Killian and Belle gazed up at the restaurant sign. They took a deep breath before they exchanged a look. He opened the door and followed his sister inside.
They saw Brennan wiping down the bar, his brows furrowed. He stopped to roll up his sleeves before he resumed working.
The hostess made a move to approach the siblings when Nemo intercepted. He walked over to them.
"Killian and Belle, I presume?"
"Aye, that's us," he began as he and his sister turned their attention to him. With a deep breath, he continued, "Brennan told us how good of a friend you've been to him."
Nemo hummed. "I tried to be – I wanted to help him fix his mistakes. To make things right."
He waved his hands as he apologized, "Forgive me – I know his being here has been rather difficult for you two. And that in itself is an understatement."
"No, it's okay," Belle assured him, "You're right – it has been difficult. But we're figuring it out and trying to make the best of it."
Nemo couldn't help but smile. "That's good to hear." He folded his hands behind his back and told them, "I'll let you go. I do hope everything turns out alright."
They nodded before he approached one of the tables. They each took another deep breath before they headed toward the bar.
As they sat on a couple of stools, Brennan looked up and spoke, "Hello. What can I…"
The words died on his lips as his eyes widened. He then cleared his throat and questioned, "What are you two doing here?"
Belle twirled her hair around her finger as she ventured, "We wanted to talk to you if that's alright?"
A hint of a smile appeared as he answered, "It's more than alright – I'm glad you're here. Both of you."
He then sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Apologies – I don't mean to sound as though I'm expecting anything." With a deep breath, he added, "I should have never made it sound like I do."
"That isn't entirely your fault – I lashed out and acted like a bloody fool."
His shoulders sank, his expression defeated. Brennan reassured him, "Oh, so- Killian, don't beat yourself up. You've been carrying this hurt for years – and seeing me only reminded you of all you needed to let go."
Killian's mouth quirked upwards before he offered, "Well, maybe it's time to stop holding on…"
He trailed off and locked eyes with his sister. She offered a nod of encouragement.
Brennan tilted his head at the interaction before Killian continued, "And maybe it's time to start something new."
With another head tilt, Brennan said, "I'm not quite sure I follow."
"We'll probably all need a drink for this conversation," Killian quipped as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Belle rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You're lucky Emma puts up with you."
Brennan couldn't help but laugh. "You two really are brother and sister – it's rather funny to see."
They chuckled. He then said, "But this will be rather…emotional in all likelihood, and I suspect we will need something."
Brennan nodded. He then grabbed three glasses and filled them with water.
"I think this will suffice."
He took a sip of his own water before he admitted, "I must confess I'm rather worried about what you have to say."
He hastily added, "Not that it'd be completely unwarranted."
Killian rubbed his chin. "You do that quite a lot, you know. Apologize after you say anything you think will upset us."
"I know I do," Brennan resigned as he ran his fingers through his dark hair. He then sighed. "I just…don't want to seem entitled. I know I've no right to be."
Killian only hummed as he eyed him and tilted his head. Belle then began, "It's not quite as bad as all that." She took a sip of water before she elaborated, "But it still may require an open mind."
His blue eyes clouded over. He then took a deep breath and spoke, "All I want is for you two to be happy. It's all I've wanted."
Belle and Killian looked back and forth between each other and their father. She then took a long and slow breath.
"Despite those intentions, you have to know just how hard all of this has been for us. How hard it is to believe you won't leave us again."
Killian gestured as he added, "We want to trust you – but it's so bloody difficult to take that leap."
A silence then settled over the three of them. Brennan looked back and forth between his children, a far-off look appearing over his features.
With a sigh, he then surmised, "And you aren't sure you can do it anymore."
"That would be the easier option," Killian conceded as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Brennan's face fell as his shoulders deflated. Killian raked his fingers through his hair before Belle shot him a meaningful look.
He nodded. With a deep breath, he then offered, "But that doesn't mean it's what we should do – what we want to do."
His eyes widened as he stared at him. "Truly, Killian?"
He let out a long and slow deep breath before he nodded. Belle then told him, "We can't just forget all you've done to us – but we can't keep holding onto the pain."
With a nod - and a deep breath - Brennan then mused, "I take it you have thought about how to go about doing it – in a way that will truly help you."
"Yes, we do," Belle began as she rubbed her hands on her skirt.
He tilted his head. He then furrowed his eyebrows as Killian raked his fingers through his hair.
"But it's quite unconventional – or at least some people would think so." He ran his fingers back through his hair. "And we're not entirely sure you'll even agree to it."
Brennan then ran his fingers through his hair. He then ventured, "I must tell you I'm even more lost than before."
With a deep breath, he then added, "But don't take that to mean you have to tell me - or even decide - right away. Please take your time."
Smiles quirked at the corners of their mouths. Belle locked eyes with her brother before she offered, "We know – you've always been incredibly patient with us. More so than we expected."
A small smile bloomed across his features. "Th-thank you – though I'm not quite sure I deserve it."
"We likely would have agreed with you before you showed back up in our lives – I'm still a bit surprised you haven't took off by now."
Killian then scratched behind his ear. "I, uh, probably shouldn't have said that – I suppose that's something I got from you."
Brennan waved his hand and told him, "You don't owe me anything – much less an apology."
He leaned back in his chair and let out a humorless chuckle. "That's what makes all of this so bloody difficult – you're so bloody nice."
Belle couldn't help but shake her head. She sipped on her water before she folded her hands on the table.
"Look, Brennan, getting to know you and seeing that you've changed still doesn't change the fact that neither of us know what it's like to have a father - a real father - in our lives."
She couldn't help the tears that pricked the corner of her eyes as she finished, "And I'm not sure we can – at least not anytime soon."
She wiped her eyes with her hand when Brennan offered her a napkin. She gave a small smile as she took it.
She released a breath as she dried her eyes. "I didn't mean to get so upset – I don't even know why I am."
Killian squeezed her arm. "You don't have to be so strong, love."
"I know I don't – but I've already cried, and lost sleep over all of it."
Brennan opened his mouth – but promptly closed it and shook his head. Belle then took a deep breath.
"I just thought this would be a bit easier."
"Well, I haven't lost my temper – and admitted we have something in common – so that's an improvement," Killian quipped as he grinned at them.
Belle – and Brennan – chuckled. He nearly spit out his water as he found himself joining them. When they all sobered, Killian took a deep breath.
He locked eyes with his father before he added, "We do want you in our lives…"
"You do?" Brennan interjected, his blue eyes widening.
He cleared his throat and stammered, "I mean, you've practically said as much, b-but I suppose - I suppose I convinced myself there-there was some sort of catch. Or you need time - more time - to think about it or decide or…"
"May I stop your rambling?" Killian then interrupted with a wave of his hand.
"Oh, of course. Sorry about that."
He couldn't help but smile at him. He gulped his water before he exhaled deeply.
"We do want you to be in our lives – and we're hoping you'll consider being in it as our…friend."
"Friend?" he repeated with a tilt of his head. He then sipped on his water. As he placed his glass back on the table, Belle took a deep breath before she brought her eyes to his.
"When we weren't struggling through the emotions of it all – when we weren't desperately trying to figure out what to do next – we loved talking with you. It may have been mostly about baseball, but we're all huge fans so it worked perfectly. And having you at my party felt like the start of something."
"Before it turned into a bloody disaster," came Killian's quip as he fumbled with a coaster.
He then took a breath of his own and spoke, "She's right, though. And we talked about it before we came here – it wasn't all bad. In fact, it was rather enjoyable. And that's the part we want to keep."
"And you think being friends is the best way to do that," Brennan supplied as he stroked his stubbled chin.
Killian and Belle both nodded – an earnest expression settling on their faces.
Brennan tapped his chin and tilted his head. He continued to look back and forth between his two children.
He then let out a sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair.
Before he could say anything, Nemo waved him over. He cleared his throat before he told them, "It appears that duty calls – I'll be right back."
He then moved out from behind the counter and headed across the restaurant.
Killian ran his hand over his face. He then pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What bloody miserable timing."
"He is working, Killian," Belle pointed out – but she soon found her gaze drifting toward him.
When she turned back to her brother, she questioned, "What do you think he'll say?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, love."
His eyes then wandered to the rows of bottles on the wall. He rested his chin in his hand.
"You think Brennan would mind if I poured myself a tumbler of rum?"
Belle couldn't help but shake her head. "It's the middle of the day – and you drove here."
"I know," he resigned as he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm just not fond of waiting."
"Unless of course it's Emma," she teased with a giggle. He rolled his eyes.
Her expression sobered. "We'll just have to see what he decides – and make peace with whatever it is."
With a sigh, he conferred, "I suppose you're right." He dropped his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Is it strange that I'd be disappointed if he doesn't want this."
"No stranger than me worrying over the brother I'd never even known not liking me."
Killian couldn't help but smile at her. He then let out a sigh.
"Even so, love, I barely knew what to make of you – and now, our bastard of a father has come back a changed man, and we not only believe him, but we want him in our lives."
"Well, when you put it like that," Belle began, earning a huff from him.
He then gulped down his water, turning the glass upside down. He took a deep breath so he wouldn't slam it on the table.
"After I lost the two people who meant the most to me, I went down that damned dark and hollow path – I made more mistakes than I can even count. I just…hope we're not making another one."
Belle wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. He exhaled deeply before he hugged her back.
"Is everything alright?"
They pulled away and turned to find their father's worry mirrored on his face.
"Aye, we're fine. We're just…still trying to process all of this."
Brennan nodded as he folded his hands behind his back. With a deep breath, he offered, "Perhaps I can help with that."
He then sat down on the opposite side of Killian and folded his hands together.
"When I first came back in your lives, all I wanted was to make amends and be the father you both deserved. But I've realized you don't need me for that."
Their voices blended in unison: "You have?"
He nodded. With another deep breath, he continued, "You two are remarkable people - kind, generous, hard-working, and resilient. I know the loss and heartache you've both faced – but you've both managed to build wonderful lives for yourselves."
He paused to take a sip of water. Killian interjected, "Uh, thank you for that. I know it seems a bit odd - especially from me - but it's rather nice to hear you say so."
"And you both more than deserve it. I couldn't be prouder of who you've become."
He took one last sip before he finished, "You don't need me trying to come in and fix something when it should have happened years ago. In fact, you made those repairs yourself so you could find a way to be happy. All I need to do is simply be here."
"So that means…" Belle began, her voice a bit shaky.
"It means, lass, that I'm more than happy to be your friend." A wide smile then enveloped Brennan's face.
Belle smiled as well. Her brother, however, stared at him with crossed arms.
"Forgive me for asking, but I have to know something."
"Am I really going to stay? Is this really enough for me?" Brennan supplied as he rested his hands on his knee. Killian only nodded.
The older man then continued, "I know I've never been there for you – and you can't really trust me as your father. But perhaps I can do so as your friend."
The two of them exchanged a look, a question in both sets of blue eyes. They then slowly nodded.
With a smile, Belle spoke, "We'd love nothing more." Killian took a deep breath before he added, "Perhaps this is the new start we were meant to have."
Brennan smiled at them, hope coursing through his veins. This proved to be a much better way forward with his children - his friends.
He then rose from the stool. "As much as I would love to chat, I must get back to work. I have to get started on a batch of mimosas for a brunch party coming in."
"I do hope they pace themselves, or you and Nemo may need some reinforcements," Killian joked, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Brennan and Belle chuckled. She then slid off the stool and said, "We must be going as well. Our lunch breaks are very nearly over."
"Indeed they are – and the need for coffee and sweets scarcely lets up," Killian conceded as he stood, his hands going in his pockets.
As Brennan rummaged for ingredients, he told them, "Then I shall see you both later."
With a nod - and a final parting - the pair made their way out of the restaurant. Once outside, Killian let out a breath.
"Why do I feel like my heart has been ripped out and then shoved back in?"
Belle let out a breath of her own. She rubbed her hands on her arms as she surmised, "I can't say I feel much different."
A warm smile then bloomed across her features. "This will be good for us, Killian. Really good."
He smiled back. "I think so, too, love."
He then gestured toward his truck and said, "I really should be getting back. I'll see you later."
"See you later." She then sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.
Killian tilted his head. "Are you okay?"
Belle nodded. "Of course I am. I was just thinking – we're returning to work like normal, yet everything has changed."
"Aye, love," he conceded as he ran his fingers through his hair. He then breathed in and let it out slowly.
"It is different – but I believe we all will be happier." A slow smile then made its way on his face. She returned it before she wrapped him in a hug.
When they pulled away, they bid another "see you later" before they both stepped in their vehicles and returned to work – ready to face whatever awaited them.