Note: Thanks for the responses to 'Jessie's Girl' and the last part. Hope you enjoy this part. ~Steph

...True Love Waits: Part 7/8…

~Killian's POV~

I sit at the counter at Granny's, staring into my drink, lost in thought of her. I haven't seen Emma in two weeks, since that night in the park.

I feel movement beside me, as someone takes the stool next to me.

"Hook," Mary Margaret says.

I turn my eyes to her and smile. "Snow," I say.

"How are you doing?"

I take a drink and shrug. "I've heard patience is a virtue and I've always considered myself to be a rather patient man, but I am having a difficult time dealing with not seeing or speaking to your daughter."

"I know this probably doesn't help, but she just needs time. This has been a lot for her to absorb. I know she feels guilty for hurting Lia and August. Do you know Lia hasn't spoken to her in two weeks?"

I raise an eyebrow. "I didn't realize that."

I have been seeing our daughter, but Emma makes sure that her babysitter drops her off at my ship. Things have been rather tense with Lia too since I know she feels I shoulder some of the blame for her family falling apart, but we are dealing with it the best we we can.

Mary Margaret sighs heavily. "I know this isn't easy for you. You lost six years with Emma and your daughter. I know it must feel like you're wasting even more time now."

"Indeed it does."

"But you know Emma. It takes her a long time to deal with things, to come to terms with her feelings. She loves you, Hook, and I know she wants to be a family with you and Lia. But she is scared of losing you again. It's not easy for her to take that risk again, but I know she'll get there. She just needs time for her head to catch up with her heart."

I bob my head. "I am prepared to wait as long as necessary."

She reaches out and pats my hand, a small smile upon her lips. "And that's what Emma needs. That's what Emma has always needed. A man who won't give up on her, a man who won't walk away. Emma knows that man is you. It's always been you."

I feel a smile pull at my lips for the first time in two weeks.

...

~Emma's POV~

I pass by Lia's room. She's lying on her bed reading. I walk into her room and sit down on the bed. She rolls over and faces away from me.

It's been like this for two weeks. She hasn't spoken a word to me since August left. I've tried to talk to her, but she ignores me. I figured it was her way of coping and it wouldn't last for more than a few days. I guess I forgot how stubborn and determined my daughter can be.

I run my fingers through her hair and rub her back.

"Stop it," she says softly, but firmly.

It's the first time I've heard her voice in two weeks and it takes me by surprise. I pull my hand back.

"Lia, we need to talk about this."

"I don't want to talk to you."

"Look, I know you're angry with me, but shutting me out isn't going to help anything. I need you to talk to me."

Lia sits up and folds her arms over her chest. "This is all your fault."

I sigh. "I understand why you feel that way, but Daddy made his own decision. I didn't ask him to leave."

"You didn't have to. Everything changed the minute my real daddy came back. You changed. He's not dumb, Mommy. He saw that."

I lift my hand and push a stray piece of hair out of her face. "I'm sorry."

She nods and picks up a corner of the bedspread. Her fingers play with the fabric as her voice emerges softly. "I know."

She looks up at me after a few moments. "Are you going to marry my real daddy now?"

My eyes widen in surprise at her question. Being Killian's wife is what I've always wanted, but it seems wrong to think about such things so soon after August has left.

"I don't know. Lia, I'm just trying to sort everything out right now. I don't want to move too fast."

"But you still love him, don't you?"

I lower my eyes to the bedspread. "Yes, I do. Very much."

And it's killing me not to see him after all the time we've already lost. But I can't think straight when I'm with Killian. My love and passion and desire for him clouds my mind. All I can think about is the past we shared and the future we lost. I need time alone right now to try to come to terms with what has happened here in the present and work through my fears.

Lia nods. "That's what I thought." She pauses and then looks up at me with big eyes. "Do I have to start calling Daddy August again?"

I shake my head. "No. You've thought of him as your daddy for two years. You can call him whatever you want."

"Well, what about my real daddy? What if I want to call him daddy someday? Won't it get confusing?"

I laugh lightly. "I don't think you have to worry about that right now."

She nods and looks down at her hands. "It's weird here now. The house is so quiet."

I bob my head. "It's going to take some getting used to. But we will make it through this."

She looks up at me. "You know, I do kind of like my real daddy. I mean, I'm mad at him because this wouldn't have happened if he never came back, but he is pretty cool."

I smile. "Yeah, he is."

She has no idea how truly amazing her father is. I hope one day she will.

Her eyes then fill with tears. "Do you think Daddy will feel bad if I start liking him?"

I shake my head, a slight smile upon my lips. "No, I think he'll understand."

She nods. "Good."

…

~Killian's POV~

I sit on the park bench recalling the last time I sat here. I never expected August to arrive and tell me what he did.

I'm pulled from my thoughts when I hear her tiny voice. I look to my right and find Lia throwing bread to ducks in a nearby pond. August is kneeling down next to her.

I feel my chest tighten. I know it shouldn't bother me. I know I should only want what makes her happy. Perhaps, in time, it will get easier.

It's been a month since I've seen Emma. Lia's babysitter has continued to drop her off at my ship. It's difficult knowing she's out there and I can't be with her. In some ways, it's more difficult than the time we were forced to spend apart. At least then I knew it wasn't her choice. I must keep reminding myself that she just needs time. That, in the end, it will be worth it.

I watch as August picks Lia up and she puts her arms around his neck. I wonder if Lia and I will ever achieve that closeness. It happens so naturally between them. Lia and I have to work harder at it, especially since August left. She's not angry with me anymore, but I don't believe she can look at me without seeing the man who destroyed her family.

But I'm a patient man. I'll give her and Emma as much time as they need. I'll always consider them my family, no matter what happens.

...

~Emma's POV~

The doorbell rings and I go to answer it.

I smile at August and Lia. "Hey, did you guys have fun?"

Lia nods enthusiastically. "We fed the ducks."

August grins down at her. "We sure did. Those are going to be some fat ducks."

Lia laughs. August bends down and gives her a hug. "I'll see you on Wednesday. We'll go to the library."

Lia nods and kisses his cheek. She then runs upstairs. I watch her go, relief flooding through me. She's going to be okay. This situation isn't ideal, but she's going to be fine.

I look back at August. "Thank you. She always has so much fun with you."

He shakes his head. "Emma, you know you don't have to thank me. I love spending time with her."

I nod. "I know. And I realize this situation isn't easy for you."

He shrugs his shoulders. "No, it isn't, but I'm dealing with it. I'm adjusting, moving on." He pauses and then eyes me. "Are you?"

I look down at the ground. "I'm doing the best I can."

"When was the last time you talked to Hook?"

I raise my eyes up to look at him. "Why do you want to know that?"

"Because I can tell you're not happy, Emma."

I shrug my shoulders. "August, we were a family for two years and now that's gone. It's only been a month since you left. I'm just trying to take things slow."

He nods. "I understand that. But I also know you pretty well and I know you're scared to risk your heart again. And maybe I'm crazy for saying this, but if you want to be with Hook then you should be."

My eyes widen. "After everything I put you through, how can you even say that?"

August smiles sadly at me. "Emma, all I've ever wanted is for you to be happy. As a kid, I was told to take care of you and I guess I felt like that was still my job. But you don't need me to do that anymore and I can't make you happy the way he can." He pauses and swallows hard, "Hook can make you happy the way you deserve. If I thought otherwise, I never would have left. Emma, you've seen what wasting time can do. Love is always a risk. You've lost him before, but that doesn't mean you're going to lose him again. If you want to be with him, then you need to stop wasting time and tell him." He pauses and then exhales deeply. "Or else all of this was for nothing."

I feel tears spring to my eyes. I take a step forward and wrap my arms around August. I feel him slowly embrace me.

"You're a great man and an even better friend," I whisper in his ear.

He pulls back and smiles at me. "I can't disagree with that."

I laugh through my tears. "Thank you," I say softly.

He offers me one last smile and a little wave before turning on his heel and leaving.

…

~Killian's POV~

I offer Lia my hand to help her aboard the ship.

"Hello," I say.

"Hi," she replies and walks past me.

She heads down to the captain's quarters and I follow after her. She sits down on the bed.

"So, what would you like to do today?" I ask.

She shrugs and lays back on the bed. "This."

My brow furrows. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"I don't feel like going anywhere," she says glumly, her eyes focused on the ceiling.

I swallow roughly. "I was thinking perhaps we could do something fun. Something we haven't done together yet. Perhaps we could go to the park."

She turns to me and gives me a piercing look. "That's what I do with my daddy."

I suck in a breath. "Alright, is there something else you'd prefer to do?"

She stares at me for a few moments, her brow furrowing in deep thought. She then waves her hand around.

"When are you going to get a real place to live? You can't live on a ship forever."

The abrupt change of subject and out-of-nowhere question takes me by surprise.

"Uh..." I reply eloquently.

"You've been back for a while now. It's time."

A small smile pulls at my lips. "How old are you again?"

She sits up on the bed and folds her arms over her chest. "What are you waiting for?"

I stop and think about that for a moment. The truth is, I feel as if I have been stuck in limbo since I returned. I would love to return to work at the Sheriff's station, but I know that would be too awkward for Emma. I haven't a clue what else I would do. I know that a ship is no place for a child and I am hopeful that Lia will eventually wish to stay with me some nights, so I know I must find a real home. But I haven't even started to look for an apartment. I suppose I've been waiting to see what happens with Emma. I feel as if I can't move forward until I know where we stand. And, truth be told, I can't imagine moving forward without her and Lia.

I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know."

She shakes her head. "Yes, you do. You're waiting for Mommy."

I smile and run a hand through my hair. I nod. "I suppose I am." I pause and then ask, "How is your mother?"

She meets my eyes. "Sad a lot."

I look down at my hands.

"Because of August," I state.

"That's part of it. But mostly it's because of you."

I feel my chest tighten. The last thing I ever wanted to do was cause Emma any sadness.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she wants to be with you, but she's just not really ready yet. I think she's scared. So that makes her sad."

I take a deep breath, heartened by the fact that she hasn't changed her mind about finding our way back to each other. She just needs more time.

I look at her for a long moment and smile. "How did you become so wise?"

She shrugs her shoulders and smiles. "Just born that way, I guess."

I laugh and shake my head. I realize now that our relationship is going to take time and work. It's not going to be easy, but it will certainly be worth it.

…

~Emma's POV~

I finish dusting the night table and move to my bureau. I stop abruptly when my eyes land on our wedding photo. I pick up the picture and run my fingers across the glass. August and I are smiling and looking down at Lia, who's standing between us holding our hands.

We all look so happy. We were happy.

I wonder if Killian had never come back if that happiness would have lasted. Could a marriage built on mutual love for a little girl, friendship, and a desire to feel safe and comfortable really last? Or would we have grown apart eventually? Would August have come to resent the fact that I could never love him the way he deserved to be loved? Would my memory of the passion and love I had and lost leave me dissatisfied?

I shake my head. That's the funny thing about life. No one knows what the future holds. I've experienced enough twists and turns to know that's the truth. All anyone can do is make the best choices for them, knowing what they do of the present and what they hope for the future.

I sigh and look down at the simple gold band on my ring finger. August's proposal was so spur of the moment that I never did get an engagement ring. I think of what my wedding ring meant and how it's all gone now.

Slowly, I bring my other hand up to the ring and twist it. I twist until it slides off my finger. I look at the mark it left on my finger and realize that's all that remains of what we had.

I open my jewelry box and place it inside. I then open the top drawer of my bureau and lift out a few sweaters. In the corner at the back is a small black box. I pick it up and hold it in my hands. Fingers trembling, I open the box. Tears spring to my eyes at the sight of the engagement ring Killian gave me. I placed it on a chain next to the wedding rings we were moments away from exchanging before Killian was taken from me again, as well as the ring he gave me in Camelot. I wore the chain around my neck for four years so I could feel closer to him. I only removed it the day before my wedding to August out of respect for him.

August never knew it was there in the back of my drawer. I would pull the necklace with the rings out every once in awhile, when I was missing Killian more than usual, and just look at it. My heart would break as I stared at the rings and I'd cry for the unfulfilled promises they once held. I stare at it, realizing that now those promises can be fulfilled. I know it's time to stop being scared, to stop wasting time, and finally follow my heart.

And, for the first time, I cry tears of happiness.

…

~Killian's POV~

I pull my jacket on as I slide out of the booth at the Rabbit Hole opposite David.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

I offer him a knowing look.

"Again?" he says with a shake of his head. "Really? It's been what? Two months since August left. You've gone there every night for two months, Hook. Maybe she's not going to come. You haven't even spoken in all that time."

I shrug my shoulders. "I'm giving Emma the time she needs. If you recall, you advised me to proceed in such a manner."

"I remember," he says. He licks at his lips nervously. "But what if she never comes?"

"She'll come," I say softly, but firmly.

"You don't know that," he replies.

I nod. "Aye, that I do. When you love someone, you know," I reply, repeating the words I'd said in the Underworld.

He sighs and shakes his head. "I wish you luck. You are nothing if not patient and persistent."

"That is perhaps the kindest thing you've ever said to me," I say with a grin.

He laughs with a nod.

…

~Emma's POV~

It's funny how things come full circle. The first time I realized there was something between us, something that could be real and true and lasting, was right here. And here we are again.

I see him. He's sitting at the same table in the same chair on the patio at Granny's, as he did that night when I found him. His hair sways softly in the wind and the moonlight illuminates half his face.

I come to stand beside him.

"I knew you'd be here," I say.

He doesn't look up at me, but responds softly. "I've been here every night for the past two months."

I raise my eyebrows. "You haven't really-..."

"I told you I'd be waiting, love," he replies, cutting me off, as he lifts his head to look at me.

I sit down across from him and place my hand over his.

"I'm here now," I say.

His eyes meet mine and I see the love and desire in them.

"This is it," he says softly.

"What do you mean?"

"This is the last time we'll ever have to find our way back to each other. I'm never letting you go again, Emma."

He then brings his hand up to my cheek and caresses it.

"I love you," he whispers.

"I love you, too," I breathe through my tears. "So much."

It's then that he leans forward and brings his lips to mine. I dig my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and pull him deeper into the kiss. God, I've missed this so much. All of our undying love and passion is expressed in that one kiss.

We pull back and our eyes meet.

"I'm sorry it took me so long. I know it wasn't fair to you and I know it hurt you. I'm sorry we lost even more time," I say.

"I understood, love," he replies.

I bring my hand up to stroke his cheek. "I meant what I said before. I never stopped loving you, Killian. Not for one second. I just...I didn't want to hurt August and Lia. And I was so afraid of what it would do to me if I lost you again."

"Why tonight, Swan?" he asks. "Why were you ready tonight?"

I lift the chain out of my shirt and show it to him. His eyes widen at he stares at the four rings that carry such meaning for us.

"That's Liam's ring, your engagement ring, and our wedding rings," he says.

I nod. "That's right. I wore this chain for four years to feel closer to you. I only removed it the day before my wedding out of respect for August. But I would pull it out of the back of my drawer whenever I was missing you. And it made me remember the future that we had dreamt of, the future we had fought so hard for. I always ended up crying because I knew that future, those dreams, were lost to me forever. But tonight I looked at those rings and I realized that future is possible again. I risked my heart all of those years ago even though I was scared to death because I wanted to see what we could become. And even though my worst fears came true, I don't regret it for a moment. I treasure every moment we had together and our love led to our beautiful daughter."

He brings his hand to my chin, his thumb resting on it as I go on. "No one knows what the future holds. But I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life if I let my fear hold me back this time. I want that second chance with you, Killian. I want us to be a family and have that future we dreamt of."

He offers me his heart-stopping grin and whispers, "As you wish," before kissing me again.

...

End of Part 7

Thanks for reading! I'd love to know what you thought. ~Steph