The amount of feedback I get on this story continues to amaze and humble me. I realize this isn't much of an action fic, as I have concentrated more on the characters and their relationships (friendships, parents, love, etc.). It is a departure for me, as my other writing (novels and screenplays) tend to be more about plot. So I'm glad that people seem to be enjoying my experimenting with this. I realize that I need to balance character and plot, but this story is helping me develop that other side for a moment.
That said, this chapter does have a bit of angst. And I know I have warned about this before, but I am not a fan of Neal. He's never going to come out as a good guy in my fics.
Henry was seated at the counter with Liam and Killian watching on from a table off to the side. Clearly nervous, he had torn apart the paper napkin that Ruby had given him and was well on his way to tearing up a second. His eyes flitted to the door even when no bell rang to signify someone's arrival, disappointment evident when it was one of the miners or some other random resident he didn't really know.
"How long is he going to sit there and pretend we don't exist?" Liam asked, sipping on the coffee that Ruby continuously refilled. "The lass isn't even here."
"I told you that he wants this all to appear natural and unrehearsed," Killian answered. Over a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, he had informed Emma's son that she was agreeable to the idea of him inviting Violet to a concert. After a few nervous questions about what to say and how to ask, they had arrived at Granny's to meet Liam. That had led to a few stories of Killian and Liam's antics around the same age and how they were not the best at offering advice on the subject.
"You do realize that he's going to have a heart attack if she doesn't show up soon," Ruby said, delivering a bowl of creamer and sweetener to the table. They had requested it 15 minutes before, but nobody mentioned that. "A dead 12 year old doesn't do much for business, especially since I'm in charge today and have to clean that mess up."
Liam chuckled. "I think you have more to worry about that he may vomit, love. The lad's gone from pale white to green sitting there. I'd say that is a bit of an advertisement problem given your business of food and spirits." He smiled brightly at her, allowing her to huff her way to another table before he looked to his brother. "I'm a bit worried about the lad. He's looking quite a bit greener than many of the ensigns in the Navy on their first voyages."
Killian sighed, gesturing with his head toward the still closed door. "He'll be a bit better once the lass arrives. At least then it will be settled once and for all. Nothing worse for the ego or the confidence as anticipation." He knew that feeling well.
"Aye. You're doing a good job for him, brother. I know you don't wish to take over his father's role in his life, but you're becoming quite paternal in your own way."
"That's not a good thing in the eyes of the lad's father. I told him to call the bloke this morning for a bit of encouragement and advice on this topic as well. From the way Henry reacted, I take it that he's not exactly too keen sharing this particular milestone." He had spoken to Neal for nearly half an hour before coming back in with a pained expression. Not wanting to pry, Killian had not asked too many questions and merely confirmed that they were still on for the morning trip to the diner.
"Well I think it's already known the man's a prat for losing Emma's affections. His advice was likely tainted with that."
Killian wasn't sure what to say to that, as he was trying hard not to speak negatively about Emma's ex and Henry's father. He did have opinions, but he kept them quiet in order to let Henry not feel that he was being torn between the lot of them. Thankfully he had a reprieve as the dark haired student entered the diner with her father in tow. Morgan searched out a table for them as Henry stood to greet her. Standing too quickly, he swayed and nearly got his foot caught in the foot rest of the stool.
Liam cursed under his breath and threw out a hand to stop Killian from running to the boy's rescue. With the two splotches of color evident on Henry's face, he gave a half laugh half grunt as he said hello to the girl who sported a pinkish tint of her own when she breathed his name.
Henry darted his eyes toward the two brothers and gave them a pleading look to leave him be. They both in a clumsy attempt to be inconspicuous lifted their menus and stared hard at the items listed there. Ruby, looking rather confused since they had already eaten at home and another helping at the diner earlier, sauntered over to see if they were suffering some fate such as a tape worm.
"I know the oatmeal is good when the cook puts fruit on top, but I've never seen anyone order as much as you. And that include Leroy who expects us to have his food ready when he arrives at 7:03 every morning." She stuck a hip out and glanced over at Henry, realizing what was happening. "Scoot over," she hissed at Killian. "Does Emma know about this?"
"Aye," Killian confirmed, passing her the menu so that she too could hide behind one. "The lad's about to ask Violet on a date."
"Holy shi…" Ruby began, her eyes wide over the top of the laminated menu. "So are we rooting for her to say yes or no? And why wasn't I brought in on this?"
Liam chuckled, grabbing for his mug of tepid coffee. "We looked for Granny, as she seems to be the expert, but apparently she left you in charge today."
"She had a date last night," she responded offhandedly. When both brothers lowered their menus at the same time to stare at her in that revelation, she swatted her hand at them. "Focus. Henry now. Granny later."
They could not hear what either Henry or Violet were saying, but tried their best to read the young people's expressions. A smile from Violet sent Ruby squeezing Killian's forearm and a slight nod had her kicking Liam. However, when Henry's shoulders dropped, Ruby was ready to scream out not to give up hope. Of the three of them, it was Liam who was the voice of reason. "We are way too invested in this," he muttered as Ruby swiped Killian's phone from him and took a couple of pictures for him to send to Emma.
When Henry returned to the table a few minutes later, he looked both happy and shell shocked as he slid in the booth next to Liam. "She said she wants to go, but she has to ask her father."
***AAA***
"Do you even remember your first date?" Elsa asked Emma that morning as they stopped on the way back from Vermont. They had another performance at the state tomato festival in New Hampshire that afternoon – not exactly the glamorous schedule they had anticipated.
"I didn't really date," Emma said vaguely as she stared at the phone and looked at her son's grainy image. She was grateful that Killian was there for him, even more so after an angry phone call earlier from Neal. Despite the objections that she had earlier, she knew that her son was mature and would not do anything inappropriate. He was clearly infatuated with the girl and from the pictures it looked as though she felt the same. If she reminded herself that they were merely 12, she was happy in knowing that it was just as innocent as Killian claimed. "It's a bit hard to muster up the romantic spirit in foster care."
Elsa looked slightly embarrassed, her hand closing over the necklace that Liam had given her through Emma. "I'm sorry. That was rude of me to ask."
"No, it's fine," Emma assured her. "I want Henry to have that experience. I want him to hold hands with a girl and get those butterflies in his stomach. And I don't want him to feel like there is something wrong with him because it is happening at 12 rather than some other age. Yes, I miss having my son being a young boy who was more excited over cartoons and superheroes than cell phones and dates. But he's growing up. That's what he is supposed to do."
"Very wise," Elsa remarked sarcastically. "You know you could always have more kids. That way you get to relive all the cuteness and fun of toddlers."
"Yes because this conversation won't freak me out at all." Emma picked a bit of the wrapping off her bear claw and bit down on it, eyes closing in appreciation for the treat.
"Fine," Elsa said in exasperation. "I can change the subject. I owe you a thank you. You really helped last night with my whole stage fright thing. I thought this would get easier." She curled her fingers over the pendant. "You and Liam."
"All part of the job."
"Of manager or friend?"
"Both," Emma said, curling her lips up into a smile before returning her gaze to the phone. "Ugh. Neal wants to talk about this whole date thing. I appreciate his occasional interest in our son, but he really reminds me of his father sometimes. I can do without the dramatics of telling me he wants to talk to me. It's like he wants me to worry about it for the rest of our time on the road, ruining whatever concentration I've got left in me."
"And will you let it?" Elsa asked gently. She knew that Emma harbored quite a bit of resentment toward her ex in terms of co-parenting. She often felt that she was left with the heavy lifting and Neal made occasional snide remarks. Other than speaking to his own father about cutting the amount of tuition for Henry at the exclusive private school, he rarely paid for anything that wasn't his own idea. When Emma had been sick enough to burn through her accrued time at work, he had not even bothered to offer any assistance. Rather than let Emma go begging to him, Mary Margaret and Ruby had banded together to help out with both running Henry where he needed to be and Granny providing meals.
"Not a chance," Emma said. "I know he's doing what he does, but it's not me that I worry about. It's Henry."
***AAA***
"Want to tell me what's going on, brother?" Liam asked as he walked the length of the reinforced attic floor. The once dark space was brighter with the new windows at either end, as well as two dormers that would provide great views of the water. "You're putting on quite a show for Henry, but I know you."
Killian grunted his response, his hand pressing on one of the new wall studs that he was inspecting.
"Out with it."
"I received a letter from Mr. Gold and the faculty committee yesterday. Usually these letters give you your room assignments date to report for preplanning, as well as any changes to your contract. Mine asks me to meet with them next week." He gave his brother a half-hearted shrug. "I can't say that I'm surprised."
"No, I suppose you can't. You and Emma were aware that your dating and now living together would have repercussions. So have come up with a plan yet?" It was as consoling as Liam knew how to be, stepping back into his role of big brother and trying to guide the younger Killian on the right path. He could recall doing it many times in the past. Lately the shoe had been on the other foot.
"I've applied at a few other schools," Killian admitted. "I was aware that this would come sooner or later so I wanted to be prepared. I have an interview next week in fact." He seemed emotionless as he listed the other institutions.
"Have you spoken to Emma about it?" Liam queried, leaning forward to look out one of the dormer windows. "Perhaps she could talk to this Mr. Gold about things. She is the mother of his grandson."
"I don't think that means much to Gold." He gave a bit of a shrug and crossed over the unfinished window seat that he had asked the contractors to build after Emma mentioned wanting to watch a storm over the water while reading a book at one. Slowly he lowered himself to the wood. "Brother, I'm sure that I could come up with 100 different things to say about it, but I knew the risk. Emma and Henry are worth it to me."
"I'm glad to hear it. You deserve to be happy, which I don't think you would be if Emma wasn't in your life."
Killian's blue eyes scanned the empty space that he knew would one day soon be a library/office space for them. It would be filled with books and shelving. A two person desk was already being designed and built by Marco. While the floors would be hardwood, he knew that Emma was already thinking about plush rugs that would soften their footfalls. He was refinishing two oversized rockers – both the size of small loveseats that would flank either side of the largest window. The window seat would serve as storage as well as a cozy nook with overstuffed cushions and pillows. He could already see it taking shape.
"I don't know that I can attribute it all to her," Killian said, hoping his brother would not interrupt the explanation. "She certainly makes me happy and keeps me on my toes. And she is far more than I ever dreamed of loving in my life. However, it is dangerous to put all your life's happiness at the foot of one person. Sometimes I think that is what our mum did, placing her worth and her heart in the care of her husband. When he left…"
"Emma's not like our father, Killian. And neither are you. She loves and adores you. You can't doubt that."
"Well," Killian said, his lips curling up into that roguish smile that he usually only used when he was being overly confident, "I'm undoubtedly hard for her to resist."
"And a cheeky bastard at that." Liam laughed, forcing his brother to scoot on the unfinished window seat. "But don't shut her out on this, Killian."
***AAA***
Later that night Liam entered the condo he and Elsa shared at nearly 3 a.m. He had to admit that it felt good to feel that bone weariness from a hard day's work as he dropped onto the sofa and wondered again why there were so many throw pillows there. Elsa had done all she could to make the condo comfortable for both of them, going with a darker color scheme rather than pastels and agreeing to the brown leather sectional rather than the floral couch and love seat she had shared with Anna. However, the woman loved throw pillows. There were some that were large enough to sit on by the fireplace. Others were the soft peachskin material and still others boasted fringe or ruffles. He was not totally convinced that they weren't mating and having other pillows while he was away.
He threw two of them from behind his back to the other end of the large sectional and grunted in appreciation for how it cradled him as he fell asleep to the glow and hum of the television. While he could have gone straight to bed, he had hoped to wait up for Elsa, who was due in at any moment. She was actually late, but her texts indicated that Emma had needed to stop somewhere on the drive back and they were already in Maine and close to the town line.
His intentions were to be there waiting for her when she entered, pampering her after two performances and time on the road. However, it didn't quite work that way. She quietly entered the condo, placing her keys just inside the door and toeing out of her shoes so that her footsteps wouldn't echo on the floors. There was something so adorably immature about the way he would sleep on that couch, she thought, staring at his messy curls and way that his shirt was half tucked in. His socks were drooping and one arm was raised bent over his head as his other hand was splayed on his chest.
She left her bags just outside the door to their bedroom and crept over to him where she dropped down to her knees. The stale beer smell of the Rabbit Hole tickled her nose, but she couldn't help but smile at his full lips and the way that his nose would scrunch when he was dreaming. The television was running some advertisement for a juicing machine and twice he whispered the word juicer as she watched him.
Unable to resist any longer, she lowered her mouth to his for a light peck, feeling a bit like a fairy tale character waking her true love from a sleeping curse.
"Hello there," he said, his dark lashes fluttering over his cheeks. "I was wondering when you'd get home."
"Just a few minutes ago," she told him, raising up on her knees so that she might hover over him. Her long white blonde hair fell over one shoulder like a thick curtain. "I might have missed you a little."
"There is no doubt I missed you, darling." He blinked twice as she lifted her hand to her necklace and smiled back at him. "It looks even lovelier on you."
"The only thing missing was you not being there to place it on me," she said, lifting the silvery snowflake charm to her lips and kissing it. "I take it you spoke to Anna."
He nodded, pinching the bridge of his nose between this thumb and forefinger to try to push back the grogginess. "Aye, she said that your mother had one very similar that you always fancied. However, neither of you have seen it in years. She drew a picture of it for me and I took it to the local jeweler. I suppose it might have been more fitting a gift for a birthday or Christmas, but I thought…"
"I love it," she reiterated, holding it under her palm. "Nobody's ever given me something so special. Thank you."
"You know that I'd give you anything, my sweet Elsa," he said, pushing himself up on one elbow. "Anything you ever want."
"What I want right now is to fall asleep in my own bed being held by the man I love," she said, not taking the time to think that she was not quite used to vocalizing what she wanted. It was something they had both discussed before, that older sibling thing of always feeling like they had to be more concerned with Anna or Killian than their own needs. Thankfully, he agreed he wanted the same thing.
***AAA***
Emma didn't find Killian asleep when she arrived at the house, her tires crunched against the gravel announcing her arrival. However, she could see his outline on the deck with a single light burning softly. His head was cocked to the side and he was regarding the trail of light from the moon over the calm waves.
She did not unload her car, climbing the steps up to join him and stifling a yawn as she did so. "I knew I'd find you looking at the water," she said softly, dropping a kiss to his cheek. Her intention had been to sit on the Adirondack chair next to him and maybe steal the bottle in his hand for a swig of the bitter tasting beer that he liked. However, his arms opened and he pulled her down onto his lap instead. She laughed as she folded herself into his embrace.
"How are you, love?" he asked, looking at her with a measure of concern.
"If I had any doubts about living with you, I think that coming home to being greeted like this would erase them. Missed you." She nuzzled against his neck, dropping a kiss against the skin there. "I'm glad to see the house is still standing by the way."
"Is that a compliment toward me or toward my childcare skills?" he asked, holding his left arm around her back help hold her in place. Briefly he lifted his bottle of beer to his lips and took in a bit of the amber liquid, chuckling when she pulled it away from him and drank even more. "By the way, I missed you too."
They sat there quietly, the sound of the waves and the lapping water the only noise other than the occasional sound of a cricket. It was quite different, Emma had to admit, than the time she had spent in larger cities. Even her time at her apartment had included slamming doors and cars at all hours. She had learned to drown it out, but there was a softness to this that she was learning suited her quite well.
"So what has you out here brooding?" she finally asked, lifting her head from his shoulder and studying his profile. "Don't deny it." She swiped his bottle again.
"Gold sent a letter," he told her, reaching down to grab the creased sheet of paper. He could have recited it to her from memory at that point. "Just thinking about my options." He handed her the letter, trading it for the nearly empty bottle.
She read it at quickly as she could in the dim light, squinting at the page first in confusion and then anger. "You do know I hate that jerk, right? I have to keep it civil for Henry, but I hate that jerk."
"Love, you and I both knew this was coming," he said, tapping the page with the bottle and dampening it with the condensation. "It's hardly a surprise."
"Doesn't make it suck any less." She leaned her forehead against his temple. "I know you were expecting it, but it's still pretty incredible that you think I'm worth going through all this. It is hard to believe actually. I'm more used to hearing that I'm not enough or not worth the trouble."
"You and Henry are worth any hiccup in my career, love. I assure you that I'm fine with this. I've already…"
"You will be great," she interrupted, forcing his face to turn with the palm of her empty hand. "You are too awesome not to be." She kissed a line down his cheek and then a peck to his lips.
For a moment he didn't respond with words, letting her pepper him with tiny kisses as his stoic expression lightened even more and he found himself laughing at her ardent attention. He twisted for better access, pressing more firmly to her mouth and deepening the friendly kisses into a more determined display.
"Quite the poetic situation, love. My out of work brother finds employment and I may be begging him for a job when this is all over." He laughed acridly. "Or perhaps that is why I had you move in here. I may have an interest in being a kept man."
"Whatever you want to do is fine with me," she assured him. "So long as it includes sleep. I'm exhausted and could use a few hours away from the world."
"I'll be inside in a moment, love," he said when their lips parted. "I'm sure you want to check on Henry. I assure you he's no worse for the wear."
She hesitated, hand still cupping his face and the letter still in her hand. "You know that I hoped this wouldn't happen, right? If I could stop it, I would. I am not asking for validation here, Killian. I just want you to know that if you want us to take a break so that he calms down or if you think that you can save your job by…"
He dropped the now empty bottle beside the chair with a clanging thump and placed a finger over her lips. "Don't even finish that. I told you that you are more important to me that a stupid job. I suppose I was just reflecting on the situation when you came up. It will be a bit tough. I have no other teaching experience other than Storybrooke Academy. It is a bit tough out there to find a music teacher position, as most schools have one or two at most. But I'll find something, love. I am not so much worried about change, as I am a bit sad that I will miss the students and the friends I have made there."
"We're going to work this out," she told him. "After a good night's sleep?"
***AAA***
She had slipped out of bed that morning and dressed in the semidarkness of their room, not wanting to wake him for a discussion about where she was going. She'd even carried her shoes with her until she was at the door so as not to wake Henry either. Scribbling a note about running some errands, she hurried out to her car and tried to ignore the feeling of betrayal in the pit of her stomach. It was just a few blocks to Neal's place, but it felt longer with the self doubt and second guessing.
Emma looked at the stale bagels that Neal set out in front of her with a tray of toppings and two rather bland coffees. It was clearly Tamara's influence, she decided, as Neal was usually a bit more brown paper bag than porcelain tray. She frowned, not at the food, but the fact that he was acting as though this was some sort of social visit.
He sat in the dining chair next to her, rather than the one across the table from her and began to slater cream cheese onto his sesame seed bagel and add to it a plethora of toppings. "I thought you'd bring Henry when you came over. I mean that is what you claim this is about."
"He's out with some friends this afternoon, something about a waterslide opening at the lake." She chose one of the cinnamon raison bagels and began to pick at it. Usually she was one who ate fast and cleared her plate, having learned from an early age that hesitation was not acceptable if you wanted to eat in a group home. "And I think this is a conversation we need to have without him hearing it and feeling like he needs to pick a side."
Neal snorted, picking up a few of the pieces of salmon that fell from his bagel onto the plate. "That makes it sound like we're at war, Ems. I wasn't aware that you declared war on me."
"Haven't you been the one starting battles?" she asked. "Did you really think it was appropriate to tell our son that I was allowing him to go to a concert with a friend only to piss you off? And what about you grilling the kid for information about Killian? If you have a problem with me dating and being in a relationship, then you come to me, not the kid."
Smirking, Neal wiped away a few of the crumbs from his unshaven chin. "My expressing concern about my son is somehow viewed as war," he said, nodding to himself as if trying to understand where she was coming from on this. "You know my son living in the same house as his teacher and his mother. My son being left alone with this man, who you don't really know anything about." He threw up his hands in a mock surrender. "Forgive me for wanting to protect Henry from a potential…"
"Don't finish that sentence, Neal," Emma said firmly. "You've made your case known. And you've shown yourself to be quite the hypocrite. But I'm not here to fight with you over who is morally right or wrong in living with their significant other. I could belittle your relationship with Tamara all day, but it wouldn't solve anything. Just as you won't change my mind when it comes to Killian. So we," she added, pointing to herself and then him, "have to figure out a way to make this work with them. And it starts with ending this hostility. Because as much as you might enjoy being passive aggressive when it comes to Killian, you're hurting Henry in the process."
"I have done nothing to hurt my son." He nearly spilled his bottle of water as he slammed it down on the table. "If my son is hurting…"
"He's hurting because of both of us, Neal," Emma clarified. "He's hurting because we put him in the middle of things. He doesn't think he can tell you what he does when he's not here because of how you speak about Killian. He thinks that if he mentioned that Killian was giving him piano lessons or that Killian spent the day with him watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies when he was sick and I had to work, you'll be mad at him. He doesn't tell me about Tamara's wedding planning because he thinks that I will be upset that he's involved in the ceremony. Our son should not have to censor himself to keep you or me happy. He's a kid, not a diplomat, Neal. And we need to start realizing that." She took a bite of the piece of bagel she was holding to punctuate her statement.
"Tamara isn't like Killian. She's not a teacher in an inappropriate relationship with a student's parent. She has…"
"Don't finish that sentence, Neal," Emma warned, her greenish eyes darkening as she stared him down. "Killian being a teacher isn't the issue and you know it. You use that as a weapon. But what it all boils down to is that you don't like Henry having another guy in his life. You complain about David spending too much time with him. You complain about August. And for what reason? You take Henry to a ball game or two a month. You eat pizza with him once a week to grill him on the details of my private life. You pressure him to do the things you think he should do like baseball because you're wanting him to have a childhood like yours. But Neal, you hated your childhood. You ran away from your father. Is that what you want for Henry? Because I sure as hell have been trying to make sure he has a childhood unlike mine." She looked past him at the view out the window of the clock tower at the library. "Henry's a kid. And he loves both of us. Why are we making it harder on him by making him think he has to choose?"
Neal's bagel was gone, the plate containing only a few stains to indicate it ever existed. He stared at that plate with an intensity that would have made most students jealous of his focus. "Are you sure that this guy is who you want, Emma?"
She sighed, knowing that it was always going to come back to the idea of who was dating whom and not how they could co-parent. "Neal, I love Killian. He's a good man. And what you and your father are doing to him, isn't right or fair. But you know what? I should probably thank you for helping me see that he's not the kind of guy who takes the easy way out. He's sad about the fact that he's going to lose his job – one that he loves. But he would rather drive 16 miles each way to teach somewhere else than be without me and Henry. And maybe that's selfish of me to like. But damn it, Neal, I love that feeling. I love that he's putting me first. I love that he doesn't just tolerate my son, but loves him and wants the best for him. And if that makes me crazy, then I am. I know you've interrogated Henry over our living arrangement, but have you actually talked to him about it? Have you asked him how he likes living on the water? Did you ask him about the fishing trips they take in the morning? Or did you know that Henry even liked this girl? I didn't know. You didn't know. Killian knew. Killian is the one who called me and asked if I would be okay with this date thing." She looked at Neal's pinched and sour expression and sighed. "Look, neither of them even know I'm here. You said you wanted to talk about this date thing between Henry and Violet. So let's do it. Let's have this conversation."
Balling his hand around a paper napkin, Neal sighed too, his lips pursing to let out the stream of air. "You'll be there at this date," he said, not really asking.
"Killian and I have tickets three rows behind them. We're picking Violet up and dropping her off after the show. I spoke to her father on the phone and he's fine with it so long as we're with them." She cocked her head hopefully. "You know that he played that song for her…sent her the Yaz one over the phone."
He huffed a little shocked and proud at that news. "I told him about that. Told him how I played it on a cassette in that yellow car of yours."
"I remember," Emma said softly. "He loves you, Neal. He wants to tell you things about his life. But sometimes he feels like he can't."
"I…He probably thinks that I'm going to use it against you or Killian," Neal offered, raking a hand over his face. "And maybe he's right. Maybe I've been…I want to spend some time with him. Maybe I could…Maybe he and I could have dinner a day or two before this date? I could offer him a few pointers."
"I bet he would like that."