Emma fidgeted in the passenger seat of the rental car. She stared at the "Crimson Lights" sign that hung on the brick building.
Killian grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers. He gave her hand a squeeze.
"It's going to be alright, Swan. Why are you so nervous, love?"
She sighed. "I don't even know. I guess it…just feels like a big deal."
Before he could answer, Anna Elizabeth popped her head between their seats.
"Come on, Mom - she's your mom. She loves you, and wanted us to come for a visit."
Killian cocked an eyebrow as he turned toward his daughter.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion, Anna Elizabeth."
The teenage girl only shrugged. "I was only trying to help."
"It's okay, Killian. She does have a point," Emma spoke as she smiled. She then took a breath.
"But your dad also has a point. You're still just a kid - you don't have to fix everything."
Anna Elizabeth tilted her head. "I guess you're right - but I won't be a kid forever."
"So you like to remind us," Killian quipped as he grinned at her. She rolled her eyes.
He then told her, "Help us wake your brother so we can all head inside."
Anna Elizabeth then turned to Liam, who slept against the window. She gently shook him.
"Liam, wake up. We're here."
The little boy didn't budge. Killian couldn't help but grin at his wife.
"Like mother, like son."
She shook her head. "I'm not the one who sleeps through his alarm. I will never understand how anyone could sleep through "You Give Love a Bad Name."
He only shrugged before she turned to their son. She shook him a little harder.
"Liam, come on. Let's get some hot chocolate."
His blue-green eyes fluttered open. "Chocolate?" he repeated.
Emma smiled and shook her head. "Hot chocolate, Liam. Remember how I told you that we were meeting my mom and Dylan at a coffee shop."
"Oh." His eyes then lit up. "Will they put whipped cream and cinnamon on it like Ruby does?"
Emma - as well as Killian and Anna Elizabeth - let out a laugh. Liam then tumbled out of the car, his parents and sister following close behind.
Emma entwined her and Killian's fingers. He brought their joined hands up to his mouth and planted a kiss on it.
They shared a smile before they followed their children inside. Sharon waved at them from a booth.
Liam bounded up to her. "Hi, Grandma! I got to ride on an airplane. It was so cool."
Sharon's eyes widened before she blinked a few times. She then took a deep breath.
"I fly on airplanes all the time - they are pretty cool."
She then turned to the rest of them. "And did you all enjoy the flight as much as Liam?"
Emma couldn't help but chuckle. "Probably not as much - but it was a good flight."
Sharon smiled. She then gestured toward the round booth.
"Please have a seat. Our drinks should be here shortly - I hope it's okay that I ordered for everyone."
As the four of them slid into the booth, Killian offered, "I'm sure you did just fine, love. Although Emma is rather picky about her hot chocolate."
Dylan grinned as he gestured toward his wife. "It must run in the family - Sharon is the same way with her frappuccinos. All of the baristas have it down to a science."
Sharon - and Emma - both rolled their eyes while Killian and Dylan chuckled.
Liam then piped up, "I love hot chocolate, Mommy. Can I get some?"
Sharon smiled at the little boy. "As it happens, I remembered your mommy telling me how much you loved hot chocolate, so I made sure to get you some, too."
He smiled from ear to ear. He then tilted his head.
"What did you get for Daddy and Anna Elizabeth?"
"I kind of wanted to know that, too," the teenage girl offered as she rested her chin in her hands.
"I ordered you both a hot tea. Something a little stronger and slightly more bitter for your father and something a little sweeter for you. With lots of honey."
Emma blinked. "That's…pretty impressive, Mom. I have to admit I'm a little surprised you remembered all of that."
Sharon couldn't help but smile. "Actually, I was, too. But, it's the same way in designing clothes - every detail matters, and this is way more important."
Emma returned her smile. A phone then went off; she reached in her pocket to grab it - and then furrowed her eyebrows.
"That…wasn't me."
"It was me," Anna Elizabeth piped up as she reached for her own phone. A blush then spread across her cheeks as she read the text message.
She then let out a giggle as she typed out a message in return. She then slid her phone back into her pocket.
Her face was still a bit red as she asked, "So, uh, what were we talking about?" She rubbed her hands together.
Killian crossed his arms over his chest. "I take it Nathan had something important to say?"
"Killian," Emma began as she ran her hand up and down his arm. "You're doing it again."
"Doing what?" he questioned, his arms still crossed over his chest.
"Being overprotective," Anna Elizabeth interjected as she waved her hands. "Nathan and I are friends."
"Yes, well, I'm sure there are a number of lads his own age he can be friends with - and not my daughter."
Emma smacked his arm as Liam piped up, "I think Anna Elizabeth's boyfriend is nice."
Anna Elizabeth blushed while Killian raked his fingers through his hair. He then cleared his throat.
"I'm just gonna go check on our drinks."
He scooted past the others before he stood and made his way over to the counter.
Sharon looked back and forth between her son-in-law and her daughter. She then took a breath and asked, "Is…he okay, Emma? He, uh, seems…out of sorts."
Emma waved her hand. "Yeah, he'll be fine. He's just very overprotective over the kids. He's, uh, a little more…uh, anxious when it comes to Anna Elizabeth and boys."
The teenager in question rolled her eyes. "We're not even dating or anything. Can't he just chill?"
Dylan then spoke, "If I may add something - my dad was just as overprotective. Probably even a little more so because he retired out of the Marines - but his heart was always in the right place. He just wanted to protect me - and so does Killian. And my dad learned to take it a little easier, and I'm sure yours will, too."
Anna Elizabeth smiled. "Thanks, Dylan." He returned her smile before Killian rejoined them.
He passed out everyone's drinks. When he placed Anna Elizabeth's in front of her, he stopped and squeezed her shoulder.
"I'm sorry I overreacted, love. I will try to learn to be…okay with yours and Nathan's…friendship."
She smiled. "Thanks, Dad. I know you will." He returned her smile before he slid back into the booth.