Wrapping paper and colorful bags strewn across the grass. Emma and Killian - with the help of Mary Margaret and Robin - endeavored to clean while Anna Elizabeth and Liam played with and shared their new toys.
After Killian carried the trash bags away, Emma's gaze drifted toward one of the tables.
"Ready to cut the cake?"
Her husband grinned. "I think perhaps they must blow out the candles first."
She rolled her eyes. "You know what I meant."
He only hummed before he folded his hands behind his back and strolled over and joined his sister.
Robin couldn't help but chuckle as he sidled up next to Emma. She planted her hands on her hips.
"Sometimes I don't know why I put up with him."
He smiled. "Call me a romantic, but I believe it's because you're quite in love with him. And you were long before you could ever admit it."
She turned to look at him and returned his smile. They then joined everyone else.
Emma then furrowed her eyebrows when she missed blonde curls and black hair. Panic surged. She rushed over to her husband.
"Killian, where are our kids?"
He ran his fingers through her hair. "Shh, Swan, they're alright. Anna Elizabeth wanted to push Liam on the swing."
She breathed a sigh of relief and rested her head against his chest. She then looked up and tilted her head.
"But weren't they just playing with everyone?"
"Aye, love. But Anna Elizabeth informed me that her brother told her that he wanted to swing. Who am I to argue?"
Emma smiled and shook her head before her gaze found them. She caught sight of their laughter and her smile only grew. The cake could surely wait.
Anna Elizabeth laughed as she pushed Liam higher. He let out a squeal of delight.
When he came back down, she ran around and stopped in front of him. She bent down on his level.
"Isn't this so much fun, Liam?"
He giggled and clapped his hands in response.
Anna Elizabeth beamed at her brother. "I'm glad you love it, Liam. I love it, too."
He cooed and gurgled as he rocked back and forth in the swing. The little blonde jumped up and asked him, "Do you want to go again?"
"Go!" he squealed as he rocked back and forth again. She then nodded and rushed behind him.
She then grabbed the chains and pulled backwards. "3, 2, 1 - and go!"
More laughter erupted as he flew into the air. Anna Elizabeth then shouted, "You're flying, Liam! Just like Peter Pan and Captain Hook!"
"Yee!" Liam squealed. His sister then replied, "I know - Hook is a meanie, but I love the Jolly Roger. And Mr. Smee is funny."
He cooed and gurgled once more, waving his hands all around.
"You think he's funny, too? I knew you would."
She then let out a giggle. "Daddy Killian is funny, too. He always says funny things."
The swing then slowed to a stop. Anna Elizabeth skipped back in front of her baby brother.
"I don't know how much longer we can swing, Liam - but I'll push you if you want to."
The little boy looked at her with big blue-green eyes. He then reached for her with both arms.
"You're ready to go? Okay."
She grabbed him underneath the arms and lifted - when Killian rushed over to her.
"Love, we've talked about this - your mother or I have to be with you if you want to carry Liam."
She shook her head. "I'm nine years old now - I can carry him by myself."
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He then bent down on her level.
"I know you are growing up, and I love how you want to help with Liam. But he is still a baby, and I just want you to be careful."
"He's my little brother – I promise I'll be careful, Daddy Killian."
"I know you will be, Anna Elizabeth. But perhaps I could still help, hmm?"
As she eyed him - and crossed her arms over her chest - an image of his brother flashed in his mind.
"She really is just as bloody stubborn as he was."
The little girl then took a deep breath. "Okay, Daddy Killian. I'm sorry – you can help."
He smiled and kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you agree, Anna Elizabeth – you need to learn to let us help more often."
She only nodded as he rose to his feet. He then turned to his son - who squealed and reached for him. "Da-da!"
Killian smiled. "Hello, little lad. Are you ready for some cake?"
"Cay!" he shouted, making his father - and his sister - chuckle. Killian then lifted him from the swing and cradled him in his arms.
"Alright, Liam, your sister is going to carry you. Don't give her a hard time." A grin spread across his features.
She giggled. She then reached for her brother. "Come here, Liam."
Killian carefully passed the little boy to her. She took him in her arms, placing one arm under his bottom and the other around his back. Killian held her arms in place.
She then looked up at him. "You can let go, now, Daddy Killian. I'm okay."
He took a deep breath, his blue eyes roaming between his children. With a nod, he eased his hands away.
Anna Elizabeth struck up another conversation with Liam as they joined the party, all the while trying to keep her hair away from him.
Killian smiled as he watched them. He tucked his hands into his jeans and followed them.
"Mommy Emma! Liam wants cake!"
The blonde couldn't help but grin. "Just Liam?"
Anna Elizabeth tilted her head. "I want cake, too. Chocolate's my favorite."
Emma hummed before she reached for her little boy. Anna Elizabeth stepped backward.
"Can I help put him in his highchair?"
With a tilt of her head, Emma considered her daughter's words. Killian then sidled up beside her and rubbed his hand along the small of her back.
"I think Anna Elizabeth will be a marvelous help, love."
"Yep!" the nine-year-old agreed with a bob of her head. Her blonde curls bounced with the movement.
Emma smiled. "Alright, kid, come on." Anna Elizabeth beamed before the three of them walked over to the highchair.
Emma removed the tray and placed it on the table. She hovered close by as Anna Elizabeth placed Liam in the chair.
"Liam, stop moving! You have to be buckled."
He continued to squirm as his sister endeavored to hold him. Emma chuckled as she intervened.
"Alright, wiggle worm, stop giving Anna Elizabeth a hard time."
She buckled him in the highchair before she replaced the tray. She smiled and shook her head when he banged his hands up and down.
When she turned back to Anna Elizabeth, the little girl stood with crossed arms and a frown. Emma bent down on her level.
"Hey, kid, what have me and your daddy told you about needing help?"
Anna Elizabeth continued to frown. She then sighed as her arms fell to her sides.
"That everyone needs help sometimes. And it's okay that they do."
Emma smiled. "That's right. It's important that you remember that."
Anna Elizabeth nodded. "I will, Mommy Emma." Her blue eyes roamed around the table, landing on the cakes.
"Do you need help with the cakes?"
Emma ruffled her blonde curls. "I got it, kid, but thank you. You can go play with your friends."
She bobbed her head before she ran off. She nearly mowed down Killian in the process.
"Sorry, Daddy Killian!" she called out over her shoulder.
He couldn't help but laugh as he rejoined his wife. He kissed her on the cheek.
"I miss anything, love? Robin needed me for a moment."
Emma readied the cakes as she answered, "Just that independent streak coming out to play."
"Aye, with me as well. She is rather like her mother in that way."
A grin then passed over his features. "And rather like you, darling."
She rolled her eyes. She then pointed out, "Like I reminded her, everyone needs help sometimes - but then, there are also times where we are perfectly capable on our own."
He only hummed as another grin made its way across his face. "I'll just gather everyone for the cake, Swan."
He didn't give her a chance to respond before he headed back across the grass. She rolled her eyes again. Mary Margaret and Regina then walked over to her.
The pixie-haired brunette asked, "Can we do anything to help?"
"I…think I've got it," Emma answered as she lit the candles. She then turned to them.
"All that's left is cake."
"Well, I hope it's soon, otherwise Jamie and Roland might stage a mutiny," Regina quipped with crossed arms.
Emma threw her head back and laughed. Regina raised both eyebrows.
"Would you like to share with the class?"
The blonde waved her hands. "I'm sorry. It's just that you give me and Killian so much grief about the pirate thing, and you just used "mutiny" in a sentence."
Regina sighed and planted her hands on her hips. "Yes, well, Roland likes those movies, too. Finds Jack Sparrow amusing."
"Captain," Emma corrected - and she couldn't help but grin. She received an eye roll in response.
Mary Margaret shook her head and smiled at the exchange. She then offered, "If you two are finished, we probably should get started with the cake."
"I think my lovely sister-in-law has a point. Let's get started, shall we?" Killian spoke with a grin of his own as he slipped in next to his wife. He put an arm around her waist.
She only hummed before she called for everyone's attention. Anna Elizabeth ran over to her.
"Is it time for cake?"
"Yep, kid, it is. Go stand behind the table."
She nodded and sprinted off - only to stop in her tracks.
"What about Liam?"
He stopped banging on his highchair and looked up at the sound of his name.
Killian stepped over and ran his fingers through the little boy's dark hair. He then asked, "What about him, love?"
"He can't blow out the candles by himself."
Killian - and Emma - couldn't help but smile. She then reassured her, "We will help him, kid. And then he gets to smash his cake."
"Cay!" Liam shouted and raised his arms, causing chuckles among his family.
"Indeed, lad. I think you'll rather enjoy it."
He then shuffled over to the table and grabbed the cake. He then furrowed his eyebrows and took his phone from his pocket.
Emma tilted her head. "Ruby's taking tons of pictures for us. I think she's got it covered."
He shook his head. "No, darling, that isn't it. I told Anna that I'd video this bit and send it to her. I thought someone could lend a helping hand."
She face palmed. "Ugh. I told my dad I'd do the same thing throughout the party. Now what am I gonna do?"
"It's quite alright, Swan. I'm sure he'll understand. Just video this part, and he'll be more than happy."
She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. She stared down the phone in her hand, a question on her lips - when Mary Margaret interrupted, "I will take the video while you two focus on the kids."
Before either of them could answer, Anna Elizabeth piped up, "Can we go, please? I want cake."
The kids present echoed her sentiment, earning more chuckles. Killian then eased the cake over to the highchair while Emma rounded the table and joined Anna Elizabeth. Emma and Killian exchanged looks before they counted, "1, 2, 3 - make a wish!"
Anna Elizabeth closed her eyes - a huge smile playing across her features. She then took a breath and blew out all nine candles. Her blue eyes then opened and darted toward Liam, who continued to stare at his lone candle.
"Blow it out, Liam!" she shouted, capturing his attention. He looked back and forth between his sister and the cake.
Killian chuckled as he knelt down to help his son. His blue eyes widened when Liam grabbed a chunk of cake and stuffed it in his mouth.
Laughter erupted. Killian smiled and shook his head - he then took a breath when Anna Elizabeth barreled into him.
"Wait, Daddy Killian! He has to try it himself."
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, but your brother is far more interested in the cake itself."
Anna Elizabeth only ran to the other side of the highchair. "Liam! You have to try to blow out the candle."
He stared at her before he reached for more cake and offered it to her.
She shook her head before she pointed at the candle. "Make the fire go out."
She then formed her mouth in an "o" and blew. Liam copied the movement - only for cake crumbs to slide down his chin.
Anna Elizabeth giggled. "You tried, Liam. And it was a good try. So, I'll help you."
She then turned to the cake. She closed her eyes once more before she took a breath and blew out the candle.
A smile brightened her features as she turned back to her brother. She wrapped him in a hug.
"I'll tell you the wish I made for you later. It's a secret. Happy birthday, Liam."
She then pulled away - and wiped the cake off of her - before she sprinted back toward Emma.
Killian wore a smile as he still kneeled beside the highchair. He then ruffled his son's hair.
"You've got a pretty great sister, lad - just like I have Aunt Belle. And I can tell you that sisters can be rather annoying at times - but they also make great friends."
Liam never looked up from his cake. With a smile and a shake of his head, Killian walked over to help Emma serve the cake.
When Mary Margaret walked by to grab her piece, she handed Killian his phone. She smiled.
"The video turned out wonderful. Anna and Nick will love it."
Emma and Killian returned her smile. The brunette then took a bite of her cake before she joined them behind the table.
"Alright, you two grab a piece of cake and enjoy the party."
"We really don't mind, Mary Margaret. It's our kids' party."
"All the more reason for you to enjoy it. Now go."
She practically shoved them out of the way before she resumed the task of cutting the cake.