Thank you for all the lovely comments and follows and favorites and such. I'm honestly incredibly humbled. I'm also very happy with myself for making my very own graphic. Like you don't understand, I watched a YouTube video to learn how to use Photoshop, that's how bad I am at it. I'm not sure how this works so I guess a quick disclaimer that all photo rights belong to E! and ABC I guess. I don't know if you as a reader enjoy when the author provides you with an actual person who inspires a character. But I kind of do, so for those of you who want to know my inspiration behind Liam and Leia, it's basically William Moseley and Alexandra Park from E!'s The Royals. Like they're siblings in that show and they just scream CS Kids to me. Okay I'm done blabbering, enjoy! xo Akhila :)

Playlist: LITERALLY LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE SLEEPING AT LAST ALBUM ATLAS: YEAR ONE. IT IS MAGICAL AND EMOTIONAL.

Killian woke early the next morning. It was peaceful, everything around him seemingly calm and right. Looking around the cabin of his ship, he chuckled softly at the scene around. His and Emma's clothes were disposed carelessly across the wooden floors in a trail leading to the foot of the bed. He turned carefully to look at the woman asleep soundly in his arms and swallowed hard. The truth is, he was afraid to move, to breathe, to close his eyes. Because if he did, he might wake up from this dream. The darkness might return and he may lose her yet again. But he did blink, and she was still there. In fact she only snuggled closer to him, burying her head in the warmth of his neck. He traced patterns on her skin mindlessly as he thought about his life with Emma.

He was used to years passing by like minutes would for any other person. For a man who had lived hundreds of years, it was amazing how much he had experienced in life and yet how little he felt towards it all. Nothing to live for, he guessed. But the past two years or so had been different. Sure he had faced more than his share of monsters and villains in the past two years than he felt in his whole life combined. But it was more than the obstacles. It was the adventure, the passion for life she had sparked in him. A certain tenacity and fight for life that was lost to him—to blind revenge. What was to be a quest for revenge for love and pain had transformed into someone he barely recognized. It wasn't so much about love and avenging Milah's death anymore. It became his purpose of living entirely. And what a useless and deflating way to go about life. Milah wouldn't have wanted that for him. Knowing what he had now, with Emma and her family, that was what he knew, with certainty, he wanted. Love, family, life. It was worth fighting for. Once again, he lost the woman he loved at the cost of Rumplestiltskin's mistake. But this time, he fought for her in life, as a man he was proud of. One she had fallen in love with.

She woke to the sound of a steady heartbeat, his gentle caress across her bare arms sending a wave of goose bumps throughout her body. He didn't seem to notice her stirring, so she settled closer into him, content with the silence and beauty of the morning. She was in bed, naked, and in the arms of Captain Hook. The thought had her smiling to herself as she considered where she was at with her life at the moment. For 28 years, all she wished for was a better year, a better family, a better life. Yet she closed herself off from the world, locking her heart away for safe keeping. What she didn't realize was that what she really wanted was a purpose for life. People and a life worth living for. And then her dream of a son came knocking on her door and gave her just that, and so much more. Two years later, she had parents and a brother, her son, and a man who had literally brought her back into the light. She'd faced a wicked witch, evil queen, snow monster, and even Peter Pan himself. She'd even become the Dark One herself, only to find the strength in herself and those she loved to defeat it in the end. What was her life? Magical. Wonderful. Hers.

She didn't notice she was running her fingers through his chest hair until his body began turning towards her. She was met with a shy grin, a mess of glorious sex hair, and the clearest blue eyes that felt like home. Brushing away the fringe of soft black hair spread across his forehead, Emma whispered, "Hi."

"Hello, love," Killian whispered back as he kissed her little nose. Gods she was beautiful.

"What are you thinking, Captain?" she turned to her side, tucking her hands underneath the pillow and watched him.

"That you're beautiful," he admitted, mirroring her position and tucking his hand and brace beneath the pillow as well.

Emma rolled her eyes and looked down shyly, biting her lip to hide the emerging smile she couldn't hide even if she tried, "Seriously though."

"I am being absolutely serious, Swan. But in addition to your beauty," his smirk fading slightly, "I'm just thinking about my life."

"All 300 years of it?" she teased him jokingly.

She'd never let him forget his age, would she, "Yes and no. More that even though I've lived for all that time, it hasn't come close to feeling like really living compared to what my life has felt like these past few years with you."

"I love you," was all she could think to say. And she truly meant it. Killian Jones had come into her life at a time when she didn't realize she needed him. He helped her with so much more than getting home to Storybrooke or finding her son or helping her fight the latest threat. He had brought down, brick by brick, the walls she built so high. He had shown up time and time again at her side through everything. He had offered her words of encouragement and support when she doubted herself most. His mere presence had healed her broken life, she was just too stubborn to realize it.

"Oh my love, I love you too," a genuine and shy smile meeting her own.

"So…True Love, huh?" Emma said hesitantly, thinking back at the weight of events of the previous night.

Killian was laughing now, taking her into his arms once more and kissing her forehead, "Aye. It seems you are indeed my truest of loves."

"You're stuck with me now, you know," she joked, kissing him lazily across his collarbone.

"And happily so," Killian agreed.

They shared a comfortable silence for a short time, at peace with their embrace and hands exploring each other's bodies.

"When did you know?" Killian said softly, bringing Emma out of her own reverie.

"Hmm? Know what?"

"That you loved me," he whispered. Emma could sense the vulnerability, despite everything they'd been through. This man still could not believe that he was capable of being loved.

"I think I always kinda knew," she started, as she thought back on their story together. "When we met, there was something about you that I related to. I saw a lot of myself in you, and it scared me. Do you remember when we climbed the beanstalk?"

"Mhm," Killian thought back to their first real adventure together. He remembered how guarded she was, how she wouldn't reveal anything about herself. But he didn't need her to, he already knew. Open book.

"You were being you, flirty comments and innuendos. You were trying to get me all riled up, but I didn't tell you anything about myself. But you knew. You knew I was an orphan. You asked me about love and life, and you made me think about things that I hadn't even considered in years," Emma thought about Neal momentarily. How being around Killian all those years ago had forced her to confront her feelings and her hurt. Unknowingly, also allowing herself to let go of the hurt and pain enough for her to move on.

"That's why I left you at the top," she continued. "My head was telling me that you were a pirate, you couldn't be trusted, you would betray me. Everyone else had, why wouldn't you. You were too good to be true. But my heart, my gut, knew that you were different. So much more than just a pirate. I could give you that chance. But me being me-"

"Chose to go with your head instead of your heart," he chucked as he finished her sentence for her.

"Yeah. And then you showed up in Storybrooke and you carried on with your revenge against Gold and I dealt with Cora and Neal and Tamara and Greg. And I didn't know, how I felt about anything or anyone. And then Neal fell through the portal and I thought he died, and Greg and Tamara took Henry and then the town was gonna explode. And you came back. And you helped us," she paused to kiss his jaw before continuing.

"I got to see sides of you in Neverland that my heart remembered from the beanstalk. You saved my father, and that meant so much to me."

"I seem to remember your thanks for that was not too bad either," he smirked as he remembered their first kiss.

Laughingly she continued, "You were very persuasive. That kiss...I wanted more. God I wanted more."

"I knew it!" he boasted.

"Whatever," she chuckled before continuing.

"And then you told me that Neal was alive," she could feel him tense, his hold a bit tighter. "And you revealed your secret and I couldn't…I didn't know that our kiss meant so much to you. And then you were making all sorts of promises about winning my heart and believing in me to save Henry and I realized that you had become a friend that I needed at the time. You were there with me every step of the way, despite Gold or Neal or my father giving you a hard time. You sacrificed so much for me." She sighed. She truly didn't deserve this man.

"And then I had to leave with Henry, and say goodbye to you and my family and…I realized then that I didn't want to say goodbye to you. I wished we had more time, that perhaps if things had settled down I could... we could have began then. And then you came knocking on my door in New York and things were different."

"You were with the monkey," he said with absolutely no enthusiasm.

"You're never gonna let that go, are you?" she retorted.

"Nope!" Killian said matter-of-factly, kissing her forehead before letting her continue.

"Well yes, you brought me back to Storybrooke and I was so mad at you. I loved that year, living a normal life and even though it wasn't real, it was good. But I knew you were right, I knew that I couldn't run away from my life here. And I pushed you away so much despite your endless support and you taking care of Henry and everything. And then one day your flirty comments and innuendos stopped. I didn't know that Zelena cursed your lips. All I did know was that you were pulling away from me and I hated it. You were there with me the whole time, but you weren't you. I missed you. And then she drowned you and I just wanted you to come back to me. I didn't even think twice about kissing you, I just knew that I had to save you. You couldn't die. And then you jumped after me through the portal back in time. You helped me through everything and you even tried to save me, though I beat you to it," she joked.

"I would have gotten there sooner had it not been for Dave's incessant worrying about the wolf, thank you very much," Killian chuckled.

"Anyways," Emma continued, "we got back to Storybrooke and you finally told me how you found me in New York. I still can't believe that you traded your ship for me. I love you so much for sacrificing the Jolly Roger for me. If you hadn't gotten it back with Ursula, I always promised myself that I would have found a way to get it back for you."

"I'd do it again if it ever came down to it, Swan," Killian confessed.

"I know. And that's when I realized that I needed you in my life. You were already a part of it; I just had to accept that. And then Gold took your heart and you almost died. And then you did die," Emma shuddered as she remembered the sword going through his chest. She sighed, "But to answer your question, after this very long explanation, I finally admitted to myself that I was and would always be in love with you when you told me that I was your happy ending. I know I didn't say it then, I couldn't say anything then really. Killian, you say all these wonderful declarations of love to me that make me... speechless. All I could do then was kiss you, but really what I was doing was finally coming to terms with the feelings I always knew that I had, that popped up every now and then when we were being separated or you dying or whatever. I love you. I always have, it just took me a while to finally admit it to myself. And to you."

Killian looked at her with tears in his eyes, "And now, it is I who is at a loss for words."

Emma couldn't help but tear up herself, "So then just do what I do, and kiss me."

They brushed away each other's tears, and kissed each other with a desperation and passion, like it was their first time and their last.

As soon as they could see the sunrise, the Jones siblings anxiously rose from their beds to start their day. Neither one of them seemed to get much sleep the night before. Liam was up thinking of all the ways they could mess up and change the future and Leia was up thinking about all the ways she could be around her family without actually being with them. They were quiet while getting ready quickly. They didn't have anything else to wear besides the clothes they were in from back home, so they cleaned themselves the best they could with what they had.

They arrived downstairs at Granny's, which was beginning to fill with the early morning crowd. Liam pointed out Leroy and the other dwarves by the counter, which Leia smirked at. Even here in Storybooke, Uncle Leroy had to have his bacon at the crack of dawn. Besides the dwarves, the siblings didn't seem to recognize anyone else in the diner. They took their seats in the same booth as the previous night, towards the back where people would pay little attention to them.

Their Aunt Red came by with a couple of menus and Leia almost slipped up by greeting her. Instead, Red had initiated conversation, "Hi! I haven't seen you two around before. Are you new in town?"

"Yes, we arrived from Camelot last night with the lot of them actually. I'm James, this is my sister Genevieve," Liam responded, taking the menus from Red, or Ruby as she went by in this land.

"I'm Ruby, or Red as some people call me. It's nice to meet you guys. If you need anything, or any help adjusting to town, let me know! I'd be happy to help."

Leia considered her offer, "Actually, do you know where we might be able to change our clothes? I doubt our sense of apparel fits to this realm."

Ruby laughed, "Of course! I actually have a bunch of things left between the curses and such. Let me see what I can find for now, I'll be back in a bit. Look through the menu and see what you want in the mean time, on the house today!" And with that she left them to their menus.

Quizzically they skimmed the menus, curious to try french toast and pancakes and perhaps their mother's favorite grilled cheese with onion rings. Ruby was back soon with two bags in hand, depositing them next to Leia on her side of the booth.

"Hope you like them, I tried to pick out the best stuff I could find. I do hope they fit!" Ruby said with sincerity.

"Of course, I'm sure it'll do. Thanks so much," Leia said.

"Are you guys ready to order?" Ruby said, pen and order pad in hand. Liam ordered the french toast and Leia ordered pancakes, although they ended up switching half way through their meal anyways. They discussed their tentative plans for the day as they ate their breakfast. They'd change quickly and head out in search for Rumplestiltskin's shop. From what they could remember from the stories their parents had told them, he was to be in a coma as of now. But that was from the limited knowledge their parents shared regarding the aftermath of breaking the Dark One's curse. The time frame they were currently in would be completely uncharted waters for the siblings. Everyone back home in the Enchanted Forest had no recollection of this time, so really, anything could happen. It could be possible that Rumplestiltskin may no longer be in a coma. Either way, they would search his shop for the wand. If that failed, they would seek out Blue and ask the fairies for their help.

Much to Leia's disappointment, Liam insisted that they steer clear from their parents and family members for the time being. He didn't want to ruin anything or risk blowing their cover. The goal was to reverse the time portal and get back home, anything else was a distraction. As Leia sifted through the bag of clothing Ruby had procured, she happily appreciated the practicality of the choice. She selected a pair of fitting black pants (jeans as she later learned they were called) and a deep burgundy long sleeved shirt. She noticed at the bottom of the bag was a black leather jacket. She smiled as she tried it on—a perfect fit. Her love for leather seemed to run in the family. It was like having a piece of her mother and father with her. She laced up her black riding boots she had on from back home and turned to her brother. Liam selected a light blue button up shirt tucked into a faded pair of black jeans and brown belt. Looking at Liam in these types of clothes, Leia couldn't help but be reminded of his youth. He was only 18 after all. She was so used to seeing him in his trousers and white shirts and leather vests, sword in its sheath hung at his waist. It was unusual for Liam to be dressed otherwise. She forgot sometimes, that he as just a boy. Well, and the future king of Misthaven.

"Nice jacket," Liam teased, thinking of his father's love for black leather. Grabbing his own wool coat, he headed for the door.

"Do you even know where we're going?" Leia questioned as they headed out of Granny's and looked at the road in front of them.

"Not a clue," Liam admitted, linking his arm with hers and dragging them both onward on Main Street. They spent the good half of the morning wandering around Storybrooke, observing the shops and people around town. They amused themselves with the real life versions of the stores in the stories they'd heard, like Any Given Sundae or Game of Thorns. They passed by the Sheriff's station and thought of their mother and grandfather. They passed by the school and thought of Henry and their grandmother. They even stopped at the Mayor's office and missed Regina, too. It was nice to really be there and experience the town they'd heard so much about for themselves. Surprisingly, it was Liam's idea that they go visit the docks. Perhaps the Jolly Roger would be at port.

They could see the Jolly as they approached the docks. Even from the age of 2, Liam could spot his father's ship from a mile away. He spent hours on that ship, learning all the seafaring ways his father was so enthusiastically happy to teach him. Whether it was tying knots or cleaning the deck or mending sails, Liam's love for the sea had only grown with every passing day. Eventually as he got older, his father taught him to sail so he could do it on his own. He and Henry would sometimes take the Jolly out for a few hours when their father was busy. Liam spent so much time on that ship, it was home away from home. While he knew he wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and take his rightful place on the thrown when the time would come, a part of him wished he could choose the sea with his father as well. He had been at odds with himself a few years ago at whether or not to choose the crown or the Navy. Liam was afraid him choosing the crown would mean betraying his father, as he was after all the head of the Royal Navy. But it was his father who asked him why he couldn't do both. After all, he would be king. Although he would be considerably more occupied with running a kingdom, who's to say he couldn't take a trip out to sea for an adventure or two once in a while.

Liam stared out at the Jolly Roger, and in that moment, wished he could talk to his papa again. Ask him what to do, how to get them home. Liam was not much for talking about his feelings or acting on emotion, but on the rare occasions that he did, he always confided in his father. As a boy, he would always run to his papa if he ever needed anything. And now, he wanted nothing more than to do the same. But he couldn't, he needed to be strong for Leia—for the both of them.

He looked down at his sister, who also seemed lost in thought. Although she wasn't much for sailing per say, she still had an incredibly close bond with her father as well. Liam knew this wasn't easy for her, being forced to stay away from her family who also happened to be her closest friends. The least he could do was take them closer to the ship. They walked along a building as they headed closer for the water. But as they turned around the corner, they walked straight into the two people they were missing and avoiding most. Their parents.

Killian and Emma were walking arm in arm, talking animatedly about plans for the day. They were on their way to meet Henry for breakfast at Granny's when they rounded the corner and bumped into two wide-eyed teenagers.

"Woah! Sorry about that-" Killian started, but was at a loss of words as he properly looked at the kids in front of him.

"Uh…" was all Liam could say.

"Um, s-sorry about that," Leia stuttered, staring at her mother and father back and forth before looking down at her shoes.

Emma just stared at the two teenagers. She was holding onto Killian's hand, anchoring herself to him as she took in the sight of the two in front of her. The boy was clearly older, dirty blonde hair and slight scruff peppering his face. His eyes reminded her of someone, though she couldn't admit who. The girl was beautiful, dark ravenous hair and bright green eyes. Clearly, they're siblings. They looked so familiar, she swears she's seen them before.

Killian looked between the boy and girl, unable to pinpoint how exactly he thought he knew them. He just knew that he did, though. The girl's high cheekbones and bright green eyes, so familiar. The boy's light hair and sharp nose, the blue of his eyes. Has he met these kids before? Why do they seem so familiar? Clearing his throat suddenly, he realizes they're being rude for staring at them.

"Not to worry, love. We'll be…on our way then," although unable to move from where he was standing.

"Do I…Have we met before?" Emma blurts out.

Liam does his best to put on his diplomatic face, "I don't believe so."

"Your accent…uncommon for Storybrooke," Killian recognized the boy's accent similar to his own.

"Aye, we're not from Storybrooke. We've only just arrived yesterday," Liam responded cautiously, not wanting to say too much that would spark more questions from their very intrigued parents.

"From Camelot," Leia added for clarification.

"Oh, so did we. Well, we're back from Camelot. Anyways, um..." Emma rambled. That's how she must recognize them. She must have seen them somewhere in Camelot while she was the Dark One. That must be it.

Liam, unable to form a response, simply smiled awkwardly before saying, "Well we'll be on our way now. Pleasure to meet you both."

"Emma," she said unlacing her hand from Killian's and offering it to Liam before he could turn away from her. "I'm the Sheriff, if you ever need anything."

"Uhm, James. Thanks," Liam said taking her hand. He thought back to all the times as a kid he would be running around the castle with Neal or Roland or Henry. He'd bump his toes or scratch his head on some surface trying to catch up with the other boys. His mama would always reach her hand out to him and pull him up off the floor. She always took care of him, cleaning up after his wounds and picking him up when he was down. Before, he would give her the biggest hug, wrapping his arms and legs around her like she was a tree. All he could do, now, was genuinely smile at his mother.

"Right, I'm Killian," he extended his hand out towards Leia.

Leia took his hand and tried her best to put on a smile, "Genevieve. Pleasure."

Killian froze, the girl's hand still in his. What did she say her name was? Genevieve. That was his mother's name. He hadn't heard that name in quite some time. He let go of her hand, taking in one last look at the two children in front of them. He had this innate need to make sure they were okay, for some reason he was unable to understand.

"Well as a foreigner who has similarly chosen to take up residence here in Storybrooke, I understand it can be a disorienting place at first. If you do ever need anything, like Emma said, she's the Sheriff, and well I'm with the Sheriff so…"

Emma smiled as she looked up at Killian, awed at how concerned he was for the kids. "Yeah, seriously. Do you guys have a place to stay?"

"We're at Granny's now, thanks," Liam answered. Please don't ask how old we are, please don't ask how old we are. Liam chanted in his head. If his mother knew they were underage, she wouldn't let them go back to Granny's without some sort of guardian. More questions and more possibilities for them to blow their cover.

"Okay, well it was nice to meet you James and Genevieve," Emma said finally, taking Killian's hand again. He squeezed it tightly, indicating that they should probably let the kids go.

"Pleasure meeting you both, take care!" Killian waved goodbye with his hook as he led Emma around the kids.

They walked together in silence for a few minutes, lost in thought. When they reached the main road, Emma began, "Did they seem familiar to you?"

"Yeah, I nearly froze when the lass told me her name," Killian shook his head. Emma looked at him in confusion. "It was my mother's name, just took me by surprise."

"They just looked so much like someone, I…anyways um, we should get going. Henry's probably waiting for us," Emma gestured onwards to Granny's.

"Aye, I'm sure he'll be excited to spend the day with his mother again," Killian agreed reassuringly. For now, they both put aside the two seemingly familiar strangers out of their thoughts. Their focus for today was on their family. Little did they know.

"So much for not talking to Mum and Dad," Leia pointed out sarcastically. "I'm also pretty sure that Dad freaked out when I told him my name. Damn, I should have changed it to something else."

Liam was still at a loss for words. He knew that their parents felt something for them. Though it was technically their first time meeting him and Leia, there was a definite connection there. Shaking his head, he finally said, "Let's go find Rumplestiltskin. We need to go home."

Leading the way, Liam turned in the direction they just came from, forgetting the docks and heading the way their parents were going.

After what seemed like a really long morning, the siblings eventually found Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop. It was at the end of the street at the corner. They recognized Belle at the door, who was opening up the shop for the day. Looking at each other, Liam and Leia nodded as they turned their direction towards the shop. They'd ask Belle for help it seemed. If anyone knew where Rumple would be, it had to be her.

HAZAH THEY MEET. What did ya think of the meeting? I had so much fun writing the CS part at the beginning. It really was kind of like reliving their entire story together all over again. I cut out a lot of it actually, for the sake of it sounding like an actual conversation and not Emma fangirling about every marvelous moment between her and Hook. Feedback is greatly appreciated. Let me know if there's anything you like or don't like. A guest reviewer pointed out that the way I write the dialogue for Liam and Leia sounds a lot like a kid from Storybrooke. That was SUPER helpful for me to keep in mind for this chapter. So thank you guest reviewer, hope it's better in this chapter! :) -Akhila