Chapter 5

Emma got up the next morning with a knee in her back and a foot by her face, now she remembered why she didn't allow Henry to sleep in her bed. He was still sound asleep as she got out of bed, she decided to surprise him with his favorite breakfast which happened to be hers as well, she went and made waffles. She wasn't going to forget to make them some hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon on top, it wasn't long after the smell of waffles filled the house that Henry came stumbling out of her room and sat at the table ready to eat. They both sat in silence as they ate, Henry had to be growing again as he had turned into a bottomless pit when he ate, Emma could search he would eat her out of house and home if she let him. Henry soon ran to go play as Emma started to clean up the dishes and everything she used while she made breakfast, her mind wandered to the events of last night.

She wondered why Neil was able to get out of jail, how could he be let loose on good behavior he wasn't that good of a liar or an actor for that matter. She was too zoned out to hear someone knocking on her door; Henry caught her attention as he tugged at her shirt. Finally he learned to not run for the door; of course Emma was pretty sure they were both in shock from recent events. She walked over to the door and opened it.

"Hello, love," Killian smiled at her, she gave a sigh of relief as she stepped out the door and gave him a hug. She couldn't believe that he was able to get out, she was mostly thankful for the fact it wasn't Neil at the door this time.

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you, Henry will be thrilled to see your back," Emma smiled and walked back into the apartment to continue cleaning.

"I didn't go that long Swan, but I'm not going to complain about how glad I am to hear that you missed me." He smiled again as he leaned against the counter next to her. Henry heard Killian's voice and came into the kitchen.

"Hi!" Henry almost had a grin from ear to ear.

"Are you coming to the park with us?" Henry could hardly contain his excitement.

"Well, that is up to your mom," Killian smiled and kneeled down by Henry causing Emma to smile and give a nod.

"Go pack or we are going to be late" Emma smiled at Henry as he ran off.

"Pack? For what, Swan"

"Henry has a sleep over with a friend from school. We are meeting them at Central Park." Emma continued to wash dishes as Killian returned to standing by her.

"So I guess that means I can't take you both out for dinner and a movie?" Killian had a smirk on his face.

"Henry can join another time unless you really wanted to go see the new Secret Life of Pets movie." Emma couldn't help but tease Killian.

"Man, that was the top on my list. Looks less weird with a kid." Emma had to laugh at how he was able to say that with out sounding creepy.

"Oh, I see. Well, I guess we will just have to go see a silly adult film or stay home and watch some of Henry's old Disney movies." She couldn't help but smile at the charming pirate.

"Well, love. I will have to let you decide. My treat to whatever you would like." She smiled and began to ponder on things; she did need to get to know him better, for Henry's sake.

Henry came running back into the kitchen with a backpack flopping on his back smacking his heels as he ran, Emma smiled and made sure he packed everything he needed to. She laughed when she found his Peter Pan book, a few super hero toys and his favorite blanket. She went and grabbed his pj's and toothbrush and added them to his backpack. Emma grabbed her keys and began guiding Henry to the front door with Killian close behind, without asking he locked the door behind him as they had all exited the apartment. Normally Henry would have ran ahead and went to talk to the guard of the building but with recent events he stuck close to Emma and Killian, he wedged himself between them and had a hold of both their hands. Emma looked up to see how he had taken to Henry's action only to be met with a large smile and acceptance of the boy's actions.

Emma could feel her walls falling down the more time she spent with Killian and she wasn't sure if this was a good thing, she was afraid to get hurt again. She had to be strong for Henry and think about his well being before she should even think about her love life, even if that meant delaying him a loving father figure that would go to the end top the world for him. As they walked to Central Park, Henry would occasionally run and swing from their hand catching them off guard every time. Emma would glance at Killian, his smile never faltered since they left the apartment, this made her smile till Henry ran from them and ran over to his friends leaving his backpack on the ground half way there.

"Henry!" She called after him receiving a chuckle from Killian as he picked up the discarded backpack.

"Emma he is fine." His voice alone could calm her down and she hated it.

"But he knows better than that. Just aggravates is all." Emma stopped at a near by picnic table, Killian laying the backpack on the bench and taking a seat where he too could see Henry play.

"He is fine, love. Relax and enjoy the beautiful day." He was right and she knew that he was but she couldn't help but worry. When she spotted the other mothers she grabbed Henry's backpack.

"I'll be back." She ran over to them slowing to a walk as she reached them leaving Killian on the bench till Henry came and had him join in the play.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. Had a few issues this morning and last night."

"You call that an issue? I call that a reward for being a single mom." Ella teased Emma. Ariel and Ruby shared a giggle and all the girls watched the kids or more like watched Hook.

"No, he wasn't the issue. Hopefully a solution but not the issue." All the women gave her a confused look as they didn't understand.

"Neil showed up again." This made gasps erupt.

"I thought he was in for life?" Ruby whispered so the children or Killian couldn't hear them.

"As did I, according to him he got out on 'good behavior'." They all looked in disbelief.

"Ella thank you for this sleep over, I don't think I could bare dealing with Neil again if Henry is there again. Not to mention what will happen if Killian is there, my life is such a mess and I feel so bad for Henry for putting him through all this." Emma didn't realize the situation almost had her in tears, usually, she wouldn't break down like this till she was alone but today was much different.

"No problem at all Emma, you deserve a day to your self. Please let me know if it needs to extend a day, I'm sure Alexandria won't mind one bit." Ella smiled and hugged Emma.

"Thank you so much. I may have to take you up on that. I will send you a text in the morning to see how things went." They all hugged again before Emma went to say goodbye to Henry.

She turned to see Killian under a pile of little kids, Henry on the bottom. She couldn't help but smile and wipe a tear from her eye. Killian looked up just in time to see her wipe her eye and became instantly worried and tried to escape the child pile. The kids quickly dispersed and ran screaming and laughing thinking Killian was going to chase them. Killian got up and walked up to Emma worried about what happened.

"Emma, what's wrong?" He wiped another tear that had escaped off her cheek.

"Oh, I was just talking to the girls about something the other night that I will tell you about later. I need to say goodbye to Henry." Emma sniffles and gestured for Henry to come over, which he did quickly. " I'll see you in the morning okay, and be good for Ella." Henry nodded and gave her a hug around her legs, then did the same to Killian and ran off to play again.

"Let's go back home love and talk. You obviously have a lot on your mind." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her back to her apartment giving the mothers a wave as they left. Emma leaned into him and let him guide her home, she couldn't believe how far her walls had fallen down with him but she needed to let him know before something bad happened.

Killian stopped at a Starbucks on a corner and bought them some coffee and lunch before they headed up to her apartment, Emma didn't talk much which meant she had a lot on her mind. The truth was that she was scared, things were going well for once and everything was about to go crashing down. Killian returned but so did Neil, she was glad that Killian got them coffee, he even got her favorite without having to ask her. As they walked up to Emma's apartment she felt as though there was something wrong and got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach, as they got closer they noticed that her door was already open.

"Shit" Emma was checking her belt noticing she forgot her gun.

"Stay here." Killian walked in front of Emma setting his coffee on the floor by the wall, he really had no idea what they were getting into but he wanted to be prepared for anything. A key had unlocked the door; there was no force marking or any signs of struggle to break in. Killian slowly entered the apartment looking around every corner before advancing further; Emma followed and quickly went in the kitchen for her secret gun under the counter. Killian spotted her other gun and grabbed it off the side table by the couch and both continued to look around the apartment, Killian went to check Henry's room and found a man he had never seen before and tackled him to the ground.

"Hey get off me! This is my house!" of course, Killian wasn't going to believe him till Emma had a say. Emma came running in and seen Killian pinning Neil to the ground by his hand behind his back.

"Emma who the hell is this?!" Emma stood in shock and couldn't answer right away.

"Neil how did you get in here and what the hell are you doing here?!" finally the shock had worn off only to find Killian giving her a hurt and confused look.

"Hey was the to tell the pirate to get the hell off me." Killian ground his knee into Neil's back.

"Not till you explain why you broke into my house." Emma was pleased with Killian's actions.

"I came to see my girl and my son."

"Your son?!" Killian looked at Emma and Neil.

"Yes, my son. You buffoon." Killian looked at Emma searching for anything in her eyes to tell him that Neil was lying, when he couldn't find it he got up and let Neil go and escorted himself out of the apartment.

"Killian wait!" Emma tried to run after him after giving Neil a 'go die' look when she opened the door Killian was long gone.

"What the hell was that for?!"

"What the hell was his problem? Did he think Henry was his?"

"Henry is Killian's you dumb ass, get out of my apartment and get out of my life. I will get you arrested again for breaking and entering."

"No, you won't. You didn't have the balls back then you don't have the courage to do it now."

Neil left, Emma stood in Henry's room absolutely shocked. She had to find Hook but she didn't have any idea where she was going to be able to find him. She needed to talk to him and make things right. She grabbed her phone and tried to call him but for her luck he wouldn't answer, she headed out of her apartment locking the door securely behind her and headed to her little beat up yellow bug. She may not have known where exactly Hook was going to be but she had a good idea he was going to be where the ocean was. She drove to the pier, he really over reacted and wasn't even willing to argue over what he thought. Of course she didn't really help with defending him, when it came to Neil she couldn't ever think straight.

Emma tried to figure out where Killian was going to be when she reached the pier; she got out of her bug and began walking the pier. She headed down where she thought the Jolly Roger was only to find that it was gone, she wasn't sure what to think.

"He traded the ship in for you." Emma jumped at Smee's voice.

"What?" She turned and looked at Smee, she could tell his lack of a job was not treating him well.

"Captain traded his ship in for our freedom so he could be with you and the boy, and I'm guessing by the fact you are standing here you haven't found him yet." Smee pointed to the bar behind them.

"I have to talk to him Smee, everything got so messed up."

"Go talk to him." Smee nodded and left to go to a ship by the pier, Emma guessed it was for a new job he possibly got or a possible place to stay. She headed to the bar when she walked in she was hit with cigar smoke and the smell of too much alcohol. She quickly spotted Killian in the corner by the bar, drinking rum of all things.

"Is rum always your solution?" She walked up to him.

"Not always but it sure helps a lot. What brings you here, love?"

"I'm here for you, please can we go and talk. I have a lot to explain." Emma tried to be as convincing as she possibly could; Killian nodded tossed a few coins on the bar and followed her out. They walked out and sat on the edge of the pier, Killian still sipping from his flask.

"Spill Swan, who was that man?" Killian was obviously upset, mostly felt betrayed that she didn't tell him.

"Neil. He was the one who dropped me off here after he robbed a place 5 years ago. Without him, I would have never met you." Emma looked at Killian. "Killian I swear I never thought that he was ever going to show back up, he was supposed to be in jail for life. I had no idea he was going to come back, that has been what was bothering me. I wanted to tell you I really did but everything happened before I had the chance to."

"Emma..."

"I was trying to protect Henry, that's all I have ever done and the fact that he bonded with you so easily scares me. I'm afraid to get close to anyone ever again because every time I do I always get hurt and I always loose them." She couldn't help the tears that began to fall; she had been afraid and alone for so long she forgot what it felt like to be cared for. It honestly scared her.

"Oh, Love. You don't have to worry about me if there is one thing I am good at that is surviving all circumstances." Killian pulls her close and gives her a kiss before wiping away her tears. "I know that you are hurting, Swan, but I know there are better ways to overcome anger."

"Let me guess, rum?"

"Never hurts." He smiles and hands her his flask, she took a swig and laid against his chest, he had a way of always making her feel better no matter what the situation was at the time. He had a way about him that always made her sadness and anger was away.

"About Henry, he really is yours I promise. Neil doesn't care he is just trying to be controlling like he always has been." Emma could feel Killian tense up at Neil's name.

"Aye…" He took another swig of rum as he continued to think about the new information he was given. "I don't want him around Henry."

"I don't either, and I haven't quite figured out how to completely accomplish that, though."

"I have some bloody good ideas."

"With Neil coming back twice, I should text Ella and tell her that Henry will be staying an extra night. She will take him to school as well." Emma took a swig from the flask and made a face, as she wasn't use to the burn from the rum.