Calin woke up to Anna Elizabeth sleeping on his chest. Her blonde curls were in disarray, and she was snoring softly.
She looked like an angel when she slept, and the description was an accurate one for every moment of every day. Calin couldn't help but play over last night in his mind. He smiled as he thought about how even though he didn't think it was possible, she was even more beautiful and perfect to him now.
He then thought about their wedding. It truly was one of the happiest days of his life. Part of him still couldn't believe that he was married the love of his life and that his sarcastically funny, kindhearted, stubbornly independent, slightly insecure, and beautiful Anna Elizabeth was his wife. And they were to spend the rest of their lives together.
Calin then started running his fingers over Anna Elizabeth's back. She stirred slightly, and he was afraid he had awoken her. However, she simply rolled back on her side and fell back asleep, taking the sheet and comforter with her.
He watched her sleep a few moments more before he quietly and carefully got out of bed. He found his boxers on the floor. He slipped them on before going over to his black suitcase, which was sitting by the closet. He dug out a white t-shirt and threw it on.
Calin smiled as he made his way toward the kitchen, where he planned to surprise Anna Elizabeth by making her breakfast and bringing it to her in bed.
Unbeknownst to him, Calin had woken up his wife. She had watched him get dressed and curiously wondered what he was up to. However, she was too tired to dwell on it, so she curled back underneath the covers.
To Anna Elizabeth's surprise, she fell into a deep sleep and slept for half-an-hour. She was awoken by her husband calling her name. She was careful to keep the sheet and comforter around her as she sleepily sat up.
Her eyes widened slightly as she saw Calin coming toward her with two breakfast trays in his hands.
He read her mind and set the trays down for a moment to pick up his dress shirt off the floor and toss it to her. Once she had it on, he handed the tray to her.
Her blue eyes roamed over her breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, and oatmeal. A tall glass of orange juice sat next to one of the plates.
"Oh, Calin, this looks and smells amazing! I can't believe you did all of this!" Anna Elizabeth exclaimed.
Calin shook his head before he responded, "Haven't you learned by now that there's nothing I wouldn't do for you?" He then sat down beside her on the bed, his tray in hand.
Anna Elizabeth smiled brightly at her husband as she told him, "Thank you," as she ran her fingers through his brown locks.
Calin smiled back at her as he replied, "You're welcome." He and his wife then dug into their food.
When they finished eating, Calin took the plates into the kitchen and washed them.
As soon as he walked back into the bedroom, Anna Elizabeth told him, "You know I could have helped with the dishes."
Calin rolled his eyes before he simply responded, "I'm well aware." It was Anna Elizabeth this time who rolled her eyes.
When he had settled into bed, she snuggled up next to him. She wrapped both arms around his torso, and he wrapped his around her waist.
The blonde then spoke, "So, I wanted to ask you something," as she looked up at her husband.
"What's that?" Calin asked curiously.
Anna Elizabeth answered with a question, "How did you manage to move all our stuff in here and buy groceries?"
Calin couldn't help but chuckle lightly before he replied, "Well, your dad and brother helped with the move shortly after we got back from the concert. After that, I went to the supermarket and bought breakfast foods."
Anna Elizabeth nodded before she asked another question, "Who all knew about the house?"
"Pretty much everyone but you," Calin answered with a grin.
Anna Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him for a moment. She then spoke, "You know, I have to say that you're pretty great at surprises," with a grin.
Calin ran his fingers through her hair as he sincerely told her, "That'll come in handy in the future."
She smiled at him before she kissed his cheek in response. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Anna Elizabeth looked back up at him and shyly told him, "You were amazing last night."
Calin bit his lip and blushed before he told her, "You were amazing yourself," as he took one of her hands in his.
Anna Elizabeth blushed as well before she added, "Thank you for being so incredibly patient with me."
Calin smiled and kissed her temple before he told her, "You were just as patient with me."
Anna Elizabeth nodded before she kissed his cheek once again. She then told him, "That's what marriage is about – being there for each other no matter what."
Calin smiled at her once more as he added, "And helping each other through new challenges."
Anna Elizabeth smiled back at him before she kissed him sweetly. As they pulled away, she told him, "Whatever we face – good and bad – we'll face it together."
"There's no one I'd rather face it with than you – my amazing wife," Calin told her. He then let go of her hand to cup her cheek.
Anna Elizabeth ran her fingers through his hair again as she replied, "And there's no one I'd rather go through this life with than you – my wonderful husband."
Calin smiled at her before he kissed her forehead. Anna Elizabeth smiled back at him before she settled back in against his chest. They sat in comfortable silence once more and enjoyed the feeling of being in each other's arms. It was a moment that they would look back on in years to come and cherish.
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That afternoon, Killian was fishing as he sat on the end of the wooden pier. He was deep in thought as he played the PowerPoint over and over again in his head.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard his daughter's voice behind him, "Mind if I join you?"
Killian turned around to face her before he smiled and replied, "Of course, love."
Anna Elizabeth smiled back before she took a seat next to her father. She then cast her line into the water.
Killian then asked, "How did you know I was here?"
"Mom," Anna Elizabeth simply answered with a grin.
Killian smiled back before he asked, "How was your nig…" trailing off as the implication hit him. He ran his fingers through his black hair and muttered, "bloody hell." He then looked over at his daughter and saw that she was blushing. He had pretend that he didn't recognize the smile on her face.
He then cleared his throat and tried once more, "That is, love, how was your morning?"
"Nice save, Dad," Anna Elizabeth spoke with a slight chuckle. She then sobered and continued, "It was really wonderful – Calin made me breakfast."
Killian smiled as he responded, "That's really great, love." He then joked, "Your mother wasn't quite that lucky."
Anna Elizabeth only giggled in response. When she had stopped, she sincerely told him, "I wanted to thank you for the house. I know it was Calin's idea, but it still means a lot that you let us have it."
Killian kissed her temple before he told her, "I could see how much it meant to Calin, and I also knew how much it would mean to you, love. It was truly an easy decision."
Anna Elizabeth smiled at him before she kissed his cheek in response.
A moment later, the blonde saw her bobber go beneath the water. She smiled as she slowly started reeling in her line. A couple of minutes later, she was taking a fish off the hook.
Killian then told her, "It's hardly fair that I helped teach you how to fish, and you caught a fish after being here less than ten minutes when I've been here over an hour," feigning annoyance.
Anna Elizabeth only laughed before she released the fish and watched it disappear beneath the waves.
She then joked, "I guess you and my dad taught me a little too well," with a smirk. Killian only rolled his eyes in response.
Anna Elizabeth's expression then became serious and her tone sobered as she asked, "Do you remember the first night I stayed with you? After the accident, I mean."
Killian thought for a moment before he answered, "Aye, love. It was the same night, and I dropped you off at David and Mary Margaret's before I rushed to the hospital."
He then took a deep breath and continued, "I remember getting the news like it was yesterday. I was shocked, horrified, and heartbroken. I was too in shock to even react, really. But I knew I had to bring you home. When I arrived back at your uncle and aunt's, they told me they had heard the news from Emma because she was on duty. They offered to keep you, but I wanted to take you with me. I suppose it was rather selfish."
"You weren't selfish, Dad. You wanted to take care of me," Anna Elizabeth pointed out.
Killian offered a small smiled before he ran his fingers through her hair.
He then spoke, "I brought you back to my house, and naturally, you were asking a million questions about your parents were, but I used your four-year-old attention span to my advantage. It worked for a while – until after I tucked you into bed. You were finally asleep, and I was alone with my thoughts. The news had sunk in, and I couldn't help the tears that were pouring. You came into my room and wanted to know why I was crying."
"And you told me the truth," Anna Elizabeth added.
"You remember? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised," Killian spoke.
Anna Elizabeth nodded before she elaborated, "I had run over to you when I asked why you were crying. You wiped your eyes before you picked me up and pulled me into your lap. You were quiet for a few minutes, and I know now that you thinking about what to say. You then stroked my hair and explained that I would live with you from now on. When I asked why, you gently told me that Mommy and Daddy were in Heaven because they had passed away in a car accident."
Killian then chimed in, "Though I don't think you fully understood, you were so dreadfully upset, as any child would be. You were so sad that you wouldn't see them again, and you buried your head in my chest. It absolutely broke my heart to see you cry."
The blonde then finished, "But you made it better. You got me to look up at you, and you then told me that my parents would never truly be gone because they would always be in my heart," as she wiped her eyes.
Killian wiped his own before he placed his fishing pole to the side. Anna Elizabeth did the same before they wrapped each other in a crushing hug. He ran his fingers through her hair, and she squeezed him tighter. They stayed embraced for a long moment before they finally pulled away.
Killian then spoke, "To this day, that is still the bloody hardest thing that I've ever had to do. Perhaps I should have waited to tell you, but I thought I was doing what was best for you, my love."
"It was what was best for me, Dad. It was better that I knew, even though it was difficult, not to mention heartbreaking," Anna Elizabeth assured him.
Killian smiled softly at his daughter before he told her, "It means a lot to hear you say that, Anna Elizabeth."
She nodded, and he then asked, "May I ask what brought this up, love?"
"Well, it's just that I was thinking earlier. Though I obviously didn't know it back then, you telling me about my parents let me know I wouldn't be alone because you would always be there for me. And you have been – no matter what and no matter how hard it may have been," Anna Elizabeth told him.
"I was terrified of raising you, but I had to make sure that you knew you were loved. Even though your parents were gone, I wanted you to know that you had me, love," Killian responded.
"And I have, Dad. I knew I could always count on you," Anna Elizabeth spoke with a genuine smile. Her expression then changed to a smirk, and she continued, "Even though I'm often too stubborn to admit it right away, and you want to threaten the life of any guy that breaks my heart."
"Any man that believes he can date two lasses at one time doesn't deserve her time, let alone her heart. Especially when one of those hearts belongs to my daughter," Killian stated.
Anna Elizabeth placed a calming hand on his arm before she told him, "Well, you won't have to worry about that with Calin," with a bright smile.
Killian smiled back as he told her, "I know, love. You found someone who is truly deserving of your love. And I couldn't be happier that you found him."
"It means so much to hear you say that, Dad. Calin makes me so, so happy, and I'm so glad that you can see it," Anna Elizabeth replied.
"I saw it the first time I saw the two of you together, love. And yesterday only proved that he wants to make you happy forever," Killian admitted. He then took a deep breath and continued, "Seeing you in your mother's dress, pledging your love and commitment to Calin, and watching him become your husband made me realize something."
"What was that?" Anna Elizabeth asked curiously.
"That you are no longer an adorable little girl, but a beautiful woman," Killian answered as he reached over to stroke her blonde curls.
Anna Elizabeth smiled at her father before she pulled him in for another hug. They held each other tightly before letting go. The blonde then spoke, "Watching the PowerPoint made me come to a realization of my own."
Killian tilted his head at her as he questioned, "What would that be, love?"
"Even though I have always furiously protested against it, part of me will always be your little girl," Anna Elizabeth honestly told him.
Killian's expression changed to one of surprise, wonderment, and awe as he asked, "Do you truly mean it, Anna Elizabeth?"
She nodded before she answered, "Whenever I was scared or nervous about something or whenever I had a problem, I needed you to make me feel better. I still need you. I know that Calin is my husband now, but I will always need you, Dad," with tears forming in her eyes.
Killian broke into a wide smile as he told her, "Oh, my love, you have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I've been so afraid of you growing up and getting married because I was afraid of losing you."
"Oh, Dad, I may be grown up and married, but you will never lose me," Anna Elizabeth assured him.
Killian then pulled his daughter in for another crushing hug, one that Anna Elizabeth happily returned. They stayed like that for a long moment before they pulled apart.
Killian then spoke, "Shall we fish some more, love?" Anna Elizabeth smiled brightly as she responded, "I think we shall."
They then picked up their poles, and the blonde rebaited her hook. Both of them then cast their lines out and cast their gazes on the water.
The blonde then joked, "Maybe you'll actually manage to catch a fish this time," as she chuckled.
Killian rolled his eyes before he told her, "You know, Anna Elizabeth, you really can be entirely too much like me."
Anna Elizabeth grinned as she reminded him, "Well, I did learn it from you."
Killian couldn't help but grin and shake his head because he knew that she was right. Anna Elizabeth giggled before she focused her attention back to the water.
He then watched her for a few moments. Her blue eyes were lit up with happiness, and a breeze was softly blowing her blonde curls. He began to think of their earlier conversation. On the night of the crash, and the months that followed, Killian had been positive that he would never be a good enough father to Anna Elizabeth. But, as she often did, she reminded that he was that he was the best father that she could have wanted. The thought brought a smile to his face, and he knew the same was true for his brother and sister-in-law.
As he turned his attention back to the water, his smile grew as he thought, "That's my girl."
Alright, my lovelies, the story of Anna Elizabeth's wedding has come to an end, and I hope that you all enjoyed it! I want once again thank everyone who offered ideas for this fic. It truly did help me write what I believe is an amazing story!