Operation: Parent Trap - A Captain Swan Story

Part 2/7

Emma sighed as she entered the house, still holding Killian's jacket in her arms. She dropped her keys onto the table by the door, her eyes moving to the family picture that sat on it. It was of a trip to the beach when the twins were four. They all looked so happy together. They were a family.

As a child, Emma had always wanted a family. A real family she could go on vacations with and count on whenever she needed them. She didn't get that family until she was an adult and it certainly wasn't the family she had imagined. But they were supportive and loving. When she married Killian and they began to discuss having children, they were both very clear. They wanted to give their children the childhood they never had. Two loving parents who they could always count on, who would always be there for them. If this divorce went through, then they would have failed their children. The mere thought tore at both of them.

Emma's gaze moved to her wedding picture. She smiled through her tears as she brought her finger up and ran it across Killian's face. That was the second best day of her life, the best being the birth of her children. She remembered it like it was yesterday. How handsome he looked in his tuxedo. How she wasn't even the slightest bit nervous because she knew she was making the right decision. They were so incredibly happy. How could things have gone so wrong?

Emma smiled a bit at the thought that they now had a second chance, but it also frightened her. She was opening herself up to getting her heart broken all over again.

With a heavy sigh, she walked upstairs and into her bedroom. She opened the closet, tears springing to her eyes at Killian's side, which stood empty. Emma knew she could spread her own clothing into his side now, but she couldn't bring herself too. It seemed wrong and so final. She looked at the jacket in her hands and brought it up to her nose. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent that lingered on it. Smiling sadly, she took a hanger off the rod, placed the jacket on it, and hung it up.

Emma was thrown from her thoughts by the sound of the door slamming downstairs.

"Mom, we're home!" the twins yelled.

Emma closed the closet door, plastered on a smile, and headed downstairs.

Ella and Liam bounded up to her, their eyes twinkling with excitement.

"How was dinner?" Ella asked.

"Good," Emma replied.

"Did Dad have a good time too?" Liam asked.

Emma dropped her gaze. "Sure. But you two better remember to ask us before making plans next time and you don't just take off like that."

"Sorry," they said in unison.

"Now it's late. Go get ready for bed."

"Mom, remember we have that birthday party tomorrow at Ultimate Quest," Ella said.

She had completely forgotten.

"Sure, I remember."

Ella and Liam exchanged a look.

"Mrs. Johnson is dropping us off, but you have to pick us up at 4," Liam added.

"Okay. Now go to bed."

Liam and Ella ran upstairs.

"Do you really think this whole thing is going to work?" Ella asked her brother.

"It's our only chance," Liam said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Okay, well, you call Dad and tell him to pick us up at 4 too," Ella instructed.

...

Killian lay on the left side of the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Even after six months, he couldn't bring himself to sleep in the middle of the bed. He still imagined Emma by his side. When they were first married, he would lie awake at night, just watching her. He was always amazed that this beautiful woman was all his. She would snuggle up close to him, placing her head on his chest or in the crook of his neck. When they began to grow apart, he noticed her getting farther and farther away from him in the bed. Now, he missed having her warm body next to his so much it physically hurt.