Chapter 2

"So, how long have I been gone?" I asked after what felt like an eternity of silence as we walked.

"Nearly a month." Emma said simply, trying to disguise the waver in her voice, but not succeeding.

"Love," I stopped to look into those eyes, "it's okay, I am here now." She nodded slightly, swallowing the sadness that remained.

"Come on, lovebirds, unless you want to deal with a worried mommy and daddy Charming." Regina said quickly, moving us along. As we walked, I rubbed circles into Emma's hand, squeezing it tightly as if somehow that will stop us from being separated once again. Regina walked a few steps behind us, she was clearly worried about something, but what? I couldn't tell.

After a while of walking, Emma opened a door I knew very well, and led me up some stairs that I knew even better. Just as she was about to push open the door to her parent's loft, my hand shot out and took her wrist. "Wait, Regina mentioned your parents, are they here?"

"Yes, why?" She asked with concern etched into her features.

"What will they say to me, after I, you know, tried to k-kill them?" I had too many run-ins with people in the past who I failed to kill, but tried, and that generally doesn't go very well. People don't tend to like you if you tried to kill them.

"Killian, do you really think that my – our – family would be here if they wanted revenge on you? And anyway, this is our family we're talking about," she said with her stunning smile, "revenge and violence is definitely not what they're good at. Their real strong point is forgiveness. And you weren't trying to kill them, the Dark One was. I know, and they all know, that you are far better than that, you are a hero, Killian, my hero." Moments like these reminded me of why I fell in love with Emma in the first place, how she would believe in me when no-one else could, and only saw the good in me. I quickly kissed her on that landing, the same place we stood after the one date we shared.

Emma slowly pushed the door open, revealing her mother and father, Henry and Robin standing in the middle of the derelict room. They all suddenly looked up as the door began to open. Mary Margaret's face fell as she saw the tear stains on her beloved daughters face and took a step forward towards the door. Emma walked into the room, revealing me, as I was standing behind her. For a second they all seemed to be in shock. I edged nervously into the room; what is Emma wasn't right? What if they could never forgive me?

Suddenly Mary Margaret exploded, figuratively, and thankfully, with joy. "Oh my gosh, Hook, you're back! I can't believe it! I thought that Emma hadn't found you when I saw you and I was so worried! It must have been awful being here for as long as you have, I am so sorry. I hope you haven't been completely alone." I couldn't help but chuckle at the Queen's sudden stream of consciousness.

"I haven't been entirely alone, thank you. My elder brother, Liam came to stand by me but he just left to go to what I believe was Heaven."

Mary Margaret walked up to me, and placed her delicate hands on my face, looking into my eyes, "Hook, I am so glad to see you again."

"I don't mean to be rude," I began, "but since when did you care for me so much?"

"Because anyone who makes our daughter as happy as you do, deserves to be loved." Charming said, stepping forward to join his wife and I. He shook my hand firmly, "Welcome back, Hook. I know we haven't always got along, but you are still part of our family, mate." He said, trying, but failing, to imitate me.

"Thank you, Mr and Mrs Charming…"

"No, call us Mom and Dad." Interrupted Mary Margaret.

I shot a glance at Emma, to be greeted by her smiling supportively at me. Robin, who was now standing with Regina, took a step towards me, "You're a good man, Hook, I remember what you did back there, giving your life for all of us, particularly Emma. It was a truly brave and heroic thing to do, to fight back against the darkness, and to leave your true love. I know a thing or two about true love," he glanced at Regina, "and I would lay down my life for her in an instant, but it wouldn't be easy to leave her."

I finally looked to Henry, who suddenly ran up to me and hugged me, taking me aback. "Thank you so much for coming back, nothing has been the same without you."

"I trust you have looked after your mother, lad." I said, smiling.

"Of course I have, dad." I could scarcely believe what I had just heard. I pulled the boy into a hug once more, overwhelmed with happiness.

Emma walked over to us and took my hand. I could see her love sparkling in her stunning blue eyes, and I wager that she could see it in mine too. "I love you, Killian" She said quietly, a pearly smile on her face.

"I love you more," I replied, leaning in to kiss her.

Regina quickly stepped between us, "Okay, you're as bad as newlyweds and we don't have time for you to get a room. If you hadn't realised, Henry is still here and we need to find Gold so we can leave this damn Hellhole."