3 weeks.
Emma had moved back in with her parents and the twins stayed with Henry. Killian started staying on the Jolly Roger so that Emma would go over and spend time with the children.
Killian was sitting on the deck drinking rum watching the stars.
"Hey Captain. Permission to come aboard." Emma said.
"Swan, it is quite late to be out walking the streets. Are you alright Love?"
"After everything." Emma spoke quietly.
"You're not okay are you?"
"Can we talk Killian?"
"What do you want to talk about Emma? How much it hurts to know I came back just to lose you again? Or how every night I dream about how I'm going to die and go back to the underworld and I never got my Swan back. I lost a woman I loved once and I didn't want to do it again."
"Oh okay. You're drunk."
"What do you care Emma?"
"Do you still love me?" she cleared her throat.
"More than I have ever loved anyone. Even more than I thought possible when you gave me two amazing children." Killian sighed.
"They love you so much Killian. I'm so happy you bonded with them. You're all Jayde talks about. She is such a daddy's girl."
"I didn't know that is what I needed but they made this a little easier. What's eating at you?" He asked.
"I….Thank you."
"Yeah of course. But for what?"
"Loving me. when I'm hard to love and taking care of our children and being there for Henry when he needed someone. You are the most caring person I have ever met." Emma stood with her head down and rung her hands out.
"Emma, you know I did that for you. I wasn't always a good man but I wanted to be for you. You were the one person who was able to show me that life's unfairness is something you can't be unhappy about forever."
"Yeah."
"You came to visit me and I'm doing all the talking. What do you need to say Emma?"
She started to walk closer to him and touch the railing of the boat.
"Is this the life you want?" she asked.
"It's the life I got. What about you?"
Emma didn't reply. She stood and looked out over the water and looked at the sky at all the stars and remembered how Killian had always loved to look at the sky at night and they spent many nights just talking about the constellations.
"I love you." she whispered facing out towards the water.
"I promised you I would win your heart. But only if you want it Emma. You don't have to apologize to me for moving on with your life. You can love someone and not be in love with them.."
"Stop. Did you not hear me? I love you, you silly man. I wanted nothing more than to wake up and you be there with me all those years ago and even when I was living my crazy life I would wake up and feel emptiness when the other side of the bed was cold. I love you. I look in Nicolas' eyes and all I see is your beautiful blue eyes and how I think I messed up. Do you know how much Jayde has your wit? How you that day you came and got me at the bar I wanted to kiss you but I thought you were looking for a different love. But yet I can't get my walls to stay down. What if you die again? What if I ruin your amazing new soul. I….I." Emma gripped the railing harder as the tears streamed down her face.
"I love you Emma Swan."
"If I told you right now I never wanted to be together again and that we should just co-parent the twins and stay separated what would you say?" Emma looked at him finally.
"I'd say you were crazy and that I didn't fight the fates to get back here to see you on our children's birthday and through fogged windows when it's snowing and you're out walking around in a leather jacket."
Emma sighed and turned back around and faced the water with her head down.
"Swan what do you want me to do? I'm trying to give you space and as always. I just want to make you happy and be the man you deserve."
"Killian Jones, do you think some day you would want to marry me?"
"Do you think I'd ever let you marry someone else if you decided to needed to be married?" He questioned.
He stood up from his stool and walked over to the railing and stood in front of her and slowly wrapped his arms around her.
"Everything is ruined. I don't think you should love me anymore. I am the worst mother ever. I forgot our children."
"I don't think you get to pick who loves you. You just get to be loved Emma Swan."
"Will you come see Nicky and Jayde with me?" Emma asked.
"I would love to."
They walked in the door of the house they had once planned to live in together. Jayde came running around the corner and about ran into Emma.
"Hi Mommy!" She said as she giggled.
"Hello my darling girl. Where are your brothers?" Emma asked.
"Mommy you brought Daddy with you!" Jayde jumped around Emma and grabbed Killian's leg.
"Hello my little love. How I have missed you so much." Killian said
"Daddy, will you get Nicko to talk? He said he is afraid if you aren't here to protect us."
Nicolas came running through the house and caught sight of Killian as he ran and grabbed his other leg. Henry came following. "Nicolas you have to get a bath. I told you that earlier. Hi Mom, Hook."
"Nicolas you know that you must listen to your brother. Why are you running away from him?" Killian said.
"Want you." Nicolas said.
"I'm right here Nicko. You can't be stinky. No one likes the stinky pirate. Go get a bath." Killian said.
"Daddy, Henny said I could be in ballet classes. Isn't that cool? I could be a ballerina." Jayde said.
"Sounds like you would have fun my little love." Killian said.
Emma walked into the living room and sat on the couch and watched how much her daughter loved Killian. She dreamed of this day so many times when she was pregnant with them. She wanted him to get the life he always deserved. A family and people that adored him and put him first because like her, he was selfless but deserved the world.
4 years ago
Emma laid on the couch in the house she thought she would one day share with Killian. Except now he was gone. He wasn't coming back and no matter what she did the children she had inside of her would never know that their father was the best man you could find who used to be a villain. She was tired of crying. She was just plain tired but as she watched the sunset out the bay window she remembered a day in between all the battling and being the dark one that she and Killian sat on the dock watching the sunset talking about their childhoods and how if they had each promised themselves that if they ever had children of their own that they would never let them suffer like they had.
Emma rubbed her stomach and looked down at it. "You babies will never wonder if you are loved. Your daddy may not be here but he would have never left you if he knew. I will never leave you. I love you."
Jayde came running over to Emma. "Mommy did you know that Daddy can dance?"
"I did. Daddy and I have danced with each other a long time ago."
Killian came over and sat on the opposite side of the couch and watched Emma light up as she talked with their daughter.
"Daddy you told me you loved our Mommy and you missed her but you and her are never together. She always looks so sad. Nicko is afraid that you are gonna leave cause she gave you your boat back and you might just sail away." Jayde said.
Emma looked over at Killian and gave him a questioning look. "Jayde are you sure you're not worried about that too? But I am not going to leave on my boat. I don't want to leave you and Nicko. Just because your mother got her memories back and she is having a hard time doesn't mean I quit loving her. I will always love your mother."
"Mommy! Did you hear that Daddy love you."
"Yeah. I also heard he loves you and isn't leaving. I know you were worried about that. I told you that your daddy loves you more than anything."
Nicolas came running into the room and instantly jumped into Killian's arms and hugged him.
" I don't stink anymore." Nicolas said.
"Very good lad. Did you talk to your brother yet?"
Nicolas put his head in Killian's chest as to hide. Henry came and sat down on the chair and shook his head at the scene.
"So why are you two together tonight?" Henry asked.
"I went to visit Killian and we decided to visit you all." Emma said.
"Well I was actually trying to get the twins in bed early for when the sitter gets here so I can go out." Henry said.
"Oh well if we are keeping you then I will leave." Killian said.
"No Daddy I don't want you to go. The scary lady will come. She is going to hurt sissy." Nicolas said.
"I'm sure your sister is fine Nicolas. Your brother wouldn't let your sister get hurt." Killian said.
Killian looked at Henry and stood up and placed Nicolas beside Emma on the couch. "Why doesn't he like the sitter?"
"I don't know why don't you ask him. He doesn't talk to any of us." Henry said.
"Henry don't get mad at Killian because of that. He tries to get Nicky to talk." Emma said.
Killian picked up Nicolas and looked him in the eye. "Why do you think the sitter will hurt Jayde?"
"Mermaids don't like girls."
"Nicko don't be silly Ariel is the only mermaid around here and she loves Jayde." Henry said.
"Ariel does but there are other types of mermaids in the world Henry and Nicko is right. They will kill any female they find to be beautiful. They are very vain creatures and refuse to feel unappreciated. May I meet the babysitter?"
"Daddy I want to stay with you. I believe Nicko when he says you will keep us safe." Jayde said.
Emma bent down to Jayde and pulled her close. "Your daddy will never let anything happen to you and neither will I. We love you and your brothers more anything. I know that better than anything but as for you staying with him. You are to stay with Henry till everything gets figured out."
"Alright. Both of you in bed tell your Mommy and Daddy good-bye." Henry said.
Emma and Killian sat back down on the couch in silence. Killian was staring at the ceiling and all of a sudden felt Emma lean towards him. "We need to do something."
"Where do we go from here?"
"Take care of our kids and each other. Live in the house I bought years ago when I decided that you are the one person I am going to let my armor off with."
"I told you not to put it back on. Everyone loves you Emma. They tolerate me because they see such wonder with the princess."
There was a knock at the door and Henry came into the living room with a young woman who had a long brown hair and too much make up. Henry motioned for her to sit down in the chair he had been sitting in earlier and sat down beside Emma and Killian.
"Ceto this is my mother Emma and her boyfriend Killian. They are the twin's parents."
Ceto stuck out her hand. "Why hello how are you? Nice to meet the people who produced such a beautiful set of children."
Emma shook her hand but she pulled it away before Killian could shake it. He could sense the evil in her with the mischievous look she gave him.
"You are just so beautiful Emma. I can't help but notice that you are not wearing a ring. Does that mean that you two are not together?" she said as she looked Killian up and down.
"In fact Killian and I are not married. You have someone you're seeing?"Emma said stepping in front of Killian.
"I'm going to check on the twins before we all leave. I'll be right back." Killian said.
Henry just looked at him. "I have to go. I'll see you guys later."
Emma kept talking to Ceto but looked past her where Killian where was standing at the base of the steps. He mouthed "be careful".
Killian walked into Jayde's room and found her and Nicolas both laying in her bed. Killian sat down on the edge. Jayde sat up and looked at him. " Daddy we are sorry we know Henny doesn't want us sleeping in the same bed but I'm scared and so is Nicko."
"I will not let anything happen to you. You are going to stay with me tonight. I know Henry will not like it but I do not trust that mermaid. Get ready and come downstairs to your mother and I."
Killian walked back downstairs and found Ceto and Emma sending glares at one another. "Swan is everything alright?"
"I remember you Captain. You hurt Peter. He was the sweetest and prettiest boy. You deserved what you got. Do you know that one of my sisters thought you were beautiful? You wouldn't give her the time of day. It was always about revenge. Now look you picked this dumb witch to have children with."
Jayde came down the stairs with Nicolas behind her. Killian stepped in front of Jayde. Ceto smiled and turned.
"Hello there Nick.." Ceto stepped closer.
"Stay away from my children." Emma said calmly.
"The princess expects to get whatever she wants. You can't get the pirate and the happily ever after. Look at these children they look miserable. One of them doesn't even talk."
"It's time to leave my home you sea hag." Emma said.
Ceto laughed. "I'd like to see you try. You may be royalty but you are not going to rule over me."
Emma raised her hand and used her magic and knocked Ceto out the door.
"Swan, you okay?" Killian asked as he picked Nicolas and Jayde up.
"I am fine. I will not stand for anyone to threaten taking my children. They are coming home with me."
"That is why I told them to come down I planned to take them to my ship."
Killian and Emma tucked the twins into two of the crew bunks on the ship. Killian went to his room and grabbed a bottle of rum and went up to the deck. He was sitting and drink and Emma came up behind him and hugged him from behind. "Thank you for being an amazing father."
"I will never let anything happen to them Emma." he said without looking at her.
"What's the matter?"
"Don't get me wrong I am thankful for Henry taking care of our children but he put them in danger by having them there tonight. I'm no stranger to mermaids and just how wicked they are. She would have killed Jayde just being a girl. Not to mention she set her sights on Nicolas and she knew who I was. She felt nothing for me but that is how jealous they are. I know that you are figuring things out but I want the kids to stay with me from now on."
"On the boat? Killian it's going to be winter soon. They need warmth. In fact you do too."
"I will not let them be in danger." Killian said quietly.
"I know you won't. I won't either that is exactly why I threw the sea hag out of the house. No one is going to hurt any of my children. Or make passes on the man that is mine."
"A man of yours?"
"Things might be difficult after all this but no one else is going to take you away after everything we have been through together. You are mine."
"Why Emma Swan I never thought I'd see a day where you were jealous of another woman. You know that I only ever loved you." Killian smiled.
"Come to bed Killian." Emma said.
"Why yes you can stay on my boat and even in my bed." he replied with a wink.
