Huge thanks to ultraluckycatnd for helping with brainstorming and betaing this chapter.

It is as natural as breathing. There is no awkwardness or embarrassment between them even though it has been years since physical touch has been a part of their daily interactions. Killian smiles as his Starfish hugs him in greeting and he places a gentle kiss on her forehead.

The memories of the decades of uncounted misery where he did not even see Alice, and then, even when he could see—yet could not touch her or even be near her—begin to fade away.

"Papa," his little Starfish beings one day as they stand at the helm of the Jolly Roger. "Robyn says she has found the perfect house for us."

Killian freezes. There is a pang in his chest when he realizes the full import of that statement. Ever since this realm's Rumplestiltskin was defeated, he, Alice, and Robyn have stayed on along with Tiana and Naveen. Henry has taken his family to Storybrooke for a visit, but is planning to return to the realm his wife and Tiana are originally from. None of them have any desire to go back to Hyperion Heights and their cursed lives.

And yet, in a way, Killian misses it. He had found the routine monotony of his structured life soothing. Killian is filled with grateful wonder at how, even in their cursed state, he and his daughter had been drawn together. The fierce unexplained protectiveness he had felt for Tilly—the urge to comfort and nurture her—it all makes sense now. Filled with blind prejudice and bitterness, Gothel had tried her best to keep father and daughter apart. But, the power of their love had been greater than the strength of the witch's hatred.

Strangest of all, but perhaps it is only natural considering everything that has happened, Killian misses his partner in detection—Weaver aka Rumplestiltskin. Killian half-consciously presses a hand to his chest. It is the oddest twist of fate that the Crocodile's heart beats inside his chest now. In the end, the man had overcome centuries of his deep-etched tendency to cowardice and selfishness and sacrificed himself to save everyone from his Wish Realm counterpart's evil schemes. Killian knows that Rumple's affection for Alice was a large impetus that drove him on to the sacrifice. He hopes he has found peace in the after-life.

Killian gives a half-smile and pulls his thoughts to the present. His mood sobers. He takes a deep breath and forces a smile to his lips.

"That's...that's lovely, Starfish," he tells her.

"Will you come with us tomorrow and see?" she asks, her face flushed with eagerness.

Killian does not know how he assents to her suggestion.

The past few weeks have been wonderful, the curse no longer a barrier to physical proximity, and their full memories restored to them. He and Alice have been on several short expeditions on the Jolly Roger. He will never forget the look of delighted wonder on Alice's face when she first beheld the ship she had only known from his descriptions and paintings. Killian is inordinately pleased that his Starfish has inherited his sea-legs, though she terrifies him with her tendency to climb up and down the rigging at will. When she notices his concern, she fondly reminds him that she has magic and can protect herself in case of a fall.

Killian has not stepped back into full-fledged captaincy of the Jolly Roger, even though Smee keeps insisting that he is happy to step back into his former role as first mate. There are many things tying Killian to land now which make him reluctant to take to the high-seas on a permanent basis. Killian does not want to miss a moment of his daughter's life. Robyn has not yet asked Alice to marry her, but he knows she means to sooner than later. While Robyn enjoys sailing, it is doubtful if she would take to a predominantly seafaring life.

Killian has known in the back of his mind that he and Alice cannot go back to life as it had been when she was a little girl. Alice is a grown woman now, and will soon be married and begin a new life with her love. Killian loves Robyn and thinks of her as a second daughter, but what role will he play now except as a third wheel? His Starfish was robbed of a normal childhood. It is only right that she gets to live normal life now. But his heart aches with the desire to spend every minute of the rest of his life in her presence.

The next morning, Robyn meets them at the docks. Killian once more leaves the Jolly in Smee's capable hands and follows Alice and Robyn to the cozy half-timbered farmhouse they have found. It has ivy and honeysuckle clinging to its outer walls. The interior is bare but the rooms look comfortable and airy. Robyn and Alice chatter on about their plans for each room, but it is all background noise to Killian. Alice tugs him by his hand and leads him upstairs, Robyn following behind.

"What do you think, Papa?" she asks, giving a little hop of excitement.

Killian is a little confused at her enthusiasm as he walks around the upper story of the house. It is comprised of two rooms. Another set of stairs leads directly from the corridor to the back garden.

"It's very lovely, Alice," Killian says, confused when Alice's face drops a little.

"But do you like it? Or would you prefer to be on the ground floor? Or, if you don't like this house at all, we can look for something closer to the ocean."

Killian's chest constricts for a moment and he almost feels light-headed. "You want me to live with you?" he croaks.

Alice looks at him in surprise and then her face softens. "Of course, Papa! Did you imagine I would want to be away from you after all that we've been through?"

Killian is speechless. Robyn is smiling at them. "We both want you to live with us," she says, answering the question in his eyes. His eyes turn misty as they all pile into a tight embrace.

Killian Jones has had a long life, and in the course of it, has felt all the gradations of joy and sorrow. He has been deliriously happy at times, and sunk to the depths of despair at others. But he can safely claim that he has never felt more contented that at this moment.

FINIS

I hope you enjoyed the story. I would love to hear your thoughts.