This is the same story from Killian's PoV. I hope you like it!
Killian ran his fingers through his hair as he stepped off the plane into the airport. He had been away for a year and a half. While he did not have any family still living, he had his friends, and he missed them greatly.
He was anxious to see one in particular. Emma Swan. His best friend. The week before he left, they spent it together. He told her he has liked her for years, and he could not keep it to himself any longer. She made no confirmations with him about whether or not she felt the same way he did, which is was he was nervous.
Emma usually picked him up from the airport after he has been away with the Navy, and they would get something to eat and catch up. However, after how they left things, he did not know if she would show up this time. He came around the corner and saw a familiar flash of blonde hair as she stood up from the ground.
He was barely able to keep himself from running and hugging her tightly. It was a good thing he did because he noticed something, more someone, nestled in her arms. He could not help but smile when he saw the grin she had on her face. He was so happy to see her.
"Swan." He breathed before leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to her lips. She did not pull away but kissed back. He looked at the little boy in her arms. "Swan.. Who's this?" He had no doubt that the baby belonged to her.
She started trying to avoid the question, trying to get him to go somewhere then she would explain. But he could not wait. He knew he had no right to expect that she would be waiting for him. It hurt to think she had found someone, and had a baby with them. It did not even cross his mind that the little boy could be his.
He asked her if she was happy, he would be okay as long as she was happy. She nodded at him.
"Of course I'm happy, Killian. He's everything to me." She told him as she watched the boy sleep. She finally relented and made him sit on one of the nearby benches so they could talk.
"I know we never discussed what we were to each other.. I guess I just.. I hoped you felt how I do." He said softly, looking over at her. He expected to hear she had found someone else.
She told him what was already obvious, that the boy is indeed her son. He was surprised when she told him that she did feel the same. That she had told him as much before he left.
"Of course he's your baby. He's got your nose, Swan.." He said with a soft smile.
She smiled a little and nodded. He saw her gathering the courage to tell him the truth. "Killian.. His name is Owen Liam Jones." She said softly before her green eyes caught his.
He just stared at her in awe. "J-Jones? This wee lad is mine?" His eyes were full of tears as he looked at the boy. "Owen Liam.."
She named him after his brother, Liam. She was there with him when he got news of his passing. Liam had also been in the Navy, and had died trying to save his entire crew.
She smiled at him. "Jones. He's definitely a Jones boy.. Would you like to hold him, Papa?" She asked softly.
Killian smiled. "Really? I can hold him?" Killian never thought he would have kids, or a family again.
She nodded at him and moved Owen to his arms. "Of course you can, he's your son, Killian."
Killian watched Owen squirm a little as he woke up from being moved. He did not cry, he just got himself settled into his arms, and opened his eyes, blinking up at him. The moment Killian saw his brilliant blue eyes, he understood what Emma meant about being a Jones.
He felt a tear roll down his cheek as he held his baby boy for the first time. "Emma.. He's so perfect." He was completely in love already, nothing was going to get him to leave this little boy.
Emma moved closer and brushed the tear from his cheek. "I told you he was a Jones. He's got the same blue eyes, and dark hair. I knew he would be a Jones from the moment he first blinked those eyes at me."
She laid her head against Killian's arm as the two of them gazed at their son. Just then Killian heard his boy speak for the first time.
He rubbed his eyes then clapped his hands together, "Ma!" He smiled at Emma.
She played with his toes. "Hi, Baby. This is your daddy. He's home now." She talked to him.
Killian smiled at her, it was evident she was an amazing mother. He leaned down and kissed Owen on the head. "I'm home now, Lad. I'm not missing anymore of your life."
Emma took that opportunity to get up and tell him she was going to get his luggage from baggage claim. She could tell Killian did not want to let go of Owen, and must have seen some fear flash through his eyes because she told him what to do in case Owen got upset.
While Emma was gone, Killian talked to Owen.
"Hello, lad. You're a handsome one aren't you?" He smiled. "I didn't know you existed, but I love you more than anything. I don't have much experience with fathers, but I'm going to do the best I can, Owen." He tickled his side.
Owen giggled, and grabbed at his uniform. Killian loved the sound of Owen's giggles so he kept making ridiculous faces at him to keep him laughing. He may not have much knowledge on how to be a father, or really how to deal with children, but he just followed his instincts and it seemed to be working.
Killian looked up when he heard Emma talking to them. "Let's go, I was too nervous to eat anything this morning." She told him as he stood up.
He did not like that she was so nervous that morning, he assumed it was about telling him he was going to be a father. "Swan, I never thought I would get to be a father, but I've always wanted them. But I knew you didn't want children, and I accepted that. But I couldn't be happier. You were scared I'd be upset?" He asked as she buckled Owen into his seat.
He had thrown his luggage in the trunk with Owen's stroller, so he was waiting for her to finish.
"Yes. We slept together a couple of times, then you left.. I didn't know if you still wanted to be a father. You've been gone a year and a half. Owen is almost nine months old. I was nervous." She sighed, turning to him once Owen was settled.
He pulled her into his arms. "I know.. But I do want this. I want to be there for Owen. He's a handsome lad, and he's so big already. I don't want to miss any more." He told her seriously.
"Now, can I get another welcome, without risking squashing a baby?" He smirked at her.
He watched her face light up before she was on her toes, kissing him softly. "Welcome home, Captain." She whispered and hugged him tightly. "I missed you a lot."
He kissed her back, and held her close. "I missed you too." He felt bad she went through her entire pregnancy alone. He made the decision right then to see if he had served his time, and could retire.
The two of them got into the car before she asked if Granny's was alright for lunch. She told him some people wanted to see him. He assumed it was their friends, and she confirmed as much. He held her hand as she drove, he knew they still had more to discuss regarding their relationship, and his role in Owen's life, but he was happy to be back with her.
Emma talked all about Owen, and his milestones so far. She told him as much as she could think of. Killian could not help but smile when Owen kept making noises and babbling nonsense from his car seat, and it was music to Killian's ears.
"Mama mama mama." He giggled.
Emma smiled as she drove. "Hi there, Handsome." She talked to him like she usually would when they rode in the car.
Killian turned so he could see Owen. "You love your Mama, huh?" He smiled at the boy.
Emma answered him. "He's my little man." She said before telling him more of the things Owen has recently learned to do. "I've been trying to teach him 'Papa', but with only a picture of you it's hard. But maybe now that you're here, he'll learn." She smiled.
He reached and played with Owen's foot. "I still can't believe I've got a son.. A perfect, happy son." He said as he turned back around. "Can I carry him into Granny's? I've got a lot of time to make up for."
Emma nodded. "Of course, Killian." She explained that lately Owen has been unsure of new people, and even people who he sees often like David. "He must know you're an important person, because he was immediately happy in your arms." She smiled.
Killian smiled a little. He felt a connection with Owen, he was glad to hear that Owen seemed to like him too. Emma helped him get Owen from the car seat, and Killian put him on his hip. Owen grasped onto Killian's uniform tightly and laid his head against him completely content.
Emma seemed in disbelief. "Damn. I knew he looked like you, but seeing him in your arm's.. He's definitely your mini-me." She could not keep the smile from her face.
"Aye, he is devilishly handsome, isn't he? Even as a baby." Killian waggled his eyebrows as he teased her.
She shook her head and him and shoved him gently towards the restaurant. "Shut up, Jones. Let's get something to eat. Owen should be hungry soon. You can see if he'll let you feed him.
The moment they got back to their usual booth, Belle got up and hugged him as she welcomed him home.
He thanked her. "It seems I've missed a lot. I'm glad to be back." He smiled a little.
Everyone else at the table came and greeted him, welcoming him home and hugging him. He followed Emma's motions and sat in the chair next to her. She told him she knew he would not want to let go of his baby just yet.
He settled Owen on his leg and kissed his head. Mary Margaret smiled at him.
"You're a natural with him, Killian." She assured him.
"I'm still in a bit of shock, but I couldn't be happier." He thanked her and David for being there for Emma through this all.
He tickled Owen to get him to smile. "Hi, Lad."
Owen squealed and giggled. "Hi." He said.
"Killian, that's a new word for him. I've been trying to get him to say it for a while, but this is the first time he's actually said it." She grinned at him.
Killian smiled. "Can you say hi to Mommy, Owen?" He asked.
Owen looked towards Emma and grinned as he said, "Hi!" He clapped his hands together happily.
Killian was enamored by Owen, all of his attention was focused on his boy. Emma let Owen hold onto her finger when he reached for her.
"You like your daddy, huh?" She said as she kissed his head.
The three of them were kind of in their own world for a few minutes, but their friends did not mind. They could tell they were happy, and they all knew Killian likely felt bad for having missed so much time with his family. A family he did not even know he had.
After a while, Robin asked him about his deployment, and how it went since he was Captain now. Killian talked to Robin for a few minutes until he felt Owen tug at his uniform coat, as if trying to get his attention.
"Aye, Lad. What can I do for you?" He asked as he ran his fingers through his hair.
Emma informed him he was likely hungry, and made sure he got Owen settled and then showed him how Owen liked to be fed. Owen kicked his legs happily from his chair, knowing he was going to get to eat.
Owen easily ate all of the food Emma told him to feed him. She shook her head and smiled at him.
"You've only been at this a couple of hours, and you're already a better parent than I am." She told him.
Killian thought that was nonsense, and told her as much. He assured her that she was an amazing mother. "Can I hold him now? I doubt he likes the high chair much, and.. I want to be as close to him as I can.." He asked softly.
"Of course, you don't need to ask permission. You're his father. I trust you wholeheartedly." Emma told him.
He smiled at her and lifted Owen back onto his lap. He played with Owen a little as he ate his own meal. Emma had never been very easy to trust anyone, especially not men, so it meant a lot to Killian that she said she trusted him completely with Owen.
Owen kept wiggling his body whenever Killian took his attention from him. "Someone has the wiggles today, don't ya, Lad?" He smiled at Owen.
Owen grinned and blew bubbles at him, and Killian knew he just wanted his father's attention. He smiled at him and bounced his leg a little.
Killian saw David move into the chair on the other side of Emma so he could talk to his sister. He was very grateful she had him, and Mary Margaret to help her while he was gone. Killian focused all of his attention on Owen, he just wanted to see his boy happy.
Emma stood behind him and rubbed his shoulders a little. "Hey, let's get out of here. I think we need to talk, don't you?" She told him.
He looked up at her. "Aye, Love." He got up, still holding Owen close to him.
They said their goodbyes, with promises that he would make sure to hang out with his friends and properly catch up soon. Once in her apartment, Killian watched Emma get Owen settled onto the floor with his toys. He and Emma sat next to each other, keeping their eyes on Owen.
"I hope you know that I care about you, Killian. I want you in Owen's life.. I want him to grow up knowing his father." Emma told him.
He nodded. "I want to know Owen, and help raise him at the very least." He hoped Emma would at least let him have time with their son, and share custody of him.
"Of course you'll help raise him, Killian." She quickly assured him. She took a breath. "I want to be with you. To live together, raise our little boy.. If you want to live with me, with us." She said softly.
Killian was surprised by her confession. "Swan.. Emma.." He wanted nothing more than that. To live with his family. She had always been his family, and now they had their son. "I hope you mean you also want to date me? Be my girlfriend." He asked hopefully.
She nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I want." She smiled at him. "I love you, Killian." She wanted to give Owen what neither of them had ever had. A stable home.
He agreed and wrapped his arms around her. Owen was crawling around, playing with his toys when he brought one over to Killian.
"Ah!" He offered it to Killian with a smiled.
Killian took it and thanked him, talking to him. Owen smiled and moved to climb onto Emma's lap. Killian watched him get easily settled, and lay his head on her chest. He was in awe of Emma's love for their son.
They had been best friends for years, and Killian knew of Emma's childhood, and what happened with Neal. He knew Emma's fears of having a family, and being a mother, but watching her now, with the son they had together, he knew she had nothing to be afraid of. She was a loving, and gentle mother, and Owen clearly loved her.
She ran her fingers through Owen's hair, and kissed his head. "Mama's right here." She told him softly. "Usually around this time Owen and I just watch a movie, or play with his toys.. We'd love for you to join us, Papa." She smiled at him.
Killian smiled back and kissed her and Owen's cheeks. "Papa's not going anywhere. I'd be honored to watch with you." He wrapped his family in his arms and held them close as they watched their movie.
Killian quickly became a permanent part of their lives. He took care of Owen while Emma was at work, and only a couple weeks after he got back, Owen added Killian's favorite word to his vocabulary, 'Papa.'
Emma and Killian worked together to provide the home Owen deserved. Killian knew he loved Emma and wanted to spend his entire life with her. On Owen's first birthday, Killian asked Emma to be his wife. They could not have been happier.