When he returned to Emma, he slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. She turned to him and cupped his cheek.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course, darling, I'm fine."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Killian."

He let out a sigh. "Just when I think I'll be okay, I get another reminder of how fast she's growing up – and of how much she reminds me of Liam."

Emma wrapped him in a hug. "I know."

They stayed embraced until they heard their son's cries, followed by: "Daddy Killian! Mommy Emma!"

Emma turned her eyes toward the kids. "I'll go check on them. You can head back to the table."

"Alright, love. Sounds good." He pecked her cheek once more. He stuck his hands in his pockets before he walked back over to the table.

Ruby wandered around the park and snapped a few final photos, while Wendy held Danny and ran her fingers through his hair and cooed softly.

"Is the lad alright?" Killian asked.

She nodded. "He just had a bit of a fall as he played. Just shook him up more than anything."

Belle then returned to the table. She bent down and handed Danny a sippy cup. "Here you go - I got some apple juice for you."

The little boy took it and took a hearty sip. He then snuggled back into his mother's side.

"Still a bit shy, isn't he? I thought he would have warmed up to us by now."

Belle then nudged her brother's shoulder. "As I recall, we both spent a fair bit of time hiding behind Mum and Dad's legs."

He scratched behind his ear. Wendy then interjected, "Forgive me if I find that very hard to believe, Killian."

He let out a laugh. He then grinned. "Suffice to say I grew out of it around when puberty hit."

Wendy and Belle shook their heads. Emma returned and cocked an eyebrow.

She then turned to her husband. "What did you say now?"

"Nothing worth you becoming irate, darling." He kissed her forehead. He then asked her, "How are the children?"

"They're good. He just needed to be changed - David and Mary Margaret then took him to join the other kids on the playground."

"I actually might take Danny back over. He's feeling better now - I will see you all later."

Wendy then waved them off as they did the same. Belle then bid her goodbye as well.

"I'm leaving first thing in the morning. I wanted to catch up with some friends before the party starts winding down."

"So, you'll just leave your dear older brother?"

The brunette shook her head before Killian pulled her in for a hug. "I'll see you in a bit, love." "You too, Killian."

She then pulled Emma in for a hug and wished the same. She then weaved around the tables.

Emma then chuckled. Killian tilted his head.

"What's so funny, Swan?"

She waved her hand. "Just that Anna Elizabeth insisted that Liam wanted to play with everyone."

"Oh, did he now? I must have missed the part where the lad began using full sentences."

He and Emma both chuckled before he spoke, "She does rather fancy herself as his keeper - I'm not quite sure that she can't read his mind."

The blonde shrugged. "Maybe she can."

Her green eyes then wandered over to the playground. She smiled as she watched Anna Elizabeth carry Liam to see all of his cousins - and meet all of her friends (with Mary Margaret hovering behind her).

She gestured to her husband. "You were right, Killian – she really is growing up so fast."

"Oh, Swan, I'm not sure I needed yet another reminder of that today. I can barely stand the thought."

She wrapped her arms around him. "I know - and I do know just how hard today has been - but the fact remains that the pirate princess costume won't fit much longer."

He sighed once more. "I suppose we're rather lucky she wanted a theme party this year."

Emma hummed and squeezed him tighter. "She'll always need her dad, Killian. Always."

He curled his arms around her waist before he planted a kiss into her hair and smiled into it.

"Oh, Emma, I really don't know what I would do without you."

"You'll never have to find out."

She then pulled away and entwined their fingers. He squeezed her hand before she laid her head on his shoulder.

Their gazes then wandered over to their children - smiles made their way on both their faces as they thought about just how incredibly lucky they were.