Killian burst through the doors and said to a footman, "Prepare the carriage straight away."

"Yes, your majesty," said the footman with a bow.

Killian quickly made his way to his brother's study, knowing that Liam would be buried behind stacks of decrees and diplomatic papers.

"You look rather pleased with yourself," said Liam with a grin. "Good news, I expect?"

"Emma is coming," said Killian. "As soon as the carriage is ready I am going to bring Emma and her son to the castle."

"Her son?" asked Liam.

"Yes," said Killian, noting his brother's concerned expression, he said, "The father is long gone."

Liam visibly relaxed.

"I have invited them to live here with us, regardless of what happens," said Killian.

"You what?" demanded Liam.

"Whether or not she is Snow and Charming's daughter, I promised her a home," said Killian. "She grew up an orphan."

Liam's expression softened, after all, he and Killian were orphans as well. "Very well, then. I shall have the guest suite in the West Wing prepared. The boy will have his own room that way."

Killian chose to ignore the fact that the west wing was on the opposite side of the castle. His brother was rather straight-laced in that regard. But ultimately, it didn't matter. Emma would be living in his home. He was guaranteed to see her every day, at least until they discovered the truth.

He wasn't sure what would happen then, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it. "Thank you, Liam."

"I should like to meet the Lady Swan and the young sir as soon as they're settled in. We will all have dinner in the private dining room. Then we can summon the Blue Fairy tomorrow morning."

Killian nodded. "I will see you this evening then," said Killian, excusing himself and hurrying to the courtyard where the carriage was waiting.

-/-

"We're really going to stay in the castle?" asked Henry, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Yes, for a few days at least," said Emma.

"Why?"

"The prince invited us," said Emma. She was unsure about how to tell him about Killian's theory, or her vision for that matter. It would be better to not get his hopes up. For now, anyway.

She didn't love the idea of lying to her son. Then again, it was more of a lie by omission. She just wanted to protect him, after all.

"I told you," said Henry with a grin.

"Told me what?"

"That you liked the prince," said Henry.

Emma only smiled as she continued to gather their meager possessions, placing them neatly in an old wooden trunk. She went to the bed and folded up the one thing she had from her childhood. A white baby blanket, edged with a purple ribbon, the name "Emma" lovingly embroidered along one side. Emma gasped in recognition. It was the very same one from her vision. But how was that possible. She laid the blanket over the rest of their belongings fingers lingering on the material. Well, there was only one way to find out if it meant anything, she thought, as she closed the trunk.

-/-

Emma opened the door to see Killian –when had he become Killian to her? —Standing in front of the carriage, with two footmen by his side.

"We just have a trunk," said Emma, and Killian nodded to the footmen who went inside the cottage to retrieve the trunk.

Killian came over to Emma and Henry, immediately taking Emma's hand in his and brushing a kiss across the back of her hand.

"I don't believe you've been formally introduced. This is my son Henry," said Emma, placing her hand on his shoulder. "And this is Prince Killian."

Henry bowed slightly, a gesture that Killian returned. "It's good to make your acquaintance, young sir."

"It's good to meet you, too, your highness," said Henry.

"You may call me Killian," said Killian. "There is no need for titles."

Emma smiled, and allowed Killian to hand her into the carriage. Henry settled in beside her, while Killian sat across from them.

"So, lad, how would you like to learn how to wield a sword," asked Killian, as the carriage departed.

"That would be amazing," said Henry. "Can I mother?"

Emma shot Killian a disapproving look before smiling at her son. "We'll see."

Henry and Killian got caught up in an animated conversation, with Emma chiming in on occasion, during the ride to the castle. For the most part Emma couldn't stop thinking about her baby blanket and the fact that she'd had a vision of Snow and Charming when she decided to take a leap of faith and kiss Killian.

What did it all mean?

Emma was jolted out of her musings when the carriage came to a halt twenty minutes later.

Henry clambered out of the carriage excitedly.

Killian handed her out of the carriage and then placed his hand on the small of her back, after ordering the footmen to take the trunk to the guest suite in the West Wing. "Welcome, Emma and Henry," said Killian. "We shall get you settled. My brother would like to meet you this evening."

"I am going to meet the king?" asked Henry.

"Of course," said Killian. "Now I will take you to the suite. You'll have your own room."

Emma gripped Henry's hand as the followed Killian down the massive stone corridor.

-/-

The suite was richly decorated, with an elegant four-poster bed in one corner near the balcony, and a sitting area in front of a large fireplace in the center of the chamber.

In the corner opposite from the bed, there was vanity, wardrobe and a screen, behind which was a washroom.

"Your room is just through that door, lad," said Killian, gesturing towards a door to the right.

"Will you give me and Killian a few moments of privacy, Henry?" asked Emma.

Her son nodded and wandered into the other bedroom.

"So, will this do," asked Killian, glancing at her for approval.

"It's beautiful Killian. We do not deserve such lavish treatment," said Emma.

"You deserve the best," said Killian, gripping her hand, and pulling her into his arms. "I cannot wait for you to meet my brother."

Emma felt her cheeks heat up. "You once told me your brother did not approve of thieves."

"That doesn't matter," said Killian. "Besides. I never told him about that particular meeting."

"And what did you tell him," asked Emma, looking up at him through her lashes. Was she actually flirting?

Killian cupped her cheek. "I told him you were beautiful, kind, caring, and bloody brilliant."

"High praise from a prince," said Emma.

"And it is all completely true," said Killian, his breath warm on her face. "I would like to kiss you now."

"Henry is in the other room," said Emma, averting her eyes.

"I'll be quick then," said Killian, brushing his lips against hers and kissing her tenderly.

Emma wrapped her arms around Killian and kissed him back. And then it happened again.

She saw Snow and Charming, only this time they were with a young girl no older than six or seven, with golden curls and wide green yes. "We love you, Emma," she heard them say.

The vision faded when Killian pulled away.

He noticed the astonishment in her eyes. "What is the matter, Emma?" he said.

"Nothing," said Emma.

"You're lying," said Killian. "Please tell me."

"When you kissed me earlier I saw things: a baby, and a man and woman who looked like Snow and Charming. It happened again, but this time I saw a little girl. I don't understand," said Emma.

Killian's grip on her tightened. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry, Emma. We will get to the bottom of this. You will meet the Blue Fairy tomorrow and we will discover the truth," said Killian. "But for now, I can have a maid draw you a bath. The servants brought up a portion of my mother's wardrobe for you. You may wear whatever you like. We'll also find Henry something. Then you shall meet my brother, and the four of us will dine together. How does that sound?"

"Fine," said Emma, a little warily. "I haven't told Henry about any of this."

"You haven't?" asked Killian.

"No. I don't want him to worry, or get his hopes up."

"You know best," said Killian. "Tomorrow he can have lessons with our sword master. That should keep him occupied. He will be perfectly safe."

"Promise?" said Emma.

"I give you my word," said Killian, "and if you wish it, we can seal it with a kiss."

"You are too forward for your own good," said Emma.

"You cannot fault a man for trying," said Killian with a grin, "Especially when he his holding a beautiful woman in his arms."

Emma placed her hand on his chest. "I'll take that bath now," said Emma.

"As you wish. I'll send someone along straight away. I shall see you shortly."

"Thank you, Killian," said Emma, stepping away.

"Anything for you," said Killian, smiling at her before leaving the room.