Operation: Parent Trap - A Captain Swan Story

Part 4/7

Three years ago, Rumple died and Belle was left with his store. The twins were in school and Killian was looking for something to do to fill his days before having to pick them up. Belle had asked him to run the store. He had been reluctant at first. Running his dead archenemy's store wasn't exactly his lifelong dream, but he wanted to help Belle and he needed something to keep him busy.

Killian heard the door swing open to the shop and was surprised to see his father-in-law walk in.

"David. Good to see you."

David came to stand in front of Killian, who stood behind the counter.

"Mary Margaret told me what our grandchildren have been up to."

"Aye, they've been quite duplicitous," Killian said with a nod of his head.

"They want their parents back together. They want their family whole again. Can you blame them?"

Killian shook his head. "No. I want the same thing."

"For the record, so do I. I know when you and Emma first fell in love, I was slow to accept your relationship. I didn't think you were good enough for my daughter. But I couldn't have been more wrong, Killian. You're the best thing that's ever happened to Emma. Being with you is the happiest I've ever seen her. And Mary Margaret and I have loved having you as a part of our family."

"I've loved being a part of your family too. It was wonderful having a family again."

"Mary Margaret and I want you to know that no matter what happens between you and our daughter that we will always consider you a part of our family."

Killian smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

"With that said, I'll remind you of what it means to be a part of this family. We never give up, remember? That applies to love above all."

"I have no intention of giving up on your daughter," Killian said. "Emma has agreed to talk about our problems directly and try to work things out."

"She's scared, Killian. You know how hard it was for her to open herself up to love again. And when you two started growing apart, instead of addressing your issues head-on, her response was to run."

Killian nodded. "We both made mistakes."

"Letting you go was the hardest thing she's ever done. I know she's afraid of getting hurt again if you aren't able to work things out."

"Aye. I understand her fear."

"You need to find a way to make her believe that giving your marriage a second chance is worth the risk."

Killian bobbed his head. "I know."

David patted his son-in-law's shoulder. "There was a time when I believed Mary Margaret and I wouldn't get a second chance and look at us now. I believe you'll get yours too. True love always wins, right?"

Killian nodded, as David offered him a comforting smile and then walked out of the shop. He could only hope David was right.

...

Liam and Ella had a stroke of luck with the next part of their plan. They had been trying to recreate their mother being trapped in the ice cave by Elsa and their father helping to rescue her, but they hadn't been able to figure out how.

Lucky for them, a few days after they had visited Granny's diner, her walk-in freezer had broken down. Granny needed to move all of the food out and use it before it went bad. So she had offered free ice cream to anyone who helped her clear out the freezer.