Change of plans so you get this and I get to have a night off tomorrow instead.
More fluff... getting ready for the party.
As always please review
Enjoy
:)
"Where the hell are we gonna hide all this stuff until tonight?" Emma burst out as she stared at the cart full of stuff that the Prince seemed to have accumulated in the last ten minutes.
"Easy, I already spoke to Regina. She's gonna meet us at the main house and we can store it there" David replied with a shrug "Now, where do you think the water balloons are?"
"What the bloody hell are water balloons?" Killian asked as he peered into the cart
"Ammunition" David replied raising an eyebrow "No boy's Birthday Party is complete unless you have at least one water balloon fight"
"Says the man that's never had a water balloon fight in his life" Emma threw back then yelled after her father as he took off towards the back of the store "Dad, there is plenty here... we don't need water balloons too!"
Killian was intrigued though and liked the sound of these balloon things "Let him be Love, if he wants to spoil the Lad let him. He did not get to do this for Henry, he is just excited like the rest of us"
"I know" Emma sighed "But you know how serious he gets over things, I can just see it now... the kids won't get a look in and he'll be barking out orders of strategy tactics!"
Killian chuckled and looked down into his lap shaking his head "You are probably right Love but Junior will enjoy it no matter what"
"Fine" she sighed out "Let's just get this over with and if he thinks I'm paying for all this crap he can think again"
Killian just grinned as they sat waiting for David to return, he looked down at the brightly wrapped gifts that lay on his lap and smiled widely. Junior was going to be so happy.
"What are you grinning at Pirate" David asked suddenly reappearing "What you get the kid anyway?"
"Never you mind" Killian replied looking up and grinning "All will be revealed in good time but you better have your loose change at the ready, that boy will be looking for payment"
David frowned in confusion but Killian just grinned wider as Emma suddenly pushed the chair forward "Come on Dad, I'm pretty sure we have enough here to decorate two houses, can we go already?"
By the time they had paid (David had paid) and got all the stuff back to Regina's Killian was in desperate need of some more pain pills. His head was pounding and he was starting to feel nauseous again.
"You OK?" Emma asked sliding her hand onto his shoulder from behind
"Tired" he sighed letting his eyes slide closed
"Well we're nearly back. Meds then bed for a couple of hours for you I think. You've maybe overdone it a bit today"
"I think you might be right" he mumbled
In no time at all he was being wheeled through the door where Junior said nothing but wandered over with a knowing look on his face. The lad climbed up on to Killian's knee and settled himself against his front.
"Did you enjoy your story" Killian asked lightly and he felt Junior nod against his chest but he still didn't talk and Killian knew why, he was feeling this too. "Do you want to have a nap with me Lad?"
"Aye" he replied sitting back up looking beyond miserable as his bottom lip started to tremble "My belly feels funny"
"I know Lad" Killian soothed "But Momma is going to fix that in just a minute then we can sleep."
He gave another nod and lent back into Killian's front but it didn't last.
"Come on Kid" David whispered "You need to get up so Killian can get into bed"
Junior held his arms up to David expecting to be lifted and Killian saw the moment of doubt in David's eyes when he didn't know if he could manage or not but then it was gone and the Prince was pulling the boy up into his arms with a wince.
"You ready?" Emma asked lightly by his side
Killian just nodded and got on with it, there was nothing else for it. He honestly thought he was going to lose the contents of his stomach at one point as he came down onto the side of the bed but he managed to stop it as he gulped in a few breaths then steadied his breathing but by the time Emma had him lying down again he was feeling decidedly worse for wear. He felt Junior tuck himself into his side and he pulled him in closer trying to comfort the lad.
"Open up" Emma's voice sounded next to him and without even opening his eyes he just did as she asked and she put his pills into his mouth. He swallowed thickly but then he felt her hand at the back of his head and a bottle on his lips and this time his eyes did open to look up at her.
"Drink" was all she said so he did taking only the smallest amount to wash down the pills knowing that if he took more it would not end well.
Then the room fell into silence, he heard the curtains being drawn and the sound of the others making their way over to the couch but after that nothing. He wondered if they were all just sitting in silence but before he had even thought about opening an eye to look he had drifted off.
He awoke sometime later to find Junior gone to be replaced by Henry lying on his back reading one of the books that Whale had brought over. Killian pulled in a breath and smiled at the lad as he realized that Killian was awake.
"Hey, how you feeling?"
"Better Henry" Killian replied sitting himself up a bit and looking out into the room "Where is everyone?"
"Grandma and Grandpa took Junior and Neal to the park to play on the swings, Mom's just having a shower"
"I take it that Junior is feeling better then?" Killian said with a smirk
"Yeah, he only slept for like half an hour then he was bouncing around here so Mom suggested the park. They took your quartz with them so that they would know if Devin was around"
"Good" Killian said with a nod then looked at the book in Henry's hands "Find anything interesting?"
"Maybe" Henry replied with a frown "It's quite hard to tell, Whale has scrolled all over these books, there are little notes everywhere BUT I think they might just hold the answer."
The boy suddenly sat up and crossed his legs grabbing another book and holding it up.
"This book talks of the red gem" he dropped it and lifted another "And this book talks of the blue gem... from what I can make out the only way to break the link is to destroy the Jewel and the only way to get the jewel is by joining the two gems together"
Henry sighed heavily and dropped the book in his hand onto the bed and Killian could practically feel his frustration.
"It will be alight Lad" he soothed
"But Killian how do we know that? What if we destroy the jewel and Junior disappears... he was created by the red gem's magic what if when it is destroyed he's taken away too. I don't want that... I can't lose my Brother. I love him"
"We won't lose him Henry" Killian suddenly said sitting himself up and pulling the boy into a hug "If the link needs to remain for Junior to stay with us well so be it, I will not risk the boy... I love him too"
Henry smiled at that then giggled a bit "Junior was worried that he had hurt your feelings when he called you Papa. I told him that it was OK, that you understood but I'm not sure he believed me"
"Being honest Lad he probably picked up on my initial reaction but he has nothing to be sorry for it was an accident..."Killian suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable and mumbled "but you know... if he DID want to call me Papa... well that would be alright too"
Henry beamed at him "I knew it... he so wants to call you it but was scared that you wouldn't like it after Grandpa said it in the hospital and you weren't happy"
"I had only just met the Lad Henry, it was a lot to take in but now he feels like part of the family and with him calling your Mother Momma it just seems right even if it's not true"
Henry tipped his head and raised an eyebrow "It's as true as you make it Killian. I have two Moms and BOTH of them love me and just because I don't call you Dad doesn't mean that I don't feel like you are mine."
Killian blinked a few times "Henry... I …." words were failing him but when the boy gave a knowing smirk Killian gave a laugh "I am not very good with words when it comes to these things but I want you to know that I will ALWAYS be here for you. I love you as if you were my own."
"I know" Henry beamed back "I'll talk to Junior later and tell him that's it's OK"
"Thank you... Son" Killian said tentatively and when Henry grinned the relief was instantaneous.
Emma came back into the room just then and smiled widely as she dried her hair "You feeling better?"
"Aye Love" he replied throwing back the sheet and shuffling towards the edge of the bed.
"Hang on, I'll help you in a sec" Emma called "Just let me drag a comb through my hair so it doesn't end up in knots"
"I'll help him Mom, don't worry" Henry said jumping up from the bed, he grabbed Killian's crutch until he got his hand into the brace then the Lad took hold of Killian's stump and lent back "Come on Old Man"
Killian chuckled "Less of the old"
But Henry just grinned "Where too? The couch or the bathroom?"
"Bathroom" Killian gasped out as he tried to take his first step and his hip threatened to dump him onto the floor.
"Take it easy" Emma called over from the seating area with a look of worry on her face.
Killian paused to let his pain settle before setting off again and this time it was a little easier. Henry left him in the bathroom but waited outside the door where he collected him again once he was done.
"Couch?"
Killian gave a tight nod not trusting his voice as he struggled forward, it would seem that Swan was right, he had overdone it today yet he couldn't be sorry, he had had fun. Once he was settled on the couch Henry dropped down next to him.
"Need anything else?"
"I am fine Lad" he said with a sigh as he lent back into the cushions "Do not fret"
Henry eyed him suspiciously but kept quiet as he sat back and kicked his feet up onto the low table. Killian followed suit and they both grinned knowing what was coming when they heard Emma headed their way.
"Feet off the table you two... What? Were you born in a barn?" Emma cried out "This place is not ours remember and we're probably already gonna have to replace a few mattresses before Junior's done"
She slapped Henry's feet and gave Killian a death glare which had him pulling his feet off with a sigh as she sat down but Henry spoke before he had a chance to complain about the unfairness of the situation.
"What's the plan for tonight then?" he asked looking back and forth between them.
"Well hopefully Junior will be tired after playing at the park all afternoon, we are having mac and cheese for dinner, bath time then bed for that little sailor. Hopefully he'll sleep right through because the minute he's in there and that door is closed we have work to do. Grandpa bought half the store and it's gonna take an age to blow up all those balloons"
"I can do that" Henry said quickly "We've got a pump up at the house... an electric one, it'll take no time at all"
"Why the hell do you have an electric balloon pump?" Emma asked
Henry just shrugged "You know what Mom's like, she can't help herself when she's out shopping"
Emma laughed "I noticed"
And when Regina walked through the door mere seconds later and they all grinned her she just stopped in the middle of the floor and looked down at herself.
"What? Does my top clash with my pants or something? Why are you all grinning?"
"We were just talking about you" Emma said standing up "Henry says you have a balloon pump that we can use"
Regina grinned "I do and lucky for you I knew exactly where it was and it's now sitting by the pile of things to come down later."
"Great" Emma said clapping her hands together and heading to the kitchen "You want to stay for dinner? It's mac and cheese."
"Sounds good to me, let me help"
Regina headed over to the kitchen too and Killian looked back to Henry expecting him to jump up to join them but he just sat back and put his feet back onto the table with a grin. Killian smirked and mimicked the Lad leaning back with a sigh... What Swan didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
He sat with Henry for a short while until hurricane Junior came back into the house and all thoughts of peace and quiet were forgotten as the Lad launched himself on to the couch grinning like a fool.
"I played on the swings Killian. Grandpa pushed me so high I could see the clock tower"
"Is that right?" Killian asked giving a look of surprise "That must have been really high, you are lucky you did not fly away"
Junior giggled "I held on tight."
David lowered himself down onto the chair with a groan looking straight at Killian "I'll say it again, you are hard work"
Killian chuckled "Aye, I know what you mean Mate"
Henry pulled himself up and gave Killian a meaningful look then held his hand out to Junior "Come on Junior, let's go wash up for dinner"
Killian gave Henry a wink as he went past knowing that he was about to discuss the whole "Papa" issue with the lad and his stomach gave a flutter as Junior looked up at him with a frown. He tried to send good vibes towards the lad but he must have just looked like he was in pain or something when David whispered.
"What the hell is that face about?"
Killian pulled in a deep breath knowing that he was more than likely about to be mocked.
"Henry is about to inform Junior that it is alright to call me Papa... I guess I am just nervous."
Much to Killian's surprise David just gave a lazy smile "About time, if I've got to be Grandpa it seems only fair that he has a Papa too... welcome to the club"
"I am not a member yet" Killian replied looking towards the bathroom nervously "That is up to the lad not I"
David just huffed out a laugh at him but held his tongue as Killian fidgeted trying not to look like his stomach was doing somersaults but when Junior came back round the corner a few seconds later with a huge grin on his face Killian's nerves were forgotten.
"Is it really alright?" the lad asked with a smile
"Aye Lad, it would be an honor"
"Awesome" Junior cried running forward and jumping up onto the couch before carefully crawling his way onto Killian's lap and looking up at him.
Killian cleared his throat "Are you sure this is what you want Lad?"
"Aye" he said seriously "Our real Papa was not nice... you are. I want a nice Papa"
Killian pulled the boy in and he came to him with no resistance snuggling into his front "I will do my best Lad. I promise"
They sat like that for a while as David and Henry chatted about nothing in particular, Killian had just started to doze off when Emma came down to sit next to him on the edge of the couch and cupped his face with her hand waking him as she brushed her thumb under his still slightly swollen eye before looking down at Junior still lying in his arms.
"You tired Kid?" Killian felt Junior give a little nod "Well come and eat your dinner. You can play with your toy boat in the bath for a while after that then I think that it will be bed time, come on let's get you up from there without hurting Killian"
Junior sat up and held his arms up so that Swan could lift him "He's not Killian Momma... he is Papa"
"Papa eh?" she asked raising a brow
"Aye" he said with a grin as she sat him on her hip "We are a proper family now"
Swan brought her finger to his nose causing him to giggle.
"You better believe it kid." she gave Killian a loving smile as she started towards the table "Come on Papa... you're dinner is getting cold"
David held out his hand which Killian readily took and was hauled to his feet with a groan, he was stiff from sitting too long but when he was handed his crutch he just took it and got on with it knowing that his meds would be waiting for him and true enough as he lowered himself down at the table it was to find his pills sitting next to his plate.
Dinner was a happy affair and afterwards Killian chose to help Henry bathe Junior, he sat on one of the dining table chairs by the side of the bath tub and ended up being more of an observer but when the washing was done and Junior started playing with his boat Killian could not resist leaning over and pushing the vessel back down the bath at him.
By the time the bath was done and the lad was dried and in his pajamas he was yawning widely.
"I think it is time for bed." Killian said with a smile as Junior gave another wide yawn
"I am sleepy Papa" he said rubbing his eyes "Will you tuck me in?"
"Aye lad" Killian replied heading towards the laundry room "Henry, are you to join us for a story Son?"
"What we reading?" he asked following behind
"Whatever your Brother chooses" Killian said looking back at Junior "What is it to be?"
"May we hear a story from your book?" Junior asked Henry as he climbed into his bed
"Sure"
Henry went to the dresser and lit the lamp before collecting the story book and bringing it back over looking at Killian "Do you want me to read? It might be a big awkward for you, it's kinda big to hold up while on the bed"
"Aye Lad, that would be grand"
"Come and lie down with me Papa" Junior said patting the bed.
Killian knew it was a bad idea, he was beyond tired and he just knew that he would fall asleep and yet he found himself doing as the boy asked not wanting to let him down. The minute he was on the bed Junior tucked himself into his side and yelled up to Henry who had climbed onto the top bunk.
"We are ready Brother"
Henry started reading and before Killian knew it he was starting to doze again, he tried to fight it knowing that there was work to be done but Henry's voice was like a soothing balm and he found himself losing the battle...
Within minutes Killian Jones Senior and Killian Jones Junior were sleeping soundly, Henry climbed from his bed and crept from the room with a grin plastered on his face.
"Let Operation "Fiesta" commence" he whispered as he pulled the door closed behind him.