Cloudless Skies

Chapter 16

Three Weeks Later...

Emma and Killian went around trying to find where Brennan Jones was, or even trying to see if he was even around. With each passing day, Killian would get discouraged because no one knew anything. But, seeing Emma, determined to help, gave him the little sliver of hope he needed to keep going. And, all their progress paid off in the end, when they went up to a curly haired man at a farmer's market. Emma tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around. They were met with a pair of bright blue eyes. His face was smooth, with no trace of facial hair on his cheeks. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Can I help you?" He asked in a British accent.

"Yeah, actually. Do you know where we could find a Brennan Jones?" Emma asked.

The man stood up straighter. "Who's asking?"

"Killian Jones. I'm his son," Killian said.

"No bloody way," the man mumbled under his breath.

"Is there a problem?" Emma asked.

"No, no. I just, never thought that I would see you again, little brother."

"Pardon me?" Killian asked.

"Where are my manners? I'm Liam Jones. Brennan's oldest son." He held out his hand and shook Killian's. "It's been a long time."

"You've met me before?"

"Before you were born, yes." A hint of a smile formed on Killian's face. "I guess we should get you acquainted with Father then."

They then walked out of the farmer's market and up the hill where a small house sat. A fence surrounded it and smoke came from the chimney. Killian started to shake. Just thinking about meeting his real family. Emma squeezed his hand reassuringly and they followed Liam to the cottage. They went inside and followed him to the kitchen where a man with black hair sat. He wore old clothes, but the house was very clean. The perfect place to live.

"Liam, you're back early," he said with the same British accent. He stood up from the chair and turned around, pausing when he saw the new faces. "And you brought company."

"Killian Jones," Killian said, holding his hand out to shake it with the man standing in front of him. "This is Emma Swan."

"Killian?" Brennan questioned with a whisper. Tears forming in his eyes. He suddenly hugged Killian and held him tight. "I never thought I would see you again."

"Can someone please tell me what happened?"

Brennan pulled back and nodded. "Why don't we go to the sitting room and I can explain everything?" Killian nodded and followed Liam and Brennan. Him and Emma sat on the sofa side by side while Brennan sat in the opposite chair, and Liam remained standing by the fireplace. "It started when my brother got promoted and owned a manufacturing company for cars. He was making money. More money than me and your Mum. We were struggling with Liam, and to raise him on our own. But, when she fell pregnant with you, we couldn't keep up. I made a deal with my brother. Cole. And he said that he would help us with money, if I gave him my youngest son. I refused, but he insisted. After you were born, I woke up in the middle of the night. Everything was too quiet. I went to check on you in your room, but you were gone. In place, was an envelope of cash. My brother kidnapped you and claimed to be your real father to the authorities. There was nothing I could do. I had lost my son. Cole gave me a monthly payment to keep my mouth shut." Brennan looked up at Killian with tears in his eyes. "Your mother passed away a few years later of a broken heart, and it has been just me and Liam since. I wasn't allowed to come and see you. Cole feared that I would try to take you back. But, Killian, I am so sorry. I failed you as a father, and there is no way for me to make up that lost time."

"I'm not mad at you," Killian said after a few minutes of silence. "I'm mad at Cole. He tried to ruin my life. He was going to have me marry a woman that I didn't love, all so he could have more money. But, as he sent me on The Jewel of the Realm, he had no idea that he was ruining his own life. He... Fell overboard and Emma and I have been trying to find you ever since."

Emma remained silent. She kept her hand firmly locked on Killian's. It was as if meeting his real family made their relationship more real. Noticing her silence, Killian nudged her with his shoulder. She looked up and smiled. "I'm going to get some air. Excuse me." She stood up and went outside.

"Who is she to you, son?" Brennan asked as he leaned back in the chair.

"My girlfriend. I want to propose to her soon."

"You might want to go and talk to her. She seems a little nervous."

"Probably because she is meeting my real family. The only family that matters to me now," he said as he walked outside.

Emma heard him shout, "the only family that matters to me now," and she couldn't breathe then. "Hey, love. You okay?" She shook her head and leaned against the wall. She was trying to take deep breaths to get fresh oxygen in her lungs. "Emma?"

"Can't... Breathe," she choked out in between gasps.

Killian knelt down in front of her and grabbed her hands. "Listen to my voice, Emma. I've got you. Everything's okay. You're going to be fine. Just relax, okay? Can you do that for me?" She nodded and he watched as she started to take deep breaths. It took a few minutes to get all of her breath back and relax entirely. "There we go. Now, can you tell me what had you so freaked out?"

She looked up into his eyes with tears in hers. "I'm pregnant."