. I'm hurt that you'd ever make such an accusation," Killian feigned disappointment, his smirk giving it away.

She shook her head before Brennan relayed, "Robin couldn't quite remember all the teams Nolan Ryan played for - which is understood given his career."

Emma hummed before she said, "Didn't he play on four different teams?"

"Indeed he did, love," Killian confirmed. He then shot his friend an apologetic look and spoke, "But Brennan does make a good point - Nolan Ryan had quite the career. It's almost as diverse as the history of baseball itself."

Robin offered a nod of acknowledgement before he commented, "And that history changes every day."

A grin then appeared as he teased, "Not that you two would know anything about it. I dare say you get rather distracted during games."

"No, we don't," Emma and Killian protested - only for a blush to rise to her cheeks and for him to scratch behind his ear.

Robin only hummed as he offered a knowing grin. Regina then quipped, "I'm surprised you two even catch any of the game - and I'm sure August and Belle can attest to that."

With a roll of his eyes, Killian told her, "Don't drag my sister into this on her birthday."

Brennan couldn't help but grin as he teased, "I don't know, Killian. I think she'd find it rather funny."

Killian rolled his eyes while Emma shook her head. Robin and Regina let out a chuckle - the brunette then commented, "Although, knowing Belle, she'd poke fun in a good-natured sort of way."

"Unlike you, eh, Madam Mayor?" Killian countered as he crossed his arms over his chest.

She rolled her eyes and almost refuted when Emma interrupted, "Play nice, you guys. This is Belle's day."

She then tilted her head and surmised, "Didn't you agree to get along for our sake," gesturing between herself and Robin.

Sheepish looks appeared on both their faces. Regina then sighed and admitted, "We did, but, well, pardon the cliché, old habits die hard."

Killian scratched behind his ear and conceded, "Aye, that they do. But you do both mean a lot to us, so we'll make it work."

Regina offered a nod before he added, "Perhaps I should follow my sister's lead - she does rather have a generous heart."

"That she does," Brennan agreed. A small smile then bloomed across his face as he said, "She reminds me so much of her mother in that way."

A companionable silence ensued, accompanied by fond looks and deep smiles.

Regina then planted her hands on her hips and commented, "That's probably one of the reasons August fell for her. It'll probably make things easier for both of them when they one day get married."

Emma couldn't help but laugh before she commented, "Yeah, I don't think we'll have to worry about a Bridezilla."

She then grew serious and said, "I'd be the maid of honor - which is a little, well, crazy to think about - but I don't think we should get ahead of ourselves."

With a tilt of his head, Killian surmised, "Perhaps. But they are rather in love."

Regina quirked an eyebrow as she challenged, "That's what you have to say? You - Mr. Overprotective Big Brother?"

He rolled his eyes while Emma teased, "You know, she's not wrong," nudging his shoulder with hers.

Killian shook his head while his girlfriend, friends, and father chuckled. He then defended, "She's my sister - I just want to ensure she's happy."

"Even if it can be a little much," Robin joked, earning more chuckles - and an eye roll. He then took a deep breath and said, "But I know she still appreciated it."

Killian gave him a small smile in reply. He then rubbed the back of his head and offered, "Family isn't always blood, but Belle and I are the only - for lack of a better word - true family we have."

Emma's gaze shifted around the room while Robin and Regina looked at the floor. Brennan stared at the photograph hanging on the wall behind his son.

Killian furrowed his eyebrows as he surveyed them. His own words then echoed in his mind, and his blue eyes widened.

"Bloody hell," he muttered. He then attempted an apology: "I didn't mean that quite how it sounded. It's just…we've never really been a family, and it's nearly impossible to think of you as such."

Brennan considered his words for a few moments. He then responded, "Of course, Killian. I understand…"

His son cut him off: "Do you really? Can you even imagine what it's been like for me? For Belle? And just how much bloody patience and courage it took to even invite you here?"

With a frustrated grunt, he then stomped off toward Emma's room. "I'll go check on him," she assured them before she followed her boyfriend.

Brennan sighed as he watched them. "I suppose all of this is too much."

"You think?" Regina quipped with crossed arms.

"Regina," Robin began as he placed a calming hand on her elbow, "I'm not sure you should involve yourself."

She only shot an annoyed look his way before Brennan cleared his throat.

"If I may, whatever her opinion, it can't be worse than anything else I've heard - not excluding myself."

Regina cocked an eyebrow. With a deep breath, she told him, "Look, all of us," gesturing around the room, "are family - albeit a dysfunctional one - so we all have something invested in this."

She paused before she continued, "Killian and I don't necessarily see eye to eye, but we're connected through the people we both care about. So excuse me if I don't think he deserved to go through any of this - no one does. I understand that you're trying to change - or that you have - but until you've lived through what he has, there's only so much you can actually help."

Robin ran his hand over hers as he added, "It's just that we both know how hard this has been for Killian - and for Belle - and we just don't want them to become overwhelmed."

Quiet ensued as Brennan considered their words. After several moments, he sighed and told them, "That was never my intention. But I suppose I expected things to keep moving forward - slowly, of course. I knew it would be difficult, but I took for granted that they wanted me here."

With narrowed eyes, Regina peered at him. She then relented, "I suppose I can't fault you for that."

Robin shook his head - a small smile spreading across his features. He then offered, "Just have patience, mate. While Killian would likely throw the glass that Belle sees half full, it isn't quite as clear as all that."

"Indeed not," Brennan agreed. He then looked back toward the bedroom door and surmised, "I do hope he'll be alright."

"He will be - Emma has a way of getting through that temperamental thick skull of his," Regina quipped as she grabbed her drink.

Brennan nearly choked on his drink. He managed to swallow before he let out a chuckle.

"I trust you would know best."

He then took a deep breath and said, "And thank you for the, well, advice. I really did need to hear it."

Regina hummed while Robin nodded. He then caught Belle shifting her gaze between the bedroom door and her friends.

He squeezed his girlfriend's waist before he spoke, "I think I'll go let Belle know what's going on so she doesn't worry too much."

"I think I'll go with you. August mentioned something about me speaking to his classes," Regina explained before she finished off the last of her cake.

With a nod, the couple then crossed the living room. Brennan barely acknowledged them as his own thoughts consumed him.

He glanced back toward the bedroom as he willed everything to be alright.