Note: Just a note to guest reviewers: Could I ask if you would like to give constructive criticism (which I welcome) that you please sign-in? I can't reply to guest reviews and I like to try to address the points made (often which I agree with). The only way for me to reply is in a note like this in a new chapter, which isn't usually the best way. Thank you!

Thanks for the responses to "One Night Only", "Heal Me, Hold Me", and the last part. Hope you enjoy this part! ~Steph

...True Love Waits: Part 3/8…

~Emma's POV~

I walk down the hallway toward Lia's room, stopping when I hear their voices. I peer around the doorframe.

August is sitting on the bed and Lia is standing in front of him. He's attempting to do her hair.

"So that's a no to a ponytail. How about a French braid?"

"You can't do a French braid. Last time you did one my head looked all lopsided."

I smile at that. It's true.

"How about pigtails?"

She shakes her head. "No, I looked like a dog last time."

August laughs and gently turns Lia around to face him. "Well, it appears I'm all out of hairstyles." His smile fades. "Lia, he's going to pick you up soon. You need to be ready."

She shrugs. "Well, if my hair's not done, then I guess I can't go."

August raises his eyebrows. "Is that what this is about?"

She lowers her eyes. "I don't want to go."

"Why?"

"I promised Mommy I would try to make him happy, but I don't even know him," she says softly.

August takes a deep breath. I can see how hard this is on him and it breaks my heart. "Not yet, but you will."

She looks up at him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Did you know him before?"

He nods. "Yes, but not well."

"Did you like him?"

He looks down at the floor. "He seemed like a good man."

Lia puts her hand in his. Her voice grows soft. "Will you be mad at me if I like him?"

August shakes his head and touches her cheek. "Of course not, sweetheart. He's your biological father. I hope you like him. I just want you to be happy."

I feel tears spring to my eyes but I quickly blink them back. August looks up then and finds me standing in the doorway.

He clears his throat and stands up. He walks over to me and hands me the brush.

He offers me a weak smile. "Maybe you'll have better luck."

I take the brush from him, walk to the bed, and sit down.

I turn Lia around and attempt to brush her hair, but she refuses to stand still.

"Lia, you have to stand still. I can't do your hair if you keep squirming."

"I want to leave my hair down or I'm not going!"

She knows I don't like her hair down and must think this is her ticket out.

"You know it gets in your way and always gets tangled when it's left down. I know you must want to look pretty for your daddy."

She wriggles free of my grip and turns around to face me, her hands planted challengingly on her hips.

"Don't call him that. He's a stranger."

I feel my breath freeze in my chest. "That's not true. You visited him every week since you were born. I told you stories about him and showed you pictures."

"It's not the same. I can't call him daddy. I already have a daddy."

I sigh. I should have known better than to say that, considering the conversation I just heard between her and August.

Maybe we're taking this too fast. I can't expect her to just start thinking of Killian as her father when August has been the only one she's really known for two years.

"I know this is hard, honey. And I don't expect you to start thinking of him as your daddy right away. You can call him whatever you want and think of him however you like. You're a lucky little girl, you know. You have two men who want to be your daddy."

She looks down at the floor. "What if he doesn't like me?" she asks softly.

I place my hand to her chin and lift her face so she looks at me. "He already loves you and I know he'll end up liking you, too. He heard every word you said to him while he was in that case, you know. You are smart and funny and beautiful, Lia. What's not to like?"

She rolls her eyes at me. "You have to say that. You're my mom."

I smile. "Maybe, but I'd say it even if I weren't your mother."

She pauses for a moment and then her eyes narrow. "Well, what if I don't end up liking him?"

I shake my head, thinking this to be impossible. I always knew Killian would be an amazing father and I know he and Lia will eventually form a wonderful bond. I want that for them so much.

"He's a wonderful man, Lia. He's kind and smart and funny. I promise, if you give him a chance, you're going to like him."

She shrugs her little shoulders. "But you said you didn't like him much at first."

I laugh and nod. "That's true. But your daddy isn't the same man he was when we first met. He worked really hard to become a better man. I know you'll learn to love him just as much as I do, Lia."

"Okay," she says.

I then pull her into a hug. I give her a kiss and whisper, "I love you," in her ear.

Just then, the doorbell rings. I breathe deeply and take her hand in mine. "Let's go."

We walk downstairs and Lia runs ahead of me. She pulls the door open, revealing Killian. I feel the air go out of my lungs at the sight of him. I still can't believe he's standing in front of me, alive and well. And, even after all this time, he still takes my breath away.

Our eyes meet and he smiles at me. A smile that reaches his blue eyes and makes them sparkle. He then bends down to Lia. "Are you ready to go? I have many fun things planned for us today."

I can't take my eyes off of them. I tried to imagine what they would look like together, but I could never get a complete picture in my mind. And, now, here they are. I can see the love in his eyes when he looks at her and my heart aches for all of the time they lost, all of the moments they never got to share.

"I'm ready," she says. She turns to me and waves. "Bye, Mommy. See you later." She then runs out the door and down the walk.

Killian stands up and meets my gaze. "I'll have her home by dusk."

"Don't worry about it, Killian. Take as much time as you want."

He nods. "Thank you."

He turns around and only makes it a few feet before my voice stops him.

"Killian?"

"What, love?" he says, as he spins around to face me.

My heart melts at hearing him call me 'love' again.

"Have a good time," I say with a smile.

His lips curl into a grin. "Thank you. We will."

…

~Killian's POV~

I look down at her as we walk on the sidewalk in silence. My palms are sweaty. My mouth's dry. I can't think of anything of substance to say. I've never been at a loss for words before.

I swallow hard. "So, uh, I was thinking perhaps we could get some lunch first. Where would you like to dine?"

She shrugs. "I don't care."

I eye her. "Now I don't believe that. You seem like a lass with opinions."

I realize that although she visited me every week for her entire life and Emma shared stories with me about her, I know very little about my daughter.

"What kind of food do you like? Perhaps grilled cheese and onion rings like your mother? We can go to Granny's for that if you like."

She shakes her head. "Sushi. I like sushi."

I raise an eyebrow. "Sushi?" I haven't a clue what that is.

"Yeah, Mommy and Daddy don't like it so we never get to have it."

I have to force myself not to wince at that daddy word again.

"Well, sushi it is then."

I have no idea where to find this sushi she speaks of.

Her eyes light up. "You like sushi?"

I manage to bob my head. "Aye, I love it."

It's name sounds rather unappealing. I highly doubt I will enjoy it.

Apparently, Storybrooke has changed more than I thought. Lia informs me of a new restaurant not far from the docks that serves sushi. We walk to it and we're seated in moments. I allow Lia to order for us since I haven't a clue what bloody sushi is. Then we sit in an awkward silence.

I attempt to break it. "I recall you telling me about school. You're in kindergarten, right?"

She wrinkles her nose. "Yeah, it's boring. We do baby stuff."

I smile to myself.

"Well, what do you like to do? I believe you told me once you like to draw."

"That's right. I like to read, too."

"You already know how to read?"

I don't recall Lia or Emma ever mentioning that. She looks at me as if I have grown two heads. Ridiculous question, I suppose.

"Since I was three," she replies, holding up three fingers.

My eyes widen. "Three. That's quite impressive."

She nods. "Mommy said I'm smart like you. She said you know how to read maps and Latin and Greek."

I feel my heart swell at that. Emma truly tried to keep me alive for our daughter.

She looks at me curiously. "What do you like to do?"

"Well, I am certain your mother told you I like to sail."

"She said you were the best captain to ever sail the seas."

I smile at that. When we learned we were having a child, I imagined us going sailing on the Jolly Roger together. I imagined teaching Lia how to sail.

"Has Mommy ever taken you to the Jolly Roger?"

She shakes her head. "No, I've asked her to a bunch of times, but she always makes an excuse. I think it would make her too sad."

My brow furrows. "Sad? Why?"

Her big, blue eyes meet mine. "Because it would make her think of you."

"Oh," I reply softly.

We fall into an uncomfortable silence then. We're saved a few minutes later by the arrival of our food. My eyes widen at the sushi and my lips curl in disgust. Lia digs right into the raw fish wrapped around rice. I approach mine a bit more cautiously. And by cautiously I mean I stare at it. You would think a man of the sea would enjoy such food.

"Aren't you going to eat it?" she asks.

"Aye, I'm simply taking my time."

I lift the smallest of pieces to my tongue and force myself to swallow. It's almost as revolting as bologna.

She eyes me knowingly. "You don't like it, do you?"

I raise my eyebrows. She's quite perceptive. "I'm afraid you've found me out. I didn't even know what sushi was until it arrived."

"Why did you say you liked it then?"

I shrug. "I suppose I just wanted you to fancy me and to make you happy, love."

She smiles at me. "You don't have to lie to do that. Just be yourself. That's what Mommy always says."

This lass may be wiser than I am. I can see more and more of Emma in her with each passing moment.

We finish our meal. Or, rather, she finishes her meal and I push mine around my plate. We exit the restaurant and I turn to her. "So, I was thinking perhaps we could go for ice cream at Any Given Sundae and then go play in the park."

She shakes her head. "Nah."

"Well, what do you wish to do then?"

"Go to the harbor to look at the water."

My eyes widen in surprise. "Really? Why?"

"Mommy takes me there all the time. She said the water calms her."

I smile. Emma must go there to feel closer to me.

I bob my head. "The harbor it is then."

We walk to the harbor and sit down side by side.

"Mommy said the water calmed you too. She said you took her here when she was sad."

"That's right," I say with a nod.

"I like it," she says. "It's pretty here."

"Aye, that it is."

She looks up at me and grins. "You're not so bad," she says.

I chuckle, as I realize we've just made memories. Memories no one can ever take away from me.

…

~Emma's POV~

I hear their footsteps on the walk and rush over to the window. I pull back the curtains and smile as my eyes land on their figures walking side by side. They walk a few feet and then she looks up at him. She smiles and slips her hand into his.

My heart catches in my chest at the sight of them. God, they're beautiful together.

He looks up and in my direction, so I quickly pull back out of sight. A moment later, the doorbell rings. I wait a few moments so as not to seem as if I were standing there waiting for them. I then walk to the door and open it.

Our eyes meet and hold. He smiles at me. "Hello, love."

"Hi. You guys are back." I move my gaze down to Lia. "Did you have fun?"

She smiles and nods enthusiastically. "Oh yeah. We ate sushi and went to the harbor."

I can feel Killian staring at me at the mention of the harbor. It was obviously Lia's suggestion and I'm sure the significance is not lost on him.

I pat Lia's head. "I'm so glad you had fun, sweetie. Why don't you go get cleaned up for dinner?"

"Okay," she says. She then looks up at Killian and smiles. "Thanks for today. Maybe we can do it again sometime."

His eyes twinkle as he replies, "Nothing would make me happier."

With that, Lia runs upstairs. We both watch her go and then turn back to each other.

Killian shakes his head. "She's an amazing little girl, Swan. You've done a wonderful job with her." He pauses and then adds, "I see so much of you in her, Emma."

I feel my face flood with red. I swallow hard. "And I see so much of you in her." I blink back a sudden rush of tears. "Being with her was like being with a piece of you, Killian. I'd look into her blue eyes and feel you staring back at me. Whenever I felt like I couldn't take it anymore, whenever I felt like I couldn't stand being without you for one more moment, I'd look at her. It gave me comfort."

I see the tears spring to his eyes and he looks down, hoping to hide it from me. I take a deep breath and attempt a lighthearted smile.

"Sushi, huh? Do you even know what sushi is?"

He raises his head to look at me and grins. "I do now. I wished to impress her so I told her I loved it. It didn't take her long to figure out my deception."

I chuckle. "She's like a little human lie detector. Nothing much gets past her."

Killian's smile widens, as he nods at me. "She inherited her mother's superpower."

His smile fades and then we fall into an awkward silence until I finally break it. "Well, I better get going. Dinner's getting cold."

His eyes seem to flash with disappointment. "Alright. Perhaps I could see her again next Saturday?"

I nod. "You can see her anytime you want, Killian."

"It's probably best to keep it scheduled right now. I don't wish to overwhelm her."

I bob my head and meet his eyes. He's already a great father and he doesn't even realize it. "Okay. I'll see you next Saturday then. Bye."

I move to close the door when his voice stops me. I meet his piercing gaze.

"You take her to the harbor," he says softly.

I nod with a sad smile. "Yeah, I do." I pause and then add, as I battle the emotion now constricting my throat. "It helps me feel closer to you. When I'm there I can sit down and pretend you're sitting beside me. I can hear your voice telling me how the sea is calming and how it's your job to protect my heart. And I can close my eyes and pretend your arms are around me." I stop and then add softly, "It doesn't make me feel sad. I tried to go to the Jolly Roger once and Lia is always asking to go, but it just hurt too much. It's where I lost you. And it made me think of how one day we could have brought our family there and gone on sailing trips. How you could have taught her how to sail. The harbor is different somehow. The water calms me and helps me remember the good times. It brings me comfort."

He rubs at his eyes and then looks down. "Memories like those and your visits are the only things that saw me through those six years trapped in that case."

I ache to reach out and wrap my arms around him, but force myself to resist.

He clears his throat. "Well, I'll let you go. I look forward to seeing you both next week."

He turns around and I watch as he walks away from me. It takes all of my strength not to run after him. Everytime he walks away I fear I'll never see him again.

I wait until he's out of sight to close the door. I lean my forehead against the door and squeeze my eyes shut.

"He's gone, Emma."

August's voice takes me by surprise and I quickly turn around. He's simply staring at me and for some reason I feel guilty.

"I know," I say softly.

"Dinner's getting cold."

I shake my head. "I'm actually not feeling too well. I think I'm going to go lie down. You two eat without me."

I start up the stairs but his voice stops me. "Is this how it's going to be now?"

I turn around to face him, my features twisted in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

August's eyes flood with hurt. "You can't be with him, so you're going to pull away from this family...from me."

I walk down the stairs and stand in front of him. "That is not what I am doing. I don't feel well. It's just dinner."

He shakes his head. "Two years, Emma. We haven't missed a dinner together as a family in the two years we've been married. You insisted on it or don't you remember? You never got to have family meals as a foster kid and you wanted things to be different for Lia. No matter what was happening, what villain was terrorizing the town, what curse was being cast, we always found a way to make sure we sat down to dinner together as a family. But he's been back for three days and that's all it took for things to change."

I see the hurt in his eyes and I can't stand that I put it there. But I also can't deny what he said. And I can't sit down to a meal as a family right now.

"I have a headache, August. Don't make more of it than it is."

I turn to walk away.

"He's still in love with you and that's not going to change. You don't just fall out of love with Emma Swan. He's not going to just let you go. I know because I wouldn't."

I squeeze my eyes shut and a tear slips down my cheek. I then walk up the stairs, his eyes following me all the way.

...

End of Part 3

Thanks for reading! I'd appreciate any feedback you'd like to give. ~Steph