A/N: So, this ended up being WAY longer than expected, but I wanted to tell a good story :) This one may feel a little AU, but I tried to stay as close to the show as possible. I do hope you guys enjoy it! Onto the story :)
P.S. You guys will see ALL 8 PARTS of this posted over the next few days. Just hang tight and keep looking for those updates :)
A Different Happy Ending:
New Beginnings, Part Two
Gideon knocked on the door before he took a couple steps back. He couldn't help but smile as he awaited his girlfriend to answer the door.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion when Killian opened it instead.
The pirate then explained, "I'm sure Alena filled you in about our conversation, but I wanted to talk to you myself."
Gideon nodded before he offered, "I really do appreciate you trying to give me a chance. I know it's hard for you."
"Aye, it is," Killian conceded. He then sighed and said, "But as my daughter so passionately reminded me, I was given a second chance after all I've done while you had no choice."
Gideon bit his lip to keep from laughing at the image of Alena arguing - though she didn't lose her temper too often, it wasn't exactly pretty when she did.
He then took a breath and spoke, "You have to know I love Alena more than anything, and I'm still doing everything I can to be deserving of her. I only hope you'll be able to see it."
Killian stared long and hard at the young man in front of him. He certainly wouldn't have been his first choice - but he could see how much Alena meant to him.
He took a deep breath of his own. He then said, "I can't pretend any of this is easy, but Alena loves you. I have to learn to accept that - and that she's chosen you. And believe me, I'm trying."
With a nod, Gideon told him, "That means a lot to me." He paused to clear his throat before he continued, "And more than I expected - but I never lost hope."
A small smile appeared on Killian's face as he surmised, "You sound like your mother." Gideon offered a smile in response.
"I hope you guys' expressions mean that everything is okay out here, Dad," Alena interjected as she leaned against the doorframe, raising an eyebrow at her father when he turned to face her.
He then defended, "I told you I would, love." "Mm-hmm," she hummed as she wore a teasing smile.
Killian rolled his eyes as she edged past him and stopped beside her boyfriend.
She took his hand in hers before she said, "Mom's right behind me - she's just getting the cookies out of the oven."
"Alright, love. We'll see you at Granny's," Killian began, mustering a bit of strength, "Both of you."
Alena - and Gideon - nodded before they made their way off the porch and toward the sidewalk.
Killian couldn't help but eye their entwined fingers. He then took a deep breath before he headed back in the house.
He found Emma placing the cookies in a decorative plastic bowl. When she snapped the lid in place, she then looked up at her husband.
She planted her hands on her hips as she asked, "Did you play nice?" a teasing lilt to her voice.
He shook his head before he informed her: "I'll have you know I was quite nice. I told you I would be."
"I know," Emma told him, offering a sweet smile. He smiled back at her.
She then questioned, "Have Alena and Gideon left yet?"
With a nod, Killian answered, "Aye, love. They began walking toward the diner a few minutes ago."
Emma nodded as well before she surmised, "We should probably get going, too, unless we want to be late."
"I don't think there's much chance of that," Killian began before he sidled up next to his wife. He wrapped his arms around her before he finished, "But I don't think we should take the chance of making Granny irate."
Emma couldn't help but giggle before she pecked his cheek. She then picked up the cookies and spoke, "Come on, let's go."
"Aye, love," he told her as he squeezed her waist. He then plucked the car keys from the table.
She raised an eyebrow at him as she posed, "I hope you're not thinking that you're going to drive?"
Killian rolled his eyes before he said, "No. I was only handing you the keys, Swan."
When he dropped them in her hand, he pointed out, "And if our daughter can learn to drive, then I'm quite certain I could do the same," raising an eyebrow of his own.
"I think you'd better stick to your ship, Captain," Emma replied with a chuckle.
He rolled his eyes and shook his head before the two of them headed out to the bug. When they were both settled in the car, Emma cranked it up and pulled out of the driveway and onto the street.
They soon passed Alena and Gideon, who walked along the sidewalk, and they waved at them.
The couple waved back at her parents before they watched the yellow bug speed further down the road.
Gideon then squeezed his girlfriend's hand and observed, "You seem happier today - a bit more so than usual."
Alena pushed her hair behind her ear before she said, "You know that I want to be with you regardless of what my dad thinks, but…"
"You're still happy that he's giving me a chance - or at least trying," Gideon supplied as he smiled at her.
She smiled back as she nodded. She then spoke, "Yeah. You mean so much to me, and I just want him to see that - and to stop fighting with him."
She then looped her arm through his and laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed her head before he surmised, "I'm happy that you're happy - and I have to admit that I'm glad your father won't be glaring at me anymore."
Alena couldn't help but giggle at that. She then looked up at Gideon before she told him, "Well, it is a day for new beginnings."
"Yeah, it is," he agreed as he looked back at her with a smile. The two of them then continued on to Granny's in comfortable silence.
As soon as they walked inside, Neal and Robyn rushed over to them and wrapped their arms around their legs.
"Lena! Gion!" the two-and-a-half year olds squealed. Alena and Gideon laughed as they hugged them back and ruffled their hair.
When they pulled away, Neal asked, "Emmy said help cookies?"
Alena bent down on his level and explained, "I did help make the cookies. And they're really good."
Neal smiled brightly while Robyn crossed her arms. She then complained, "Mommy said no cookies til eat."
Alena bit back a laugh as Gideon bent down beside her. He then told the little girl, "Your mother is very smart. You should listen to her."
With a pout, Robyn said, "Daddy and Aunt Gina say that."
"Then maybe you'll listen to them, hmm?" Alena offered before she tickled the little girl in the stomach.
Robyn giggled before she pushed Alena's hand away. Zelena then began calling for her daughter.
The little girl waved excitedly before she skipped away.
Gideon and Alena made a move to stand when Neal tugged on her sleeve. He looked at her with big blue eyes and asked, "Aeroplane, Lena?"
She looked as though she had to think about it before she nodded. She then stood and scooped him up in her arms.
She then spun him around and made plane noises as he giggled. She then gently placed him back on the ground.
David then strolled over and asked his young son, "Hey, buddy. Having fun with Alena?"
"Always fun, Daddy!" Neal answered with a bright smile.
David smiled back before she said, "Mommy has your food ready. Why don't you go eat?"
"Cookies?" the little boy then asked, looking at his father hopefully.
With a shake of his head, David told him, "After you've had your lunch, okay?" "Otay," Neal answered before he ran over to join Snow.
Alena and Gideon had watched the interaction with amusement and found themselves chuckling as Neal ran off. When David turned back to face them, she surmised, "He is adorable - but he's also a bit of a handful."
"You can say that again," David commented as he let out a chuckle of his own and shook his head.
He then peered at his granddaughter for a few moments before he offered, "You're really great with him, you know. And with Robyn - if things ever get a little too boring at the station, I'm sure Snow would appreciate the help."
Alena vigorously shook her head before she told him, "I love Neal and Robyn, but I couldn't handle 20 kids, even with help."
David and Gideon laughed at that before the latter offered, "Even if things are less chaotic these days, being a deputy, along with her father, lets Alena fulfill that sense of adventure."
She couldn't help but shake her head while her grandfather let out a chuckle. He then offered, "At any rate, you are good with Neal, and we appreciate you babysitting from time to time."
"Of course! I really do love it, and I'm sure Belle appreciates the break."
"A break from what exactly?" the brunette in question asked as she joined the three of them.
"Babysitting," Gideon answered. He then slipped an arm around his girlfriend's waist and continued, "Alena was just explaining how she's always happy to help out."
"And he helps out, too, because Neal loves his stories," she added as she smiled at him.
He smiled back at her before Belle chimed in, "And because you asked him," smiling at the couple.
They blushed ever so slightly before David spoke, "And on that note, I'm gonna check in with Snow and see if Granny needs any more help."
Alena then glanced over at the older woman and found that she had roped Killian into something.
She chuckled before she surmised, "You should probably go help my dad."
David glanced over as well and let out a chuckle of his own. He then said, "I actually did want to tell him that I'm glad he's giving you two a chance."
Gideon smiled softly at that while Alena raised an eyebrow. She then surmised, "I'm a little surprised you're so cool about us, given how hard you were on Dad."
David chuckled before he told her, "I think you'll find that most fathers tend to be a little overprotective."
"Some more than others," Belle chimed in as she glanced between her own father and Rumple.
"Mm-hmm," David hummed before he continued, "But I realized how happy Hook made Emma, and that mattered more than anything. And I could see that he really had changed."
Alena, as well as Gideon, smiled at his words. Belle then offered, "I think we can all agree that everyone deserves a second chance."
"Yeah, they do," Alena agreed as she leaned her head against her boyfriend's arm.
David then looked back at his son-in-law and realized that he - as well as Robin - could use a hand with finishing setting up the tables. He then looked back and said, "I should probably go help. I'll talk with you guys in a bit."
The three of them nodded before David walked away. Belle then opened her mouth to speak when the small bell over Granny's door rang.
"I believe that's everyone," Gideon observed as he studied the various familiar faces dispersed throughout the diner.
He then turned back to Belle and said, "Oh, Mother, I think you were going to say something."
She nodded before she spoke, "Only that I noticed that Alena is wearing the necklace you made her. It really is so beautiful."
Alena ran her fingers over the heart-shaped stone and smiled. She then said, "It truly is one of the best presents I've ever gotten. I love it so much."
She then smiled at Gideon, who smiled back and placed a kiss on her head.
The blonde then turned back to Belle and surmised, "You know, I do have to say that I'm pretty surprised that you - and Rumple - were able to keep it a secret."
With a smile, Belle told her, "I could see how important it was for Gideon to surprise you, and I wanted to do my part. So did Rumple."
She then cast a knowing look toward her son, who only nervously ran his hand through his hair.
Alena tilted her head at the exchange. She then noticed Snow grabbing a glass and spoke, "Looks like Grandma is about to start the hope speeches."
"In that case, I think I'll go rejoin Rumple," Belle surmised. Alena and Gideon nodded before she quickly shuffled off.
Snow then tapped her glass with a spoon. Once she had everyone's attention, she began, "I'm so glad everyone is here as we once again celebrate our happy endings. These last two years have been wonderful, and I hope things continue to be so for many more years to come. Hope is what got us through all the difficult times, and it'll see us through whatever comes next."
The smile she wore grew as she turned to face her granddaughter. She then continued, "And it's all because of Alena - with the help of my great grandmothers - that it's all possible. I know I'm not alone in saying how proud I am of her."
Alena couldn't help but blush as she pushed her blonde hair behind her ear. Light applause erupted throughout the room.
As she dug her face into Gideon's shoulder, Killian commented, "The lass isn't much for being the center of attention."
Emma rolled her eyes before Regina quipped, "Which is the exact opposite of you, pirate."
Killian rolled his eyes that time while everyone else - including Alena - laughed at that. The blonde then offered, "At least someone gets it," as she wore a teasing grin.
Her father shook his head before she continued, "Alright, guys, I really don't like being the center of attention, but I do want to say something. Though it took me a little while to settle in, I found my place here with getting to know my family, making new friends, and even falling in love. It still felt surreal last year, but now I know that this is where I've always meant to be."
With a smile, Robin then chimed in: "And I believe that deserves a toast," as he raised his glass.
Glasses raised, and everyone toasted to family, friends, and new beginnings.
After taking a hearty sip of his drink, Leroy announced, "Alright, that's it for the hope speeches. I'm as happy as the next guy about the peace, but it was almost two hours before we got to eat. I was starving by the time you guys got through."
Chuckles and head shakes - as well as eye rolls from a certain queen and witch - ensued throughout the room.
With her hands planted on her hips, Granny then spoke, "The food's ready, so everyone come eat."
Rumple then cleared his throat and began, "Before we get to that, I'd like to add a few words of my own."
Belle squeezed his arm and smiled at him before Leroy grumbled, "Just make it quick, Dark One."
Rumple paid little attention to the dwarf as he continued, "I must give credit to whom credit is due. Because of the young Miss Swan-Jones, I got my son back. And for that, I will always be truly grateful."
He then offered a nod toward her. Alena offered a nod - as well as a small smile - in response.
Seeing that as a cue, those gathered began having their own conversations as they got their food, which laid out like a buffet, from the counter.
Alena bit back a laugh as she and Gideon watched Leroy - and his brothers – rush up to the front of the line.
Gideon leaned down slightly and whispered, "I think I see why Leroy was so grumpy last year - well, more so than usual."
Alena couldn't help but chuckle as they fell in behind her parents and his. Gideon kissed her cheek before he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder.
He then told her, "He's right, you know. My father, that is - we owe so much to you."
"We're past that, Gideon. I'm more than happy to have saved everyone - including you - from the Black Fairy. And you know I'd do it all again - but just being here and being happy is more than enough for me."
"I know," he began, kissing her cheek once more, "But I never want to take you for granted."
Alena smiled. She then said, "I don't think you're in danger of that. Neither of us are."
She then placed her arms on his and surmised, "But it was really nice of Rumple to say what he did. I'm not always sure how exactly he feels about me - or anything really. He's so hard to read."
Gideon couldn't help but chuckle - the vibration tickling Alena's ear - before he admitted, "I even feel that way from time to time. I think the only one who can always tell what he's thinking is Mother."
Alena only hummed in response as the line moved forward a bit. Killian then glanced back at her and Gideon as he had been doing every several seconds since they joined the line.
It hadn't been intentional, but he found himself noticing how content - and happy - she seemed in his arms. And how the smile she wore was simply radiant.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Rumple's voice in front of him: "Well, Captain, it seems we'll have to rebury the hatchet."
With a tilt of his head, Killian commented, "I wasn't aware we had dug it back up."
Rumple only stared at the pirate for a few moments. He then sighed and told him, "Perhaps not, but our past still got in the way of our children's happiness."
Emma then interjected, "I don't know that it necessarily got in the way because they were gonna be together anyway, but it didn't help anything," resting her hands on her hips.
Killian scratched behind his ear as he admitted, "I suppose we - mostly me - did get rather carried away. I was too overprotective."
"As was I," Rumple agreed, "I took out our sordid history on Alena when she truly did not deserve it. It appears the sins of the father don't always get passed on to the son - or daughter in your case."
With a nod, Killian then agreed, "And it wasn't fair of us to drag either of them into our centuries-long battle. It was extremely bad form."
"Indeed," Rumple conceded. He then stuck his hand out and suggested, "How about a truce? One that will last well into the foreseeable future."
Killian took Rumple's hand and shook it as he replied, "I think it's the least we can do."
Rumple offered a nod before the two men let go. Gideon then chimed in: "It truly is a day for new beginnings. And I have to say I couldn't be happier about it."
"Who would have thought? The Dark One and Captain Hook becoming friends - sort of," Alena added before she giggled.
"I think maybe all they needed was a bit of a nudge," Belle surmised as she looked over at her husband.
"Maybe more than just a nudge," Emma quipped as she playfully nudged Killian's shoulder with hers. He rolled his eyes in response.
Alena couldn't help but laugh. Killian raised an eyebrow at her as he pointed out, "I wouldn't be so quick to laugh, love. You do the exact same thing."
"No, I don't," she argued - only to be refuted by her boyfriend: "Actually, you do. You're quite determined when you want to be, which means you don't always see reason."
Alena elbowed him in the side, and he grunted in pain. Despite themselves, their parents couldn't help but chuckle.
Henry then ambled over and asked, "What's so funny?"
"Just your sister not admitting that she can be a little unreasonable at times," Killian answered as he shot his daughter a grin.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Henry shook his head, too, before he said, "So, Alena, when you and Gideon get your food, I was thinking that we could talk about Star Wars. You still haven't told me your favorite."
With a sigh, she told her brother, "Because there are, like, a dozen of those movies. I don't know how I'm supposed to decide."
"There's technically 11 if you count Rogue One and Solo - as most people do," Gideon corrected as he still stood behind her.
With a shake of her head, Alena playfully accused, "You know, Henry, I'm not sure I appreciate you dragging my boyfriend into your movie obsessions."
Henry rolled his eyes before he told her, "I'm not obsessed - they're just good movies."
"Mm-hmm," Alena teased with a chuckle. She then told him, "But I promise I'll think about my favorite if you'll tell me about your sailing trip yesterday."
"You got it," Henry replied as he smiled. She smiled back before he headed over to one of the tables.
Gideon then questioned, "Do you actually have a favorite to tell him?"
With a shrug, she answered, "I mean, you really can't beat the original, can you?"
He shook his head before he pointed out, "I'm not sure your tenacious brother will accept that. It's quite the Charming family trait."
"Yeah, yeah," Alena deflected before she said, "I really do love the original trilogy, and I'll just make Henry see that."
"I don't doubt it," Gideon told her as he smiled. He then kissed her cheek before he rested his head back on her shoulder.
The pair separated when they reached the end of the counter. They each grabbed a plate and utensils before they looked at the various dishes laid out before them.
When Alena reached for the spoon in the green bean dish, Gideon pointed out, "I don't know why you even bother. You know you don't even like them."
"You know I like to get some of everyone's food," she refuted as she scooped the vegetable onto her plate.
With a shake of his head, Gideon told her, "I'm sure Ashley would forgive you. She has more important things to worry about with little Alexandra running around."
With a sigh, Alena said, "Just eat them like you always do," before she moved on to the next casserole dish.
He couldn't help but smile as he said, "Whatever you say." He then placed a kiss on the side of her head.
The two of them then continued to move through the line, filling their plates with the numerous side dishes and the main dishes of baked chicken and lasagna.
When they came to the drinks, Alena quickly filled her cup with iced tea before she moved aside and waited for Gideon.
She bit back a chuckle as he attempted to balance his plate on his forearm and pour his own drink.
She then offered, "Here, I'll hold your plate while you pour the lemonade."
She then placed her drink in the crook of her arm and took his plate with her free hand. He then poured his drink and picked it up before he took back his plate.
He then raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend's expression and surmised, "I know that look, and I know what you're going to say. I've heard about 100 times in the last two years."
Alena giggled before she said, "I don't mean it, but it is kind of funny. I get that you can't write with your right hand, but you're so awkward whenever you use it for anything else."
"You do realize that most people favor one hand over the other," Gideon posed with a tilt of his head.
She rolled her eyes before she told him, "Of course I do - but that doesn't mean they can't use their other one."
At that, he only let out a sigh. He then spoke, "You know I love you - but there's no way I could ever hope to win an argument with you. Let's just go join Henry."
Alena peered at him for a few moments before she simply nodded her agreement. The two of them then walked over to where he sat.
Gideon pulled out the chair closest to the window and waited as his girlfriend edged past him and took a seat. He then sat down in the chair next to hers.
Henry looked at them in confusion, so Gideon explained, "Alena likes to sit by the window. I was here first, so I just thought I'd do the polite thing."
"Or he's just trying to earn brownie points for calling me stubborn," Alena teased before she took a sip of her drink.
"I didn't say you were stubborn - I said I couldn't win an argument with you," Gideon protested before he took a bite of his food.
Henry then chimed in: "That's pretty much the same thing. Like Hook saying Mom doesn't listen to him."
Alena and Gideon couldn't help but chuckle before she said, "Just don't let her hear you say that."
With a tilt of his head, Henry considered his sister's words. He then conceded, "You're probably right."
"Mm-hmm," Alena hummed. She then playfully added, "I usually am," earning eye rolls from her boyfriend and brother.
She then let out a chuckle before she continued, "Yeah. Mom doesn't really like being told she's stubborn."
"Neither do you," Gideon muttered before he ate a few bites of his food. Unfortunately for him, Alena heard him and elbowed him in the ribs.
He groaned slightly as she wore a satisfied smirk – while Henry shook his head. He then asked his sister, "Thought of your favorite Star Wars yet?"
She nodded as she swallowed a bite of food. She then spoke, "I've got to go with the original trilogy. I just love how we're in the thick of the Rebel cause and how we see Luke become a hero."
With a nod, Henry told her, "I'm kind of impressed that you came up with a good reason. I just thought you were just gonna wing it and hope I didn't ask you too much."
Gideon laughed before he said, "I'm a bit surprised myself. I thought she'd do the same," before he took the green beans from her plate.
Alena rolled her eyes before she defended, "You guys do realize I have actually watched all the movies, and I do enjoy them. But there's so many of them that I can't always keep them straight."
"It's okay. I get it," Henry assured her with a smile. She smiled back before he teased, "But don't think I'm gonna go easy on you during our next marathon."
"Which is code for you won't be falling asleep this time," Gideon chimed in before taking a sip of lemonade.
Alena only sighed before she tried to defend, "It's not my fault that your arm made such a good pillow," shrugging as she did so.
"I quite remember. My arm had gone completely numb, but I didn't want to move it and wake you," Gideon began. He ate a spoonful of potato salad before he continued, "You only woke when Henry yelled something at the screen."
For his part, the teenager only shrugged his defense as he continued to eat. Alena and Gideon smiled and shook their heads.
After munching on chicken, lasagna, green beans, carrots, and potato salad for a few minutes, Alena then said, "So, Henry, wanna tell me about sailing with Mom and Dad."
Henry nodded as he sipped on his drink. He then adopted a smirk and told her, "Hook got us lost when we were going to that spot with the view of the house."
Alena stared at her brother with wide eyes and a slightly slack jaw. She gestured with her fork and stated, "There is no way Dad got lost. Between all the years he's been a captain - along with being a lieutenant in the royal navy - he's pretty much an expert navigator."
"I know! I really don't know what happened, but we ended up near that sandbar on the other side. You know, the one where we had that picnic after you first came here."
The blonde placed her chin in her hand as a thoughtful expression formed on her face. A few moments later, she reminisced, "I remember that. It was a lot of fun," smiling at him.
She then took a deep breath and surmised, "But those two spots are pretty far apart. Frankly, I'm not sure how Dad managed it either."
Gideon then interjected, "What did Hook say when you all realized you were lost?"
"Something about how he changed his mind but wanted it to be a surprise," Henry answered with a shrug. He then chuckled and added, "But Mom used her superpower so she knew he was lying. But she let him off easy."
Alena - and Gideon - couldn't help but chuckle. She then teased, "Well, he does have a reputation to uphold."
The three of them then burst out laughing, drawing attention to themselves as quite a few gathered turned their attention toward them. The laughter subsided, and everyone resumed their meals and conversations.
Gideon then commented, "At any rate, Henry, you still had fun sailing with your mother and stepfather. And you're getting rather good at it."
He smiled at that. He then nodded toward his sister and spoke, "Alena's pretty good, too - even if Hook still has to help her steer sometimes."
With a roll of her eyes, Alena defended, "The Jolly Roger is a huge ship - it was the pride of the navy for goodness sake."
Henry laughed while Gideon kissed the side of her head and ran his hand up and down her back.