He assumed Elsa would be asleep when he got back to the condo after dropping Killian off at the cottage. She wasn't. Sitting on the couch with a stack of papers balanced on her knees, she looked younger than usual sans makeup. Her mouth lifted into a gentle smile. "I was wondering if you were coming back."

"Always," he said, shedding his coat and looking at the counter where an empty bag from Granny's sat. "Leftovers?"

"Granny wouldn't let us leave without them," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "You guys didn't seem like you were going to come down to finish them, so Emma and I divided them up and brought them home." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Sorry we didn't wait. She was exhausted and we were thinking you guys probably wanted to talk without us butting in on you. I made her call me as soon as she arrived, just to make sure she got back okay."

He nodded, scrubbing his face with his hands. "You aren't asking what happened?"

She lifted the papers off her knees and lowered her bare feet to the floor. Then she motioned for him to recline next to her and use her lap as his pillow. Not hesitating, he did just that. "I assumed you would tell me what you wanted me to know. Emma and I talked and both felt that this was yours and Killian's decision."

"We didn't mean to be gone as long as we were," he admitted, closing his eyes as she smoothed back his hair. "Most of it was spent just outside the door, if I'm being honest. I was hesitant to knock and Killian wasn't making a move until I did."

"Understandable."

"Aye, I suppose it was. Neither of us ended up knocking or even speaking of it. Our younger brother opened the door and invited us in. Surprised me that he was so willing and encouraging." He let out a soft sigh as she continued her efforts. "I still find him a proper arse about the way he treated you, but he's…"

Using the break in his words, Elsa leaned forward to kiss his forehead. "I don't know that I would want to be as friendly with him as I am with Killian, but if you…"

"I wouldn't put you in that position," he interrupted. "I was simply saying that I suppose my father is lucky to have at least one doting son. Two if you count that Killian gave a piece of himself to save his miserable life."

Her thumb brushed over where she had kissed him. "Then you spoke to your father?"

"I thought he might be sleeping. Recovering. He was awake though, sitting up in that bed and eating a bit. Kept trying to share his meal with us." Opening his eyes, he looked up at Elsa. "It struck me as quite funny at the time and I nearly laughed. There were so many nights that Brennan Jones did not even bother to provide us a meal before heading out to the pub for his drink. And yet here was this prat was trying to get us to share a bit of that lasagna the Widow Lucas seems to think everyone loves."

"I'm guessing he was probably pretty nervous to see you both there and wondering if he was about to be yelled at again," Elsa offered.

Liam continued, explaining that Killian had been much nicer and even asked the man in the bed how he was feeling. There was a softness in Killian's words that had been comforting to Liam, but at the same time he felt horrible for his own lack of empathy. "He invited us to come visit on Christmas," Liam ended by saying. "I can't quite picture us all sitting about the tree and reminiscing about years past."

"What did you say?" Elsa asked, pulling down the throw blanked to cover him. While she was normally warm blooded, he felt the chill more than she did.

"I told him we were planning to visit your sister and aunt."

Elsa paused in her movements as she considered this. "You don't want to visit Aunt Ingrid. And you see my sister several times a week. I think we could make the effort if you wanted. We are spending Christmas Eve with Killian, Emma, and Henry. Why not stop in for a few minutes with…"

"Your aunt is much more tolerable than Brennan Jones," Liam protested.

"Neither are the best company," Elsa conceded. "We don't have to decide now. And you need your sleep. I know that you're planning to be over at Killian's first thing in the morning. You've been averaging about three hours of sleep a night. It's going to catch up with you."

He stuck his bottom lip out a bit exaggerated. "Are you saying you missed me?"

She cupped his cheek. "I'm saying that you're probably driving your brother crazy."

"Aye, but that is the prerogative of the older sibling. You should know that." He swatted her hand playfully away from tweaking his nose. "Are you telling me that you won't be paying extra visits to Anna once the wee little one arrives?"

"You don't play fair, Liam Jones."

~~~AAA~~~

Unlike Elsa, Emma was sleeping when Killian entered the house and peeled himself out of his clothes. There was no doubt she hadn't meant to so, he thought when he stopped in the doorway of their shared bedroom to peer in at her sleeping atop the still made bed. She was curled into a ball, still dressed, and limply holding her tablet where she had been reading emails. The throw blanket she'd been using for warmth was knotted about her waist to the point it provided no actual warmth for her. Walking softly on the rug next to the bed, he pulled it off of her without waking her and attempted to do the same with the comforter and top sheet on the bed.

"Hello, love," he said as she stirred with a slightly confused expression. "Let's get you into bed, shall we? Sleeping in your clothes cannot be too comfortable."

She covered her eyes with one hand and frowned as she rolled toward the edge of the bed to stand. "I was trying to stay awake. I don't think I did a good job of it though."

"There's no blame for you needing your sleep, Emma. You've been running yourself ragged lately. Perhaps we should…"

She helped him pull down the covers and then did the same with her jeans to his pleased smile at her impromptu strip show. "You're the patient, not me. I'm fine." She kicked her leg that was still partially inserted in the pants leg a few times before heading toward the bathroom to wash off her make up. "Speaking of…how's your father doing?"

"A bit weak and tired, but better than I expected," he answered, shedding his own outerwear as he gave an update about both the youngest of the brothers and their father. "Wants us all to visit on Christmas."

The running water of the sink stopped and Emma appeared in the doorway, her long legs on display under the sweater she had been wearing. Her face was pink from the hot water and she was patting it dry. "We could do that if you want," she said. "Other than a tradition of a huge breakfast and orgy of presents, Henry and I don't really have any major traditions for Christmas." She leaned back in the bathroom and held up the fresh bandages for his surgical marks and lifted her eyes to ask silently if it was time for the change of them. He shook his head in return.

"I think I'm going to leave that decision ultimately to my brother," Killian said, smiling brightly at her and patting the spot next to him. "I seem to be still recovering from the last request that Brennan Jones made. So you're okay if we decide yes?"

Emma replaced her sweater with her flannel sleep shirt that she knew was far from sexy but still warm and comfy. "Yours and Liam's choice," she said, diving in next to him and kissing him soundly before reaching over to turn out the light. "I'm cool with your decision, okay? I'm not opposed. And again, not trying to butt in here, but if you'd rather they came here since we're not living in a single room at the moment…"

Killian didn't answer, pulling her in tight next to him so that her head was nestled into his shoulder and neck and her breath was warm on his skin. "Perhaps we might make those plans tomorrow, love. I think I would much prefer a quiet moment with you rather than speaking of all this right now."

"Sure," she said, her lips brushing against him as she spoke. "But I'm going to warn you that I probably won't last long. You make a really good pillow."

He didn't stay awake much longer than she did, keeping her gathered in his arms and saying another silent thanks for having the opportunity to be with her. While he appreciated her strength and independence, there was a beauty to the vulnerability she displayed when the day's stresses wore off her in their embrace. Her face seemed to relax instantaneously and her hands no longer fisted on his chest. Instead she let her jaw go a bit slack and her right hand was splayed just above where the incisions were healing. The last thought he had before he fell asleep was of her and how he would do whatever he could to let that same look continue for as long he could.

They slept so soundly that they barely moved in the night until the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps woke him up. Blinking in the still dark room, he first saw Emma's shadowy form sitting at the edge of the bed. Her head was cocked to the side and her hair flowed over one shoulder with a messy tumble. With her hand still on his chest, she locked gazes with him before lifting a finger to her lips to indicate he should be quiet.

"I'll go see, love," he said, brushing off her attempt to join him. Instead, he tossed over her phone from where it was charging. "Just in case."

He stumbled as he crossed to the door, his foot tingling from their position in the bed just moments before. Groping for something to steady himself, he almost fell over her discarded sweater, earning a mouthed apology from her for leaving a mess.

He was at the doorway when he heard the steps again, the living area dimly lit with a single light that Emma normally left on so that they could move a bit freely in the night. There was no sight of the intruder, but Killian stepped forward in the direction of the shadow he saw moving near the stairs. Spreading his hand out behind him to search for the baseball bat he knew was in the hallway where Henry had left it a few days ago, he came up with something soft rather than wooden.

"It's my house too," Emma argued in a whisper. "Two are better than one."

"How do we know there is only one?" he whispered back, gripping and then squeezing her hand reassuringly before again seeking out the bat. This time he found it. "There could be…"

"Then you should be glad I'm here so we can take them both on," Emma hissed. She grabbed his elbow and pulled him back as she realized the footsteps had stopped but there was a breathing sound coming from the other room now that was followed but something that almost sounded like talking. "There are two of them."

Killian craned his neck and leaned forward, as if he might be able to see around the alcove wall into the living area. Giving up on that idea, he cleared his throat and called out, "Who is there?"

"Bloody hell, little brother. I was just going to put a load of laundry on for you, but I didn't mean to wake you." Killian rounded the corner to the sound of his brother's booming voice with Emma following. There he stood, his winter coat hanging open and his hair in disarray under a knitted hat. He was holding the hamper from the hall bathroom and frowning at his brother and sister-in-law.

"Since when did you learn to do laundry, mate?" Killian asked, passing the bat back to Emma before he had to explain that one. Thankfully, Emma understood and stealthily slipped it in the basket of wood by the fireplace. "And you still have a key?"

"Thank God he does," the female voice said from the kitchen. "Otherwise, I would have been making your eggs on the grill outside. Not exactly what I want to do with the threat of snow." Killian whirled to face her, expecting to see Elsa standing there since it was his brother's intrusion. Instead, it was Ruby who was wearing her Granny's uniform and whisking something in a bowl at his counter. "You two sleep like the dead by the way. I tried to wake you when we got here, but you were dead to the world. Graham suggested putting a mirror under your noses, but then one of you snored and I decided it was fine."

"Graham's here?" Emma asked, still linked to Killian's arm and shivering in the cool morning air. "You do realize that we weren't planning a party this morning, right?"

"Graham came over with us to check on that light in your office upstairs," Ruby explained. "He said the bulb was loose so he fixed that. And then he and David took the dog for a walk. Mary Margaret dropped off some flooring samples for your project, Killian. And Anna said she'd be by later to see about having Kris move the furniture in the living room for our Christmas Eve party here. Elsa's going to stop in later after she finishes something she's working on for Regina." Ruby continued to list friends as Liam returned, looking proud of himself for starting the laundry. "Oh and Roland is making you a picture or something and Robin promised him he'd drop that off today. He was here earlier too, dropping off some dog food."

Killian's jaw fell open as he stared at the woman behind the counter. "All these people…"

Emma bumped her hip against his. "We may need to move," she said softly. "It might be easier than getting all the keys back."

***AAA***

She was sure the document was some place on her desk or the credenza behind it. It had to be, as she had not taken it out of her office at the recording studio. Between the holidays, getting married, and her husband's surgery, Emma wasn't sure where many things were anymore. Her office was supposed to be her own, but the evidence was there that her coworkers had each taken a turn sitting at her desk and using her computer, as it was faster than most of the machines. Now she was certain one of them had misplaced the set list that Liam and the guys would need for the show they were performing for a pre-taped New Year's Eve show.

The phone on her desk, the one with more buttons than seemed even remotely necessary, crackled and hissed as Regina's voice could be heard. "Ms. Swan," she said in that highly effected voice. "Could you please see me before you sneak out of here again today? I do need some updating on your status with several projects."

Emma resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at the phone and kept digging through the disorganized stacks that were balanced precariously on the edge of her desk. Of course Regina wanted to see her and of course she used her maiden name to address her. But that wasn't that big of deal since she had decided to keep Swan professionally and use Jones otherwise. No, it was the cold indifference in the woman's voice that rattled her.

"There you are," she said, sliding the printed sheet out from under a few invoices that she needed to approve as soon as possible. Six songs were printed on the list and another four were handwritten. When she had asked Robin and Liam to narrow down the list, she had not meant for them to add more. She'll have to give Liam a call to pry a decision out of him. Collapsing into her chair, she frowned. Calling Liam would probably mean another 20 minute discussion about Killian's progress and what they were doing for dinner. The older of the Joneses seemed to have declared himself a permanent nurse maid for her husband. She was appreciative of the help, but it was wearing a bit on her nerves to have Liam and usually Elsa there every single afternoon and evening. Throw in Mary Margaret, Granny, and Ruby, and the house felt very full sometimes. She loved the company and knew Killian did too, but there were times when she just wanted a bit of quiet with her husband.

"Emma?" the receptionist's voice crackled. "You have a call from a Neal?"

"Put him through," Emma said with a sigh. Work would have to wait. Henry had offered to spend a few nights with his father at her suggestion. Killian's sleep schedule was off and she had felt that a quiet house might give him a better opportunity to sleep. Since Neal was still nursing his broken heart, the set up was perfect.

"Hey," she said, reaching for the invoices to at least put them in order while he asked her whatever parenting question had come up recently. Yesterday he wanted to know if Henry was allowed chocolate milk. Then last night he wanted to confirm that their son did have a regular bed time. "What's up?"

"So Henry's dating?" her ex asked, sounding a bit stressed at the very idea. "And he has a girlfriend?"

"Well, sort of dating," Emma explained. "He's been allowed to see her with a group of friend or on occasion Killian and I have taken them someplace. But he's not allowed to date her alone or something. Why? Is he wanting to take Violet to a movie or something?"

"He wanted advice about a gift for her. I put him off and said I'd have to think about it." Neal chuckled nervously. "Is it wrong that I don't really like thinking of our son being old enough to need this kind of advice? And is it wrong that I think you or your husband might be better at providing it?"

Emma clicked her tongue at the top of her mouth softly. Her thin pencil skirt made her sit more primly in the chair rather than curl up like she normally liked to do with her legs under her. "You're pretty hard on yourself. I do seem to remember that you could be sort of romantic when you wanted. Not exactly Prince Charming, but you had your moments."

She could hear the hesitation in his voice when he addressed her again. "Neal, out with it. What's the real reason for the call?"

He sighed noisily. "Christmas," he said, as if the one word was enough to explain his hesitation. In some ways it did. I wanted to see if I might take Henry to the Gold family dinner. I mean, if he wants to go and all. You and Killian are welcome to join us. I mean, it might be a little awkward with Killian and my papa, but it could…"

Emma leaned her chin on her fist and closed her eyes to imagine Killian sitting next to Mr. Gold and making small talk over a roasted goose. "Why don't you take Henry to your dad's for Christmas Eve dinner? Then drop him off afterward at our place. I wouldn't want to interfere with your time with him and I know he'd like to spend some of the holiday with you."

"You don't mind?" Neal asked. "You don't already have plans?"

"A few friends are coming over," Emma admitted, "but it's fine. He sees my friends all the time anyway. Henry will probably have fun getting some one on one time with you and your family. Let's let him decide though."

"Thanks, Em," he said, sounding genuinely grateful. "I meant to ask earlier. Is Killian doing okay? Healing and all that?"

"Much better. And thanks for keeping Henry a few extra nights. I know he's been enjoying his time there."

As soon as she disconnected the call, Emma hurried to Regina's office, knowing that the head of the label was not quite so flexible in her time frame as she had indicated. Knocking politely, she entered at the dark haired woman's gesture. "I sent those approved invoices to payables with my signature and an explanation of that one charge. The contracts for that brother and sister duo and the Lost Boys area down in legal for one final vetting. And I spoke to Elsa this morning about getting some publicity for her with that charity work she's doing with Liam at the food bank. She's up for having a crew get some stills and b-roll of them stuffing bags and organizing pantries." Emma sat perched on the seat hoping that her boss's list of tasks did not include anything she had forgotten.

"That was quite concise, but not exactly what I was looking to ask you about. I spoke with Elsa just a few days ago. Now that this stalker mess is over with and all is good, I was hoping to persuade her to reconsider the tour."

Emma shifted in the uncomfortable seat. "I suppose that's up to her. I know she wants to be near her sister when the baby comes…"

"Yes, yes," Regina said, grimacing. She recrossed her legs under the glass desk that Emma was sure was simply to show them off to the male clientele. "I spoke with her about that and came up with a new solution. I don't normally involve myself in the arts of New York so much, but I got a call from an old friend of mine who is producing a show on Broadway. She thinks that Elsa might be just the woman for the role. You were a little busy so I approached her and gave her a copy of the script and some of the tracks they want her to sing. She said she'd think it over, but…"

"She hasn't gotten back to you?" Emma said, fighting back the urge to remind Regina that Elsa was her friend and client. She should have at least been briefed on the offer.

"No, and she seemed reluctant to do so without you giving your blessing. So see that she makes a decision on that within 48 hours, okay? Speaking of which, you haven't mentioned the status on that sale of your husband's song? He did sign didn't he?"

Emma frowned, the feeling of being boxed into her job rearing its head. "I'll speak to Elsa, but as far as the song goes, that's not really something that falls under this label. The song is Killian's work and he's under no obligation to anyone."

"The staff found the song on your computer? Your work computer?" Regina raised her hand to point at her own monitor. "They would not have allowed it to have been heard outside this label otherwise."

Emma lifted her chin. "They found it on my iPod. It was there with a few other tracks I listen to when I work out, including a little 80s rock, some Kelly Clarkson, some Beyonce, some Michael Jackson…Are you going to claim those songs too?"

Extending her hands out in a palms up gesture, Regina gave her best impression of contrition. "I'm simply saying that the song appeared to me to be in the company's library and therefore part of our collection. If I'm wrong, I will of course reconsider my position. But you should also know that I don't find it appropriate that you would spend your work time peddling songs to other labels and artists from other labels. There is brand loyalty expected in your job."

"I'll think about that."

***AAA***

Elsa sat in the booth absently stirring her drink as people came in and out from the bitter cold to order food and occasionally talk amongst themselves. With the exception of the occasional refill or question about food for her, she was left alone to flip through the pages that Regina had supplied her just a few days before. It wasn't in her nature to keep secrets from Liam or even Emma, but so far she had told no one of the offer. Maybe there was nothing to tell, she said to herself as she watched the words on the page swim in front of her. It was just an audition and there was no real reason she had to believe she would get the part.

It might have been quieter to read in the comfort of the condo, but Liam was there trying to get a bit of sleep before his evening shift and any visits he planned with Killian. She did not want to play the what if game with him, as she wasn't even sure how she felt about the prospect yet.

She attempted to read the first scene of the second act again when she felt the cool wind of an open door hit her. While that had been happening all morning, she knew somehow it was different this time and looked up to see a tense face looking back at her. Emma was standing there with people darting past her to get back to work. Without saying a word, the blonde woman grabbed a menu off the counter, pointed out her order to the server near the register and then walked calmly over to Elsa's booth.

Sliding onto the opposite bench, Emma used one hand to slide the script away and looked at it somewhat suspiciously. "Broadway?"

Elsa crossed her arms in front of her and rested them on the table. "Eventually? Maybe? It's a long shot, I guess. Out of town start in Boston and then we'll see. It wasn't my…"

"Regina told me this morning. Said you haven't given her an answer. Not trying to pry, but I would kind of like to know what's going on in that head of yours. So care to explain?"

Elsa pushed at her soft lavender sleeves on the light sweater she was wearing. Her cheeks were pink from the intermittent bouts of cold air rushing inside and her long tapered fingers were curled like fists. "Emma, I'm not trying to keep anything from people. It's just a strange opportunity and I'd rather know how I feel about it before I put it out there."

Nodding, Emma pushed the script back in her direction. "Well, that was fine until Regina decided I needed to pry your decision out of you."

Elsa closed pages together and placed her hands on top of them. "Did I ever tell you about the first time I sang with my sister? I don't mean at home. I'm talking about on stage with people watching?"

Emma shook her head.

"Anna was barely in elementary school. She was more interested in playing princess than singing a song. Anyway, it was an awards banquet at a client of my father. The entertainment got stuck on the highway and were running late. So they basically called up anyone with even one bit of talent. My mom pushed us to do it because dad's friends thought it would be cute. We did it a lot over the years, but always together."

"And now Anna is wanting to take time to be a mom and not a singer?" Emma asked as her order was slid in front of her. "So you want to try something new?"

"I've been trying, Emma. I really have. I get on that stage though and it feels weird to sing when she's not beside me. And I hate that I'm getting compliments and awards when she's not there too. It feels unfair to her. And I feel…exposed. I don't really like it." Elsa gave her drink one more stir and then sipped. It had gone from steaming hot to luke warm, but she stirred it anyway. "Regina gave me this script and I refused at first. But then she made me think about it. And there is something about it. I would be on stage, but I wouldn't be alone. And I wouldn't be me. I'd be a character. I would have something between me and the rest of the world."

Emma broke off a little bit of her grilled cheese and dipped it in the soup. "Maybe that's a good thing."

Shrugging, Elsa looked down at the script. "Maybe. And it wouldn't be like touring. I'd perform in Boston and then maybe New York. I could drive back here more often. I could see Liam, Anna, and the baby. I wouldn't be away so much."

"It sounds like you do know what you want to do," Emma noted. "There are enough people out there who are going to tell you who you are. I won't stand in your way as one of them."

Elsa smiled tentatively. "You wouldn't hate me? If I do this? You wouldn't hate me because you spent so much time and energy on my career?"

"No, but I will totally be angry if we don't get front row seats for opening night."

***AAA***

Killian's head fell back against the back of the sofa, his eyes heavy as he listened to the wind outside the crackle of the fire in the fireplace. While he was well on the mend and growing stronger each day, his patience was paper thin after all the nursing and mollycoddling that his brother and wife were insistent upon as part of his recovery. They practically spoon fed him each meal. If he had not protested so vehemently, they might have even given him a sponge bath rather than allowed him to shower after he stood up too quickly and had to check his balance.

"You should go to bed," Emma said softly in response to his grunted attempt at repositioning himself. "I'll clean up."

With just a few days before Christmas, the house was never empty. That evening had been no exception when Liam and Elsa stopped by for dinner. Thankfully the conversation topic was not Killian's health, the guys' father, or even the upcoming holiday. Instead, Elsa dropped the news on Liam about the audition. He had been more than supportive of the idea, calling her a star and promising that he was going to be proud no matter how it turned out. Killian had his own pride in watching his brother's reaction.

"I feel as though I have already slept most of the day away," Killian complained, flexing his sock covered feet to return the circulation. "It's no wonder after that meal the Widow Lucas sent over. She does realize that I am but one man, correct?"

"We've been having a lot of company lately," Emma remarked, taking a swipe at the counter. She had made it through a whole day of work, kicking off her heels and the constricting business suit in exchange for an oversized sweater and jeans. Thick socks that matched absolutely nothing were on her feet and her hair was pinned haphazardly in a twist atop her head. "People are worried about you."

"Something I'm grateful for, love, but I'd be more grateful for a bit of alone time with my wife. Do you think she might come sit here with me?" His smile was playful as she dropped the sponge in the sink and pretended to think about his invitation. "I promise only good things."

"Well, if you promise," she said, swaying her hips a bit as she walked. "You know we probably won't be alone long. Your brother's only working until 1. I forgot to wrestle that key off him."

"And I've already told him that I expect him to return home rather than here. I appreciate all the help, but I am not in the mood or frame of mind to entertain much more."

"Are we wearing you out? I can go change the sheets on the bed and then you can get some sleep. Maybe Neal can keep Henry for a few more days? He's already staying there tomorrow night, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind. And I'll get Ruby to limit the drop offs to…"

He lifted her hand that she was using to count off all the things she could change and kissed first the wrist and then her palm. "No, love, I'm declaring myself well. The doctor should clear me to drive soon and we've got Christmas coming up in just a few days. I'm tired of being the patient. I want to spend this time with you and Henry, not a bunch of well-wishers who mean well but are…"

"Annoying?" Emma supplied, smiling as he clasped her hand tighter in his.

"I was thinking of stronger words, but we shall go with that. In the meantime, you are to go to work tomorrow and not call to check on me at all. You may call as often as you like to tell me you miss me. And you may text me dirty little thoughts you have. But no asking if I have eaten, slept, or anything else of the nursing sort. And you will not visit Granny's to pick up dinner, nor will you have it delivered. Instead, you will come home tomorrow evening to a grand meal, prepared by your loving husband. You will do nothing more strenuous that dress yourself in some sexy little frock and make frivolous conversation with me over the meal. And when you declare it is time for bed…"

"You haven't been cleared for that," Emma said sternly, pressing her lips together. "But as for a romantic dinner with my husband? I can definitely go for that. And maybe kissing in front of the fireplace? Or if we get really daring, we might go outside and enjoy the stars?"

"Sounds divine." He brushed his lips against her temple. "And as for the cleaning, I will take care of it in the morning. For now, I just want to enjoy some time with you." She must have agreed, as she threw her legs over his and burrowed into his side. "I feel as though we haven't had a proper reunion."

Their lips were just about to meet when the song of their doorbell interrupted them cheerfully. With a single eyebrow arched, he kept his arm around Emma and protested, "Ignore it."

"If it's your brother, he'll use his key. That was probably just a warning." Emma said, craning her neck back to see if she could make out the shadow on the other side of the glass.

"We should ask for that back," Killian grumbled. "Besides, he'd already be in here if it was him. I'm guessing Mary Margaret with more samples for the classrooms and suggestions for movie night with you, love."

"Nope," Emma said, swinging her legs off of her husband. "I'm going with Liam. And if not him, Anna. She was craving chocolate today. I bet she's stopping by to see if we have any."

Rubbing his hand under his jaw, Killian scowled. "When we met, love, you told me you were a loner. I believe you lied. You have far too many friends to be the loner you represented yourself to be."

Emma stuck her tongue out at him and scurried over to the door as the tune rang out again. Her socks skidded on the slick floor. "Coming!"

Opening the door without heeding Killian's warning to ask who it was first, Emma stifled a laugh that they were both wrong in their assessment. Standing bundled on the front porch was Granny, her form made rounder with the thick coat, scarf, sweater, and other layers she wore as she juggled to large bags in either hand.

"Ruby's off on a date with that Graham and I wanted to get these to you before they grew stale," the woman said, peering over the rims of her glasses she normally wore for reading only. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"Not at all," Emma said, relieving her of the load in her right hand and ushering her inside. "We were talking about going to bed, but hadn't made it off the couch yet." Emma dropped the bags onto the granite counter and began to paw through the containers of homemade soup, meatloaf, lasagna, vegetables, and bread that was still warm through the wrappings. In the other bags Granny held were cakes and pies that could have filled a display counter. It was way too much, which Emma immediately expressed, along with a hug to the woman who was standing there between the kitchen and living area still bundled up.

"You are too kind to us, Mrs. Lucas," Killian chimed in, pulling himself up to standing. Despite his pajama pants and long sleeve soft shirt, he stood so solidly and formally in the woman's presence that Emma thought he might actually salute her. "And with all the visitors we have had since my release, I'd say the food will not go to waste. They are friendly but hungry crowd."

Looking rather pleased, the widow smiled brightly and adjusted her scarf. "I know it is too much, but I can't help myself sometimes. And I can't have you getting sick because you didn't have the right sort of stuff. That chicken tortilla soup is my own special recipe. It's spicy enough to knock any of the bad stuff right out of you. Not like that bland stuff you English make."

The comment left Killian appearing completely affronted and Emma covering her mouth to avoid laughing. "Thank you," Killian finally managed to say. "Emma did complain that my brother's cooking was like an old sock left out in the rain."

Emma began to sort the containers and move them to the almost full refrigerator. "That's because it was. I don't know how the man could make something with bacon and cheese bland, but he did. Even if Killian is still too English to know the difference, Henry and I will appreciate this food, Granny."

The woman beamed at the compliment and began to walk toward the door, ignoring Killian's suggestion that she remove her coat and sit a while. "No, no, no," she said when Emma repeated the plea. "I've got breakfast shift coming up and that means I've got a lot of eggs to crack and bacon to fry. You two need some time alone and not entertaining an old woman like me. But you call me if you need anything else…anything at all."

They managed to wait until her car was rumbling away before they both burst into laughter and Emma told him that she guessed he didn't have to cook that romantic dinner after all.

A/N: Thank you all for reading. There's one more chapter left to go.