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mayquita · 5 years

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Pictures of Reality (15/16)

Hello everyone! I can’t believe this is almost over, but it’s happening, this is the final chapter (plus the epilogue next week) Thank you so much for all your support and for continuing to give this story a chance.

Summary: Emma Swan returns to her birthplace, Storybrooke, in search of a fresh start after a life marked by abandonment and betrayal. After a year there, she finds the stability she needed and also the possibility of learning about one of her passions, photography. Killian Jones, a former British war reporter with a tragic past, establishes himself in the same town as an instructor of photography, following in the footsteps of his best friends, the Nolans. What will happen when their paths cross? Will their common passion for photography help them heal old wounds?

Rating: M (Language, mature themes, implied sex)

Warnings: Alcohol abuse, mentions of the loss of a limb in an armed conflict.

Other ships / Characters: Although, obviously, this is a cs fic, Snowing plays a major role here, mainly David. In fact, the story contains three different points of view, those of Emma, Killian and David. Also, Henry appears in the story as Regina’s adopted son but he is not Emma’s biological son.

Beta: I’d like to express my gratitude, as always, to my beta @jarienn972 I’m aware that you have had to deal with a monster of more than 100k words and English is not my mother tongue, so I value your effort even more.

Artist / art: Go visit @imagnifika’s blog and enjoy her amazing art.

Art for the prologue/ Art for chapter 1 / Art for chapter 2 and banner / Art for chapter 3/ Art for chapters 4-5 / Art for chapters 6-7/ Art for chapter 8 / Art for chapter 10 / Art for chapter 11

Special mention to @saraswans , thank you so much for your perpetual support, for believing in me when I doubted myself and for offering ideas to make this story grow.

Don’t forget to go read and enjoy the rest of the amazing csbb stories and art.

Word count: ~ 10500 (116k total in 16 chapters)

Also on (From the beginning): Ao3 / Ffnet (Current Chapter) Ao3 / Ffnet

Tumblr: Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

What to expect from this chapter? This is a long one and also one of my favorites. We'll know what's going to happen with the relationship between Emma and her parents. And yes, Emma is going to read the letters, finally!

CHAPTER 14

Killian Jones, Storybrooke - May 9, 2018

Killian's thumb moved across the phone's screen while he held the device with his hand, hesitating over whether to press his finger on Emma's name.

"You should call her, Killian." Mary Margaret suggested in a soft voice. "She deserves to know. It's her father after all."

Killian nodded at her, his lips pressed together. She was right, he should call her. He was aware that he would end up doing it at some point, he just needed a little more time to figure out how to approach the subject.

He left the phone in the seat next to him as he leaned his head against the wall and pinched the bridge of his nose, a deep sigh escaping his mouth while wishing that someone would soon inform them. This long wait was driving him crazy.

They had arrived at the hospital a couple of hours ago. To his surprise, Mary Margaret had accepted the news with a composure that was worthy of admiration, after the first initial shock. Quickly, she had driven them to the hospital and had even managed to talk to one of the doctors who had checked on David in the first place.

He was out of danger, that they had been assured. In fact, although he had lost consciousness after the accident, he had recovered it again in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Still, given the high probability that he had suffered a concussion after the impact and to detect possible internal injuries, the doctors were conducting some tests so they hadn't been allowed to see him yet.

Still, Killian was reluctant to put Emma in an uncomfortable situation where she felt forced to do something she might not yet be prepared for, but he shouldn't be the one to make any decision for her. After the traumatic experience they had gone through, he had sworn to himself —and to her —that there would never be more secrets or lies between them.

After taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he finally dialed Emma's number, got up and started walking down the hall looking for some privacy. She answered with the second ringtone.

"Hey, Killian! I was about to leave for lunch. Are you still home?"

Dammit! He had totally forgotten that they had agreed to meet for lunch. "About that... I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel today's lunch, love." He tried to keep a calm tone and even forced himself to smile, but Emma quickly realized that something was wrong.

"Are you okay?"

"Aye, I'm fine... It's David... We're in the hospital..." His voice trailed off as he tried to pull himself together.

He heard a sharp intake of breath from the other side of the phone before Emma spoke in a thin voice. "What happened?"

"He was involved in an accident, but he's out of danger." He hastened to reassure her. "It's just that they have to do tests to assess the level of concussion..."

"Concussion?" Emma cut him off, a hint of fear evident in her voice.

"It's usual in these cases, Emma, he was hit by a car. But we were told he was already conscious, he's going to be fine." He assured her with more confidence than he really felt.

"And you? How are you? Do you need something?" She asked, the way she cared about him sending a warm feeling to his heart.

You. I need you to be by my side, so you can assure me that my friend will be fine, that I won't lose him too. "I'm fine." He repeated, burying those fears in the depths of his mind. "Mary Margaret is here with me." It was his turn to stay strong now, to act like the rock that Mary Margaret and Emma would need.

They talked for a couple more minutes, Emma insisting on finding out her father's condition and knowing in detail what the doctors had told them. Only when Killian had reassured her enough, she finally decided to end the call.

"Tell me something as soon as you know, please. I'll be waiting for your call." She paused for a few moments, only the sound of her shallow breathing was heard from the other side of the phone. "And thanks for telling me, Killian." She muttered.

"Of course, love. He's going to be fine." He insisted with the intention of convincing both Emma and himself. I love you, he would also have liked to add, the words burning on the tip of his tongue. But this was not the most appropriate time. Soon, he promised himself before hanging up the call and returning to the waiting room to accompany Mary Margaret.

Emma Swan. Storybrooke - May 9, 2018

Emma was unable to concentrate, Killian's words echoing in her head preventing her from thinking about anything else. He was hit by a car. David, her father, was hit by a car.

From the moment she heard the news from Killian, a wave of panic crept up her throat as her stomach tightened into knots. Flashes of David's gentle gaze, of his frank smile, jumping to her head to torment her.

The mere possibility of losing her father even before accepting him as such caused her heart to constrict in her chest. The memory of the letters hidden in her closet, the letters she had not yet dared to read, caused incipient tears to threaten to slide down her cheeks. She blinked furiously in an attempt to hold them back.

To make matters worse, the idea of Killian alone with Mary Margaret in the waiting room, suffering in silence and probably experiencing some kind of deja-vu made her uneasiness increase. She needed to be there with him, at his side, supporting each other.

She didn't have to think twice. After all, the rest of the day was going to be totally unproductive since her mind was away from the office for obvious reasons. She got up and walked toward Regina's office, knocking lightly on the open door with her knuckles.

Her boss looked up, a slight crease of annoyance between her eyebrows at being interrupted.

"I have to go." She announced without further ado, although she knew that Regina would not make it easy for her, not at least without requesting some kind of additional explanation.

"And where do you have to go, if I'm allowed to know?" Regina asked in a cutting tone.

"I have to go to the hospital, my f..." Her voice trailed off as she suppressed a gasp of surprise. She couldn't believe she had been about to say the word out loud. "...David has suffered an accident."

Regina's expression softened instantly, a flash of something akin to concern crossed her gaze. "What? How is he?"

"He's conscious, but they were still doing different tests." A new wave of unease swirled in her stomach, as the urgent need to run to the hospital took over her. "Killian is there, I need to get to him."

Regina's impassive pose disappeared for a moment, she seemed bewildered for a few seconds until she finally reacted, shaking her head slightly. "Sure, of course, go and inform me when you know anything, Emma."

She simply nodded, the corner of her mouth twisting slightly upward in appreciation before turning and leaving the office and town hall in the direction of the hospital.

Emma only realized the implications of entering the hospital when she arrived there. That was the place where she was born, the place where she had shared the last moment with her parents before they gave her up for adoption. Or at least that was what she supposed. She did not know what had really happened. A tug of regret for not having tried to find out before settled in her stomach.

She wandered through the corridors of the hospital trying to locate the Emergency room while wondering if her parents had also taken that same route when the delivery was approaching, if Mary Margaret would have been in pain, if David would have held her hand in the process. Enough! Emma shook her head in an attempt to make those thoughts disappear. She would have time to find the answers to those questions later. Right now, she needed to find Killian, desperately.

There was no sign of Killian when she arrived in the waiting room though. Who she did locate was Mary Margaret, sitting there while clasping her hands together.

Emma allowed herself a few seconds to observe her before announcing her presence. The expression of concern was evident in the lines of her face, her brow slightly furrowed, her lips pressed together, her gaze lost miles or maybe years away. There was something in her pose though, something stoic, almost regal, as if she was implying that no matter what happened, she was going to get back up and keep fighting.

When Mary Margaret’s gaze drifted to meet hers, her eyes went wide and her mouth hung open. "Emma!" She almost screamed as her face lit up. She might have realized her impulsive reaction because she quickly schooled her features in a cautious expression.

Emma looked away uncomfortably, wondering where Killian had gone as she felt a slight blush rise to her cheeks. She forced herself to behave like an adult though, especially given the place and situation she was in, and walked hesitantly to sit near Mary Margaret, leaving a free seat between them.

"Hi, Killian told me... how's David doing? Do you know something new?" Emma asked hating how weak her voice sounded, her heart pounding against her chest.

Mary Margaret shook her head slowly, a shadow of sadness crossing her features. "Nothing yet, I'm afraid." She remained thoughtful for a few seconds until she seemed to remember something. "Killian went to get us something to eat, but he will be here any moment." The corners of her lips twisted slightly upwards.

"I... I'm sorry, I should have brought you something from Granny's, I just ... I didn't think about it." A wave of embarrassment washed over her when she realized that, in her hurry to get to the hospital, she hadn't bothered to bring them a decent meal after God knows how many hours in the hospital. She had not even bothered to eat any food herself.

"It's okay, Emma, I don't even have an appetite." She reached for her arm, but dropped her hand halfway as if she had changed her mind. Emma was aware that her cautious attitude was her own fault, but that did not stop her from feeling a kind of rejection.

An awkward silence fell over them as Emma began to regret having come, she did not feel able to deal with the amount of mixed feelings that collided inside her.

"You know, it's ironic, because David learned of your existence for the first time here, in this same hospital."

Her body tensed, while she began to feel a tingling in the back of her neck at the mere mention of her past. She held her breath, keeping her lips sealed while secretly wishing, and also fearing, that Mary Margaret would continue.

She did not seem to have noticed the effect of her words on Emma, her gaze remained lost, her voice trailing a hint of melancholy. "Luck, or maybe fate, brought him here just two days after your birth."

Emma's heart tightened in her chest, as she watched how Mary Margaret's eyes filled with tears. "I think he never recovered from the fact that he had to say goodbye to you within a few minutes of knowing you existed. He fell enamored of his little baby girl - Emma, of you."

The look of sadness and regret that Mary Margaret gave her caused her eyes to begin to sting while a multitude of new feelings began to crowd inside her, her head spinning, unable to process the information.

"We... we will have time to talk about all that, when he leaves the hospital." It was the only thing Emma could offer at that moment. She was sure that she would not be able to prevent an overwhelming feeling from consuming her if they kept talking.

"I'd like that... We owe you so many explanations ..." Mary Margaret muttered, giving her a smile full of affection that went straight to her heart. She returned the smile while nodding in silence.

That was the moment when Killian decided to appear, holding two sandwiches and two paper cups somewhat precariously between his hand and the prosthesis.

"Hey." Emma wiped away her tears quickly with one hand as she got up and, after giving him a quick peck on the lips, helped him with the food, handing Mary Margaret one of the sandwiches and a cup of coffee.

"I'm sorry love, if I had known you would come, I'd have bought something for you." Killian gave her an apologetic look as he offered her his sandwich.

"We can share. I'm not hungry, really." Mary Margaret added as she handed her half of her sandwich.

"Thank you." Emma accepted through a small smile.

Killian stood there with a confused expression on his face, as if he did not quite believe what was happening in front of him.

Emma did not quite believe it either honestly, but that first step of approaching Mary Margaret, far from frightening her or pushing her away, was helping the barrier around her heart to begin to melt, and she wondered for the first time how it would be experiencing the true love of a family.

Those thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a doctor who was asking about the relatives of David Nolan. The three rose suddenly, approaching the doctor.

"Good afternoon, I'm Dr. Whale and I'm in charge of treating Mr. Nolan." He looked up from his tablet and looked at them. "Are you all family?" He asked with a skeptical expression.

"Of course, I’m his wife." Mary Margaret assured.

"And I am his daughter." Emma snapped, her mouth acting on her own before her brain had time to process the words. But it was the truth, that was how she felt in this moment and no shoddy doctor was going to prevent her from knowing the state of her father.

"And I'm her boyfriend." Killian added, placing an arm around her shoulders in a protective attitude.

The doctor gave them a last skeptical glance before turning back to the tablet. "Mr. Nolan is undoubtedly a fortunate man. Beyond the concussion suffered by the impact, he has only suffered a few bruises and also had a dislocated shoulder, which we have already placed back in its position.”

Emma let out the breath she had been holding, a sense of relief spreading all over her body. Killian, on the other hand, pulled her even closer to him as he placed his other arm around Mary Margaret's shoulders.

"Thank God," Mary Margaret muttered, clinging to Killian.

"Since the blow to the head was quite strong, it is advisable that he stay here under observation at least during the night. And now, you can come to visit him, but no more than two people each time, please. He needs to rest." After giving some final instructions, the doctor offered to accompany Mary Margaret to the bay in which her husband was located.

Only when they disappeared from sight did Emma take refuge in Killian, burying her head in his chest, choking back a sob while he wrapped her in a tight hug. "He's fine, Swan, everything's going to be fine." Killian murmured, his reassuring words hiding a deeper meaning to which she decided to cling with all her might. Yes, everything was going to be just fine.

David Nolan. Storybrooke - May 9, 2018

David's head was going to explode. He made an attempt to massage his temples to relieve the pain, but then he realized that it was an almost impossible task. His right arm was in a sling — dislocated shoulder, they had told him — and he had an intravenous line placed in the other arm to administer some type of pain medication, he supposed.

A whine, a mixture of pain and frustration, slid between his lips as he waited desperately for the medicine to make its effect and calm his aching body.

How pathetic, he thought as he remembered the reasons that had led him to be in that situation, run over by a car in his coffee break. He cursed himself for being so stupid or so reckless as to cross the street totally distracted. In his defense, the events of the past few months had kept his mind so busy that he found it difficult to concentrate even on the simplest task.

Now he would have to stay in this damn hospital all night when the only thing he longed for was to get home, to the arms of his wife. At that moment, as if somehow she had been summoned, the curtain opened giving way to Mary Margaret.

"Oh my god, David." His wife hurried to move beside him, the expression on her face a mixture of worry and relief. "You scared the hell out of me! Don't you dare do it again, you hear me?"

"I'm fine, sweetheart." He croaked, feeling his throat dry.

"You got a concussion." She replied as she gently stroked his forehead. His eyes closed instinctively at her touch, as his body began to relax. He still felt the throbbing pain in his head and a slight dizziness, but the mere presence of his wife at his side managed to alleviate some of his discomforts.

“What happened? "She muttered, holding his left hand in hers.

"I got distracted when crossing the street." He admitted without daring to look at his wife, sensing her disapproving expression. "I'm fine, just a blow to the head." He insisted.

They remained silent for a few seconds, just enjoying each other's company while he felt his eyelids grow heavier.

"She's here, David."

Emma... He didn't even have to look at Mary Margaret to know that she was smiling. His heart fluttered furiously at the thought of Emma caring enough for him to go to the hospital.

"We talked, instead of her avoiding me. She listened to me and even smiled. I think she's starting to accept us." This time David did look at his wife, the glimmer of hope in her green eyes so intense that it caused a warm feeling to run through his veins.

"Do you think she'll come... you know, to see me?" David could not prevent a wave of anticipation washing over him.

"I hope so. Do you want me to go look for them? She's still with Killian in the waiting room."

He nodded. "How is Killian?" Even in this situation, the well-being of Killian, and of all his loved ones in general, would always be his priority. Despite his mind puffing from the impact, he supposed that his friend would not have taken the news very well. He only hoped that at least he had found the comfort he needed in his daughter's arms.

"He's fine. I know him well, I know he was probably dying inside, but he tried to stay strong, I guess for me and for Emma. It's amazing how far he's come, David, how he's growing up." Mary Margaret’s voice came full of affection towards Killian.

She was right, despite all the suffering he had gone through, it seemed that at last, he was rising from the ashes, revealing the honorable man he was always meant to be. He could not be more proud of him. "She’s been his savior."

"Well, I prefer to think that the two managed to save each other. She seems so happy with him..." A tug of some unease settled in the pit of his stomach at the thought that their happiness might have been truncated by their fault, but he quickly forced himself to swallow those feelings. What mattered now was that they were together and that he was about to see them.

"These medicines are beginning to make their effect. Would you mind if... I'd like to see them." He muttered, feeling an extreme weariness overtake him and his mind began to cloud.

"Of course, I'm going to get our kids. I'll see you later." Mary Margaret offered him an affectionate smile before placing a tender kiss on his forehead and leaving the bay, closing the curtain behind her.

The headache was still latent, but a feeling of numbness, of heavy limbs, spread through his body, making it harder to keep himself awake. Just as he was about to surrender to sleep, the curtain opened again.

Despite the pain, a soft smile tugged at his lips as he saw Emma and Killian holding hands and approaching his bed. The lines of concern were still evident on his friend's face, but the corners of his lips rose when his eyes fell on him. Emma, on the other hand, wore a cautious expression. He was aware that the situation she was in couldn’t have to be easy, that's why he valued her effort even more.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" To his surprise, it was Emma who spoke first, her lips drawing a tentative smile.

"I feel like I've been hit by a car." Her smile turned into a grin as Killian raised his eyes to the ceiling at his bad joke. "I've been better, but I'll survive."

"You better, mate." Killian raised one eyebrow in warning. "You had us very worried for a while."

"I know, and I'm sorry I made you go through this, but I'm really fine now, quite exhausted, and a little sore, but that's it. I don’t know why I have to stay in this damn hospital all night." He huffed.

"Because you got a concussion." Emma and Killian replied in unison, causing a laugh to bubble up in the back of his throat. The sound turned soon into a kind of a whimper, his aching body accusing the effort.

"You should rest, mate." Killian approached him, giving him an affectionate squeeze on his good shoulder. "You will be at home tomorrow but in the meantime, I will try to convince Mary Margaret to go and get some rest, and that I will stay tonight with you, but I'm afraid it will be a difficult task."

"It will be an impossible task, don't even try." He said so quietly that he doubted that his voice had been heard, his eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. "Also, I don't need anyone to stay with me, that chair doesn't seem exactly comfortable and I'm really fine." He made one last weak and failed attempt. Both his wife and Killian could be very stubborn when they set out to do something and he felt too weak to keep insisting.

"You and I know there's no way in hell that's happening, Dave."

"Try to get some sleep, you'll find yourself better tomorrow." Emma's gentle voice made the clouds that were taking over his brain slow their progress.

"Emma..." He raised his left hand slightly, as if he wanted to reach her, reluctant to let her go so soon. "Thank you so much for coming, you don't know how much I value this kind gesture."

When her hand held his, giving it a gentle squeeze, he wasn't sure if he had already fallen asleep and was dreaming. Dream or reality, a feeling of deja-vu seized him while a flash of that distant day in this very place jumped to his memory, a swell of emotion rising in his chest. "You did the same thing the first time we met, your tiny little hand clung to my finger that day..." He whispered. The last thing he saw before his eyes finally closed was a watery, intense gaze through the prettiest green eyes he'd ever seen in his life.

Emma Swan. Storybrooke - May 9, 2018

Her heart beat frantically in her chest as they finally made their way back to the waiting room. Both the previous confession from Mary Margaret and David’s last words before falling asleep had caused a strange sensation to spread through her body, a mixture of confusion and a desire to know more.

"Are you okay, love?" Killian asked, as he pulled her to his side, a protective arm around her shoulders.

"Yeah, a little overwhelmed with everything that's happening, I guess." She admitted through a weak smile.

They didn't have much more time to talk as Mary Margaret came out to meet them as soon as she saw them arrive in the waiting room, asking them about David's condition.

Killian and his friend talked for a while, he trying to convince her to go home to sleep since he was more rested for having had the day off. She, of course, refused any attempt, crossing her arms over her chest and pursing her lips.

"I'm not leaving, Killian, and that's final!" She stated, thrusting her chin upward.

"Fine." Killian growled, throwing his arms in the air. "But I'm not going either, I'll sleep here, in the bloody waiting room."

"Oh, no, you won't."

"I can assure you that I will." Killian challenged, causing Mary Margaret to roll her eyes. "I'm going to walk Emma to her car and I'll come back here."

Emma watched the scene between the two friends as she tried to hold back the smirk that threatened to form on her lips. There was no doubt that despite her seemingly fragile appearance, Mary Margaret was a bit of a spitfire. Just like me, and for the first time, that thought did not scare her at all, quite the contrary.

The mention of her name made Mary Margaret address her, still unwilling to bury the hatchet, apparently. "This boyfriend of yours is so stubborn... I'm afraid you'll sleep alone tonight, honey." Although she was still slightly frowning, her expression softened as she talked to her.

"I'll manage." she mumbled, looking down at her feet. Maybe Mary Margaret hadn't realized the meaning of her words, but Emma did. Her cheeks began to burn at the thought of talking to her mother about sleeping with a guy. Gods! What had her life become in the last hours? From completely ignoring the existence of her parents to now, where she felt like a kind of teenager in front of them...

Killian came to her rescue then, wrapping her waist, and gently pulling her toward the exit. Before leaving, Mary Margaret said goodbye to her warmly but keeping her distance, which she appreciated. She was not ready yet for more physical contact.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, Emma lost in thought as tiredness took over her. This perpetual roller coaster of emotions was taking its toll, clearly. After more than two months sleeping in Killian's arms, the idea of returning to her solitary apartment wasn't appealing at all. But she understood him and respected his decision.

Once they arrived at the place where her car was parked, she stopped, facing him. "Just for the record, had you been in David's place, I would have stayed with you too."

A shadow crossed his face darkening his features while he clutched his grip on her waist, pulling her even closer. "I can't even imagine if you were the one who..." He trailed off and suddenly his lips were on hers offering her a searing and demanding kiss, cupping her face with both his hand and his prosthesis. She barely had time to react, returning the kiss with earnest when he pulled away almost as abruptly as he began, resting his forehead with hers.

"It's not that I'm complaining..." She muttered as she tried to catch her breath... "But what's that all about?"

Killian parted enough for his gaze to bore into hers, still holding her face, his thumb brushing her cheek lightly. "I love you, Emma. Gods! I love you much."

Her mouth fell open as she tried to process his words, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering and her heart thudding in her chest.

"You're a bloody wonder, love, and I know you needed to be very brave and compassionate and kind to come here in spite of everything." He paused, while running his tongue across his lips in a movement too distracting. "Maybe it's too soon, or maybe not, but... with everything that has happened with David... I wasn't able to hold back these words for any longer, so I'll understand if you aren't ready yet..."

"I love you too." Emma assured him by cutting off his rambling. After a few seconds in which he was speechless, gazing at her in awe, his face split into a giant grin as a special glow appeared in his eyes, making them impossibly blue. This time, it was she who captured his lips, reluctant to part just yet.

Only after someone yelled at them to get a room did they separated. "I'll miss you in my bed tonight." She mumbled against his lips before pulling away and finally getting into the car.

She left him there, in the middle of the parking lot, gaping, a wrecked expression on his face, while her chest swelled with pride at being aware that she and only she was the cause of his state.

While driving to her apartment, she thought that sooner or later she would finally have to face her past and decide what future she wanted to follow, whether she wanted to give her family a chance or if, on the contrary, their relationship was damaged beyond of reparation despite the advances of these last days.

She shook her head, causing those thoughts to vanish, at least for a while. She would have time to think about them later. For the moment, she indulged herself in the fact that she had taken a step forward in her relationship with Killian, finally uttering the words that had been bubbling inside her until then. She felt her chest bursting with happiness. And that was just the beginning. From now on, the sky was the limit.

Letters to Emma from her father, 1989-2018

Sitting cross-legged on her bed, Emma stared at the box she had placed in front of her, not daring to open it, for fear of what she might find inside.

Three days had passed since David's accident and she hadn't yet decided what to do with the Nolans. Her heart screamed that both she and they deserved an opportunity. She felt in the depths of her soul the longing to be part of a family, to begin to build a future together. Her mind, however, remained cold. If she didn't give them a chance she wouldn't risk getting hurt along the way.

There was something she was sure of though. It was fair to get all the information to be able to decide. And that meant gathering enough courage to read David's letters. She may not owe them anything else, but she at least did owe them that.

She was waiting for Killian to arrive to read the letters together. Maybe it wasn't the most appropriate decision, maybe she was violating some rule of intimacy by showing another person the contents of a letter written just for her, but there was no way in hell she could do it alone. And besides, Killian was one of those affected in this whole story, wasn't he?

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard the clink of keys against the lock, both from the fact that Killian now had a spare key to her apartment but also it meant that the inevitable was about to happen. She was going to immerse herself in her past. She just hoped that Killian's protective arms would act as a lifeline.

"Emma, are you home?" Killian's voice came from the hall.

"Over here." She called, hoping her voice wasn't shaking.

Killian stopped short when he opened the door and entered the room, his gaze traveling from the box to her face, a small wrinkle of confusion adorning his forehead.

"I want to do it, I want to read them, but I can't do it alone. So... would you mind joining me, please?" She asked not bothering to hide the hint of pleading in her voice as her right shoulder tensed up around her hear and her lips drew a small pout.

Killian continued looking at her for a few seconds, letting out a deep exhale. "I'm not sure I should intervene in this, love. It's something between you and your parents."

"It wouldn't be an intervention, just moral support." She insisted while holding her breath. A thought crossed her mind then, causing her determination to falter. She had no idea of the content of those letters but what if Killian also appeared in them? What if reading the letters not only meant traveling to her past but also to his? She needed to abort the mission right now.

She got up suddenly, grabbing the box with the intention of returning it to its hiding place, feeling like her heart dropped into her stomach. "You're right, this is a bad idea. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking straight." She mumbled, a wave of shame washing over her at the thought that she had been so self-centered that she had forgotten how others could feel.

Killian was at her side in a split second, slowing her progress. "Easy, Swan. What the hell are you doing?"

She swallowed hard, feeling her hands burning from the contact with the box as she deliberately avoided Killian's gaze. "It's a bad idea." She repeated weakly.

"Emma, love, talk to me, please." He muttered, as he gently pushed her chin forcing her to raise her head and look him in the eye.

A deep sigh escaped her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds. The look he gave her when she finally opened them again was filled with a mixture of concern and devotion. "These letters may contain not only part of my past, or rather the absence of my past, but also of yours. I wouldn't want your wounds reopened because of me, Killian."

Letting out a heavy breath, he ran his hand over his scruff. "We're in this together, Swan, or don't you remember agreeing to walk together until we reach the light at the end of the tunnel?" The way he was using her own words to cheer her up caused a warm sensation to run through her whole body, the memory of that day bringing a faint smile to her lips.

His lips also drew a small smile in encouragement, his eyes never leaving hers. "These bloody letters may make us fall into a dark hole, but I'm sure we're going to get out of there hopefully having left behind some of our burdens."

There was so much honesty and determination both in his speech and in his expression that she had no choice but to trust him. "Okay, let's do this." She breathed out.

Killian's smile widened as he took the box from her hands and placed it back on the bed. Next, he took off his shoes and sat with his back against the headboard, leaving a gap for her between his spread legs. "Come here, love." He waved his hand inviting her to come closer.

The moment she climbed onto the bed, emulating her previous position, Killian wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her right shoulder in a position that allowed him to read as she did.

Emma took a deep breath and let it out slowly, while closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she finally made up her mind and took the lid off the box, holding her breath. There were several objects inside, including a pile of letters tied with a string, but she focused first on the handwritten note that was on top, following the instructions: Read this note first.

The note was attached to a sheet of paper folded in half. With trembling fingers, she unfolded the paper and found what appeared to be the first letter, also handwritten. She felt Killian's arms tighten slightly around her waist as if encouraging her to read. And that she did.

My dearest Emma,

If you have come this far it's because somehow you have decided to give us an opportunity to offer you the explanations you deserve even though it’s through this way. I could not be more grateful for that, but let me inform you first about what you will find inside this box. I wrote you a letter every day on your birthday and some more, baring my soul in them and expressing my wish that someday we could meet you. Our wishes have come true, finally. I just hope it was not too late.

There is also a series of small objects, simple trinkets that shouldn't even be considered gifts, but we couldn't resist acquiring them as soon as our eyes fell on them, because for some reason, they made us think of you. But I will offer the explanation to each of the objects later. First things first. Let me tell you a short tale before you start reading the letters.

Emma ignored David's suggestion and, before continuing, reached into the box, looking for those non-gifts, while her heart constricted in her chest.

There was a small rag doll with golden hair and green eyes, dressed as a kind of princess from a fairy tale. Emma also found a small glass figure carved in the shape of a unicorn. And an old storybook that included an illustration of The Ugly Duckling story on the cover. The irony, Emma thought as the corners of her lips lifted slightly. From that angle, she couldn't see Killian, but the way his scruff tickled the exposed skin of her neck made her think he was smiling too.

And finally, there was the camera. It was one of those disposable devices and Emma doubted if it would even still work, but the very thought that her parents had believed she would like it caused her stomach to flutter as she blinked a couple of times, holding back tears.

If just by observing those objects she was about to burst into tears, Emma wondered what would become of her when she immersed herself in the contents of the letters.

As if he sensed her uneasiness, Killian whispered in her ear. "You can do it, love."

Nodding almost imperceptibly, Emma steeled herself and grabbed back the first letter, ready to read the short tale her father had written for her.

Once upon a time a boy and a girl fell hopelessly in love when they were still young and innocent. They longed to build a life together, a promising future awaited them, but on the way to achieving their dreams, they must be separated for a while. When the boy left, he did it with endless promises that he trusted to fulfill. But what neither of them knew was that the product of their love had begun to grow inside her. Unfortunately, with his departure, the girl was left alone and unprotected, so the evil stepmother took advantage of her vulnerability to spread her claws and try to destroy the happiness that she would never get. The girl, sad and desperate, fell into her stepmother's trap, believing that she really would not be able to offer her daughter her best chance, thinking that she too could not destroy her boyfriend's promising future by burdening him with a responsibility he did not have requested. But luck, or fate, made the boy return to the town with enough time to meet his daughter and also to say goodbye to her, the tiny baby girl carrying part of his heart with her while he watched helplessly how she was taken away - perhaps forever - without him having the chance to hold her in his arms for even a few seconds. And this is where you appear, my dear daughter.

This tale hasn't yet reached the end, and that is why I'm hoping against hope that we will be able to write our happily ever after together.

Dropping the paper, Emma pressed her lips together as she leaned her back against Killian's chest, breathing hard and unable to prevent a tear that slid down her cheek.

Although David had not offered details, the few written touches did serve to paint the scenario of a young girl alone and manipulated by her stepmother. She could now understand the reasons and although that would not mean that the pain of abandonment would ease, at least it did allow her to feel lighter. Her mother had not given her up for adoption because she thought she wasn't enough, but because she believed that she wasn't going to be able to give her her best chance.

She kept her eyes closed for a few seconds as she tried to calm her agitated breathing with the help of Killian, who alternated light kisses, barely a brush of his lips on the skin of the curve of her neck, with soothing words whispered in her ear.

Just when she seemed to have calmed down enough, the image of the stepmother came to her memory. Emma straightened her back as she turned her head slightly looking for Killian's eyes. "Mary Margaret's stepmother... she was Regina's mother, wasn't she?"

Killian nodded, pressing his lips together. "Aye, she was the one who took care of Mary Margaret when her father passed away, even though they had already divorced at the time."

“Regina knew it, didn't she? She was there when all this happened, right?" She clenched her jaw as he nodded again, increasing her decision to quit that job as soon as possible.

The reading of the first letter seemed to pave the way to the following since, once recovered, Emma grabbed the pile of letters and untied the string that held them together, leaving them in her lap and holding the first one, dated October 1990, the day of her first birthday.

The first letters were not an easy journey, as she had already anticipated. A bittersweet sensation settled in the pit of her stomach as she (they) read along.

There were smiles when David narrated some of his experiences in Storybrooke with Mary Margaret and how the town seemed not to have changed in the least almost thirty years later.

She shed more tears, first for the death of Ruth, David's mother —her grandmother— and for the reasons behind their decision to leave the town and try a new beginning on the other side of the ocean, the burden of memories too heavy for them.

She also cried for herself since, while David clung to the hope that she would be happy with a family that loved her, the reality had been very different. Each of his words acted like a dart to her already broken heart because, if they hadn't had that certainty, maybe they could have fought for her, maybe... Emma shook her head, it wouldn't do her any good to lament about what could have been. That wouldn't make the past change. Now she had no choice but to look ahead.

The letter in which she turned ten was also the one that brought Killian on stage. She noticed how his body tensed, as his arms tightened even more around her waist when his written name appeared for the first time.

From there, they continued the trip together, holding each other while they faced their ghosts of the past in the best possible way.

The feeling of jealousy and envy was there, latent, ready to strike from time to time in the form of a reminder that they had been there for him, sharing happy experiences, acting as a family, unconventional, but a family after all, while she had had to keep fighting and facing new abandonments, new disappointments, new rejections.

The letter that almost ended up breaking her was the one David had written a few months after she had turned eighteen. She already knew in advance that even though David's birthday letter had held the promise that they would come looking for her now that she had become an adult, they never would. But having the written confirmation that they had deliberately chosen Killian instead of opting for the tiny possibility of being able to recover their own daughter caused a pain almost impossible to bear.

Because irony had wanted that, while it was true that Killian had been going through the most traumatic moment of his life with the loss of his brother, she had also gone through hell at that time, locked in prison, alone and vulnerable after being once again abandoned and betrayed in the vilest way possible.

She had to stop reading, tears so plentiful that her vision blurred. She also noticed moisture at the height of her shoulder, where Killian was resting his head. That and the slight tremor of his body against hers were indicative enough that Killian was also crying.

Emma's heart ached for him, because he had been just another victim of the vicissitudes of life. She turned her head again, searching his eyes. The expression she found was so laden with guilt and regret that she could do nothing but turn around and straddle his lap, facing him, while cupping his face with both hands.

"Hey, Killian, look at me." She mumbled as he stroked his hair softly.

"I'm so sorry, Emma." He managed to say through a broken voice.

"It's not your fault, Killian, I mean it." Emma tried to convey both with her voice and her eyes, her raws feelings. "I'm not going to deny that it hurts like hell, that that twinge of pain has increased, but deep down, I'm glad they were there for you. If it hadn't been for them..." Her voice trailed off while she swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. She couldn’t deny the obvious, if David and Mary Margaret hadn’t been there to support him he might never have recovered.

Killian stared at her for a few seconds until he pulled her toward him, burying his head in her chest as they both melted into a tight embrace, their hearts beating in unison as they both found comfort in each other's arms.

"David was right," Killian muttered, pulling away a little to look into her eyes. "Reading about Liam is like opening the wound again..." his lips drew a small smile, a halo of melancholy reflected on his face, "... but with you by my side, I feel stronger, Emma."

"David was wrong about something though." Before continuing, Emma bit her lower lip, hesitant about expressing aloud the thought that had crossed her mind.

Killian tilted his head slightly, looking at her intently. "About what?"

"About Liam. It's true that I didn't know him personally, but I do feel like I've known him. He's alive in these stories, Killian." Emma pointed to the letters they had just read, scattered on her bed. "And he is alive here." She laid her hand on Killian's chest, at the level of his heart. "And here." Then she brought her hand to his forehead. "And on all those photo albums you have in your apartment."

He closed his eyes and leaned forward, resting his forehead on hers. "Emma..." The way he pronounced her name, in a reverent sigh, sent a chill down her spine but she needed to continue with what she had started.

"I'm glad that both you and David have allowed me to get to know him through your memories." Killian shortened the distance between them, his soft, warm lips brushing hers and then hugging her again.

They remained in that position for what seemed like hours. It wasn't that she complained, she had learned that being in Killian's arms doing nothing, simply enjoying his warmth and the security he offered, had become one of her little pleasures. But Emma was beginning to fear that maybe the time to finish reading had passed. He soon pulled her out of her uncertainty, to her pleasant surprise.

"I think we still have a few cards left, Swan. Shall we?"

"Are you sure?"

Before answering, he took a deep breath. "Aye, let's go with it."

They didn't return to their original position though. Emma sat on his lap, but with her legs stretched out on the bed. She leaned on her side against Killian's chest, holding the letters at the right angle so he could read too as he wrapped both arms around her waist.

Together they resumed the journey through Killian's memories as they read David's letters. This last stage of the trip was perhaps the most painful, at least for Killian, since he had to relive not only the loss of Milah and the traumatic experience of the impact that took away his hand and almost his future, but they also discovered the torment that David had suffered all these years, trying to be the rock that his loved ones needed when he was dying inside.

The last letter was dated only a few months earlier, on the day of her last birthday, when she had received the gift that would change her life forever. David had mentioned Killian in that letter, as a premonition, anticipating that their paths would cross. What no one could have imagined at that time was the depth of feelings that would develop between them after that first encounter.

There was something implicit in the contents of the letters, something she hoped Killian would have noticed, too. The relationship David and Mary Margaret had with Killian was not based on the responsibility they felt towards him. They had loved Killian throughout those years and they were still loving him now. She could understand where those unfounded concerns of Killian came from, but maybe it was time to leave behind any vestige related to that fear.

She really was grateful that they had the opportunity to dedicate that love to at least one of them. "They love you, you know that, right?" She mumbled as her fingers drew delicate patterns on Killian's chest.

"I do. I do know it now. They love you too, Swan, even though they have not had the chance to prove it to you until now, but if you let them..." He paused for a few seconds as if deciding whether to continue or not. "I'm sorry, it's just up to you to give them a chance or not, but at least I hope that reading the letters has helped you understand them better."

The wound was still fresh. Maybe it had stopped bleeding but the edges were still tender. Reading the letters was meant to apply a bandage on that wound, and now she only hoped it would be enough for it to finish healing.

Still, her heart had begun to flutter in anticipation, as a wave of longing took hold of her. She also wanted to be part of future letters, she deserved to experience what it meant to be part of a family and if she had to forgive them and trust that the bandage was enough, so be it.

"I'm tired of fighting, of protecting my heart, Killian." She admitted, raising her head as she searched his gaze. "Even though I may need your help. I'm not an expert on this family thing, you know."

The smile he gave her had the ability to illuminate the entire bedroom. "You just have to trust me, Swan."

"I do." She returned a smile that she hoped matched his, before laying her head back on his chest.

Maybe it was the rhythmic beating of his heart against her ear or the soft sway of her body in his arms, whatever it was, Emma felt her eyelids grow heavier as a sense of drowsiness overtook her. Before surrendering to sleep, she clung to the last thought, like a premonition, that crossed her mind. A little girl, with green eyes and dark hair, lay in her crib while holding in her arms an old rag doll dressed like a princess from a fairytale.

When Emma woke up a little later, she was alone in bed, a thin blanket covering her body. She sat up confused, looking around through her narrowed eyes as she tried to get rid of the vestiges of sleep. There was no sign of the letters on the bed, but the box containing them had been placed right at the foot, on Killian's side. A handwritten note that had not been there before was stuck on the lid of the box.

Emma reached out a hand to get the note, finding a text written in Killian's cursive handwriting.

I hope you have achieved the restful sleep that you deserved after experiencing so many emotions. I would have stayed with you, watching over your dreams, but I needed to do something first. I needed to express my feelings towards my (our, I hope) family. I will return to you soon. I love you, yours, Killian.

She held the note against her chest and dropped her head back onto the pillow, thinking that maybe the time had come to finally pay a visit to her family.

Killian Jones. Storybrooke - May 12, 2018

The moment the door opened and he found Mary Margaret on the other side, Killian pounced on her, wrapping her in a bear hug. She remained still at first, unable to react, but then returned the hug in earnest. They continued that way for a few seconds, Killian letting himself be carried away by the sensation of calm that always emanated from his friend while the swirl of feelings dancing inside him became more intense.

The letters had been a revelation for him, so he didn’t mind to have gone through that tortuous path of reliving his past if it meant he finally managed to see that light at the end of the tunnel, at least as regards his relationship with his friends.

"Killian, you're scaring me, what's going on?" Only Mary Margaret's voice, full of worry, got him separated from her. David chose that moment to appear from the kitchen, a cloth over his left shoulder.

His brow furrowed as his gaze traveled from Killian to his wife and back. "What’s happening?”

Something caught Killian's attention, making him forget for a moment the reason for his visit. "Where's your sling, mate?" His gaze shifted to the cloth. "Don't tell me you're cooking... You should rest, Dave." He scolded him while shaking his head, unable to believe that his friend was so careless about his health.

David rolled his eyes as Mary Margaret snorted at his side. "Believe me, I've tried Killian, but this man can be incorrigible at times."

"I'm fine." David snapped defensively. "Actually, being stuck here at home helplessly is driving me crazy." He massaged his temples before continuing. "So I'll go back to work tomorrow."

"No, you won't." Mary Margaret raised a finger in warning.

"But..."

"It's Sunday." Killian interrupted, getting both of them to turn their heads towards him. As much as he enjoyed these little domestic fights, since they reminded him of home, he had come for a specific purpose. "Tomorrow is Sunday, so I'm afraid you'll still have to spend another day here, mate." He smirked at him while wagging his eyebrows.

"You aren't helping, Killian." He huffed in annoyance.

"Maybe not, but I'm sure that when you know why I'm here you'll have a reason to enjoy a quiet Sunday at home."

"Are you sure everything is fine?" Mary Margaret asked as she reached out her hand to give him an affectionate squeeze on his biceps.

"Aye, everything is fine." His stomach tightened into knots, but he forced himself to swallow any hesitation he might feel. "Emma and I... she asked me to read the letters with her. We did it this afternoon."

David's eyes widened as Mary Margaret covered her mouth with one hand, both looking at him intently, as if inviting him to continue.

"Maybe I shouldn't have done it, because they're letters that you wrote exclusively to her, but she asked me and..."

"I'm glad you did it, Killian." David cut him off while nodding. "I'm glad you were with her through it."

"I'm not going to speak for her, she'll be the one to do it when she feels ready, but..." His voice trailed off as he felt a wave of emotion creeping up his throat. He swallowed again, hoping to keep his voice stable enough. "It's been painful to relive those moments, but thanks to those letters I've realized something that maybe I should have noticed before."

"Oh, Killian." Mary Margaret squeezed his arm affectionately again, while it was evident that she was making great efforts to maintain her composure.

"You guys have always been with me, in good times, as well as in not so good ones, as in my incursions to hell. I will never be able to thank you enough for letting me be part of your family, for having welcomed me and made me feel loved even though I wasn't able to prove it or to reciprocate it to you then."

"Of course you are part of our family, Killian." It was all David said before wrapping him in a tight hug, charged with emotion to which Mary Margaret joined a few seconds later.

They remained there, embraced for a while, as Killian felt all the power of memories dancing around them. Emma was right, Liam would always be part of this family, he would stay alive forever in their hearts.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted the moment. His heart skipped a beat in anticipation, trusting that his Swan had already woken up and gained enough determination to follow in his footsteps.

This time, it was David who opened the door. Indeed, Emma was there. His chest swelled with pride as he saw that his beautiful, brave and talented Emma was finally ready to take the step that would bring her back into the arms of her family.

"Emma! What a pleasant surprise." David welcomed her, unable to hide the joy in his voice. "Come in, come in." He stepped aside, allowing Emma to enter the living room.

"Hey, guys." She greeted them, holding a tight smile as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Her eyes then traveled to David's right arm as her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Where's your sling?"

"Oh my God." He heard Mary Margaret muttering at his side as he kept his lips pressed together in an attempt to hold back a chuckle.

"Maybe he will listen to his daughter now." Killian leaned down to whisper in his friend's ear causing her eyes to go wide as she clung to his arm and gave him a pleading look. He nodded subtly and then turned back to Emma.

"Well..." David mumbled as he ran his hand down his chin.

Mary Margaret seemed to take pity on her husband as she ran to David's side, hooking her arm in his good one and giving Emma a warm look. "I'm glad you're here. Can I offer you a drink?"

Emma shook her head as she looked in Killian's direction briefly. He nodded quietly, encouraging her to continue. "No, not for the moment at least. I... look, this is hard for me so I'm going to drop everything now, okay?"

Everyone remained silent looking at Emma carefully. Before continuing, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "I suppose Killian has already told you, but we've read the letters this afternoon - all of them, which means a lot, but anyway, I just wanted to tell you that you don't need to write me any more letters... I, well, I'm here," Emma shrugged her shoulders as her lips drew a half smile, "so we can just, talk in person..." Killian was dying to be by her side, to support her at this moment, but he was also aware that it was something she had to do for herself.

"You mean birthdays and other events like in the letters?" David asked tentatively.

Emma shook her head while licking her lips. "No, I mean that, if you allow me, I'd like to be part of all this." She waved her hand, encompassing everything around her.

"Oh Emma." Mary Margaret muttered as she reached out to hold Emma's hand. "Of course, you've always been part of this family, although we haven't been able to prove it to you until now."

"Thank you so much, sweetheart, for giving us this opportunity to do things right with you for once." The raw emotion was evident in both the voice and the expression of David. He himself felt a warm feeling spread to his heart as he witnessed how the three most important people in his life finally reunited forever.

"Can I... can I hold you?" Mary Margaret offered in a soft voice. Emma blinked a couple of times, but was unable to stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. She could only nod in response to her mother's request.

Something pulled on Killian the moment Emma's parents finally embraced their daughter, no lies, no secrets between them anymore, just the sincere embrace of three people who had been separated for too long.

His fingers began to tingle with the need to immortalize the moment and make it eternal. They deserved it. In the absence of his camera, he took the phone out of his pocket, and shot a few pictures quickly and then he took it more calmly, focusing on capturing the emotion, the endless feelings that were reflected in the faces of his friends and his girlfriend.

David looked at him with a frown, but also with a smile on his lips. "Stop thinking about photography for a moment and come here to join your family." He happily obliged, at least in part, since, before joining the first — he hoped— of many family hugs he reached out as he held the phone in his hand and then shot.

While he was immersed in the embrace, surrounded by the love of his life and the people who had been his family for twenty years, he made a mental note to include that photo in a privileged place in the photo album that Emma had given him for his birthday, willing, more than ever, to keep filling that album of memories in the form of images. The memories of his family. The memories of the new life that awaited them all. Together.

TheLadySwan Life is composed of small pieces of a puzzle that fit together little by little. Sometimes the last piece takes time to appear, or it's difficult to fit at the beginning, but when it finally does and you are able to observe the complete picture, you feel a sense of fulfillment and the certainty that, no matter what awaits us in the future, no matter if at some point the pieces of the puzzle are separated again, we will always find a way to unite them.

This is the end, almost...

What to expect from the epilogue? I hope you all enjoy the last stage of this journey celebrating Emma's new birthday... and more...

Thanks for reading. Let me know what did you all think :)

#cs ff #csbb #cs au #captain swan #captain swan ff #pictures of reality #mayquita writes #my cs writings #cs au ff #csbb 2018

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therealcalicali · 6 years

Text

CHAPTER 4: Vikings - Lillesøster (Little Sister)

Chapter 4 Warnings: Threats, Light Smut and Fluff

Word Count: 10500

Setting: Viking Era

Genre: Romance/Drama/Epic

Pairing: Ragnarssons x Reader, Alfred x Reader, Aethelred x Reader (No details because it would spoil the story)

Read Season 2: Here

Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19

Chapter 20 Part A Chapter 20 Part B

________________

“I did not care for your display at the docks.” An irritated Alfred finally said.

As he paced the floor of his chamber in the West Wing of Ragnar’s estate, the Prince seemed on the verge of shouting. You sat quietly in a chair, desiring sleep prior to your welcoming feast, however, you could not interrupt him. In the corner, seated quietly reading a book was Pippa, doing her best to not appear bothered by Alfred’s bad mood. Governess Yasmine had already gone to her chamber to rest as had most of the people who arrived with you to Kattegat. You truly wished your soon-to-be husband would end the argument so you could rest.

“Alfred, must you always be annoyed with me?” You asked. “No matter whom I am around, you find fault. You have known about Gunni since the day I met you. He is one of my dearest friends and I have always written--”

“That was then Y/N!” Your betrothed said as he stopped pacing. “We were children. But now, it is not proper for a woman and man to be such close friends.”

“What are you saying?”

Alfred walked over and knelt in front of you. Looking at your future husband, you were doing your utmost to keep yourself calm. How dare he think he could tell you whom you could befriend or not? Especially when you had known Gunni long before meeting him. Taking your hands in his, Alfred kissed them first before he finally felt he could say what he wanted.

“Please listen to me. You are going to be Queen of your own realm and also, my wife. It means between us, we are accountable to two kingdoms……two Christian kingdoms. No matter what, at the end of all this, we have to move forward with our lives in the proper manner. Will we remain on diplomatic terms with these people? Of course! But they are Heathens at the end of the day. Therefore, our two worlds can never coincide. Especially when it comes to your social circle. You carrying on as….close friends with them will also have to end.”

“Carrying on? Alfred, you behave as if you forget that my father is Ragnar Lothbrok.”

“Fortunately, your mother raised you and your Christian attendees did the rest.” He said. “You cannot possibly think our children will be exposed to these people?”

You were astonished by his candid disdain for the Vikings. Not that you were expecting Alfred to utterly accept them as equals – his Christian upbringing would never allow it. However, you were surprised that he thought so poorly of people who had helped you after your mother’s murder.

“I do not think you are being fair.” You said trying to stay very tactful.

“Listen Y/N, I love you. But I only find your father, Bjorn and Queen Aslaug agreeable. The rest……well, as I stated, I do not wish them to be around you.

There he went again! Telling you how you were to live your life and whom you could socialize with. Since you were still worn from the journey to Kattegat, you were in no mood to argue with him. Additionally, you were trying your best to do as Governess Yasmine had advised.

“Say something, my love.” A worried Alfred said - bringing your hands to his lips and kissing them.

“I am exhausted. Would it be alright if we finished discussing this after I have had some rest?”

Alfred smirked and nodded his head. Standing up, he took you by your hand and stated he would walk you to your chambers. As the two of you exited the chamber, Pippa followed. Your five Handmaids; who had been seated in the hallway; immediately trailed behind you as well. Alfred glanced at you a moment as if he had something to say but was contemplating whether to speak up or not.

“What is it?” You asked as the two of you continued on.

Pleased by your intuition, Alfred regarded you with admiration briefly before speaking.

“I have been looking at dates for our wedding. Mother said it should take place as soon as possible. Especially with all that is occurring.” He said – giving your hand a firm squeeze. “With impending war, I tend to agree.”

You gritted your teeth as you looked straight ahead. Truthfully, you were in no rush to exchange vows with Alfred, or anyone else for that matter. Still you kept your true opinion to yourself.

“If you believe it is best.” You replied.

Alfred regarded you with both relief and joy. He was thoroughly pleased that you did not fight him on the matter. As far as you were concerned however, you were merely playing your part. In the situation you found yourself; besieged by powerful men on all sides; you had to be smart if you were to have your freedom one day. When the two of you arrived outside of your chamber door, Alfred gave you a peck on your lips. As he caressed you cheek with his thumb, he looked over your expression.

“You need not worry about anything Y/N. I will take good care of you always.”

With that, your betrothed gave you one last kiss before leaving you in the hands of your attendees.

__________________

“Please take a seat Alfred.” A proud Ragnar said to his future son-in-law.

Alfred had just entered the War Room where his father, Ragnar, the five Ragnarssons, King Gunni, Floki, Rollo and Lancille all had been busily going over strategy for taking Arundel.

“Nice for you to finally join us…..your Highness.” Ivar said as he looked at the Wessex Prince with some disdain.

“My apologies. I was just seeing to my wife...”

“My sister is not your wife!” An annoyed Ivar interrupted with a slant of the head. “At least, not at the moment.”

The dark haired Ragnarsson did little to hide his disapproval of the impending marriage between you and the young Christian Prince. Floki looked at both the foreign Alfred and Ivar and gathered that the tension would only get worse over time.

He knew the youngest Ragnarsson probably better than most people and could sense jealousy emanating from his words.

“I am sure you all know Prince Alfred, son of Prince Aethelwulf here.” Ragnar said pointing the elder Prince.

He then introduced everyone else in the room formally since he wasn’t sure how much they had interacted at the docks.

“It is nice to meet you finally meet you in the flesh King Gunni.” Alfred said as he shook your friend’s hand. “Y/N had spoken well of you over the years.”

Gunni smirked since he could sense that your betrothed did not seem to like him much.

“Likewise, Prince Alfred.” Gunni replied. “She has also spoke allot of you and your brother Aethelred.” He added looking around. “Pray tell, is he here?”

“No he is not. He escorted our mother and King Ecbert back to Wessex.”

“Really? That is rather disappointing. I was hoping to meet him as well.” An amused Gunni said - smirking even more. He knew that Alfred was the type to keep any man far from you for his own selfish reasons. “I hope that he will grace us with his presence before we all step onto the battlefield. After all, it is easier to fight alongside people who one considers to be friends……is it not?”

“So it has been said.” Alfred replied with as he forced a smile.

Lancille looked at the two men and sighed silently. For your sake, he hoped that they could put away their egos and fight the war ahead as proper allies. He then thought to how he had been so curt with you on the docks after first being so elated to see you. It was wrong and he felt guilty for doing so. However, he did not want to accept that his heart felt something when he laid eyes upon you again after all these years.

You were no longer the child that demanded he be at your side at all times, you were a woman. He could not help feeling attraction despite knowing you were off limits. Thus, he thought it was best to avoid you so that his feelings would not betray him. Especially since he and Pippa had an on and off relationship of sorts. Lancille’s thoughts were interrupted by Bjorn’s voice asking for the floor.

“Lancille and I have received word from Sir Evertte…”

“Excuse the interruption Bjorn. Who is he?” Gunni asked.

All the other men nodded their heads in agreement to his line of questioning.

“My apologies. I should have clarified who he was in the grand scheme of things before I began. Sir Everette is the Princess’s former personal guard and now is head of her loyal knights and fighters.” Bjorn said as he took his place in front of the men and placed his hands upon the large oak table.

Ivar fidgeted in his seat as he bit his lip. As always, he had issues with Bjorn always taking lead at times such as this.

“Why should we trust the word of this Sir Everette fellow?” Ivar interrupted. “For all we know he may have become compromised by now and is giving us inaccurate information.”

Some of the others grumbled in agreement, apparently feeling the same suspicion. Noticing this, Lancille spoke up.

“You have my word that he is an honest and loyal man. He not only cares for the Princess as his sovereign but as a daughter. He would never betray her. I swear my life on it.”

Ivar smirked and gave him a glare.

“That is good to know. If this man ever betrays us, I know whom to kill first.”

“Ivar!” Ragnar said as he poured some ale.

Lancille scowled at Ivar but did not dignify his absurd statement by giving it reply. He knew that Ragnar’s youngest son detested him for some reason. It had always been that way since you were a child and nothing had changed over time. Though Bjorn and Ragnar had become fond of Lancille, Ivar still viewed him with great disdain.

“As I was saying…” Bjorn said. “Sir Evertte has confirmed that King Edmund of Assyria will back the Princess.”

“And by that, what does he mean?” Ivar asked not impressed thus far.

“It means men and ships. And if she so requires, he will provide coin as well.” An annoyed Bjorn replied.

“Was that so difficult?” Ivar said. “At least we all now are clear on what his ‘help’ will involve.”

“There is some bad news, however.” Lancille interjected as he looked around the room. “Queen Isadora of Caesarea and King Nigelle of Edom have allied with the Queen Regent. With the Arundel’s fighting force and the two kingdoms backing them, the battle ahead will not be easy. However, it is a winnable battle nonetheless.”

“What of King Gaiallard of Scythia? Has he given word either way?” Prince Alfred asked of Lancille.

“I am afraid he has currently decided to stay neutral. Perhaps he is hedging his bets. I think he wants to see which side will appear to be more likely to win after a few skirmishes before committing his men.” Lancille replied.

“Cowardly piece of Christian filth!” A disgusted Floki sneered.

Rollo and Ivar burst into laughter whilst some of the others cringed a little.

“Current company not included….of course.” Floki added with a great smile upon his face.

“It does not matter. We will win!” Rollo added before lifting his horn in the air.

“Exactly Uncle. It does not matter how many forces the rebellious Queen attains or who does not join the fray. All that matters is that we have the advantage strategically. Great plans can lay waste to great numbers. It will be a quick war.” Ivar said.

____________________

“Stop right there Lancille!” You demanded as you approached your guard and close friend.

He had been avoiding you since the docks and you were beyond fed up with it. You had assumed that when the two of your reunited, there would have been some emotional reaction from him. Not that you expected tears of joy or anything of that nature. Lancille was Lancille after all. However, you did expect him to behave as if he was happy to see you again. Instead, he persisted in being indifferent to the point that it almost offended you. How could he behave so nonchalantly about your return whilst you were eager to chat and laugh about old times? No matter. You would now get to the bottom of things.

“Yes, your Highness.” The continuously brooding Lancille replied – giving you a customary bow before looking to the ground.

“Go and wait for me by the entrance of the Great Hall. I wish to speak with him alone.” You said as you turned to your Handmaids.

The five of them exchanged apprehensive looks about your command but left the two of you alone nevertheless.

“I demand to know why you have been avoiding me!”

“I beg your pardon, Princess?”

“Do not toy with me Lancille. I will not be fooled by your pretense. You have been cold and distant, not to mention that you have intentionally been avoiding me all day. Why?”

Lancille’s brown eyes met yours briefly before he looked into the sky as the two of you stood in your father’s courtyard. Looking at you again he gave a slight shrug.

“I am sorry if I have offered you Princess. I assure—“

“Please desist with the Princess rubbish! In fact, I do not wish to hear any such formalities from you.” You interrupted. “You are my friend, well at least I assumed you were. But now...I find that you cannot be bothered to smile at me or even converse beyond a word or two.”

Lancille clasped his hands in front of him and regarded you. Though you waited, he offered no response much to your irritation.

“Nothing to say?” You said in a surprised tone.

“What would you like me to say Princess Y/N?” He asked. “If there is something you require that would make you happy, please feel free to command it. I am your loyal servant after all.”

The words that left his mouth hurt you to the core. Did he really tell you to command him? As if you needed to order a friend to be a friend?

“You know what I think Lancille?” You said as you held your chiffon skirts tightly with anger. “I…I do not think I shall be in need of you shortly. I will find another personal guard and move you to a position that enables you to be…..free from…..my bothersome presence.

Lancille looked down at the ground as you spoke but offered no resistance or interruption.

“Now if you will excuse me, I have to make my entrance at my welcoming feast.” You looked at him with hurt in your eyes. “Good Evening!”

As you marched away from him, Lancille finally took his eyes off the ground and watched you depart, utterly crushed by all you had said.

As he stood alone, Pippa approached. She had overheard the entire conversation despite not initially wishing to spy on you both.

“Why are you so distant with the Princess?” She asked a stunned Lancille who turned to face her.

“So you heard everything?”

“Forgive me for being so inquisitive. I could not walk away once I saw how upset she was.” Pippa confessed. “I do not understand how you could miss her while she was away but now that she is here, you behave as you could care less.”

“It is improper for me to be overly emotional with my sovereign. As a knight, my focus is on doing a proper job of protecting her. After all, that is what is expected of me.” Lancille replied. “Now, if you will forgive me, I have to meet Ragnar and Prince Aethelwulf before the feast begins.

He gave Pippa a chaste peck on the lips before he walked off leaving her mulling everything over. Despite his assertion, your Lady In Waiting knew better. She knew exactly why her lover was determined to avoid you. Of course! Pippa had first noticed it at the docks. Lancille was very much enamored with you.

__________________

It was evening time and the feast welcoming you home was in full swing in Ragnar’s great hall. Everyone was having a wonderful time as you sat with your wine mulling over everything in your head. You felt like a prisoner despite wearing the prettiest silk dress from Francia and your coif fitted with a costly silver and diamond diadem Aethelred had gifted you.

“My dear, you should be enjoying the evening. You look much too serious.” Governess Yasmine said as she worked on her third cup of wine.”

“I suppose you are right.” You replied, giving her an affection one-handed hug.

“Of course I am right…as I usually am.” She said with a chuckle. “Drink and enjoy yourself. None of these foolish men know your thoughts, my sweet Princess. As long as you play your part well, you will be fine. Remember this adage “An innocent maiden with a hint of the devil in her, no man can resist.” She winked. “Men are impulsive creatures and with your beauty, you can make any of them melt in your hands.”

“May I ask you something?” You said with a smirk as the wine began hitting your senses. “Why do you know so much about…you know….men?”

Governess Yasmine smiled devilishly before taking another sip from her goblet.

“I know so much because I used the men I ‘loved’ to work my way into high position within the Royal Court. You see dear, I was born to a poor family of potato farmers. Naturally, I had no hopes of ever being more than that. Imagine being the daughter of a poor farmer and then growing up to be the wife of one.” She shook her heard. “Blast that piss to hell, I said!”

You laughed for a good while to hear her blunt language. When you were a child, you had always thought of Governess Yasmine as being rigid. But as you had gotten older, she really began opening up to you more.

“That is amazing. But you are so cultured and well-learned?” You gasped. “How can that be?”

“Well it is true. Life was hard growing up. Sometimes we had good harvest and ate well, and other times, well………believe me when I say that eating radish and cabbage soup for weeks on end is torture. However, as I got older, I realized that men would look at me strangely. Often, they even bestowed gifts and coin to my mother for my sake. Of course she hid the real whereabouts of these things from my father.” She chuckled and took a sip of wine. “She always stated that a ‘relative’ had given us money to make ends meet.”

“What a shrewd woman. I rather like your mother.” You said as you took another sip of wine.

“As did I. Being the clever woman that she was, she sat me down one day and told me that I was a beauty, unlike my sisters. She then sternly advised me not to squander my looks on a poor man. “Use your god given looks to make men give you what you want.”

Your eyes went large a moment as you pondered what it could mean.

“Did she mean to lay with them?”

“Heavens no.” Governess Yasmine laughed. “You need not sleep with a man to make him do things for you. Only senseless women who lack the art of seduction and other deceits have to resort to that.”

You were confused. Despite your sheltered up bring, you knew that men loved copulation. No matter how religious they were or how high their station, you learned quickly that most were lustful.

“My dear, much can be accomplished through simple acts. Be it a passionate kiss, sultry flirtation, subtle touch or sweet words, they all work. However, if you really need to make them stupid, you can ‘handle the member’ or allow them ‘the lark’. Governess Yasmine said with a chuckle.

“I confess that I do know what ‘handling the member’ means…” You giggled – recalling what you had done with Aethelred. “However, I have never heard of ‘the lark.’”

Governess Yasmine looked around a moment, making certain that no one at the table was listening. When she was assured that the other women were not paying attention, she faced you again.

“It means to allow a man to put his penis in-between your breasts and reach his….release.” She whispered.

You instantly burst into laughter. It was one of the oddest things you had heard and made you laugh more as you pictured the act. As you sat amused by your Governess’s words, you felt a tap on your shoulder.

“Ivar.” You said as he took a seat beside you.

“Whom were you expecting? Your fragile Christian?” He smirked as he held his full horn towards you.”

“What is in there?”

“Try it.” He said as his blue eyes fixated on yours.

As you tried to take the horn from his hand, Ivar pulled it away. He shook his head as he eyed you playfully.

“I want to hold it for you.”

You gave in and allowed your half-brother to hold the horn to your lips. As you drank, Ivar’s eyes stayed on you.

“It is a new ale that father has been importing.”

“Well, I really like it. It is not bitter unlike most ales.” You stated once you had your fill.

Ivar sipped from his horn and smiled at you. His eyes soon fixated on your engagement ring causing him to roll his eyes.

“So they are rushing you to wifedom I see.”

“I suppose so.” You said with a reluctant smile.

“Are you happy to be marrying him?”

“Of course I am. Why would I not be?

Ivar scrutinized your facial expression a while before suddenly chuckling. Logically, you assumed it was due to him being drunk, but when he was done laughing, he leaned to your ear.

“You are a very terrible liar.” He whispered.

Leaning back to look at you, Ivar gave you one of his peculiar smiles as he took his horn to his lips. As you tried to sip your wine, you could not help but to burst into laughter at his silliness.

___________________

As you stood to go outside for fresh air, you looked around the great hall and realized that Christian and Heathen alike were having a good time.

Perhaps your welcoming feast would go a long way in bringing people together.

“If drink, food and music is what it takes to get both sides to get along, perhaps I need to throw a few feasts with my own coin.” You thought.

“Princess Y/N, it is so good to see you.” A very happy Runa said as she pulled you into an embrace.

Gunni’s elder sister, who was now twenty four, held your hands as she looked you over with excitement in her eyes.

“I cannot believe how long it has been.” She said as she took your arm. “Come, let us take a walk.”

“That sounds wonderful actually.” You replied with a giggle. “I am afraid I require some cool air to help me reduce the effects from the wine.”

As the two of you walked towards the exit of the great hall, you spotted the elusive Gunni and some friends not too far away. The young King appeared to be having a very good time as he and his acquaintances laughed rowdily.

“He has always been quite adorable when he laughs.” You thought as some old memories came flooding to your mind.

Before you turned away, Gunni’s eyes met yours. He did not come to you, however, he gave you a wink that captivated your heart. Noticing her brother’s flirtation, Runa pulled you towards the entryway with a smirk upon her face.

___________________

The following afternoon, you were relieved to get time alone with Gunni. Since some most of the men had gone to look at the ships Floki’s workhands were building, you forced your childhood friend to remain for your sake. After all, he was a King and had plenty of his own ship builders and ships.

“Why did you bring me here of all places?” You laughed as Gunni dragged you by your hand to the water’s edge.

The two of you had left your Handmaids behind in a meadow after you had ordered them to await your return. After all, you wanted to enjoy some private time with your Viking friend.

“Remember the first time Boe, Ubbe and I brought you here?” He asked as he reminisced.

“You mean the day I nearly drowned?” You laughed as your recalled the incident.

For some reason or another, you were too hardheaded to admit you could not swim when you were a child. When the boys had jumped into the lake, you had stripped and jumped in behind them. That was when you realized that swimming was not something one could do just by willing it. As you sunk, you had thought you were finished until you saw Gunni swimming towards you. He was the one who not only brought you to shore, but chastised you about lying. In the end, he and Ubbe eventually taught you how to swim so that horrors like that never occurred again.

Suddenly, Gunni began taking off his tunic as you sat down on the grass. Picking a daisy, you began to pluck it’s petals before you glanced up at him gain. When you laid eyes his toned and firm upper body, you smiled to yourself and turned away. Your shyness did not go unnoticed by Gunni who knelt down beside you –his long hair brushing against your face as the wind picked up slightly.

“Why will you not look at me?”

“I did. I am now looking at the flowers in my hand.” You replied still not daring to glance at his handsome face.

Undeterred, Gunni took you by the chin and turned your face upward.

“Come swimming with me.” He said.

“What? Have you gone mad? You laughed.

Since it seemed you were not willing to join him, Gunni shrugged and began removing the rest of his clothes. You were utterly stunned and could hardly move. Despite all your flirtations with Aethelred, you still were quite the shy girl. In spite of feeling butterflies in your stomach, you were curious to see how Gunni’s body was compared to your Wessex beau. As you snuck a glimpse of his nude form, the back of your neck flushed with heat.

“I’m going in without you my Christian Princess.” He yelled to you before diving into the cool lake.

You hesitated a while but you soon went and sat on the wooden pier to watch Gunni enjoy his swim. Of course, you enjoyed the view of your childhood friend rising from the water, long black hair clinging to his toned back.

Did you feel guilty for eyeing him in such a lustful manner? Of course not. After all, after seeing Aethelred’s body, you felt that the male form was to be admired as much as possible. As you sat on the pier, you decided to take off your shoes and hosiery so that you could put your feet in the water.

“No one could find fault in me merely putting my feet in” You supposed.

When Gunni noticed you unlacing the garters from around your calves, he swam over.

“Are you tempting me?” He said with a great smile.

“No I am not!” You replied.

As he drifted in the water, he watched as you removed your knitted hose before he moved in closer. When you eased your feet into the cool of the lake you gasped when you unexpectedly felt his hands caressing you calves and feet.

“Gunni!” You cried out as you laughed. “Stop it. You know how ticklish my feet are.

“Do I?” He asked playfully as he continued to tickle you.

“Please stop before I fall into the water.”

Despite your begging, Gunni persisted with a massive smile upon his face.

You hit his bare shoulder good-naturedly, but as you went to pull your hand back, he grabbed you by your wrist. Staring into your eyes with a serious expression, he placed your palm against his cheek. Instinctively, you began to caress his well-defined jawline for a while before hastily pulling your hand away. The manner in which you were holding back amused Gunni - his blue eyes staring at you with fascination. Bringing himself closer, he positioned his wet body between your legs, pushing your expensive skirts further upward in order to not get them wet.

Though you should have done so, you did not attempt to stop him. Gunni’s hands soon moved from your calves to your thighs as he kept his eyes trained upon yours. Though you tried to resist, you felt hypnotically drawn to him as his strong hands gripped your thighs harder. Before you knew it, you planted a kiss upon your childhood friend’s soft lips. Not to be denied a true kiss, as you tried to sit back up, Gunni lurched forward and captured your mouth passionately. His hands pulled you so close to his body that you nearly fell of the wooden pier you were seated upon.

You could hardly breathe as his kiss overwhelmed your very being. Kissing a Viking was comparable to kissing a bolt of lightning. Every thought left your head as Gunni’s mouth travelled from your lips to your neck, dragging his warm tongue against your flesh.

“We…..cannot….” You said, faintly protesting to prevent things from going further.

Ignoring your weak plea, he brought his face in front of yours – holding your neck in his large hand while brushing his nose against yours.

“Should I stop?” He whispered.

You could hardly say anything as you found yourself brushing your lips against his - your entire body weak and craving more. When you finally shook your head, Gunni claimed your lips again, this time with more passion. You moaned as he held your neck tightly, controlling every aspect of the embrace. Without a second thought, your legs wrapped around him – bringing his wet body against your firmly.

Responding to your embrace, Gunni buried his face into the side of your neck, giving it lustful, open-mouthed kisses. Your back arched as your threw your head backward, utterly allowing the carnal pleasure to wash over you. As he licked your from your neck to your jawline, Gunni brought his lips to yours again. Gasping lustfully, he brushed his lips against your cheek.

“I have dreamt of this for years.” He whispered.

“We….we better stop.” You timidly said, afraid to be his arms any longer.

You felt vulnerable with him and feared losing your self-control. His every touch made you crave more and you feared the voice in your head that kept saying, ‘let him take you here’. As you gazed at Gunni, you realized that the entire dynamic of your friendship had instantly changed. Not that he had not flirted with you since you were younger. However, by kissing him, you had muddied the waters further.

“What are you thinking of?” He asked with his lips curled into devilish grin.

“I…I.do not know.”

Gunni gave you a knowing smirk - very pleased to see you flustered. Never had he thought he would ever hold the Christian Princess he adored in his arms, especially after word of your betrothal had reached him. It was news that enraged him so much, that he had actually contemplated breaking alliance with Ragnar. However, being a perceptive and strategic man, the young King knew that he need not stay angry. As proud of a Viking as your father was, Gunni knew it must have been difficult for him to agree to wed you to a Christian.

However, the marriage was the best way for you to create the army you required. Since your friend did not believe you loved Alfred, he did not care to hold back his advances any longer.

“You….you are being too forward.” You said barely getting the words out.

You felt Gunni’s hands travel higher on your things since he did not care for your false protest – his fingers lightly grazing your flesh.

“Gunni!”

“Yes, Y/N?”

His hands soon rested on your hips as he held your gaze – never averting his deep blue eyes that were full of desire. You felt one of his hands slowly trace along your hip and finally… to your inner thigh – pushing back your silk chemise. The feeling of his hand so close to your womanhood made your breath catch in your throat as you tried your best to remain composed. With a devilish grin upon his face, Gunni deliberately stroked your vaginal entrance with his thumb as he continued to look at you. Your eyes fluttered in ecstasy as you let out a whimper. Pleased by your reaction, he removed his hand from between your legs and pulled you into an embrace.

“Did I make you squirm?” He asked before placing a kiss upon your cheek.

“Oh, be quiet.” You said as a shy smile crossed your lips. “We best return for my Handmaids before they grow bored and come looking for me.”

“I almost forgot about them.”

“Well thank God I have not.” You replied as you pushed him underwater.

Rising from the lake, he splashed you as his revenge for your actions. “Why you little imp! You have made me all wet!”

“In more ways than one if I am not mistaken.”

You glared at Gunni! Oh how you wished you did not have to behave respectability just then. Without question, you would have jumped into the lake and given him the sound beating he deserved for his naughty wisecrack. Standing up and fixing your chemise and skirts, you began to walk away.

“Hey Princess!” Gunni called out. “Do you not wish to remain for the show?”

“What show?”

“Me getting redressed of course.” He replied with a wink.

You turned your back to him and took a seat on the grass - heart still beating rapidly from the tryst. As you sat lost in thought, Gunni dressed up, all the while teasing you about not turning around to look at his body. When he had finished, he picked up his sheathed sword that lay next to you.

“Come my little Christian. Let us go and see how your servants are faring.”

“Thank you.” You replied as you took his hand. “And please desist from calling me that.”

“What?”

“Little Christian.” You said. “I am no longer a child after all.”

Taking your hand in his, Gunni laughed as the two of you walked side-by-side.

“I am very aware of that fact. You are most certainly a woman. He said as he eyed you mischievously.

“Gunni!” You sighed as you tried to walk ahead of him.

However, you did not get far. Wrapping his arms around your waist from behind, he placed his chin on your bare shoulder. His beard tickling you greatly.

“I know you will rid yourself of that so-called Prince soon enough. When that is done, you will become my wife.” He said with his mouth against your ear. “Is that so?”

“Yes.” He said with a smile. “Do you not recall what I said to you when we first met?

“I remember. You kept telling me that we would get married.” You said. “Things have not changed I see. You were as cocky then, as you are now.

“Thank you. And you play coy now, as you did back then.” Gunni said with a laugh. “See, you and I share the same temperament and sarcastic wit. That is why I have asked the Gods to give you to me.”

“Really?” You scoffed as he held you closer. “Heathen Gods would give a Christian woman to you, a Viking King?”

“Of course. They control all things.” He replied before sweeping you off your feet.

“Gunni! I can very well walk on my own.”

“I know. But this is much more fun.”

__________________

Two days later, on Ragnar’s estate, Gunni sat patiently as he waited for the other men to show up in the courtyard. As he sat at the great oak table, a thrall served him some mead. It did not take long for a solemn Prince Alfred; who had also arrived early for the impeding meeting; to join him. The two men acknowledge each other civilly.

“Good afternoon Alfred. It appears that we are the first to show.”

“So it seems…King Gunni.” Your betrothed replied as he shifted in his seat a little.

“Please, just call me Gunni……Y/N does.”

Alfred could not quite put his finger on it, but he was beginning to detest your friend despite your demands for him to get along. Your betrothed may have been a reserved man but he was also a man capable of intense emotions. He did not appreciate Aethelred, nor anyone else, thinking he was so stupid as to not notice their intentions towards you. As a thrall finished pouring him some ale, Alfred decided to speak his mind.

“If I may be so bold to ask, are you married?”

“No, I am not.”

“That is interesting.” Alfred said as he searched for his next words.

“Is it?” An amused Gunni asked as he sipped his mead. “I suppose you and my mother would get along quite well then.

Alfred gave Gunni a stern look signifying he was not pleased with the jesting.

“Do not be so serious Prince Alfred. It far too early in the day for that. Gunni said with a smirk.

“As I was saying. The fact that you are an unmarried man makes me understand things a little more.

“How so?” Gunni asked.

“Because, I now understand why you do not see a problem with being so close to another man’s wife.”

“And who is that man?” An amused Gunni asked.

Alfred eyed him a moment and pursed his lips. Looking away, he composed himself so he would not allow the young King to make him act out of character. Finally, he looked at your friend again.

“I am speaking of Y/N. As a single man, I suppose you cannot appreciate my issue with your familiarity with her.

“Well do not worry, Y/N is an upstanding Christian woman. You should trust her.” Gunni said with a smirk.

Alfred cut him another severe look. He did not appreciate the amusement that your friend seemed to be getting from the topic.

“I trust her. It is you I wonder about.” Alfred said. “To remain close to another man’s wife....it would be foolish.

“Well, I am a foolish man.” Gunni said with a huge smile.

The Wessex Prince glared at the Viking King as the tension between them became worse. Fortunately, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd, Bjorn and Lancille arrived at that moment and took their seats.

“Where is Ivar?” Hvitserk asked Gunni.

“I am not certain. We have not seen him as of yet.”

Lancille was holding a letter that had arrived from Arundel and was eager to divulge the contents. However, he knew he had to wait for everyone to arrive. As he took a seat near Gunni, the two men exchanged pleasantries. Because of you, they knew each other well and got along for the most part.

“How do you fare today, Lancille?”

“I cannot complain. I am just glad that we are almost ready start making some tactical decisions and assigning the garrisons.”

“I feel the same way. It will be a sight will it not?” Gunni said. “Heathen and Christian fighting side by side?”

Lancille gave a weak smile and nodded his head in acknowledgment.

Over the years, his hatred of the Vikings had diminished a little. Mostly because of his friendship with people like Ragnar, Bjorn and Gunni. However, his religious sensibilities did not allow him to ignore many of the practices he found garish and uncivilized. For example, human sacrifice and the fact that most of their ceremonies involved blood - human or otherwise.

“I think this war will help to alleviate a great many misconceptions on both sides. Either way, it will be interesting will it not?” Lancille said.

“I will drink to that!” Gunni said as he tilted his horn towards your guard.

As everyone was speaking, Ragnar, Floki, Rollo and Prince Aethelwulf finally approached. The men were laughing quite loudly about a vulgar rumor going around Kattegat. When they arrived at the table, they all exchanged pleasantries before Ragnar looked around.

“Where is Ivar?”

“That is what we would like to know as well.” Ubbe said as he sipped his mead. “It is unlike him to not be one of the first to appear for battle planning.”

“Perhaps he was with a woman and overslept.” Hvitserk said – causing chuckles and laughter all around.

“I doubt that. Knowing him, he is likely sulking somewhere due to not being in charge of entire war.” Sigurd said with contempt.

____________________

While everyone was trying to figure out where he was, Ivar was happily headed to give you a gift. As you stood in the garden looking at flowers, he approached with a smile upon his face.

Handing you a red velvet wrapped item, your half-brother asked you to take a look. Giving him a kiss upon his cheek first, you unraveled the velvet and saw the most intricate wrist cuff.

“Do you like it?”

“My goodness Ivar. It is really, lovely.” You said as you looked at the gold wrist cuff in your hand. “But you did not have to spend so much coin on me.”

“Of course I did. After all, you are one of the few people I actually like.” He said with wink.

You did not know why he felt the need to purchase something so expensive for you but it was quite a lovely piece of jewelry. The rune adorned cuff was very much a Heathen piece, however, you put it on anyway. As you slid it onto your wrist, Ivar blue eyes studied you with pleased contemplation. While you and Ivar conversed, Pippa was seated nearby with your five Handmaids busily reading.

“Y/N, what are you doing this evening?” He suddenly asked.

“I am not certain as of yet but I was thinking about watching a show with Runa.”

“Runa?” Ivar said as he eyed you. “You mean Gunni’s sister?”

“Yes.”

“Will he be there as well?”

“I do not think so.” You replied as you smoothed your dark green dress. “I assume he will be with you men at your private banquet tonight.”

Ivar pursed his lips he shifted his weight upon his crutch.

“Why do you like to spend so much time with him?”

“Pardon?” You asked, a bit confused by the question.

“I know that he is your good friend but what of me?” Ivar said. “You have not spent any time with me but you find time for Sigurd, Bjorn and Gunni.”

“Would you like for us to do something?”

He looked away a moment but then turned to face you again.

“If you do not mind, I would like that.” Ivar replied, suddenly becoming quite sullen.

“Of course I do not mind, my short-tempered one.” You said as you caressed his cheek. “After all, you are one of my favorite people in the world. Perhaps Sigurd will want to --”

“I do not wish for you to invite Sigurd along!” Ivar snapped. “I want it to be just you and I. He gets enough of your attention as it is.”

You held in a chuckle, utterly amused by the pouty expression your brother was making.

“Alright. Then it shall be you and I.” You replied. “However, you will have to find something for us to do since I know you do not care for shows.

“I already have something planned.” He replied with a smirk and a wink of the eye.

“Good.” You replied.

As he turned to leave, Ivar stopped and turned to look at you.

“Are you not coming?”

“Where?”

“To the first tactical meeting. Or are have you decided to not attend?” Ivar asked.

You shook your head, utterly confused as to what he was talking about.

“You mean to tell me that no one told you about it?” A surprised Ivar asked.

“No, this is the first I am hearing of any such thing.”

Ivar was somewhat upset that everyone would choose to leave you out of a meeting that had to do with your kingdom. Being a pure strategist, he felt that there were numerous things about Arundel that you could provide information on. No matter how insignificant, he liked to know as much as possible before going into war. Thus, he wanted you to participate so he could be as knowledgeable as possible. After all, Ivar had great plans for after the war and most of them had to do with Arundel.

“Well then. Here is your chance to prove me wrong.”

“Prove you wrong about what?” You asked.

“I once told you that you would grow up to be a puppet Queen who spent her time choosing pretty dresses while others made the hard decisions.” Ivar said. “So, will you resign yourself to needlework and reading while others make decisions without you or will you get your hands dirty?” He asked with a raised brow.

“My mother would never sit back and expect others to do all the hard work and neither will I.” You said. “Please, take me to this meeting.”

Ivar, who was happy with your decision, gave you a devilish grin as he cocked his head.

“Follow me Princess.”

____________________

As curly haired Dorian sat upon his horse in a massive open field, one of his Royal messengers came running.

The young King had just concluded some War Games with his team of knights and was in a celebratory mood since they had won. However, when he saw the expression upon the messenger’s face, his mood changed.

“What is it?” He snapped.

“King Dorian! Please forgive the intrusion but there is a letter for you from the allies.....of.......of Princess Y/N. Would you like for me to read it aloud now or--”

The messenger was nearly shaking as he held the letter in his hand. He averted his eyes knowing very well how the mention of your name sent the King into tangents, sometimes very violent ones. As the messenger held his breath, hoping he had not drawn the King’s ire, he mumbled a silent prayer.

“I do not need you to read it! Leave it for me in my study and I shall read it myself.” Your upset cousin said as he looked out over the distance. “And remember, the next time you interrupt my celebration, I shall have you flogged. Now go.”

Dorian had hoped that the years at King Charles’s court would have softened your stance on revenge. After all, the offer to marry him was never rescinded. However, he now realized that he would indeed have to go to war against you. The person he considered his best childhood friend and soul-mate.

_________________

“Please do not be so sullen my handsome King.” A female servant said. “Pray tell me what I can do to make you feel better.

Dorian was beside himself with both anger and sadness as the woman gently caressed his head.

The letter, that had been signed by King Ragnar, King Ecbert, King Gunni, King Ælla and King Edmund, not only indicated that war was indeed coming but that you were marrying Prince Alfred to solidify the alliance.

“I want you to get out!” Dorian shouted, finally having enough of his servant’s presence.

The woman left, despite wanting to stay. Since she had slept with the young King before, she had hoped that this night would be no different. However, he was in no mood for her sexual advances or anything else for that matter. His mind was utterly fixated on the impending war. After pacing for a few minutes, Dorian departed his chambers. With purpose, he walked to find the man whom he knew could provide the assistance he would require.

___________________

“King Dorian....” Lord Alfie said as he smiled at the young King. “How can I be of service?”

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merrillmastersenglish · 3 years

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Discussion Post 3:

Prompt:

In graduate school, we are more self-conscious scholars. We begin to question what our field consists of, or we uncover problems and suggest solutions or new directions. The first half of Wendy Hui Kyong Chun's Updating to Remain the Same focuses on abstract media theories. Yet, one of her more compelling ideas is that most of us are driven to keep up with our technology because of the following formula: Habit + Crisis = Update. Because of this model, Chun elaborates, "Just when we are finally accustomed to something, it changes" (69).

Write an original post of 1-2 paragraphs where you discuss how you, your job, and/or your family and friends negotiate this formula in your everyday lives.

In part 1 of her book Updating to Remain the Same: Habitual New Media, author and researcher Wendy Hui Kyong Chun spends a plethora of time and pages describing the role that habit plays into change. Chun argues that habit is defined in several ways-- some of which are a bit contradictory:

1. Habit is a form of dependency (4)

2. Habit is culture become second nature (5)

3. Habit enables stability (6)

4. Habit prevents class warfare (7)

5. Habit keeps us all within bounds of ordinance (7)

6. Habits can bind us (8)

7. Habits can awaken us (8)

8. Habits are acquired (8)

9. Habits cause skill formation (9)

10. Habits are projected links based on frequent and potential repetition (53)

11. Information is habit (53)

12. Habit is the key to determining probablity (54)

13. Habit can falsify experience. (55)

14. Habit enables radical change (89)

Because of the sheer amount of “habits are” that Chun provides to the reader, it would be impossible for habits not to impact a person in their daily lives. In fact, habits are everywhere and everything. Habits are the repetitions that we go through every day-- going to work at the same time, eating supper at the same time, posting discussion responses-- even the lack of a habit can be a habit. For example-- I may not have a great habit of reading or writing over a long period of time, but when I have deadlines it is my habit to procrastinate until just before the deadline. My students, my children, my husband-- many of us share this same “skill”-- you know, since habits create skill. On second thought, I’m just going to start referring to procrastination as my greatest skills. :)

The second part of the equation that Chun proposes is crisis. Crisis, according to Chun is a habit change. Crisis is not really that much of a crisis in the United States though-- because as Chun asserts, “neoliberalism thrives on crises: it makes crises ordinary” (3). Crisis may seem pressing when we recognize it, but we often live in a perpetual state of crisis-- some of the crises that exist in our lives may be present but not realized. Crisis then, like habit, can be a natural state that we all live in.

When we do realize the crisis though, the knowledge of its existence should realistically challenge the habits that support the crisis’s continued existence. The problem with this theory though is that we live in a networked society, and networks work to stabilize a series of crises, and according to Chun-- create bubbles in time (27). Networks of people or ideas actively resist change, and in doing so-- create a sustained period of crises in the lives of people.

I found myself thinking back to the “Trump Era” a lot while reading this first part because I felt like we were constantly in a state of crisis. On the other hand, republicans that I know thought the opposite true-- that Trump was a solution to the crisis that exists in our society. The two networks of people (democrats and republicans) played a tug of war that seemed to last forever (and in fact-- that still persists). The result was that many progressives lived in a state of perpetual protest-- fighting for change and equality that they saw being stifled by the administration-- while republicans fought for the continuation of policies because they saw them as a return to practices that they saw as being the founding principals of this country. Political issues are one of the easiest places to notice both habit, crisis and change in action. For example: Habit: cops have engrained bias towards POC and therefore use excessive force more often. Crisis: video footage by civilians brings this issue to light by highlighting the prevalence of this bias in action. Change: Policy introduction, police prosecution, and attitude change because of the visibility of evidence contrary to popular thought create new systems or propositions. Some could argue that the videotaping of police in general is a quantifiable change that can be observed as a result of the continued brutality.

When I think about the changes that are most close to me though-- and the perpetuation of systems that claim to address the crisis but ultimately work to continue it-- I think of education in general. In education radical teachers are ones who buck against the system and who don’t conform to the norms that are in place. Radical teachers are often stymied by the system because they bounce from school to school due to the administrations’ sheer avoidance of change and their active repelling of it. Radical thinking is not condoned by the network of professionals in the education field, and as a result-- over time-- habit drives these teachers into submission. UNLESS there is a crisis to prompt change. A great example of this lies in the documentary Precious Knowledge which follows teachers in the Tucson Unified School District who teach a curriculum around Chicano and Chicana history. This program was designed to empower students to learn through a different lens-- and the aim was ultimately to increase graduation numbers and to empower students to be active participants in their society and lives. It was a radical idea though because it challenged the norm of whitewashed history in classrooms. As a result, people who were in the more republican/white network were uncomfortable with this challenge, and pushed back against it. Change may have been impossible if those teachers and students simply accepted the decisions passed down by the TUSD school board, but they did not. Instead, they actively worked to network and create a message that countered the dominant narrative, by providing information to the masses about their program. The result? Change. TUSD cut the program, but teachers running the program along with students who had benefitted from it took the issue to a higher court. Ultimately the court ruled in their favor-- finding that the state and superintendent of school districts violated the equal protection clause because the removal of the classes were based solely on racial animus (Wikipedia).

Habit + Crisis = Change also personally relates to me because of the non-stop battle I have fought with the school district my son attends in this year. My son, Azure, is a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Anxiety. Azure is high functioning, but has always been a level 3 special education student until last year-- when his progress was so significant that he skipped a grade AND was moved to a level 2 special education. On March 13, 2020 we moved from Saint Paul, MN to Brooklyn Center, MN and as a result-- Azure had to change schools. March 13 was also the exact same time that ALL schools in the state of Minnesota closed their doors “out of an abundance of caution” because of COVID. Now, I’m not sure if it was because of the hustle bustle of COVID or because of the incompetence of the officials working in the school, but somehow-- Azure’s incoming IEP noted that he would be a “level 1″ student. This means that whereas Azure was a student who previously received 60% of his education in the special education room, he would now receive only 10% of his time in the special education classroom. In addition to this all, Azure went through a variety of changes that were a direct result of COVID-- including several model shifts. This spot on his IEP was small, and as a parent I had placed (probably too much) trust into the school professionals and assumed that the service levels my son would receive would be comparable to what he was receiving at his previous school-- it wasn’t. Azure experienced near constant dysregulation when placed back in the classroom full-time. He was often being sent home, or I was being called to come get him early. All of these things came to a head when the principal decided that Azure was to be suspended for throwing a pencil case. So, I get it-- not the best action-- but it was a direct result of dysregulation that happened because the staff at the school were changing his routine without giving him advanced warning. In a phone call from the principal he noted that he didn’t understand why I was saying that Azure was a level 2 SPED because he was listed as a level 1. My eyes were open-- we had a crisis-- Azure was dysregulating at school and as a result I kicked into action. I demanded all IEP drafts, PWNs and any other documentation that the school had. I demanded that the school move Azure-- they refused. I filed a complaint with the state of Minnesota DOE, and wrote a long email citing case law about education. When challenged enough, the network of educators resisting change-- backed down. They did not back down from my MDE complaint though-- in fact, they pushed back. In the end, I am going to win this fight. The MDE investigator has noted to me that these changes that the school district made were inappropriate. They are going to be required to “reimburse” Azure the 10500 service minutes that they shorted him during the school year. They are going to be required to provide services that he needs. Change is going to happen.

The problem with change on this scale is that it is personal and I can’t guarantee that it is systemic. I need the systemic change because as an educator I see a problem with my field that NEEDS to change so that neurodiverse students can survive and thrive in public education institutions. I will be using this experience to drive my research for the consultation and working to find the systemic change I desire as a result. It is the habit of school districts to ignore or try to minimize the money they spend on special education students. It is the habit of school districts to focus their teaching on neurotypical students. Crisis is happening across the spectrum of education, and it has and will continue to result in change when people network and push back.

I don’t see a place or space where this theory doesn’t hold truth. Innovation and change is always the result of something going wrong. If we don’t find fault in something, what is the motivation to change it?

My final thought about the first part of this book is this: Chun suggests that we do not “defer a future for another future” because it is problematic and “it is itself a haunting” (91) which harkens back to the words of my favorite poet-- Langston Hughes in one of his most seminole works: Dream Deferred:

“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?”

What I am saying is-- we can’t ignore the crises because they are a deferment of the dreams we have of our future, and we don’t know what the consequences of ignoring those things would be -- but we also do know what the consequences currently are so to ignore is to remain stuck and to continue to perpetuate problems. Crisis may be uncomfortable, but it is also completely necessary for change.

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clarencenicholsonata · 3 years

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13 Family-Owned Businesses That Went Global

When most people start a small family business, they dont realize just how far they can actually take it. Usually, these businesses are kept within the community and kept as a small family hustle. Just because you’re starting a mom-and-pop business though, it doesn’t mean you have to think small.

Some of the world’s biggest brands and retail giants started just like that. With a great product and ambitious goals, it’s completely possible to take your family-owned business to the world. Many of the businesses that have achieved this have still managed to keep things run by the family too.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest family-owned businesses that went global, going from a small business to a world-leading brand.

Ben & Jerrys

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield started a small ice cream business out of a gas station in Vermont. This was just a classic family-run ice cream shop, but Ben and Jerry had big ambitions. Their idea was simple and their product was fantastic, which lead to Ben & Jerry's becoming the world’s most famous name in ice cream.

Ben and Jerry kept the business in their families between 1978 and 2000, until the company was eventually acquired by Unilever. With locations all over the globe and easily recognizable, iconic branding, this is one local family business that went far beyond their simple gas station start.

Walmart

Walmart started out in Arkansas in 1950 under the initial name Walton’s 5 & 10. Sam Walton, who started the business, had a clear vision for a retail model that kept prices low while still focusing on the consumer. Fast forward a few years, and Walmart became the biggest retailer in the world.

Even though Walmart has been going strong for so many years, it remains a family-owned and publicly traded business. Sam Waltons heirs own more than 50% of Walmart, and they have maintained Sam’s vision throughout their global expansion. Today, Walmart operates around 10500 stores, with over 2.3 million employees worldwide. A pretty big feat for a family-run business of such humble beginnings.

Dell

In 1984, Michael Dell started making computers in his college dorm room. He soon saw the future potential of his business, dropped out of school, and built up one of the biggest tech companies the world has seen.

As his business took off, Dell computers soon made their way all around the globe. Michael Dell’s original vision of creating a more affordable computing solution that kept a high level of customer service clearly worked. Although Dell merged with EMC in 2016, the Dell family still holds a 76% share of the business.

Nike

This global giant may be a publicly-traded company, but it is still effectively controlled by the original founder’s family. Nike was started in 1964, and co-founder Phil Knight has been the face of the brand ever since. He and his son, Travis Knight, control more than 97% of outstanding class A shares.

While Phil Knight has stepped down from his role as chairman, Travis continues to keep the family legacy going strong. As one of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands, it’s amazing that Nike has remained a family-owned operation.

The Body Shop

In 1976, a husband and wife duo, Gordon and Anita Roddick started The Body Shop. Their original vision was to create a beauty and wellness brand that didn’t support animal testing and supported fair trade instead. This was a pretty unique idea at the time.

The Body Shop’s concept gained momentum, with the business spreading across the globe at a rapid rate. Although the company was bought by L’Oreal, The Body Shop was created as a small family business, and it was run by the family for many years.

Panda Express

Panda Express was started by a husband and wife team, Andrew and Peggy Cherng. With the help of Andrews’s father, their first store was opened in California in 1973. Andrew and Peggy started the store after college without any actual culinary education behind them. However, they managed to build one of the most successful fast-casual chain restaurants in the world.

Panda Express turned away franchising opportunities many times in order to maintain their family-run vision. The business is still keeping the family tradition alive, with two of the founders’ daughters working senior positions in the company.

Whole Foods Market

1980 saw the first Whole Foods Market, then named SaferWay, open in Austin texas. The original store was a small health food shop started by John Mackey and Renee Lawson. The shop was a family-run affair, started with an initial investment provided by friends and family.

In 2017, Whole Foods was acquired by Amazon for billions of dollars. The health food retail giant has opened up hundreds of stores across the US, Canada, and the UK. Whole Foods Market is a great example of a simple family business that managed to snowball into a massive global operation.

Samsung

Samsung was founded in 1938 in South Korea, and it has grown into one of the world’s most prolific global companies. Samsung is an international leader in computer memory chips and various electronic devices. The company has even expanded into other divisions, such as securities, life insurance, and trading.

Even though Samsung has grown into such a massive global brand, the company still remains South Korea’s largest family conglomerate. The founding Lee family control about 22% of the company, and have maintained a major family share of the company since its inception.

Aldi

Here’s another supermarket that started with humble beginnings and became a huge global supermarket chain. Aldi was started in 1946 by two brothers, Karl, and Theo Albrecht. They started out with a corner thrift store and turned it into an affordable supermarket. Their vision has stayed the same over all these years, something that has maintained their position as one of the worlds most popular international supermarkets.

One of the most inspiring things about Aldi is that it has stayed a 100% family-owned business since its inception. Theo’s two sons inherited the family business and took it over after their father passed away.

Patagonia

Patagonia is a globally recognized brand known for its environmentalism and high-quality products. The business was started in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, who sold rock climbing and alpine clothing. Through rapid growth over the years, Patagonia is now a leading outdoor brand around the world.

Chouinard’s business may have risen from a small family enterprise to an international industry leader, but Patagonia has stayed true to its mission. The brand continues to focus its efforts to help the planet.

Patagonia is also a very family-focused business. They pay a great deal of attention to their on-site childcare facilities and try to run the company as though employees are family members.

Berkshire Hathaway

Warren Buffet, the highly successful investor, has grown his investment firm from a small startup to one of the world’s biggest public companies. Although Berkshire Hathaway is such a major public company, Buffet maintains voting control. His bulk share ownership is also set to pass onto his family, keeping Berkshire Hathaway under the Buffet family name.

The conglomerate owns many different companies, such as Coca-Cola, American Express, Apple, and Dairy Queen.

Ford

We’ve all heard the story of Henry Ford, and how he started his Ford Motor Company back in 1903 in Michigan. Well, the Ford family still holds a 40% stake in the business and is still actively involved in its operations. This is certainly one of the longest-running and most successful family-owned businesses.

Various Ford family members hold top executive positions in the company, and it doesn’t seem like the proud Ford family name will step away from the world-famous car company any time soon.

Koch Industries

Koch Industries was founded in 1940 by Fred Koch. Today it is run by his two sons, David, and Charles Koch. This family-owned business is one of the largest privately-owned companies in the world. Koch Industries covers various different sectors and owns a range of iconic products.

The business was started after Fred Koch developed a new type of crude oil refining process. Over the years, this family-run business has spread itself into further industries, and it maintains its privately-held status.

Final Thoughts

Starting a family business is a popular idea for many. It might be seen as a fun way to explore a hobby or even a side hustle. With the right idea, dedication, and marketing plan, any small family business has the potential to grow into a global sensation.

All of the businesses listed above have maintained a strong family focus and were built up by these individuals. Today, these companies are well known all around the world.

If you were looking for inspiration for your own family business, then the examples listed above should show you just how much potential your business has for growth. Whether you’re taking over a thrift store or selling ice cream from a gas station, there is always an unlimited opportunity for your success.