I Don't Even Know How To Dance, Part 3b

"Go, Liam!" Emma shouted as her son stepped up to the plate.

When he hit the ball, both Emma and Anna Elizabeth cheered.

Emma then turned to her daughter and said, "You know, kid, you're pretty into this game."

Anna Elizabeth shrugged as she responded, "He's my little brother."

"Well, he's lucky to have a sister like you," Emma told her.

The curly-haired blonde smiled in response.

Liam's hit had won his team the game, and all of the eight and nine year-old boys were currently jumping up and down in excitement around Robin.

"Good game, lads. I'm proud of each of you," Robin told them as he gave each of them a little plastic trophy, as he did each game.

The boys then began finding their parents and other family members.

Emma and Anna Elizabeth met Liam on the field, and the dark-haired boy shouted, "We won! Did you see my good hit?"

"We did. You played very good, kid," Emma told him.

"Totally," Anna Elizabeth agreed as she ruffled his hair.

Liam smiled brightly at them. His expression then turned solemn as he told Emma, "I wish Daddy was here."

Emma got down on his level and hugged him.

"I know you do, kid. But I promise he'll be here for your next game," she assured him.

Liam nodded in response.

As Emma stood back up, Robin surmised, "I suppose Killian is hard at work on that new project."

"Yeah. It would have been nice if they would have given him more time, but they waited until last week to decide to fix up their parents' house for their anniversary," Emma told him.

"I'm sorry, love. I do understand, though. Regina was called in on a case last minute because the other lawyer decided that it was a conflict of interest," Robin told her.

"You know, after all of this is over, we should just go spend a day at the beach. I think we could all use some relaxation," Emma said.

"If you're serious, Emma, I think it's a marvelous idea," Robin told her with a smile.

Emma smiled back at him before her kids were ready to go.

When they got home, Liam asked, "Can we put a puzzle together?"

"Sure, kid," Emma told him as she ruffled his hair.

She then added, "But, first, I need you to go change out of your uniform and put it in the laundry."

"Yes, Mommy," Liam replied before running off to his room.

Emma then turned to Anna Elizabeth and asked, "No plans later today?"

Anna Elizabeth shook her head in response.

Emma then told her, "It's okay if you do, kid. I do understand if you want to hang out with Nathan, Evie, or some more of your friends."

Anna Elizabeth then tucked a loose curl behind her ear as she said, "Well, actually, Nathan's brother and sister-in-law invited us to a car show."

"That sounds fun. Why don't you go?" Emma told her.

"Really, Mom?" Anna Elizabeth asked as her eyes lit up.

"Of course, kid. I know that you do actually like hanging out here, but I still want you to have fun. Besides, your dad isn't working tomorrow, and he wants to take you and your brother fishing. So, you can go today," Emma said with a smile.

"Thanks, Mom," Anna Elizabeth replied with a bright smile before running off to her room.

Liam then emerged from his room and carried his uniform to the laundry room.

When he returned, Anna Elizabeth was leaving.

"Where are you going Anna Elizabeth?"

The curly-haired blonde bent down on her brother's level and told him, "I'm going to a car show with Nathan, his brother, and his brother's wife."

"Okay," Liam said disappointedly.

Anna Elizabeth then took a breath and explained, "Listen, Liam. I'm in high school now, and I can drive. You know I have a lot of friends, and now I have a boyfriend. I want to spend time with them."

Liam nodded in response.

Anna Elizabeth then spoke again, "But you, Liam, will always be the best little brother. I love you so much, and just because I'm not here as much doesn't mean that I don't, okay?"

"Really?" Liam asked with big eyes.

Anna Elizabeth then pulled him in for a hug. As they pulled away, she ruffled his hair and told him, "I will always have time for you, Liam."

The dark-haired boy smiled brightly in response before hugging his sister once again.

As they pulled back, Liam told her, "I hope you have fun, Anna Elizabeth," with a smile.

"Thanks, Liam. I'm sure that I will," Anna Elizabeth replied as she returned his smile.

She then stood up and said, "Bye, Mom!" before she headed out of the door.

Liam then turned back toward Emma, who had set up the puzzle on the kitchen table.

He then made his way over to table and plopped down in the chair.

His blue-green eyes roamed over the puzzle intensely before settling on piecing together the bottom corner, while Emma went to work on the top corner.

That might not be the standard when it comes to puzzles, but Liam was adamant. Emma had learned that in things like this, it's best to let him be his little stubborn self.

It took them less than an hour to put the Robin Hood puzzle together, and as soon as Emma put it away, Liam already had the next activity in mind.

He came to Emma with a deck of cards and asked, "Can we play Go Fish?"

Emma smiled at her son as she answered, "Sure, kid."

As they sat down at the table, Liam took the cards from the pack and began "shuffling" them.

The dark-haired boy then asked, "Can I have a snack?"

"Sure, kid. There's some cookies in the cabinet," Emma told him.

"Chocolate chip?" Liam asked.

"You bet," Emma told him with a smile.

Liam returned her smile before he ran off to the kitchen, and Emma took the opportunity to correctly shuffle the deck.

When Liam came back and sat down, Emma commented, "That's a lot of cookies, Liam."

"It's for both of us, Mommy," Liam told her.

Emma smiled at him as she said, "Thank you, Liam."

Liam smiled back brightly at her in response.

He then grabbed the deck and began passing out the cards.

Once the cards were in front of their faces, Liam asked, "Do you have a red 8?"

Emma took a moment to look at her cards before she answered, "Go fish."

Liam sighed before he grabbed a card from the deck.

Emma then asked, "Do you have a black 4?"

Liam nodded before handing over his card.

He then observed, "How do always win, Mommy?"

Emma tried not to laugh as she answered, "We've just started the game, Liam. I haven't won yet – you just might."

The dark haired boy simply nodded in response.

He and Emma then continued to play.

That evening, Emma, Liam, and Anna Elizabeth had just finished a movie.

Emma then commented, "Hey, Anna Elizabeth, I forgot to ask earlier about the car show."

"It was awesome! They had the coolest cars ever," Anna Elizabeth told her.

Emma smiled at her daughter as she observed, "You know, I would like to blame Nathan for your interest in classic cars, but you've always had a thing for them. It must be your mom and dad in you."

Anna Elizabeth smiled back as she replied, "Why do you think I wanted to drive my mom's Camaro?"

Emma couldn't help but laugh in response.

Just then, they heard the door open.

Liam instantly ran into his father's arms.

"Daddy, we won our game! Robin was proud of us."

"I am proud of you too, Liam," Killian told him with a smile.

Liam then asked, "Can we play Trouble, Daddy?"

The look on his son's face was tempting Killian to say yes. But the fact was that he could barely keep his eyes open.

Emma read her husband's mind and went to her son's side and explained, "Daddy has had a really long day at work. He is super tired."

Liam responded, "Okay, Mommy," the disappointment clear in his voice.

Killian then ran his fingers through his son's hair and told him, "Hey, Liam, I don't work tomorrow, and we're all going fishing."

"We are?" Liam asked as his eyes lit up.

Killian smiled at him and nodded in response.

Emma then said, "Alright, Liam, I think we should let Daddy go take a shower. But if you want, I'll play Trouble with you."

The dark-haired boy nodded in response before running off to get the game, dragging his sister with him.

As Killian and Emma both rose to their feet, he told her, "Thank you, love."

"Of course, Killian. I know you're exhausted," Emma replied.

"I know. But I still feel bloody terrible that I missed his game," Killian lamented.

"It's okay, Killian. I'm sure that Liam will be alright," Emma reassured him.

Killian sighed before he said, "My father was taken away from me way too soon. He did everything he could so that we would know that he was there for us. But I still wish it would have been more – I don't want my kids to stay that."

Emma then took his face in her hands and told him, "Hey, it's only one game. You have never missed anything that either one of our kids have been in – no matter how much running around it may involve. They always know that you will be there for them. No matter what."

Killian smiled at her before pulling her in for a hug.

As they pulled away, he placed a kiss on her forehead before heading to their bedroom.

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The next afternoon, Killian was carrying a sleeping Liam into the house.

"Well, love, I think our lad enjoyed himself today."

Emma smiled at her husband's comment before she observed, "He was probably also too excited to sleep."

Killian smiled as well before he nodded. He then carried his son to his room.

When he returned, he focused his attention on his teenage daughter.

He smiled as he told her, "I believe I owe you a dance, love."

Anna Elizabeth smiled brightly at him in response.

They then moved into the living room, where they moved the coffee table out of the way while Emma scrolled through the songs on her phone.

She settled with a waltz from Swan Lake and kept it paused while she watched as Killian began to teach.

Killian took one of Anna Elizabeth's hands in his as he instructed, "Alright, love, you place one hand just like this and the other one on my shoulder."

Anna Elizabeth nodded before doing as told.

"Then your partner, in this case, Nathan, will place his free hand on your waist," Killian explained.

As Killian moved to rest his hand on Anna Elizabeth's waist, all she thought about was the reason why he was doing this. She instantly tensed up.

Killian sensed this and told her, "Anna Elizabeth, I know why you're nervous, love. You keep thinking about Nathan. But, love, you'll have a better time if you relax. You also can't dance if you're too stiff."

Anna Elizabeth nodded before she took a deep calming breath.

She then looked back up at Killian, who nodded at Emma to start the music.

"Follow my lead, love," Killian told Anna Elizabeth, who nodded in response.

The first few steps went smoothly, save for the fact that Anna Elizabeth kept looking at her feet.

Then, to her dismay, she stepped on Killian's foot.

"Ugh, I'm horrible. I knew I would be," Anna Elizabeth complained as she crossed her arms.

Killian stroked her hair as he told her, "You'll get the hang of it, love. It just takes practice, and I know you're not one to give up."

Anna Elizabeth sighed before she told him, "I know you're right, Dad. Let's try again."

Killian smiled and nodded at her before they resumed their position.

He then told her, "Okay, Anna Elizabeth, this time, I need you to look at me and not your feet."

"I'll try, Dad."

Killian nodded at her before Emma once again started the music.

Though still a little stiff, Anna Elizabeth was much better this go around. It probably had something to do with the fact to do with the fact that Killian was counting out the steps for her.

After a little bit, he stopped and told her, "See, love? I told you that you'd get the hang of it."

Anna Elizabeth rolled her eyes and pointed out, "It's because you were counting, Dad."

"That's how you learn, kid," Emma added.

Killian then told the teenager, "How about this, Anna Elizabeth. We'll do it once more with me counting, and then you'll take over. After that, it's just us dancing. Sound like a plan?"

Anna Elizabeth nodded in response.

They then began dancing once again with Killian repeating, "1,2,3...". After a spin around the living room, Anna Elizabeth took over. Killian mouthed the numbers to start with before she did it on her own. And to his surprise, she had actually loosened up.

As they moved to a halt, Killian questioned, "You ready to do this for real?"

Though she answered, "yes," the look on her face said otherwise.

Killian then ran his fingers through her blonde curls and told her, "I know you're nervous about dancing with Nathan. But you shouldn't be – he was one of your best friends before he was boyfriend. Think of it as sharing a dance with your best friend, and it won't make you as nervous. I promise that you'll have a wonderful time, love."

Anna Elizabeth took a moment to digest his words before she smiled and nodded at him, "Thanks, Dad."

Killian returned her smile in response.

He then said, "Come on, love. The lesson isn't over quite yet."

Anna Elizabeth nodded before they were beginning again. And this time, she was wearing a bright smile. He steps, though not quite perfect, were elegant and graceful. She moved seamlessly, and for truly the first time, Killian wasn't seeing an adorable little girl, but his beautiful teenage daughter.

As they came to a stop, Anna Elizabeth's face broke out in a bright smile.

"I did it, Dad! It was so amazing!"

"You were amazing, love. You're a natural, just like your mother," Killian told her before glancing over at Emma.

"Really? I am?" Anna Elizabeth questioned in slight disbelief.

Killian ran his fingers through her hair once more as he told her, "Yes, love. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about."

Anna Elizabeth smiled at him before pulling her in for a hug. She then told him, "Thanks, Dad."

Killian kissed the top of her head before he said, "You're welcome, Anna Elizabeth."

As they pulled away, she commented, "Can we run through it again? I want it to be perfect."

Killian smiled at her as she answered, "Sure thing, love."

Once more, they resumed their stance and began dancing.

As they continued moving about the living room, Anna Elizabeth was becoming more graceful.

Though Killian tried to hide his emotions, it was a lost cause. Besides the fact that he always wore his heart on his sleeve, Anna Elizabeth was rather perceptive.

She stilled her movement and asked, "You okay, Dad?"

Killian took a deep breath before he admitted, "It's just that I blinked and you grew up. Here I am teaching you how to waltz for prom. A prom that you're attending with your boyfriend. Not to mention the driving. I really am learning to deal with this, but it's still a little fast for my taste.

And in a week, Nathan will be spinning his princess around the dance floor. I'm telling you that it'll be alright when I don't even know if I will be."

At that point, Anna Elizabeth had become emotional as well. She said nothing as she wrapped her father in a hug.

They stood like that for a while before pulling apart. When they did, Anna Elizabeth told him, "You know I've always been a daddy's girl, and that hasn't changed. High school is tough – I can't get through it without you. I still need you to make everything okay."

She then took a breath and added with a smile, "I'll always be your little girl, Dad."

Killian smiled at her before pulling her in for another hug. He missed his brother every day, but if it meant that he got to raise this amazing girl, he wouldn't have it any other way.

As she squeezed him tighter, he thought of her words. No matter where life took her, she would always need him, and she would always be his little girl.

Well, guys, I didn't intend on splitting this part 3 up, but I decided it was best. As y'all have probably figured out, I always have so much going on that it winds up being too much, lol.

I thought I'd end this part with the father-daughter dance lesson that inspired this whole one-shot.

Next up, prom :)