When They Met

Chapter 18

It was awkward at dinner that evening. The Jones brothers were both on edge as their father sat at a place at the table that neither of them could remember when he had sat in it last. Emma felt as if she didn't belong. Mostly because she didn't. She wasn't a Jones. She shouldn't have even been there for this dinner. Killian reached over under the table and interlocked their hands together. She looked over at him and smiled. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"W-why d-did you l-leave u-us?" Killian asked directly.

"I got into some trouble with the law. I knew you both would be fine on your own. I couldn't get you into what I had gotten myself into. After all these years, I was finally able to get myself free and when I did, I knew I had to come and see my sons." He smiled, making wrinkles appear near his eyes. "So, who are you exactly?" Brennan asked turning to Emma. He had shoulder length black hair, and had a white shirt on and a brown leather jacket.

"She's m-my girlfriend." Killian said, trying his best not to stutter.

"Emma has been living with us." Liam explained. Brennan sat up straighter in his chair. "She's apart of the family. I adopted her."

Brennan nodded. "I see. How have my boys been? What have you been up to?"

"You'd know i-if y-you were h-here." Killian snapped.

"I know, and I want to make up for that. I'm here to stay, boys. To make up for lost time with my sons."

"You don't deserve that much." Liam said through clenched teeth.

"I can make it up to you, Liam. To both of you."

Killian looked over to his brother and shook his head. "I have to agree with Killian. Just because you helped in our creation, does not make us your family. You don't have any right to just barge in on us the way that you have."

"W-w-we were j-just fine without y-you." Emma reached over and put her hand on Killian's shoulder, knowing he was nervous. He only had really bad stuttering when he was scared or nervous.

"Shut the bloody hell up, boy!" Brennan shouted. "I haven't even been here for an hour and I'm sick of that stutter!"

"Don't talk about Killian like that!" Emma yelled, standing up. "You are an awful person! Leaving your sons to fend for themselves? What kind of person does that to their family?"

"The hell you know about family anyway?" Brennan yelled back.

Emma lunged over and punched Brennan in the nose. The older man flinched backwards and held his nose as blood dripped over his fingers. A scowl crossed over Brennan's face. He raised his hand up and Liam and Killian both stood up. Brennan leaned back and ran out of the house. Emma lowered her fist.

"Are you okay?" Killian asked, wrapping his hand around her arm, but didn't make a move to pull her back.

"Fine." She pulled her arm out of Killian's grasp and ran to the door.

"Swan-" He cut himself off and ran after her. She was halfway down the street when he jogged up to her. "W-what was th-that?"

"I-I don't know! I'm so so sorry, Killian! I ruined your chances of having a relationship with your dad, and I-"

Killian cut her off with a kiss. His hands were on her cheeks as he kissed her gently. "I've n-never had a r-relationship with th-that man, Emma. Y-you didn't do anything. He d-doesn't d-deserve to know u-us. And no matter h-how m-many times he t-tries, he won't g-get into our l-lives." Emma wrapped her arms around him and he didn't waste a single second to hug her back. She nuzzled her head in his chest, and he smoothed out her hair. "L-let's get back to th-the house. W-we still have an a-apple p-pie th-that needs eaten."

She laughed and they walked back to the house with his arm wrapped around her shoulders. She looked up at him, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw her and looked down. Killian smiled sweetly and brushed her nose with his. Emma giggled and kissed the tip of his nose, then his lips. He pulled away before the kiss could get so deep, that there was no point of return. They walked back into the house and Liam was in the kitchen, nursing a glass of rum.

"Are you okay, Emma?" Liam asked.

She nodded. "Fine. My hand just hurts."

"Here." Liam went to the refrigerator, and a moment later, handed her a towel. An ice bag was wrapped in the towel to serve as a homemade ice pack. "I hope that helps."

"Thank you. I'm going to go upstairs." She nodded to Liam and kissed Killian's cheek.

"Is she okay?" Liam asked Killian once she was out of earshot.

Killian shrugged. "I d-don't know. Sh-she thinks she r-ruined the chance t-t-to talk to Father again. I-I told her that w-we weren't even going to g-give him the t-time of day and th-that she shouldn't w-worry about ruining anything."

"Good boy." Liam ruffled Killian's hair. The younger Jones was about to go up the stairs and Liam grabbed his wrist. "She needs her space, brother. Just let her be for a little while. And when you do go up, don't forget the pie."

Killian nodded and came back down. Liam turned on the television and they sat down to watch the comedy movie. After an hour or so, there was a sudden creek on the stairs. Killian turned around to see Emma walking into the living room. He scooted over on the couch and she settled in next to him, and he pulled the blanket up over her legs. He wrapped his arm around her and she laid her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head and they watched another movie before Liam announced he was going to bed. Killian nodded and fist bumped his older brother. He didn't have the heart to wake Emma, so they slept on the couch peacefully.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating!