At the apartment complex, they met Brennan outside Belle and August's door. He smiled upon seeing them.

"Hello, you two. How are you doing?"

"We're great," they answered at the same time. They met each other's glance and burst out laughing.

Brennan found himself chuckling as well. He then offered, "I'm fairly certain Belle and August have heard us, so I think perhaps I'll just knock."

He did so, and August answered the door. With a smile, he greeted, "Hey, guys. Come on in."

He stepped aside before they walked inside. He closed the door and told them, "Belle will be out in a minute – she's looking for her Yankees cap."

Footsteps then sounded across the hardwood floor. A smile spread across her face as she approached them.

"Hi, everyone. You guys ready for the game?"

"Absolutely, love. I'm quite looking forward to it." With a chuckle, Killian then gestured toward himself and Emma.

"Although I'm a bit remiss to say that Swan and myself quite missed the fan dress code."

"I'm sure the team can forgive us," Emma teased with a grin, earning chuckles from everyone –

and an eye roll from her boyfriend.

Brennan then cleared his throat and offered a present from behind his back.

"I am sorry I missed the housewarming – but I wanted to get a gift nonetheless."

Belle and August both smiled as she took the gift bag. He then offered, "Thank you, Brennan. We appreciate it."

He nodded before Belle opened the gift. Her blue eyes lit up as she pulled out a cookbook.

"Oh, thank you. It's so lovely – I can't wait to try out one of the recipes."

Brennan smiled. "I know how fond you are of cooking - both of you actually - and I thought it'd give you a chance to really break in the stove."

The couple smiled once more before he squeezed his girlfriend's waist and took the cookbook. He then headed into the kitchen.

Belle then found her attention drawn to her best friend and her brother. With a tilt of her head, she surmised, "You two seem a bit more…giddy than usual. Did something happen?"

Brennan folded his hands behind his back as he spoke, "I must confess I wondered the same thing."

Killian and Emma exchanged a glance. He squeezed her hand as a light blush stained her cheeks.

With a deep breath, she explained, "Well, Killian and I took a big step – we exchanged keys to each other's apartments."

Belle beamed. "I'm so happy for you two! This is wonderful."

August strolled back over and slipped his arm around her waist. "I couldn't help but overhear – I'm happy for you guys, too."

Emma and Killian both nodded before he gave one in return. He then offered, "I think perhaps we should head over to the stadium if everyone is ready?"

Everyone nodded. August and Belle grabbed their things before they all headed out of the apartment.

As Belle locked the door, Emma squeezed her boyfriend's hand and hung back. The men continued into the lobby.

With another head tilt, the brunette perceived, "What's on your mind, Emma?"

She took a deep breath and answered, "I just wanted to talk – I know exchanging keys may not seem like a huge step…"

"But it is for you and Killian – it's a step forward, and it shows just how close you two have grown," Belle supplied as she offered her friend a smile.

Emma returned it. "Yeah, it does. And it shows that I want to share even more of my life - of myself - with him."

Belle wrapped her arms around her in a hug. Emma smiled before she returned it, settling her hands on her friend's back.

When they pulled away, a smile bloomed across Belle's features.

"I know I've said as much, but this truly proves that you and Killian are meant to be together. You light up every time you're around him, and I can see you falling more in love with him every day. It's just amazing, Emma."

"It is, isn't it?" The smile lingered on her face as she ran her fingers through her blonde hair.

She then shook her head and gestured toward the hallway. "Let's meet up with the guys."

Belle nodded before the two of them walked along. As they did so, Emma dragged her fingers back through her hair.

She twirled it around her finger as she released a breath. "Even after how long we've been together, I sometimes still find myself surprised by, well, us."

Belle hummed. "I felt the same way about August. After everything with Robert, I didn't think I could fall in love again."

She then smiled and offered, "But life has a way of surprising us in the best ways."

Emma smiled as well. "Yeah, it does." A thoughtful expression then formed on her face.

"Including all of us becoming friends with Brennan."

"That may be the most surprising of all," Belle contended as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She then smiled once more.

"But I couldn't be happier he's in our lives." Emma offered another smile as they approached the lobby.

Killian stretched his arms above his head. "I can't read music – but I can teach myself to play most anything."

August and Brennan hummed as he pulled his shirt back down and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Are you learning anything now?" August questioned as he leaned against the wall.

He rubbed the back of his head. "I thought I'd learn another song for Emma. I quite enjoyed playing for her."

"And I enjoyed having you play it for me," she supplied as she sidled up next to him and wrapped both arms around his waist.

He smiled and kissed her head. He then squeezed her waist and said, "I believe the Yankees are waiting for us."

The five of them then headed out of the building and toward their vehicles.

They arrived at the stadium shortly after. They weaved their way through the crowds and found their seats.

Just as they sat down, a shout came from somewhere behind them. "Uncle Killian!"

Roland barreled down the stairs and pushed past Emma. She chuckled before he launched himself into Killian's arms.

He chuckled as he ruffled the young boy's hair. He then hugged him back. When they pulled away, he offered a smile.

"Hello, lad. It's so good to see you."

Roland nodded excitedly. "I'm so excited for the game! I hope they win."

"Me too," Killian replied as he ruffled his hair once more. Regina then stopped on the steps next to them.

"Hey, Roland, your daddy is getting our snacks before he meets us at our seats. Ready to find them?"

He looked back and forth between his uncle and his stepmother. With big brown eyes, he turned to Regina.

"Can I stay with Uncle Killian?"

She took a deep breath and bent down to his eye level. "Not this time, okay?"

He dropped his head and sighed. Regina squeezed his arm and told him, "Come on, Roland – I know how much you wanted to hang out with your daddy."

He scrunched his nose. A bright smile then enveloped his features. He pulled away from Killian and pushed past Emma once more before he ran to find Robin. Regina offered a quick wave before she trailed along after him.

Emma watched then, a smile making its way across her features. She then turned to her boyfriend.

"She's fitting in pretty well as a stepmom."

"Aye, love. Roland rather adores her – I can't help but be a little surprised."

She elbowed him in the side. He winced and rubbed the spot while their friends stifled a chuckle.

"Swan, why must you hit me? I meant no harm in what I said."

She only raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. He took a deep breath and defended, "I only mean that she loves Roland as though he's her own – that isn't easy for everyone, darling."

She peered at him with a tilt of her head. She then smiled and pecked his cheek.

She then turned her attention to the field. She began bobbing her leg up and down.

Belle couldn't help but chuckle. "Emma, you know it always takes a few minutes for the game to get started."

She sighed. "I know – but I'm hungry."

Killian laughed and kissed her head. "I'll get you something, love. What do you want?"

She rested her chin in her hand and tapped her finger against it. "I'd like some nachos and a soda."

He hummed and kissed her forehead. He stood to head to the concession stand when Brennan's voice stopped him.

"I'm rather parched myself. I think I'll join you."

With a nod, Killian then offered, "Does anyone else want anything?"

"We actually do – but I'll come with you so you guys don't have to carry everything," August told him before he rubbed Belle's back. He then edged past her and Emma.

As the three of them headed up the stairs, Killian let out a laugh. August and Brennan furrowed their eyebrows. The latter then asked, "What's so funny?"

Killian ran his fingers through his hair. "I was just thinking about that game we went to – shortly after August and Belle started dating," gesturing toward him.

He nodded. With a chuckle, he teased, "You and Emma were pretty smitten even back then –

but you tried so hard to act like you weren't."

The tips of his ears turned pink before Brennan chimed in, "It's quite alright, Killian. I think it's fair to say you've always been rather smitten."

"I suppose I have been." He hooked his thumbs in his belt loop before he let out another laugh.

"But Emma protested a bit too much. When I paid for her food, I'm not quite sure she liked it all that well."

Brennan tilted his head. "Whyever not?"

August gestured as he explained, "She thought it made it seem like they were together."

The older man couldn't help but chuckle. "The more I hear about you two, the more I wonder how you even fell in love."

Killian took a deep breath. "We had to fight for each other – but it made us stronger."

August and Brennan smiled. As they came upon the line for the concession stand, August surmised, "I think Belle and I are learning even more about each other now. I think we're even closer now than when we first moved in together."

A grin spread across Killian's face. "My sister can sometimes be a compulsive neat freak, so I'm sure that's been rather interesting."

August shook his head as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You know, I wouldn't be surprised if you told her that."

His grin only grew. He gestured and spoke, "Well, of course. It's the job of older brothers to be annoying."

"Well, I'd say you rather have that down," Brennan teased with a grin of his own.

August - and Killian - laughed. The latter then spoke, "I don't think she minds too much."

He received chuckles in response. They then arrived at the front of the line. They gave their orders and waited as they were prepared. Once ready, they walked away from the concession and back to the stands.

Brennan then commented, "I do hope the lads fare better this game. They nearly lost the last one."

"Yeah – they squeaked by with that strikeout. I hope they pull it out this time," August conceded as they reached their seats. When they maneuvered their way in and sat down, they handed out the snacks.

Emma ate one of her nachos before she asked, "What were you guys saying?"

Brennan sipped from his soda. "How we hope the team plays a little better this week."

She hummed before Belle spoke, "That game had me on the edge of my seat – it was so awful."

"You should have been there with Killian – that temper really came out," Emma teased as she nudged his shoulder. He rolled his eyes while the others chuckled.

"I don't know that Nemo or myself had quite an extreme reaction – but it was rather disappointing. I fixed us both a drink afterwards."

August and Emma hummed while Killian sipped on his drink. Once Belle swallowed her corn dog, she questioned, "Why didn't he come? He was more than welcome."

"Thank you, lass – but he's spending the day at the group home."

She hummed before her gaze wandered to the field. Her eyes lit up.

"It's starting, everyone."

Eager eyes focused as the first batter stepped up to the plate. The pitcher took his stance and hurled the ball.

It connected with a hard "thwack". The announcer's voice rang throughout the stadium: "It's going, it's going, it's gone! What a way to start off the game."

Wild applause broke out as the player rounded the bases. He touched home plate as the next player emerged from the dugout.

Killian wiped some chili from his mouth before he said, "That is a good omen."

With a tilt of his head, August told him, "It's still early. I wouldn't be calling it just yet."

A grin then appeared across Killian's features as he bumped Emma's shoulder with his. He then kissed her head.

"I've got my good luck charm – I believe it bodes well for the team."

She giggled. With a shake of her head, she then told him, "Don't put that all on me, Killian," a smirk playing across her features.

He only chuckled, and everyone else soon joined him. When they sobered, they focused back on the game.

"Bloody hell, he only hits the bloody ball less than half of the time."

"I would say that's unfair – but he isn't their best player."

Belle smacked her boyfriend's arm. "He's still a rookie, and he hasn't had much time to prove himself."

Killian shook his head. "I appreciate the altruism, sis, but the season is half-over."

She rolled her eyes. The corners of her mouth then quirked upwards.

"He may still surprise you."

Her words rang hollow when he landed two strikes. The third one, however, landed in the outfield.

He ran to first base before the other team swiped the ball. Belle's smile reached her eyes.

"See? He managed a hit." "So, he did, lass. Perhaps he has learned a thing or two."

Brennan then smiled at her. She returned it before she resumed snacking on her corn dog.

She jumped and nearly dropped it when August and Brennan cheered on either side of her. He then squeezed his girlfriend's shoulder.

"Sorry about that. Are you okay?"

She nodded. She sipped on her drink before she asked, "What happened?"

Killian chimed in: "Well, love, we're now up by two runs. Hopefully the streak will continue."

She bobbed her head before she took another sip. As the next batter stepped up, she surmised, "He has a habit of hitting fly balls. Do you think he'll do it this time?"

Emma rested her chin in her hand. "I don't know about the pop fly. I guess we'll just have to see," a small smile spreading across her features.

She then gestured toward him and added, "But I do know he'll hit it hard enough to break the bat. I'm surprised he hasn't splintered it."

Laughter erupted. August then nodded toward the field: "I guess we're about to find out."

The five of them waited with bated breath. The pitcher threw a curve ball, followed by a fast ball – both were strikes.

Killian raked his fingers through his dark hair as he threw the last pitch. "Bloody hell!" he cursed when the batter struck out.

Sighs and groans followed as well as a "damn it" from Emma. "So much for that," she complained.

She then ate one of her nachos – only for the cheese to land on her shirt. She rolled her eyes. "That's just great."

Killian couldn't help but grin. "At least it isn't my shirt this time."

Annoyance framed her features. "Killian, it's not like I always steal your clothes. Why do you always bring it up?"

"To annoy you, lass. He knows it gets under your skin, and he wants to rile you," Brennan said, trying to suppress a chuckle. He nearly spit out his drink doing so.

Killian only shrugged and adopted a puppy-dog look. Emma glared at him before she sighed.

"You're lucky I love you." He hummed before he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

He then scratched behind his ear and admitted, "And it's not as though I haven't spilled coffee on myself. I've done it more than once actually."

"I must confess I've done the same at the bar. It doesn't happen often – but when it's rather busy, I do spill a little more," Brennan offered before he grabbed a handful of popcorn.

He shared some with Belle as a grin spread across her face. She teased, "Although, I'm sure my brother's problem lies in being distracted by Emma."

He rolled his eyes. He then gestured with his drink and refuted, "Well, love, I'm fairly certain if you walked into August's classroom, he'd be just as distracted."

The couple shook their heads as Killian adopted a grin. Emma and Brennan chuckled.

The banter continued until the next batter stepped up to the plate. When the pitcher threw the ball, it connected with the bat. The crowd erupted in a wave as the ball sailed over the fence.

As the teasing and conversation - along with the eating - resumed, Emma found herself focused on the people with her. So much had happened – and she smiled.

Despite everything, they were family. A group of people who found each other and chose to be in each other's lives. A group of people who chose to see past the heartache, the baggage, and anger, and chose a new beginning. A second chance.

She had never really understood why the idea of a second chance mattered so much – until she received one herself. A second chance at life - a second chance at a family - a second chance at love.

And in a twist of fate, she helped her family and her love find their second chance. Not with the father who abandoned them – but with a friend who only wished to be in their lives.

Emma then looped her arm through Killian's and rested her head on his shoulder. He peered down at her.

"Everything alright, Swan?"

She nodded. "I'm just happy to be here with you. With everyone."

He smiled and pressed a sweet kiss to her temple.

As he resumed watching the game, Emma once more drew her attention to the people next to her.

Maybe a second chance was more than righting past wrongs – just maybe, it's a new chance to do life better; a new chance to really get it right.

As the sun shone down on her face, she smiled once again. This chance turned out so much better than any of them could even imagine. And as time passed, the friendship, family, and love they all found would only grow stronger.

A/N: Hi everyone! "Second Chance" has come to its true end, and I'm a little sad to see it go - but all stories must make their way here. Even though this isn't the ending I originally envisioned, I realized it was perfect given the emotional gravity of this story. Brennan weaved his way back into Killian & Belle's lives, and they formed an unexpected friendship along the way. After all, our happy ending isn't always what we think it will be, but that doesn't make it any less amazing.

Thank you again for reading and being on this journey with me! I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time :)