Four year old Meriel shifted impatiently from foot-to-foot as she waited for her father to finish talking.
"It's something called German Chocolate Cake," he said, shifting his son in his arms. Finn responded by grabbing a handful of hair and pulling hard enough to make tears prick his father's eyes.
"Finn! No!" He reached up, untwining his son's fingers.
"Papa!" Meriel poked his leg.
"Just a minute, Meriel," he said, turning back to Granny. "I believe from the description, it consists mainly of chocolate. And Germans."
"I've got chocolate," Granny said. "I think we'll be okay without the Germans."
"You can make it, then?"
"Uh-huh," Granny said. "But I'll also need coconut."
"Coconut?" Killian looked annoyed. "Where the bloody hell am I going to find coconuts?"
"You're not," Granny answered matter-of-factly.
"Papa!" Meriel stamped her foot. "I'm hungry!"
"Eat! Time to eat!" Finn threw himself sideways, half-falling out of Killian's arms, with his father just catching him before he hit the ground. Meriel nearly made him drop the boy when she yanked on her father's arm hard.
"Finn, no! Meriel, stop that!" Killian said in exasperation. "Now be good little angels and help your Papa carry Mummy's breakfast up to her."
"Finn can't carry," Meriel said matter-of-factly. "He'll just run."
"I'm aware of that, little love. But can you hold his hand while Papa carries?"
"Kai can help," Meriel shrugged. "He's very strong."
Killian looked randomly over Meriel's left shoulder. "Thank you, Kai, but I can carry," he said, smiling broadly at no one. Meriel looked over her right shoulder and shrugged as Killian set Finn down on his feet.
"Finn," he said, squatting down. "Hold your sister's hand. There's a good lad." He looked back up at Granny. "Thank you for your help. I'll come up with something."
"I'm sure you will," she said. "You're a resourceful pirate, aren't you?"
She handed him a tray laden with muffins, a pot of tea, and fresh fruit, which he balanced as best he could while trying to herd his children toward the door. Finn broke away from Meriel but didn't get far before stopping in his tracks, like an unseen force had him by the back of the shirt. He squirmed a bit, but Meriel took him by the hand again a moment later, following her father out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
He pushed the door to the bedchamber open, setting the tray down carefully on the nightstand, then he turned to his children and began in a hushed whisper:
"Very well, children, let's be very quiet and we'll -"
"Mummy!" Finn launched himself onto the bed, and Meriel, not to be outdone, let out a screech and jumped up after him. Emma let out a startled shriek, sitting up in bed as they crawled all over her.
"Holy crap! You guys scared me half to death!"
"Finn! Let go of your mother's hair! Meriel! stop jumping!" Killian waved his hand, trying to get their attention.
"It's okay, it's okay," Emma reassured. "Just let me get my bearings, here." She pushed herself back against the headboard, trying to find a comfortable position. "What is this all about?"
"It's Mother's Day," Meriel said gravely. "Grandma says so, and she's the Queen, you know."
"I'm aware," Emma said dryly. "Thanks for letting me sleep in," she said to Killian.
"Neither of us have done much of that since Finn got mobile," he pointed out. "Here," he said, placing the tray on her lap. "I've brought breakfast."
She glanced down and smiled appreciatively. "Nice."
"Finn! Put the muffins down!" Killian snapped, but it was too late. Finn had one in each fist, gnawing away as his sister helped herself to the bowl of cut fruit.
"There's tea," Meriel said, around a mouthful. "You can have that. We haven't had breakfast yet."
"You haven't?" Emma looked confused. "Why not?"
"Because Papa was getting your breakfast," Meriel said.
"I was going to feed them after," Killian grumbled.
"It doesn't work that way," Emma said, watching her kids stuff their faces.
"Eat!" Finn reached for the last muffin, beating his mother to it.
Emma looked over at Killian, who was about ten seconds from having steam come out his ears. "It's okay," she soothed. "Having them dressed and fed makes my morning easier already. I'm not hungry anyway."
He looked like he wasn't buying that for a minute, but he nodded begrudgingly and watched as she listened to both children chattering at once.
###
The Mother's Day Faire took place on the castle grounds as it had every year since the King and Queen's return to the Enchanted Forest. There were strolling minstrels and amazing food and vendors from all over the kingdom and a few others, as well. There was a maypole for the children, and a jousting tournament, courtesy of King Arthur at Camelot. Henry was to be the star attraction, having been knighted just the previous year.
Once Emma had helped herself to a few pieces of fruit and half a crumbled muffin for breakfast, she got dressed and joined her family at the faire. She found her mother supervising an archery contest, presenting colorful ribbons to the children for their participation and a laurel crown to the winner.
"Emma! Happy Mother's Day!"
"I'm supposed to be the one saying that first, you know," Emma smiled, hugging Snow. "Where's Dad?"
"He's watching William and Brenna. I'll give him another half hour before I rescue him. They're running him pretty ragged. Henry took Leo to go see the knights and their horses."
"Henry!" Meriel started jumping up and down. "I want to go! Please?"
"Meriel, today is Mummy's special day," her father reminded. "And we're here as a family to - FINN!" Killian dropped Meriel's hand and took off running after his errant son, who, from the looks of him, was headed down toward the docks.
"Please, mummy!" Meriel said, rounding on her mother. "Can we the knights? Kai wants to go, too."
"Well, we can't disappoint Kai. Come on," Emma said, taking her hand. She smiled at her mother again. "We'll see you later."
"Have fun!" Snow said, leaning down to plant a kiss on Meriel's cheek. Meriel skipped off with Emma close behind.
###
"Finn!"
Killian saw him round a group of people, one of whom happened to be Red, who scooped him up, presenting him to Killian as he approached.
"Did you lose this?" she asked with a grin.
Killian nodded, panting too hard to talk.
"Get your breath," she said. "I've got this urchin." She tickled Finn, much to his great delight, and let out a squeal that surely split several eardrums.
"Finn!" A voice called out. "I know that sound anywhere!"
"Grandpa!" Finn struggled in earnest, trying to get down.
"Oh, no!" Red said, trying her best to keep him contained. "You need to go back to your papa!" She handed Finn over to Killian - no easy feat since he managed to turn a complete cartwheel in her arms as she did it - and Killian tucked him under one arm, pinning him to his body.
"Thank you," he said. "Did I hear my father-in-law?"
"He's running the petting zoo," Red said, jerking a thumb over her shoulder. "Two lambs, four bunnies and some ducks, I think."
"We'll have to check that out. Come along, my lad." Killian strode through the crowd, finding David easily inside a small paddock that had been built just for the purpose. He was leaning against the fence watching as the children ran and the animals played along. He lifted Finn up and over the fence, setting his feet on the ground and letting go just as those little feet started moving again. He let out a sigh.
"That kid just can't keep still," David remarked. "It's like he was born restless."
"You don't need to remind me, mate," Killian said, drawing his flask and drinking deeply. "And now we're separated from Emma and Meriel. This was supposed to be a family day," he grumbled.
"Relax," David said, clapping him on the shoulder. "There's still plenty of day left. Catch your breath and let him run for a while with his uncle and aunt."
David pointed off to where William and Brenna - who had just started walking - played under their father's watchful eye. Finn ran in wide circles around the paddock, dodging animals and grabbing at fur.
"You've penned them in," Killian observed. "That's bloody brilliant!"
"I can watch him for a while, if you'd like," David offered. "There's a vendor over by the west wall that's selling really nice leather jackets - in all sorts of colors."
"Really?" Killian's eyes lit up. "I tried to get Granny to make Emma's favorite dessert, but I had no luck. This might be just the thing." He took off at a trot, as he heard David's voice call out behind him.
"Finn! No! No climbing!"
###
It took another hour and a half for them to find Emma and Meriel, who were eating lunch with Henry and Regina. Finn charged toward them as soon as he saw food, nearly knocking Emma off the bench as he barreled into her.
"Finn!" Meriel said crossly. "You got my dress dirty!"
She shoved her brother, hard, and he responded with a slap that left finger marks on Meriel's face. A moment later he was on the ground and Meriel was sitting on him as he thrashed, and they were both getting filthy dirty.
"Meriel!" Emma shouted, turning around on the bench.
"Finn!" Killian reached down, prying the kids apart. "Behave, the both of you! I have half a mind to take you back inside and have you scrubbing floors!"
Finn was wailing now, a combination of hunger and fatigue, as it was nearly naptime. Emma settled him on her lap, handing him a meat pie to gnaw on as Killian tried in vain to brush the dirt off Meriel's skirt.
"It's ruined," Meriel said, her chin quivering. She let out a ragged sob, and then another, burying her face in her father's legs.
"Now, Meriel," he said, patting her head. "You look fine. Now let's all have something to eat with Henry and enjoy the day and -"
Meriel's sobs had become a full-on breakdown, and he reached down, pulling her up into his arms. "There, there," he soothed, kissing her forehead. "I can buy you a new dress. Would that be all right?"
She let out a watery hiccup, nodding solemnly. Emma raised her brows with an understanding smile, and Killian trudged off down through the crowds as Meriel wiped her nose on the front of his shirt.
###
"It was a lovely shade of red," he said, staring up at the ceiling. "Not a straight red like your old one, but more of a crimson. And the detailing at the cuff really set it off."
"I'm sure it was beautiful," Emma said, rolling to her side in bed to kiss him again. "Maybe we can commission another one?"
"Well you can't bloody well wear that one, now that your son dragged it into the horse paddock. It's been stomped and ground into the manure pretty thoroughly."
She pulled up to one elbow and pushed the hair off his forehead with her fingers. "That vein in your head is throbbing again," she said with a smirk. "It's okay. I'll get another jacket. The kids had fun today."
He pulled her down, settling her against him. "That's not the point," he said. "Today was supposed to be about you. You were supposed to be pampered. Indulged. Treasured."
"I had a great day out with you and all my kids, and my family was all around me," she said. "So it wasn't neat and tidy..."
"I'll say. What's a Mother's day without manure?" He asked darkly.
She rolled over, stacking her hands on his chest and looking down at him. "I have everything I need for a perfect Mother's day. I have all my kids healthy and happy. And I have you."
He pulled her in to kiss her, and his eyes were full of regret.
"I wanted today to be special," he said softly. "How do I possibly find anything that will let you know how much I value you?"
"Killian -"
"You're the mother of my children," he said, with feeling. "How does a man repay such a gift? They're half me and they're half you and they are entirely amazing...if a bit of a trial at times. I look at them in wonder every single day, and I know that so much of all that's good and right within them comes from you."
"You're in there, too," Emma said with a smile. "I vividly remember your participation."
"I'd be happy to give you a repeat performance," he said, rolling over and sliding his hand along her hip. He leaned in to kiss her softly.
"Mum!"
"Mummy!
Two voices called from the nursery, and Killian lowered his forehead to hers with a groan.
"I love you, Emma. And I love our children," he said. "I'll just keep saying that last part over and over because tonight, I need reminding."
"Mummy!" One of the voices was now much more insistent.
"I'll go," Emma said, reaching to pull back the covers.
"No, I've got it," Killian said. "You stay here and try not to fall asleep. I'll be back and you..." he dropped another kiss on her lips. "You be ready."
"It's a date," she said, smiling.
###
Emma stood in the doorway, and Snow stood beside her with her hand clamped over her mouth, holding back the laughter.
"I found him like this," Emma whispered. "I didn't have the heart to wake him."
Killian lay sprawled on the floor of the nursery, half-mummified in a sparkling pink blanket with a little girl's hand across his face and a boy's leg over his neck. They were all sound asleep, and Finn had drooled all over his father's arm.
"Is he buying you a new Mother's Day present?" Snow asked.
"Don't need one," Emma said. "I've got the best Mother's day present ever." She smiled and leaned against the doorway. "I've got him as their father."
I hope you liked catching up with the Jones's again. I want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there among you! I'd also like to give you a present! My new book is out - see my author profile for details and coupon code - and don't worry, I'll be keeping the recap blog going through the summer - offering other OUAT themed posts, etc. Can't wait for this finale!