Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time and am only borrowing the characters

Chapter Three-Saturday

David woke Emma and Kili on their second morning in Storybrooke at seven. "If Kili wants to go on the Jolly today," he explained when she glared at him. "We need to get going. She departs at 8 sharp."

Stifling a yawn Emma rose. She had not slept well the night before. Thoughts of Killian and Belle and Killian and magic had not left her alone. When she did manage to turn her thoughts from the pirate she found herself thinking of Henry. While yesterday's talk had gone well, it hurt to see how much her firstborn son did not trust her. And the fact that she was responsible for that distrust and pain caused an ache in her heart that she feared she would have to live with forever. She could do her best to make up for it, but a speck of that distrust, of waiting for the other shoe to drop, would always be with him. At least when it came to her. It was those instincts that had caused her to flee. Luckily Henry had had a loving family and community to help him so his distrust was specifically for her rather than the world in general. In some ways she envied him that support system. Sometimes, often times, she wished she had grown up with any of that kind of support. At least Henry would not run from everyone and expect everyone to leave him.

When she woke him up Kili jumped out of bed and got dressed faster than she had ever seen. He practically flew down the stairs to join Neal and Leo, who were already jumping around wildly.

"Boys do not wake your mother," David reminded them in a low voice, opening the door and ushering them all out. "Saturday is pretty much a Mom sleep in or relax day. Most of the time father's bring the kids. If you and Kili stay I would not mind taking him."

Emma's heart clenched at the uncertainty in her father's voice. Almost as painful was the fact that she could not reassure him since she did not yet know if she was going to stay. "Why the fathers?" she asked instead, choosing a neutral topic.

After thinking for a few minutes as they walked toward the docks David shook his head. "I am not sure. It did begin about a year ago. Killian has always taken Henry out, then they added Roland and Neal. Of course Colin and Catie spend as much time on the Jolly as they can, Kerry and Mark of course accompanying them. I know at some point Leroy, Phillip and some of the other fathers asked if their kids could be included." He paused in thought again. "It just kind of evolved from there. Killian considers it too dangerous to have too many unsupervised kids so, after some discussion, it was decided for every four kids there would be one supervising adult. From there it just kind of became a father/child outing. Mothers are not unwelcome," he hurried to reassure her. "But they usually come one time and that is enough. There is always plenty of supervision, sometimes too much," he laughed. "The dwarves, Archie, Geppeto all like to go. There is an unofficial rotation and there is always someone to call if more adults are needed."

"I would think there would be problems keeping the kids all on the ship. The rails are not exactly childproof."

David shot her a quick glance then looked away. "Killian places a magical barrier around the railings. I have seen kids try to get through them to jump in the water or push someone overboard as a joke. I have never seen it succeed. Then the misbehaving kids are banned from the voyage for the next four to six weeks. That prevents it from happening again. None of the children want to miss the weekend sails. Most fathers don't want to miss their turn to chaperone either." He stopped walking and turned to face her. "This is not the time to try to talk to Killian, even if you do decide to go with."

Releasing the half held idea Emma nodded. She did not want to make waves but she desperately wanted to talk to Killian. To find out about Belle, his magic, his kids, how he truly had been in the years since she left. "I will behave," she promised.

When they reached the dock there were about twenty kids and an equal number of adults milling around. The kids varied in age from about three to twelve. Henry was already on board, she noted with surprise. "Henry comes most weeks. He is the first mate." David seemed to have sensed her question.

"I was surprised by how close they seem to be."

David hesitated a moment, eyes on the ship. "When you left they, perhaps, hurt the most and turned to each other."

"I bet Regina loved that," she commented without thinking.

Her father shot her a silencing look. "Initially she might not have been thrilled but one thing is always at the top of Regina's mind. What is best for Henry. And Killian was what was best for Henry."

She was almost afraid to ask her next question, her eyes focusing on Killian who had just come into view from below deck. He appeared to be in jeans and a long sleeve navy shirt, slightly disappointing her. She had been hoping to see his pirate garb. "What about you and Mary Margaret?"

Sheepishly David smiled. "We were not at our best when you left. Unfortunately Mary Margaret lashed out. To some extent Killian let it roll off his back as usual and just stayed away. That is hard to do in a town the size of Storybrooke. After a couple of days he snapped back that he was not her punching bag. He may have allowed the woman he loved to do that, but not her mother." He closed his eyes in pain. "What was hardest to see was the pain he was in, not anger. I did not support Mary Margaret's words, but I did not stop her either. It took a lot of time to reclaim our friendship, he and Mary Margaret still exchange courtesies only." He was silent again. "That was when I first noticed how much a part of the town he was. When he left Granny's that day Belle went after him. Red and the dwarves blocked us from following him. Regina flat out told Mary Margaret to leave him alone and deal with her own responsibility for your departure."

"I'm glad he was not alone." Her eyes remained on the only person who had never abandoned her by choice, until she told him not to follow her when she left Storybrooke and meant it. Even that was her leaving him. He bowed the kids aboard and they raced up the gangplank. The first child stopped just at the top to ask him something (permission to board?) and when Killian extended a hand in invitation they all ran aboard.

"Do you want to go to breakfast with your dad?"

Emma dragged her eyes away from Killian, who was on one knee answering a question from Kili while Colin bounced on his heels next to them. The ache in her heart grew as she saw the three dark heads together. "You are not going?"

"Not my week," was his rueful reply. "This week is the dwarves. I was last week. Next week will be the Merry Men, than back to me again." His eyes scanned the ship with a smile. "So many of us want to go that Killian had to split it up. He is the only one who is there every week, and Henry whenever he wants, which is most weeks."

With one last look at Killian at the helm, dwarves and children milling around the deck she slid her arm through her fathers. So far they had not had any alone time together. And she wanted some of that time. She was looking forward to it. David had always been the easiest for her to be around. Maybe because he was just there with his love. He didn't demand or push her. He just accepted her as who she was. In that way he was like Killian, except Killian had gotten past her walls and was in her heart. That gave him the ability to destroy her. Deep down though she knew he wouldn't and that scared her even more. With David she did not worry about him leaving or the ability to hurt her. He was just her father. Without letting herself think about it she shifted so her arm was around his waist and her head resting on his shoulder. Immediately his arm moved around her shoulders. "I've missed you, Dad," she whispered.

He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "I've missed you too. It is nice to have you here."

As they entered the diner Emma realized he had not said anything about her being home. He knew, like Killian and Henry that she was not yet decided whether or not she would stay. Wanting to get away from the melancholy feelings she asked. "So Leo? I thought you did not like the name."

As he would have in the past David accepted her change of topic. "It was not so much I did not like the name as I did not want to saddle my child with the name. It was actually Henry's compromise. Mary Margaret and I argued about the name for months. Everyone was tired of it by the time the due date approached. Problem was none of the names we talked about really appealed to either of us. Snow had her heart set on Leo for a boy and I wanted Ruth for a girl, but neither of us liked the other's choice." He smiled, glancing back toward the docks. "Henry actually said we should go with Leo for a boy or Ruth for a girl. We could always call the child by their middle name but still have the name. Or pick another first name and call them by their middle names of Ruth or Leo." He paused his eyes soft in memory. "We still had not decided on the compromise when Snow gave birth, but I saw her holding our little boy, tears in her eyes as she thought about you and Neal and how she had not ever got to just bask in holding her newborn right after birth." He smiled, a soft, loving smile and dropped a kiss on Leo's head. "I knew I couldn't deny her. It meant so much to her to name our baby after her father and I had no names that truly called to me for him. So, Robert Leopold-Leo for short." He shrugged. "The name has grown on me."

"I would have liked to have been here," she could not help but comment-then almost bit her lip as she saw the wince of pain in her father's eyes.

"You would have been welcome," was his reply.

Emma was waiting with all the other parents when the Jolly Roger docked late that afternoon. Her eyes were drawn to Killian confidently and easily steering his ship home. Part of her mind noticed Grumpy and Happy were the first dwarves down the gangplank and they were handing kids off to their parents. At the top of the ramp Bashful and Doc were sending them down. "Killian insists the kids are handed to their parents," David told her.

Nodding Emma allowed her eyes to scan the deck. Kili was talking animatedly with Colin. Whatever they were saying Kili was fully enraptured with the conversation. Once all the children except Colin, Catie, Neal, Leo, and Kili were off the ship she boarded with David beside her, catching the tail end of the dwarves goodbye and invitation to drinks. "Did you have fun?" she asked Kili, who rushed over to hug her.

He nodded happily, turning quickly back to Colin and their conversation.

Emma looked up at Killian, who had joined them. "Thank you for allowing him to come."

Killian only nodded, eyes on the children.

David looked back and forth between the two of them and shook his head in resignation. "I will take the kids and meet you guys at Granny's."

Looking over at him Killian nodded reluctantly. "Belle is doing inventory if you finish early." His gaze shot to the twins already halfway down the gangplank, Kili in tow. "Hands if you do not want to add more days."

Both children visibly slumped but dutifully waited for David then Colin took his hand while Catie took her brother's. David was holding Leo in his other arm. Neal and Kili walked ahead of them. Emma tried hard not to acknowledge how right this felt.

"That is cruel and unusual punishment to send Dave off with five relatively hyper-active under eight year olds with no back-up."

Emma couldn't help but jump at the softly accented voice by her ear. They had not been so close since he had found her. "I'm sure Mary Margaret will supply all the support he needs." She turned to face him and put some more distance between them.

Killian took a respectful step back, leaning against the railing. "What do you want to talk about?"

Now that they were face to face Emma found herself unsure what to say. Her carefully prepared speech had gone out of her head completely. All she had were a bunch of questions that were really none of her business. "You and Belle," she finally blurted.

His relaxed pose did not shift but Emma was aware of him silently and invisibly tensing. Their connection was still there and Emma honestly did not know if that was a good or bad thing. She and Killian had never been simple but they had always been easy together. "Belle and I," he agreed a question in his voice.

She licked her suddenly dry lips. "You are together."

Killian walked to the other side of the ship to lean against that rail. Not away from her, Emma realized after a moment, but to be able to look out at the sea and horizon. "Belle and I are many things, most we have not defined. We just are."

Unsure if her presence would be welcome Emma moved to lean beside him. The endless rolling waves of the sea was calming. "I envy that," she spoke softly and surprisingly truthfully. But then it was silly of her to try to lie to Killian or tell half-truths. The man beside her was the only one who always seemed to see through her and would call her on things.

"We had that and more," was his reply. "Why are you here?"

She was silent for a few moments, thinking. "I really am not sure. I have missed you, the town, my family. It has been so lonely."

He glanced at her a moment before looking back out to sea, his expression was closed off and his body was tense. "You knew where I-we were. You had our phone numbers."

"I was running," she admitted painfully. "Even when I knew it was wrong and all I was doing was hurting myself and the others I loved I could not stop. I wanted to be home with you, Henry, my family, but I couldn't make myself come back and face the pain I know I caused. It was easier to convince myself you were all better off without me."

"It hurt, when you left," Killian replied, painfully. "My world felt like it had been shattered, Henry was a mess, your parents were not much better." He turned his head to catch her eyes, his too blue eyes shimmering with remembered heartache. "But you can't live in that state forever. I did that once and became a man I did not like, driven by hate and revenge. I had vowed never to become that man again. I could not allow the Darkness back in."

Reaching out Emma laid a hand on his arm. "I am glad you did. You have always been stronger than you believe yourself to be."

"Was Kili a result of running?"

At the gently asked question Emma pulled away and wrapped her arms around herself. She loved her son and would not trade his presence in her life, but he came from a time when she was in a Dark place. "I was lonely," she finally admitted. "Kyle physically had a resemblance to you. Being honest that is what pulled me to him. He was lighthearted, looking for nothing serious, and that fit my mood perfectly." Her eyes stopped seeing the sea, looking into the past. "There were times I cried when we parted. He could not be what I truly wanted or needed. It was simple, but once I had simple I knew it was not what I needed. I needed you, your understanding of me, your love. The way you could see through me and called me on it. And I had thrown it, us, away." She pulled her arms tight around herself. "When I found out I was pregnant he left. That was not what he had signed up for."

Warm arms pulled her into a familiar embrace. "He was a fool."

Losing herself in the arms of the only man who had never let her down, who she trusted completely, Emma allowed herself to be weak. "I felt so alone and did not know how to go home again. My life was a mess and I did it to myself." Taking a shuddering breath she slowly went on. "I could not give the baby up. I was able to support both myself and the child. I slowly built a new life for myself, but it always felt so empty." She looked up at him, not pulling away from the safety and securiety of his arms. "When Kili was born I was so full of what might have been and regrets that I never really considered any other name for him. Especially once he looked at me with your blue eyes."

"He is a boy to be proud of."

Slowly pulling herself together Emma made herself step out of his arms. "Thank you. It has been a long time since I have just let myself feel. Kili has been the best thing in my life for all those lonely years but he has also been a painful reminder of what I had run from.

Respecting her need to stand alone Killian took a step back. "We can't change the past, just do our best to accept it and move on."

Aware that he would not reject her and would always provide whatever support she needed Emma stepped back into Killian's space (a role reversal she was all too aware of), staring out at the sea. "I never have learned how to let go of the past. When we were together was the closest, but then I allowed old fears and habits to dominate me. I am sorry."

She could almost see his half smile as he wrapped his arms around her. There was concern and care in the embrace, but not the complete devotion and love she had once felt. "Sometimes you just need to accept and move on. It may be the hardest thing you ever do but it is the only way to move on with your life and find a place of contentment."

"What about happiness."

Emma felt him shrug. "Happiness is fleeting," he finally commented. "It comes and goes. I stopped looking for 'Happily Ever After'. What I have found is contentment. There are still happy, and sad, times but overall I am content with where I am in my life."

"No more chasing dreams?" she asked.

He took a deep breath. "I have all I need," was his reply. "There is nothing else I really need or want."

Closing her eyes, Emma could not help but lean into Killian's warmth. "I want to find that, but ruined my chance out of fear."

His arms tightened around her but he was a long moment in answering. "I do not think you ever run out of chances, you just need to be open to them. And when you have been hurt that is the hardest thing to do."

"Like you and Belle."

"That is perhaps why we have been content to just be and coast."

Not wanting to leave Killian's embrace but knowing it was no longer her place Emma stepped away, turning to lean on the rail and meet his eyes. "Can you tell me about Henry? There is a distance between us that I am not sure how to breech. I noticed he had you at the diner last time when we talked."

He stepped back to lean against the rail as well. His hand coming up to rub behind his ear for a moment. "That is between you and Henry."

"I just don't want to hurt him anymore than I already have. I know he asked you to bring me here but I am not sure why."

For a moment Killian was silent, apparently deciding how much he could tell her. "He never stopped loving you and hoping you would come back. I don't think he ever truly understood why you left. Intellectually he understands your fears overwhelmed you but emotionally he cannot really comprehend." He smiled in amused remembrance. "That can make holidays and Family get-togethers interesting."

Emma looked away, at the reflection of the setting sun on the water. "And I wasn't there and cut off all contact."

Not bothering to sugarcoat the truth Killian nodded. "He wants his whole family at his graduation and coming of age celebration. I don't think he was quite prepared for the mixed emotions your return has caused. Emotions he cannot intellectualize."

"Like with Regina and the first curse?"

Killian nodded. "She was the Evil Queen, the majority of her actions fit in that context. But she changed out of love for him. And she never left, she always fought for him even when he was unable to understand."

Her body slumping Emma nodded. "And I left him, again."

After a moment Killian laced his hand with hers. "He understands you gave him up as a baby to give him his best chance. He has never completely reconciled your later departure. You were the Savior, you had a good life with your parents, your friends, him."

"A man I loved, who loved me."

"Aye," he replied softly. "He wants to understand, but it is going to take time."

"You two are close." It was a statement, not a question.

The pirate nodded. "For a boy who grew up with only his adopted mother, feeling alienated since he was the only one ageing he latched onto his family once he found them. He did not want to lose any of them."

Her eyes searched his for a few moments. "You filled the role of Dad." Her head tilted as the truth hit her. "You still do. Neal was in his life for such a short time."

Slowly he nodded. "It was not something I intended," he quickly defended.

"No," she hurried to reassure him. "I am glad Henry had that and it was you. You don't leave." She hesitated but forced herself to go on, remembering how David had responded to the same comment but she wanted to understand. "I am surprised Regina allowed it."

Killian half smiled. "Henry and I related to each other in a way we could not with anyone else. And neither of us had anyone else we could talk to who could truly understand. We were already close, this just allowed that bond to grow. Robin has always been content to fill the role of stepfather."

Full dark had fallen by then. "Can we talk again?"

Without hesitation Killian nodded. "I would like that." He glanced at his phone, which he had pulled out of his pocket. "David is back at the loft with the kids."

As Killian turned to lead her off the Jolly Emma touched his arm. "Thank you. I feel more at ease than I have in a long time."

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Belle waited anxiously for Killian to get home. She knew as soon as David called to let her know he had the twins at Granny's that Emma had cornered Killian to talk. She was not sure how she felt about Killian's prior love being in town. While it was great for Henry to have a chance to come to terms with his birth mother, it was going to be painful for both him and Killian to be faced with the pain Emma's departure had caused. It was all too easy for her to recall how shattered Killian had been when Emma had run away. Despite that pain he had been the one to defend her, stating that it had been her choice. She did not want to see him hurt like that again. And deep down, she reluctantly acknowledged, she did not want things to change. Maybe it was time for them to talk about what they were to each other. For years now they had both been content to just be together without actually defining what they were or what they felt.

"Daddy!" Colin flew past her as soon as the door opened, all but flinging himself into his father's arms. Killian caught him and spun him around, tossing him in the air before doing the same for Catie.

Belle couldn't help but smile as they pulled him to the couch, Colin holding tight to his hook. She could remember the time leading up the twins' birth and right after they were born being worried about the hook and knowing Killian had worried more. It had been Henry that had reminded them that he used the hook as easily as other people used a hand. He just had to be careful. And surprisingly it had been just that easy. Catie handed him the hobbit and climbed into his lap while Colin snuggled into his side. "Two chapters," he announced. "Then bedtime. Henry's graduation is tomorrow."

"Yay!" bother hollered, then settled down to listen to their father read.

Once Killian went to tuck the children in bed, on Saturday Killian told pirate bedtime stories, she settled on the couch to wait for Killian. She could not recall when exactly they had fallen into this habit. When one or the other of them had something they needed to come to terms with or vent they would sit on the couch together. If it was her Killian would sit kitty corner against the couch arm with his legs stretched out on the coffee table so she could cuddle into his lap, laying her head on his shoulder. When it was him she would sit in the corner and he would lay with his head in her lap, her fingers carding through his hair. Somehow the closeness made it easier for them to talk. She did not remember when she had discovered how good physical comfort felt. She recalled when she and Killian and just started becoming friends, after she had saved his heart and banished Rumple, more than once she had sensed that he wanted to hold her, to offer her the comfort of his embrace while she struggled with herself and her love for Rumple. When Rumple had again been banished she had felt herself collapsing. It had just become too much. His arms had caught her and he had been there for her ever since. With Emma's recent departure he had needed the comfort as much as she had. Without a word he joined her on the couch, wearily laying his head in her lap and turning on his side, laying his hand on her leg. Without thinking she laid her hand over his and started running the fingers of her other hand through his soft hair. "Do you want to talk?" Sometimes they just sat in silence, taking quiet comfort in each other.

He rolled onto his back, meeting her eyes. "It went surprisingly well." He was silent again, gathering his thoughts, his eyes closing in appreciation of her gentle caresses. "It was calm, quiet. I do not know what I was expecting, but it was not that." Again he was quiet. "We talked about Henry, Kili, You and I, a little about what her leaving did to those of us left."

Not allowing her fingers to stop their gentle movements Belle closed her eyes at the thought of how painful that conversation must have been for Killian, for both of them, but it was Killian she was concerned about. "Did it help?"

"Her more than me. It was more a confirmation of what I had already guessed. It hurts, having her here, having her near, but I am not feeling the soul destroying pain I felt when she left. Nor a joyous reaction that she is back."

Belle thought about that for a moment. "But she is not gone, she is back."

He half-smiled, but it was a painful, self-deprecating smile. "But not by choice. I found her at Henry's request. And, yes, she did come back but she has in no way decided if she is going to stay." He rolled back onto his side, pulling his legs up and cuddling into her. "Too much emotion after a day of sailing with the kiddie and dwarf brigade."

Following his change in conversation she smiled, gently kneading his neck with her now free hand. "The dwarves were as wound up as the children?"

"I sometimes wonder which group is younger. Although most of the fathers are not much different."

"You love every minute of it," she reminded him, nudging him into a sitting position. "Come on, time to get some sleep. You promised Henry you would be early tomorrow and we will be lucky if Colin and Catie are not up with the sun."

Wearily he pushed himself to his feet, eyes still closed he stretched. "Usually I am to." He extended a hand to help her up.

Allowing him to pull her up, she loved the unthinking gentlemanly behavior he always exhibited, out of long habit Belle stepped into his easy embrace. "Not the day after a kiddie cruise and emotional ex-discussion."

His arms pulled her closer. "Join me tonight?"

Not surprised by the request she nodded.

Releasing her he took a step back. "I need a shower first. See you in a few."

She watched him walk up the stairs, enjoying the view, before following. Diverting to her own room she changed into pajamas. The shower was still running when she entered Killian's room. She bypassed the partially open bathroom door to slide the balcony's screen door open and step outside. Whenever the weather was nice Killian kept the door open, claiming the sound of the sea soothed him. It was why she had insisted he take the master when they found this house. And the only reason he had agreed was because her room was almost as large and had a private bathroom.

"What has you so pensive, love?" Warm arms slipped around her from behind.

"Just remembering." She leaned back into his familiar warmth, welcoming the support and care only he provided her with unreservedly. When Killian Jones cared about you he showed you in hundreds of little ways. "Let's get some sleep." She waited for him to get into bed, settling on his back, before joining him, snuggling into his side. His hand lightly, absently stroked her side as his arm held her close. As his breathing evened out into sleep she couldn't help remembering the first time they had slept together, not fallen asleep together on the couch while talking or watching a movie. It had been the night Killian had gotten his magic and Rumple had once more betrayed her and been sent over the Town Line. When they had reached the apartment over the library they had collapsed together on the couch, clinging tightly to each other.He had been reeling from the new powers and she had been shattered by another betrayal that she should have seen coming.Somehow clinging to each other for comfort had turned to kissing and clinging to each other for other reasons.To this day she still did not know who had initiated things, but she did remember Killian pulling away.He had been breathing as heavily as she was as he lay atop her, neither sure when they had shifted position.His eyes had searched hers.She knew she should pull away, that neither of them were in any condition to make this kind of decision.But she did not care.She wanted this, she needed to be cared for and important. "I do not want to stop," she whispered, arms holding him tighter to her.

His hand had come up to run down her cheek in a gentle caress. "Then we are not going to rut on a couch like animals.You deserve to be loved and worshiped."Standing he extended his hand, and when she took it led her to his room. And worship her he had. She could not remember ever feeling so cared for. It wasn't until later, wrapped in his arms as he spooned behind her, bare bodies comfortably entangled together that she realized why he had taken her to his room. That way she could leave if she wanted to retreat or run. And if she did regret this-them-then the unwelcome memories would not be in her room or her bed. She recalled how it had been her choice that she had known he would have stopped if she said the word, with no recriminations. If possible she moved even closer to him. "I am not going to run.I wanted this too and will not regret it. I trust you, Killian."

He had not answered her in words but a slight tenseness in his body faded as he simply pulled her closer, dropping a light kiss on her shoulder.

Seven weeks later she had discovered she was pregnant. She had not hesitated to tell Killian, knowing he would never abandon her or his child. They had started looking for a bigger place the next day, where a child could grow and play and Henry could have his own space. They remained the closest of friends, sometimes straying into more. It was not unusual for one or the other to ask to be held in the night. Demons and regrets were easier to face when shared. If sometimes that comfort was more physical it was just between them.

"You are thinking too hard," Killian whispered sleepily, turning on his side to pull her closer.

She turned as well so he could spoon her, allowing her body to fully relax in his embrace. Killian would not hide from her or deny her, and himself, the comfort and support they each gave each other. With that reassuring thought sleep finally claimed her.

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When Emma returned to her parent's house she gladly allowed her thoughts to be distracted by Kili's excited recounting of his day. There was a pang in her heart when he left her to go play with Neal. She knew it was selfish but she missed the days when she was Kili's whole world.

"They grow up fast," David commented, laying a reassuring hand on her shoulder for a moment before walking around the couch to sit down beside her. "I sometimes wonder if it ever gets easier to let them go."

Emma stared down at her hands. "I don't know. I have never had to before." Closing her eyes she steeled herself to ask the next question. "Are you guys happy?"

"Happy?" David repeated, puzzled. "Happy as in how?"

Still not looking up Emma went on. "Killian said something tonight that surprised me. He said he was not looking or expecting a happily ever after. He was content with his life and that was enough for him." Her eyes went up to meet her father's. "Do you feel that way?"

For a time David was silent, thinking about her words. "Your mother is my Happily Ever After, even if the happiness does come and go. In the end while we are together my Happy Ending will remain. But that is not what you are really asking, is it? You want to know if I think his idea is real."

Biting her lower lip Emma nodded. "His way seems easier."

"I think everyone has to find their own ending and what is best for them. Killian has found a place where he is content, I can't blame him for being happy to stay there. He has a good life. I think everyone has to find their own place where they are happy. And that happy will not be the same for everyone."

"Do you think I will ever find mine?" After a moment she shook her head. "Never mind, I had better get Kili ready for bed. He had a big day." Not giving her father time to answer she left the room.