Secrets

Chapter 9

At 5:30 Emma and Killian walked into the dinner followed by a group of strangers the others didn't recognize.  Emma sat down across from Henry with Killian next to her.  The other three pushed a table up to the booth and sat down with a chorus of hellos.  Regina smiled and Henry was a bundle of energy as names were exchanged.

"Wow, so you all have sailed with Killian!" Henry exclaimed excitedly.

"Sure have kid." answered the brow haired girl, Delilah.

"Did he really loose his hand to a crocodile?" asked Henry.

"Crocodile?" Delilah asked looking across at Killian and for once noticing the gleaming metal where his left hand should be.

"Oh right, yeah his hand was taken by a nasty man who we all called crocodile cause of he always wore a crocodile coat." laughed Smead as he took another swig from his beer.

Emma raised an eyebrow, "Maybe you should slow down with the drinks Smead."

Killian shook his head as Smead downed the rest of his beer and then asked Ruby for some water.  Emma let her head lay on his shoulder lost in the moment of family bliss.  This is what she had missed those ten lonely years.   Laughter and the warmth of a family surrounding her. Henry nibbled at another chicken nugget and Regina smiled at the couple across from her as she took a bite of salad.

"So, mom, is Killian your boyfriend now?" asked Henry as he took a swig of water.

Emma looked across at her son surprised, "Well uh..."

"Can she be boy?" asked Killian with a knowing smile.

"Sure, you're good for her Hook. She smiles more when you're with her." replied Henry as he took a bite of mac 'n cheese.

Emma smiled as Killian replied, "Thanks kid, I'll take good care of her."

"I bet you will." laughed Delilah.

The other adults laughed while Emma blushed and Killian smirked.  Ruby smiled from her spot leaning against the counter.  Her grandmother bustled up next to her and looked across at the smiling family.  She shook her head and nudged her granddaughter.

"I give it a month and those two will be married." Granny smirked.

Ruby smiled, "We'll just have to wait and see."

Granny looked and Ruby, "What aren't you telling me?"

Ruby smiled and whispered into her grandmother's ear the little secret.  Granny covered her mouth to stifle a laugh as she watched the happy family.  Ruby smiled brightly and hugged her grandma.  The door opened and Snow walked in, alone.  Emma looked up as the laughter died down.  Snow smiled shyly and approached the group.

"Room for one more?" she asked shyly.

"Of course, this is your family too." answered Regina surprising the others.

Delilah shifted over so Snow could slide in by Henry. Snow smiled at the strangers.

"Names Delilah," said the woman to her left as she held out a hand, "Pleasure to meet yah."

Snow smiled and shook her hand, "Snow White."

The others quickly introduced themselves to Snow and explained they were from Killian's crew.  Regina smiled as Snow began to relax and ordered a sandwich from Ruby.  Granny brought the sandwich out and greeted Snow.  Soon the dwarves came in from working in the mine and said their hellos before claiming their spots at the counter as Granny brought out a line of soup for them.  A few minutes later David walked in and stopped surprised to see Emma and everyone there.  He looked the other way and took a spot at the counter.  Delilah sighed and stood.

"Delilah?" asked Emma.

"He's family too Em." Delilah stated.

Emma nodded and Killian slung his good arm around her shoulders.  Delilah walked over and tapped David on the shoulder.  David took a deep breath and looked at her.  He jumped slightly, surprised it wasn't Snow.  Delilah smiled at him.

"Uh, hello?" David greeted.

"Names Delilah.  You must be Em's dad." Delilah greeted as she held out her hand.

"Uh, yeah.  You can call me David." he answered shaking her hand.

"Well, come sit with us will yah.  Mind yourself though, one more swipe at Killian and I won't be the only one looking to deck yah." Delilah answered before grabbing anther chair and setting it between hers and Snow's.

David took a step towards the table then rubbed the back of his neck.  Emma and Killian stared at him as he shuffled over and sat in the assigned chair.  Regina smirked as David dug into the soup Granny sat before him.  Snow sighed and resumed eating her sandwich.

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The moon was just breaching the tree tops when Emma and the others had made it back to the docks.  The crew quickly went below deck to find their old bunks and settle in or the night.  Emma waved to them and the leaned on the rail, staring off at the rising moon.  Her breath came out in puffs of mist.  Killian walked up and wrapped his arms around her waist.  Emma leaned back against his chest and sighed contently.

"Somethin' weighing  on your mind?"  Killian asked.

"Not really, it's just nice to have everyone together again." replied Emma as she twisted a strand of hair in her fingers.

"But?" prompted Killian.

"I don't like lying to Snow and David." sighed Emma.

"I know, but we agreed that it's for the best right now that they don't know everything.  Besides, Rumpelstiltskin is a threat too.  If he knew the truth..."  Killian sighed.

"I know," Emma turned and took Killian's hook into her hands, "But I still prefer the real you."

Killian smiled softly as Emma pressed her lips to the cool metal.  With a shimmer, the hook dissolved into a hand of flesh and blood.  Killian cupped Emma's face between his hands and kissed her softly.  Emma pressed closer and deepened the kiss as his hands tangled in her hair.