First of all, a big thank you to everyone who favorited, followed and reviewed the first chapter! I am intending on not letting you down and uploading quite regularly ;)

Make sure to review this chapter as well and I hope I can entertain you for a bit so enjoy!

Disclaimer: none of it except for the OC's belong to me!

Chapter two

On July 24th 2016 two little girls were born, one in Chicago and one in Boston. One to a happily married couple and one to a couple who kept trying to find each other but somehow never could.

Charlotte Claire Jones was born at exactly 5 am. Killian would never forget that day, that moment. The moment his entire life changed and he became a father to the most precious little girl he could have wished for. Him and Milah had been married for 8 years before she finally got pregnant. It had been a rocky road to say the least. He had met Milah when he was only 25 and she was 30, at a bar he worked at back in the day. The idea of being with an older woman had always interested him and he saw no harm in a little flirting with the pretty dark haired woman who kept visiting more and more often, and always while he was at work. She was the first woman to make him nervous and Killian Jones had plenty of experience with women, maybe a little too much. He had screwed up in college, always chasing after women and partying instead of actually studying and it had caused him to drop out and work at the bar fulltime. He liked it. It was his vibe and his charms worked great on costumers, so he had gotten himself to the position of of manager within a year. Still, Milah had given him a run for his money. She had played as hard to get as she possibly could, however Killian Jones was anthing but a quiter so eventually she had given in and accepted his offer to take her out on a date.

After that first date they had slipped into a routine of dates and sex but Milah had quickly made work of it and confronted him about his intentions. After all, she was already 30 and she wanted to desperately become a mother. If Killian was serious about her, he was in for all of that and she gave him the condition that she wanted to marry within a year. Killian was so head over heels for her he accepted without any hesitance and so they married exactly a year later in London, Milah's birthplace. It was a good marriage, of course they argued and they had their differences, but they made it work and Killian loved his Milah so desperately. Which was why it broke him when pregnancy test after pregnancy test came back negative. They had tried for 7 years but what seemed like hundreds of tests later they decided to take a different route. They put together their savings and decided to give IVF a try, thinking it was the only way they could make their biggest wish come true, having a baby. The road was long but a year after they started with IVF on july 24th 2016, their miracle baby was born.

Charlotte was a month early and she was monitored carefully the first week of her life before she and Milah were released and it was finally time to take the product of their love and hard work home. From that moment on she had been the light in their life. Charlotte was a very easy baby, always happy and smiling and very much a daddy's girl but Milah didn't mind. She finally had the family she always wanted and they were happy, until that dreadful day.

What had started out as a day of fun wound up as the worst day of Killian and Charlotte's lives. Receiving the news that his wife, Charlotte's mother, had been hit by a drunk driver and killed instantly by the blow was a pill too hard to swallow. It took him a few months of grief counciling to get over the worst of it. Now, just over a year later, he was doing a lot better. He still missed her of course but it was not nearly as bad as it had been before and he was sure that the move from Chicago to Storybrooke was going to prove a good one. He could start a new life with Charlotte here, at least for the time being and perhaps this could be the final step in his grieving process.

After spending the entire day moving all the boxes and new furniture into the house Killian was exhausted, but he had made a promise to Charlotte to come pick her up and go to a diner called Granny's for dinner with that Single Parent Club. The name made him chuckle and he wondered why the other parents were single parents. Every one of them had a story, they had to, and he was curious to find out more about them. Especially Emma Swan. He had not been so instantly taken by a woman since he had met Milah, but Emma Swan made his silent heart beat again for some reason and he was keen to know more about the strong-minded woman. Lucky for her he ran into her as he walked onto the schoolgrounds with Mr. Mittens on a leash. The cat was extremely wellbehaved when it came to walking in public on a leash, almost like a dog. Killian held back a laugh when he noticed Emma's confused expression upon spotting Mr. Mittens.

'I had no idea you could walk cats like that'

'Not a cat person then, Swan?'

'I've never really been into pets in general. Hazel has been begging me for a cat since she could talk but I don't know if I am really the cat owning type' Emma admitted as Mr. Mittens took it upon himself to curiously sniff Emma's foot before walking back to Killian and sitting down next to him to clean himself as they waited for Charlotte.

'You know, the fun thing about cats is that they pick you, not the other way around' he commented as he leaned down to pet the tabby cat who instantly purred at the touch of his owner.

'How was moving day?' she seemed genuinely interested in him. He was relieved she wasn't asking out of some awkward attempt to keep a conversation going, but she seemed to really care. He wasn't fooled by the genuine question though. He could see her sky high walls from miles away. He recognized a broken soul when he saw one and just one look into her eyes could tell her that her heart had been broken more than once, but differently than his. It would be difficult to find out what had happened to her, but Killian Jones never backed away from a challenge.

'Tiring, but almost everything seems to be in place now. Lots of boxes that need to be unpacked though' Emma nodded at his answer and smiled gently.

'I remember that from when I moved here several years ago. I think I still have an unpacked box or two in my garage' they shared a laugh of recognition. His garage would probably be filled with boxes for the time being, though most would be with stuff that belonged to Milah that he could not bear having in the house but that he could not part with yet either.

'So you've not always lived here then?'

'Nope, I moved here from Boston just after Hazel was born actually'

'There's a story there Swan' he pushed, a cheeky grin playing on his lips as Emma glared at him 'I don't know what it is yet, but I'll get it out of you. Just you wait'

'I'm quite a tough nut to crack so don't get your hopes up Jones'

'Actually, you're somewhat of an open book to me. Let me guess, bad relationship broke your heart and made you move to Storybrooke, am I right? But that's not it. You're not used to having people close to you. You were abandoned as a child, an orphan probably'

The look in Emma's eyes told him all he needed to know, but she would not budge. For split second she could see true emotion in those forest green eyes, telling him that he was right, but then her walls were back and her eyes were now telling him he had taken it a step too far.

'How would you know that?' she bluffed, trying to laugh it off like it wasn't true but Killian stayed serious.

'I spend quite some years volunteering in an orphanage when I lived in Chicago. Those children all share the same look in their eyes, the look you get when you've been left alone'

'Yea well I have Hazel now, and my friends'

'But an orphan's an orphan' he commented softly as he kept checking her reaction. He could see he had hit a nerve and it was time he perhaps changed the subject but not before he entrusted her with a little information about himself that might make this a bit easier on her. 'We share that same look Swan, you're not alone in this'

Just when she was about to reply the doors opened and a group of children ran out, among them Charlotte and Hazel who seemed to have stuck together as they ran up to their parents holding hands like they were sisters. Emma's sorrowful look immediately changed to a smile when she noticed how happy Hazel looked and she crouched down to hug her little girl tight as she ran into Emma's arms. Killian watched the reunion with a sweet grin before hugging and greeting Charlotte, who seemed more overjoyed to see Mr. Mittens than her father but he was fine with it. That cat was her best friend and Charlotte immediately called Hazel over to meet him.

'Look Hazel, this is Mr. Mittens. He is my very best friend but I am sure he wants to be your friend as well!' Charlotte gleefully exclaimed as Hazel carefully came closer to the cat and let him sniff her hand before petting him ever so sweetly.

'Great, now cat fever will never blow over' Emma whispered to Killian as she stood next to him, grinning sweetly at him as he shared a knowing look with her. Emma Swan truly was something different. Though her walls seemed indiscructable, she was very easy to be around when they were not talking about emotions or sensitive subjects.

'Can I go with Charlotte for a playdate mommy?' Hazel sweetly asked as she looked up from her crouched down position so she could pet Mr. Mittens who seemed to love all the attention he was getting.

'Well honey, Mary Margaret invited us to Granny's so we'll go and have dinner there, but I believe Charlotte and her dad are coming along, right?' when she looked at him with that playful grin, all Killians insticts wanted to do was kiss that grin off her lips. It was insane the effect this woman was having on him, but he convinced himself the attraction was purely sexual. She was a gorgeous woman after all, what man did not fantasize about pushing her up against the wall and fucking her senseless so she would not be able to walk the next day? He shook his head softly to keep those thoughts out of his mind. They just met for God's sake.

'Aye little love, we're tagging along to Granny's, so you and Hazel can play there and we can bring Mr. Mittens along alirght?' it was insane how sexy Killians dad voice was when he talked to his daughter. And he called her little love, what was not to like about that? Emma was fully aware of what this man was subconsciously doing to her but she had no way to stop it and she cursed the man for it. She already decided to keep this man at arms length but he was making it damn difficult to stay away. Not in an emotional way, but physically of course...

The girls cheered and talked about everything and anything on their way to Granny's while Charlotte tightly held Mr. Mittens' leash. Killian and Emma walked just behind them, silently watching their daughters bond. It warmed both their hearts to see the girls together. Killian was just glad that Charlotte had already made a friend on her first day and Emma was beaming that Hazel had gotten over her shyness so quickly with this new friend. She never really had many friends and it was nice to see that her little girl was finally crawling out of her shell.

Once they arrived at Granny's they were greeted by their friends who had already gathered at the diner. Most of them had kids either older than Emma and Killian's or they were in different classes so Emma and Killian were the last ones to arrive.

'My oh my, look who came together' Ruby immediately chirped from behind the bar as she got some drinks. 'Usual for you Ems? What about you Killian? You strike me as a rum kind of guy'

'It's like you can read my mind' Emma couldn't help the small jealous sting that she felt when Ruby so clearly flirted with Killian and he sent her one of those ridiculously charming grins that she had already grown addicted to.

'I'm not sure we have any more space in the booth!' Elsa exclaimed as Hazel and Charlotte quickly got rid of their coats, handing them to their parents before running off to play with the other kids and Mr. Mittens in the back. Emma sighed as she hung their coats and glanced at Killian who did the same.

'You can share a booth with Emma and me then' Ruby grinned and she placed their drinks on the table before sliding into the booth. Emma had to hold back from rolling her eyes, why did Ruby have to be so obvious when there was a handsome new guy coming into town? Granted he was handsome AND a seemingly good guy, but that did not mean she had to practically pounce on him. Regardless, she slid into the booth with Killian and grabbed her beer.

'A beer huh Swan? I must say that doesn't surprise me one bit, you don't seem like the wine type of lass' it earned him another playful eyeroll from Emma.

'So Killian, I don't mean to pry... well actually I do. But how does a handsome guy like you end up a single parent?'

'Ruby!'

'What? A girl can be curious'

'You don't just ask people that'

'It's quite alright Swan, the lass has a right to ask' Killian was silent for a moment and took a sip from his rum before answering Ruby's question 'My wife died a little over a year ago. Drunk driver hit her on her way to work'

'Killian... I'm so sorry, I didn't know it was such a painful subject'

Emma glared at Ruby for being so insensitive. She hated when conversations became emotional, especially when it came to past relationships and this once again proved that nothing good ever came from bringing up the past.

'Well you've successfully killed the mood Ruby'

'Swan it's alright' Killian forced a smile and took another sip 'I've told the story a million times, it'd surprise you how often I get asked why I am a single father'

It did not really surprise her honestly, he was gorgeous and kind and those men were not easy to come by so of course women threw themselves at him.

'Perhaps we should talk about something more cheerful then, like your birthday Emma!'

'That is definitely not more cheerful' another glare was sent towards Ruby.

'Come on Emma! You're only turning 28 once!'

'You said that last year when I turned 27 and the year before. You just want an excuse for a party'

'A party to celebrate you!'

'I hate parties that revolve around me'

Killian was thoroughly enjoying the exchange between the two friends. He started to like Emma more and more, especially when her feisty side came out, like it did right now. A wide toothed grin was plastered onto his face as he watched the two bicker and he slowly sipped his rum.

'Just when is your birthday Swan?'

'I'm definitely not telling you, that grin tells me more than enough, you'll just conspire with Ruby to throw a party'

'This saturday'

'RUBY!'

'He asked'

'Alright, time for me to get a new beer if I am going to get through more of this conversation' Emma quickly slid out of the booth and walked over to the bar to get herself another beer as Ruby leaned in.

'So you're in? For the party?'

Killiaan glanced at Emma for a moment. She seemed like the type of lass that would make a spectacle of telling everyone she hated her birthday and then secretly enjoy her party in the end. So he looked back at Ruby with a knowing grin.

'Of course, wouldn't miss it for the world'

As the evening went on Killian mingled with the group of friends to get to know everyone. He found out he really liked Robin, the two got along instantly and they found out they had similar stories since Robin's wife also passed away some time ago. He also found out that Mary Margaret acted as a surogate mother to Emma, something he found both adorable and hilarious when he saw how it annoyed Emma to no end. Yet it seemed to make her feel save and wanted as well when Mary Margaret acted as though she was her mother. Elsa and Liam he already knew of course, but it was nice to see them in a different setting, with their friends and in the town they called their home. Perhaps in time Killian would be able to do the same as well.

'Penny for your thoughts brother' Killian looked up from his drink when he heard his older brother's voice and he smiled.

'I was just observing the crowd' he commented as Liam sat down on a barstool next to him.

'It's a strange but fun group isn't it?'

'Aye, you've surrounded yourself with great people brother' Killian commented as his eyes drifted off to Emma who was sitting with Mary Margaret, actually smiling and seemingly having a carefree, happy moment.

'And you've already set your eyes on the most challenging woman around' Liam noted when he saw his brothers eyes once again drift off to Emma. He had seen that look before and it did not surprise him. The two could potentially be a great match, both stubborn and strong-minded but also broken and lonely.

'I've no idea what you're talking about' Killian quickly glanced away and looked back at his older brother who was grinning like an idiot.

'I've seen that look before Killian, you like her. I can't blame you really but... tread carefully with Emma Swan'

'Because you'll kick my ass if I break her heart?' Killian grinned at his brother before taking a sip from his third glass of rum.

'I think she'll do a fine job of doing that herself'

'I can imagine' he chuckled. He didn't doubt that Emma knew how to defend herself, seeing how protective she was of herself and her girl. She had called a four year old a pussy, wouldn't wanna be on her bad side.

'I don't just mean that, Emma she's... a difficult case. She's been through a lot but that's not my place to tell really'

Killian glanced at his brother, seeing that he was serious. He had figured out that Emma was a tough lass but now he was even more curious about her story.

'I can take care of myself Liam, no need to act all big brother every time you think I am getting myself into trouble' Killian sighed and put his tumbler down before making his way to the back where the girls were cuddling with Mr. Mittens and playing some sort of patty cake game. He crouched down by the girls and stroked Mr. Mittens' furry little head.

'How are things going here little love?'

'Mr. Mittens peed in the backroom' Charlotte sheepishly admitted and the two girls burst into fits of laughter. Killian chuckled along as the cat let out a soft meow.

'We'll have to inform Ruby about that then'

'Daddy, did you know that Hazel doesn't have a daddy? And I don't have a mommy!'

'Is that so?' so there was no father figure in the picture then. Perhaps Emma had been through something similar as he had and she just hadn't been in the mood to tell him. Or perhaps the father wanted nothing to do with them. He could hardly believe that when he looked at how adorable Hazel was and what a spectecular woman Emma Swan was, but there was more to the story for sure.

'We would really be like sisters if I also had a cat!' Hazel spoke up, the first time she had ever really spoken to him since he had met her that morning. It seemed the girl was a bit more shy than his Charlotte but maybe his girl pulled her out of her shell a bit.

'Perhaps if you'll ask your mommy really nicely she will get you one eventually' Killian liked stirring a bit of trouble and surely a cat couldn't hurt. He glanced back at Emma who just then met his eyes and he waved at her with that same grin plastered on his face.

Emma had been sitting with Mary Margaret for a bit, her eyes drifting off to the two girls and the cat in the back every now adn then to see if they were still behaving and if Hazel was feeling comfortable around her new friend.

'So Killian seems like a great guy'

'Hmm?' Emma glanced at Mary Margaret, tearing her gaze away from her four year old who was happily playing with her new friend and the cat.

'Killian, he's handsome isn't he? And Liam says he's a good guy as well' Mary Margaret beamed and Emma sighed as she sat back and took the last bite from her lasagna.

'Great, so why don't you date him then?'

'Emma, you know I am not interested in guys like that'

'Because you're in love with David, who is married' she grinned a bit and took a sip from her beer.

'Don't try and make this about me Emma, you always do that when you are uncomfortable'

'Yeah well, I've known the guy for a day and you're practically already planning my wedding. You're not going to play cupid with me and Killian. I can deal with this myself'

Now it was Mary Margaret's turn to roll her eyes 'That is exactly what I am afraid of. A great guy comes into your life and you push him away like you always do'

'I don't always do that!' she watched as Killian made his way over to the girls, crouching down when he reached them and blocking her view so she couldn't see Hazel anymore.

'He has been through a rough time too you know, Liam's told me a few things' Mary Margaret tried

'And that makes him the perfect candidate for your broken people project called 'rescue Emma Swan'?' she sarcastically commented, which she immediately regretted as Mary Margaret seemed genuinely hurt for just trying to help. Emma just couldn't help it. Whenever someone tried to get close to her she just pulled away, it's what she'd always done.

'Fine, don't count on my help anymore then'

'Mary Margaret...'

'No I'm serious Emma, you're clearly more than capable of doing everything yourself'

Emma glanced at Killian and the girls again and at that exact moment Killian chose to turn around and wave sweetly at her. She hated how that little wave could make her heart jump and she couldn't do anything about it. She decided it might be time to go or things could get out of hand so she excused herself and walked over to the trio and the cat.

'Hazel honey are you ready to go? It's past your bedtime already' Emma warned, sending Killian a litte jab of letting Charlotte stay up past her bedtime. Beside the little whines she received from her daughter she picked the girl up and held her on her hip as Killian seemed to get ready to go with Charlotte as well.

'I'll see you around then Swan? The girls were talking about a playdate one of these days'

'I- sure. Charlotte can come over to our place some time this week. You must have enough on your hands with the move and all'

That damned smile got her again and she felt a wave of excitement and fear pulse through her when Killian grinned at her and nodded as he gathered Charlotte, the cat and their things.

'That'd be great love, I'm quite busy with getting everything settled indeed' he admitted as he helped Charlotte into her coat.

'Well I'll see you at school then, say goodnight honey' she urged Hazel to come out of her shell a bit and the blonde girl sweetly smiled and waved at her new friend and her father.

'Bye!' she sweetly exclaimed before Emma kissed her little red cheek and took her to the booth where she had her coat and scarf so they could get ready to head home.

On the way home Emma silently listened to Hazels stories about her new friend Charlotte and what they had been up to today at school and how adorable Charlotte's cat Mr. Mittens was. It was good to hear her babbling on about her friend as it was the first time that really happened and Emma knew she was partly to blame for that. Perhaps her closed off attitude had rubbed off on Hazel and now she was having a hard time making friends because of her...

She quickly shook off the negative thoughts as she parked the car in front of their house. Just before taking Hazel inside she checked the mailbox, she had forgotten about it the day before so there was a small pile of letters waiting for her. She looked through them as they walked into the house and Hazel threw off her coat before running upstairs to play before she was forced to go to bed. Most of the letters were nothing special, bills and newspapers, but there was one that was directed to her. There was no return address on the back and she frowned when she noticed her name and address had been written by hand.

Her eyes widened when she opened the envelope and read the handwritten letter inside it. It was short but very clear and all color drained from her face. How could this possibly be? She had done everything to erase every trace of herself, how had she been found? She felt tears of anger burn in her eyes as she read the letter again.

Emma,

You can't keep running from me. I want to see her, you can't keep her from me.
I may not ring your doorbell today but one of these days I will.
I have changed, I have a steady job, I will be better. For you and for Hazel.
Hazel needs a father and knowing you, you haven't moved on. Let me back into your life Ems.

I still think about you every day Emma.

I'll see you soon,

Love, Neal.

Emma wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, she had cried enough over him and she was not going to let him haunt her again like he had for so long. He could threaten her all her liked but she refused to let him dominate her thoughts again. She ripped the letter apart and threw the remains in the fireplace before lighting the fire and she watched the flames take hold of the letter, burning it until there was nothing but ashes left. Emma sat there for a while, staring into the flames and she could feel Neal creeping back into her thoughts, making her as paranoid as she had been when she had first moved here.

When she was tucking Hazel in thirty minutes later she watched as the girl got comfortable in her bed with all her stuffed animals, most of them being cats of different sizes and levels of fluffiness. Hazel was the most precious thing in her life, so innocent and sweet and so easily damaged. Things were different now than they had been when she left Neal and she had taken Hazel with her. Hazel was older, she would actually be able to remember Neal now and the last thing she wanted was for the two of them to meet. She would protect her daughter from ever meeting him if it was the last thing she did.

Hazel wouldn't suffer as she had...

She kissed her daughter's head and bid her goodnight after reading her a story. When she closed the door behind her she leaned against the white wood and all of a sudden a wave of loneliness hit her. It had been her and Hazel for so long and she had tried protecting them from the dangers of the outside world, but maybe she had to step out of that if she wanted to protect Hazel from her biological father. She would do anything for her, and if that meant opening up to people she normally pulled away from, perhaps that was what she had to do.

Reviews are love ;)

'Til next time kitties!

xx