How Killian met Laura's family

Family

Mac sighed as he lifted his head from the mountain of paperwork in his desk. His eyes wandered around the room and then he focused his gaze on his new partner. Killian was hunched over his desk, his attention focused on the paperwork he was filling in. His desk was flawlessly organized, neatly ordered, every report perfectly filed away in time. Bastard.

Mac shook his head at his own childish reaction. Killian had been his partner for a few weeks now, and it was clear that his work was everything he had. He arrived early in the morning, left late in the evening and only had the occasional beer with them after work. Whenever they asked him about family, he merely shrugged, stating that he had none. Mac knew from his file that Killian had lost his girlfriend years ago, in the same crime that cost him his hand, but that was just about it. He barely mentioned her. He barely mentioned anything. And it was driving Mac insane. He felt in debt after that first day where Killian saved his life, and then proceeded to first get him drunk on rum until Mac let it all out and then sobered him up with coffee and a shower; before leaving him on his doorstep with the strong suggestion to spend time with his family.

It seemed little, but that night saved Mac from the path of darkness he had embarked himself in. It wasn't the action, as Mac had gotten drunk before several times. It was the sheer understanding from Killian's part of what he was going through. It was the lack of judgment from his partner and the familiarity with which he just sat there, by the sidewalk, and took out his flask.

Mac took a deep breath before he spoke, "Killian?"

Killian lifted his head from his reports and looked at him "Aye?"

"You're coming Sunday to have lunch with us."

Killian looked shocked at him before he shook his head, "I appreciate the offer, mate, but…"

Mac cut him off. "Sunday. Lunch. After church."

"I don't go to church." Killian retorted.

"I know. Be there around noon. I'll text you the address."

"I know where your house is." Killian said.

"It's not at my house." Mac smirked.

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Killian shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as he waited by the door. He should have come up with an excuse to avoid this entire ordeal, but he knew Mac would insist until he caved; so he might as well get it over with.

The door opened and a grey haired, thin woman in her early seventies appeared. She gave him a warm smile.

"You must be Killian." She said. "I'm Maria, Laura's grandmother. Please come in."

Killian bowed his head slightly at her. "I brought some wine." He started nervously. "I wasn't sure…"

She smiled fondly at him, reaching to take the bottle. "Red wine is always a good choice, dear. Now come in."

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He had never seen so much food in his life. He'd seen many opulent royal balls back in the Enchanted Forest. And they were all put to shame by the amount of food in front of him.

"Overwhelming. I know." Mac said next to him, and Killian noticed the brunette next to him. "Killian, this is my wife, Laura."

Laura reached to shake his hand. "It's so nice to finally meet you!" She smiled at him. "I've been telling Mac to invite you once and for all."

"Thank you very much for having me. It's very kind of you."

"Nonsense! Have you eaten? Do you want anything in particular? If there is nothing you like, I can cook you something else…" Laura started. "There are eggs on the fridge. Do you want an omelette?"

"Laura, stop. There is enough food in here to feed a small army." Mac said.

"I'm fine with what is here, lass. Thank you." Killian smiled.

"Great! Then don't stand in here and eat." She commanded.

Two hours later, Killian had learned that you most definitely do not put toppings on the pizza, that soccer was the sport he needed to watch and that he definitely had to try the tiramisu on the dessert table. Which he did. He did not recall a time when he had feasted like this. And he'd been alive for centuries.

As he turned around to respond again to Maria for the fifth than he was single, he caught Laura's smile and he smirked at her.

"But what a shame, such a lovely man as you." Maria sighed. "You need to find someone to share your life with, Killian. Laura, don't you have any friends that are single? What about Hayley?"

Laura must have seen Killian's horrified face because she quickly raised to the occasion. "Nona, I'm pretty sure Killian doesn't need us to set him up. I think Killian would have no problem in getting someone to agree to go out with him. At all." She smirked at him. "So please, can you try not to smother him so much the first time he comes in here? Leave something for next week!"

"Next week?" Killian blurted out and Laura smiled knowingly at him.

"Next week. Unless you have other plans?"

Killian looked at Laura and Mac's sincere smiles. These people genuinely wanted to spend time with him. It was a thought he had troubles coping up with, and he could feel his eyes welling. He cleared his throat before giving them a small smile.

"No, I have no other plans." He replied softly.

"That is settled, then." Laura nodded, satisfied with herself. "Now, come, we need to pack some food for you to take with you, save you some cooking time."

"There is no need. I really can't…" Killian started to protest by Maria's hand on his arm stopped him.

"We insist."