Mismatch Lovers

Chapter 40

*Emma's POV*

Over the next few weeks we started visiting Liam more. He never remembered me at first glance, but I could tell it was getting easier. So now that his family was taken care of, I had to face mine. I wasn't ready, but the longer I put it off the less ready I felt, so I finally called them up one morning.

"Hello?" David answered the phone at the station flatly. "Sherriff's station, how can I help you?"

"Hey," I started awkwardly. "It's Emma."

"Oh, hi," he said with surprise. "How are you?"

"Okay," I told him, toying with a thread on my shirt anxiously. "How are you and Mary Margaret?"

"Fine," he said simply followed by a long silence. "Do you need anything?"

"I'm taken care of," I assured him, taking a breath before continuing. "But I was hoping we could try again. I know Mary Margaret probably isn't up for it, but-"

"We would love that," he interrupted me, sounding ecstatic. "What were you thinking?" 

"I'm not really sure," I sighed, chewing on my lip. "I just... figured we should talk without all the yelling."

"Probably," he said with a smile in his voice. "I'll talk to your mom and see what we can work out, okay?"

"Okay," I agreed, thrown by his casual use of the word mom. We said our goodbyes and I turned around to see Killian standing there in his pajamas. "How long have you been listening?"

"Long enough," he answered guiltily, coming closer. "You okay?"

"I think so," I nodded, not realizing my hands were shaking until he took them in his. "He called her my mom."

"I know its hard to see her that way," he sympathized gently. "But I can't tell you how proud I am that you made that call."

"They gave me space," I reminded him. "That's what I asked for and they respected it, so they at least deserved a call."

He just smiled, pulling me into a warm hug. I sighed and wrapped my arms around him, letting my eyes close. He had a knack for knowing what I needed, and as I got further into my pregnancy I needed more from him than I tended to admit. Mostly just this, his constant comforting presence.

*

After our next doctor's appointment we headed to my parents' apartment. As much as I thought I was fine, I wanted a family like everyone else's. Family with joking, and support, and unconditional love. I had that with Killian and our baby, but something was missing and I hoped it was just this.

"Hi," Mary Margaret greeted us cheerfully when she opened the door. "Come on in. I was just making us some cocoa, so go ahead and have a seat."

"Thanks," I replied timidly, trying desperately not to sound harsh. We sat down and mugs were soon set in front of us. "Does this have... cinnamon on it?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry," she was quick to apologize. "It's a little quirk of mine, do you mind?"

"Not at all," I smiled slightly. I guess it wasn't just me.

We talked through lunch, slowly getting comfortable with each other. That is until they started asking the real questions.

"So what was your childhood like?" Mary Margaret asked during dessert. She looked genuinely curious, but it made me freeze. "I know you said you were in the foster system, did... did you ever find a, uhm, family?"

"Killian is my family," I tried not to snap but failed. I felt Killian's hand find my knee, squeezing lightly to reassure me. "I, uhm, I had a family until I was three but then they had their own so they sent me back. I was mostly a meal ticket until I got to this town."

"Oh," was all that was said. They wanted to know, they were going to get the truth. All of it.

"I found a pretty good temporary home here with Ingrid and her nieces," I lightened things a bit. "But Killian is the only home I've ever had that's never really been temporary."

"Emma..." Mary Margaret started in a choked voice, David taking her hand. "I can't tell you how sorry I am for what you've been through. I know it's hard for you, but we really would like to be your family."

"We don't expect anything," David interjected before I could answer. "We know you have your life, we just hope we can be a part of it."

"Me too," I finally answered, unsure where to go from there.

*

"How you doing, love?" Killian asked when we got home, studying me carefully. "You didn't yell, but they do tend to pry."

"I'm okay," I assured him, going over to kiss him lightly. "Thank you for coming with me today, I really appreciate you being there for me- today and every day. I do know I put you behind on the cars at the garage, though, so you should get down there."

"Are you sure?" He asked with concern still evident in his eyes, his arms tightening around my waist. "An extra day on a few cars isn't half as important as you. If you want me to stay here I will."

"I always want you here," I half smiled, pulling him back down for a much deeper kiss. "Now go. I'm sure I can find something to occupy myself with."

He didn't look convinced but kissed me one more time before leaving. I let out a breath and sat down on the porch, letting one of my hands settle on my small bump. Looking up and down the streets of this small town I couldn't believe I'd spent so many years out of it. I'll admit, sometimes it got frustrating having everyone know everyone else, but in the city there were so many people all I ever felt was alone. It reminded me of the foster system now that I thought about it, always moving around, never really knowing anyone.

That feeling changed when I moved here, bringing a small smile to my lips even now. That's when I decided what I wanted to do that day. I got up and headed to the center of town, turning down that oh so familiar street to knock on a door I had only had to one other time- the first time Killian and I broke up.

"Emma?" Ingrid breathed in disbelief when she opened the door, nearly tackling me into a hug a split second later. "What are you doing here? Or even in Storybrooke?"

"Storybrooke has always been home," I answered with a slight smile as she pulled away. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, I got pulled in so many directions the last few months."

"What's been going on?" She asked, pulling me inside out of the grey, blustery afternoon. I slid off my jacket and joined her in the living room. "I thought I heard something about you being in town, but I thought it was just town gossip."

"Not this time," I laughed lightly, thinking back to all the town trouble. "I actually just left... my parent's house."

"Oh wow," she said with surprise. "I didn't think you'd give them the light of day- you were always so angry at them."

"Oh, I still am," I said flatly then sighed. "But they came looking for me, and we thought getting to know each other would be better... for the baby."

"You're just full of surprises today," she said with a smile and a slight shake of her head. "So is it just your parents that kept you in town? Or is the father here, too?"

"He is, too," I nodded, my small smile returning. "I'm sure you remember Killian."

"Of course," she was the one to laugh this time. "I should have known. Have you seen the girls yet? They didn't mention anything."

"I was actually hoping you might know where to find them, I haven't seen them around."

"I'll call them right now," she said as she jumped up, seeming quite enthusiastic. "They'll be here in no time."

So, I just realized I haven't updated this in 3 years 😳😅 I'll try to do better, I swear. I hope you enjoyed it, let me know if you have any ideas you want to see. See you soon, lovelies!