Second Chance, Part 11d
Killian laid on Emma's bed as he stared at the ceiling, his blue eyes focused on the turning of the fan.
She continued to wait in silence by the door as she waited for him to ask for her.
Without moving, he then spoke, "Swan, why didn't you tell me your bed is so soft?"
Emma eyed him for a few moments before realization flashed across her features. She slowly approached the bed and told him, "I guess you never asked me."
He smiled softly. As the bed dipped down next to him, he sat up and faced his girlfriend.
His blue eyes widened when she immediately wrapped him in a hug and ran a comforting hand up and down his back.
However, he soon sank into her embrace and rested his head in the crook of her neck, letting out a deep breath.
They stayed like that for several long moments. When they finally pulled away, she kissed his forehead before she ran her fingers through his dark hair.
"You okay? Or is that just a dumb question?"
Killian couldn't help but smile. He pressed a sweet kiss to her lips, running his fingers along the ends of her hair.
When they pulled back, he told her, "Thank you, Emma. I didn't even realize that I needed this."
She simply nodded as she squeezed his shoulder. She then carefully asked, "What happened? You were okay and then, well, you know," gesturing with her hands.
He ran his hands over his face and through his hair. "I'm truthfully not sure. I guess just talking about Belle and I and family and she and August someday getting married - not to mention the party. Brennan is still our father, and he's…he's here. There's only so much baseball that can compensate for that."
He then buried his face in his hands. Without looking up, he pleaded, "I don't know what to do, Emma."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his arm, all the while considering what she could possibly say.
With a deep breath, she then told him, "Just what you've been doing."
Killian looked up at her - a strange look on his face. He then posed, "Which is what exactly?"
"Taking things one day - one conversation - at a time."
With a scoff, he pointed out, "He's here, Swan. And he has been for over a bloody year now - I can't just ignore him."
Emma sighed before she told him, "It's time like these where I'm reminded that you and Belle really are related."
He only raised an eyebrow at her. She then elaborated, "You two have this idea that because Brennan is here and wants to make amends and because he's changed, you and Belle owe him something. But you don't."
Killian tilted his head in thought. After several moments, he resigned, "I didn't really think about it like that, love."
He then let out long and slow deep breaths. He then lamented, "I just wish it was bloody easier."
"I know," she sympathized as she ran her hand up and down his arm. She then took a deep breath of her own and offered, "Which is why Brennan can be in your life as much - or as little - as you want. Even if that means you don't necessarily see him as a father - which is okay. I know just saying this doesn't make it easier for you and Belle, but it's still true."
"Aye, Swan, it is," he conceded with a small smile blossoming across his face as his gaze settled on his girlfriend.
"What?" Emma asked him upon noticing the affection in his blue eyes.
"Just that you always know what to say, love. I'm so incredibly lucky to have you."
He then leaned forward and caught her lips in a sweet kiss. She smiled into it before she wound her fingers into his hair.
When they pulled away, he spoke, "And my sister is incredibly lucky to have a best friend like you to throw her such a lovely party - one in which we should be getting back."
With a nod, Emma then asked him, "Are you sure you're ready to see him?"
Killian nodded. "I think we should continue celebrating Belle," he paused as he gathered his thoughts, "And that's enough for now."
Emma gave him a nod. She then kissed his cheek before they stood and walked back into the living room.
Belle made her way over to them and asked her brother: "Are you alright, Killian?" her blue eyes clouded in concern.
"Aye, love. I assure you that I am," he reassured her. With a tilt of his head, he then added, "Or at least I will be."
She nodded before the three of them joined their family and friends. Brennan stood a little off to the side as he watched Roland play with Leo, a wistful look crossing his features.
His attention pulled from the children when he recognized his son's laughter. He had his arm curled around Emma as he stood with Belle, Robin, and Ariel.
He inched his way closer but found himself stopping. He sighed before he murmured, "Do I even belong here?"
He shook his head before he finished his drink, as well as his food. He then carried his trash to the garbage can.
When he turned back and faced the party, Roland ran up to him. With wide brown eyes, the boy then asked, "Aren't you Uncle Killian and Belle's daddy?"
Brennan couldn't help but smile as he answered, "Indeed I am."
Roland smiled back before he grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the living room. The seven-year-old then announced, "Uncle Killian! Your daddy has to hear the story about your mommy!"
"Aye, so he does, lad," Killian agreed with a smile as he ruffled his hair. He then looked at his father - understanding flashed in his blue eyes.
Brennan offered a nod and a small smile. Killian then took a deep breath and continued, "Now, where was I? Ah, yes, my brother."
He sipped on his drink before he elaborated, "My brother and I were rather close growing up, and I relied on him quite a bit. One of the ways was actually a habit, if you will, that he picked up from our mother."
"Whose name was Alice! She had blonde hair and blue eyes!" Roland then interjected from his spot between his father and Regina.
Robin then urged, "Lad, we should let Uncle Killian finish the story."
"I was just trying to help," the little boy protested, an innocence in his brown eyes.
Killian then interjected, "I know you do, and I'm happy you want to help, but I really want to tell this story."
Roland tilted his head for a moment before he nodded. He then rested his chin in his hands and stared at Killian with rapt attention.
He smiled at him before he recalled, "Whenever Liam and I were sick, Mum would always make hot tea to help soothe us. It's one of the scarce memories I have of her, and my brother did a rather good job of carrying on the tradition."
He stopped as memories flooded his mind - vivid ones of watching the tea kettle on the stove, listening for the whistle, eyes going wide at the vast array of tins, and his brother's concern at him burning himself.
A hazy one then entered into his mind - wandering into the kitchen following his mother's singing and then tugging on her pants.
A fond smile made its way across his features. He then continued, "Even as I grew older, tea was always a source of comfort - and it became one of the main reasons why I decided to open my shop. To give that to other people."
He took a breath as he finished - as he and Robin exchanged a knowing look. Killian walked through literal hell before he arrived at a cozy coffee shop - but those stories were not quite appropriate for young ears.
With a smile, Robin then spoke, "No doubt they'd both be proud of you." Killian offered a smile in return.
Roland then chimed in: "'Cause you make the best hot chocolate!"
Killian couldn't help but chuckle before he told the little boy, "I'm glad you like it so much." He then turned to Emma with a grin.
He nudged her shoulder and teased, "Swan is quite the fan, too. In fact, she drinks every single day."
Roland gasped and his brown eyes widened. "Really? Every day?"
"Indeed," Killian confirmed while Emma rolled her eyes. Robin - along with Regina, and everyone else - let out a chuckle.
Roland then looked up at his father and asked, "Daddy, can I have some hot chocolate?"
Robin considered his son's request for a few moments before he answered, "As long as Emma doesn't mind sharing, you can have some."
The little boy then sprinted the short distance to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Can I have some hot chocolate, Aunt Emma?"
She blinked a few times before she told him, "Sure, kid," as she smiled at him. She then turned to Robin and spoke, "It's all in the cabinet by the stove."
He nodded before he and Roland set off toward the kitchen. Emma couldn't help but watch them as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Killian tightened his grip around her waist and kissed the side of her head. "You alright, love? Roland can be rather precocious at times."
"Yeah, I'm fine," she told him as she ran her fingers through her hair. With a shrug, she then said, "I guess 'aunt' sounds a little surreal."
She then took a deep breath and admitted, "And scary. Especially since he doesn't call anyone else that." As Roland came sprinting back over - holding the mug with both hands - a smile spread across her face.
She squeezed Killian's hand as she added, "But only slightly." He smiled back at her.
He kissed her head once more before he offered, "Well, love, I suppose you now have two rather adorable nephews."
Emma couldn't help but chuckle as she agreed, "Yeah, I guess I do."
Roland then plopped down on the floor - spilling some hot chocolate as he did so. Robin couldn't help but smile and shake his head as he handed his son a napkin.
The seven-year-old quickly wiped his shirt before he took a hearty sip of cocoa. When he finished, he rubbed his mouth with his sleeve.
He then questioned, "Belle, did Alice make you tea, too?"
Killian ran his hand through his hair, and Belle's gaze flitted to the ground - while Brennan awkwardly cleared his throat.
After a few moments, the older man then covered, "Belle has many wonderful memories of her mother - quite a few of them involving a cup of hot tea."
She offered him a smile. He nodded in reply - as Roland continued sipping on his hot chocolate.
Ariel then piped up, "Oh, Belle, that reminds me. Did that kid ever finish his paper on Charles Dickens?"
Before she could answer, Eric asked, "How did tea make you think of that?"
"Because he lived off hot tea. Whenever Ariel or I would help him find books or articles, he would tell us all about the tea he drank that day - which involved at least three cups," Belle explained with a giggle.
Killian tilted his head as asked, "Why didn't he research at the university?"
Ariel finished sipping her drink before she answered, "He said he couldn't concentrate," shrugging as she did so.
She then looked back at her friend and questioned, "So, did he finish it?"
With a smile, Belle answered, "He did. And he made a B on it."
Aurora couldn't help but smile as well as she added, "He was ecstatic when he came into the library. He practically ran over to me – upon seeing that I wasn't one of the librarians who helped him, he asked for the 'British lady' or 'the red-haired one.' I don't think he stopped smiling the entire time."
"Good for him," Ariel commented with a smile. She then glanced down at her empty plate and spoke, "Is it okay if I get some more cake?"
"Of course. Help yourself," Emma told her. Belle then added, "Eat as much as you want - there's only so much I can take home."
Ariel giggled before she stood and walked to the kitchen. Roland then chimed in, "Can I have more cake, Daddy?"
Robin stifled a laugh as he answered, "We'll carry a couple pieces home for later, alright?"
"Okay," he answered before he continued sipping on his cocoa.
When Ariel returned and sat back down, she said, "This cake is amazing - I see why it's your favorite."
With a tilt of her head, she then surmised, "You know, I think we were actually talking about your favorite cake when we first met."
"Were we?" Belle questioned with a tilt of her head. She then smiled as she recalled, "That's right, we were. You had complimented my necklace, and I explained it was a birthday present."
"And then I naturally became excited and began asking all these questions about if she had a party, how she celebrated, who she celebrated with, etc.," Ariel supplied before downing a forkful of cake.
"I'm surprised you two managed to get any work done, love," Killian then spoke as he looked at his sister.
Belle smiled as she told him, "We've always worked well together - in fact, I think we can read each other's thoughts by now."
"And Aurora helps balance us out," Ariel chimed in as she looked over at her friend. She offered a smile – and a giggle – in reply.
Chuckles ensued. The brunette then turned to her red-haired friend and teased, "Although, I do remember one day when she was rather distracted."
Ariel couldn't help the light blush that rose to her cheeks. Eric kissed her shoulder before he surmised, "Ah, that must have been the day we met - when I researched for my marine biology Master's degree, and you didn't know where to find the books."
She blushed once more and averted her eyes as she ran her fingers through her hair.
Aurora then interjected, "I remember that day, too! It was actually my first day, and I wondered what was going on."
"That sounds like a rather interesting story. Shall we hear it?" Killian then offered, curling his arm further around Emma's waist.
The couple exchanged a look before the red-head nodded. She then started, "Let's see, it was right before Halloween…"