A/N: Hello everyone! I'm posting on Sundays now because I like to keep you on your toes :)
Disclaimer: I do not own ABC, Once Upon a Time or any of its characters. Just Aria and Amaya
A year later…
As Emma made breakfast, Henry watered the plants in our apartment. I was busying teaching Amaya how to tie her shoes, and putting all my papers in my bag for work. I had a job at one of the top law firms in the country and I felt on top of the world. It didn't hurt to have a kick ass view of New York to boost your confidence. Purdy was lounging in the sun next to a window and I sighed. As we all sat down at the table, a knock sounded on the door.
"Someone coming over?" Henry asked, as Amaya ate her pancakes.
"No," Emma said, looking at me.
"No gentleman caller for me sister," I said before the knocking got louder. I went to turn off the music and answer the door. Opening it up I saw a man, who smiled at me. I noticed his head to toe leather and looked like he came form some sort of Cosplay event.
"Swan," He said, before moving to come in.
"Whoa, do I know you?" I asked, keeping him out.
"Listen I need your help. Something has happened, something terrible and your family is in trouble." He said, and I argued, "My family is right here. Who are you?"
"And old friend," He said, pained, "I know you don't remember me, but I can make you." He moved and kissed me, before I kneed him in the groin. I pushed him out of the doorway, where he collapsed against the wall.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"A long shot. I had to try. I was hoping you still felt the way you once did about me." He said, as I heard footsteps behind me. Emma had my Taser in her hand and Amaya yelled, "Ian!"
"Little Princess," He said as she went to hug him. I held her back though, as he groaned on the floor in pain.
"Henry, take Amaya back to the living room."
"Stay away from my daughter, you creep," I growled.
"I'm calling the cops," Emma said.
"No no, wait don't. I know this seems crazy, but you have to believe me, you have to rememb-." Emma shut the door in his face and I moved to lock the deadbolt and the chain.
"Who was that?" Henry asked.
"No idea, someone must have left the door open downstairs. Let's eat," I said as I sat Amaya back down.
After work that evening, I was watching Henry when Emma came back from her date with Walsh. I liked the guy more than I did Henry's father. That guy was a dick and I'm glad he is no longer in her life. I was finishing up some case details when she walked in the door. I raised an eyebrow when I noticed no ring on her hand. She narrowed hers and said, "You knew?"
"Why else did I offer to stay in when I wanted to try out that club downtown with the girls from work?" I teased, as I went to go check on Amaya. She was fast asleep on our bed, and I smiled as I heard the conversation from the living room.
Once Henry was getting ready for school the next day, Emma said, "That guy that was here yesterday morning? Crashed my date with Walsh last night."
"What did he do?" I asked, confused, as I got Amaya's coat on her.
"Gave me this paper, with an address. Said if I wanted to know who we really are, who our parents are, we had to go to this address."
"Mom, is there something going on?" Henry asked when he noticed our whispering.
"No, nothing," Emma said as she put her coffee cup down.
"No, you're doing it again, you're worrying." He said, intuitively.
"No I am not, I am thinking. There is a difference," She said, getting her coat on.
"Are you thinking about Walsh?"
"No… yeah, I am. Can you blame me for taking 24 hours to think through making a life altering decision?" She said, putting him off the trail, "Just want to make sure nothing is… wrong."
"You're always looking for something that might be wrong. You don't have to do that you know? Sometimes its okay to accept things that might be… good." Henry said, before moving to hug her, "I've gotta go. I'm gonna be late. Love ya!"
"Love you too," Emma said and I sighed.
"Do I have to cancel daycare today?" I said, noticing the way she was looking at that paper.
"Will you come with me?" She asked, hopeful.
"Always." I said, smiling. When we got to the apartment, she picked the lock skillfully while I kept lookout. I didn't say a word as she entered the apartment. Immediately spotting the dream catcher in the window.
"Flypaper for nightmares," she said, scowling, "Neal."
"You've got to be kidding me," I said as Amaya picked up camera and handed it to me. I looked at the strap and showed Emma.
"That's… not possible." She said, rubbing the name on the strap.
"I'll go get them developed. You can confront him," I said, taking the camera and putting in my bag. Amaya followed us out of the apartment, and I headed for the drugstore. I got the quickest return on them and texted Emma that I would meet her with something for Henry. We walked along the streets of New York, Amaya happily splashing in nearby puddles.
"You want to talk to me about Walsh?"
"What makes you say that?"
"You bought me candy at the drugstore."
"Okay, maybe you're right, I have been thinking about him." Emma said, as Amaya squeezed past them to jump in a puddle.
"Maybe what happened in my past, with your birth father, has kept me from living my life now. Maybe it's time for me to start looking forward, that we start looking forward."
"So, does that mean you're gonna marry him?" Henry asked, and Emma smiled slightly, "So that's a yes? How are you gonna tell him?"
"Wait, wait. First I didn't say that I-"
"You can tell him at dinner tonight," Henry said and we both smiled.
"We're not having dinner." Emma said, as I grabbed a laughing Amaya.
"I might have sent a text from your phone this morning. He's coming over at 8 and I arranged a sleepover at Avery's so the two of you could be alone."
"Where am I supposed to go?" I laughed.
"I hadn't thought that far yet," Henry admitted.
"I'll just leave for a few hours. Take Amaya to a show or something," I said, noticing I still had those tickets for Wicked in my purse. They were a gift from my boss for all my hard work on a very big case.
"It's okay Mom. If you're guts telling you to marry him, trust it." Henry said, smiling.
"Crap, I forgot to pick something up. Take your cousin and go see if you can beat level 24." Emma said giving him the bag I handed her.
"See ya!" Henry said, taking Amaya's and asking her to run with him.
"See ya," I said, giving her the packet of developed pictures. She opened them and kept them in plain sight, so I could see them as well.
What I saw was almost too much.
"Hey, we need to talk," Emma said to the man in leather as he left the police station. I was glaring at him, and standing beside Emma, holding the pictures tightly in my hands.
"Swans, I knew you wouldn't let me rot in that cage. I've been in my share of brigs, but none as barbaric as that. They force fed me something called bologna." He said and I smirked.
"What the hell are these?" She asked, showing him the pictures, "We never lived in a town called Storybrooke. We never took a flight from Boston to New York, we never did any of this."
"So you believe me?" He asked, smiling at me softly.
"I don't know. You could have Photoshoped these pictures."
"Photoshoped?" He asked, confused.
"Faked." I said, noticing his eyes were softer when on me.
"If you think these are forgeries then why'd you spring me from that brig? Because as much as you deny it, you know something's wrong. Deep down, you know I'm right."
"So how is this possible? How can we forget all of this?" Emma said.
"I promise you there's an explanation." He said.
"Not one that makes sense," She said, as he dug in his pockets for something.
"If you both drink this, it will."
"If, if what you're saying is true, we'd have to give up our life here."
"Its all based on lies. You both have love, and a family."
"It's real," Emma argued, "I have Henry, a job, a guy I love. My sister and my niece with me."
"It wouldn't just be Emma's life that changes when she takes whatever's in that bottle. We have children we have to think of first. And I haven't had love since my husband died."
"Perhaps there's another you loved in a life that you've lost." Killian said, putting the bottle in my hand.
"Regardless, if you want to find the truth, drink up love. Do you really want to live a life of lies? You know this isn't right Swan. Trust your gut, it will tell you what to do." He said, a sad look washing over his face. The look in his eyes was sincere, made me uncork the bottle. I looked into his eyes, seeing he was telling the truth and put the bottle to my mouth.
"Aria," Emma said, as I took a small portion of the liquid. Looking up, I felt all the memories rush back to me. Our first night in Storybrooke, finding my parents, meeting Killian, going to Neverland, saving Henry, and my final moments with Killian, it all came rushing back.
"Killian, you found us," I cried, giving Emma the other bottle. I forced her to drink it, because I couldn't have this happy moment alone. As she swallowed, she gasped out, "Hook."
"Did you miss me?" He said, a sweet smile on his face as I embraced him.
"How?" Emma asked, as Killian leaned down to kiss me.
"Well, let's get back to the apartment," I said, remembering that Henry was watching Amaya until his sleepover with Avery.
"I searched for a way to retrieve your memories first. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but once I did, I then had to find a way to you."
"The beans," I said, happy he found them.
"Beans?" He asked, and my heart sank.
"The satchel I gave you, had about 10 magic beans in it. Didn't you remember?" I said, and his eyes softened.
"No, I was far too deep in my despair to open your satchel. I reminded me that I lost you twice now," He said, kissing my knuckles.
"And you won't a third time," I smiled.
"I did make a promise to you that I intend to keep," He said, slipping something on my finger.
"You're amazing," I said, kissing him softly before I looked down at the ring. It was a simple band, but it had a large set princess cut amethyst.
"Killian," I said, surprised, looking up at him.
"That is a promise, eternally." He said, getting down on one knee.
"Do me the honor of being my wife, and I shall work everyday to protect, provide and love you and your daughter."
"Yes," I sighed, kissing him and wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Where's Neal?" Emma asked, after I had finished hugging Killian.
"In Storybrooke. He got caught in the curse. Didn't get to my ship in time and made me promise to leave without him so I could find you." He said, and a buzzer sounded at the door. Killian picked up a sleeping Amaya from the couch and kissed me quick.
"I'll just put her to bed." I said, as Emma went to answer the door.
"Who's that?" Killian asked, on edge.
"Walsh. Emma's guy… boyfriend."
"I can get rid of them."
"No. Emma's memories might not be real, but he is. And the eight months they spent together."
"I owe him an explanation," Emma said, as I looked up at her.
"What are you going to tell him?"
"I don't know," She sighed, "But I care about him too much to drag him into all of this. Wait here."
After I put Amaya in bed, Killian disappeared. I didn't question it until I saw a large winged creature flying off into the night. He and Emma came back, and Emma called Henry back to the apartment. Killian and I were already asleep when Henry got in, and I was overjoyed at having Killian back in my arms. Though, we couldn't exactly celebrate our engagement with Amaya cuddled between us.
"Mom," Henry said the next morning as I made coffee. I sent Killian to fetch his things before Henry woke up, to ensure Henry didn't get the wrong impression about his aunt.
"You're hurting the eggs," He said once he got Emma's attention. I sighed, hugging my sister from behind in comfort.
"Do you believe in magic?" She asked him as I read the paper. I was watching the stock market details mostly, and doing the crossword.
"Sure." He answered. She rose an eyebrow as if to say, "Really?"
"And the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus. If it gets me a present, I believe." He cheeked.
"Not sure you made the right choice?" Henry asked.
"I just didn't want pancakes," She said, oblivious.
"No, about Walsh." He said and she laughed setting the eggs in front of him, "I made the right decision."
"Delicious, but I'm gonna be late for school." He said, grabbing his bag.
"No school today."
"How about we all take a trip?" She said.
"I'm all ready to go." I said, gesturing to the packed bags.
"Like a vacation?"
"Like I have a new case, and your Aunt is needed for legal purposes. And it's in Maine and it might take me awhile and I think we should go. It would be an adventure."
"No school? Trip with you and Aunt Aria? Sold." He smiled.
"Good cause we already packed," I sighed in relief.
"When do we leave?" He asked, as Emma moved to put away the orange juice.
"Now." She said as a knock sounded. I ran with Amaya and Purdy on my heels to greet Killian at the door.
"Ian!" She said as he swept her up in his arms.
"Morning love," He smiled, leaning in to kiss me.
"Henry, this is Killian. He's uh… Emma's is helping him with his case." I said, as Emma looked to be thinking of an explanation.
"Well, he's still a little spitfire," Killian said, tickling Amaya's tummy.
"Still?" Henry said and I winced.
"He's not a perp, he's a client."
"Why are you dressed like that?" Henry asked, motioning to Killian's all out leather get up.
"Why are you dressed like that?" Killian teased, and Henry smirked.
"Alright, just make yourself useful Killian and get our bags. Henry, lend him a hand," Emma said as I tried to hold back a laugh.
"Wait, we're really going?" Henry asked as Emma got her purse. Amaya got her stuffed swan and showed Killian and he ducked to kiss her cheek.
"As beautiful as you, little Princess," He said, as he grabbed our bags.
"Yes," Emma said, handing Henry his jacket, "I just need one last thing."
Going over to the closet, she opened it and grabbed her red leather jacket, while I grabbed my navy trench coat.
"Let's go save our parents. Again," Emma said, smirking at me.