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Chapter Six

Killian woke up early on Valentine morning. After the evening and night he had enjoyed with his lady love, he was surprised to be energized and coherent before noon. He turned with a smile only to find Emma's side empty. He frowned, but then theorized that she was obviously busy trying to make her Valentine celebration live up to his.

He wrapped his robe around his naked chest and pulled on some pajama bottoms. He intended to tiptoe in on Emma, catching her by surprise in the middle of her preparations.

Instead, he found her dressed for work, sitting at the kitchen table beside Henry, dressed for school. They were eating breakfast.

"Good morning," she said with a bright smile. "I thought you'd sleep in." She poured him some coffee and handed it to him. He stared blankly at her. "Something wrong, Killian?"

He shook his head. "No. I am just stunned by the sight of a fully prepared breakfast. You usually open paper boxes and prepare the contents with the aid of that small magical baking device."

Henry chuckled. "The microwave, Killian."

"That is what I said, Lad."

Emma laughed and took a plate from the cupboard. "Today is special," she said. "Would you like syrup or strawberries on your heart pancakes?"

"Heart pancakes?" he asked. He then smirked. "Please tell me you did not get the recipe from the Evil Queen."

Henry choked on his milk. "She means that they're heart-shaped."

"Ah, that is much more appetizing," he said, accepting a short stack of pancakes with bacon from Emma. "I will try the strawberries."

She smiled. "That's what I thought, actually." She scooped a spoonful over them and then she took her spot by Henry. Killian sat across from her.

"They are quite delicious, Swan," he said after a few bites. "However, if this is the extent of your love holiday planning, I claim victory now."

She smiled confidently at him. "Sorry, but this part of my plan isn't for you," she said. "This is for Henry."

The boy smiled. "Thanks, Mom."

She kissed his head. "No problem, Kid."

Killian grinned. "I am relieved, Swan. I expect something much more intimate and...adult."

"Please, I'm eating," Henry said with a groan.

Emma ignored her pirate. "So, are you still planning on meeting Daisy at Regina's for dinner?" she asked.

Henry nodded. "I think it's a bad idea though. Mom and Robin are as bad as you too, plus there's Roland and the baby. I don't know how I'm going to have a dat...I mean, um, hang out with Daisy."

Killian smirked, but Emma gave him a 'stop' glare. "I'm sure it will be fine," she said.

"Maybe.. Mom's letting me order a pizza just for us and she promised we could use the kitchen,by ourselves. She was picking out flowers and tablecloths though." He moaned. "Robin told her to cool it, let me decide what I wanted."

"Good on me ole mate," said Killian. "Be confident, Lad. Keep your lady in mind and I am sure she will be pleased."

Emma smiled proudly at him.

"Yeah, you're right," said Henry. "Thanks, Killian."

The pirate nodded. "It worked well for me," he said, winking at Emma.

She chuckled. "It did actually. OK, kid, well, since I may not see you til tomorrow," she said, leaning across to another chair. She brought up a large red, heart shaped box and handed it to him. "Happy Valentine's Day."

He smiled. "Thanks Mom. Cool, chocolate."

KIllian smiled. "I am glad you like the sweet brown delicacy, Lad." He got up, disappeared for a moment, and came back with his arms full of several different-shaped boxes. He set them all beside Henry.

Henry stared at them, then the pirate. "All of these are for me?"

Emma shook her head and chuckled.

"Indeed," said the Captain with a big, proud smile. "I was informed by your grandmother that the day was not limited to romantic love. I wanted to show my affection for you."

"By giving him so much chocolate he'll have to go to the dentist for cavity filling or the doctor to have his stomach pumped. Or both."

"Don't spoil the mood, Love."

"Really, Mom. Thanks a lot, Killian," he said. He looked over all the boxes, and opened one that had nuts. After he ate it, he opened Emma's red heart box and ate a piece from it. "So far the day is turning out good." He said with a large smile.

He reached into his book bag and pulled out two small heart shaped boxes. He handed one with a rose to his mom and one with a grinning dog on it to Killian.

"Thank you, Lad," said KIllian, clearly pleased. "I'm humbled."

Henry shrugged. "You're family."

Killian stared at him with a fond smile and gave a little nod. Emma wiped a tear from her eyes, and opened her box. "Ooh, pecan filled, my favorite, Kid."

"Yeah, I know," said Henry.

"You did not share that information with me, Lad?" asked Killian, throwing in an exaggerated hurt look

Henry chuckled. "Nope," he said with a smirk that made Emma laugh.

"I suppose that sort of tactic is to be expected in the game of love," said Killian. "I had tactics of my own, though," he said, winking at Emma.

She smiled back. "You both did well," she said.

Henry sighed and went back into his book bag.

He pulled out a small red bag and took out a metal head band. It was vintage looking with crystal flowers and shiny beads covering the top. "It's not identical to the one Daisy likes, but it's the same style. It's not red or flowery." He sighed. "Do you think she'll like it?"

Emma smiled. "Yes, I'm sure she will."

"You have thought about her and attempted to suit it to her tastes?" asked Killian. Henry nodded. "Then it can not miss, Lad."

Emma smiled at him.

"I guess," said Henry. "I got her chocolate too," he said, pulling out a tiny box. "It's not very big, but it's her favorite: caramel."

"That is all that matters," said the pirate. "How could she not be pleased?"

Emma looked at him proudly again.

Henry nodded, giving a small smile. "Yeah, you're right. She likes pizza and movies, which is what we're doing tonight. She even likes hanging with my family, go figure."

Emma laughed. "You'll have fun."

"Yeah. Ok, well, I guess I'll head off to school. Thanks again for the Valentines," he said.

Emma kissed him and he left her alone with her captain.

"So, Love, what is the itinerary for the day?"

"Work, then meet you here at dinner time."

"Oh, indeed, another quiet night in? I would accuse you of copying my idea, but perhaps it's simply our intimate connection."

She sipped her coffee. "I need a couple hours here alone. I'm going to sneak out of work at about four, Dad's covering for me at the station. I need you to leave here at that time and don't come back til I text you."

"Love, where am I supposed to go?" he asked with a pitiful puppy dog frown.

She rolled her eyes. "Maybe that pirate ship that's in the harbor? I just need to make sure I'm ready, that's all. I'm only asking for two hours."

He sighed. "Very well, but if you are banishing me from my own home, I expect you to make it worth my while."

She bent over his chair and hugged him backwards. "You don't have to worry about that," she whispered. She kissed his cheek. "See you later."

End of Chapter Six