School Shopping

Also takes place in the fall following "Happy Endings and New Beginnings".

"Daddy's not going, Mommy?" Liam asked from the backseat of Emma's bug.

"No, kid. He's helping Uncle August with Matthew's nursery," Emma answered.

"Oh," Liam replied. He then questioned, "Why does Matthew have a room if he isn't born yet?"

"So that he'll have a place to sleep when Aunt Belle and Uncle August bring him home from the hospital," Emma explained.

The blonde then saw her son nod in the rearview mirror.

Anna Elizabeth then asked, "Mom, can we listen to my One Direction CD?"

"Who is that?" Emma asked.

"Seriously, Mom? How could you not know them?" Anna Elizabeth offensively pointed out.

"Give me a break, kid. You know I don't know anything if it came out past the 80s or early 90s," Emma reminded her.

"Don't they sing the Story Life song?" Liam questioned.

"Even Liam knows who they are. And he's six," Anna Elizabeth teased.

Emma rolled her eyes in response as her teenager placed the CD in the player.

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"Alright, kid, you need one more shirt and then we'll go find your sister," Emma explained.

Liam nodded before turning his attention to the rack, where he grabbed the first one he saw.

"This one, Mommy."

Emma titled her head to the side as she pointed out, "Liam, I think that shirt may be too big for you, and you don't like Spiderman."

The dark-haired boy then took a good look at the shirt and said, "Oh."

"How about I help you find one?" Emma suggested.

"Okay," Liam told her. The blonde was a little surprised her stubborn son wasn't insisting on doing it by himself, but then again, he was a six-year-old boy. She knew he was getting bored.

Emma then got down on her knees and began perusing the rack. Within a couple minutes, the blonde had found one that she knew Liam would like.

She showed it to her son, who nodded enthusiastically.

Emma then smiled at him and ruffled his hair as she told him, "Let's go see what Anna Elizabeth found."

Liam nodded in response. Emma then rose to her feet, and the two of them took off for another section of the store.

When they arrived, they saw a guy walking away from Anna Elizabeth.

Emma asked her daughter, "Was that Nathan?"

Anna Elizabeth answered, "Yeah. He was school shopping, too. He was asking me about my schedule. Turns out we have an elective together," while rubbing her hands together.

Emma simply nodded, but Liam piped up, "Is he your boyfriend Anna Elizabeth?"

Anna Elizabeth's face turned bright red, and she looked off to the side as she answered, "He's just my friend, Liam."

"Oh," the dark-haired boy answered.

Emma quickly changed the subject as she asked, "Do you have all the clothes that you need, Anna Elizabeth?"

"Almost. There's a couple more things I want to look at," Anna Elizabeth replied.

"We're not leaving yet?" Liam asked.

Emma bent down on his level and told him, "Your sister isn't quite through shopping yet." She then took out her phone, typed in her code, and opened a game.

"Anna Elizabeth will probably have to try some stuff on, so you and me will go sit in the chairs, and you can play this game, okay, kid?" she continued as she handed him her phone.

"Okay, Mommy," Liam replied. He then turned his attention to the game in his hand.

About ten minutes later, Anna Elizabeth walked out of one of the fitting rooms.

"What do you think, Mom?"

Emma titled her head to the side as she took in her daughter's flower print skirt with a bright pink top to match. Her blonde curls were pushed back with a headband.

The blonde was trying to come up with a way to word things, and she eventually settled with, "You look beautiful, Anna Elizabeth. The top is really cute, but you have to admit the skirt is a bit different."

"I just thought that since I'll be in high school, I'd change things up a bit," Anna Elizabeth replied.

"So, this was all your decision. There was nothing influencing your decision?" Emma questioned.

"Who would influence me?" Anna Elizabeth questioned back.

Instead of replying, Emma got up and brought her daughter to sit down. She stroked her blonde curls as she began, "You know, your mom wanted to change her look at one time too."

"She did?" Anna Elizabeth curiously questioned.

"Yeah. It was just after Christmas. I had come home from Boston for the holidays, and your mom was on break from NYU. We had decided to come up here to just catch up and hang out. We grabbed lunch, caught a movie, and decided to do a little shopping.

Elsa immediately gravitated toward the brightly colored dresses. She picked out all of this jewelry to match, as well as some more noticeable make-up. None of which was her usual style. When I asked her about it, she told me that she just wanted to try something different," Emma explained.

"See, Mom? That's all I want to do," Anna Elizabeth defended.

Emma couldn't help grin as she continued, "Well, actually, that was only her cover. She had actually met this guy that she really liked. Let me think, he was British with brown, curly hair and blue eyes. Now what was he studying?"

Anna Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she said, "I know you're talking about my dad."

"Then you know where I'm going with this. I'm going to tell you the same thing I told her – you shouldn't change yourself in any way to impress a guy. You, Anna Elizabeth, are so beautiful. You don't need skirts and dresses to see that. You are also so smart, caring, and funny. You don't have to be anything other than yourself to get Nathan to like you," Emma told her as she ran her fingers through her blonde curls.

"You really think he'll like me back the way that I am? In plain jeans, natural make-up, and unruly curls?" Anna Elizabeth asked.

"If he doesn't, it's his loss," Emma began. She then took a deep breath and continued, "Just look at your parents. Elsa got Liam's attention, and she didn't have to change herself to do that. And if you need further proof, consider this. I'm pretty positive that Killian didn't see me in a dress until our first date – which was after he told me that he loved me. And the first time he wanted to kiss me, it was after we had been working on Regina's house all day. Do you get what I'm saying, Anna Elizabeth?"

The teenager let out a breath before she replied, "Yeah, Mom, I do. Thank you." Just as she pulled Emma in for a hug, Liam sprinted over and asked, "Are you done shopping, Anna Elizabeth? I'm hungry."

Both Emma and Anna Elizabeth held in a giggle as the latter ruffled her brother's hair and answered, "Yes, Liam, I'm through. Let me just go change really quick."

A few minutes later, Anna Elizabeth came out of the fitting room, and the trio made their way to the register. Once Emma had paid, both of her children practically dragged her out of the store and to the food court.

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That evening, just as Killian and Emma had settled on the couch after dinner, he asked, "I forgot to ask you earlier, love – how was school shopping?"

Emma pondered her answer before she replied, "It was a bit interesting this year – in a good way."

"What do you mean, love?"

Before Emma could answer, Anna Elizabeth bounded into the living room and asked, "Is it okay if Evie comes over? I want to show her my new clothes."

"Sure, but only for a couple hours – it's getting late. And make sure that Uncle David or Aunt Mary Margaret know what time to come pick her up," Emma told her.

"Mom, she has her license now," Anna Elizabeth pointed out.

"Oh, that's right," Emma said. She then continued, "Both of you need to still make sure that it's okay with them."

"Of course, Mom," Anna Elizabeth replied.

Just before she turned to go back into her room, Emma said, "This time, please make sure that you two keep the giggling and squealing to a minimum."

"We couldn't help it – Evie was excited that Jason asked her out," Anna Elizabeth defended.

"I know, and I understand, but you two were kind of loud," Emma told her.

"Okay. We will, Mom," Anna Elizabeth said before heading back to her room.

"Since when does Anna Elizabeth care so much about showing off her clothes?" Killian asked.

"Since Nathan," Emma responded.

"Ah – the lad that she likes," Killian observed.

Emma narrowed her eyes at him as she surmised, "You're surprisingly calm about this."

"Love, she told me months ago that she likes him. I'm okay with it," Killian explained.

Emma then began feeling his forehead, making him chuckle as he asked, "Swan, what in the world are you doing?"

"Seeing if you're sick. You just said you're okay with our daughter liking a boy," Emma told him.

"As much as it pains me, she is growing up, and I have to accept that," Killian admitted.

Emma smiled at him before she asked, "So, you'd also be okay if a 16-year-old boy starts to like her back?"

"Don't push it, love," Killian told her.

Emma couldn't help giggle as she ran her fingers through his dark locks and said, "Ah – there's the overprotective Killian I know and love."

Killian rolled his eyes in response just as Liam came bounding in the living room.

"Mommy, Daddy, can we watch a movie?"

"Sure, kid, why don't you…" Emma was cut off by Anna Elizabeth coming into the living room and sighing dramatically as she sat down on the couch.

"Everything alright, love?" Killian asked.

"Yeah. It's just that Uncle David and Aunt Mary Margaret don't want Evie driving this late," Anna Elizabeth explained.

"You can always see her tomorrow," Killian pointed out.

Anna Elizabeth nodded in response before she observed, "So, we're watching a movie?"

"Yup. Liam was about to pick one out," Emma told her.

"Can it, like, not be a cartoon?" Anna Elizabeth questioned.

"I like cartoons," Liam defended.

"Ok, um, what about… The Game Plan? I think that's one we can all agree on," Emma added.

"Yes!" Anna Elizabeth and Liam excitedly exclaimed at the same time.

Emma and Killian couldn't help but chuckle before Emma went to go set up the movie.

By the time the credits were rolling, both of the kids were fast asleep. Anna Elizabeth was curled against Killian's side while Liam was sprawled out on both of his parents' laps.

Emma scooped Liam and began walking to his room while Killian was trying to move Anna Elizabeth, receiving a grunt in response.

"Come on, love. Let me carry you to your room," Killian whispered.

She sleepily nodded, so Killian picked her up and carried her bridal style to her room.

He laid her down before planting a gentle kiss on the side of her head.

"Good night, love."

He then left her room and closed the door quietly behind him before making his way across the hall to his son's room. He said goodnight to him as well before retreating to he and Emma's bedroom.

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The next morning, Anna Elizabeth stumbled in the kitchen and was greeted by Killian.

"You're up early, Anna Elizabeth."

She simply shrugged in response as she replied, "I went to bed early."

She then went to the cabinet and grabbed a mug before pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"You drink coffee now?" Killian asked.

"I have for a month, Dad," Anna Elizabeth answered.

Killian shook his head as he told her, "Can you maybe stop growing up so fast? You and your brother. It seems like just yesterday you were asking if you could hold him when he was born."

"I remember being so excited that I got to be a big sister," Anna Elizabeth said with a smile.

"Well, love, to be fair, you got excited about everything. And you still do," Killian pointed out.

"I guess that's why I'm a good cheerleader," Anna Elizabeth observed.

"And this year, you have someone to cheer for," Killian replied with a teasing smile.

Just like the day before, her face turned bright red. She then complained, "Daaad."

"Sorry, love, I couldn't resist," Killian began. He then took a breath and continued, "Your mother told me what happened while you all were shopping."

"She did?"

"Aye, love. And as usual, your mother was right – I'm sure that Nathan will like you for you, love," Killian genuinely told her.

Anna Elizabeth smiled as she told him, "I see that now – thanks, Dad."

Killian returned her smile as he nodded. He then turned serious as he told you, "But he better not ask you out until you're 16."

Anna Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she said, "You're such a dork, Dad."

Killian's smile returned as he replied, "So, you've said, love."

Anna Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle just as the other members of the family began to wake up for the start of a new day.