Keep the Cup From Tipping (A Captain Swan fan fiction)

Chapter 4

A/N. (I don't own most of the characters and certain parts of the plot. Courtesy goes to the creative teams behind Once Upon a Time and Next To Normal.) We're down to the last chapter. Thank you so much for the reviews! Keep them coming! Let me know what you think. =)

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Chapter 4

[Later that day...]

Emma entered their home and went to the kitchen at the inviting scent of Killian's cooking. She saw the dining area all set up with placemats and plates, and shook her head. "You're always enthusiastic about preparing food, huh?"

Killian turned to glance at his wife, before re-focusing himself on the stove. "I fancy kitchen duties."

She grinned.

"That's a gorgeous dress, by the way," he added.

"Yeah. I made a quick run to the station earlier because Sherrie needed some papers." Emma sat on a counter. "Where's Hector?"

"Uh, he's with his new friend seeing a mini concert at the nearby park. I told him to be back for dinner." Killian looked at the wall clock. "Hec should be here in about fifteen minutes."

"Why are we having early dinner?"

He shrugged. "I just want everything to be prepared before HE gets home, that's all."

Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, Emma got back to her feet and decided to go upstairs. "I'll be in the room."

Hector did arrive after fifteen minutes. Killian greeted him and his new friend, Bern and invited the girl for dinner. Despite Hector's euphemized refusal, Killian insisted that Bern stayed.

"I'll go upstairs and change into decent clothes," Killian grinned at them and scurried away.

Hector anxiously rubbed a hand on his nape.

"I think your father's pretty cool," Bern said.

He let out a nervous laugh. "Are you just saying that to make me feel less awkward about you being here?"

The girl giggled and nodded.

"Come on," Hector took her hand and led her to the dining area.

"The food smells awesome," Bern commented as she sat at the chair he pulled back for her. "Thanks."

He sat beside her at the table. "My dad has been busying himself with French cuisine lately."

"I'm kinda jealous. Our weekend dinners are the usual American food."

"Believe me, Dad usually doesn't cook this much." Before Hector could say another word, Emma's footsteps neared them and she greeted them with a smile.

"It's wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Jones," Bern replied, as they shook hands.

"Call me Emma. It's totally fine. Don't make me feel older than I already am." Emma turned to her son as she sat from across the table. "Where is your dad?"

"He said he'd be changing clothes," Hector said, confused.

"He did, actually. He changed up real fast in the room, and then went out in a jiffy," replied Emma.

"He's probably back in the kitchen and we just didn't notice," he assured his mother with a small smile.

"Killian? We're all here!" Emma called out. They heard a mumble from the kitchen. She faced Hector and Bern. "What did he say?" She whispered to them but they only shrugged.