This one is actually one I came up with a few weeks ago. It takes place two years in the future following the end of "New Beginnings and Happy Endings."
Some notes on this one: (1) It will feature more of Emma and Killian's extended family. (2) It will feature Anna Elizabeth's sole perspective. (3) It will be a multi-shot. Right now, I have three parts, but that may change.
I hope you guys enjoy!
"Killian, why are you overreacting? You know that Anna Elizabeth has had a crush on Nathan for two years now," Emma pointed out.
"I wasn't aware that he felt the same way," Killian defended.
"Really, Killian? That's what you're going with?" Emma questioned.
Killian narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms before he pointed out, "It's a fair assumption, love."
"Come on, Killian. There's no way you're that clueless. He's about as subtle as you are."
Killian huffed as he said, "You're really not helping, Swan."
He then added, "She's not 16, yet."
"Her birthday is only a couple weeks away. He wants to take her to prom, and the deadline to turn in tickets is next week."
Killian sighed in response. He was losing this battle.
He then told her, "I know, love. It's not like I didn't know this was coming, but now that it's happening..." trailing off as he ran his fingers through his hair.
Emma then reached up to caress his cheek before she said, "I know that you don't like the idea of her dating, but she is growing up, Killian. We have to let her. She's strong, independent, and stubborn - she can take care of herself. We can trust her."
"I know, Swan. It isn't her I'm worried about trusting," Killian told her.
"We both know that Nathan is a great kid. And he obviously cares about Anna Elizabeth. You have to admit that it shows how much he respects us and her because he asked our permission. That isn't something you see a lot, if at all, anymore. It was sweet of him."
Killian sighed once again as he said, "You know, I wish I had a reason to argue against this."
"But?" Emma questioned.
"I suppose we should tell Anna Elizabeth that she can go to prom with Nathan," Killian relented.
"And?" Emma gave him a knowing look.
"They can start dating," Killian finished.
Emma smiled at him as she said, "Let's go give her the good news."
Killian nodded before he and Emma got up from the couch and into Anna Elizabeth's room, where the blonde was reading.
"Hey, kid, can we talk?" Emma asked.
Anna Elizabeth put her book down, and both Emma and Killian could see her excitement as she asked, "Is this about Nathan? Can I go out with him?"
Killian took a deep breath before he answered, "Your mother and I have talked about it, and we've decided that you and Nathan can, uh, start dating," as he scratched behind his ear.
Anna Elizabeth hopped up from her bed and wrapped her parents in a hug.
"Thank you guys! This is awesome!"
"We're glad you're so happy," Emma told her.
"Are you kidding me? I've had the biggest crush on Nathan for, like, ever," Anna Elizabeth said.
"We know, love," Killian added.
Emma squeezed his hand as Anna Elizabeth told them, "I have to call Nathan and tell him."
"Wouldn't you rather tell him in person?" Emma suggested.
Anna Elizabeth furrowed her brows in thought for a moment before she pointed out, "Yeah, I would. But tomorrow is Saturday, and we're going to that music festival. How am I supposed to see him?"
"Anna Elizabeth, you know we'll be back before dinner. He can come by after and you two can talk," Emma assured her.
"Alone?" Killian added.
Emma tightened her grip on his hand before Anna Elizabeth asked, "Please, Dad?"
Killian knew he had already agreed to her dating, but it was still so hard to watch his little girl grow up. He took yet another deep breath and answered, "It'll be fine, love."
Anna Elizabeth smiled brightly at him as she said, "Thanks, Dad."
Killian nodded and smiled back at her in response.
Emma then said, "Alright, we all have a long day ahead of us, so we all get some sleep. I'm pretty sure Liam has been out for a couple hours already."
Anna Elizabeth rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "That's because he's seven."
"You still need sleep. I mean it, kid," Emma told her.
"Yes, Mom," Anna Elizabeth said as he placed the book on her nightstand.
They all exchanged goodnights before Emma and Killian went to their bedroom.
A couple of hours later, Emma observed, "I know you're not asleep, Killian."
She then rolled over to face him and was met with those blue eyes staring at the ceiling.
"How'd you know, Swan?" Killian asked softly.
Emma knew his question was rhetorical, but she answered anyway, "Well, let's see, we've been best friends for 16 years and married for almost 11 - I know you better than anyone."
Killian sighed as he turned over to face her. He then began, "I can't help but worry."
"About Anna Elizabeth," Emma supplied.
"My greatest fear is that he'll break her heart. She doesn't deserve that, Swan. I can't bear to see her hurting. I already know what that looks like, and I don't want to see again - I never want to see it," Killian told her, his voice thick with emotion.
Emma said nothing at first. She simply wrapped her arms around him and held on tightly. Killian pulled her closer to him as he settled on his back.
They just held each other in comfortable silence for what seemed like hours before Emma adjusted her position to look at him.
"I'm worried, too. We both know what a broken heart feels like, and it isn't something I want my only daughter to go through. But, I want her to have the experience of dating and young love because it is an amazing experience. And with that comes the possibility of heartbreak, but it's all part of life, Killian. It is just as probable that this won't end badly, but even if it does, Anna Elizabeth will be okay. It's like I told you earlier - we both know how strong, not to mention stubborn and independent, that she is. We can't control this, Killian. We just have to let it happen."
Killian let out a breath before he placed a kiss on Emma's forehead.
He then told her, "I'm so glad that we're in this together, love. I don't know what I would do if I had to raise her by myself."
Emma then kissed him softly before slowly pulling away.
She caressed his cheek as she told him, "You won't ever have to worry about that."
Killian smiled in response and placed another kiss on her forehead.
He then sighed and looked back up at the ceiling.
"I'm going to be a bloody wreck when she gets married."
Emma couldn't help but grin as she answered, "Oh, believe me, I know. But let's get through prom first, shall we?"
"Indeed, love," Killian answered.
Emma then told him, "Good night, Killian."
"Goodnight, Swan."
The blonde then settled back in against her husband's chest, and they both finally drifted off to sleep.
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The next evening, Anna Elizabeth was a bundle of nerves. She kept pacing around the house and rubbing her hands together.
"Mommy, Daddy, is Anna Elizabeth okay?" Liam asked.
"She's just nervous, lad," Killian answered.
"Why?"
Killian exchanged a look with Emma. She considered her words before she spoke, "You know Anna Elizabeth's friend, Nathan, right?"
The dark-haired boy nodded in response.
Emma then continued, "Well, he's coming over so he and your sister can talk about being boyfriend and girlfriend. And it makes Anna Elizabeth nervous."
"She shouldn't be nervous. She likes Nathan, and he likes her. They'll have fun," Liam pointed out.
Emma smiled at her son's innocence before she answered, "Well, kid, it's a bit more complicated when you're older. You'll get it one day."
Liam nodded in response just as they heard a knock on the door, followed by Anna Elizabeth's nervously excited voice, "He's here!"
As Killian went to answer the door, he was stopped by Emma's hand on his chest.
She gave him a stern look as she told him, "You go help Liam set up the game."
"I'm not a child, Emma," Killian pointed out.
"No, but Nathan will probably be nervous enough without you trying to scare him," Emma refuted.
"I wasn't going to do anything of the sort," Killian told her.
Emma's response was raising one of her eyebrows and crossing her arms.
"Fine, Swan," Killian relented before going over to the kitchen table.
Emma then went and opened the door to a very nervous looking Nathan.
"Uh, hi, um, Mrs. Jones."
The blonde gave him a reassuring smile as she told him, "Hey, Nathan. And you can just call me Emma."
Nathan nodded before Emma ushered the brown-haired teenager inside the house.
Emma then told him, "Anna Elizabeth is right..." but was cut off by the curly haired blonde rushing over to them.
"They said yes!" Anna Elizabeth exclaimed before she wrapped Nathan in a hug. He stood awkwardly for a moment before he hugged her back.
As they pulled away, Anna Elizabeth's cell phone rang in her pocket.
As she grabbed it and looked at the caller ID, she said, "Oh, this is about competition next week."
The blonde then went into the living room to answer the call.
Emma could tell that Nathan's nerves had calmed when he took a breath and spoke, "Both of you know how much I care about your daughter. She's one of my best friends, and I have a lot of respect for her. You don't have to worry."
Emma smiled at him before she flashed a look at Killian.
His arms were crossed as he nodded at the seventeen-year-old. Killian then told him, "We're counting on that."
Nathan nodded in response.
Liam then piped up, "Can we play Trouble now?"
Emma walked over and ruffled his hair. She then responded, "Yeah, kid."
"Are you and Anna Elizabeth gonna play?" Liam asked Nathan.
"Well, I was actually hoping to just hang out with your sister," Nathan answered.
Anna Elizabeth then came back over and told her parents, "You guys did say that me and Nathan could talk outside, right?"
"Yeah, kid," Emma answered with a smile.
Anna Elizabeth returned her smile before she and Nathan walked off to the backyard.
Killian tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at his wife as he asked, "How you'd convince her to go out there instead of in her room?"
"Our daughter is under the illusion that they're alone because we can't hear them, but we have a perfect view of them through the screen door," Emma told him with a smile.
Killian smiled back at her as he pointed out, "So, love, you are actually just as overprotective as I am."
"Maybe a little," Emma admitted before they sat down at the kitchen table to play the game with their son.
By the time it was dark outside, Anna Elizabeth and Nathan had come back inside just as Emma was putting away the game.
"Where's Dad and Liam?" Anna Elizabeth questioned.
"Your brother wanted a bubble bath, and Killian is making sure he doesn't overflow the tub like you did," Emma answered, with a teasing smile in her daughter's direction.
"Geez, Mom, I was six," Anna Elizabeth pointed out, as her face turned slightly red.
Nathan couldn't help but chuckle before he said, "I have to get going."
"I'll walk you out," Anna Elizabeth told him. A thought then crossed her mind, and she turned toward her mom and asked, "If that's cool with you?"
"Sure, kid," Emma began. She then added, "But it shouldn't take longer than five minutes."
Anna Elizabeth rolled her eyes before she and Nathan headed out the front door.
When they arrived at his car, a classic Mustang - courtesy of Nathan's father, a mechanic - Anna Elizabeth complained, "I can't believe Mom said that. It was so embarrassing."
Nathan grinned as he told her, "It's cool. Her and your dad are only looking out for you."
"I know," Anna Elizabeth simply replied.
Nathan then became serious as he told her, "I'm really glad that you get to be my girlfriend, Anna Elizabeth."
"Me too," Anna Elizabeth began with a bright smile. She then continued, "I still can't believe you had a crush on me, too."
Nathan returned her smile as he told her, "Well, believe it, Princess. You're pretty amazing."
Anna Elizabeth blushed deeply before she commented, "I'm still not sure about the nickname."
"I've told you that it's a compliment."
"Yes. But you've never explained why," Anna Elizabeth pointed out.
"Well, you do love fairytales. You've read all of the original stories. And thanks to my two-year-old niece, I've seen all of those Disney princess movies quite recently, and you remind me of them. Beautiful, yet strong," Nathan answered, though he found it hard to keep the nervousness from his voice.
Anna Elizabeth blushed once again as she began twirling her hair.
She took a deep breath before she told him, "Our five minutes is probably up, so I'm going to get inside before my dad comes out here and goes all overprotective. So, I'll see you at school on Monday."
"See you then," Nathan replied before getting in his car and driving off.
As Anna Elizabeth walked back inside, Emma teased, "One minute to spare."
The teenager rolled her eyes as she pointed out, "You're my mom. Shouldn't you be like cool with me dating?"
"I am cool with it. But I still want to protect you - you are my only daughter, and Nathan is your first boyfriend," Emma defended.
Anna Elizabeth sighed as she replied, "I know, Mom."
Emma then told her, "And if there's anything you want to talk about, you know I'm here."
Anna Elizabeth smiled as she told her, "Thanks, Mom."
Emma smiled in response.
She then started to head toward her and Killian's room when Anna Elizabeth said, "There actually is something I wanted to ask you."
Emma turned back around and asked, "Yeah?"
"Um... did Graham have a nickname for you?"
"Hmm... not that I can really remember," Emma answered.
Her expression then changed to a grin as she asked, "Does Nathan have one for you?"
Anna Elizabeth rubbed her hands together as she answered, "Maybe."
Emma's grin changed into a smile. She decided not to inquire, but something did occur to her.
"Hey, kid, isn't prom the second week in April?"
"Yeah, it is," Anna Elizabeth simply answered.
Her eyes then widened as a million thoughts began racing in her mind.
"There's so much to do! I have to find a dress and shoes and someone has to do my hair and makeup..."
Emma cut her off, "Chill, Anna Elizabeth. Evie is going to prom, too. And you know how your Aunt Mary Margaret is - I'm sure she has some ideas, and is planning to take Evie shopping."
Anna Elizabeth let out a breath and nodded.
Emma then told her, "Let's get through cheer competition first. Then we'll tackle prom."
"Sounds like a plan, Mom," Anna Elizabeth responded before she headed off to her room.
"What sounds like a plan, love?" Killian questioned when he came back into the living room as Anna Elizabeth shut her door.
"Getting Anna Elizabeth ready for prom," Emma answered.
"That shouldn't be too difficult, love," Killian surmised.
"You would say that," Emma retorted.
Killian grinned as he told her, "I'm only trying to help, love."
Emma returned his grin and shook her head at him in response.
He then asked, "Did Nathan go home?"
"Yeah, Anna Elizabeth just came in from saying goodbye to him," Emma answered.
"So, what happened?"
"I don't know - I was in here," Emma replied, and instantly wished she had lied.
"What do you mean you were in here?" Killian asked.
"She was only out there for, like, five minutes," Emma tried to reassure him.
"That doesn't make me feel better - a bloody lot can happen in five minutes," Killian pointed out.
Emma sighed as she told him for what felt like the millionth time, "Killian, you have to stop overreacting and trust our daughter. We've been through this."
Killian ran his fingers through his hair before he told her, "I'm sorry, love. It's just difficult for me - I still see her as that little girl running around in a princess costume."
"I know you do, and I understand. But you have start loosening your grip some - we both have to," Emma said.
"I can't make promises, but if it means our daughter will be happy, I'll try," Killian relented.
"That's all I - and Anna Elizabeth - want," Emma told him.
She then wrapped him in a comforting hug, which he gladly returned.
As they pulled away, Killian told her, "I do get a say in her dress."
Emma shook her head and grinned as she replied, "What am I going to do with you?"
Killian simply shrugged his shoulders and offered a teasing grin in response.
