Another update! I'm trying to figure out where I want to take this story further, because I'd like to make it as long as possible without dragging it out too far. But I'm really glad you guys are liking what I've written so far! Enjoy reading, and remember to leave your reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT

Chapter 18: Making Plans

Emma had decided to turn to Anna for advice. She felt like she had already gotten everything out of her parents that she could, and she knew Anna would be ready to help in a second. She was worried about how to break the news to Henry; on the one hand, she knew that he already knew; they'd had this conversation before. But he didn't know that it was really turning into something serious so soon. She was worried he wouldn't have enough time to adjust.

Anna had helped her feel more relaxed. It was something she had always been able to do, even when they were young girls, and Emma was grateful for the support.

"I honestly don't know what you're so worried about." Anna stated blunty, receiving a glare from Emma.

"Are you serious? I have to make sure that my son is okay with the new guy that I'm dating who is not his father. He's only eleven! It's not like I can just tell him straight up what's going on."

"Why not?"

Emma stared at her friend wide-eyed. "Really? You really don't get it?"

"No, look, Emma, you're worried. That's fine. I don't completely get it, but I'm here for you."

"What are you not getting, exactly?"

"Well, I know that I haven't known Henry for very long, but he seems to take after you a lot. He's a kid with great intuition, and a kid who pretty much just takes everything in his stride but tries to help everyone if possible. He sounds like a carbon copy of you!"

"Well, yeah, I guess –"

"You guess? Emma, he's your son. And plus, I thought you already had a similar conversation with him about this?"

"It's not exactly the same conversation. I need to explain to him that it's a lot more serious."

"Emma, Henry is the son of the woman who is, I've been told, the product of true love. I think he would have been more appalled if you ended up having a fling with Hook, instead of actually having a relationship with him."

"That's a good point."

"I thought so."

"Shut up."

"That was uncalled for." Anna grinned at her friend, and Emma snorted in response.

"How do you know so much about this stuff?"

"I used to take care of you, didn't I?"

"Can I ask you one more question?" Emma asked, seemingly apprehensive. Anna nodded her head in response.

"You really think it's going to be okay?"

"Wow, Emma, yes! I promise you, Henry is going to be fine with it. Go find him!"

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She had decided to pick up Henry from school and then take a walk with him around town. They had picked up hot-chocolate and muffins to go from Granny's and were now heading down to the beach for some down time. The beach was her favorite spot in Storybrooke. She lead Henry over to the flatstones they had sat on the last time they were here, and they each enjoyed their muffins while Henry told Emma about the past few days. She was glad that he had started talking first; it gave her the time to get her thoughts together.

"Mom – Regina – she's helping me re-decorate my room at the house! But I'm not sure which way I want to go with it yet. Do you want to help me pick out some stuff?"

Emma smiled down at her son. She was happy that he was getting along with Regina so well. She knew that no matter what, he still needed his other mom; and Regina had proved herself when they were still in Neverland.

"Of course I would."

Henry smiled an infectious grin at his mother before taking another big bite of his muffin and a gulp of his hot chocolate. Emma laughed a little to herself. She stared out at the ocean, taking a deep breath before beginning her conversation.

"Henry, do you remember what we talked about last time we were here?"

"Yeah, about how you liked Hook."

"Right." Emma stalled, trying to find the right way to continue.

"And now you're together with him?" Henry asked, unsure of his facts.

Emma was stunned at her son's outburst, but at the same time she saw it coming. He was his mother's child, after all.

"Dad told me." He explained, and Emma felt a sudden rush of irritation towards Neal; it wasn't his place to tell their son who she was seeing.

"Mom, he didn't mean to tell me. It just happened. Please don't be mad at him."

She couldn't say no to those pleading eyes. Henry didn't often make a plea like this, and she had to give in to him.

"I'm not mad at him Henry. Don't worry about that." She ruffled his hair in an affectionate gesture.

"Okay, thanks mom."

"Any time, kid."

They sat in silence for a minute longer before Henry asked another question.

"You really like him, don't you?"

Emma's face lit up at the mention of him, and Henry could see it on her face.

"I want to hang out with him." Henry said, and Emma smiled at her son again. He was always one step ahead of her.

"I was just going to suggest that." Emma winked, and Henry laughed.

"I always know what you're thinking."

Emma heard footsteps behind them, and she snapped her head around to see who it was. To her surprise, and delight, it was Hook, making his way over to the pair of them.

"Killian, what are you doing here?"

"I saw the two of you from the deck of my ship and I thought I'd join you." Emma smiled at him warmly and he returned the gesture. Henry watched their interaction intently, and noticed how his mother once again lit up at the sight of him. He smiled to himself; he could tell that his mom was happy whenever Hook was around.

"You want a piece of my muffin?" Henry offered, holding it out towards Hook.

"Don't mind if I do, mate." Hook pinched a bit off, and popped it into his mouth. Emma was annoyed that she could feel her heart start to pound at the sight of Killian licking his lips; she was sitting here with her eleven year old son, for crying out loud. But at the same time, she could feel a weight being lifted off her shoulder as she saw the two talk to each other animatedly.

"So what's it like being a pirate?" Henry asked, ever the curious one.

"Well, Henry, you get to feel free. When I became a pirate I didn't have to listen to orders anymore." When Hook caught sight of Emma's glare towards him, he quickly corrected himself. "But you should always listen to your elders, boy."

Henry noticed his mom's glare towards Hook, and laughed.

"Don't worry mom, I'll try not to be influenced by him." Emma let out a light laugh. She should have known he would notice this. Her son winked at her and turned his attention back to Hook.

"What's it like to be out at sea all the time?"

"I won't lie to you mate; sometimes it gets lonely. But being on the sea also makes you feel invincible."

"That's cool." Henry said, eager to learn more.

"You think that's cool, eh? Well sometime I'll take you and your mother aboard the ship and we'll go out for a sail on the waters."

Henry's face broke into an enormous grin when he turned towards his mother to ask for permission.

"Can we mom? Please?"

"Oh, Henry, I'm sure Killian has better things to do-"

"Honestly, Emma, darling, I really don't. And I would love to take you two out on the water. It would be my pleasure."

Emma met Hook's gaze and she could see how his eyes lit up at the prospect of spending time with them both. She could feel her heart flutter at the sight of the caring look in his eyes. The corner of his mouth lifted upwards and she couldn't help but let her gaze skim down towards his lips. She really wanted to kiss him right now; but she would control herself for Henry's sake.

"How about this weekend?" Henry suggested himself, as eager as ever to try something new.

Hook chuckled to himself. "Sounds perfect. If your mom will allow it, of course."

"Well, how can I say no now?" Emma grinned as Henry jumped up and hugged his mother, and shot a huge smile towards Killian. Intuitive as ever, Henry walked down to the shoreline to give Hook and his mother some time to themselves. Emma caught on to what he was doing, and she was secretely grateful that her kid picked up on everything; even if she was sometimes worried that he picked up on stuff that wasn't appropriate for him yet.

The second Henry was gone, Killian hooked his finger under Emma's chin and turned her face towards him. He looked into her eyes first, but he was taking too long for Emma's liking; and she closed the gap between them and placed an excited kiss on his lips. He responded immediately, moving his lips in sync against hers. He rubbed his finger gently along her jawline, and she smiled against his lips at the gesture. The kiss became a little more heated, and Emma suddenly rembered that Henry was still at the beach with them and she had to force herself to pull away. Before she could pull away completely though, he placed one last quick kiss on her lips and one on against her jaw before sitting up straight again. He pulled her closer to him, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and the two of them watched Henry throw rocks into the water before he spoke up.

"Thank you,for letting me spend time with Henry."

"You already knew that I wanted you too, though."

He let out a small laugh and placed a quick kiss against her temple.

"I know, but it can't be easy to let another man be involved with you child, Emma."

"I trust you."

He smiled at her again, "Thank you."

She slipped her fingers inbetween his and the two of them enjoyed the fresh air and the sound of Henry's rocks falling into the water.

"So this weekend?" He asked her, still sounding hopeful even though he already knew the answer.

"This weekend."

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