A/N: So here is the much awaited next chapter. Should be satisfying for everyone. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time, ABC or any of its characters.
Amaya slept in the next day, which was great for me, because I was able to talk to my mother about babysitting.
"I would love too," She said, sounding slightly uncomfortable, like Emma had mentioned what happened last night.
"I haven't had a night for myself in 3 years," I said, feeling like there was no other explanation.
"I know sweetheart. Will you write down her nightly routine? I just want to be prepared."
"Of course Mom," I smiled. She thought of everything.
"I love you, and I'll see you tonight," She said excited.
"Love you too. Tell Dad I love him too," I said, before we hung up. I heard Amaya's cry for help upstairs and sighed.
"Where 'ian?" She asked sleepily, and I smiled.
"He went home last night. He was at his own home while we were here sleeping." I explained as I changed her into her clothes for the day.
"I want to see 'ian," she pouted.
"Tonight love bug," I smiled, "But do you want to help pick out my dress?"
"Dress up!" She cheered, as I brought her down to the kitchen. A knock sounded at the door, and I groaned internally. Opening it, I was confused as Regina had a bouquet of flowers in her hand.
"These were on the front porch," She said, handing them to me. I smiled to myself as I sniffed them, and she let herself in.
"Your mother paid you a visit last night?" I guessed as she sat on one of the bar stools at the island.
"Yup, and she's saying that with the Dark One's dagger I can have Henry and be blameless for the deaths of Snow, Charming and Emma."
"What I wouldn't give to be an only child right now," I sighed.
"Emma giving you trouble?" She asked confused.
"Killian Jones paid me a visit last night. I asked Gold to give him his hand back, and he came to thank me. It was a wake up call for him." I said, as I poured her a cup of coffee.
"Well this changes things. Is he still working with my mother?"
"No." I said, putting Amaya in her booster seat. I looked up and guiltily said, "We have a date tonight."
"Really?" She laughed, clearly amused by the situation.
"He's handsome, and courteous. He didn't push last night when I invited him in to talk."
"He was here?" She asked, and looked around for evidence. Her eyes zeroed in on the flowers I was currently finding a vase for, and stared.
"We talked about Adam and Milah, and discussed how we weren't looking for replacements."
"And naturally you agreed to a date with him. I'm sure he made a few nuns fall into bed with him. He has the charm." She said.
"I'm not looking for anything like that for awhile. It's been over a year for me, and things have… grown over." I said embarrassingly.
"You can't possibly think it's not gonna be a possibility."
"Not tonight at least. I'm very picky about who I let into my bed. I let a guy get too far in college and all he did was brag about it to his friends. I want to know that his heart is true before things proceed… naturally." I said as we giggled.
"So, a wax is in order then."
"I give it two to four weeks before I think about that," I smirked, as Amaya patted her tummy.
"Use your words my little love," I said, leaning down to her level.
"Breakfast please," She said. I kissed her cheek and got out some yogurt and granola for her.
"Well, do you feel like breakfast?" I asked Regina.
"Why not? I only had a piece of toast this morning. I needed to talk to someone about my mother."
"I'm all ears," I said, pulling out some bacon and eggs from the fridge.
"The green one is too dark." Regina said from her spot on the edge of my bed later that day. She had gone to the office and come back to help me pick something out. Amaya was playing on the floor with her new doll from Regina.
"Oh, I like that one," I pouted, putting it back on the closet rack. Pulling out a red one, I modeled it against myself to show her.
"Perfect. Modest, but the red really makes your hair pop." She said, as I closed the door to change.
"I'm not looking for 'wow' factor today, but I do love this one the most. I could never wear it, because Adam always joked I would blend in with the trucks at work."
"Absurd," She chuckled, before I straightened the skirt and opened the door.
"Too much?"
"First date appropriate," She smiled, as I moved to fix my hair. I wanted a high ponytail today, and it seemed to work.
"Natural make up or tiny bit slutty?" I joked, as I heard the door close downstairs.
"Aria?" I heard my mother's voice.
"We're up here!" I called out the door.
"Regina, how are you?" My mother asked politely before she hugged me.
"Wonderful. And how's Henry?" She asked, hopeful.
"He's good. He misses you." She said, smiling and sitting down next to Regina on the bed.
"Aria, you look beautiful honey," Mary Margaret said, smiling at me.
"You didn't tell Dad, did you?"
"He thinks you and Regina are going out on the town tonight. What did Emma say to you last night?"
"Something hurtful I'd rather not repeat." I said diplomatically.
"She feels awful honey. She really wants to talk to you."
"Mom, we didn't speak to each other for 5 years, until she heard I lost Adam. She thinks she's always right, but she's also to prejudice to see that everything isn't always black and white."
"Do you have the superpower too?" She asked seriously.
"Something like it. I can tell when there is truth being told. She has the sense of knowing when someone is lying to her, and I know when someone is telling the truth."
"We had a problem today. Hook came to us and told us of Cora bringing a shrunken giant over. She must have given him something to return to his size, because he nearly destroyed the town trying to kill your father."
"Why didn't anyone call me?" I said, horrified.
"Because Anton thought your father was your Uncle, Prince James. We've figured it out now, but Anton may give us a way back to the Enchanted Forest. He had a clipping that may grow some magic beans."
"Um, aren't we jumping the gun here?" I asked, feeling like they were all rushing this.
"Aria just got to town," Regina said, making my point.
"We can all be together now," Mary Margaret said, confused as to why I wasn't on board with this.
"We're together here. I'm content living here. I don't want to leave Storybrooke." I said, shaking my head, and going back to put on my makeup. A knock sounded at the door as I finished and I sighed.
"Everything is on the fridge. Food was made up, all you have to do is reheat it," I explained before I made a motion for them to stay here while I left. I grabbed my flats, because I had the feeling my heels wouldn't be appropriate for the evening. Patting Purdy's head I grabbed my coat.
"My lady," Killian said suavely as I opened the door. I smiled, and stepped outside with my coat on and purse on my shoulder, locking the door behind me.
"Thank you for the flowers," I said, as he offered his arm.
"If receiving flowers brings that smile to your face, I will bring them to you every day," He said seriously.
"Once a month is fine," I joked as we waked out the front gate and down to Main Street.
"You don't happen to have our currency, do you?" I said, suddenly remembering he only got to town a few days ago.
"Fear not, love. I have prepared a special dinner for us on the deck of my ship."
"I get to see it?" I said, excited. But also understanding he may have other ideas about how the evening could go.
"Of course. It has a beautiful view of the ocean, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. We'll have total privacy there."
"You do know that I have to get home tonight?" I joked.
"I wouldn't dream of keeping you here, when you have made your wishes clear. I am a pirate, but I do know how to be a gentleman."
"Okay," I said as he led me to the docks. The ship was the largest, and obviously the only wooden ship in the marina. There were twinkle lights strung up between the giant masts of the ship, and a table set up with candles as well.
"You really go all out on the first date," I said as he led me up the gangplank, and helped me over the edge.
"This ship has been my home for over 200 years. I wanted to show you how I take care of her and treat her. Because I will treat you far better than any ship." He said softly, pulling my chair out.
"Keep talking," I smirked, as he blushed.
"I would love nothing more than to treat you like a Princess. Give you everything your heart desires, if only for one kiss from your sweet lips."
"You'll make me blush," I said, fanning myself as I heard someone walk up the gangplank. A short man with a red cap on his head placed two plates in front of us before pouring a bottle of wine into two glasses.
"Thank you Mr. Smee." Killian said as the man nodded and rushed off the deck.
"Well, your first mate seems very nice." I commented. Our conversation directed to our hobbies, the time he spent in Neverland, and the time he spent with Gold's son Baelfire there.
As the evening drew to a close, I let him walk me home. As I walked up the stairs, I sighed. My mom rushed out saying, "She's asleep. I won't interrupt."
Before I could ask her what she meant, she was out the gate and fast walking home. I shook my head as I opened the door, looking up to see Killian holding himself back.
"Thank you for tonight. I haven't had this in a very long time."
"What's that, love?" he asked as I took his hands. I leaned in to kiss his cheek softly, and I felt him duck his head.
"Romance. Someone to make me feel special." I said, as I looked inside.
"I'll leave you to your night, Princess." He said, kissing my knuckles, much like he did last night.
"Goodnight Killian," I whispered as our hands released each other. He walked down the stairs and looked back up at me as I watched. I smiled and back up into the house, closing the door as he walked out the gate. As I put my shoes in the front closet, a knock sounded at the door. It was a flurry of movement as Killian pined me to the back of the door, and held my face.
"I'm sorry, I'm rushing things." He said, backing away, but I pulled him close, and leaned up to kiss his lips. He moaned appreciatively, pulling me closer still.
"I haven't…" I said as he released me, feeling the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.
"I'm not asking for anything more than what you want to give," He promised.
"Killian, I just need to be sure about you," I said, as a tear slipped down my cheek.
"I know love. Take your time. I just wanted to know what your lips tasted like," he said, kissing me deeply one more time.
"How can you be so amazing, so soon? I was worried I wouldn't find anyone again… And here you come along, clearly better than you claim to be." I said, running my thumbs over his cheeks.
"I will be better, for you. And your daughter." He added, making my heart melt.
"She likes you already," I said, making his smile grow.
"That makes it all the better. And what about you, love? Like me yet?" He said sweetly.
"I do." I smiled, surprisingly, without a stab of pain as I thought of Adam, and how he would approve.
"Goodnight," I said, as he released his hold on my hips and opened the door.
"Goodnight love."
A/N: And that it for this week! What did you guys think? Too fast, too slow? I'm trying to show some restraint here and not post a second chapter tonight. Haha Well, until next time guys. Love you all!