Once Upon A Happy Beginning

Chapter Twelve: Operation Cobra: Part 4

Emma

"Swan!" Killian yells after me as I make my way towards the suite door in a hurry, "You know I have that little cardy thing right? You can't even get in the room without it?"

"OK then, so hurry up! We need to find out exactly what happened to those two and find out everything!"

"Not yet we aren't." He says calmly, grabbing my hand with his and pulling me into his embrace, "This is the stress we wanted to avoid. And I know I was the one who told you about this but we have one night left, just tonight, before we're back to life and let's enjoy it, love." He kisses the top of my head affectionately and I guess I can see his point. "Besides, I don't think either of us have quite grasped the concept of explaining about the book without the book. Let's phone Henry tomorrow and ask his help, and I know you've been wanting to speak with him."

I nod slowly and lift my head up so that I can kiss his lips properly, "How did I end up so lucky to have you?"

"I'm the lucky one."

That night, Killian and I find ourselves curled up together, our limbs a mess of arms and legs wrapped together. I love sleeping like this. Safe. Happy. You go through so much in life and you never quite believe you can feel peaceful again, but here with Killian I am. I love him. I love Killian Jones. I love Captain Hook. I love the woman he made me. I love the man I made him. 

Henry

Mom has been away with Hook for two weeks now, and I've been staying here with my other Mom. Of course, I have my back up story that Operation Free Bird (you know, like Killian being able to fly freely and legally on a plane?) went a complete success because we can't tell Regina Mom that they went to look for Robin Hood, but it's hard when she always knows. Grandma and Grandpa have been useful, changing the subject as soon as possible when there's the slightest suspicion that we may be lying but she's my Mom. She always seems to know. 

I send a quick text to Violet, asking if she wants to go to Granny's after school on Tuesday, which is when Mom is working late and won't be able to walk in on us before I flip my phone over and try to do more work. Vi and I have had quite a good relationship for everything that went on with Jekyll and Hyde and then the Black Fairy's curse. There was a few odd times that something awkward happened like when both my Mom's watched our prom-date when they pretended they didn't. That if you ask me was worse... I'd rather they'd just sat in the booth next to us rather than going about life expecting me never to mention that I saw them. 

My phone buzzes and I turn it over quickly, heart racing in case it's from Vi but it's not. It's Mom. Mom's calling!

"Hey Mom!" I say, holding the phone to my ear and getting up to make sure my bedroom door is closed over, "How are you both? How's your tropical paradise?"

"Amazing! The water is incredible here!" I hear Hook shout through the line. I think Mom might have slapped him playfully or something because I hear him apologise, "It's all amazing, love. Just being with you is." 

"That's better." Mom says to him before talking back to me, "Listen kid, we need your help. Operation Cobra: Part 4."

Part Four! Did we even have Part 3? Wait... we did. It was when Mom was the Dark One and we had to rescue Vi's horse. I don't like thinking about that time that she was like that... like she wasn't Mom, and I know that Mom and Hook hate it more. But, we'd hate ourselves even more if we pretended like that whole time didn't exist. "What's up?" 

"We ran into some people... they're not in the book I don't think... unless maybe you can write something? I don't know... I don't know... Oh, wow, I never find myself not knowing..." 

"Mom, it's okay?" I'm not too sure why she's so concerned, but I do my best to reassure her, "Who'd you find?" I ask, hoping my excitement doesn't show too much. 

"Let's see... I don't want to always remember the day that I almost caught him... Know who it is yet?" 

"Jack Sparrow?!? You met Jack Sparrow?" My all-time favourite film, I remember watching it on repeat in New York with Mom... and honestly, I think she has a bit of a thing for men in eyeliner. Especially those that are pirates. But, I won't tell Hook that, because he's definitely a better stepdad and the best person for Mom. They're True Love anyway and you only get one True Love, so it's not worth Hook getting jealous. 

"Captain Jack Sparrow," Mom corrects, mimicking Johnny Depp's voice, "And met him... not really. But he's here. With Elizabeth Swann. I think from what Killian overheard, they've just been marooned on Rumrunner Island."

"Oh. My. God." 

"Yeah, kid, we're talking about pirates here not Chandler's love life on FRIENDS."

"You know I never really watched that, Mom. So, Operation Cobra Part 4 is to get Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann to know who they are?"

"Yes. And we have nothing to show for it. The only thing is if we can somehow get a hold of the film or whatever." 

"Let me get back to you. Code names: The Kid, The Shepherd and The Bandit will discuss and get back to you, code name: Captain Swan." 

"Hang on, hang on, hang on... How come you all get individual codenames but we're combined?"

"Does it matter? You're both together?" I hear Mom clicking the keys in the lock and I say hurriedly, "The Queen has left the throne. I repeat, the Queen has left the throne."

"Henry? We left the code book at home apparently?"

"Mom's left work. She's at home now. I've got to go. I'll phone tomorrow."

"Love you Henry!" I hang up. Something tells me Operation Cobra: Part 4 will be a tricky Operation.